The Men-10 cDNA encodes a novel form of proline-rich protein expressed in the tapetum of dioecious Silene latifolia

The Men-10 gene is expressed specifically in the tapetum tissue that surrounds and nourishes the developing microspores in the dioecious plant species, Silene latifolia. Men-10 encodes a proline-rich protein that contains a predicted signal region, indicating that it may be secreted from the tapetal cells and function in the extracellular domain of the tapetum or be translocated to the developing microspores. Here we report the sequence and precise expression pattern of the Men-10 cDNA and demonstrate a high level of restriction fragment length polymorphism associated with the Men-10 locus. The possible classification of Men-10 amongst known groups of proline- and hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins, such as the arabinogalactan proteins, is discussed.