Abstract
Stages in the formation and degradation of pollenkitt in the anther of Lilium have been investigated using the electron microscope. This material, which appears to be a complex of lipid and carotenoids, is formed during the autolysis of the tapetal cells by the fusion of lipidic inclusions with globules derived from plastids. Autolysis of the tapetal cells is progressive for it commences with the disintegration of many cytoplasmic components, followed by the breakdown of storage lipids. The plasma membrane maintains its integrity during these events apparently, by proliferation, aiding in the transfer of the products of hydrolysis into the loculus. During the course of lipid breakdown, a striking vacuolar system is formed in the tapetal cytoplasm, presumably containing the products of this hydrolysis. The source of membranes for this system is clearly the lipid globules themselves. The generation of the membrane apparently involves the participation of electronopaque material, possibly enzymic, contained within the lipid globules.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atkinson, A.W., Gunning, B.E.S., John, P.C.L. (1972) Sporopollenin in the cell wall of Chlorella and other algae: ultrastructure, chemistry and incorporation of [14C]acetate studied in synchronous cultures. Planta 107, 1–32
Belitzer, N.W. (1978) Subcellular mechanisms of mobilisation of stored lipids Abstr. IV. All Union meeting on plant electron microscopy. Zinatne. Riga, p 65–67
Brooks, J., Shaw, G. (1968) Chemical structure of the exine of pollen walls and a new function for the carotenoids in nature. Nature (London) 219, 532–33
Dickinson, H.G. (1968) Ultrastructural and physiological aspects of pollen development. Ph. D thesis, University of Birmingham, U.K.
Dickinson, H.G. (1973) The role of plastids in the formation of pollen grain coatings. Cytobios 8, 25–40
Dickinson, H.G. (1976) Common factors in exine deposition. In: Evolutionary significance of the exine, pp. 67–90, Ferguson, K., Müller, M., eds. Linn. Soc. Symp. Ser. I
Dickinson, H.G., Lewis, D. (1973) Cytochemical and ultrastructural differences between intraspecific compatible and incompatible pollinations in Raphanus. Proc. R Soc. London Ser. B. 183, 21–38
Echlin, P. (1971) The role of the tapetum during microsporogenesis of angiosperms. In: Pollen development and physiology, 42–62, Heslop Harrison, J., ed. Butterworth, London
Foster, J., Stern, H. (1959) The accumulation of deoxyribosidic compounds in relation to nuclear division in anthers of Lilium longiflorum. J. Biochem. Biophys. Cytol. 5, 187–192
Goodwin, T.W. (1965) Carotenoids. In Modern methods of plant analysis, vol. 3, pp. 272–311, Paech, K., Tracey, M.V., eds. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York
Heslop Harrison, J. (1968a) Tapetal origin of pollen-coat substances in Lilium. New Phytol. 67, 779–786
Heslop Harrison, J. (1968b) Anther carotenoids and the synthesis of sporopollenin. Nature (London) 220, 605
Knoll, K. (1930) Über Pollenkitt und Bestäubungsart. Z. Bot. 23, 609–675
Linskens, H.F. (1964). Pollen physiology. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 15, 255–271
Mollenhauer, H.H. (1967) Formation of smooth membrane during seed germination. J. Cell Biol. 35, 198
Mollenhauer, H.H., Morre, D.J., Jelsma, C.L. (1978) Lamellar bodies as intermediates in endoplasmic reticulum biogenesis in Maize (Zea mays L.) embryo, bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cotyledon and pea (Pisum sativum L.) cotyledon. Bot. Gaz. 139, 101–10
Reznickova, S.A. (1975) Patterns of cell differentiation during microsporogenesis and gametogenesis in Lilium candidum (in Russian). Ph.D. thesis, Moscow, USSR
Reznickova, S.A. (1978) Histochemical studies of reserve nutrient substances in the anther of Lilium candidum. C.R. Acad. Bulg. Sci. 31, 1067–1070
Reznickova, S.A., Willemse, M.T.M. (1980) The formation of pollen in the anther of Lilium. II. The function of the surrounding tissues in the formation of pollen and pollen wall. Acta Bot. Neerl. 29, 141–156
Roberts, I.N., Stead, A.D., Dickinson, H.G., Ockendon, D. (1980) Pollen-stigma interactions in Brassica oleracea. Theor. Appl. Genet. 58, 241–246
Steer, M.W. (1977) Differentiation of the tapetum in Avena II. The endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. J. Cell Sci. 28, 71–86
Troll, W. (1928) Über Antherenbau, Pollen und Pollination bei Galanthus L. Flora (Jena) 123, 321–348
Willemse, M.T.M., Reznickova, S.A. (1980) The formation of pollen in the anther of Lilium. I. Development of the pollen wall. Acta Bot. Neerl. 29, 127–140
Yatsu, L.Y., Jacks, T.J. (1972) Sphaerosome membranes: Half unit-membranes. Plant Physiol. 49, 937–943
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reznickova, S.A., Dickinson, H.G. Ultrastructural aspects of storage lipid mobilization in the tapetum of Lilium hybrida var. enchantment. Planta 155, 400–408 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394468
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394468