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Ultrastructure analysis of cadmium-tolerant and -sensitive cell lines of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

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Abstract

Previously, a stable cell suspension culture of cucumber tolerant to cadmium (Cd) was established (Gzyl and Gwóźdź, Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 80:59–67, 2005). In this study, ultrastructures of Cd-tolerant and -sensitive cells were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ultrastructural differences between cell lines exposed to 100 μM CdCl2 were observed both at cellular and organelle levels. Tolerant cells exposed to Cd exhibited well-preserved cellular structures in comparison with sensitive cells. Increased numbers of osmiophilic globules in the cytoplasm and nucleolus-associated bodies as well as electron dense material in vacuoles were observed in cadmium tolerant cells. In contrast, ultrastructure of sensitive cells following exposure to Cd exhibited distinct disturbances including vacuolation, disintegration of cytoplasm, and structural changes in both mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. TEM observations confirmed the adaptation of tolerant cells to Cd.

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Abbreviations

NAB:

Nucleolus-associated body

TEM:

Transmission electron microscopy

TTC:

Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride

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Acknowledgement

This research was supported by grant no. 6PO4C 091 12 from the State Committee for Scientific Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Ecophysiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznań, Poland

    Jarosław Gzyl, Roman Przymusiński & Edward A. Gwóźdź

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  1. Jarosław Gzyl
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  2. Roman Przymusiński
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  3. Edward A. Gwóźdź
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Correspondence to Jarosław Gzyl.

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Gzyl, J., Przymusiński, R. & Gwóźdź, E.A. Ultrastructure analysis of cadmium-tolerant and -sensitive cell lines of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 99, 227–232 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-009-9583-1

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