Confocal microscopy of whole ovules for analysis of reproductive development: the elongate1 mutant affects meiosis II

Analysis of female meiosis (megasporogenesis) and embryo sac development (megagametogenesis) in angiosperms is technically challenging because the cells are enclosed within the nucellus and ovule tissues of the female flower. This is in contrast to male sporogenesis and gametogenesis where development can readily be observed through the easily dissectable developing anthers. Observation of embryo sac development is a particular problem in crassinucellate ovules such as those of maize. To overcome the problems in observing reproductive development, we developed a simple Feulgen staining procedure optimized for use with confocal microscopy to observe reproductive progression in the crassinucellate ovules of maize. The procedure greatly facilitates the observation of nuclei and cell structures of all stages of megasporogenesis and embryo sac development. The high resolution obtained using the technique enabled us to readily visualize chromosomes from individual cells within ovule tissue samples of maize. A propidium iodide staining technique was also used and compared with the Feulgen-based technique. Static cytometry of relative DNA content of individual nuclei was possible using Imaris software on both Feulgen and propidium iodide-stained samples. The techniques also proved successful for the observation of Arabidopsis and Hieracium aurantiacum female gametophyte and seed development, demonstrating the general applicability of the techniques. Using both staining methods, we analysed the maize meiotic mutant elongate1, which produces functional diploid instead of haploid embryo sacs. The precise defect in meiosis from which diploid embryo sacs arise in elongate1 has not previously been reported. We used confocal microscopy followed by static cytometry using Imaris software to show that the defect by which diploid embryo sacs arise in the maize mutant elongate1 is the absence of meiosis II with one of the dyad cells directly initiating megagametogenesis.     

Confocal Microscopic Observations on Microtubular Cytoskeleton Changes During Megasporogenesis and Megagametogenesis in Phaius tankervilliae (Aiton) Bl.

In nun orchid (Phaius tankervilliae (Alton) B1. ) embryo sac development follows the monosporic pattern. Changes in the pattern of organization of the microtubular cytoskeleton during megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis in this orchid were studied using the immunofluorescence technique and eonfocal microscopy. At the initial stage of development the microtubules in the arehesporium were randomly oriented into a network. Later the archesporial cell elongated to form the megasporocyte. The cytoskeleton in the elongated megasporoeyte was radially organized in which microtubules extending from the nuclear envelope to the peripheral region of the cell. The megasporoeyte then underwent meiosis 1 to form a dyad. The dyad cell at the chalazal end was larger than the cell at the micropylar end. Microtubules in the dyad cell were radially oriented. The dyad underwent meiosis to give rise to a linear array of four megaspores (i. e. tetrad formation). The chalazal-far most megaspore survived and became the functional megaspore, which contained a set of randomly oriented microtubules. The microtubules in the other 3 megaspore disappeared as the cells degenerated. The functional megaspore then underwent mitotic division giveing rise to a 2 nucleate embryo sac. The nuclei of the 2-nucleate embryo sac were separated by a set of longitudinally oriented microtubules which ran parallel to the long axis of the embryo sac. Each nucleus in the embryo sac was surrounded by a set of perinuelear microtubules. The gnucleate embryo sac again underwent mitotic division to form a 4-nucleate embryo sac. The division of the two nuclei was synchronous. But the orientation of the division plan of the two spindles was different (i. e. the spindle microtubules at the chalazal end ran parallel with the long axis of the embryo sac and those at the mieropylar end ran at right angle to the axis of the embryo sac). The 4 nuclei of the 4-nucleate embryo sac were all tightly surrounded by randomly oriented microtubules. Later the paired nuclei at the micropylr end and at the chalazal end as well underwent mitotic division in seguence. At this time when the embryo sac had reached the 8-nucleate embryo sac stage. The pattern of organization of the microtubules was very complex. Initially the nuclei were surrounded by a set of randomly oriented microtubules, but after the two polar nuclei had moved to the central region of the embryo sac, three different organizational zones of microtubules appeared, viz: a randomly oriented set of microtubules surrounding each nucleus in the chalazal zone: a set (in the form of a basket) of cortical microtubules which surrounded the vacuoles and the two polar nuclei in the central zone and a loosely knitted network of microtubules surrounding the nucleus that later became the egg cell nucleus in the micropylar zone. The two nuclei that would become the nuclei of the synergids were surrounded by a set of more densely packed mierotubules. Towards far the most micropylar end some microtubules formed thick bundles. The site of appearance of these thick bundles coincided with the site of development of the filiform apparatus. The pattern of microtubule organization after cellularization (i. e. at the beginning of embryo sac maturation) did not change much. The author's results indicated that various patterns of microtubule organization observed in the developing embryo sac of nun orchid reflected the complexity and dynamism of the embryo sac.     

鹤顶兰胚囊发育过程中微管变化的共焦显微镜观察

光镜的观察确定了鹤顶兰（Ｐｈａｉｕｓ ｔａｎｋｅｒｖｉｌｌｉａｅ （Ａｉｔｏｎ） Ｂｌ．）胚囊发育属单孢子蓼型。应用免疫荧光标记技术及共焦镜观察了胚囊发育过程中微管分布的变化。当孢原细胞初形成时,细胞内的微管呈网状分布。之后,孢原细胞体积增大发育为大孢子母细胞。大孢子母细胞延长,进入减数分裂Ⅰ。微管由分裂前的网状分布变为辐射状排列。二分体的两个细胞内的微管分布一样,呈辐射状。四分体的近珠孔端的３ 个大孢子解体,细胞内的微管消失。靠合点端的功能大孢子内有许多微管呈网状分布。当功能大孢子进入第一次有丝分裂时,细胞内的微管由网状变为辐射状,从核膜伸展至周质。再经两次有丝分裂形成八核胚囊。在核分裂之前微管一般是呈网状分布并紧包围着核。在分裂期间二核和四核胚囊都呈极性现象,微管系统也呈极性分布。微管在八核胚囊内的分布变化情形特别复杂。首先,八核分别作不同程度的移动,其中两个核移向胚囊中央,珠孔端和合点端的３ 个核分别互相靠拢,形成３ 个区,即中央区、反足区和卵器区。胚囊未形成区时,８ 个核都被网状分布的微管包围着。当胚囊明显分成区时,反足区内的微管仍作网状分布。中央区的微管分布则趋疏松,形成篮形结构,包围着液泡和两个极核。在     

Anatomy of Watermelon Embryo Sacs Following Pollination, Non-pollination or Parthenocarpic Induction of Fruit Development

There is little information on the fate of embryo sacs in plantovules if pollination is prevented. In this study embryo sacsfrom watermelon were observed over a 13 day period followingflowering with (a) normal pollination, (b) non-pollination and(c) induction of parthenocarpic fruit development with naphthaleneacetic acid. Following pollination, and prior to fertilizationapproximately 2 days later, the embryo sacs completed developmentand consisted of two synergids with prominent filiform apparatus,an egg cell, a central cell with two polar nuclei and threeantipodal cells. Sperm nuclei were observed within the embryosac at 2 days and by 4 days the endosperm was proliferating.In the non-pollination treatment the embryo sac was still intactafter 4 days although the antipodal nuclei were becoming hardto distinguish. By 7 days only the two synergids and the eggcell were still well defined, the polar nuclei appeared in somepreparations to be fused, and the antipodals had degenerated.By 10 days the embryo sac was a structure-less watery mass.In parthenocarpic fruit the fate of the embryo sac was similarto that in non-pollinated fruit except that final breakdownwas delayed past 10 days. Maturity of the majority of embryo sacs in an ovary appearedto be contemporaneous with penetration of the pollen tube, andon the basis of the anatomical results it seems possible thatembryo sacs could be fertilized up to 2 days beyond the normaltime. Citrullus lanatus, watermelon, embryo sac, anatomy, pollination, parthenocarpy     

水稻中央细胞发育期间超微结构变化的观察

本文通过透射电镜对水稻受精前胚囊中央细胞发育过程中超微结构的变化进行观察。结果表明,八核胚囊形成后很快就进行细胞化形成7个细胞,其中刚形成的中央细胞由1个大液泡、2个极核（珠孔端和合点端各1个）和一些含有丰富细胞器的胞质组成。中央细胞以后的发育主要是极核的发育和极核周围胞质的变化。极核发育经历以下过程：a．2个核都膨大呈“椭圆”形。核周围胞质呈不对称分布。b．2个核分别向胚囊中央移动并相互靠近。之后2个极核调整排列方式,由纵排（即与胚囊纵轴平行）变成横排。此时期有细胞质“桥”联结珠孔端卵器、2个极核和合点端反足细胞器。c．横排的极核移向卵器,并排列于卵细胞之上。此时胚囊未明显膨大,但极核相靠近的两边核膜有许多处已形成“融合桥”,核周围的胞质也起较大的变化,如质体内淀粉消失和光面内质网增加等。极核进一步发育直至胚囊成熟期间,极核排列方式及其周围胞质组成未观察到明显的变化,但胚囊体积明显增大。     

Abnormal Behavior of Nuclei and Microtubule (MT) Organizational Changes During Embryo Sac Development in the Poly-Egg Mutant,APⅣ of Rice

APⅣ is a rice mutant that develops poly-egg apparatus in its embryo sac. All the eggs that make up the poly-egg apparatus can be fertilized respectively resulting in the development of polyembryony. The routes taken in the development of polyembryony appear to fall mainly into three variant polygonum pattern types, designated as 5-2-1 , 5-3-0 and 6-2-0 types. Out of the embryo sacs of APⅣ studied about 50% exhibited variant polygonum type with associated abnormal nuclear behavior and microtubule organizational changes. Some of the major abnormal features shown by the three variant polygonum types were described and they included the following: For the 5-2-1 type At the beginning of the four-nucleate embryo sac development, one pair of nuclei became located to the micropylar end and the other pair to the chalazal end. As embryo sac further developed, long connecting microtubule (MT) bundles that existed between the two nuclei in the chalazal end play a role in the movement and positioning of that nucleus. As a result of the activities of these MT, one of the nuclei in the chalazal end moved to the micropylar end resulting in the micropylar end having three nuclei and the chalazal end only one. For the 5-3-0 type In the two-nucleate embryo sac of the 5-3-0 type, one nucleus remained at the micro-pylar end, while the other one became located near the central region. In the four-nucleate embryo sac, the pair of nuclei aligned in parallel to the micropylar-chalazal axis often having one of its nuclei relocated to the micropylar end as a result of associated MT activities. For the 6-2-0 type All the nuclei in the megaspore, two- and four-nucleate embryo sacs became located to the micropylar end. At the early stages of the eight-nucleate embryo sac development, the two nuclei in the central region of the embryo sac (originally at the micropylar end) became polar nuclei. All the other nuclei remained at the micropylar end were surrounded by reticulate MT. The relationship between abnormal behavior of nuclei and MT organi-zation in the development of rice embryo sac was discussed.     

大叶杨配囊及胚珠的形成和发育

本文应用细胞化学方法研究了大叶杨胚珠、胚囊的形成和发育过程中核酸、蛋白质及不溶性多糖的分布和消长。大孢子母细胞、大孢子四分体及功能大孢子中含较少不溶性多糖,但却含丰富的RNA和蛋白质。功能大孢子经分裂发育成八核的蓼型胚囊。四核胚囊开始积累细胞质多糖,成熟胚囊中除反足细胞外充满淀粉粒。反足细胞形成后不久即退化。助细胞具多糖性质的丝状器,受精前两个助细胞退化。卵细胞核对Feulgen反应呈负反应。二极核受精前由胚囊中部移向卵器,与卵器接触后融合形成次生核。发育早期的胚珠为厚珠心,双珠被。晚期,内珠被退化,故成熟胚珠为单珠被。四核胚囊时期,珠孔端珠心组织退化,胚囊伸向珠孔形成胚囊喙。合点端珠心组织含丰富的蛋白质和核酸,这一性质与绒毡层性质相似,可能涉及胚囊的营养运输。胚囊的营养来源于子房和胎座细胞内贮存的淀粉粒。     

Early post-pollination events in hexaploid wheat × maize crosses

Summary Cytological events in the first 12 h after pollination were studied in crosses between the hexaploid wheat genotype Chinese Spring and the maize genotype Seneca 60. A pollen tube was first observed in the embryo sac 4 h after pollination, and maize sperm nuclei were first observed in the embryo sac after 5 h. On 29 occasions two, and on 1 occasion three, pollen tubes penetrated the embryo sac. Four categories of aberration limiting the frequency of fertilization were identified: (1) in 20% of florets no pollen tube reached the embryo sac; (2) in at least 1.9% the pollen tube severely damaged the wheat egg cell and polar nuclei; (3) in 33% the maize sperm nuclei were not released from the pollen tube; and (4) in 16% the sperm nuclei were released into the embryo sac but failed to move to either of the wheat gametes. In the remaining 29% sperm nuclei were more often found in the egg cell than at the polar nuclei. The results suggest that karyogamy occurs with very high efficiency when a sperm nucleus reaches the egg cell, but with only about 50% efficiency when a sperm nucleus reaches the polar nuclei.     

广东高州普通野生稻生殖特性的研究Ⅱ.胚囊育性、胚囊发育、胚胎发生和胚乳发育

利用整体染色激光扫描共聚焦显微镜术（WCLSM）,对采自广东省高州市6个地点共141个编号的高州普通野生稻的成熟胚囊育性和胚囊形成发育特点等进行研究。结果表明,供试的绝大多数高州普通野生稻材料成熟胚囊均存在不同程度的育性异常现象,包括雌性生殖单位退化、极核位置异常、极核数目异常、胚囊退化等。这些异常结构的胚囊由于没有正常的卵细胞,不能正常受精,影响子粒结实。141个编号平均异常胚囊频率为11．11％,最高异常率为67．86％。高州普通野生稻胚囊发育过程与正常栽培稻一致,属寥型。对一些结实率偏低材料的研究,发现在胚囊发育过程的不同时期存在一些异常现象,包括功能大孢子退化,二至八核胚囊发育异常等。对柱头上的花粉量调查,发现观察的69个编号中,多数编号柱头上花粉量偏少。研究表明,花粉量偏少影响受精是导致结实率偏低的最主要原因之一。本文对导致结实率偏低的综合因素进行了讨论。     

Female Gametophyte Development in Maize: Microtubular Organization and Embryo Sac Polarity

The developmental stages of the maize embryo sac were correlated with the corresponding silk lengths of ear florets in the female inflorescence. The development of embryo sacs in the ovules of spikes occurs in a gradient pattern with the initiation of the embryo sac beginning at the base of the ear and progressing to the top. At the beginning of meiosis, the presence of conspicuous cortical microtubules coincides with the extensive elongation of the megasporocyte. The spindles at metaphase I and II align along the long axis of the megasporocyte leading to the linear alignment of the dyad and tetrad of megaspores. During megagametogenesis, micropylar and chalazal nuclei of the embryo sac undergo synchronized divisions and migration at the second and third mitosis. Radiate perinuclear microtubules are present during the interphase of the second and third mitosis, and inter-sister nuclear microtubules occur at the late four-nucleate embryo sac. The configuration and orientation of the spindles, phragmoplasts, and pairs of nuclei result in precise positioning of the nuclei. The fusion of the polar nuclei and the formation of a microtubule organizing center-like structure in the filiform apparatus occur right after the first division of the antipodal cells. The different patterns of organization of microtubules in the cells of the mature embryo sac reflect their structural adaptations for their future function.     

Origin of facultative heterochromatin in the endosperm ofGagea lutea (Liliaceae)

Summary Facultative heterochromatin occurs not only in certain animals in connection with sex determination but also in members of at least one plant genus,Gagea (Liliaceae s. str.), but here in the course of embryo sac development, fertilization, and endosperm formation. The present contribution intends to provide undebatable photographic and cytometric evidence, previously not available, for the events in the course of which three whole genomes in the pentaploid endosperm nuclei ofGagea lutea become heterochroma-tinized. In this plant, embryo sac formation usually follows the Fritillaria type, i.e., the embryo sac is tetrasporic, and a 1 + 3 position of the spore nuclei is followed by a mitosis in which the three chalazal spindles fuse and two triploid nuclei are formed. A triploid chalazal polar nucleus is derived from one of these, which contributes to the pentaploid endosperm. These nuclei in the chalazal part of the embryo sac show stronger condensation compared with the micropylar ones. The pycnosis of the triploid polar nucleus is maintained and even enhanced during endosperm proliferation, while the micropylar polar nucleus and the sperm nucleus maintain their euchromatic condition. The origin of the heterochromatic masses in the endosperm nuclei from the three chalazal genomes of the central cell is unambiguously evident from the distribution of heterochromatic chromosomes in the first endosperm mitosis and the following interphase. DNA content measurements confirm a 3 2 relationship of heterochromatic and euchromatic chromosome sets, which is usually maintained up to the cellularized endosperm. Pycnotic nuclei in the chalazal part of megagametophytes are characteristic of several embryo sac types, but only forGagea spp. it is documented that such nuclei can take part in fertilization and endosperm formation.Dedicated to Professor Walter Gustav Url on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

濒危植物——长喙毛茛泽泻的雌雄配子体发育

长喙毛茛泽泻 Ranalisma rostratum stapf 小孢子母细胞的减数分裂过程为连续型,四分体为左右对称型。成熟花粉为三胞花粉。花药绒毡层为变形绒毡层。雌蕊由多数单室子房构成,每子房中含一具双珠被、薄珠心的倒生胚珠。胚囊发育为葱型。成熟胚囊中三个反足细胞退化;二个极核分别位于中央细胞的两端,其体积相差明显。这种极核分布可能与反足细胞过早退化有关。     

The Development of Male and Female Gametophyte in an Endangered Plant—Ranalisma rostratum Stapf (Alismataceae)

Ranalisma rostratum Stapf is a rare and endangered species． This paper deals with the development of its male and female gametophytes and probes the relationship between the process of reproduction and the cause which made this species endangered． The meiosis of microspore mother cells is successive cytokinesis and the microspore tetrads are isobilateral． Pollen grains are 3-celled when shed． The ovule is anatropous,bitegmic and tenuinucellate． The micropylar dyad cell usually desenerates soon after its formation, and the chalazal dyad cell develops into a Allium type embryo sac． During the development of embryo sac both polar nuclei are respectively located at the two ends of central cell,and they maintain this situation until the micropylar polar nucleus takes part in fertilization． Features of the embryo sac of Ranalisma rostratum Stapf are discussed．     

水稻雌配子体发生过程中胚囊内微管骨架变化的进一步研究(英文)

用PEG包埋切片法及荧光抗体标记技术对水稻 (OryzasativaL .)雌配子体发生过程中微管骨架的变化进一步研究。经PEG包埋切片技术处理的胚囊内的微管结构能够保持得比较完整 ,特别是在一些较大和成熟的胚囊内 ,效果更佳 ,微管清晰度高。对雌配子体发生过程中的一些主要时期的微管结构变化作了详尽描述和分析 (包括 :单核、二核、四核、八核和成熟胚囊时期 )。发现了一些新的微管结构 ,如在中央细胞中有纵向微管 ,这些微管在两个极核移至中央部位时存在 ,之后当极核移至靠近卵细胞时便消失 ,显示中央细胞纵向微管与极核的移动和定位可能有关。     

Further Studies on Microtubule Organizational Changes During Megagametogenesis in Rice Embryo Sac

Changes in the pattern of microtubule distribution and organization during megagametogenesis in the embryo sac of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. IR36) were re-examined using a modified polyethylene glycol sectioning technique before immuno-fluorescence staining of microtubules. In the sectioned materials the pattern of distribution and structural organization of the microtubule cytoskeleton were quite well preserved. Fine details of the patterns of structural changes and re-organization of the microtubule cytoskeleton in the major stages of development during embryo sac megagametogenesis (viz. functional megaspore, uni-nucleate, 2-nucleate, 4-nucleate, 8-nucleate and mature stage) could be clearly observed and easily followed. Some new organizational patterns of microtubules associated with the probable movement and positioning of the polar nuclei were observed.     

利用激光扫描共聚焦显微术对同源四倍体水稻胚囊形成与发育的进一步观察

应用改进的整体染色透明激光扫描共聚焦显微术(WCLSM),对同源四倍体水稻PDER-2B-4x胚囊的形成与发育过程进行观察。发现其胚囊的形成发育过程与二倍体的一致,可以清楚地划分为8个发育时期,即孢原细胞形成期、大孢子母细胞形成期、大孢子母细胞减数分裂期、功能大孢子形成期、单核胚囊形成期、胚囊有丝分裂期、八核胚囊发育期和成熟胚囊期。除正常发育的过程外,大孢子发育的各个过程均出现一些异常现象,包括:细胞退化、核位置异常、核数目异常和细胞分化异常等。这些异常可能最终导致多种结构异常成熟胚囊的形成。     

The mature embryo sac of the sugar beet, Beta vulgaris: A structural investigation

The mature embryo sac of Beta vulgaris consists of one egg cell, one persistent and one degenerated synergid, one cental cell with two fused polar nuclei, and five to six antipodals. The degeneration of one of the synergids appears before pollination in the maturing process. The two fused polar nuclei are located in the chalazal part of the central cell. The antipodals may have secretory activities. It is suggested that the embryo sac of the sugar beet completes the maturing process independently of pollination.     

鸡心李胚囊及受精的观察

鸡心李(ycopodium cernuum Marsh var.)胚囊发育多数不正常。卵器,极核,反足细胞的数目和在胚囊内的部位有不正常。卵器细胞核,极核,反足细胞核的结构动态有不正常。核物质有穿出现象。受精作用多数不正常。进入胚囊的精子数目、大小、形态、结构有差异。精子有蝌蚪形者,可能有利于主动运动。有单精受精,多精进入卵器或单极核受精。精子染色质有穿出现象。胚囊发育不正常,精子不正常,受精作用不正常,导致败育,果仁腐烂,果实早落。防治方法建议用人工引变,改进遗传性状。     

The Ultracytochemical Localization of ATPase Activity in the Ovules of Antirrhinum majus L.

The ultracytochemical localization of ATPase activity was carried out by the method of lead precipitation in the ovules of Antirrhinum majus L. No ATPase activity is observed in the egg apparatus, but some in the polar nuclei, cytoplasm and plasma membrane of the central cell. Between the embryo sac wall and the cuticle surrounding it, there is a gap where some filamentand vesicle-like structures were demonstrated by conventional staining method, and much of ATPase activity is found there. At the chalaza of the ovule, a lot of ATPase particles are found irt the nuclei, plasma membranes and the thick and loose wall of the hypostase cells. The particles of ATPase in the hypostase and those in the gap surrounding embryo sac are continuously distributed through the intervals of the cuticle at the chalazal end of the embryo sac. Some of ATPase particles are found on the plasma membranes and plasmadesmata of integument ceils, noticeably much more in the nucleoplasm of the integumentary tapetum. According to the ATPase distribution pattern in the ovules, we suggest that the function of the integumentary tapetum and hypostase is secretion, and that the gap surrounding the embryo sac may be an apoplastic ehannal for nutrient flow into the embryo sac.     

The Development of Green Onion (Allium Fistulosum L. )Embryo and Endosperm

Embryo development of Zhangqiu green onion conforms to the Asterad type and goes through the following stages: proembryo, globular, ellipsoidal, laterally concave, stick-shaped, and curved and mature. The persistent synergid is present until the late globular stage of embryogenesis. Endosperm development of Zhangqiu green onion follows the nuclear pattern. Endosperm cell formation begins at both the micropylar end and the chalazai end of the embryo sac when the embryo is in the late globular stage. Due to the anticlinal wall formation, a layer of free nuclei becomes a layer of “open cells” which lack the inner periclinat wall. The open cells undergo cell division periclinally, and a layer of complete cells is cut off outside and a new layer of open cells inside. The subsequent cell divisions give rise to the endosperm cells centripetally until those from the opposite of the embryo sac meet. The first anticlinal walls arise from the cell plates without phragmoplasts between the free nuclei in interphase. The first periclinal walls are formed by normal cytokinesis. When a few layers of endosperm cells are formed at the micropylar end and the chalazal end of the embryo sac, free cells are present in the central vacuole.