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Effects of hexavalent chromium on microtubule organization, ER distribution and callose deposition in root tip cells of Allium cepa L.

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Abstract

The subcellular targets of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] were examined in Allium cepa root tips with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Cr(VI) exerted dose- and time-dependent negative effects on root growth rate, the mitotic index and microtubule (MT) organization during cell division cycle. Interphase MTs were more resistant than the mitotic ones, but when affected they were shorter, sparse and disoriented. The preprophase band of MTs became poorly organized, branched or with fragmented MTs, whilst neither a perinuclear array nor a prophase spindle was formed. Metaphase spindles converged to eccentric mini poles or consisted of dissimilar halves and were unable to correctly orient the chromosomes. Anaphase spindles were less disturbed, but chromatids failed to separate; neither did they move to the poles. At telophase, projecting, lagging or bridging chromosomes and micronuclei also occurred. Phragmoplasts were unilaterally developed, split, located at unexpected sites and frequently dissociated from the branched and misaligned cell plates. Chromosomal aberrations were directly correlated with MT disturbance. The morphology and distribution of endoplasmic reticulum was severely perturbed and presumably contributed to MT disassembly. Heavy callose apposition was also induced by Cr(VI), maybe in the context of a cellular defence reaction. Results indicate that MTs are one of the main subcellular targets of Cr(VI), MT impairment underlies chromosomal and mitotic aberrations, and MTs may constitute a reliable biomonitoring system for Cr(VI) toxicity in plants.

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Abbreviations

CLSM:

Confocal laser scanning microscope

Cr:

Chromium

Cr(III):

Trivalent chromium

Cr(VI):

Hexavalent chromium

ER:

Endoplasmic reticulum

MT:

Microtubule

PPB:

Preprophase band

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr. Anastasia Tsingotjidou, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, for generously providing access to the Nikon D-Eclipse C1 CLSM. We also thank Prof. Peter Hepler, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA, for critically reading the text and valuable suggestions.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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  1. Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Eleftherios P. Eleftheriou, Ioannis-Dimosthenis S. Adamakis & Pelagia Melissa

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  1. Eleftherios P. Eleftheriou
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Eleftheriou, E.P., Adamakis, ID.S. & Melissa, P. Effects of hexavalent chromium on microtubule organization, ER distribution and callose deposition in root tip cells of Allium cepa L.. Protoplasma 249, 401–416 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-011-0292-3

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