Abstract
The development of the structural polarity of statocytes from cress roots (Lepidium sativum L.) was studied in a time- and stage-dependent manner. Outgrowing radicles had statocytes with abundant lipid droplets, sparsely developed endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and nuclei located at the proximal cell poles. During differentiation, coincidentally the lipid droplets disappeared, while rough ER increased in length. The ER was translocated into the distal cell pole to establish a complex of stacked ER. Microtubules occurred first at the distal cell edges. As a second step, ER was produced in the vicinity of the nucleus and was also translocated distally. By application of the antimicrotubular agents heavy water (90%), colchicine (10-4 mol·l-1) and triethyl lead chloride (20 μmol·l-1), the involvement of microtubules in these events was studied. Triethyl lead chloride led to a complete cessation of differentiation; root-cap cells remained at a stage without polar arrangement of the ER. Colchicine affected the development of structural polarity slightly, as shown by a higher density of cortical ER cisternae. Heavy water inhibited the translocation of ER almost completely and yielded ER located also in the cell center. All anti-microtubular agents inhibited cell division and the differentiation of the distal cell layer of the dermatocalyptrogen into statocytes. It is hypothesized that microtubules serve as anchoring sites for microfilaments, which actually mediate the translocation of the ER. Hence, an intact system of microtubules and microfilaments is necessary for the expression of structural polarity.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- DC:
-
dermatocalyptrogen
- ER:
-
endoplasmic reticulum
- M:
-
meristem cell layer
- MT:
-
microtubule
- pI:
-
prospective story I
- TrEl:
-
triethyl lead chloride
References
Bergfeld, R., Hong, Y.-N., Kühnl, T., Schopfer, P. (1978) Formation of oleosomes (storage lipid bodies) during embryogenesis and their breakdown during seedling development in cotyledons of Sinapis alba L. Planta 143, 297–307
Burgess, J., Northcote, D.H. (1969) Action of colchicine and heavy water on the polymerization of microtubules in wheat root meristem. J. Cell Sci. 5, 433–451
Clayton, L., Lloyd, C.W. (1985) Actin organization during the cell cycle in meristematic plant cells. Exp. Cell Res. 156, 231–238
Derksen, J., Traas, J.A., Oostendorp, T. (1986) Distribution of actin filaments in differentiating cells of Equisetum hyemale roots. Plant Sci. 43, 77–81
Friedrich, U., Sievers, A. (1985) Ontogeny of cell polarity in root statocytes of Lepidium sativum L. in the developing embryo and during germination. Eur. J. Cell Biol. 36 (Suppl. 7), 18
Hardham, A.R., Gunning, B.E.S. (1978) Structure of cortical microtubule arrays in plant cells. J. Cell Biol. 77, 14–34
Hensel, W. (1984a) Microtubules from roots of cress (Lepidium sativum L.). Protoplasma 119, 121–134
Hensel, W. (1984b) A role of microtubules in the polarity of statocytes from roots of Lepidium sativum L. Planta 162, 404–414
Hensel, W. (1985) Cytochalasin B affects the structural polarity of statocytes from cress roots (Lepidium sativum L.) Protoplasma 129, 178–187
Hensel, W. (1986) Demonstration of microfilaments in statocytes of cress roots. Naturwissenschaften 73, 510–511
Howard, R.J., Aist, J.R. (1977) Effects of MBC on hyphal tip organization, growth, and mitosis of Fusarium acuminatum, and their antogonism by D2O. Protoplasma 92, 195–210
Meindl, U. (1985) Aberrant nuclear migration and microtubule arrangement in a defect mutant cell of Micrasterias thomasiana. Protoplasma 126, 74–90
Mollenhauer, H.H., Totten, C. (1971) Studies on seeds. II. Origin and degradation of lipid vesicles in pea and bean cotyledons. J. Cell Biol. 48, 395–405
Neuhaus-Url, G., Kiermayer, O. (1982) Observations of microtubules and microtubule-microfilament associations in osmotically treated cells of Micrasterias denticulata Breb. Eur. J. Cell Biol. 27, 206–212
Röderer, G. (1979) Hemmung der Cytokinese und Bildung von Riesenzellen bei Poterioochromonas malhamensis durch organische Bleiverbindungen und andere Agenzien. Protoplasma 99, 39–51
Sargent, J.A., Osborne, D.J. (1980) A comparative study of the fine structure of coleorhiza and root cells during the early hours of germination of rye embryos. Protoplasma 104, 91–103
Schmiedel, G., Schnepf, E. (1980) Polarity and growth of caulonema tip cells of the moss Funaria hygrometrica. Planta 147, 405–413
Schnepf, E., Deichgräber, G., Ljubesic, N. (1976) The effects of colchicine, ethionine, and deuterium oxide on microtubules in young Sphagnum leaflets. A quantitative study. Cytobiologie 13, 341–353
Schnepf, E., Hrdina, B., Lehne, A. (1982) Spore germination, development of the microtubule system and protonema cell morphogenesis in the moss, Funaria hygrometrica: Effects of inhibitors and of growth substances. Biochem. Physiol. Pflanz. 177, 461–482
Schnepf, E., von Traitteur, R. (1973) Über die traumatotaktische Bewegung der Zellkerne in Tradescantia-Blättern. Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 69, 181–184
Vigil, E.L., Steere, R.L., Wergin, W.P., Christiansen, M.N. (1985) Structure of plasma membrane in radicles from cotton seeds. Protoplasma 129, 168–177
Volkmann, D., Sievers, A. (1975) Wirkung der Inversion auf die Anordnung des Endoplasmatischen Reticulums und die Polarität von Statocyten in Wurzeln von Lepidium sativum. Planta 127, 11–19
Wanner, G., Formanek, H., Theimer, R.R. (1981) The ontogeny of lipid bodies (spherosomes) in plant cells. Planta 151, 109–123
Wanner, G., Theimer, R.R. (1978) Membranous appendices of spherosomes (oleosomes). Possible role in fat utilization in germinating oil seeds. Planta 140, 163–169
Wendt, M., Sievers, A. (1986) Restitution of polarity in statocytes from centrifuged roots. Plant Cell Environ. 9, 17–23
Zimmermann, H.-P., Doenges, K.H., Röderer, G. (1985) Interaction of triethyl lead chloride with microtubules in vitro and in mammalian cells. Exp. Cell Res. 156, 140–152
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hensel, W. Cytodifferentiation of polar plant cells Use of anti-microtubular agents during the differentiation of statocytes from cress roots (Lepidium sativum L.). Planta 169, 293–303 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392123
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392123