Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Ultrastructure of Mesophyll Cells and Pigment Content in Senescing Leaves of Maize and Barley

  • Published:
Journal of Plant Growth Regulation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Leaf senescence is a genetically regulated stage in the plant life cycle leading to death. Ultrastructural analysis of a particular region of the leaf and even of a particular mesophyll cell can give a clear picture of the time development of the process. In this study we found relations between changes in mesophyll cell ultrastructure and pigment concentration in every region of the leaf during leaf senescence in maize and barley. Our observations demonstrated that each mesophyll cell undergoes a similar senescence sequence of events: a) chromatin condensation, b) degradation of thylakoid membranes and an increase in the number of plastoglobules, c) damage to internal mitochondrial membrane and chloroplast destruction. Degradation of chloroplast structure is not fully correlated with changes in photosynthetic pigment content; chlorophyll and carotenoid content remained at a rather high level in the final stage of chloroplast destruction. We also compared the dynamics of leaf senescence between maize and barley. We showed that changes to the mesophyll cells do not occur at the same time in different parts of the leaf. The senescence damage begins at the base and moves to the top of the leaf. The dynamics of mesophyll cell senescence is different in leaves of both analyzed plant species; in the initial stages, the process was faster in barley whereas in the later stages the process occurred more quickly in maize. At the final stage, the oldest barley mesophyll cells were more damaged than maize cells of the same age.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+
from $39.99 /Month
  • Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
  • Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
  • Cancel anytime
View plans

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  1. J Balk CJ Leaver PF McCabe (1999) ArticleTitleTranslocation of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol occurs during heat-induced programmed cell death in cucumber plants. FEBS Lett 463 151–154 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXnvFemsL4%3D Occurrence Handle10601657

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. R Barton (1966) ArticleTitleFine structure of mesophyll cells in senescencing leaves of Phaseolus. Planta 71 314–325

    Google Scholar 

  3. EP Beers (1997) ArticleTitleProgrammed cell death during plant growth and development. Cell Death Differ 4 649–661 Occurrence Handle10.1038/sj.cdd.4400297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. V Buchanan–Wollaston (1997) ArticleTitleThe molecular biology of leaf senescence. J Exp Bot 48 181–199

    Google Scholar 

  5. S Desagher JC Martinou (2000) ArticleTitleMitochondria as central control point of apoptosis. Trends Cell Biol 10 369–377 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXls1CktLk%3D Occurrence Handle10932094

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. I D’Silva GG Poirier MC Heath (1998) ArticleTitleActivation of cysteine proteases in cowpea plants during the hypersensitive response-A form of programmed cell death. Exp Cell Res 245 389–399 Occurrence Handle10.1006/excr.1998.4256 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXotVWqsbs%3D Occurrence Handle9851880

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. JT Greenberg (1996) ArticleTitleProgrammed cell death: A way of life for plants. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 93 12094–12097 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28Xms1Cqu7w%3D Occurrence Handle8901538

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. N Inada A Sakai H Kuroiwa T Kuroiwa (1998) ArticleTitleThree-dimensional analysis of the senescence program in rice (Oryza sativa L.) coleoptiles. Planta 205 153–164 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXjsFGntLc%3D Occurrence Handle9637068

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. N Inada A Sakai H Kuroiwa T Kuroiwa (1999) ArticleTitleSenescence programm in rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaves: Analysis of the blade of second leaf at the tissue and cellular levels. Protoplasma 207 222–232 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXmtVSnsbs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. G Jackowski (1998) ArticleTitleThe decomposition of photosynthetic apparatus during the senescence of leaves. Post Biol Kom 25 63–73 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXivF2hsLY%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. C-Z Jiang SR Rodermel RM Shibles (1993) ArticleTitlePhotosynthesis, rubisco activity and amount, and their regulation by transcription in senescing soybean leaves. Plant Physiol 101 105–112 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXnslaluw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle12231670

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. A Jones (2000) ArticleTitleDoes the plant mitochondrion interate cellular stress and regulate programmed cell death? Trends Plant Sci 5 225–230 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c3kvFaltw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10785669

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. A Jones (2001) ArticleTitleProgrammed cell death in development and defense. Plant Physiol 125 94–97 Occurrence Handle10.1104/pp.125.1.94 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjslymtLc%3D Occurrence Handle11154305

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. NI Krinsky (1966) The role of carotenoid pigments as protective agents against photosensitized oxidations in chloroplasts. TW Goodwin (Eds) Biochemistry of chloroplasts, vol I. Academic Press New York 423–430

    Google Scholar 

  15. H Kuran (1993) ArticleTitleChanges in DNA, dry mass and protein content of leaf epidermis nuclei during aging of perennial mononucledonous plants. Acta Soc Bot Pol 3 149–154

    Google Scholar 

  16. J Leśniewska E Simeonova A Sikora A Mostowska M Charzyńska (2000) ArticleTitleApplication of comet assay in studies of programmed cell death (PCD) in plants. Acta Soc Bot Pol 69 101–107

    Google Scholar 

  17. HK Lichtenthaler AR Wellburn (1983) ArticleTitleDeterminations of total carotenoids and chlorophylls a and b of leaf extracts in different solvents. Biochem Soc Trans 603 591–592

    Google Scholar 

  18. P Matile (1992) Chloroplast senescence. NR Baker H Thomas (Eds) Crop photosynthesis: spatial and temporal determinants. Amsterdam, Elsevier London 413–440

    Google Scholar 

  19. D Meier HK Lichtenthaler (1982) ArticleTitleSpecial senescence stages in chloroplast ultrastructure of radish seedlings induced by the photosystem II-herbicide bentazon. Protoplasma 110 138–142 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL38XhvFGjsrw%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. A Mostowska (1997) Environmental factors affecting chloroplast. M Pessarakli (Eds) Handbook of photosynthesis. Marcel Dekker New York 407–426

    Google Scholar 

  21. A Mostowska (1999) ArticleTitleResponse of chloroplast structure to photodynamic herbicides and high oxygen. Z Naturforsch 54c 621–628

    Google Scholar 

  22. N Nii S Kawano S Nakamura T Kuroiwa (1988) ArticleTitleChanges in the fine structure of chloroplast and chloroplast DNA of peach leaves during senescence. Japan Soc Hort 57 390–398

    Google Scholar 

  23. LD Nooden (1988) The phenomena of senescence and aging. LD Nooden AC Leopold (Eds) Senescence and aging in plants San Diego Academic Press 1–50

    Google Scholar 

  24. LD Nooden JJ Guiamet (1996) Genetic control of senescence and aging in plants. EL Schneider JW Rowe (Eds) Handbook of the biology of aging San Diego, New York Academic Press 94–118

    Google Scholar 

  25. LD Nooden JJ Guiamet I John (1997) ArticleTitleSenescence mechanism. Physiol Plant 101 746–753 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXivFarsg%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. BF Quirino YS Noh E Himelblau RM Amasino (2000) ArticleTitleMolecular aspect of leaf senescence. Trends Plant Sci 5 278–282 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3cvgtlCgsA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10871899

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. RI Pennell C Lamb (1997) ArticleTitleProgrammed cell death in plants. Plant Cell 9 1157–1168 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXlt1Shtbo%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. N Rascio PM Colombo M Orsenigo (1980) ArticleTitleThe ultrastructural development of plastids in leaves of maize plants exposed to continuous illumination. Protoplasma 102 131–139

    Google Scholar 

  29. ES Reynolds (1963) ArticleTitleThe use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron opaque stain in electron microscopy. J Cell Biol 17 208–214 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaF3sXktVClu70%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. H Sandmann M Kuhn P Roger (1993) ArticleTitleCarotenoids in photosynthesis: Protection of D1 degradation in the light. Photosynth Res 35 185–190

    Google Scholar 

  31. V Scheumann S Schoch W Rudiger (1999) ArticleTitleChlorophyll b reduction during senescence of barley seedlings. Planta 209 364–370 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s004250050644 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXmtVGksbo%3D Occurrence Handle10502104

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. E Simeonova A Mostowska (2001) ArticleTitleBiochemical and molecular aspects of leaf senescence. Post Biol Kom 28 17–32 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXltF2nurg%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. E Simeonova A Sikora M Charzyńska A Mostowska (2000) ArticleTitleAspects of programmed cell death during leaf senescence of mono- and dicotyledonous plants. Protoplasma 214 93–101

    Google Scholar 

  34. CM Smart SE Hosken H Thomas JA Greaves BG Blair W Schuch (1995) ArticleTitleThe timing of maize leaf senescence and characterisation of senescence-related cDNAs. Physiol Plant 93 673–682 Occurrence Handle10.1034/j.1399-3054.1995.930414.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXovFCnu7s%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. . Sodmergen S Kawano S Tano T Kuroiwa (1989) ArticleTitlePreferential digestion of chloroplast nuclei (nucleoids) during senescence of coleoptile of Oryza sativa. Protoplasma 152 65–68

    Google Scholar 

  36. M Solomon B Belenghi M Delledone E Menachem A Levine (1999) ArticleTitleThe involvement of cysteine proteases inhibitor genes in the regulation of programmed cell death in plants. Plant Cell 11 431–443 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXitlehs7c%3D Occurrence Handle10072402

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. AR Spurr (1969) ArticleTitleA low-viscosity epoxy resin embedding medium for electron microscopy. J Ultrastruct Res 155 400–408

    Google Scholar 

  38. JL Stoddart H Thomas (1982) Leaf senescence. D Boulter B Parthier (Eds) Nucleic acids and proteins in plants I. Springer-Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York 592–636

    Google Scholar 

  39. Y Sun Y Zhao X Hong Z Zhai (1999) ArticleTitleCytochrome c release and caspase activation during menadione-induced apoptosis in plants. FEBS Lett 462 317–321 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXnslGktb8%3D Occurrence Handle10622718

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. N Yao Y Tada P Park H Nakayashiki Y Tosa S Mayama (2001) ArticleTitleNovel evidence for apoptotic cell response and differential signals in chromatin condensation and DNA cleavage in victorin-treated oats. Plant J 28 13–26 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-313X.2001.01109.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXosVWqsrg%3D Occurrence Handle11696183

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. CH-H Yen CH-H Yang (1998) ArticleTitleEvidence for programmed cell death during leaf senescence in plants. Plant Cell Physiol 39 922–927 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXmt1KgsbY%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. X Yu A Perdue A Jones (.) ArticleTitleMitochondrial participation in tracheary element cell death. Cell Death Differ 9 189–198

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Anatomy and Cytology, Institute of Experimental Biology of Plants, Warsaw University, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland

    Izabella Kołodziejek, Joanna Kozioł, Maria Wałęza & Agnieszka Mostowska

Authors
  1. Izabella Kołodziejek
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joanna Kozioł
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Maria Wałęza
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Agnieszka Mostowska
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Agnieszka Mostowska.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kołodziejek, I., Kozioł, J., Wałęza, M. et al. Ultrastructure of Mesophyll Cells and Pigment Content in Senescing Leaves of Maize and Barley . J Plant Growth Regul 22, 217–227 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-002-0024-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-002-0024-1

Keywords