甜菊愈伤组织中的质膜内陷:超微结构和酸性磷酸酶细胞化学定位

对在分化条件下的甜菊 (Stevia rebaudiana)愈伤组织分生区域细胞的质膜内陷进行了超微结构和酸性磷酸酶细胞化学研究。结果表明 ,在不同液泡化状态的细胞中均有质膜内陷存在。在原生质浓密的细胞中 ,质膜呈起伏的波纹状 ,某些部位发生明显内陷 ,大小不等 ,多呈圆球状。在部分液泡化细胞中 ,质膜内陷体积增大 ,内含物增多且结构复杂。在液泡化细胞中 ,质膜内陷嵌入中央液泡 ,但彼此间以一膜间隙隔开。质膜内陷中的内含物以小泡和卷绕的膜结构形式存在。酸性磷酸酶活性定位结果显示 ,质膜及其内陷含高的酶活性。推测质膜内陷在功能上与液泡相似 ,构成了这些细胞水解空间的一部分。     

Plasmalemma Invaginations in Cultured Callus of Stevia rebaudiana: Ultrastructure and Ultracytochemical Localization of Acid Phosphatase

The plasmalemma of cells within meristematic regions was observed to possess invaginations in cultured callus of Stevia rebaudiana under differentiation. The ultrastructure and acid phosphatase (AcPase) ultracytochemistry Of these invaginations were studied. The plasmalemma invaginations occurred in the cells at various stages of vacuolation. In cells with dense protoplasm, plasmalemma appeared undulated but occasionally spherical and variable in size with conspicuous invaginations that projected into the peripheral cytoplasm. In the partially vacuolated cells, plasmalemma invagination became voluminously enlarged with increased contents and structurally complexed. In vacuolated cells, the enlarged invaginations protruded into the central vacuole but were delimitted from the tonoplast by an intermembrane zone continuous with the peripheral cytoplasm. Complex accumulations of membranes consisting of vesicular and coiled membranous Structures might develop within the plasmalemma invaginations. AcPase localization demonstrated high enzymic activity in the plasmalemma and its associated invagination. It seemed likely that these invaginations were functionally analogous to the vacuoles and therefore constituted part of the lytic compartment in these cells.     

ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDIES PLASMA MEMBRANE RELATED SECONDARY VACUOLES IN CULTURED CELLS

The plasma membrane of cultured cells of several plant species was observed to possess invaginations, or secondary vacuoles, of variable size in the adjacent cytoplasm. These structures, which occurred in cells at different phases in vacuolation, were very numerous in thin sections of some cells but fewer in others. In vacuolated cells enlarged secondary vacuoles protrude into the primary vacuole but are delimited from the tonoplast by an intermembrane zone of variable width. The plasma membrane at the orifice of an invagination may fuse and detach the secondary vacuole from the membrane to form in the cytoplasm a structure bounded by a single membrane. Complex accumulations of membranes consisting of spherical, tubular, and laminar structures, possibly containing cytoplasm, may develop within secondary vacuoles. Contents of many of these vacuoles arise from folds along its limiting membrane which pinch off into the interior of the secondary vacuole. A fibrous substance, possibly derived from the wall, is present in some secondary vacuoles. Observed folding of the plasma membrane and measurements of membrane width of various organelles and cytomembranes support an interpretation that endocytosis occurs in cultured cells.     

Seasonal changes in the ultrastructure of the vascular cambium of Robinia pseudoacacia

 The ultrastructure of the vascular cambium of Robinia pseudoacacia L. was examined in trunk tissues collected over a 2 ¹/₂ year period. During dormancy, fusiform cells are densely cytoplasmic with many small vacuoles and centrally located nuclei. Mitochondria are round to oval in sectional view. The plastids are variable in shape, have few internal membranes, and generally lack starch grains. The plasmalemma is smooth in outline. Proteinaceous material occurs in the vacuoles and many lipid droplets are scattered throughout the ground substance. Smooth tubular ER, often highly dilated, predominates, but short segments of rough ER are also present. Abundant free ribosomes are evenly distributed throughout the ground substance and the dictyosomes are inactive. Microtubules are parietal and have various orientations. During reactivation, the plasmalemma becomes irregular in outline and begins to form invaginations. Concurrently, the proteinaceous material disappears, the vacuoles begin to fuse, polysomes appear, and the dictyosomes begin to produce vesicles. During the period of cambial activity, fusiform cells are highly vacuolate, and the nuclei are centrally located. The mitochondria are round, oval, or elongate. Now the plastids contain phytoferritin, starch grains, or both. Many large invaginations of the plasmalemma intrude into the vacuole, pushing the tonoplast inward and pinching off into the vacuole, which lacks proteinaceous material. Lipid droplets are scarce. Most ER is rough, and ribosomes are generally aggregated as polysomes. Dictyosomes are actively producing vesicles. During the transition to dormancy, the fusiform cells gradually assume the appearance typical of the dormant cambium.     

毛白杨维管形成层带细胞超微结构的季节性变化

木材(次生木质部)是树木形成层细胞分化的产物,形成层的活动方式不仅影响木材的产量,而且影响木材的结构和性质.利用透射电子显微镜观察了生长在北京地区的毛白杨(Populus tomentosa Carr.)枝条形成层带细胞一个完整活动周期的超微结构变化.在木质部母细胞完全恢复活动之前,形成层纺锤状原始细胞的分裂和韧皮部细胞的分化已经开始.枝条上芽的展开和幼叶的生长可能决定了形成层带细胞的这种活动方式.透射电镜观察更清楚地揭示了树木形成层细胞在活动初期的分化特点.活动期形成层细胞中的大液泡在进入休眠期后逐渐分成许多小液泡分散在细胞质中.随着液泡融合逐渐消失的深色蛋白类物质又重新充满了大部分液泡.油滴和淀粉颗粒的年变化情况同液泡中的蛋白类物质基本相似.无论在活动期还是休眠期,形成层纺锤形细胞的质膜上都发现有许多可能与物质运输有关的小泡状内折.由核膜、内质网和高尔基体及其分泌小泡组成的细胞内膜系统,在形成层活动周期的不同阶段,其形态和分布明显不同,尤其在形成层细胞的恢复活动及其衍生木质部细胞次生壁的沉积过程中发挥着重要作用.整个活动周期中,形成层纺锤形细胞的径向壁都比弦向壁厚,处在休眠期的形成层带细胞,其径向壁与弦向壁的差别则更明显.形成层恢复活动时,径向壁上特别是与弦向壁相连的角隅处出现部分自溶现象.细胞壁特别是径向壁的变薄是形成层细胞恢复活动的重要特征.     

DEVELOPMENT OF PERIPHERAL VACUOLES IN PLANT CELLS

The vacuolar apparatus of various plant cells consists of two distinct features: the large central vacuole and peripheral vacuoles which are derived from invaginations of the plasma membrane. Peripheral vacuoles are conspicuous structures in both living and fixed hair or filament cells of Tradescantia virginiana. They occur as spherical structures along the inner boundary of the peripheral cytoplasm and can be recognized as projections into the central vacuole. These structures are variable in size and number within a cell and can represent a significant proportion of the volume of the vacuole. Peripheral vacuoles most frequently are observed in motion with the streaming cytoplasm although their velocity is usually somewhat slower that that of the cytoplasmic organelles. Ultrastructural studies show two closely approximated membranes, one for each vacuole, in areas where a peripheral vacuole projects into the central vacuole. These are separated by an intermembrane zone continuous with the peripheral cytoplasm. The movement of organelles over the perimeter of the peripheral vacuole is presumed to occur along this intermembrane zone. The internal area of the peripheral vacuoles may appear empty although some contain a vesicular content of unknown origin and function.     

甜菊愈伤组织细胞中的液泡膜内突和液泡内囊泡

对生长在分化培养基上的甜菊愈伤组织分生区细胞的液泡膜内突和液泡内囊泡,进行了超微结构和酸性磷酸酶细胞化学研究。在不同液泡化时期的细胞中,都存在不同大小和形态的液泡膜内突,它们有的缺乏明显的内含物;有的含有许多小泡或复杂膜系;有的含有一个较大的具许多小泡或复杂膜系的膜束缚囊泡。在液泡内还存在一些游离的液泡内囊泡,它们通常具有两层紧贴的界膜或为多层同心膜,推测它们来自液泡膜内突。ＡｃＰａｓｅ定位结果显     

Ultrastructural aspects and programmed cell death in the tapetal cells of Lathyrus undulatus Boiss

Programmed cell death (PCD) in the tapetum of Lathyrus undulatus L. was analyzed based on light, fluorescence and electron microscopy to characterize its spatial and temporal occurrence. Development and processes of PCD in secretory tapetal cells of Lathyrus undulatus L. were correlated with the sporogenous cells and pollen grains. At early stages of development the tapetal cells appeared similar to pollen mother cells, structurally. Concurrent with meiosis, tapetum expanded both tangentially and radially as vacuoles increased in size. Tapetal cells most fully developed at young microspore stage. However, tapetum underwent substantial changes in cell organization including nucleus morphology monitored by DAPI. The TUNEL staining confirmed the occurrence of intra-nucleosomal DNA cleavage. In addition to nuclear degeneration which is the first hallmark of PCD other diagnostic features were observed at vacuolated microspore stage intensely; such as chromatin condensation at the periphery of the nucleus, nuclear membrane degeneration, chromatin release to the cytoplasm, vacuole collapse according to tonoplast rupture, shrinkage of the cytoplasm, the increase and enlargement of the endoplasmic reticulum cisternae and disruption of the plasma membrane. After vacuole collapse due to possible release of hydrolytic enzymes the cell components degraded. Tapetal cells completely degenerated at bicellular pollen stage.     

Cortical microtubules rearrange during differentiation of vascular cambial derivatives, microfilaments do not

The plant cytoskeleton has been implicated in a variety of morphogenetic events in higher plants. Most of this work, however, has concentrated on epidermal cells or primary tissues. We have investigated the cortical microtubular (CMT) and microfilament (MF) components of the cytoskeleton in a secondary tissue  –  active vascular cambium of Aesculus hippocastanum L. (horse-chestnut)  –  and followed the changes in these components during the early stages of differentiation of fusiform cambial derivatives to axial elements of the secondary vascular system. A correlative approach was used employing indirect immunofluorescence microscopy of α-tubulin on 6 μm sections, and transmission electron microscopy of 60 nm sections. The study has demonstrated a rearrangement of the CMT cytoskeleton, from random to helical, as fusiform vascular cambial cells begin to differentiate as secondary phloem vascular tissue. A similar CMT rearrangement is seen as fusiform cambial cells begin to differentiate as secondary xylem fibres. This rearrangement is interpreted as evidence of determination of cambial derivatives towards vascular development. Axially-oriented MF bundles are present in fusiform cambial cells and their axial orientation is retained in the vascular derivatives at early stages of their development even though the CMTs have become rearranged. Received: 5 August 1996 /  Accepted: 23 September 1996     

淹水对玉米叶片细胞超微结构的影响

对淹水过程中玉米（Ｚｅａ ｍａｙｓ Ｌ．）叶片细胞超微结构的变化进行连续观察。淹水２ｈ后,液泡膜发生明显内陷。淹水６ｈ后,液泡膜内陷加剧,呈极度松弛状态;叶发体被膜局部向外突出一个由单层膜包裹的泡状结构。淹水１２ｈ后,液泡膜局部破裂;叶绿体被膜破坏加剧,成为一松弛的单膜结构,同时,基质类囊体出现空泡化。淹水１８ｈ后,叶绿体的破坏进一步加剧：被膜完全消失,基质类囊体开始消化;同时,线粒体膜和核膜也开     

Cellular changes associated with rest and quiescence in winter-dormant vascular cambium of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pinus contorta</Emphasis>

In winter, dormant cambial cells contain many small vacuoles interspersed throughout the cytoplasm. This differs dramatically from actively growing cambial cells whose structure is dominated by large central vacuoles. Structure reported in studies using conventional chemical fixation and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) conflicts with that described earlier for live cambial cells using light microscopy. In this study, cryofixation (high-pressure freezing/freeze substitution) was used to preserve dormant Pinus contorta fusiform cambial cells, revealing structure more consistent with that in early micrographs of live cambial cells. At the ultrastructural level, the plasmalemma was consistently smooth and tightly associated with the cell wall, contrary to the highly in-folded plasmalemma seen in chemically fixed cambial cells. In addition, both TEM and live-cell confocal microscopy demonstrated that, in some places, dormant cells were partitioned into more numerous, smaller vacuoles than were observed after chemical fixation. Populations of different vacuoles were apparent based on size, shape and membrane staining. Larger vacuoles had prominent tonoplasts and were often present as axially elongated, interconnecting networks with associated microfilament bundles. Endoplasmic reticulum fragmented during rest into numerous vesicular structures similar to small vacuoles, then with the transition to quiescence reformed into the smooth cisternal form.     

Ultrastructural transitions associated with the development of the bladder cells of the trichomes of Atriplex

Early in development, bladder cells are characterized by the absence of a vacuole or vacuoles, the presence of autophagic vesicles, and numerous, unaggregated ribosomes. With the formation and expansion of the central vacuole, the ribosomes become aggregated and elements of rough endoplasmic reticulum become apparent. This developmental transition is probably related to the production of proteins involved in ion accumulation in the vacuole. Throughout expansion, invaginations of the tonoplast and membraneous structures are associated with the vacuole. These may be indicative of a continued lytic function for this compartment. Also, dictyosomes are continuously present and dictyosome vesicles are associated with both the plasmalemma and tonoplast, which suggest that they contribute to both membrane systems during expansion of the cell and vacuole.     

Pinocytosis in the root cells of a salt-accumulating halophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Suaeda altissima</Emphasis> and its possible involvement in chloride transport

Ultrastructure of root cells in salt-accumulating halophyte Suaeda altissima (L.) Pall. was examined with transmission electron microscopy. Plants were grown hydroponically on nutrient media containing 3, 50, 250, and 500 mM NaCl. Some plants were exposed to hypersomotic salt shock by an abrupt increase in NaCl concentration from 50 to 400 mM. Growing S. altissima plants at high NaCl concentrations induced the formation of type 1 pinocytotic structures in root cells. Type 1 structures appeared as pinocytotic invaginations of two membranes, the plasmalemma and tonoplast. These invaginations into vacuoles gave rise to freely ‘floating’ multivesicular bodies (MVB) enclosed by a double membrane layer. The pinocytotic invaginations and MVB contained the plasmalemma-derived vesicles and membranes of endosome origin. The hyperosmotic salt shock led to formation of type 2 and type 3 pinocytotic structures. The type 2 structures were formed as pinocytotic invaginations of the tonoplast and gave rise to MVB in vacuoles. Unlike type 1 MVB, the type 2 MVB had only one enclosing membrane, the tonoplast. The type 3 structures appeared as the plasmalemma-derived vesicles located in the periplasmic space. The cytochemical electron-microscopy method was applied to determine the intracellular Cl^? localization. This method, based on sedimentation of electron-dense AgCl granules in tissues treated with silver nitrate, showed that the pinocytotic structures of all types contain Cl^? ions. The presence of Cl^? in pinocytotic structures implies the involvement of these structures in Cl^? transport between the apoplast, cytoplasm, and the vacuole.     

Fibre length and gibberellins A1 and A20 are decreased in Eucalyptus globules by acylcyclohexanedione injected into the stem

Trinexapacethyl (TriEt), an acylcyclohexanedionetype inhibitor of gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis, was applied to 3-year-old Eucalyptus globules saplings by localised injection near the base of each stem. The objective was to alter cambial region GA levels and to study the effects on secondary xylem fibre development. Seven weeks later wood samples, with bark and cambial region intact, were removed 10 and 30 cm above the point of injection. Fusiform cambial cell dimensions were compared with those of fibre-tracheids in the most recently formed 100 um of secondary xylem. Increasing TriEt applications from 5 to 5 000 mg active ingredient significantly reduced average fibre length, and to a lesser extent average fusiform cambial cell length. Also reduced was the number of cells in the cambial zone and the number of differentiating fibres with primary walls. However, no trends were evident for changes in fibre diameter, the proportion of vessel elements or the ratio of cambial ray cells to fusiform cambial cells. Two gibberellins (GA₁ and GA₂₀), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) were quantified in cambial region tissues by gas chromatographymass spectrometry using stable isotope labelled internal standards. Increasing TriEt application reduced both GA₁ and GA₂₀ levels. Effects on IAA and ABA were not significant, although their levels tended to be lower at the highest TriEt application rate. The elongation of secondary xylem fibres was positively correlated with higher levels of endogenous GA₁ (r_s= 0.74, P < 0.01) and GA₂₀ (r_s= 0.72, P < 0.01). These results support a causal role for GA₁ in cambial cell division. They are also consistent with the hypothesis that the elongation of differentiating secondary xylem fibres in woody an–giosperms is dependent on GA₁ levels in the cambial region.     

Reactions of yeast cells to glycerol treatment alterations to membrane structure and glycerol uptake

Summary Ultrastructural alterations to the plasmalemma and tonoplast ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae were studied after incubation in hypertonic solutions of glycerol and sorbitol. After 20 to 30 minutes incubation in glycerol, the cells had shrunk to about 40% of their original volume. Large depressions of the plasmalemma were then always found associated with the typical plasmalemma invaginations. The vacuoles of treated cells changed to an irregular form, the tonoplast intramembranous particles were clustered, and large smooth areas appeared. After 6 to 12 hours incubation, cell and vacuole volume, as well as plasmalemma and tonoplast ultrastructure, had reverted to normal. The rate of recovery was strongly temperature dependent.Protoplasts could be similarly shrunk, but no alterations to the plasmalemma ultrastructure were then observed; however, the tonoplast revealed particle clustering as observed in whole cells. Protoplasts also reverted to normal volume and ultrastructure after prolonged incubation. Cells and protoplasts treated with sorbitol showed similar phenomena, but remained shrunken.By the use of radioactive tracers, glycerol was shown to penetrate cells, protoplasts and isolated vacuoles, but no uptake of sorbitol could be demonstrated.During the glycerol permeation period (0.5 to 6 hours), numerous vesicles were found in the cytoplasm and these were possibly engulfed by the vacuole. Associated with the engulfment, patches of tonoplast intramembranous particles were found in a semicrystalline array. Osmotic stress induced alterations to membrane ultrastructure, due to the use of cryoprotective agents, are discussed.A preliminary note of the paper was given at the Sixth European Congress on Electron Microscopy, Jerusalem, 1976.     

FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE PHENOMENON OF SECONDARY VACUOLATION IN LIVING CELLS

Invagination of the plasma membrane in plant cells forms peripheral or endocytic structures which often contain a complement of membrane-bound vesicles. These structures, or secondary vacuoles, move with the streaming cytoplasm although their velocities are somewhat slower than that for the various organelles within the cytoplasm. They glide over the nucleus or flow from the peripheral cytoplasm onto a transvacuolar strand and continue unabated along the length of a strand. These structures may detach from the plasma membrane as sacs to become positioned in the cytoplasm directly under the tonoplast and project into the primary vacuole. Some endocytic vacuoles may separate from the peripheral cytoplasm and remain free within the primary vacuole; subsequently they can re-associate with the cytoplasm. While the content and function of these vacuoles are yet to be determined, indirect evidence indicates that they are pinocytic in character since the content of an invagination is confined to the sac upon its detachment from the plasma membrane and is subsequently transported throughout the cell by cyclosis.     

Ultrastructure of cell division in the fusiform cells of the vascular cambium of Robinia pseudoacacia

 The ultrastructure of periclinally dividing fusiform cells was studied in the vascular cambium of Robinia pseudoacacia. Fusiform cell division begins in April at Madison, Wisconsin, when the cambial cells still have many characteristics of a dormant cambium. Soon afterward, the cambial cells acquire the appearance typical of an active cambium. Sequential phases of the microtubule cycle were documented: cortical microtubules bordering the cell wall during interphase, perinuclear microtubules preceding formation of the mitotic spindle, spindle microtubules, and phragmoplast microtubules. A preprophase band of microtubules was not encountered. An extended phragmosome was not encountered in periclinally dividing fusiform cells. During cytokinesis, the phragmosome is represented by a broad cytoplasmic plate which precedes the developing phragmoplast and cell plate as they migrate toward the ends of the cell.     

Formation of successive cambia and stem anatomy of Sesuvium sesuvioides (Aizoaceae)

Mature stems of Sesuvium sesuvioides (Fenzl) Verdc. were found to be composed of successive rings of xylem alternating with phloem. Repeated periclinal divisions in the parenchyma outside the primary phloem gave rise to conjunctive tissue and the lateral meristem that differentiate into the vascular cambium on its inner side. After the formation of the vascular cambium, the lateral meristem external to it became indistinct as long as the cambium was functional. As the cambium ceased to divide, the lateral meristem again became apparent prior to the initiation of the next cambial ring. The cambium was exclusively composed of fusiform cambial cells with no rays. In the young saplings, the number of cambial cylinders in the axis varied from the apex to the base, indicating formation of several rings within the year. In each successive ring of the lateral meristem, small segments differentiated into the vascular cambium and gave rise to vessels, axial parenchyma, fibres and fibriform vessels towards the inside, and secondary phloem on the outer side. In the old stems, non‐functional phloem of the innermost rings was replaced by a new set of sieve tube elements formed by periclinal divisions in the cambial segments associated with the non‐functional phloem. In some places the cambial segments completely differentiate into derivatives leaving no cambial cells between the xylem and phloem. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 548–555.     

Ultrastructure of vascular cambial cell cytokinesis in pine seedlings preserved by cryofixation and substitution

Summary.  Trees depend on the secondary vascular cambium to produce cells for new xylem and phloem. The fusiform cells of this lateral meristem are long and narrow, presenting special challenges for arranging the mitotic spindle and phragmoplast. Fusiform cambial cells of Pinus ponderosa and Pinus contorta were studied by cryofixation and cryosubstitution which preserved ultrastructure and phases of cytokinesis with a resolution not previously attained. Membranous structures including the plasma membrane, tonoplast, and those of other organelles were smooth and unbroken, indicating that they were preserved while the protoplasm was in a fully turgid state. Mitotic spindles separated daughter chromosomes diagonally across the radial width of the cells. The cell plate was initiated at an angle to the cell axis between the anaphase chromosomes by a microtubule array which organized vesicles at the phragmoplast midline. Within the phragmoplast, vesicles initially joined across thin tubular projections and then amalgamated into a tubulo-vesicular network. Axial expansion of the cell plate generated two opposing phragmoplasts connected by a thin, extended bridge of cell plate and cytoplasm that was oriented along the cell axis. In the cytoplasmic bridge trailing each phragmoplast, the callose-rich tubular network gradually consolidated into a fenestrated plate and then a complete cell wall. Where new membrane merged with old, the parent plasmalemma appeared to be loosened from the cell wall and the membranes joined via a short tubulo-vesicular network. These results have not been previously reported in cambial tissue, but the same phases of cytokinesis have been observed in cryofixed root tips and suspension-cultured cells of tobacco. Received February 11, 2002; accepted May 31, 2002; published online October 31, 2002 RID="*" ID="*" Correspondence and reprints: Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada. Abbreviations: CFS cryofixation and cryosubstitution; ER endoplasmic reticulum; HPF high-pressure freezing; PPB preprophase band.     

Desiccation and osmotic stress increase the abundance of mRNA of the tonoplast aquaporin BobTIP26-1 in cauliflower cells

Changes in vacuolar structure and the expression at the RNA level of a tonoplast aquaporin (BobTIP26-1) were examined in cauliflower (Brassicaoleracea L. var. botrytis) under water-stress conditions. Gradual drying out of slices of cauliflower floret tissue caused its collapse, with a shrinkage in tissue and cell volumes and an apparent vesiculation of the central vacuole, whereas osmotic stress resulted in plasmolysis with a collapse of the cytoplasm and the central vacuole within. Osmotic stress caused a rapid and substantial increase in BobTIP26 mRNA in slices of floret tissue. Exposure of tissue slices to a regime of desiccation showed a slower but equally large rise in BobTIP26 mRNA followed by a rapid decline upon rehydration. In situ hybridization showed that BobTIP26-2 mRNA is expressed most highly in meristematic and expanding cells of the cauliflower florets and that desiccation strongly increased the expression in those cells and in differentiated cells near the xylem vessels. These data indicate that under water-deficit conditions, expression of the tonoplast aquaporin gene in cauliflower is subject to a precise regulation that can be correlated with important cytological changes in the cells. Received: 21 October 1998 / Accepted: 10 February 1999