The distribution of Minuartia verna and Thlaspi alpestre in the British Isles in relation to 13 soil metals

The plant-communities from habitats of the metallophyte species Minuartia verna and Thlaspi alpestre (T. caerulescens) at sites disturbed and undisturbed by mining are described. Four communities were delineated by cluster and principal component analysis. Group 1 comprised species-poor communities on disturbed non-calcareous soils; group 2, relatively species-rich communities on disturbed calcareous soils; group 3, species-rich communities in the main on undisturbed calcareous soils. Group 4 consisted of species-rich communities with an alpine element, in damp habitats on base-rich soils derived from igneous rocks. Total and exchangeable elements As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined for the soils of these sites. Levels of soil Ca, Cd, Pb and Zn accounted for most of the variation along the first axis of the PCA and soil nutrient levels were probably the main predictor along the second.Abbreviations PCA Principal Component Analysis     

Fatty Acid Composition of the Peribacteroid Membrane and the ER in Nodules of Glycine max Varies after Infection by Different Strains of the Microsymbiont Bradyrhizobiumjaponicum

The fatty acid composition of ER, Golgi and peribacteroid membrane (PBM) from root nodules formed on Glycine max after infection with different strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum has been analysed by gas chromatography. In each plant-microsymbiont combination the fatty acid composition (FAC) of the PBM is distinct from ER and Golgi. The similarity between ER and PBM fatty acid composition is significantly stronger than between Golgi and PBM. In addition the fatty acid composition of all membrane systems in nodules is affected by the microsymbiont strain. A comparison of four strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum grown in agar surface culture and isolated as the symbiotic bacteroids reveals a decrease in oleic acid during bacteroid differentiation.     

Single chloride channels in endosomal vesicle preparations from rat kidney cortex

Summary Endocytotic vesicles from rat kidney cortex, isolated by differential centrifugation and enriched on a Percoll gradient, contain both an electrogenic H⁺ translocation system and a conductive chloride pathway. Using the dehydration/rehydration method, we fused vesicles of enriched endosomal vesicle preparations and thereby made them accessible to the patch-clamp technique. In the fused vesicles, we observed Cl^– channels with a single-channel conductance of 73±2 pS in symmetrical 140mm KCl solution (n=25). The current-voltage relationship was linear in the range of –60 to +80 mV, but channel kinetic properties dependended on the clamp potential. At positive potentials, two sublevels of conductance were discernible and the mean open time of the channel was 10–15 msec. At negative voltages, only one substate could be resolved and the mean open time decreased to 2–6 msec. Clamp voltages more negative than –50 mV caused reversible channel inactivation. The channel was selective for anions over cations. Ion substitution experiments revealed an anion permeability sequence of Cl^–=Br^–=I^–>SO ₄ ^2– F^–. Gluconate, methanesulfonate and cyclamate were impermeable. The anion channel blockers 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid (DIDS, 1.0mm) and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB, 0.1mm) totally inhibited channel activity. Comparisons with data obtained from radiolabeled Cl^–-flux measurements and studies on the H⁺ pump activity in endocytotic vesicle suspensions suggest that the channel described here is involved in maintenance of electroneutrality during ATP-driven H⁺ uptake into the endosomes.     

Geitler's “Plattenband” in the diatomSynedra cf.ulna in the light of TEM investigations

The ultrastructure of the diatomSynedra cf.ulna was examined paying special attention to the Plattenband (platelet band). This structure was first described byGeitler in 1948 on the basis of LM observations and denotes a linear array of dictyosomes along the apical axis of the cell. The present investigation confirmsGeitler's observations in all essential details and demonstrates that the dictyosomes are arranged along polarized nuclear extensions running towards the cell poles. Laterally the extensions are accompanied by a number of microtubules. In large cells the total length of the nucleus thus may reach 400 µm and more. Since only the central part of the nucleus is DNA-positive with DAPI and acridine orange, the nuclear nature of the backbone of the Plattenband cannot be recognized by LM techniques. TEM investigation of serial apical and transapical sections, however, prove unambiguously the identity with extended parts of the nucleus.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday.     

The taxonomy of neolithic man and its phylogenetic relationship to later paleolithic man and modern man in China

In approaching the taxonomy of Neolithic Man and its phylogenetic relationship to Later Paleolithic Man and Modern Man in China, the statistical methods used here are Penrose's shape distance and PCA (Principal Component Analysis). The scattergram based on principal component scores, combines the dendrogram based on Penrose's shape distance, and takes the male taxonomy into main consideration, but takes the female taxonomy — as a reference only because the differentiations in physical characteristics among male populations generally are rather larger than those among the female populations. Thus according to this scattergram, Neolithic Man in China can be divided into two large groups: the Northern China group, and the Southern China group. The theory is that in Hengzhen there exist some blood mixtures between the Southern China Group and the Northern China Group (especially the third subgroup) of Neolithic Man. Later Paleolithic Man of China — Liujiang and Upper-Cave Man — can also clearly distinguished from the rest of Neolithic Man in China in the scattergram, and can be considered as two different local types of Later Paleolithic Man. So-called “Negro-Australoid” racial traits can themselves be doubtlessly traced back to Later Paleolithic Man of China — Liujiang and Upper-cave Man. These traits are the intrinsic characteristics of Neolithic Man in China and only then is there slight difference in the extent of the manifestation of these traits in the population.     

Immunogold localization of chymotrypsin inhibitor-2, a lysine-rich protein,in developing barley endosperm

Chymotrypsin inhibitor-2, a lysine-rich protein in the barley endosperm, has been localized at the ultrastructural level by immunocytochemistry in developing barley endosperm cells 14 days post anthesis. The protein is deposited in the protein bodies. Two morphologically distinct types of protein bodies, small spherical and large irregularly shaped, are present. Golgi-apparatus-derived vesicles whose content is labelled by chymotrypsin inhibitor-2 antibody-gold particles are observed at the Golgi complex and around the vacuoles. These observations indicate that the transport of the protein to the site of deposition is mediated by the Golgi apparatus.Abbreviations CI chymotrypsin inhibitor - DPA days post anthesis - ER endoplasmic reticulum The authors wish to thank Dr. V.R. Franceschi (Department of Botany, Washington State University, Pullman, USA) for many helpful discussions and advice during the work, and the staff at the Electron Microscope Center at Washington State University for technical assistance.     

Macromolecular differentiation of Golgi stacks in root tips ofArabidopsis andNicotiana seedlings as visualized in high pressure frozen and freeze-substituted samples

Summary The plant root tip represents a fascinating model system for studying changes in Golgi stack architecture associated with the developmental progression of meristematic cells to gravity sensing columella cells, and finally to young and old, polysaccharideslime secreting peripheral cells. To this end we have used high pressure freezing in conjunction with freeze-substitution techniques to follow developmental changes in the macromolecular organization of Golgi stacks in root tips ofArabidopsis andNicotiana. Due to the much improved structural preservation of all cells under investigation, our electron micrographs reveal both several novel structural features common to all Golgi stacks, as well as characteristic differences in morphology between Golgi stacks of different cell types.Common to all Golgi stacks are clear and discrete differences in staining patterns and width of cis, medial and trans cisternae. Cis cisternae have the widest lumina (30 nm) and are the least stained. Medial cisternae are narrower (20 nm) and filled with more darkly staining products. Most trans cisternae possess a completely collapsed lumen in their central domain, giving rise to a 4–6 nm wide dark line in cross-sectional views. Numerous vesicles associated with the cisternal margins carry a non-clathrin type of coat. A trans Golgi network with clathrin coated vesicles is associated with all Golgi stacks except those of old peripheral cells. It is easily distinguished from trans cisternae by its blebbing morphology and staining pattern. The zone of ribosome exclusion includes both the Golgi stack and the trans Golgi network.Intercisternal elements are located exclusively between trans cisternae of columella and peripheral cells, but not meristematic cells. In older peripheral cells only trans cisternae exhibit slime-related staining. Golgi stacks possessing intercisternal elements also contain parallel rows of freeze-fracture particles in their trans cisternal membranes. We propose that intercisternal elements serve as anchors of enzyme complexes involved in the synthesis of polysaccharide slime molecules to prevent the complexes from being dragged into the forming secretory vesicles by the very large slime molecules. In addition, we draw attention to the similarities in composition and apparent site of synthesis of xyloglucans and slime molecules.Dedicated to the memory of Professor Oswald Kiermayer     

Localization of α-amylase isozymes within the endomembrane system of barley aleurone

Summary The localization of -amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Himalaya) aleurone protoplasts was studied using electron microscope immunocytochemistry. Antibodies were raised against total barley -amylase, i.e., -amylase containing both highisoelectric point (high-pI) and low-pI isoforms, as well as against purified high- and low-pI isoforms. All antibodies localized -amylase to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus (GApp) of the aleurone cell, and various controls showed that the labeling was specific for -amylase. Labeling of protein bodies and spherosomes, which are the most abundant organelles in this cell, was very low. There was no evidence that -amylase isoforms were differentially distributed within different compartments of the endomembrane system. Rather, both high- and low-pI isoforms showed the same pattern of distribution in ER and in the cis, medial, and transregions of the GApp. We conclude that in the Himalaya cultivar of barley, all isoforms of -amylase are transported to the plasma membrane via the GApp.Abbreviations ER endoplasmic reticulum - GA₃ gibberellic acid - GApp Golgi apparatus - PBS phosphate buffered saline - PCR partially coated reticulum - PM plasma membrane - TBS Tris buffered saline - TGN trans-Golgi network     

Shuttle-like movements of Golgi vesicles in the tip of growingChara rhizoids

Summary In tip-growingChara rhizoids, the in-vivo saltatory movements of Golgi vesicles were recorded. The movements in radial direction back and forth between the ER aggregate and the plasma membrane occurred three times more often than movements passing the ER aggregate tangentially. The mean velocity of the class of Golgi vesicles observed (0.4–1 m in diameter) was approx. 0.3 m/s. Higher speed of 1–1.5 m/s occurred only in radial directions. Possibly, the ER aggregate is involved in guidance of the Golgi vesicles.Abbreviations DIC differential interference contrast - ER endoplasmic reticulum - OsFeCN osmium tetroxide-potassium ferricyanide Dedicated to the memory of Professor O. Kiermayer     

Caffeine inhibition of cytokinesis: Ultrastructure of cell plate formation/degradation

Summary Caffeine is a potent inhibitor of cell plate formation in dividing plant cells. Previous studies living cells reveal that the drug always permits the cell plate to arise and grow normally until about 80% complete, but then causes it to break down. In the present investigation we examine this formation/degradation cycle at the ultrastructure level. Our results show that during the formation phase the caffeine treated plate is indistinguishable from untreated controls. Phragmoplast microtubules arise and align in the interzone, Golgi vesicles are produced and aggregate in a line that defines the young cell plate, and considerable fusion of these vesicles occurs to form islands of plate material. However, under the influence of caffeine these islands do not fuse to form the enlarged lamellar expanses characteristic of maturing cell plates. Instead, the partially fused material reverts to small vesicles which appear to become resorbed by the cellular membrane systems. The resorption process continues leaving no evidence of the previously developing plate, although occasionally we observe a stub of fused vesicles attached to the parent wall. Following cell plate disintegration the reformed nuclei move close together and occupy the central region of the cell. These observations focus attention on the consolidation phase of cell plate formation as the one being maximally affected by caffeine.Dedicated to the memory of Professor Oswald Kiermayer