Structure of the cell wall of Pythium debaryanum

The structure of hyphal walls of Pythium debaryanum was investigated by electron microscopy of shadowed replicas and thin sections, before and after digestion by snail gut enzymes or by 1 n HCl at 100 C for 1 hr, and by X-ray diffraction. We found that the wall had two phases, one composed of microfibrils of unknown composition and a second consisting of an amorphous matrix, part of which stained like protein with potassium permanganate and part of which was removed by snail-gut enzymes. In the microfibrillar phase, there were two layers; an outer, thicker layer of randomly disposed microfibrils and an inner, thin layer of microfibrils oriented parallel to the hyphal axis. As in Neurospora crassa, the amorphous phase included a branching system of pores, 40-80 A in diameter. Unlike N. crassa, the cytoplasm of Pythium showed Golgi bodies frequently, and many lomasomes were observed between the cytoplasmic membrane and the wall. The relations between these organelles and the mechanism of wall formation in Pythium are not understood.     

Ultrastructure of the Cell Wall of Erwinia amylovora

Thin sectioned cells of Erwinia amylovora revealed two electron-dense layers in their walls when fixed at 24 to 27 C and three when fixed at 4 C.     

Ultrastructure and Composition of the Nannochloropsis gaditana Cell Wall

Marine algae of the genus Nannochloropsis are promising producers of biofuel precursors and nutraceuticals and are also harvested commercially for aquaculture feed. We have used quick-freeze, deep-etch electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and carbohydrate analyses to characterize the architecture of the Nannochloropsis gaditana (strain CCMP 526) cell wall, whose recalcitrance presents a significant barrier to biocommodity extraction. The data indicate a bilayer structure consisting of a cellulosic inner wall (∼75% of the mass balance) protected by an outer hydrophobic algaenan layer. Cellulase treatment of walls purified after cell lysis generates highly enriched algaenan preparations without using the harsh chemical treatments typically used in algaenan isolation and characterization. Nannochloropsis algaenan was determined to comprise long, straight-chain, saturated aliphatics with ether cross-links, which closely resembles the cutan of vascular plants. Chemical identification of >85% of the isolated cell wall mass is detailed, and genome analysis is used to identify candidate biosynthetic enzymes.     

Ultrastructure of the Cell Wall and Cell Division of Unicellular Blue-green Algae

The fine structure of the cell wall and the process of cell division were examined in thin sections of two unicellular blue-green algae grown under defined conditions. Unilateral invagination of the photosynthetic lamellae is the first sign of cell division in the rod-shaped organism, Anacystis nidulans. Symmetrical invagination of the cytoplasmic membrane and inner wall layers follows. One wall layer, which appears to be the mucopolymer layer, is then differentially synthesized to form the septum; the outer wall layers are not involved in septum formation. Centripetal splitting of the inner layer separates the two daughter cells. A second division, in a plane parallel to the first, usually occurs before the first daughter cells are separated. In the coccoid organism, Gleocapsa alpicola, the features of cell division are broadly similar; however, unilateral invagination of the lamellae is not observed and the second division takes place in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the previous division.     

Effect of exogenous sterols on the growth and fatty acid composition of the oomycete Pythium debaryanum

Exogenous ergosterol and cholesterol were found to affect the growth and lipogenesis of the oomycete fungus Pythium debaryanum, which is unable to synthesize de novo steroid compounds. These sterols stimulated the growth of the fungus during its submerged cultivation in glucose-peptone medium. This was accompanied by the shortening of the lag phase, the lengthening of the period of active growth, and by a 3.7- or 4.3-fold increase in the maximum biomass in response to the addition of ergosterol or cholesterol, respectively. In the presence of ergosterol, the cellular content of polyenoic fatty acids increased, and the relative content of eicosapolyenoic fatty acids reached 31.4% of the total amount of fatty acids in cells. Conversely, cholesterol decreased the cellular content of polyenoic acids, and the relative content of eicosapolyenoic acids fell to 19.6% of the total amount of fatty acids. It may be inferred that exogenous sterols enhance the yield of pharmacologically active polyenoic acids because of the growth stimulation.     

Studies in the Physiology of Parasitism: XXV. Some Propertles of the Pectic Enzymes secreted by Pythium debaryanum

The pectic enzymes of Pythium debaryanum have been comparedwith those from two other soft-rot causing organisms, Erwiniaaroideae and Botrytis cinerea, by their effects (viscosity reduction,acid production, and reducing power) on 1 per cent, solutionsof (a) high methoxyl pectin, (b) sodium polypectate, and (c)sodium pectate (2 types). The Pythium debaryanum preparationdiffered particularly in giving no increase in reducing poweror evidence of galacturonic-acid-like derivatives. It maceratedthe walls of potato-tissue freely but had nopolygalacturonaseor pectinesterase activity.     

Effect of Vitamin E and Its Analogues Having Various Molecular Structures on the Growth and Lipid Composition of Pythium debaryanum

The effect of exogenously added vitamin E and its synthetic analogues (the hydrophilic form of vitamin E and chromans C₁₃and C₁) at a concentration of 9.86 × 10^–5M on the growth, lipogenic activity, and the fatty acid composition of the eicosapolyenoic acid–synthesizing oomycete Pythium debaryanumwas studied. The effect was found to depend on the molecular structure of particular compounds. For instance, vitamin E and chroman C₁₃stimulated fungal growth, whereas chroman C₁inhibited it. The hydrophilic form of vitamin E enhanced the lipogenic activity of the oomycete. The studied compounds, which possess antioxidant activity, did not exert any noticeable effect on the content of eicosapolyenoic acids and the degree of the unsaturation of fungal lipids.     

Comparative Histochemical Analysis of Cell Wall Polysaccharides by Enzymatic and Chemical Extractions of Two Fruits

A protocol for extracting polysaccharides from cell walls has been modified and used to analyze histochemically two fruits with opposite characteristics. Grapes are nonclimacteric fruits and are harvested at full maturity. In contrast, kiwi fruits are climacteric and are harvested and consumed before they are physiologically mature. The two fruits were analyzed histochemically using two protocols. One method is defined as chemical, and is based on subsequential extractions of pectins by chemical agents. The other is defined as enzymatic because it removes pectins using pectinase followed by hot ammonium oxalate. In both protocols, two types of hemicellulosic polymers are removed by 1 M and 4 M/KOH leaving a cellulosic residue on the slide. Both protocols remove the same amount of pectins, thus confirming their precision. The sum of hemicellulose and the cellulosic insoluble residue are equivalent using the two methods, but the relative amounts of the cellulose and hemicellulosic polymers were dependent upon the method of extraction. When the enzyme was used to extract the pectins, there was less cellulose and more hemicellulose. The removal of polysaccharides by ammonium oxalate and by guanidinethio-cyanate in the enzymatic and the chemical protocols, respectively, yielded approximately the same amount of removed material.

Similar results were obtained from both fruits. Grape, being softer than kiwi fruit, was relatively richer in pectic substances and less rich in hemicellulose and cellulose polymers. No difference in cell wall material could be ascribed to the different ripening habits.     

Comparative Histochemical Analysis of Cell Wall Polysaccharides by Enzymatic and Chemical Extractions of Two Fruits

A protocol for extracting polysaccharides from cell walls has been modified and used to analyze histochemically two fruits with opposite characteristics. Grapes are nonclimacteric fruits and are harvested at full maturity. In contrast, kiwi fruits are climacteric and are harvested and consumed before they are physiologically mature. The two fruits were analyzed histochemically using two protocols. One method is defined as chemical, and is based on subsequential extractions of pectins by chemical agents. The other is defined as enzymatic because it removes pectins using pectinase followed by hot ammonium oxalate. In both protocols, two types of hemicellulosic polymers are removed by 1 M and 4 M/KOH leaving a cellulosic residue on the slide. Both protocols remove the same amount of pectins, thus confirming their precision. The sum of hemicellulose and the cellulosic insoluble residue are equivalent using the two methods, but the relative amounts of the cellulose and hemicellulosic polymers were dependent upon the method of extraction. When the enzyme was used to extract the pectins, there was less cellulose and more hemicellulose. The removal of polysaccharides by ammonium oxalate and by guanidinethio-cyanate in the enzymatic and the chemical protocols, respectively, yielded approximately the same amount of removed material.

Similar results were obtained from both fruits. Grape, being softer than kiwi fruit, was relatively richer in pectic substances and less rich in hemicellulose and cellulose polymers. No difference in cell wall material could be ascribed to the different ripening habits.     

Ultrastructure of the Cell Wall of Vessel Contact Cells in the Xylem of Tomato Stems

Mature contact cells in the metaxylem of tomato stems are characterizedby a distinctive wall deposit occurring mainly over the areaof the pit membrane that separates the cell from an adjoiningvessel member but also extending as a layer on the secondarywall round the interior of the cell. Cytochemical tests showthe layer contains a low concentration of pectin, no lignin,and a high concentration of polysaccharides. It can be distinguishedfrom the primary and secondary walls by quantitative differencesin the cytochemical staining reactions and by its loose-texturedappearance under the electron microscope. The layer is similarin composition and structure to the ‘protective layer’described in woody plants. The layer has also been found inpea and cotton and may be a characteristic feature of the contactcells in herbaceous plants. Cell wall ultrastructure, contact cells, Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill., protective layer, tomato, xylem     

Chemical Organization of the Cell Wall Polysaccharide Core of Malassezia restricta

Malassezia species are ubiquitous residents of human skin and are associated with several diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis, tinea versicolor, folliculitis, atopic dermatitis, and scalp conditions such as dandruff. Host-Malassezia interactions and mechanisms to evade local immune responses remain largely unknown. Malassezia restricta is one of the most predominant yeasts of the healthy human skin, its cell wall has been investigated in this paper. Polysaccharides in the M. restricta cell wall are almost exclusively alkali-insoluble, showing that they play an essential role in the organization and rigidity of the M. restricta cell wall. Fractionation of cell wall polymers and carbohydrate analyses showed that the polysaccharide core of the cell wall of M. restricta contained an average of 5% chitin, 20% chitosan, 5% β-(1,3)-glucan, and 70% β-(1,6)-glucan. In contrast to other yeasts, chitin and chitosan are relatively abundant, and β-(1,3)-glucans constitute a minor cell wall component. The most abundant polymer is β-(1,6)-glucans, which are large molecules composed of a linear β-(1,6)-glucan chains with β-(1,3)-glucosyl side chain with an average of 1 branch point every 3.8 glucose unit. Both β-glucans are cross-linked, forming a huge alkali-insoluble complex with chitin and chitosan polymers. Data presented here show that M. restricta has a polysaccharide organization very different of all fungal species analyzed to date.     

Studies on the Cell Wall of Chlorella V. Comparison of the Cell Wall Chemical Compositions in Strains of Chlorella ellipsoidea

Cell walls of four strains of Chlorella ellipsoidea (IAM C-27,C-87, C-102 and C-183) were compared as to their chemical compositions.Many differences were found: (1) The sugar composition of alkali-soluble cell walls differedin quantity as well as quality with glucuronic acid being foundonly in C-27 and C-87. (2) In alkali-insoluble cell walls glucosamine was found onlyin C-27. The other three strains contained mainly glucose. (3) The amino acid compositions of the alkali-insoluble cellwalls markedly differed among the four strains. The cell wallof C-102 contained more amino acids than carbohydrates, butC-27 and C-87 contained extremely little amino acid. In addition to the variation in cell wall composition, the opticalanisotropy findings also differed for these cell walls of Chlorellastrains which had been grouped as the same species. (Received August 16, 1983; Accepted December 27, 1983)     

Effect of vitamin E and its functional analogs with different molecular structures on growth and lipids content of Pythium debaryanum

The effect of exogenously added vitamin E and its synthetic analogues (the hydrophilic form of vitamin E and chromans C13 and C1) on the growth, lipogenic activity, and the fatty acid composition of the eicosapolyenoic acid-synthesizing oomycete Pythium debaryanum was studied. The effect was found to depend on the molecular structure of particular compounds. For instance, vitamin E and chroman C13 stimulated fungal growth, whereas chroman C1 inhibited it. The hydrophilic form of vitamin E enhanced the lipogenic activity of the oomycete. The studied compounds, which possess antioxidant activity, did not exert any noticeable effect on the level and the degree of the unsaturation of fungal lipids.     

柿果实采后软化过程中细胞壁组分代谢和超微结构的变化

柿果实采后果胶酯酶活性迅速上升,其活性与果实硬度的下降呈明显的负相关。多聚半乳糖醛酸酶活性增加缓慢,但其活性与果实硬度的下降无明显相关性。β-半乳糖苷酶活性迅速增加,其活性与果实硬度的下降呈明显的负相关。纤维素酶活性呈逐渐上升趋势,与果实硬度的下降也呈明显的负相关。伴随着细胞壁水解酶活性的增加,果实原果胶和纤维素含量迅速下降,而水溶性果胶含量则迅速上升。柿果刚采收时细胞壁结构完整,3d后细胞壁中胶层基本被溶解,甚至初生壁也局部发生降解。     

Chemical Potential-Induced Wall State Transitions in Plant Cell Growth

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - The pH/T duality of acidic pH and temperature (T) action for the growth of grass shoots was examined in order to derive the phenomenological equation of wall...