何首乌胚和胚乳的发育

何首乌为直生胚珠,双珠被。胚发育属于柳叶菜型。心形胚柄最为发达,鱼雷形胚期胚柄奶化。早期胚胎发育营养的主要来源可能是合了中积累的淀粉和胚柄吸收来的营养。成熟胚中积累了大量的蛋白质和淀粉粒。胚乳发育属核型。从球形胚期起,胚乳细胞化过程由珠孔端向合点端逐渐推进。初始垂周壁源于姊妹核间的细胞反或非姊妹核间由次生成膜生的细胞板。初始平周壁源于有丝分裂所产生的细胞板。心形胚期,除合点端保持游离核胚乳吸器外,     

Role of local germplasm and induced mutations in the improvement of the protein content in rice

Summary Ninety local cultivars and 124 induced grain shape mutants were screened for their protein content and the distribution of protein in their endosperm. The protein content varied widely from 4.2 to 12.1% in the local varieties and from 5.5 to 13.7% in the mutants. Some high protein lines like Chinnavadlu, Budumavadlu, etc. with more than 10.0% protein were identified. Protein distribution studies have shown that several mutants, such as IR-8-FG-28, IR-8-FG-33, etc., have a deeper distribution of protein bodies and some local cultivars, like Kakathya and Muchulu, have a relatively more uniform distribution of protein in the endosperm. The protein content at different milling levels revealed that at 12% milling the percentage retention of protein varied from about 79 to 96% irrespective of the percentage of protein, suggesting that the distribution of protein, in addition to the protein content, plays an important role in nutritive value of rice.     

Purification of two forms of starch branching enzyme (Q-enzyme) from developing rice endosperm

Two isoforms of starch branching enzyme (Q-enzyme), QEI and QEII, have been purified to honlogeneity from developing rice endosperm. QEI and QEII, with molecular weights of about 80 and 85 kDa, respectively, could be fully separated by anion-exchange or hydrophobic chromatography. The peptide maps obtained after V₈ proteinase digestion were quite different between the two enzymes. Antibodies prepared against QEI showed no immunological cross-reaction with the QEII protein in Western blot experiments, and anti-QEII serum did not react with the QEI protein. The data indicate that QEI and QEII are distinct proteins encoded by different genes in rice plants.     

Fluorescence Microscopic Observations on the Distribution Patterns of Actin Filaments in the Cells of Developing Endosperm in Triticum aestivum

The presence and distribution patterns of actin filaments (AFs) in the cells of developing wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ) endosperm exhibiting intercellular protoplasmic movement were studied with fluorescence microscopy and video microscopy. By using TRITC-PhaIloidin as fluorescence probe and cytochalasin B (CB) treatment it was uncovered that there were a lot of AFs scattered throughout the cytoplasm and the patterns of AFs varied greatly with the actin localization. Four configurations of AFs could be recognized: an actin meshwork surrouding the nucleus; bundles of AFs radiating from nuclear “basket” and extending to the periplasm; numerous finer AFs densely and randomly distributed in the cortical cytoplasm and fusiform bodies composed of AFs appearing in the endosperm cells lying at the “cheek” of the caryopsis. Judging from the dynamic characters of intercellular movement of the cytoplasmic constituents and the reaction of cytoplasmic strands related to CB treatment, the authors have discussed and proposed that the exhibition of the two kinds of intercellular movement (extrusion of cytoplasmic strands and mass flow of ground substance) might also be in close relation to the different configurations of AF organization in the cytoplasm.     

The Development and Abnormality of Embryo and Endosperm in Trigrain Wheat

The development processes of embryos and endosperm of trigrain wheat were observed by using paraffin section method and intact dissection. The results were as follows: 1. Fertilization: the development and progression of embryo and endosperm were similar to those as common wheat. 2. The grain come from the primary pistil embryo developed more early among the three-grains. 3. Many abnormal structures, such as Conversion of position between the top and base, back and belly of embryos, horizontal embryos, embryos moved on top, polyembryony and endosperm deficiency etc, appeared in additional pistils. All abnormalities accounted for 88 percent in whole additional pistils.     

Effect of pollen source and pollen ploidy on endosperm formation and seed set in pseudogamous apomictic Paspalum notatum

 It is generally accepted that most angiosperms require an accurate balance between maternal and paternal genome contribution for endosperm development. The endosperm balance number (EBN) hypothesis postulates that each species has an effective number which must be in a 2:1 maternal to paternal ratio for normal endosperm development and seed formation. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of different sources and ploidy levels of pollen donors on endosperm formation and seed production of aposporous tetraploid (2n=4×=40) Paspalum notatum. Hand-emasculated spikelets of an apomictic 4× plant were dusted with pollen of 2×, 4×, 5×, 6× and 8× races of the same species; 3× and 4× races of a phylogenetically closely related species, P. cromyorrhizon; and 2× and 4× races of P. simplex, a species of a different subgenus. Experiments including self-pollination as well as emasculation without pollination were conducted for controls. Results indicated that apomictic 4×P. notatum is a pseudogamous species with effective fertilization of the two unreduced (2n) polar nuclei by a reduced (n) sperm. Endosperm development and seed production occurred independently of the species or the ploidy level of the pollen donor. However, seed germination rates were significantly lower than in the self-pollinated control when the pollen donor was 3×P. cromyorrhizon or 2× and 4×P. simplex. Aposporous embryo sacs in Paspalum contribute to endosperm formation with two unreduced (2n) polar nuclei, while the male contribution is the same as in sexual plants (n). Since sexual Paspalum plants fit the EBN hypothesis, the EBN insensitivity observed in apomictic plants might be a prerequisite for the spread of pseudogamous apomixis. The EBN insensitivity could have arisen as an imprinting consequence of a high maternal genome contribution. Received: 20 February 1998 / Revision accepted: 21 October 1998     

The Use of a Whole Stain-Clearing Technique for Observations on Embryo Sac,Embryo, Endosperm and Embryoid

A new stain-clearing procedure has been developed for embryological observations on whole mounted specimens. Ovules of Helianthus annus and Nicotiana tabacum as well as ovaries of Oryza sativa were stained with diluted Ehrlich's hematoxylin for a proper short time, followed by steps of washing and dehydration, and finally cleared and mounted in methyl salicylate. When observed by ordinary bright-field microscopy, the embryo sacs before fertilization and the embryos and endosperms after fertilization were clearly visible. The gynogenic embryoids induced in unpollinated rice ovaries in vitro were also finely detectable. The Ehrlich's hematoxylin-methyl salicylate technique has the merits of rapidity in specimen preparation, high contrast and three dimensional view, needlessness of phase- or interference-contrast equipment, and the feasibility for a wide range of materials. The special significance of this technique for in vitro embryological studies is emphasized.     

Proline Metabolism and Transport in Maize Seedlings at Low Water Potential

The growing zone of maize seedling primary roots accumulatesproline at low water potential. Endosperm removal and excisionof root tips rapidly decreased the proline pool and greatlyreduced proline accumulation in root tips at low water potential.Proline accumulation was not restored by exogenous amino acids.Labelling root tips with [¹⁴C]glutamate and [¹⁴C]proline showedthat the rate of proline utilization (oxidation and proteinsynthesis) exceeded the rate of biosynthesis by five-fold athigh and low water potentials. This explains the reduction inthe proline pool following root and endosperm excision and theinability to accumulate proline at low water potential. Theendosperm is therefore the source of the proline that accumulatesin the root tips of intact seedlings. Proline constituted 10% of the amino acids released from the endosperm. [¹⁴C]Prolinewas transported from the scutellum to other parts of the seedlingand reached the highest concentration in the root tip. Less[¹⁴C]proline was transported at low water potential but becauseof the lower rate of protein synthesis and oxidation, more accumulatedas proline in the root tip. Despite the low biosynthesis capacityof the roots, the extent of proline accumulation in relationto water potential is precisely controlled by transport andutilization rate.