龙舌草果实和种子及其种苗发育形态学研究

采用形态观察和GMA切片相结合的方法,对龙舌草果实、种子及种苗发育的形态结构进行解剖学观察研究,探讨龙舌草个体发育中表现出的与水生环境相适应的结构特征.结果显示:(1)龙舌草由佛焰苞包被的果实通常由6心皮构成,心皮边缘不完全愈合,层片状胎座,水面形成的幼嫩果实被果柄拉入水中发育成熟;种子具毛,萌发时苗端先于根端发育,在胚根分化之前先出现单细胞的下胚轴毛,随后胚根发育为初生根,并在真叶的节处发育出不定根;果皮和叶肉内的维管束仅由少数细胞构成,且细胞分化不明显,有发达的通气道;叶表皮无角质层,细胞外凸,叶肉细胞数量少;表明龙舌草的结构特征与水生环境相适应.(2)研究还发现,龙舌草的种子无胚乳,下胚轴贮存种苗发育需要的大量淀粉粒,以及初生根和不定根均有根毛的结构,且与泽泻科的慈菇和泽泻的结构一致,证明水鳖科与泽泻科具有较近的亲缘关系.     

THE NACREOUS WALLS OF SIEVE ELEMENTS IN SEAGRASSES

The nacreous walls of sieve elements occur in seagrasses in all three genera of the family Zosteraceae and the genus Halodule of the family Cymodoceaceae but are absent from another eight seagrass genera belonging to the families Hydrocharitaceae, Cymodoceaceae, and Posidoniaceae. They occur in leaf blades, leaf sheaths, rhizomes, and erect stems but are not present in root tissues. The nacreous wall is uneven along the inner limits reflecting irregular thickness. The wall consists of hemicellulose or pectin and cellulose, but no protein, lignin, or lipid. Ultrastructurally, the wall contains parallel microfibrils or loose fibrils embedded in an amorphous matrix. Open pores occur in sieve plates and branching plasmodesmata are present in enlarged sieve areas. Mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and plastids are also present in these sieve elements.     

Electron-energy-loss spectroscopic imaging of calcium and nitrogen in the cell walls of apple fruits

Changes in texture are an integral part of ripening in most fleshy fruits and these changes are thought to be determined, primarily, by alterations in cell wall structure. Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) imaging was used to obtain quantitative information on the levels of calcium and nitrogen in the cell walls of apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Cox's Orange Pippin) fruits. Samples of fruit cortex were prepared for EELS by high-pressure freezing and molecular distillation drying to minimize loss and redistribution of soluble cell wall components such as calcium. The EELS imaging successfully resolved calcium and nitrogen levels in the middle lamella and primary cell wall. When the elemental compositions of the cell walls of Cox's apples from two sites in the UK were compared at harvest or after 6 months storage, the orchard which always produced consistently firmer fruit had significantly lower levels of cell wall calcium and higher levels of cell wall nitrogen. This result was unexpected since firm texture in apples and other fruits has been commonly associated with elevated levels of fruit calcium. The nitrogen-rich material in the sections used for EELS was insoluble in acidified methanol, indicating that it represented a high-molecular-weight component in the cell wall. Furthermore, total tissue hydroxyproline levels were greatest in material with elevated cell wall nitrogen, suggesting enhanced levels of wall structural proteins in the tissue. These data indicate a correlation between increased amounts of cell wall nitrogen and firm fruit texture. The possible role of cell wall proteins in determining the textural properties of fruit tissue is discussed. Received: 19 November 1998 / Accepted: 28 January 1999     

The sporophyte-gametophyte junction in the moss Acaulon muticum (Pottiaceae): EARLY STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

The sporophyte-gametophyte junction in Acaulon muticum is composed of the sporophyte foot, the surrounding gametophyte vaginula, and an intervening placental space. At an early stage of development the foot has a large basal cell, characterized by extensive wall ingrowths beginning at the lowermost tip of the basal cell and extending along its tangential walls. Sporophyte cells in contact with the basal cell develop ingrowths on their outer tangential walls and on radial walls in contact with the basal cell. All sporophyte cells at this stage are characterized by numerous mitochondria, strands of endoplasmic reticulum, and dictyosomes, particularly in the cytoplasm adjacent to areas of extensive wall development. Plastids typically contain abundant starch reserves. As development proceeds, wall ingrowths become more extensive on all walls in the sporophyte foot but are never found on the upper wall of the basal cell in contact with the remainder of the sporophyte. Plastids in the foot contain fewer starch reserves later in development. Wall ingrowths are not visible in the cells of the gametophyte vaginula until well after extensive development has occurred in the sporophyte foot. Stacks or layers of endoplasmic reticulum are characteristic of the cells of the gametophyte vaginula, along with numerous mitochondria, dictyosomes, and well-developed plastids. Starch reserves typically are less abundant in cells of the gametophyte. The early development of extensive wall elaborations in the cells of the sporophyte foot, and particularly in the basal cell, may favor the rapid movement of water and nutrients from the gametophyte into the sporophyte at a time when rapid development in this minute, ephemeral moss is critical.     

STOMATA ON THE FRUITS AND SEEDS OF ESCHSCHOLZIA (PAPAVERACEAE)

Stomata are present on the outer and inner fruit walls and seed coats of Eschscholzia californica, E. covillei, E. glyptosperma, E. lemmonii and E. minutiflora. The stomata on the inner fruit wall and seed coat remain constantly open, even under plasmolyzing conditions, whereas those of the outer fruit wall are able to open and close. This allows for gas exchange in these chlorophyllous structures. Fibrous bundle caps in the costal regions of the fruit act as windows allowing light transmission to the photosynthetic seeds within. Preliminary results show that the total photosynthesis by the fruits and seeds of Eschscholzia californica together appears to at least balance respiratory losses, and under favorable conditions might significantly contribute to seed and fruit development.     

彩绒革盖菌超微结构的研究

利用电子显微镜对彩绒革盖菌[Coriolus versicolor(L.:Fr.)Quél.],俗名云芝的人工培养的菌丝和野生的子实体进行超微结构的研究。结果表明:子实体由三种类型的菌丝(生殖菌丝、骨架菌丝、联络菌丝)组成。菌丝和子实体菌丝的细胞壁由两层结构组成。担子和担孢子的细胞壁由多层结构组成,至少有三层。菌丝顶端细胞的细胞质中有顶泡复合体(AVC)和顶体。菌丝细胞和子实体菌丝细胞都有桶状隔膜,在细胞质中有丰富的糖原贮存。担孢子与担子的小梗连接处出现初生壁溶化现象。     

Latency of Infection in Unripe Avocados by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is Not Due to Inadequate Enzyme Potential

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides produced exo-pectin lyase and protease in a) liquid cultures with incorporated washed cell wall material from unripe or ripe avocado and b) autoclaved immature fruit. The activity of exo-pectin lyase and protease produced in liquid cultures incorporating washed cell walls from immature fruits was almost the same as when washed cell walls from ripe fruits were incorporated. Ripe fruit tissue rotted by the fungus contained exo-pectin lyase, endo-polygalacturonase (endo-PG) and protease. The endo-PG was found to be endogenous to avocado fruit, and had a pH optimum of 5.5. The pH optima of exo-pectin lyase and protease were 8.5 and 7.5 respectively in all three enzyme preparations. All these enzyme preparations completely macerated avocado fruit tissue discs in vitro in less than 3 h of incubation but not potato tuber discs. Neither immature nor ripe fruit contained substances, proteinaceous or otherwise, which could inhibit the exo-pectin lyase or protease activity of these preparations. The results indicated that C. gloeosporioides possesses sufficient enzyme potential to invade cell walls of unripe fruit and that the fruit tissue does not have a mechanism to inactivate such enzymes.     

Interactions between, Camellia japonica and its Seed Predator Curculio camelliae

Abstract Seeds of Camellia japonica are heavily attacked by Curculio camelliae. To evaluate the efficacy of fruit wall thickness against the curculio attack, correlations of fruit wall thickness with the ratio of seed survival (RSS) and with the ratio of oviposition success of the curculio beetles (ROS) were investigated on fruits collected at Camellia stands in Kinki District. While ROS exhibited negative correlations with the thickness of fruit wall in every stand, RSS showed different modes in accordance with the population density of the curculio. At low density, no significant difference was seen in RSS between trees with thicker fruit wall and those with thinner ones; the latter trees, generally bearing many fruits, had more seeds surviving than the former, generally bearing a few fruits. In high density curculio populations, RSS values showed correlation with the thickness of the fruit wall and more seeds survived in trees with thicker fruit walls. These facts suggest that two contrasting behavioral traits are present in a single species C. japonica and their efficacies differ in accordance with the curculio density.     

MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DIFFERENTIATION OF PHORADENDRON POPULATIONS IN TEXAS

Investigation of the morphology and physiology of the mistletoe, Phoradendron tomentosum subsp. tomentosum, in Texas reveals that the subspecies is differentiated into at least two ecological races, one in north central Texas, the other in south central Texas. The races differ in leaf length/width ratio, fruit diameter, seed set, spike internode length, freeze tolerance, and flavonoid patterns. Clines occur in leaf length/width ratio and fruit diameter between the races, and these characteristics are negatively correlated. The northern race generally exhibits greater freeze tolerance than the southern race. Field observations, herbarium specimens, and a collection of fresh specimens from northeastern Mexico indicate that a third race in the subspecies may exist there. Racial variation within the subspecies appears to permit it to occupy a diversity of habitats. Morphological and physiological patterns within the two Texas races suggest that introgressive hybridization has occurred between them, allowing for the occupation of intermediate habitats.     

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACHENE OF POLYGONUM PENSYLVANICUM: EMBRYO,ENDOSPERM, AND PERICARP

A study was made of the ontogeny of the achene of Polygonum pensylvanicum L. from fertilization to maturity. The proembryo is classified as the Polygonum Variation, Asterad Type. Cotyledons are initiated three days after anthesis, and by the fifth day procambium is present in the embryo axis. At approximately seven days after anthesis, the embryo begins to curve and occupy a marginal position in the ovary. By ten days the first foliage leaf primordium is initiated at the stem apex of the embryo. At maturity the embryo consists of two cotyledons, a plumule composed of the stem apex and one leaf primordium, and a hypocotyl with a well-developed radicle. Endosperm nuclei begin to divide before the first division of the zygote. Cell wall formation begins in the endosperm at the micropylar end of the embryo sac and proceeds toward the chalazal region. By the fifth day the endosperm is completely cellular, except for a basal projection; and a peripheral meristem has been established. At approximately ten days the peripheral meristem ceases periclinal cell division and becomes the aleurone. At the time of fertilization the ovary wall has its full complement of cell layers. The walls of the outermost cells elongate and become convoluted. Subsequent thickening and lignification of these cell walls produce the hard epicarp of the mature achene.     

Cell Wall Monosaccharide Composition and Muskmelon Resistance to Myrothecium roridum1

In vitro growth of Myrothecium roridum, a pathogen of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), on media supplemented with eight cell wall-related monosaccharides revealed that germination and germ tube elongation were enhanced in the presence of arabinose, galactose and glucose. Colony expansion of established mycelia of M. roridum was also enhanced by arabinose and glucose but inhibited by galactose, Non-cellulosic neutral sugar analysis of fruit cell walls from muskmelon cultivars resistant or susceptible to M. roridum revealed that susceptible cultivars had consistently higher arabinosyl, galactosyl and glucosyl residue content than resistant cultivars, while a net loss of galaciosyl and arabinosyl residues occurred in cell walls of fruits between 20- and 27-days post-anthesis. M. roridum germinated more rapidly on isolated fruit cell walls from susceptible than resistant cultivars, but no correlation was found between cultivar resistance to M. roridum and inhibitin of fungal colony expansion on cell walls. Although factors affecting spore germination and mycelial growth of M. roridum, in vitro and in vivo, may differ, any factor that increases cell wall polysaccharide hydrolysis may contribute to ability of M. roridum to become established in immature fruit of muskmelon.     

Ultrastructural features of the salt gland of Tamarix aphylla L.

Summary The salt gland in Tamarix is a complex of eight cells composed of two inner, vacuolate, collecting cells and six outer, densely cytoplasmic, secretory cells. The secretory cells are completely enclosed by a cuticular layer except along part of the walls between the collecting cells and the inner secretory cell. This non-cuticularized wall region is termed the transfusion are (Ruhland, 1915) and numerous plasmodesmata connect the inner secretory cells with the collecting cells in this area. Plasmodesmata also connect the collecting cells with the adjacent mesophyll cells.There are numerous mitochondria in the secretory cells and in different glands they show wide variation in form. In some glands wall protuberances extend into the secretory cells forming a labyrinth-like structure; however, in other glands the protuberances are not extensively developed. Numerous small vacuoles are found in some glands and these generally are distributed around the periphery of the secretory cells in association with the wall protuberances. Further, an unusual structure or interfacial apparatus is located along the anticlinal walls of the inner secretory cells. The general structure of the gland including the cuticular encasement, connecting plasmodesmata, interfacial apparatus, and variations in mitochondria, vacuoles, and wall structures are discussed in relation to general glandular function.     

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.     

THE STRUCTURE OF THE PRIMARY EPIDERMAL CELL WALL OF AVENA COLEOPTILES

The primary walls of epidermal cells in Avena coleoptiles ranging in length from 2 to 40 mm. have been studied in the electron and polarizing microscopes and by the low-angle scattering of x-rays. The outer walls of these cells are composed of multiple layers of cellulose microfibrils oriented longitudinally; initially the number of layers is between 10 and 15 but this increases to about 25 in older tissue. Where epidermal cells touch, these multiple layers fuse gradually into a primary wall of the normal type between cells. In these radial walls, the microfibrils are oriented transversely. Possible mechanisms for the growth of the multilayered outer wall during cell elongation are discussed.     

Characterization of the Cell Wall Microdomain Surrounding Plasmodesmata in Apple Fruit

In fleshy fruits ripening is generally associated with a loss in tissue firmness resulting from depolymerization of wall components and separation of adjacent cells. In the regions of the wall that contain plasmodesmata, the usual sequences of ripening events, i.e. depolymerization of the middle lamellae and splitting of the walls, are not observed. In the present study we attempted to characterize in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) fruit the structural microdomain of the cell wall that surrounds the plasmodesmata by in muro visualization of the cell wall components. Anionic sites of galacturonic acids were labeled with cationic gold. Low-esterified homogalacturonans were labeled with the monoclonal antibody JIM 5. In addition, a polyclonal antibody directed toward [beta](1->3)-glucopyranose was used to target callose in situ. The results indicated that the plasmodesmata-wall complexes were surrounded by a pectic microdomain. This domain was composed of low-esterified homogalacturonans that were not involved in calcium cross-bridging but were probably surrounded by a cationic environment. These structural features may result in the prevention of normal cell wall separation in regions containing plasmodesmata. However, observations by low-temperature scanning electron microscopy suggested that splitting of these walls ruptured the plasmodesmata and ultimately resulted in the spatial separation of adjacent cells.     

CELL WALL CHEMISTRY AND ULTRASTRUCTURE OF CHLOROCOCCUM OLEOFACIENS (CHLOROPHYCEAE)1,2

Cell walls of Chlorococcum oleofadens Trainor & Bold were examined ultrastructurally and chemically. The wall of zoospores has a uniform 30 nm width and a regular lamellar pattern. Zoospores and young vegetative cell walk exhibit periodicities, consisting of 20 nm ridges on the outer layer. Vegetative cell walls have a variable thickness of Up to 800 nm and are composed of multiple layers of electron dense material. Further, vegetative walk contain a microfibrillar material composed predominantly of glucose and presumed to be cellulose. Except for this cellulose, vegetative cell wall chemistry is very similar to that of Chlamydomemas being composed of glycoprotein rich in hydroxyproline. The hydroxyproline in Chlorococcum walls is linked glycosidically to a mixture of hetrooligosaccharides composed of arabinose and galactose, and in one instance, an unknown 6-deoxyhexose. Altogether, the glycoprotein complex accounts for at least 52% of the wall. The amino acid composition of the walls is stikingly similar to those of widely different plant species. Indirect evidence indicates zoospore cell walls are also chemically similar to those of Chlamydomonas, and like them, are cellulose free. Thus a major chemical difference between zoospore and vegetative cell walk of Chlorococcum is the presence of cellulose in the latter. The contribution of this microfibrillar cellulose to the physical properties of the vegetative wall is discussed.     

The morphology of Cercophora palmicola (Lasiosphaeriaceae)

A detailed study of ascomal morphology and development in Cercophora palmicola showed that ontogeny is ascohymeniaceous, giving rise to an ostiolate perithecium. Ascomal initials consist of a coiled ascogonium surrounded by several layers of hyphae whose cells become pseudoparenchymatous. The centrum of the young ascoma is composed of a few rows of large, thin-walled pseudoparenchymatous cells that line the ascomal wall, with the central region filled by tightly packed, filamentous paraphyses. The ascogenous system forms along the inside of the layer of pseudoparenchymatous cells at the base of the paraphyses and gives rise to unitunicate asci that grow up among the paraphyses. The wall of the mature perithecium is greatly thickened. It is composed of three regions: a thin outer region of darkly pigmented, angular cells with thickened walls; a broad central region of cells with gelatinized walls; and a thin inner region of flattened cells. Ascomal ontogeny in C. palmicola conforms well to the Sordaria type of development, as defined by Huang.     

An Antisense Pectin Methylesterase Gene Alters Pectin Chemistry and Soluble Solids in Tomato Fruit

Pectin methylesterase (PME, EC 3.1.11) demethoxylates pectins and is believed to be involved in degradation of pectic cell wall components by polygalacturonase in ripening tomato fruit. We have introduced antisense and sense chimeric PME genes into tomato to elucidate the role of PME in fruit development and ripening. Fruits from transgenic plants expressing high levels of antisense PME RNA showed <10% of wild-type PME enzyme activity and undetectable levels of PME protein and mRNA. Lower PME enzyme activity in fruits from transgenic plants was associated with an increased molecular weight and methylesterification of pectins and decreased levels of total and chelator soluble polyuronides in cell walls. The fruits of transgenic plants also contained higher levels of soluble solids than wild-type fruits. This trait was maintained in subsequent generations and segregated in normal Mendelian fashion with the antisense PME gene. These results indicate that reduction in PME enzyme activity in ripening tomato fruits had a marked influence on fruit pectin metabolism and increased the soluble solids content of fruits, but did not interfere with the ripening process.     

Distribution of the anionic sites in the cell wall of apple fruit after calcium treatment

Summary The ripening and softening of fleshy fruits involves biochemical changes in the cell wall. These changes reduce cell wall strength and lead to cell separation and the formation of intercellular spaces. Calcium, a constituent of the cell wall, plays an important role in interacting with pectic acid polymers to form cross-bridges that influence cell wall strength. In the present study, cationic colloidal gold was used for light and electron microscopic examinations to determine whether the frequency and distribution of anionic binding sites in the walls of parenchyma cells in the apple were influenced by calcium, which was pressure infiltrated into mature fruits. Controls were designed to determine the specificity of this method for in muro labelling of the anionic sites on the pectin polymers. The results indicate that two areas of the cell wall were transformed by the calcium treatment: the primary cell walls on either side of the middle lamella and the middle lamella intersects that delineate the intercellular spaces. The data suggest that calcium ions reduce fruit softening by strengthening the cell walls, thereby preventing cell separation that results in formation of intercellular spaces.Abbreviations EDTA ethylenediaminotetraacetic acid - PATAg periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate