A quick enzyme squash technique for detailed studies on female meiosis in Solanum

A simple enzyme squash technique that enables detailed studies of meiosis in potato ovules has been developed. Fixation of ovules in iron-propionic-ethanol followed by enzymatic maceration and squashing in acetocarmine yielded numerous well preserved megasporocytes with nicely spread chromosomes. Resolution was sufficient, allowing detailed analysis of chromosome pairing and chiasma formation and readily permitting distinction between normal and desynaptic mutant plants. Whereas the use of previously developed ovule squash techniques has been restricted to cytogenetic analyses of plant species with relatively large megasporocytes and large chromosomes, the present technique is potentially more useful for analyses of species with small megasporocytes and small chromosomes.     

MEGASPOROGENESIS AND GAMETOPHYTE SELECTION IN PAEONIA CALIFORNICA

Walters , James L. (U. California, Goleta.) Megasporogenesis and gametophyte selection in Paeonia californica. Amer. Jour. Bot. 49(7): 787–794. Illus. 1962.—In the ovules of Paeonia californica, a massive archesporium produces numerous (estimated at 30–40) megasporocytes, many of which complete meiosis. Several continue into gametophyte development, which is of the Polygonum type, and at the time of fertilization there are from 1 to 4 gametophytes per ovule. Rarely does more than 1 seedling per seed appear in germination. This species is characterized by extensive translocation heterozygosity, and other meiotic irregularities, in its natural populations. It shows a complete range from plants forming only pairs to those with all their chromosomes in rings at meiosis. The latter types have as high as 90% bad pollen. The course of events in the ovules is compared with the “Renner-effect” found in Oenothera. The multiple megasporocytes and subsequent events are seen as a mechanism which insures each ovule a high probability of containing a viable egg in spite of meiotic behavior which can produce 90% sterility, and thus insures high seed set in the translocation heterozygotes.     

Megagametogenesis in Halophila johnsonii, a threatened seagrass with no known seeds,and the seed-producing Halophila decipiens (Hydrocharitaceae)

Megagametogenesis, the development of a megaspore into an embryo sac, has been identified in the seagrass Halophila johnsonii, a threatened species with no known sexual reproduction or seeds. Megagametogenesis in H. johnsonii was compared with megagametophyte development in Halophila decipiens, a related species known to readily produce viable seeds. In both species, ovules were structurally similar, megaspore mother cells were seen in premeiotic ovules, and linear tetrads and megagametophytes with two to eight nuclei were present in postmeiotic ovules. However, H. decipiens postmeiotic ovules had a chalazal pouch that was absent in the postmeiotic ovules of H. johnsonii. Late-stage H. decipiens ovules also contained embryos, indicating that they had been fertilized, whereas all late-stage H. johnsonii ovules were degrading and showed no signs of fertilization. These observations suggest that meiosis does occur in H. johnsonii megasporocytes, leading to the formation of viable megagametophytes and egg cells that could be fertilized if pollination occurred. Thus, the lack of seed set is due to a lack of pollination rather than any loss of capacity to produce seeds in this species.     

A NEW CLEARING-SQUASH TECHNIQUE FOR THE STUDY OF OVULE DEVELOPMENT IN ANGIOSPERMS

The simple, efficient method described here for the study of ovule and megagametophyte development in angiosperms provides for the extension of investigation beyond the limits imposed by the traditional but arduous section technique. Excised pistils previously fixed in FPA₅₀ and stored in 70 % ethanol are placed in a clearing fluid composed of lactic acid (85 %), chloral hydrate, phenol, clove oil, and xylene (2:2:2:2:1, by weight). After 24 hr, ovules dissected from the ovularies are transferred with some of the fluid to a slide, covered so that the cover glass is supported laterally by two permanently affixed covers, and examined with phase contrast optics. The unique action of the clearing fluid permits the study of cellular structure with the phase oil objective focused at any focal plane within the ovule. Downward focusing thus reveals a series of optical sections in the sagittal, frontal, or transverse plane depending on the orientation of the ovule. Orientation can be altered by a slight shifting of the cover glass on the lateral support mounts. The ovules become quite fragile in the clearing fluid. Pressure applied to the cover glass gradually breaks the ovule apart without disrupting the structural integrity of individual cells. This squash procedure provides for extending observations to cytological features of megasporocytes, megaspores, and megagametophytes previously identified in intact ovules. The new method is applied here to the study of ovule development in two unrelated species, Cassia abbreviata Oliver var. granitica Bak. f. (Leguminosae) and Ludwigia uruguayensis (Camb.) Hara. (Onagraceae). For best results, the ovules of Ludwigia must be pretreated in lactic acid (85 %) for 24 hr prior to application of the clearing fluid. Other methods for pretreatment likely will be required as the technique is applied to a wider range of flowering plant species.     

Staining air dried protoplasts for study of plant chromosomes

The air drying technique used in mammalian cytology was applied to isolated plant protoplasts for study of chromosomes. For cultured celery cells, this technique resulted in good spreads of metaphase chromosomes with high resolution. Mitotic chromosomes of Brassica species are relatively small, poor stained by common stains, and difficult to spread by the squash technique. In this study, however, the chromosomes of B. carinata in callus culture were spread well and stained clearly with Giemsa staining solution. The chromosome preparations by the present techniques should also be amenable to chromosome banding studies in plants.     

Staining Air Dried Protoplasts for Study of Plant Chromosomes

The air drying technique used in mammalian cytology was applied to isolated plant protoplasts for study of chromosomes. For cultured celery cells, this technique resulted in good spreads of metaphase chromosomes with high resolution. Mitotic chromosomes of Brassica species are relatively small, poorly stained by common stains, and difficult to spread by the squash technique. In this study, however, the chromosomes of B. carinata in callus culture were spread well and stained clearly with Giemsa staining solution. The chromosome preparations by the present techniques should also be amenable to chromosome banding studies in plants.     

The chromosomes of some lower chordates

The chromosomes of three species of lower chordates were examined using a squash technique on small pieces of testis. Ciona intestinalis, a tunicate of the order Enterogona, has fourteen pairs of minute chromosomes. Styela plicata, a tunicate of the order Pleurogona, has sixteen pairs of chromosomes whose total size is approximately twice that of the Ciona chromosomes and about 10% of that of a typical mammalian complement. The hagfish, Eptatretus stoutii, of the suborder Myxinoidea, order Cyclostomata, has twenty-four pairs of chromosomes and what appear to be one to four small supernumeraries in some animals. The hagfish chromosomes are large, approaching the size of a typical mammalian complement. These size relationships agree in general with a concept of a small ancestral vertebrate genome which evolved into the larger present day genomes through a series of duplications of genetic material.This work was supported in part by Grant No. 247-701 from the San Diego State College Foundation.     

Isolation of Embryo Sac with the Enzyme-Squash Technique

The enzyme-squash technique is especially suited for studying the development of megaspores and embryo sacs in angiosperms. Ovulles are fixed in FPA, FAA or Carnoy's for 2–24 hrs. After passing through a series of alcohol and distilled water, they are treated in an aqueous solution of 2% Driselase. for 3-6 hrs. at 28℃. Ovules are then transferred with a drop of laeto-phenol-glycerin fluid to a slide, covered with a cover glass. By the aid of gently tapping and pressing the cover glass, as that of ordinary squash method, cells of ovules are separated and the megaspores or embryo sacs are isolated, and then examined with phase contrast optics With this technique we have successfully isolated the megaspores and embryo sacs in different developmental stages from fixed ovules of several plant species, including Atropa belladonha, Vanilla fragrans, Belamcanda chinensis, Platycodon grandifIorus and Oenothera odorata. The rosults of the experiments indicate that this technique for isolation of embryo sac has several advantages it is suitable both in tenuinucellate and crassinucellate ovules the manipulation of this technique is rather simple and the special instruments are net required the difficulties of the separation of the embryo sac from its nucellar epidermis or tissues of the chalazal end can be overcome by this method. The initial results of isolation of vital embryo sacs from living ovules has been gotten with this technique.     

EM chromosome mapping using surface-spread polytene chromosomes

Electron micrographs as well as light micrographs of individual surface-spread polytene (SSP) chromosomes indicate more detailed banding patterns than standard squash preparations do. For EM preparations of SSP chromosomes a simple technique is described, avoiding thin-sectioning of chromosomes.     

中国蜘蛛染色体组型的研究进展

概述了蜘蛛染色体制片的6种方法：生殖巢切片法、精巢压片法、单胚滴片法、混合胚滴片法、血细胞制片法和单一胚胎压片法,并总结分析了蜘蛛目15科22属27种染色体核型。 Abstract:Six methods for making preparation of chromosomes of spiders,including gonad slice technique,testis squash technique,single embry drop technique,mix embryo-cells drop technique,blood cell drop technique and single embryo-cell squash technique,are summarized in this paper.The karyotypes of 27 species from 22 genus in15 families are analysed.     

Ultrastructural studies on the embryo sac ofViscum minimum I. Megasporogenesis

Summary Changes taking place during megasporogenesis of a mistletoe (Viscum minimum) were examined at both light and electron microscopy levels. No distinct ovules, integuments, or ovarian cavity are present at any stage of development. The multicellular archesporium originates in the center of a solid ovary. Several functional megasporocytes are developed from the archesporial cells, either adjacent to each other or separated by unspecialized cells. The megasporocyte is much larger than surrounding cells, is invested by a thick wall, and possesses a large nucleus and amyloplasts. Although plasmodesmata are absent even between the adjacent megasporocytes, cells enter meiosis simultaneously. Following meiosis a linear tetrad is formed. Double and treble linear tetrads are frequently observed. The development of the embryo sac conforms to the monosporic or Polygonum type of megasporogenesis. However, the bisporic or Allium type of development is occasionally observed in preparations. Factors determining the pattern of development are discussed. As in other plant species which follow the monosporic type of development, only one functional megaspore cell undergoes further development while others degenerate. Unlike the healthy functional megaspore cell, the degenerating cells have large starch grains and electron-dense cytoplasm. At a later stage of development, the degraded cells are absorbed by the surrounding tissue.     

Analysis of karyotype and C-banding pattern ofNicotiana plumbaginifolia using two techniques

The morphological study of the chromosomes ofNicotiana plumbaginifolia was carried out using two karyological techniques referred to as the squash method and the protoplast method. The latter involves isolation of protoplasts from unfixed root meristems and provides mitotic images in which the chromosomes, conveniently dispersed and disposed on the same plane, are significantly longer, and better structured, than those obtained by the squash method. A critical analysis of this technique is carried out. The results of this study led us to propose a karyotype forNicotiana plumbaginifolia and to characterize each chromosome by mere morphological examination. This characterization was further detailed by C-banding.     

七种木蓝属植物的染色体研究

本文采用根尖压片法对豆科（Leguminosae）木蓝属（IndigoferaL.）植物的7个种：多花木蓝（Indigofera amblyantha Craib）、河北木蓝（I.bungeana Walp.）、滇木蓝（I.delavayi Franch.）、腺毛木蓝（I.scabrida Dunn）、四川木蓝（I.szechuensis Craib）、刺序木蓝（I.silvestrii Pamp.）、尖叶木蓝（I.zollingeriana Miq.）的染色体数目和核型进行了研究。结果表明：除了尖叶木蓝染色体数目为2n=4x=32（四倍体）外,其余6种木蓝的染色体数目均为2n=2x=16（二倍体）。尖叶木蓝和刺序木蓝核型分类为2A型,其余5种木蓝的核型均为1A型。种间核型差异很小。供试种主要包含中部着丝点区染色体。滇木蓝、腺毛木蓝、刺序木蓝、四川木蓝和尖叶木蓝的核型分析为首次报道。     

Smear Technique for Studying Lepidopteran Chromosomes

There is scant information on the chromosomes of Lepidoptera, the largest order of insects with more than 100,000 described species (Imms 1965), despite the abundance of the material and cosmopolitan distribution of many species. the lack of information on the chromosomes (the haploid number being known for about 1% of the total number of species) and detailed analysis of the karyotype in this order may be partly due to the small size and isodiametric nature of the chromosomes and partly due to the difficulty in obtaining satisfactory squash preparations of the adult testes, which are enclosed together in a thick-walled scrotum. This difficulty of the interference of the scrotum in obtaining stages satisfactory for study (fixation of the material worsens the situation, for the scrotal wall hardens on fixation) seems to have discouraged the cytological study of this group, especially in the adults. Some workers have tried to circumvent this difficulty by squashing larval testes, which are not enclosed in a common scrotum. This method, however, calls for rearing larvae through the pupal stages for correct identification of the adults.     

The Mac1 Gene: Controlling the Commitment to the Meiotic Pathway in Maize

The switch from the vegetative to the reproductive pathway of development in flowering plants requires the commitment of the subepidermal cells of the ovules and anthers to enter the meiotic pathway. These cells, the hypodermal cells, either directly or indirectly form the archesporial cells that, in turn, differentiate into the megasporocytes and microsporocytes. We have isolated a recessive pleiotropic mutation that we have termed multiple archesporial cells1 (mac1) and located it to the short arm of chromosome 10. Its cytological phenotype suggests that this locus plays an important role in the switch of the hypodermal cells from the vegetative to the meiotic (sporogenous) pathway in maize ovules. During normal ovule development in maize, only a single hypodermal cell develops into an archesporial cell and this differentiates into the single megasporocyte. In mac1 mutant ovules several hypodermal cells develop into archesporial cells, and the resulting megasporocytes undergo a normal meiosis. More than one megaspore survives in the tetrad and more than one embryo sac is formed in each ovule. Ears on mutant plants show partial sterility resulting from abnormalities in megaspore differentiation and embryo sac formation. The sporophytic expression of this gene is therefore also important for normal female gametophyte development.     

Immunocytochemical visualization of the centromeres during male and female meiosis in Lilium longiflorum

Immunofluorescence staining with an antiserum raised against a presumptive meiotic histone, which has been shown to appear prior to male meiosis in liliaceous plants, preferentially stained the centromere (kinetochore) region of meiotic chromosomes in microsporocytes and megasporocytes. Using this antiserum, we were able clearly to visualize the centromeres at all important meiotic stages in microsporocytes, namely, the association and fusion of centromeres of homologous chromosomes at zygotene-pachytene in prophase I, the disjunction of the homologous centromeres at diplotene, the doubling of each centromere at metaphase I and nonseparation of the sister centromeres at anaphase I, by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Thus, this report provides a complete picture of the behavior of centromeres during meiosis in a eukaryote for the first time. This antiserum also decorated centromeres during female meiosis in cryo-sectioned megasporocytes, but did not stain the centromeres of mitotic chromosomes in root-tip meristem. From these observations, it is suggested that a meiosis-specific centromere protein is required for the meiosis-specific behavior of the centromere. Received: 12 May 1997; in revised form: 20 August 1997 / Accepted: 25 August 1997     

蜘蛛染色体单一胚胎压片观察

利用单一胚胎压片法制备蜘蛛染色体取得了很好的结果。此法可以迅速确定蜘蛛染色体的性比,同时对于精巢特别小的蜘蛛染色体制备特别有用。所研究的蜘蛛染色体数目为:纵条蝇狮(Marpissa magister)2n=28()和26(),角园蛛(Araneus cornalus)2n=26()和24();2n=26和25();2n=24和33(),显示染色体多态型。     

A squash technique for studying the cytology of maize endosperm and other tissues.

A new cytological procedure specifically suited to maize endosperms is presented. It uses 8-hydroxyquinoline with sucrose and aeration to pretreat the tissues. Glusulase is used to spread the cells. The procedure makes it possible to squash endosperms into a single cell layer and to photograph as many as 70 chromosomes in the same focal plane. It also allows identification of translocation chromosomes. With a slight modification the technique has been applied successfully to root tips and other tissues.     

韭菜幼小子房培养时胚囊的发育和一些异常现象

对韭菜开花前1天左右的子房进行培养可获得大量的单倍体植株。观察表明单倍体植株起源于未受精的卵细胞和反足细胞。为了探索培养不同发育时期的子房对单倍体原胚发生频率的影响,我们又对大孢子母细胞时期的幼     

EMBRYO SAC DEVELOPMENT IN THE CV. KS MALE-STERILE,FEMALE-STERILE LINE OF SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX)

Light microscopic observations were made on 22 ovules from fertile plants and 108 ovules from sterile plants of the cv. KS synaptic mutant, a highly male-sterile, female-sterile line of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (2n = 2x = 40). Ovules of fertile siblings contained normal embryo sacs and embryos. Ovules from sterile plants contained various irregularities. The most consistent abnormality was the failure of the embryo sac to attain normal size. Small megasporocytes of irregular shape were seen; only one megasporocyte of normal shape and size was noted. No linear tetrads were found. However, two ovules contained nonlinear triads. A range from zero to 28 cells and nuclei, of various sizes, were identifiable in small megagametophytes and embryo sacs. Degeneration of these nuclei and cells was noted as early as the four-nucleate gametophyte stage. Other ovules contained degenerated nucellar centers without embryo sacs. Two ovules appeared to be normal. Late postpollination stages were marked by shrunken nucellus and integuments. The presence of pollen tube traces, endosperm, and aborting embryos in ovules of hand-pollinated flowers from sterile plants suggested that no incompatibility was involved. Degeneration of the gametophyte and embryo sac contents at many developmental stages indicated a wide array of effects, possibly resulting from meiotic irregularities similar to those seen in microsporogenesis of this mutant.