Biosynthesis of anther cuticle and pollen exine in rice

The lipidic structures, anther cuticle (outer anther surface) and pollen exine (outer pollen wall), play a key protective role for the male gametophyte and pollen grain development. We recently identified ancient cytochrome P450 family member CYP704B2 in rice and proposed a common fatty acid omega-hydroxylation pathway for synthesizing anther cuticle and pollen exine during plant male reproductive development. Here, we propose developmental model of pollen exine formation and discuss key genes required for pollen exine synthesis in the important crop plant rice.