大麦小穗结构与开花特性研究──雄蕊在开闭花过程中的生长动态和结构变化

开花前,雄蕊花丝细胞中的淀粉等物质水解,细胞水势下降而吸胀,花丝伸长。随着＂小花轴＂中物质的输入,细胞进一步吸水膨大,花丝迅速伸长,花丝维管束中的导管被拉断,薄壁细胞内膜系统崩解,细胞自溶,降解物质＂撤回＂,＂小花轴＂被重新分配利用。开花后,花药表面大量失水,药壁开裂传粉。不育系雄蕊花药药隔小、发育不良,绒毡层发育和行为异常,其花药通常为空药室或花粉败育。用可育系花粉对不育系小花授粉,其小花能逐渐关闭。     

两个蓝莓品种花器官的形态特征观察

为了解蓝莓(Vaccinium spp.)花器官的形态特征,利用蔡司SV11体视显微镜和扫描电子显微镜JSM-6360LV对‘园蓝’和‘夏普蓝’两个品种的花器官进行了观察。结果表明,这两个品种的花丝呈片状,被毛,‘园蓝’的花丝腺毛较短,花丝基部表皮细胞近长方形;‘夏普蓝’的花丝腺毛细长,较浓密,花丝基部表皮细胞近棱形。‘园蓝’和‘夏普蓝’的花药呈棒状,由4个花粉囊组成,呈左右对称,同侧的两个花粉囊之间的药隔沟明显;花药表皮细胞具乳突;成熟的花药顶端形成2个管状结构,管口孔裂。花粉为四合体,外形为准四面体,中等大小,表面具不规则皱波状纹饰,并有多处凹陷;萌发孔沟的长度、宽度、孔盖长宽与形状、突起程度在品种间有差异。蓝莓的柱头呈截平形,属于湿型柱头,‘园蓝’的柱头表面具指状乳突细胞;花柱表皮细胞呈圆柱型,形成束状,分隔明显;‘夏普蓝’柱头表面具纹状乳突细胞,花柱表皮细胞呈圆柱型,长轴与花柱平行,不形成束状。这些为蓝莓品种的分类鉴定、系统演化等研究提供了依据。     

水稻雄蕊成熟导管ATPase的超微结构定位

采用ATPase定位方法研究了水稻农垦58s-SD(可育花药）单核边位至三核期的花丝和药隔成熟导管,单核边位期花丝和药隔成熟导管内无ATPase活性;二核期花丝导管内出现大量的ATPase,导管周围的薄壁细胞中有1-2个优先解体,在导管无次生壁的部位,解体薄壁细胞靠近导管处的质膜ATPase不活跃;二核期药隔导管内也有大量的ATPase活性物,但导管周围细胞解体晚于花丝,三核期花丝和药隔导管内也观察到大量的具或不具ATPase活性的物质,以上结果暗示成熟导管内ATPase活性物（一部分）可能来源于花丝解体细胞。     

水稻雄蕊成熟导管ATPase的超微结构定位

采用ATPase定位方法研究了水稻农垦58s-SD(可育花药)单核边位至三核期的花丝和药隔成熟导管。单核边位期花丝和药隔成熟导管内无ATPase活性;二核期花丝导管内出现大量的ATPase,导管周围的薄壁细胞中有1-2个优先解体,在导管无次生壁的部位,解体薄壁细胞靠近导管处的质膜ATPase不活跃;二核期药隔导管内也有大量的ATPase活性物,但导管周围细胞解体晚于花丝;三核期花丝和药隔导管内也观察到大量的具或不具ATPase活性的物质。以上结果暗示成熟导管内ATPase活性物(一部分)可能来源于花丝解体细胞。     

花药壁及其中绒毡层的结构与功能

花药壁及其中绒毡层的结构与功能牛佳田（黑龙江省佳木斯师范专科学校１５４００７）被子植物的花药壁是指雄蕊花药中药室外面由抱子体性质的几层细胞所组成的壁结构。分化至完全的花药壁从外至内依次是表皮、药室内壁（成熟后分成纤维层和唇细胞）、中层、绒毡层。花药壁...     

丹参雄性不育系Sh-B的鉴定与花粉发育过程的解剖学研究

在显微水平上对新发现的丹参雄性不育系Sh-B花药发育过程进行了解剖学观察,并对其花粉活力和结实率进行了鉴定。结果显示:根据花器官及花药的形态、大小以及花丝的长度,可以将Sh-B不育株分为3个不育类型,即Sh-B1、Sh-B2和Sh-B3。这3种不育类型均属于雄性不育,其花丝不到正常可育株的1/2,花药干瘪而瘦小,内无花粉粒或花粉无活力;其根、茎、叶以及种子形态结构与正常可育植株基本相似。产生雄性不育的主要原因有:花粉囊药室内壁纤维层加厚,影响花药壁开裂;小孢子母细胞周围不产生胼胝质或产生的胼胝质很少;绒毡层细胞延迟解体;花粉粒畸形。在其花药发育的小孢子母细胞时期、四分体形成前期、单核期、双核期均可能产生雄性不育的小孢子或花粉粒。     

凤仙花花药发育特征

凤仙花花药发育比较特殊: 在造孢细胞时期,花药横切面中央是体积较大、细胞内含物较多的细胞团、包括造孢细胞和绒毡层细胞。花药药壁细胞的细胞质较稀少,与中部细胞界限明晰。花粉母细胞时期的花药药壁由约6层细胞组成,但细胞的界限不明显;绒毡层细胞显示变形流入药室中。到四分体时期,绒毡层细胞进一步退化。开花时,成熟花药的药壁细胞由一层表皮细胞、两层药室内壁细胞和一层中层细胞组成。对凤仙花花药绒毡层的特殊性质进行了讨论。     

水稻花器细胞壁超微结构与稻曲病菌的选择性侵染分析

为了探明稻曲病菌选择性侵染水稻花丝组织和浆片的细胞生物学机制,该研究以高度感病的‘甬优12号’水稻品种为材料,于孕穗期开始每间隔2d取样,同时在旗叶与倒二叶叶枕距离1~2cm时进行人工接种并在接种后5、10和15d时分别取样,对开花前后水稻不同花器官细胞的超微结构以及稻曲病菌侵染位点进行比较分析。结果显示:(1)在开花过程中,水稻花丝可伸长4~6倍,水稻花丝的所有组织细胞均能够均匀纵向伸长,且未发现细胞断裂出现的空腔;水稻浆片细胞在开花时吸水,横向膨胀约1倍,但浆片维管束的环纹导管环纹间距离没有明显变化;超微结构观察发现,大部分浆片细胞呈现细胞膨胀过程,只有浆片上部外围细胞具有一定伸长能力;水稻子房及柱头等在开花过程中其长度及体积未发现明显变化。(2)水稻花丝细胞壁的微纤丝排列比较疏松,透射电镜下单个微纤丝束清晰可辨,而子房和花药等器官的细胞壁结构致密,无法分辨单个微纤丝束。(3)稻曲病菌可在花丝中沿细胞间隙和细胞壁中层生长,但在浆片中菌丝主要被限制在细胞间隙中生长,说明花丝与浆片的细胞中层组分与结构存在差异。(4)细胞化学分析显示,花丝细胞壁纤维素含量较少,且不含有β-1,3-葡聚糖。研究表明,水稻花器细胞壁结构相对疏松及其细胞壁中层的结构特性和组分与稻曲病菌的选择性侵染具有密切相关关系。     

东川铁线莲, 云南毛茛科一新种

描述了自云南东北部发现的毛茛科铁线莲属一新种,东川铁线莲。此种由于其叶为单叶,萼片直立,雄蕊的花丝和花药均被短柔毛而与曲柄铁线莲近缘,与后者的区别在于其叶呈心状卵形,叶缘具粗牙齿,花序为二歧聚伞花序,以及花药顶端钝,不具短尖头。     

东川铁线莲, 云南毛茛科一新种

描述了自云南东北部发现的毛茛科铁线莲属一新种,东川铁线莲。此种由于其叶为单叶,萼片直立,雄蕊的花丝和花药均被短柔毛而与曲柄铁线莲近缘,与后者的区别在于其叶呈心状卵形,叶缘具粗牙齿,花序为二歧聚伞花序,以及花药顶端钝,不具短尖头。     

DEVELOPMENT OF THE STAMINATE FLOWER IN THE DWARF MISTLETOE,ARCEUTHOBIUM

A study of the staminate flower of Arceuthobium provided information on the development of the central cushion and the archesporial cells of the anther. From this study it was not possible to substantiate claims that the central cushion of the flower represents a rudimentary pistil. The archesporium of the anther was found to be unilocular from the very beginning and not derived by a breakdown of partitions and subsequent fusion of several locules as previously reported.     

The role of initial cells in maize anther morphogenesis.

The near absence of cell movement in plants makes clonal analysis a particularly informative method for reconstructing the early events of organ formation. We traced the patterns of cell division during maize anther development by inducing sector boundaries that preceded the earliest events of anther initiation. In doing this, we were able to estimate the smallest number of cells that are fated to form an anther, characteristic cell division patterns that occur during anther morphogenesis, and the relationship between the pre-existing symmetry of the initial cells and the final symmetry of the mature anther. Four general conclusions are made: (1) anthers are initiated from small groups of 12 or fewer cells in each of two floral meristematic layers; (2) the early growth of the anther is more like a shoot than a glume or leaf; (3) cell ancestry does not dictate basic structure and (4) the orientation of initial cells predicts the orientation of the four pollen-containing microsporangia, which define the axes of symmetry on the mature anther. The final point is discussed with other data, and an explanation involving a 'structural template' is invoked. The idea is that the orientation of initial cells within the floral meristem establishes an architectural pattern into which anther cells are recruited without regard to their cellular lineages. The structural template hypothesis may prove to be generally applicable to problems of pattern formation in plants.     

Flowers under pressure: ins and outs of turgor regulation in development

Background

Turgor pressure is an essential feature of plants; however, whereas its physiological importance is unequivocally recognized, its relevance to development is often reduced to a role in cell elongation.

Scope

This review surveys the roles of turgor in development, the molecular mechanisms of turgor regulation and the methods used to measure turgor and related quantities, while also covering the basic concepts associated with water potential and water flow in plants. Three key processes in flower development are then considered more specifically: flower opening, anther dehiscence and pollen tube growth.

Conclusions

Many molecular determinants of turgor and its regulation have been characterized, while a number of methods are now available to quantify water potential, turgor and hydraulic conductivity. Data on flower opening, anther dehiscence and lateral root emergence suggest that turgor needs to be finely tuned during development, both spatially and temporally. It is anticipated that a combination of biological experiments and physical measurements will reinforce the existing data and reveal unexpected roles of turgor in development.     

Sieve element unloading: cellular pathway, mechanism and control

The transport and distribution of phloem – mobile solutes is predominantly determined by transport processes located at the sink end of the source – transport – sink system. Transport across the sieve element boundary, sieve element unloading, is the first of a series of sink transport processes. Unloading of solutes from the sieve elements may follow an apo- or symplastic route. It is speculated that the unloading pathway is integrated with sink function and that apoplastic unloading is restricted to situations in which movement through the symplast is not compatible with sink function. These situations include axial transport and storage of osmotically active solutes against concentration and turgor gradients between the sieve elements and sink cells. Coupled with alteration in sink function, the cellular pathway of unloading can switch in stems and possibly other sinks. Experimental systems and approaches used to elucidate the mechanism of sieve element unloading are reviewed. Unloading fluxes to the apoplast can largely be accounted for by membrane diffusion in axial sinks. However, the higher fluxes in storage sinks suggests dependence on some form of facilitated transport. Proton sucrose symport is assessed to be a possible mechanism for facilitated efflux of solutes across the sieve element plasma membrane to the sink apoplast. Unloading through the symplast may occur by diffusion or mass flow. The latter mechanism serves to dissipate phloem water and hence prevent the potential elevation of sieve element turgor that would otherwise slow phloem import into the sink. The possibility of energised plasmodesmatal transport is raised. Sieve element unloading must be integrated with subsequent compartmentation and metabolism of the unloaded solute. Solute levels are an obvious basis for control of sieve element unloading, but are found to offer limited scope for a mass action mechanism. Apoplastic, cellular pathway, sieve element, solute transport, symplastic. Translated into a turgor signal, solute levels could regulate the rate of unloading, metabolism and compartmentation forming part of a turgor homeostat irrespective of the pathway of unloading.     

Role of vitronectin in embryonic rat endocardial cell migration in vitro

Summary Vitronectin is one of the extracellular matrices that mediate cell spreading and attachment in vitro. In the present paper, we demonstrate the involvement of vitronectin in the migration of cushion mesenchymal cells of the embryonic rat heart. Immunohistochemistry established the localization of vitronectin in the myocardial cells and in some of the cushion mesenchymal cells of the truncus arteriosus and atrioventricular canal. In vitro, vitronectin, fibronectin, and collagen type-I revcaled significant stimulating activity for cushion mesenchymal cell migration. The distance migrated by cushion mesenchymal cells cultured on vitronectin, collagen type-I, or both vitronectin and fibronectin was similar, but that on fibronectin was significantly shorter. Following the addition of anti-vitronectin IgG to the medium, the migration distance of cushion mesenchymal cells on fibronectin was remarkably increased. Most explants on vitronectin or on both vitronectin and fibronectin became detached from dishes after the addition of the antivitronectin antibody. Immunostaining revealed that cushion mesenchymal cells cultured on substrata other than vitronectin synthesized vitronectin. From these results, it is suggested that vitronectin is synthesized by myocardial cells and some cushion mesenchymal cells, and that vitronectin inhibits cell movement on fibronectin. This feature of vitronectin may be important in the regulation of the migration of cushion mesenchymal cell in vivo.     

Energy-dependent phases of the circadian clock and the clock-controlled leaf movement in Phaseolus coccineus L.

The energy requirements of the various phases of the circadian clock in the laminar pulvini cells of primary leaves of Phaseolus coccineus L. were investigated using 4-h pulses of NaCN (5 mM) and NaN₃ (1 mM). The induced phase shifts were calculated from the timing of the subjective night position during the third cycle after the treatment. Both inhibitors produce advances during phases which are correlated with the upward movement of the leaf (ca. 0–12 h after the maximum of the subjective night position) and during phases which are correlated with the downward movement of the leaf (ca. 20–28 h after the maximum of the subjective night position). Maximal advances are induced during the phase which is correlated with the maximum of the subjective night position (hour 0), whereas during phases which are correlated with the subjective day position (ca. 12–20 h after the maximum of the subjective night position) the inhibitors have no effect or induce only small advances. These results demonstrate that the part of the circadian cycle which, according to Bünning's tension-relaxation model of the circadian clock, is characterized by features of relaxation, represents a sequence of phases with decreasing energy requirement, whereas the tension part of the circadian cycle represents a sequence of phases with increasing energy requirement. The energy requirement for changing and maintaining the leaf positions was investigated by continuously offering NaCN, NaN₃, and dinitrophenol (DNP) to leaves with intact and half (flexor cut away) pulvini. The substances inhibit in both pulvini the upward movement or induce a downward movement, depending on the leaf position, when the transfer to the inhibitor solution takes place. These results give evidence that the movement of intact pulvini reflects the turgor (volume) state of the extensor cells and that the increase of turgor (volume) and high turgor (volume) state requires more energy than the decrease of turgor (volume) or low turgor (small volume) state. Therefore, the time course of the energy requirements of the circadian clock and the clock-controlled turgor (volume states or leaf movement) is out of phase during a circadian cycle. Consequently the reaction of the clock-controlled leaf movement to the reduced energy supply can mask the clock behavior in pulse and step experiments. The phase response curves towards CN^- and N ₃ ^- reflect the time course of the CN^--induced membrane depolarizations (the energy requirement of the electrogenic pump) in extensor cells of the pulvinus (Freudling et al. (1980), Plant Physiol. 65, 966–968), and both are out of phase with the time course of the energy requirement of the turgor. Consequently it is hypothesized that in Phaseolus advances are due to membrane depolarization and that at least in this organism electric properties of the plasmalemma are essentially involved in the mechanism of the circadian clock.Abbreviations LD light-dark cycle - LL continuous light - DNP dinitrophenol This paper is dedicated to Professor Erwin Bünning on the occasion of his 75th birthdayIn this paper zero corresponds to the second maximum of the subjective night position of the leaves after transfer to constant conditions. Zero to twelve hours corresponds approximately to the upward movement of the leaves, 12–20 h to the elevated (subjective day) position, and 20–28 h to the downward movement of the leaves. In other circadian systems Pittendrigh's CT (circadian time) convention is used. CT 00 is the time of dawn after a 12-h light/12-h dark cycle. Since in Phaseolus the plants are raised in a LD cycle different from 12:12 and since the phases at dawn differ considerably from leaf to leaf and are furthermore not precisely determinable (whereas the subjective night position of the leaves is a well-defined and recognizable phase) this convention is not followed in Phaseolus. Phase zero in Phaseolus corresponds to approximately CT 18 in other systems     

The mechanical diversity of stomata and its significance in gas-exchange control

Given that stomatal movement is ultimately a mechanical process and that stomata are morphologically and mechanically diverse, we explored the influence of stomatal mechanical diversity on leaf gas exchange and considered some of the constraints. Mechanical measurements were conducted on the guard cells of four different species exhibiting different stomatal morphologies, including three variants on the classical "kidney" form and one "dumb-bell" type; this information, together with gas-exchange measurements, was used to model and compare their respective operational characteristics. Based on evidence from scanning electron microscope images of cryo-sectioned leaves that were sampled under full sun and high humidity and from pressure probe measurements of the stomatal aperture versus guard cell turgor relationship at maximum and zero epidermal turgor, it was concluded that maximum stomatal apertures (and maximum leaf diffusive conductance) could not be obtained in at least one of the species (the grass Triticum aestivum) without a substantial reduction in subsidiary cell osmotic (and hence turgor) pressure during stomatal opening to overcome the large mechanical advantage of subsidiary cells. A mechanism for this is proposed, with a corollary being greatly accelerated stomatal opening and closure. Gas-exchange measurements on T. aestivum revealed the capability of very rapid stomatal movements, which may be explained by the unique morphology and mechanics of its dumb-bell-shaped stomata coupled with "see-sawing" of osmotic and turgor pressure between guard and subsidiary cells during stomatal opening or closure. Such properties might underlie the success of grasses.     

THE ASSOCIATION OF DRUSE CRYSTALS WITH THE DEVELOPING STOMIUM OF CAPSICUM ANNUUM (SOLANACEAE) ANTHERS

Each of the two stomiums in the anther of Capsicum annuum (sweet pepper) consists of a single layer of cells immediately below the epidermis between two adjacent locules. Each stomium extends the entire length of the anther and splits open at pollen maturity. Many calcium oxalate druse crystals form within the vacuoles of the stomium cells in association with membrane complexes and paracrystalline bodies. These latter structures are reported here for the first time and each is considered to be a nucleation site for druse crystal formation. Prior to the appearance of membrane complexes and crystals within the vacuoles, plasmalemmasomes are visible next to the stomium cell walls and contain vesicles and fibrous material. We propose that these bodies carry wall materials, including calcium ions and possibly oxalate ions, into the vacuoles. Their presence coincides with crystal formation. Two other types of crystals occur in the connective tissue between stomiums and the single vascular strand. These crystals, along with those in the two stomiums, form at precise times during anther development. Contrary to the more numerous suggestions that crystals protect against predators or are metabolic waste products, we believe their formation aids in degradation and weakening of the cell walls between the locules and, thus, contributes to the release mechanism for the pollen.     

Aquaporins of the PIP2 class are required for efficient anther dehiscence in tobacco

Several processes during sexual reproduction in higher plants involve the movement of water between cells or tissues. Before flower anthesis, anther and pollen dehydration takes place before the release of mature pollen at dehiscence. Aquaporins represent a class of proteins that mediates the movement of water over cellular membranes. Aquaporins of the plasmamembrane PIP2 family are expressed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) anthers and may therefore be involved in the movement of water in this organ. To gain more insight into the role these proteins may play in this process, we have analyzed their localization using immunolocalizations and generated plants displaying RNA interference of PIP2 aquaporins. Our results indicate that PIP2 protein expression is modulated during anther development. Furthermore, in tobacco PIP2 RNA interference plants, anther dehydration was slower, and dehiscence occurred later when compared with control plants. Together, our results suggest that aquaporins of the PIP2 class are required for efficient anther dehydration prior to dehiscence.     

Blue Light Pulse-Induced Transient Changes of Electric Potential and Turgor Pressure in the Motor Cells of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Blue light induces both depolarization of membrane potentialin the motor cell and turgor movement in the laminar pulvinusof bean plant. This paper describes the changes of electricpotential and turgor pressure induced in Phaseolus vulgarisL. by blue light pulses. A transient depolarization of membranepotential as large as 40 mV was induced by a short pulse of15 s blue light in motor cells of the laminar pulvinus. Thischange was not an action potential because of the absence ofa refractory period and threshold. The magnitudes of the responsewere dependent on the fluence of light. The response was long-lived,indicating that continuous input of light energy is not requiredfor a sustained response. The potential change was always followedby a transient turgor movement of the pulvinus. A molecular mechanism similar to a model postulated for theblue light response of stomata may operate in the motor cell.However, the direction of the electrical response to blue light(depolarization) in the motor cell was the opposite of thatin the guard cell (hyperpolarization). Turgor change of themotor cell by blue light was also opposite in direction (decrease). (Received February 19, 1988; Accepted June 28, 1988)