Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide-mediated gene knockdown in pollen tubes

Abstract

Specific gene knockdown mediated by the antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AODNs) strategy recently emerged as a rapid and effective tool for probing gene role in plant cells, particularly tip-growing pollen tubes. Here, we describe the protocol for the successful employment of AODN technique in growing tobacco pollen tubes, covering AODN design, application, and analysis of the results. We also discuss the advantages and drawbacks of this method.