Cell-wall antigens in mesophyll cells and mesophyll-derived protoplasts of sugar beet: possible implication in protoplast recalcitrance?

We have investigated the possible relation between plant cell-wall constituents and the recalcitrance of the cell to regenerate organs and whole plants in vitro. A temporal and spatial expression of several carbohydrate epitopes was observed both within leaf tissue used for protoplast isolation and within new walls reformed by recalcitrant mesophyll protoplasts of sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L.); these include four pectic epitopes, one xyloglucan (rhamnogalacturonan I) epitope, two carbohydrate motifs of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) and callose. The walls of mesophyll cells and newly formed walls of protoplasts were similar with respect to the presence of large amounts of pectins recognized by JIM7 antibodies, the scarcity of JIM5-pectins and the complete absence of LM5-responding pectin molecules. Their main differences were the significantly higher accumulation of LM6-recognizing pectins and the very conspicuous greater accumulation of AGPs and callose in walls deposited by protoplasts than in those synthesized by donor cells.     

Isolation and characterisation of the homogalacturonan from type II cell walls of the commelinoid monocot wheat using HF-solvolysis

In contrast to the typical type I cell wall of the dicot plants, the type II cell wall of the commelinoid monocot plants is known to be relatively poor in pectins. Assuming a critical role for the remaining pectins in terms of cell wall architecture and/or as a reservoir of signalling molecules, we have compared different protocols for the isolation of the main pectin polymer, homogalacturonan, from wheat leaf cell walls. Pectin was detected in these cell walls immunochemically using the monoclonal antibodies JIM5 and JIM7, and biochemically by monosaccharide analysis. The Ca(++)-chelators CDTA and imidazole extracted a pectin rich fraction from isolated cell walls which was however contaminated with significant amounts of hemicelluloses. Pretreatment of the cell walls with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride at controlled low temperatures followed by HF/ether- and water-extraction prior to imidazole-extraction of pectins yielded a purer homogalacturonan fraction. The near absence of rhamnosyl residues proved that the isolated homogalacturonan fraction was free of rhamnogalacturonans. If HF-solvolysis was performed at -23 degrees C, the resulting homogalacturonan had a degree of methyl esterification identical to that of the pectins in the initial wheat cell wall. The antibodies JIM5 and JIM7 as well as PAM1 and LM5 proved that the isolated homogalacturonan had a low methyl ester content, was polymeric and free of galactan side chains. We can thus isolate native homogalacturonan from the type II wheat cell walls with the original in muro pattern of methyl esterification still intact, to further investigate e.g., its degradability by plant or microbial pectic enzymes.     

Deficiency of adenosine kinase activity affects the degree of pectin methyl-esterification in cell walls of Arabidopsis thaliana

Pectin methyl-esterification is catalysed by S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases. As deficiency in adenosine kinase (ADK; EC 2.7.1.20) activity impairs SAM recycling and utilization, we investigated the relationship between ADK-deficiency and the degree of pectin methyl-esterification in cell walls of Arabidopsis thaliana. The distribution patterns of epitopes associated with methyl-esterified homogalacturonan in leaves and hypocotyls of wild-type (WT) and ADK-deficient plants were examined using immunolocalization and biochemical techniques. JIM5 and LM7 epitopes, characteristic of low esterified pectins, were more irregularly distributed along the cell wall in ADK-deficient plants than in WT cell walls. In addition, epitopes recognized by JIM7, characteristic of pectins with a higher degree of methyl-esterification, were less abundant in ADK-deficient leaves and hypocotyls. Since de-esterified pectins have enhanced adhesion properties, we propose that the higher abundance and the altered distribution of low methyl-esterified pectin in ADK-deficient cell walls lead to the leaf shape abnormalities observed in these plants.     

Immunocytochemical localization of pectins in the maturing anther of Allium cepa L.

Distribution of pectins in cell walls of maturing anther of Allium cepa L. was investigated. The monoclonal antibodies against defined epitopes of pectin were used: JIM5 recognizing unesterified pectin and JIM7 recognizing esterified pectin. It has been found that the cell walls of all anther tissues mainly contain esterified pectins. In the somatic tissues only small amounts of unesterified pectins are present in the cell wall junctions and adjacent middle lamellae and in the cell walls of the connective tissue. Thickening of the epiderm cell walls and growth of trabeculae in endothecium are completed through deposition of esterified pectins. In the cell walls of the middle layer and tapetum, unesterified pectins have been found only prior to their disintegration. The primary wall of microsporocytes is made up mainly of esterified pectins. Unesterified pectins occur outside microsporocytes only prior to the callose isolation stage. The presence of esterified pectins has also been detected on the surface of the callose wall surrounding dividing microsporocytes. Lysis of those pectins takes place after microsporogenesis, simultaneously with the lysis of the callosic walls. Before these processes pectins are unesterified. In the sporoderm of pollen grains mainly esterified pectins occur. They have been localized in the intine and aperture. The level of unesterified pectins in the intine is markedly lower.     

Pectinous cell wall thickenings formation—A response of moss protonemata cells to lead

Lead poisoning constitutes one of most detrimental environmental hazards to all living organisms. Plants developed a variety of avoidance and tolerance mechanisms that are activated in response to lead exposure. Plant cell walls were suggested to play important role in these reactions by creating an efficient barrier to lead entry to the protoplasts, but the molecular mechanisms involved in such shielding reaction have not been elucidated. Tip growing protomemata of Funaria hygrometrica (Hedw.) were used as model for studying effects of lead exposure on plant cell walls (CWs). Forty-eight hour-treatment 4 μM PbCl₂ resulted in the appearance of cell wall thickenings (CWTs) at the tip of the apical cell, which is the lead entry site to the cell protoplast [Krzes?owska, M., Wo?ny, A., 1996. Lead uptake localization and changes in cell ultrastructure of Funaria hygrometrica protonemata. Biol. Plant. 38, 253–259]. The nature of these thickenings differed from the one of cell wall in unexposed plants as revealed by immunolabelling with monoclonal antibodies and histochemical analyses. The most striking difference was the appearance high amount of low-esterified (JIM5 epitope) and unesterified (PAM1 epitope) homogalacturonan, which were absent from the tip cell wall of control protonemata and are known as the compounds able to bind and immobilise Pb²⁺. Furthermore, the cell wall thickenings commonly contained callose and at least two kinds of lipid compounds known as the substances preventing metal ions entry to the protoplast.Observations in transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that CWTs contained a few distinct, varied structurally regions. The dominant one was the region of a granular structure—never found in the control CW. This region contained both the highest amount of JIM5 pectins—and the most numerous lead deposits. In many cases gold particles, identifying JIM5 pectins, appeared to be bound to lead deposits. It indicated that JIM5 pectins which accumulated in CWTs were involved in immobilisation of high amounts of Pb²⁺. Because the region of lead accumulation occupied the largest volume of the CWTs, we concluded that CWTs appear to be a very important repository for Pb²⁺ in protonemata cells. Thus, we postulate that, CWTs localized at the tip of the apical cell—the main region of lead uptake [Krzes?owska, M., Wo?ny, A., 1996. Lead uptake localization and changes in cell ultrastructure of Funaria hygrometrica protonemata. Biol. Plant. 38, 253–259] rich in JIM5 pectins, callose and lipids function as the effective barrier against lead ions penetration into the protonema protoplast.The findings substantiate previous hypotheses that lead ions can be sequestered in cell walls and point to the possibility that capacity for lead binding might increase in cell response to lead.     

Study of pectin esterase and changes in pectin methylation during normal and abnormal peach ripening

Peach fruit ( Prunus persica cv. Hermosa) were allowed to ripen immediately after harvest or after 30 days of 0°C storage. The fruits lost 75–80% of their firmness after 5 days at 20°C. During ripening after harvest there was a loss of both uronic acid and methyl groups from the cell wall. Cell wall labelling with JIM 7, a monoclonal antibody which recognized pectins with a high degree of methylation, was lower in ripe fruits than in freshly harvested fruits. However, ripe fruit cell walls did not cross-react with JIM 5, which recognizes pectins with low methylation. During storage, de-methylation occurred and in fruit ripened after storage there was little further change in pectin methylation or pectin content in the cell walls. The labelling of stored or stored plus ripened cell walls with JIM 7 was similar, but the cell walls of fruit ripened after storage showed some low cross-reactivity with JIM 5. The in vitro activity and mRNA abundance of pectin esterase (EC 3.1.1.11) was not correlated with the amount of de-esterification as measured chemically or by immuno-labelling in the cell walls. Eighty percent of the fruits which ripened after storage developed a woolly texture. It is suggested that woolliness is due to de-esterification of pectins, not accompanied by depolymerization, which leads to the formation of a gel-like structure in the cell wall.     

Micro-heterogeneity of pectins and calcium distribution in the epidermal and cortical parenchyma cell walls of flax hypocotyl

Summary Pectic polysaccharides are major components of the plant cell wall matrix and are known to perform many important functions for the plant. In the course of our studies on the putative role of pectic polysaccharides in the control of cell elongation, we have examined the distribution of polygalacturonans in the epidermal and cortical parenchyma cell walls of flax seedling hypocotyls. Pectic components have been detected with (1) the nickel (Ni²⁺) staining method to visualize polygalacturonates, (2) monoclonal antibodies specific to low (JIM5) and highly methylesterified (JIM7) pectins and (3) a combination of subtractive treatment and PATAg (periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate) staining. In parallel, calcium (Ca²⁺) distribution has been imaged using SIMS microscopy (secondary ion mass spectrometry) on cryo-prepared samples and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) after precipitation of calcium with potassium pyroantimonate. Our results show that, at the tissular level, polygalacturonans are mainly located in the epidermal cell walls, as revealed by the Ni²⁺ staining and immunofluorescence microscopy with JIM5 and JIM7 antibodies. In parallel, Ca²⁺ distribution points to a higher content of this cation in the epidermal walls compared to cortical parenchyma walls. At the ultrastructural level, immunogold labeling with JIM5 and JIM7 antibodies shows a differential distribution of pectic polysaccharides within cell walls of both tissues. The acidic polygalacturonans (recognized by JIM5) held through calcium bridges are mainly found in the outer part of the external wall of epidermal cells. In contrast, the labeling of methylesterified pectins with JIM7 is slightly higher in the inner part than in the outer part of the wall. In the cortical parenchyma cells, acidic pectins are restricted to the cell junctions and the wall areas in contact with the air-spaces, whereas methylesterified pectins are evenly distributed all over the wall. In addition, the pyroantimonate precipitation method reveals a clear difference in the Ca²⁺ distribution in the epidermal wall, suggesting that this cation is more tightly bound to acidic pectins in the outer part than in the inner part of that wall. Our findings show that the distribution of pectic polysaccharides and the nature of their linkages differ not only between tissues, but also within a single wall of a given cell in flax hypocotyls. The differential distribution of pectins and Ca²⁺ in the external epidermal wall suggests a specific control of the demethylation of pectins and a central role for Ca²⁺ in this regulation.Abbreviations Cdta diamino-1,2-cyclohexane tetra-acetic acid - PATAg periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate - PGA polygalacturonic acid - PME pectin methylesterase - RG I rhamnogalacturonan I - SIMS secondary ion mass spectrometry - TEM transmission electron microscopy     

Cell wall reformation by pollen tube protoplasts of olive (Olea europaea L.): structural comparison with the pollen tube wall

. Mature pollen grains of olive (Olea europaea L.) were germinated in vitro in Brewbaker and Kwack medium, and emerging pollen tubes were then enzymatically digested in the presence of high osmoticum. This treatment resulted in simultaneous degradation of pollen tube walls and fragmentation of their cytoplasm, giving rise to numerous protoplasts of different sizes and different numbers of nuclei. After the protoplasts had been purified, they were cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with auxin and cytokinin. The initial steps of cell wall reformation were studied after 12 h and 24 h of culture with a series of cytochemical techniques including periodic acid-Schiff reagent and phosphotungstic acid, as well as with electron microscopy and immunocytochemical techniques using monoclonal antibodies directed against pectins and #-(1̅)-glucan (callose). Among the components of new wall in the protoplasts, callose proved to be the earliest and most abundantly secreted polysaccharide, whereas the deposition of pectins recognized by the antibody JIM7 started several hours later. Pectins that bind JIM5 antibody were not detected in this early stage of development. Cell wall components deposited by protoplasts were compared with those present in growing pollen tubes. Callose secreted by protoplasts formed a relatively thicker layer than that found in the tubes, and pectins recognized by JIM7 were highly abundant, mostly within the cytoplasm and in the apical zone of the tubes.     

Local differentiation of cell wall matrix polysaccharides in sinuous pavement cells: its possible involvement in the flexibility of cell shape

• The distribution of homogalacturonans (HGAs) displaying different degrees of esterification as well as of callose was examined in cell walls of mature pavement cells in two angiosperm and two fern species. We investigated whether local cell wall matrix differentiation may enable pavement cells to respond to mechanical tension forces by transiently altering their shape.
• HGA epitopes, identified with 2F4, JIM5 and JIM7 antibodies, and callose were immunolocalised in hand‐made or semithin leaf sections. Callose was also stained with aniline blue. The structure of pavement cells was studied with light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
• In all species examined, pavement cells displayed wavy anticlinal cell walls, but the waviness pattern differed between angiosperms and ferns. The angiosperm pavement cells were tightly interconnected throughout their whole depth, while in ferns they were interconnected only close to the external periclinal cell wall and intercellular spaces were developed between them close to the mesophyll. Although the HGA epitopes examined were located along the whole cell wall surface, the 2F4‐ and JIM5‐ epitopes were especially localised at cell lobe tips. In fern pavement cells, the contact sites were impregnated with callose and JIM5‐HGA epitopes. When tension forces were applied on leaf regions, the pavement cells elongated along the stretching axis, due to a decrease in waviness of anticlinal cell walls. After removal of tension forces, the original cell shape was resumed.
• The presented data support that HGA epitopes make the anticlinal pavement cell walls flexible, in order to reversibly alter their shape. Furthermore, callose seems to offer stability to cell contacts between pavement cells, as already suggested in photosynthetic mesophyll cells.

     

Pectolytic Activity by the Haustorium of the Parasitic PlantOrobancheL. (Orobanchaceae) in Host Roots

The possible involvement of enzymes in the penetration of intrusivecells of the parasitic angiospermOrobancheinto host root tissueswas studied using cytochemical and immunocytochemical methods.Pectin methyl esterase (PME) was detected, with specific antibodies,in the cytoplasm and cell walls ofOrobancheintrusive cells andin adjacent host apoplast. Depletion and chemical changes ofpectins in host cell walls were shown by histochemical stainingwith PATAg, which detects carbohydrates that are sensitive toperiodic acid, especially pectins, and with the monoclonal antibodiesJIM 5 and JIM 7 that label pectins with low and high rates ofesterification, respectively. Galacturonic sequences with lowrates of esterification were more abundant in host cell wallsadjacent to the parasite, which is consistent with pectin de-methylationby PME release from the parasite. Pectins were absent in middlelamellae and in host cell walls neighbouring mature intrusivecells of the parasite, consistent with further degradation ofpectins by other enzymes. These results provide the first directevidence for the presence and activity of a pectolytic enzymein the infection zone of the haustorium of a parasitic angiosperminsitu.Copyright 1998 Annals of Botany Company Broomrape;Orobanche; parasitic weed; haustorium; pectin methyl esterase; pectin; cell wall.     

Cadmium-induced alterations of the structural features of pectins in flax hypocotyl

In the course of our studies on the putative role of pectins in the control of cell growth, we have investigated the effect of cadmium on their composition, remodelling and distribution within the epidermis and fibre tissues of flax hypocotyl (Linum usitatissimum L.). Cadmium-stressed seedlings showed a significant inhibition of growth whereas the hypocotyl volume did not significantly change, due to the swelling of most tissues. The structural alterations consisted of significant increase of the thickness of all cell walls and the marked collapse of the sub-epidermal layer. The pectic epitopes recognized by the anti-PGA/RGI and JIM5 antibodies increased in the outer parts of the epidermis (external tangential wall and junctions) and fibres (primary wall and junctions). Concomitantly, there was a remarkable decrease of JIM7 antibody labelling and consequently an increase of the ratio JIM5/JIM7. Conversely, the ratio JIM7/JIM5 increased in the wall domains closest to the plasmalemma, which would expel the cadmium ions from the cytoplasm. The hydrolysis of cell walls revealed a cadmium-induced increase of uronic acid in the pectic matrix. Sequential extractions showed a remodelling of both homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan I. In fractions enriched in primary walls, the main part of the pectins became cross-linked and could be extracted only with alkali. In fractions enriched in secondary walls, the homogalacturonan moieties were found more abundantly in the calcium-chelator extract while the rhamnogacturonan level increased in the boiling water extract.     

Immunogold localization of pectins and glycoproteins in tissues of peach with reference to deep supercooling

Living xylem tissues and floral buds of several species of woody plants survive exposure to freezing temperatures by deep supercooling. A barrier to water loss and the growth of ice crystals into cells is considered necessary for deep supercooling to occur. Pectins, as a constituent of the cell wall, have been implicated in the formation of this barrier. The present study examined the distribution of pectin in xylem and floral bud tissues of peach (Prunus persica). Two monoclonal antibodies (JIM5 and JIM7) that recognize homogalacturonic sequences with varying degrees of esterification were utilized in conjunction with immunogold electron microscopy. Results indicate that highly esterified epitopes of pectin, recognized by JIM7, were the predominant types of pectin in peach and were uniformly distributed throughout the pit membrane and primary cell walls of xylem and floral bud tissues. In contrast, un-esterified epitopes of pectin, recognized by JIM5, were confined to the outer surface of the pit membrane in xylem tissues. In floral buds, these epitopes were localized in middle lamellae, along the outer margin of the cell wall lining empty intercellular spaces, and within filled intercellular spaces. JIM5 labeling was more pronounced in December samples than in July/August samples. Additionally, epitopes of an arabinogalactan protein, recognized by JIM14, were confined to the amorphous layer of the pit membrane. The role of pectins in freezing response is discussed in the context of present theory and it is suggested that pectins may influence both water movement and intrusive growth of ice crystals at freezing temperatures.     

Differential cell wall degradation byErwinia chrysanthemi in petiole ofSaintpaulia ionantha

Summary Erwinia chrysanthemi is a soft-rot pathogenic enterobacterium that provokes maceration of host plant tissues by producing extracellular cell-wall-degrading enzymes, among which are pectate lyases, pectin methyl esterases, and cellulases. Cell wall degradation in leaves and petiole tissue of infectedSaintpaulia ionantha plants has been investigated in order to define the structural and temporal framework of wall deconstruction. The degradation of major cell wall components, pectins and cellulose, was studied by both classical histochemical techniques (Calcofluor and periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate staining) and immunocytochemistry (tissue printing for detection of pectate lyases; monoclonal antibodies JIM5 and JIM7 for detection of pectic substrates). The results show that the mode of progression of the bacteria within the host plant is via the intercellular spaces of the parenchyma leaf and the petiole cortex. Maceration symptoms and secretion of pectate lyases PelA, -D, and -E can be directly correlated to the spread of the bacteria. Wall degradation is very heterogeneous. Loss of reactivity with JIM5 and JIM7 was progressive and/or clearcut. The primary and middle lamella appear to be the most susceptible regions of the wall. The innermost layer of the cell wall frequently resists complete deconstruction. At the wall intersects and around intercellular spaces resistant domains and highly degraded domains occurred simultaneously. All results lead to the hypothesis that both spatial organisation of the wall and accessibility to enzymes are very highly variable according to regions. The use of mutants lacking pectate lyases PelA, -D, -E or -B, -C confirm the important role that PelA, PelD, and PelE play in the rapid degradation of pectins from the host cell walls. In contrast, PelB and PelC seem not essential for degradation of the wall, though they can be detected in leaves infected with wild-type bacteria. With Calcofluor staining, regularly localised cellulose-rich and cellulose-poor domains were observed in pectic-deprived walls.Abbreviations MAb monoclonal antibody - PATAg periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate     

Temporal and spatial distribution of pectin epitopes in differentiating anthers and microspores of fertile and sterile sugar beet

We studied the possible involvement of several pectin epitopes in anther differentiation and microsporogenesis in fertile and cytoplasmically male sterile sugar beets. The spatial and temporal distribution of five structural motifs were traced with a panel of monoclonal antibodies in six stages: premeiosis, meiotic prophase, young and mature tetrads, young and expanding microspores. The composition of the walls of sporogenous cells and meiocytes differed than that in the tapetum, as evidenced by the presence of alpha-Fuc(1-->2)-beta-Gal and alpha-(1-->5)-L-Ara epitopes binding CCRC-M1 and LM6 antibodies. At meiotic prophase, the meiocyte walls were additionally marked by the appearance of poorly methyl-esterified domains of homogalacturonan and of (1-->4)-beta-Gal residues, detected by JIM5 and LM5. Some constituents of the meiocyte wall which reacted with JIM5 and JIM7 persisted on the surface of the special callose sheath during tetrad development. In newly formed primexine and exine layers of tetrads and microspores, epitopes that were bound by JIM5, JIM7 and LM5 were abundant. No differences in the deposition or relative abundance of pectins were found between fertile and sterile anthers until microspore release from the callose. Later, at the time of abortion, sterile microspores had much larger amounts of epitopes detected by JIM5 than their fertile counterparts.     

Early local differentiation of the cell wall matrix defines the contact sites in lobed mesophyll cells of Zea mays

Background and Aims

The morphogenesis of lobed mesophyll cells (MCs) is highly controlled and coupled with intercellular space formation. Cortical microtubule rings define the number and the position of MC isthmi. This work investigated early events of MC morphogenesis, especially the mechanism defining the position of contacts between MCs. The distributions of plasmodesmata, the hemicelluloses callose and (1 → 3,1 → 4)-β-d-glucans (MLGs) and the pectin epitopes recognized by the 2F4, JIM5, JIM7 and LM6 antibodies were studied in the cell walls of Zea mays MCs.

Methods

Matrix cell wall polysaccharides were immunolocalized in hand-made sections and in sections of material embedded in LR White resin. Callose was also localized using aniline blue in hand-made sections. Plasmodesmata distribution was examined by transmission electron microscopy.

Results

Before reorganization of the dispersed cortical microtubules into microtubule rings, particular bands of the longitudinal MC walls, where the MC contacts will form, locally differentiate by selective (1) deposition of callose and the pectin epitopes recognized by the 2F4, LM6, JIM5 and JIM7 antibodies, (2) degradation of MLGs and (3) formation of secondary plasmodesmata clusterings. This cell wall matrix differentiation persists in cell contacts of mature MCs. Simultaneously, the wall bands between those of future cell contacts differentiate with (1) deposition of local cell wall thickenings including cellulose microfibrils, (2) preferential presence of MLGs, (3) absence of callose and (4) transient presence of the pectins identified by the JIM5 and JIM7 antibodies. The wall areas between cell contacts expand determinately to form the cell isthmi and the cell lobes.

Conclusions

The morphogenesis of lobed MCs is characterized by the early patterned differentiation of two distinct cell wall subdomains, defining the sites of the future MC contacts and of the future MC isthmi respectively. This patterned cell wall differentiation precedes cortical microtubule reorganization and may define microtubule ring disposition.     

Rapid changes in cell wall pectic polysaccharides are closely associated with early stages of aerenchyma formation, a spatially localized form of programmed cell death in roots of maize (Zea mays L.) promoted by ethylene

Aerenchyma formation in roots of maize (Zea mays L.) involves programmed death of cortical cells that is promoted by exogenous ethylene (1 µL L⁻¹) or by endogenous ethylene produced in response to external oxygen shortage (3%, v/v). In this study, evidence that degeneration of the cell wall accompanies apoptotic-like changes previously observed in the cytoplasm and nucleus (Gunawardena et al. Planta 212, 205–214, 2001), has been sought by examining de-esterified pectins (revealed by monoclonal antibody JIM 5), and esterified pectins (revealed by monoclonal antibody JIM 7). In controls, de-esterified wall pectins were found at the vertices of triangular junctions between cortical cells (untreated roots). Esterified pectins in control roots were present in the three walls bounding triangular cell-to-cell junctions. After treatment with 3% oxygen or 1 µL L⁻¹ ethylene, this pattern was lost but walls surrounding aerenchyma gas spaces became strongly stained. The results showed that cell wall changes commenced within 0·5 d and evidently were initiated by ethylene in parallel with cytoplasmic and nucleoplasmic events associated with classic intracellular processes of programmed cell death.     

Pectin immunolocalization and calcium visualization in differentiating derivatives from poplar cambium

Summary Calcium distribution and pectin esterification patterns in the cambial zone of poplar branches were studied with ionic microscopy and immunological tools respectively. Dynamic changes correlating with cell growth and cell differentiation were observed both on the xylem and on the phloem sides. In expanding cell walls of xylem derivatives, unesterified pectins were restricted to cell junctions and middle lamellae, occasionally accompanied by calcium ions. In contrast, in differentiating and mature phloem cells, acidic pectins and Ca²⁺ were present all over the walls leading to early stiffening of the polysaccharide network. Significant labelling was detected with JIM5 antibodies in some dictyosomes suggesting exocytosis of low methylated polymers towards the cell walls. At cell junctions, unesterified pectins might originate from the activity of pectinmethylesterases localized in these areas. Thus un- and deesterified pectins might be located in different cell wall domains whose distribution, varying with cell type, will confer specific extensibility to the wall matrix.Abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin - DM degree of methylation - FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate - HM highly methylated pectins - LM low methylated pectins - PME pectin methylesterase - SIMS secondary ion mass spectrometry - TBS tris-buffered saline     

The transmitting tissue inBrugmansia suaveolens: immunocytochemical localization of pectin in the style

Summary Two monoclonal antibodies were used to reveal the nature and distribution of pectins in cell walls and in the secretion of the style inBrugmansia (Datura) suaveolens at the light and electron microscope level. The antibodies JIM 5 and JIM 7 distinguish between unesterified and methylesterified pectins. Unesterified pectins occur in the walls of both transmitting tissue and cortex. The high methylesterified pectin is limited to cell walls in the cortex. The intercellular substance contains only unesterified pectins.     

Identification of a transitional cell state in the developmental pathway to carrot somatic embryogenesis

We have located a novel carbohydrate epitope in the cell walls of certain single cells in embryogenic, but not in non-embryogenic, suspension cultures of carrot. Expression of this epitope, recognized by the mAb JIM8, is regulated during initiation, proliferation, and prolonged growth of suspension cultures such that changes in the abundance of JIM8-reactive cells always precede equivalent changes in embryogenic potential. Therefore, a direct correlation exists between the presence of the JIM8-reactive cell wall epitope and somatic embryo formation. The JIM8-reactive cell wall epitope is expressed in the cell walls of three types of single cells and one type of cell cluster. One of the single cell types seems able to follow one of two phytohormone-controlled developmental pathways, either a cell elongation pathway that eventually leads to cell death, or a cell division pathway that gives rise to proembryogenic masses. We demonstrate that all JIM8-reactive cell types in embryogenic carrot suspension cultures are developmentally related, and that the switch by one of them to somatic embryogenesis is accompanied by the immediate dissipation of the JIM8-reactive cell wall epitope. The cell wall carbohydrate epitope recognized by JIM8 therefore represents a cell wall marker for a very early transitional cell state in the developmental pathway to carrot somatic embryogenesis.     

Dynamic changes in cell surface molecules are very early events in the differentiation of mesophyll cells from Zinnia elegans into tracheary elements

The Zinnia mesophyll cell system consists of isolated leaf mesophyll cells in culture that can be induced, by auxin and cytokinin, to transdifferentiate semi-synchronously into tracheary elements (TEs). This system has been used to establish the precise time point at which the TE cell fate becomes determined, and then changes have been looked for in cell-wall composition and architecture that are associated with the establishment of competence, determination, and differentiation with the transition from primary to secondary cell wall formation. At very early stages in this time course, changes in the repertoire of proteins and polysaccharides both in the cell wall and secreted into the culture medium were found. Changes in the secretion of pectic polysaccharides, xyloglucans and arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) have been detected using the monoclonal antibodies JIM 7, CCRC-M1 and JIM 13, that recognize these three classes of cell-wall molecule, respectively. Twenty-four hours before secondary thickenings are visible, an AGP is present in the primary walls of a subpopulation of cells, and is secreted into the culture medium. This molecule is present in the secondary thickenings of mature TEs but not in their surrounding primary walls. Methyl-esterified pectic polysaccharides are present in all cell walls and are secreted into the culture medium throughout the time course of differentiation, though at an increased rate in inductive medium. However, sugar and linkage analysis of culture media shows that a relatively unbranched rhamnogalacturonan is enriched in inductive medium around the time of determination and increases rapidly in concentration. The amount of fucosylated xyloglucan in cell walls increases during the time course, but appears in inductive medium 24 h earlier than in control medium and may have a subtly different structure. The fucose-containing epitope on the xyloglucan disappears abruptly and entirely from inductive medium 6 h before any secondary thickenings are visible in the cells. The disappearance of the epitope is correlated with secretion of several hydrolytic enzyme activities. In Zinnia leaves, the mesophyll cell walls contain neither the fucosylated xyloglucan nor the AGP, although methylesterified pectin is present. All three epitopes are expressed in the vascular bundles, and the AGP is specifically localized in the xylem cells. Fucosylated xyloglucan is also present in the epidermal tissue, and the AGP is present in guard cells. The dynamic behaviour of these specific cell-wall molecules is tightly correlated with differentiation events in vitro, and can be clearly distinguished from the production of new wall material found in expanding and elongating cells. The precise timing of the appearance and disappearance of these proteins and polysaccharides compared with the point of cell-fate determination provides us with a series of cell-surface markers for cell states at very early times in the transdifferentiation pathway.