PROLINE-RICH AND HYDROXYPROLINE-RICH GENE-PRODUCTS IN THE SEXUAL TISSUES OF FLOWERS

This review summarises information on hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein s (HRGPs) and clones encoding these molecules isolated from male and f emale tissues of flowering plants. HRGPs are abundant in sexual tissue s and a number of different HRGPs have been isolated. The protein and carbohydrate components of these HRGPs have been characterised and cDN As encoding the protein backbones of several have been isolated and se quenced. Further work is directed at detailed structural analysis of t he carbohydrate side chains of these molecules and their points of lin kage to the protein backbones. The biological functions of most of the se molecules have not yet been established unequivocally.