Ultrastructural Observation on the Intra- and Intercellular Microtrabecular Network of the Pollen Mother Cells in Onion (Allium cepa)

Using DGD embedment-free electron microscopy, ultrastructural observation on the intra- and intercellular microtrabecular network (MN) of the pollen mother cells (PMC) of the whole meiotic prophase Ⅰ in onion ( Allium cepa L.) was performed. Complex nuclear MN was observed in the nucleus of PMCs, spreading throughout the nuclear region. The nucleolus and chromosomes were connected with the MN filament network. The uniformity of nuclear MN changed with the development of the PMCs. A lamina-like structure surrounded the nucleus and joined the MN in nucleus and in cytoplasm, but it disassembled at the end of prophase Ⅰ. There was also a complex cytoplasmic MN in PMCs, without obvious variation during the prophase Ⅰ. Furthermore, MN in cytoplasmic connections (plasmodesmata and cytoplasmic channels) was noticed to link the frameworks in two neighboring PMCs into one entity. Cytomixis was observed at synizesis of prophase Ⅰ in this experiment, and MN in cytoplasm and in nucleus was noticed to distribute in these granules which migrated from one PMC into its neighboring cell. At this time the nucleus moved aside from center of the PMC, but the rest of the cell was still fulfilled with MN filaments. The relationships of nuclear MN with nucleolus and chromosomes, lamina with nucleus, as well as intra- and intercellular MN with cytomixis are discussed in this paper.     

Cytoplasmic channels and their association with plastids in male meiocytes of tobacco, onion and lily

The ultrastructures of male meiocytes in tobacco, onion and lily were studied to elucidate the interaction between cytoplasmic channels (CCs) and plastids. Before meiosis, the male sporogenous cells had identically thickened cell walls (CWs) traversed by typical plasmodesmata (PDs). After entering meiosis, their CWs became uneven in thickness and 80-500nm aperture CCs were formed. Simultaneously, plastids or plastid-like bodies (PLBs) differing in size and morphology assembled at one or both ends of the CCs. These plastids and PLBs commonly orientated their sharper ends to face the CCs and were co-orientated on the axial line crossing the CC. Such pairs of plastids were often interconnected through the CC by thin (50-100nm) threads emanating from their membranes. Sometimes, plastids or PLBs extended directly from one side of a CW to the other, forming a bridge via the CC. In some cases, several plastids formed bridges between cells via one common CC. This is the first report that clearly demonstrates an intercellular continuum of, or communication between, plastids in male plant meiocytes.