Abstract
Two-dimensional spreads of synaptonemal complexes (SCs) from the lower vascular plant Psilotum nudum were examined after staining with uranyl acetate-lead citrate (UP). Staining with UP allows visualization of lateral elements/axial cores (ACs), central elements, kinetochores, and nodules. Numerous darkly stained nodules were associated with forming SCs. In addition to nodules found on the central element of SC segments, other nodules were found at points of convergence between two adjacent ACs. Of these latter nodules, some were obviously associated with a fiber that connected adjacent ACs. No central element material was visible between the ACs, and the nodule complex appeared to be the only structure holding the ACs together. Although the function(s) of nodules during zygotene is unknown, the presence of a nodule-fiber complex that connects adjacent ACs before central element formation suggests that at least some of the nodules may be involved in synaptic initiation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albini SM, Jones GH (1987) Synaptonemal complex spreading in Allium cepa and A. fistulosum I. The initiation and sequence of pairing. Chromosoma 95:324–338
Albini SM, Jones GH, Wallace BMN (1984) A method for preparing two-dimensional surface-spreads of synaptonemal complexes from plant meiocytes for light and electron microscopy. Exp Cell Res 152:280–285
Bennett MD, Smith JB, Simpson S, Wells B (1979) Intranuclear fibrillar material in cereal pollen mother cells. Chromosoma 71:289–332
Carpenter ATC (1987) Gene conversion, recombination nodules, and initiation of meiotic synapsis. Bioessays 6:232–236
Gillies CB (1985) An electron microscopic study of synaptonemal complex formation at zygotene in rye. Chromosoma 92:165–175
Gillies CB, Kuspira J, Bhambhani RN (1987) Genetic and cytogenetic analyses of the A genome of Triticum monococcum IV. Synaptonemal complex formation in autotetraploids. Genome 29:309–318
Hasenkampf CA (1984) Synaptonemal complex formation in pollen mother cells of Tradescantia. Chromosoma 90:275–284
Holm PB (1986) Chromosome pairing and chiasma formation in allohexaploid wheat, Triticum aestivum analyzed by spreading of meiotic nuclei. Carlsberg Res Commun 51:239–294
Loidl J (1986) Synaptonemal complex spreading in Allium II. Tetraploid A. vineale. Can J Genet Cytol 28:754–761
Loidl J, Jones GH (1986) Synaptonemal complex spreading in Allium I. Triploid A. sphaerocephalon. Chromosoma 93:420–428
Maguire MP (1984) The mechanism of meiotic homologue pairing. J Theor Biol 106:605–615
Moens PB (1969) The fine structure of meiotic chromosome polarization and pairing in Locusta migratoria spermatocytes. Chromosoma 28:1–25
Reynolds E (1963) The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron opaque stain in electron microscopy. J Cell Biol 17:208–212
Stack SM (1982) Two-dimensional spreads of synaptonemal complexes from solanaceous plants I. The technique. Stain Technol 57:265–272
Stack SM, Anderson LK (1986a) Two-dimensional spreads of synaptonemal complexes from solanaceous plants II. Synapsis in Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato). Am J Bot 73:264–281
Stack SM, Anderson LK (1986b) Two-dimensional spreads of synaptonemal complexes from solanaceous plants III. Recombination nodules and crossing over in Lycoperison esculentum (tomato). Chromosoma 94:253–258
von Wettstein D, Rasmussen SW, Holm PB (1984) The synaptonemal complex in genetic segregation. Annu Rev Genet 18:331–413
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Anderson, L.K., Stack, S.M. Nodules associated with axial cores and synaptonemal complexes during zygotene in Psilotum nudum . Chromosoma 97, 96–100 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00331799
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00331799