Cytogenetical studies in the bridge cross Allium cepa× (A. fistulosum×A. roylei)

  Allium fistulosum harbours a number of desirable agronomical traits for the breeding of onions. However exploitation of A. fistulosum for onion breeding via direct sexual hybridization is problematic. Therefore, we examined if a bridge cross, using A. roylei as a bridging species, might provide an alternative. By means of genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) we showed that each of the three parental genomes can be distinguished from the others in interspecific hybrids, suggesting that these genomes contain sufficiently different repetitive DNA families. We succeeded in carrying out multi-colour GISH to metaphase spreads of a first-generation bridge-cross individual [A. cepa× (A. fistulosum×A. roylei], which is composed of three parental genomes. Recombination between the genomes of A. fistulosum and A. roylei took place to a large extent: 7 recombined chromosomes were observed, and it could be shown that the proximal regions of the recombined A. fistulosum/A. roylei chromosomes belonged to the former, whereas the distal parts belonged to the latter. The high percentage of bound bivalent arms in metaphase I of pollen mother cells of a fertile bridge-cross individual suggests the introgression of A. fistulosum genes, mediated by A. roylei, into the genome of A. cepa. However, the presence of univalents reflects decreased pairing and recombination between the three genomes. Pollen fertility and pollen-tube growth of the first-generation bridge-cross individual seem to be sufficient to produce a second generation bridge-cross (A. cepa×first-generation bridge cross) progeny. Received: 27 May 1997 / Accepted: 30 June 1997     

Die Verlagerungsfähigkeit des Zellinhaltes der Zwiebelschuppen von Allium cepa durch Zentrifugierung

Die Behandlung lebender Zellen mit der Zentrifuge veranlaßt in ihnen eine Verlagerung der toten und lebenden Bestandteile, wofern diese verschiedenes spezifisches Gewicht haben. Eine Verlagerung wird mit um so geringeren Zentrifugalkräften zu erreichen sein, je größer der Unterschied im spezifischen Gewicht benachbarter Teile ist, und je geringer diejenigen Kräfte sind, welche einer Bewegung der Teilchen entgegenwirken. Ihre Bewegung wird durch hohe Viskosität, andererseits durch Adhäsion an anderen Teilen, z. B. an der Membran, beeinflußt.Im folgenden soll von den durch Zentrifugenbehandlung erreichbaren Verlagerungen der Bestandteile lebender Zellen die Rede sein, sowie von den inneren und äußeren Faktoren, welche auf die Verlagerung Einfluß gewinnen können.Alle meine Untersuchungen wurden an den Geweben der Zwiebelschuppen (Allium cepa) ausgeführt. Ich ließ die Zentrifuge zunächst auf dünne, mit einer scharfen Rasierklinge abgeschnittene Epidermislamellen wirken und verfuhr dabei derart, daß ich die Schnitte mit einem Wattebausch in halb mit Wasser oder Lösungen gefüllten Köhren in einem Abstand von ca. 15 cm vom Zentrum in fixe Lage brachte. Weiterhin wurden aus den Zwiebelschuppen Gewebeprismen herausgeschnitten und zentrifugiert. Schließlich wurden auch ganze, intakte Zwiebeln geschleudert und die Zentrifugenwirkung an den aus ihnen angefertigten Epidermisschnitten geprüft.Neben frischen turgeszenten Epidermiszellen wurden in weiteren Versuchsserien Epidermisschnitte, die vorher mit verschiedenen Plasmolyticis behandelt worden waren, der Zentrifugenbehandlung ausgesetzt.Die Zentrifugenschnelligkeit schwankte zwischen 1200 und 3000 Umdrehungen in der Minute, entsprechend einer Fliehkraft von 375 bis 1500 g. Die Wirkungsunterschiede sind innerhalb dieser Grenzen bedeutungslos wie mehrere Versuche gezeigt haben; meistens habe ich mich mit einer Schnelligkeit von 1500 Umdrehungen begnügt.

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Seinem Leiter, Herrn Professor Dr. Küster, möchte ich hiermit meinen herzlichsten Dank für sein stetes Entgegenkommen aussprechen.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of zimmu ( Allium sativum L. ‘ Allium cepa L.) leaf extract

The fungitoxic effect of various medicinal plants belonging to different families was evaluated in vitro on Rhizoctonia solani, the rice sheath blight pathogen. Of the various plant extracts, the leaf extract of zimmu (Allium cepa × Allium sativum) showed the maximum antifungal activity against R. solani and recorded an inhibition zone of 12?mm. The leaf extract of zimmu was also effective in inhibiting the growth of other agronomically important fungal and bacterial pathogens viz., Aspergillus flavus, Curvularia lunata, Alternaria solani, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri. The antimicrobial compound was dissoluble in methanol and the methanolic extract showed the absorption maxima at 210?nm and 230?nm. Phenolic compounds were present in greater amounts in methanol extract of zimmu. TLC analysis showed the appearance of two blue spots at R _f ?=?0.65 and R _f ?=?0.90. The compounds eluted at R _f ?=?0.65 and R _f ?=?0.90 by preparative TLC exhibited strong antifungal activity against R. solani.     

Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus growth and detoxification of aflatoxin B1 by the medicinal plant zimmu (Allium sativum L. × Allium cepa L.)

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic, teratogenic and immunosuppressive secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxin contamination of peanut is one of the most important constraints to peanut production worldwide. In order to develop an eco-friendly method of prevention of A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination in peanut, aqueous extracts obtained from leaves of 30 medicinal plants belonging to different families were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the growth of A. flavus in vitro. Among them the leaf extract of zimmu (Allium sativum L. × Allium cepa L.) was the only one that showed antifungal activity against A. flavus and recorded 73% inhibition of A. flavus growth. The antifungal activity of the zimmu extract was significantly decreased upon dialysis with a dialysis membrane having molecular cut off 12 kDa or autoclaving at 121°C for 20 min or boiling at 100°C for 10 min and recorded inhibition of 52, 16 and 21%, respectively. When A. flavus was grown in medium containing zimmu extract the production of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) was completely inhibited even at a concentration of 0.5%. When AFB₁ was incubated with zimmu extract a complete degradation of AFB₁ was observed 5 days after incubation. When the roots of zimmu were incubated in water containing 70 ng of AFB₁/ml, a reduction (by 58.5%) in AFB₁ concentration was observed 5 days after incubation. A significant reduction in the population of A. flavus in the soil, kernel infection by A. flavus and aflatoxin contamination in kernels was observed when peanut was intercropped with zimmu. The population of the fungal antagonist, Trichoderma viride in the zimmu-intercropped field increased approximately twofold.     

Spezifische Giemsa-Färbung von heterochromatischen Chromosomensegmenten bei Vicia faba,Allium cepa und Paeonia tenuifolia

Zusammenfassung Im theoretischen Teil werden die verschiedenen Hypothesen über den Mechanismus der unterschiedlichen Giemsa-Färbung von Eu- und Heterochromatin diskutiert. Im experimentellen Teil wird das Giemsa-Bandenmuster bei Vieia faba, Allium cepa und Paeonia tenuifolia beschrieben. Sowohl in den stark kondensierten Metaphase-Chromosomen als auch in den Interphase-Kernen können die heterochromatischen Chromosomensegmente auf Grund der stärkeren Giemsa-Färbung vom Euchromatin unterschieden werden. Die Zahl der Chromocentren ist jedoch in den meisten Fällen kleiner als die der Giemsa-Banden in den Metaphase-Chromosomen, was auf die Fusion heterochromatischer Chromosomenabschnitte in der Interphase hinweist.Innerhalb einer Art zeigen auch nicht-homologe Chromosomen ein ähnliches Giemsa-Bandenmuster. Diese für eine Art charakteristische Verteilung von Eu- und Heterochromatin wurde von Heitz (1935) als äquilokale Heterochromatie bezeichnet. Die Bedeutung dieser Erscheinung ist weitgehend unbekannt.

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Differential Giemsa staining of heterochromatic regions in the chromosomes of Vicia faba, Allium cepa and Paeonia tenuifolia

Summary Hypotheses for the mechanism of differential Giemsa staining of euchromatin and heterochromatin are discussed. The banding-patterns of Vicia faba, Allium cepa and Paeonia tenuifolia are described. Heterochromatic chromosome segments have been identified in metaphase chromosomes to correspond with those to be found in interphase nuclei. The fact that the number of chromocenters is usually smaller than the number of Giemsa bands in the metaphase chromosomes is supposed to be due to fusion of heterochromatic sections during interphase. Within each species non-homologous chromosomes exhibit similar patterns. The significance of this phenomenon, which has been called aequilocal heterochromacy by Heitz, is so far unknown.

     

Induction of systemic resistance to bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum in cotton by leaf extract from a medicinal plant zimmu (Allium sativum L. × Allium cepa L.)

Abstract

Aqueous extract (10%) from leaves of zimmu (Allium sativum L. × Allium cepa L.) when applied as foliar spray to first and second leaves of cotton plants induced systemic resistance in third and fourth leaves to a challenge infection with Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum and reduced the number of lesions by up to 73% compared with water-treated control plants. The treated leaves exhibited significantly high activity of enzymes phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase along with rapid accumulation of phenolics. The activities of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase were greatly elevated in treated plants as compared to water-treated controls. An 11-fold increase in chitinase activity was evident 4 d after treatment. Western blot analysis revealed that a chitinase with an apparent molecular weight of 58 kDa that cross-reacted with a barley chitinase antiserum was induced in cotton leaves 3 d after treatment and the maximum induction of this chitinase was detected 4 d after treatment. The present study provides evidence for the induction of biochemical defence mechanisms in cotton leaves after treatment with leaf extract from zimmu.     

γ-Tubulin is associated with a cortical-microtubule-organizing zone in the developing guard cells of Allium cepa L.

A key event in the differentiation of elliptically shaped guard cells such as those in Allium is the formation of a radial array of cortical microtubules (Mts) which, by controlling the orientation of wall microfibrils, plays an important role in cell shaping. Previous experiments strongly indicated that the array is nucleated in a zone adjacent to the new ventral wall soon after cytokinesis. In order to further clarify the function of this zone, we performed dual immunolocalizations on Allium guard cells with anti--tubulin, to detect Mts, and an antibody to -tubulin, a protein known to be present at Mt-organizing centers in other species and recently identified in plants as well. -Tubulin antibody stained the cortical zone adjacent to the ventral wall, while little or no fluorescence was present elsewhere along the radial Mt array or at other sites in the cell. The antibody also stained the mitotic poles and phragmoplast in guard mother cells, as it does in other material. No staining was seen when the primary antibody was omitted. The results are consistent with nucleation of the radial array at a cortical-Mt-organizing zone next to the ventral wall, and set the stage for more in-depth studies on the spatial and temporal control of Mt formation in differentiating cells.Abbreviations CLSM confocal laser scanning microscope - FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate - Mt microtubule - MTOC microtubule-organizing center This work was supported by National Science Foundation grant DCB-9019285 to B.A.P., National Institutes of Health (NS30009) and American Cancer Society (CD6255) grants to H.C.J., and a University of Georgia Graduate School Assistantship to B.L. We thank Dr. Mark Farmer and the University of Georgia Center for Advanced Ultrastructural Research for the use of the confocal microscope.     

Zur relativen biologischen Wirksamkeit von 15-MeV-Elektronen und 200-kV-Röntgenstrahlen auf Wurzelspitzenzellen von Allium cepa

Ohne ZusammenfassungDie vollständige Fassung des Vortrages erscheint im Kongreßband-Sonderheft der Strahlentherapie, Verlag Urban & Schwarzenberg, München-Berlin.     

Cytogenetic and microtubule array effects of the zineb-containing commercial fungicide formulation Azzurro(®) on meristematic root cells of Allium cepa L

Zineb [ethylene bis(dithiocarbamate) zinc] is a widely employed foliar fungicide for agricultural and industrial applications. Allium cepa L. is a reliable model for the assessment of xenobiotic genotoxicity and cytotoxicity. We evaluated the effects of the zineb-containing commercial formulation Azzurro(?) (70% zineb) in cell cycle stages of the meristem root cells of A. cepa. The mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations at anaphase/telophase (CAs), micronuclei (MN), and abnormalities in immunodetected microtubule structures, e.g., preprophasic band (PPB), mitotic spindle (MS), and phragmoplast (Phrag), were used as end-points. Azzurro(?) (1 and 10μg/ml) induced a significant increase in the frequency of CAs (P<0.05), and the higher concentration inhibited the MI (P<0.05) compared to control values. The frequency of MN did not differ from control values at any concentration. Treatment with 1μg/ml Azzurro(?) induced a significant increase in the frequency of abnormal PPB (P<0.01), MS (P<0.001), and Phrag (P<0.01) and, at 10μg/ml, enhancements in the frequencies of abnormal MS (P<0.05) and Phrag (P<0.05) were seen. A tubulin immunodetection assay showed that exposure to Azzurro(?) interferes with normal assembly of microtubule structures during mitosis.     

Transient expression of uidA constructs in in vitro onion ( Allium cepa L.) cultures following particle bombardment and Agrobacterium‐mediated DNA delivery

Particle bombardment and Agrobacterium-mediated DNA delivery into immature embryos and microbulbs were used to investigate the expression of the uidA gene in in vitro onion cultures. Both methods were successful in delivering DNA and subsequent uidA expression was observed. Optimal transient -glucuronidase activity was observed in immature embryos that had been pre-cultured for three days and bombarded at a distance of 3 cm from the stopping plate, under 25 in Hg vacuum, using 900–1300 psi rupture discs. The CaMV35S-uidA gene construct gave five fold higher transient -glucuronidase activity than the uidA gene construct regulated by any of four other promoters initially chosen for high experession in monocotyledonous tissues.Abbreviations GUS -glucuronidase - IE immature embryo - MUG methylumbelliferyl -D-glucuronide     

Two different Bacillus thuringiensis toxin genes confer resistance to beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua Hübner) in transgenic Bt-shallots (Allium cepa L.)

Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation was applied to produce beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua Hübner) resistant tropical shallots (Allium cepa L. group Aggregatum). A cry1Ca or a H04 hybrid gene from Bacillus thuringiensis, driven by the chrysanthemum ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase small subunit (Rubisco SSU) promoter, along with the hygromycin phosphotransferase gene (hpt) driven by the CaMV 35S promoter, was employed for genetic transformation. An average transformation frequency of 3.68% was obtained from two shallot cultivars, Tropix and Kuning. After transfer of the in vitro plants to the greenhouse 69% of the cry1Ca and 39% of the H04 transgenic shallots survived the first half year. After one year of cultivation in the greenhouse the remaining cry1Ca and H04 transgenic plants grew vigorously and had a normal bulb formation, although the cry1Ca transgenic plants (and controls) had darker green leaves compared to their H04 counterparts. Standard PCR, adaptor ligation PCR and Southern analyses confirmed the integration of T-DNA into the shallot genome. Northern blot and ELISA analyses revealed expression of the cry1Ca or H04 gene in the transgenic plants. The amount of Cry1Ca expressed in transgenic plants was higher than the expression levels of H04 (0.39 vs. 0.16% of the total soluble leaf proteins, respectively). There was a good correlation between protein expression and beet armyworm resistance. Cry1Ca or H04 gene expression of at least 0.22 or 0.08% of the total soluble protein in shallot leaves was sufficient to give a complete resistance against beet armyworm. This confirms earlier observations that the H04 toxin is more toxic to S. exigua than the Cry1Ca toxin. The results from this study suggest that the cry1Ca and H04 transgenic shallots developed could be used for introducing resistance to beet armyworm in (sub) tropical shallot.     

Beiträge zur Ultrahistologie der Wurzelspitze beiAllium cepa

Zusammenfassung An großflächigen UltradÜnnschnitten durch verschiedene Regionen der Wurzelspitze vonAllium cepa wurden vergleichende Untersuchungen Über den Feinbau bestimmter, durch ihre GewebezugehÖrigkeit charakterisierter Zellen durchgefÜhrt (Fixierung: OsO₄ und KMnO₄). Dabei ergaben sich gewebeabhängige Unterschiede in der Ausbildung verschiedener Zellorganelle:Das endoplasmatische Reticulum (ER) sich differenzierender Metaxylemelemente weist eine Modifizierung auf, die an ergastoplasmatische Bildungen mancher tierischer Zellen erinnert. Im Gegensatz zu Rindenzellen und den bisher vor allem beschriebenen Meristemzellen treten hier regelmäßig langgestreckte, parallele Zisternen auf, die — vielfach sphärisch gekrÜmmt — ausgedehnte Cytoplasmabereiche durchsetzen.Die jungen SiebrÖhren sind durch eigenartige, aus dem Endomembransystem hervorgegangene Membranaggregate ausgezeichnet, wie sie bisher bei Pflanzen nur nach experimentell erzeugter Anoxie gefunden wurden (Gavaudan, Wrischer).Das Cytoplasma der die Wurzelspitze peripher umgebenden Kalyptrazellen bietet einen vesikulären Aspekt. Die Vesikel kÖnnen auf verschiedene Art aus dem ER entstehen: Abgliederung am Rande von Zisternen; Bildung aus lokalen Anschwellungen gestreckter Zisternen; Zerfall eines zuvor gebildeten Netzwerkes vielfach verzweigter, tubulärer Elemente dieses Membransystems.Golgi-Apparate kommen erwartungsgemäß in allen Zellen der Wurzelspitze vor; in der Wurzelhaube lassen unmittelbar an den Rändern der Membranpakete liegende Vesikel auf eine gesteigerte Aktivität dieser Organelle schließen.Die Mitochondrien der Kalyptrazellen zeigen in Form und Dichte den fÜr besonders stoffwechselaktive Gewebe beschriebenen Strukturaspekt und unterscheiden sich daher deutlich von jenen der Meristemzellen; dies steht in Einklang mit den Angaben Jensens Über eine exzessive Sauerstoffaufnahme der Wurzelhaube.Im Cytoplasma vieler Zellen wurden Partikel aufgefunden, die bei mäßiger VergrÖßerung an kleine Mitochondrien erinnern, im Gegensatz zu diesen jedoch von einer einfachen Membran umschlossen werden und keine erkennbare Innenstruktur besitzen. Derartige Partikel sind in der Literatur (nicht nur bei Pflanzenzellen) unterschiedlich bezeichnet und in ihrer Funktion gedeutet worden. Über ihre Herkunft ist nichts Sicheres bekannt, doch scheint eine solche von Elementen des ER nach einigen Befunden der vorliegenden Untersuchung nicht ausgeschlossen.

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Summary The features of cell organelles of onion root tips are found by electron microscopy to be correlated characteristically with the position of the cells in the tissue. In particular, the endoplasmic reticulum is considerably modified in the metaxylem vessels, in future sieve cells and in the root cap. The appearance of other elements of cell structure is also dependant upon their histological position but to a reduced extent. These findings are discussed in relation to known physiological data.

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Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft danke ich fÜr ihre UnterstÜtzung, Frl. W. Hilbert fÜr ihre Hilfe bei der Anfertigung großflächiger UltradÜnnschnitte.     

Further cytogenetic analyses of the Croatian triploid shallot “Ljutika” (Allium cepa var.viviparum, Alliaceae) and its comparison with the Indian triploid “Pran”

Feulgen and silver-stained karyotypes and meiosis of two triploid viviparous onion forms (Allium cepa var.viviparum), the Croatian Ljutika and the Indian Pran, were comparatively analyzed. The results of chromosome measurements show that Ljutika and Pran are karyologically not identical, although significant similarities were found in the morphology of their chromosomes. Five geographically distant clones of Ljutika showed good agreement in the number and gross morphology of the chromosomes and in the number and position of NORs and interphase nucleoli. Heterotrivalents were predominant in meiosis of Ljutika but a relatively high frequency of higher multivalents together with univalents and bivalents were also observed. The relationship between Ljutika and Pran and their possible origin are discussed.     

Enzymatic synthesis of 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine-2-14C and of 5-iodo-2’-deoxyuridine-2-14C and their incorporation into deoxyribonucleic acid (Allium cepa)

5-Bromo-2’-deoxyuridine-2-¹⁴C was prepared from 5-bromouracil-2-¹⁴C and 2’-de-oxyguanosine using trans-N-deoxyribosylase fromLactobacillus helveticus and incorporated into DNA ofAllium cepa roots. After isolating the DNA and hydrolyzing it enzymatically to deoxynucleoside-5’-phosphates a radioactive nucleotide was detected which yielded 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine-2-¹⁴C on enzymatic dephosphorylation. The incorporation of 5-iodo-2’-deoxy-uridine-2-¹⁴C was followed only by microautoradiography.     

What makes Allium species effective against pathogenic microbes?

The antimicrobial activity of garlic (Allium sativum L.) has been known since ancient times. The first citation dates back to the Egyptian period of fifteenth century BC when garlic was reported to be used in folk medicine as a remedy for microbial infections. Scientific investigations on garlic started in 1858 with the work of Pasteur who first noted antibacterial properties of garlic extracts. From that date to the discovery of antibiotics, garlic has been used against amoebic dysentery and epidemic diseases such as typhus, cholera, diphtheria, and tuberculosis. But what makes garlic and Allium species effective against pathogenic microbes? The volatile allicin and other thiosulfinates, giving pungency to Allium plants, are well-studied antimicrobial agents. The thiosulfinates can decompose to form additional sulfur constituents, including diallyl, methyl allyl, and dipropyl mono-, di-, tri- e tetra-sulfides, and (E)- and (Z)-ajoene without losing antimicrobial activity. Besides these compounds, onion and garlic are characterized by polar compounds of steroidal and phenolic origin, often glycosilated, not pungent and more stable during cooking, showing also antimicrobial activity. Recently, there has been increasing scientific attention given to such compounds. Nitrogen organic compounds, like alkaloids and polypeptides, have also been isolated from these plants and have shown antimicrobial activity. In this paper, the literature about the major volatile and non-volatile organic compounds of garlic and other Allium plants has been reviewed. Particular attention is given to the compounds possessing antimicrobial activity and to the correlation between the observed activity and the chemical structure of the tested compounds.     

Die vitale Neutralrotspeicherung der Innenepidermis vonAllium cepa unter dem Einfluß von Atmungsgiften

Zusammenfassung Zellen der Innenepidermis der Zwiebelschuppe vonAllium cepa zeigten eine gewisse Einschränkung der Neutralrotspeicherung in der Vakuole, wenn die Anfärbung über 24 Stunden aus Neutralrot 1100000 in Leitungswasser erfolgte, dem die Atmungsgifte Natriumazid (NaN₃), Cyankali (KCN) oder 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) in steigender Konzentration (bis 10^–2 mol) zugefügt waren. Eine Verringerung der Farbstoffspeicherung war auch bei Kurzfärbung (15 Minuten aus Neutralrot 110000 in Leitungswasser) festzustellen, wenn eine bis zu 24 Stunden andauernde Vorbehandlung mit den Atmungsgiften voranging.Vergleichende Versuche mit K₂CO₃-Zusätzen lassen vermuten, daß einerseits Abdiffusion des Farbstoffs nach Plasmaschädigung und anderseits p _h -Erhöhung im Zellsaft durch eindringendes Alkali und nicht eigentliche Giftwirkungen die Ursache hierfür sind.Nach längerer Vorbehandlung mit KCN und NaN₃ wird dagegen die Neutralrotspeicherung erhöht, während sie nach DNP-Behandlung weiter abnimmt. Diese und andere Erscheinungen dürften durch Vergiftung des Atmungsgeschehens bedingt sein, welche zu einer Ansäuerung des Zellsaftes oder im Falle der andersgearteten DNP-Wirkung zur Veratmung und Verringerung des Säuregehalts zu führen scheint.Die Neutralrotspeicherung in den leeren Vakuolen der Innenepidermis von Zwiebelschuppen hängt zwar nicht direkt von der Lebenstätigkeit der Zellen ab, doch scheint über p _h und (Semi-)Permeabilitätsänderungen eine gewisse indirekte Abhängigkeit vom Lebenszustand der Zellen zu bestehen.Die drei verwendeten Atmungsgifte ergaben nach längerer Einwirkung sichtbare, charakteristische Erscheinungen am Protoplasma: tröpfchenförmige, fettige Entmischungen (physiologische Lipophanerose), prämortale netzförmige Bildungen nach NaN₃-Behandlung. Bei Färbungsversuchen mit K₂CO₃-Zusätzen traten postmortale, fädige, doppelbrechende Gebilde an den koagulierten, plasmatischen Resten auf.HerrnDoz. Dr. H. Kinzel, Pflanzenphysiologisches Institut der Universität Wien, schulden wir für die freundliche Gewährung wertvoller Ratschläge und Hinweise außerordentlichen Dank.     

Fragile×expression and×inactivation

Summary The inactive fragile×chromosomes of a 47,fra(X),fra(X),Y male with a typical fragile×phenotype were successfully separated from the active homologues by means of somatic cell hybridization. It was shown by FUdR-induction and caffein-posttreatment that the separated inactive×chromosomes expressed their fragile sites and that the presence of an active mutated \sxchromosome was not a prerequisite for fragile X expression. The fragility seems to be an intrinsic property of the individual fragile site. This result is in favour of the classical concept that the fragile site at Xq27.3 has a primary pathogenetic function in this syndrome, although the fragility itself could represent a secondary phenomenon related to an unknown alteration of the DNA in this chromosome region. It is also concluded that inactivation of the fragile\sxchromosome in females is not responsible for either false negative fragile\sxfindings or the observation of fragile\sxnegative colonies isolated from fragile\sxpositive fibroblasts in heterozygotes.     

Elektronenmikroskopische Studien an den Oberepidermiszellen der Schuppenblätter vonAllium cepa L.

Zusammenfassung Die viel für zellphysiologische Untersuchungen benutzten Oberepidermiszellen der Schuppenblätter vonAllium cepa werden nach OsO₄ und KMnO₄- Fixierung geschnitten und einer elektronenmikroskopischen Analyse unterzogen.Von den Tüpfeln der Zellwände, dem Grundplasma mit Endoplasmatischem Retikulum, vakuoligen Einschlüssen und Dictyosomen, sowie den Chondriosomen, Leukoplasten, dem Zellkern und den Sphärosomen werden die Feinstrukturen abgebildet und kurz beschrieben.Fräulein Dörthe Eckhardt und Fräulein Ingeborg Zillmann danken wir für ihre Mitarbeit und der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft für die Unterstützung unserer Arbeiten.Herrn Professor Dr. Karl Höfler zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.