Number of chromocentres in the nuclei of mouse Sertoli cells in relation to the strain and age of males from puberty to senescence

Nuclei of mouse Sertoli cells were examined on air-dried toluidine blue-stained preparations to analyse factors influencing the aggregation of heterochromatin into chromocentres. For the CBA strain males tested at 1.3, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age, mean numbers of heterochromatin bodies were 4.8, 2.4, 2.1, 1.8, 1.6 and 1. 4, respectively; two chromocentres predominated from 2 to 9 months of age. In the KE strain, heterochromatin aggregation was significantly accelerated; nuclei containing only one chromocentre were predominant from 6 months. The number of chromocentres did not change with the stages of the seminiferous cycle, and after 1 month of cryptorchid condition. Cryptorchidism resulted in disruption of spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell dysfunction, as demonstrated by the lack of immunohistochemically detectable androgen receptors. The difference in the number of chromocentres between KE and CBA Sertoli cells persisted after 3 days of in vitro culture, but unidentified cells with numerous chromatin bodies were also observed. Testing recombinant inbred strains indicates that at least two genes are involved in the difference in the number of chromocentres between progenitor KE and CBA strains; however, no correlations were found with 15 marker loci or with parameters linked to reproduction. Of the eight strains tested, AKR and C3H showed a 'CBA-like' chromocentre pattern; C57BL, B10.BR, B10.BR-Y(del) and KP were 'KE-like'; and BALB/c and DBA/2 were intermediate. The results showed that centromere aggregation in the Sertoli cell progresses throughout the life of a male in a strain specific manner; however, its functional significance remains unknown.     

In vitro development of plants from microspores of rice

Summary Rice (Oryza sativa L., 2n=24) anthers containing microspores in the early-uninucleate to first-mitosis stages were induced successfully to develop into plants in vitro through an intermediary step of callus formation. Callus initiation occurred with highest frequency in anthers containing mid-uninucleate microspores. The callus derived from different stages of microspore development differed in the potential to differentiate into plants. The plants regenerated from pollen callus were predominantly haploid or diploid; polyploid and aneuploid plants were relatively infrequent. The first division of the uninucleate microspores was asymmetrical, resulting in the formation of large vegetative and small generative nuclei. The vegetative nucleus divided repeatedly and assumed the major role in the formation of callus, whereas the generative nucleus degenerated rapidly. Simultaneous division of the two nuclei was observed in a few pollen grains. Nuclear fusion during the very initial stages of pollen development was postulated to account for the occurrence of the diploid and polyploid plants. This work was supported by the National Science Council, Republic of China.     

Critical electrolyte concentration of the heterochromatin and euchromatin of Triatoma infestans

The binding of toluidine blue molecules under Mg2+ competitive staining conditions was investigated in chromocentres and the euchromatin of single- and multi-chromocentred nuclei of Triatoma infestans Malpighian tubule cells. It was demonstrated that the chromocentre of single-chromocentred nuclei exhibited the largest critical electrolyte concentration (CEC) value (0.4 M), followed by the chromocentres of multi-chromocentred nuclei (0.3 M) and the euchromatin (0.2 M). The differences in CEC values were assumed to be due to differences in availability of free DNA phosphates and in packing states of the DNA-protein complexes of these chromatin types. Differences in chromatin supra-organization were evident for the chromocentral heterochromatin of single vs multi-chromocentred nuclei. This was also valid for the chromocentral heterochromatin in some multi-chromocentred nuclei, when one of the heterochromatic bodies was especially larger than the others.     

The cytology of Brachycome

Over 1,000 plants of B. dichromosomatica have been counted. 10% of these carried one, two or three B chromosomes. The B chromosome is large, and though it is not heteropycnotic it condenses precociously at mitosis. It behaves regularly at mitosis, and when two are present they pair regularly at meiosis. Non-disjunction and preferential distribution of the B to the generative nucleus occurs at the first pollen grain mitosis, with very high frequency. This is corroborated by data from crosses, which also indicate that the transmission of the B through the female gamete is normal. — The frequency of B chromosomes in marginal populations of var. dichromosomatica is significantly higher than in central populations. In one population of var. alba the frequency of Bs increased significantly after two very dry seasons. It is suggested that both these cases of increased frequency were in response to a selective advantage of plants with Bs under arid conditions. — Plants with one B chromosome appear to be less fit than plants with 2 Bs. The combination of the calculated effects of the nondisjunction mechanism and the inferred relative fitness of the 0B, 1B and 2B plants, provides a reasonable explanation of the observed frequencies of the 0B, 1B and 2B plants in the populations studied.     

ULTRASTRUCTURE OF ANOMALOUS POLLEN DEVELOPMENT IN EMBRYOGENIC ANTHER CULTURES OF HYOSCYAMUS NIGER

The formation of anomalous, binucleate pollen grains and their subsequent embryogenic development, induced by anther culture in Hyoscyamus niger, were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In culture, uninucleate pollen grains occasionally divided symmetrically giving rise to two apparently identical nuclei sharing a common cytoplasm. These nuclei divided once or twice unaccompanied by cell wall formation. After the daughter nuclei organized into cells, their subsequent division products contributed to embryoid formation. In conjunction with previous studies of pollen embryogenesis in H. niger, it appears that in contrast to the principle mode of embryogenesis (i.e., first asymmetric division forms typical two-celled pollen grain and the generative cell acts as the embryogenic precursor), anomalous pollen show no carry-over of gametophytic influences following embryogenic induction. This suggests that specific pathways of embryogenesis are correlated with the rate at which gametophytic gene activity is repressed following induction.     

希茉莉（Hamelia patens Jacq.）花粉发育时期快速检测

茜草科希茉莉（Hamelia patens Jacq.）的花粉用DAPI（4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole）直接染色不能观察到花粉核,本研究探索出适宜在DAPI染色前处理希茉莉花粉壁的水浴加热-氧化方法,使得希茉莉花粉核能在荧光显微镜下清晰地显示出来,从而快速检测花粉所处的发育阶段。结果表明：（1）单核花粉和二核花粉最适宜的水浴加热温度和时间分别为65℃、20~50 min和55℃、20~40 min;（2）花粉发育阶段与花朵、花药长度的对应关系为：花朵0.90~1.00 cm、花药0.50~0.60 cm时对应花粉的四分体时期,花朵1.10~1.60 cm、花药0.60~0.85 cm时对应单核花粉时期,花朵1.80~2.70 cm（花冠裂片张开前）、花药0.91~1.01 cm时对应二核花粉时期。     

The developmental fate of angiosperm pollen is associated with a preferential decrease in the level of histone H1 in the vegetative nucleus

In angiosperm pollen, the vegetative cell is assumed to function as a gametophytic cell in pollen germination and growth of the pollen tube. The chromatin in the nucleus of the vegetative cell gradually disperses after microspore mitosis, whereas the chromatin in the nucleus of the other generative cell remains highly condensed during the formation of two sperm nuclei. In order to explain the difference in chromatin condensation between the vegetative and generative nuclei, we analyzed the histone composition of each nucleus in Lilium longiflorum Thunb. and Tulipa gesneriana immunocytochemically, using specific antisera raised against histones H1 and H2B of Lilium. We found that the level of histone H1 decreased gradually only in the vegetative nucleus during the development of pollen within anthers and that the vegetative nucleus in mature pollen after anther dehiscence contained little histone H1. By contrast, the vegetative nucleus contained the same amount or more of histone H2B than the generative nucleus. The preferential decrease in the level of histone H1 occurred in anomalous pollen with one nucleus (uninucleate pollen) or with two similar nuclei (equally divided pollen), which had been induced by treatment with colchicine. The nuclei in the anomalous pollen resembled vegetative nuclei in terms of structure and staining properties. The anomalous pollen was able to germinate and extend a pollen tube. From these results, it is suggested that the preferential decrease in level of histone H1 in pollen nuclei is essential for development of the male gametophytic cell through large-scale expression of genes that include pollen-specific genes, which results in pollen germination and growth of the pollen tube. Received: 9 May 1998 / Accepted: 4 June 1998     

Chromocentre integrity and epigenetic marks

The epigenetic modification of histones dictates the formation of euchromatin and heterochromatin domains. We studied the effects of a deficiency of histone methyltransferase, SUV39h, and trichostatin A-dependent hyperacetylation on the structural stability of centromeric clusters, called chromocentres. We did not observe the expected disintegration of chromocentres, but both SUV39h deficiency and hyperacetylation in SUV39h+/+ cells induced the re-positioning of chromocentres closer to the nuclear periphery. Conversely, TSA treatment of SUV39h?/? cells re-established normal nuclear radial positioning of chromocentres. This structural re-arrangement was likely caused by several epigenetic events at centromeric heterochromatin. In particular, reciprocal exchanges between H3K9me1, H3K9me2, H3K9me3, DNA methylation, and HP1 protein levels influenced chromocentre nuclear composition. For example, H3K9me1 likely substituted for the function of H3K9me3 in chromocentre nuclear arrangement and compaction. Our results illustrate the important and interchangeable roles of epigenetic marks for chromocentre integrity. Therefore, we propose a model for epigenetic regulation of nuclear stability of centromeric heterochromatin in the mouse genome.     

The parasitic effects of rye B chromosomes might be beneficial in the long term

Rye B chromosomes (Bs) have strong parasitic effects on fertility. B carrying plants are less fertile than 0B ones, whereas the Bs have no significant effects on plant vigour. On the other hand, it has been reported that B transmission is under genetic control in such a way that H line plants transmit the Bs at high frequency, whereas the Bs in the low B transmission rate line (L) fail to pair at metaphase I and are frequently lost. In the present work we analyse variables affecting vigour and fertility considering not only the number of Bs of each plant, but also its H or L status and the B number of its maternal parent. Our results show that the Bs not only decrease female fertility of the B carrier, but the fertility of its progeny, with the exception of 0B plants coming from a 4B mother, which are the most fertile. In this way B chromosomes can be considered as a selective factor. Pollen abortion was higher in B carriers, in the progeny of B carriers and in H plants, but 4B plants coming from B carrying mothers produce less aborted pollen, indicating that a high B number is more deleterious if it is transmitted in the pollen grains. A similar result was obtained for endosperm quality estimated as grain weight, because it is negatively influenced by the Bs in 4B plants coming from a 0B mother. H plants were always less fertile than L ones, indicating that alleles increasing the loss of Bs in the L line will be probably selected as a defence of the A genome against the invasive Bs of the H line. Flower number is not affected by the Bs.     

Genetic control of B chromosome transmission in Aegilops speltoides (Poaceae)

The transmission of B chromosomes in Aegilops speltoides was studied in 1B and 3B plants. 1B plants tend to lose the B, while the Bs are accumulated in 3B plants with respect to Mendelian expectation. The experimental conditions permitted us to deduce the number of Bs transmitted in the egg cells. The quantitative character “mean number of Bs transmitted in the egg cells” shows a large variation in both types of plants. We have carried out a mass selection experiment, selecting those plants with the highest and the lowest values for this character. A genetic component of such variation was demonstrated because significant selection gain was obtained for high transmission rate in 1B plants, and low transmission rate in 3B plants. We have also estimated some fitness variables and their relationship with B transmission by the egg cell. We found that vigor variables are not correlated with B transmission variation. However, in 3B plants there is a significant negative correlation between B transmission rate and fertility, measured as grains per plant and grains per spikelet. It seems that natural selection acts at this level, balancing the strength of the drive and preventing the excessive increase of B number.     

The effect of B chromosomes on fitness components inAegilops speltoides Tausch

The effect of B chromosomes (Bs) on various components of vigour and fertility inAegilops speltoides was studied. We designed three types of synthetic populations. In the first type we compared plants from the localities Haifa (which has Bs in nature) and Ashkelon (which has not). Non significant differences were found between the plants from both populations, and between B carriers and non carriers among Haifa individuals. In the second synthetic population we compared 0B, 1B, 2B, 3B and 5B plants from Haifa. We found that vigour variables were not affected by the presence of Bs, while fertility variables were significantly correlated with B number, in such a way that 1B plants produce more grains per plant than any other constitution, while 5Bs produce a remarkable deleterious effect. In the third type of synthetic populations we compared plants with 0B and 1B, 0B and 2B, 0B and 3B, and 0B and 5B. In this case we also found that 1B plants were the most fertile, but the variation of reproductive fitness was higher from plot to plot within the same B class than among B classes. We conclude that the effect of B chromosomes on the fitness variables that we have estimated is close to neutrality in this species. We discuss the relation between the strength of the mechanism of accumulation and the deleterious effects of B chromosomes.     

辣椒雄性不育材料小孢子发生的细胞形态学观察

用石蜡切片技术,在光学显微镜下观察了辣椒雄性不育材料1A及其保持系1B的小孢子发育过程和各时期的形态特征.结果表明,雄性不育材料1A的小孢子败育发生在四分体至单核花粉粒时期,此时绒毡层细胞异常肥大,四分体受到挤压后破裂并降解,无法形成正常的单核花粉粒.扫描电镜观察结果表明,保持系1B的花粉粒结构完整,表面有3个明显的萌发沟;而雄性不育材料1A的成熟花粉粒形状不规则,空瘪,有部分花粉粒解体,败育比较彻底,说明该雄性不育材料在辣椒育种工作中有较高的利用价值.     

BA对大麦花药培养中药壁的衰退和植株再生频率的影响

用含20ppm 6-BA的0.1％吐温-80溶液喷施花粉为单核前期的大麦上部叶片和穗部,明显影响大麦花药培养效率。实验结果表明:1)BA处理可明显延缓培养花药的药壁衰退进程。2)BA处理后的花药,在培养期间,其死亡的花粉数比对照大大减少,相反其双核或多核的花粉数比对照明显增加。3)BA处理虽然没有促进大麦花粉愈伤组织的诱导率,但显著地促进愈伤组织的生长。提高愈伤组织成长率,增加可转入分化培养的愈伤组织块数。4)BA处理促进愈伤组织的再分化,尤其是绿苗的分化。     

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。     

Production of microspore-derived plants by anther culture of an interspecific F1 hybrid between Cyclamen persicum and C. purpurascens

Anthers of a F1 hybrid (2n=41) between Cyclamen persicum (2n=2x=48) and C. purpurascens (2n=2x=34) were cultured to produce microspore-derived plants. Embryoids were produced when anthers, containing microspores at the early uninucleate stage of pollen development, were cultured in B5 medium containing sucrose (90 g l-1) and NAA (0.1, 1 mg l-1) or 2,4-D (0.1 mg l-1) in the dark at 5 °C for 4 days, then at 25 °C for 60 days. The embryoids usually developed into plantlets when cultured in B5 medium containing sucrose (30 g l-1) in the dark at 25 °C. At meiosis, the F1 hybrid, used as source for anther culture, formed some cells with restitution nuclei at telophase and dyads at the tetrad stage, which resulted in the production of viable pollen grains as unreduced gametes. Plants produced by anther culture were grouped into sterile plants with 2n=41 chromosomes and fertile plants with 2n=82 chromosomes. The present findings suggested that the sterile plants were polyhaploids originating from unreduced microspores (n=41) of the F1 hybrid and that the fertile plants were amphidiploids induced by a spontaneous doubling during culture of chromosomes of such unreduced microspores. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An efficient method for flow cytometric analysis of pollen and detection of 2n nuclei in Brassica napus pollen

A simple and reliable method was developed for isolating pollen nuclei from Brassica napus and Triticum aestivum for DNA analysis using flow cytometry. The nuclei were released from pollen by ultrasonic treatment. The isolated nuclei following filtration through nylon mesh and a purification procedure were suitable for flow cytometric analysis as well as for isolating genomic DNA. Ultrasonic treatment time was optimized for B. napus pollen at different developmental stages. The method is effective and suitable for the preparation of many samples. We analyzed the nuclear DNA levels in pollen of B. napus at three major developmental stages as well as in mature wheat pollen. Only a single 1C peak representing the haploid DNA level was detected in the nuclei isolated from Brassica uninucleate microspores as well as in mature Triticum pollen. Interestingly, diploid nuclei were detected in both binucleate and mature pollen of B. napus. The possible origins of the diploid nuclei are discussed.Abbreviations DAPI 4,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole - NIB Nuclear isolation buffer     

白皮松花粉发育过程中蛋白酶体活性及其分布的动态变化

蛋白酶体途径对花粉发育调控具有重要作用, 但花粉发育过程中蛋白酶体的分布及其活性的动态变化一直未见报道。蛋白酶体荧光底物结合荧光分光光度计分析表明, 蛋白酶体的活性从单核小孢子到具有2个原叶细胞的三细胞花粉逐渐增强, 而在成熟花粉中略有下降。免疫荧光标记结合共聚焦显微镜分析表明, 蛋白酶体不均匀地分布于细胞质和细胞核中, 并在花粉细胞不均等分裂过程中聚集分布于先后产生的2个原叶细胞内。总之, 蛋白酶体的活性及其分布在花粉发育过程中存在相关的时空动态变化, 表明裸子植物花粉中的蛋白酶体活性及其分布与花粉发育具有相关性, 并在原叶细胞的退化过程中起重要作用。     

Factors affecting in vitro maturation of isolated maize microspores

Summary An in vitro method to simulate pollen development was developed in maize (Zea mays L.). Microspores at the late uninucleate to early binucleate stage were isolated and cultured under various conditions. Cell viability, starch content and the formation of the three nuclei as found in normal mature pollen were monitored during the course of the culture. Media composition was modified in order to promote starch accumulation and frequency of mitosis, while maintaining the viability of the microspores. Under the best conditions, up to 12% of the microspores matured in vitro into trinucleate, starch-filled viable pollen grains which were unable to germinate or produce seeds. At different stages during in vitro maturation, proteins patterns were analyzed and compared with their in vivo equivalent and the patterns were only partially similar.