Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nuclear morphology and DNA content in the glandular trichomes of peppermint (Mentha×piperita L.)

  • Published:
Protoplasma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Morphometry, microfluorimetry and electron microscopy were used to investigate the size, ploidy level, and morphology of the nucleus of the individual cells forming the peltate and capitate glandular trichomes inMentha×piperita L. Nuclear hypertrophy was observed in the secretory cells of both kinds of trichomes. This could be explained by polyploidization and by variations in chromatin structure which may be related to increased transcriptional activity.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

DAPI:

4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole

CV:

coefficients of variation

References

  • Amelunxen F (1964) Elektronmikroskopische Untersuchungen an den Drüsenhaaren vonMentha piperita L. Planta Med 12: 124–139

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1965) Elektronmikroskopische Untersuchungen an den Drüsenschuppen vonMentha piperita L. Planta Med 13: 457–473

    Google Scholar 

  • Baluska F (1990) Nuclear size, DNA content, and chromatin condensation are different in individual tissues of the maize root apex. Protoplasma 158: 45–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Balestrini R, Berta G, Bonfante P (1992) The plant nucleus in mycorrhizal roots: positional and structural modifications. Biol Cell 75: 235–243

    Google Scholar 

  • Bassi P (1990) Quantitative DNA variation during plant development: a critical analysis. Biol Rev 65: 185–225

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergonioux C, Perenes C, Brown SC, Sarda C, Gadal P (1988) Relation between protoplast division, cell-cycle stage and nuclear chromatin structure. Protoplasma 142: 127–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Berta G, Sgorbati S, Soler V, Fusconi A, Trotta A, Citterio A, Bottone MG, Sparvoli E, Scannerini S (1990) Variations in chromatin structure in host nuclei of a vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza. New Phytol 114: 199–205

    Google Scholar 

  • — —, Giaccone P, Gianinazzi-Pearson V (1992) Nuclear morphology and ploidy level in infected and uninfected hair root cells ofCalluna vulgaris andVaccinium myrtillus mycorrhizae. Protoplasma 170: 160–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavallini A, Natali L (1991) Intraspecific variation of nuclear DNA content in plant species. Caryologia 44: 93–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Corsi G, Corsi R (1988) Nuclear structure and DNA content in glandular hairs ofSalvia officinalis L. Hereditas 109: 83–87

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Pagni AM (1991) The glandular hairs ofValeriana officinalis subsp.collina. II: Feulgen cytophotometric determination of the DNA content. Ann Sci Nat Bot 11: 89–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Croteau R (1987) Biosynthesis and catabolism of monoterpenoids. Chem Rev 87: 929–954

    Google Scholar 

  • D'Amato F (1989) Polyploidy in cell differentiation. Caryologia 42: 183–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Deltour R, Mosen H (1987) Proposal for the macromolecular organization of higher plant nucleolonema. Biol Cell 60: 75–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Derenzini M, Pession-Brizzi A, Betts-Eusebi C, Novello F (1981) Relationship between the fine structural organization of chromatin and nucleic acid synthesis in regenerating rat hepatocytes. J Ultrastruct Res 75: 229–242

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fahn A (1979) Secretory tissues in plants. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Gershenzon J, Maffei M, Croteau R (1989) Biochemical and histochemical localisation of monoterpene biosynthesis in the glandular trichomes of spearmint. Plant Physiol 89: 1351–1357

    Google Scholar 

  • Guttenberger VH (1990) DNA content of the glandular hairs ofZebrina pendula. Beitr Biol Pflanzen 65: 205–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Havelange A, Jeanny JC (1984) Changes in density of chromatin in the meristematic cells ofSinapis alba during transition to flowering. Protoplasma 122: 222–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan EG, Timmis JN, Trewavas AJ (1980) The plant nucleus. In: Tolbert NE (ed) The biochemistry of plants, vol 1, the plant cell. Academic Press, New York, pp 490–579

    Google Scholar 

  • Koleva ST, Marinova ET, Dimitrov BD, Tourishcheva MS (1989) Investigation of histone proteins in plant nuclei possessing different ultrastuctural organization. Protoplasma 150: 96–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Landré P (1976) Evolution of nuclear DNA content in secretory trichome cells ofSolanum nigrum L. during their formation. Caryologia 29: 235–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Maffei M, Chialva F, Sacco T (1989) Glandular trichomes and essential oils in developing peppermint leaves. New Phytol 111: 707–716

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazzini G, Giordano P, Riccardi A, Montecucco CM (1983) A flow cytometric study of the propidium iodide staining kinetics of human leukocytes and its relationships with chromatin structure. Cytometry 3: 443–448

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCaskill D, Gershenzon J, Croteau R (1992) Morphology and monoterpene biosynthetic capabilities of secretory cell clusters isolated from glandular trichomes of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.). Planta 187: 445–454

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagl W (1978) Condensed interphase chromatin in plant and animal cell nuclei: fundamental differences. In: Nagl W, Hemleben V, Ehrendorfer F (eds) Chromatin: organization, evolution, function. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 247–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagl W (1985) Chromatin organization and control of gene activity. Int Rev Cytol 94: 21–56

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nagl W, Cabirol H, Lahr C, Grenlach H, Ohliger HM (1983) Nuclear ultrastructure: morphometry of nuclei from various tissues ofCucurbita, Melandrium, Phaseolus, Tradescantia andVicia. Protoplasma 115: 59–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Nougarède A, Rembour J (1985) Le point vegetatif en tant que modèle pour l'étude du cycle cellulaire et de ses points de contrôle. Bull Soc Bot Fr 132: 9–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Rembour J, Nougarède A (1987) Microspectrophotometric measurements of DNA by automated computerized scanning in cycling cells of theChrysanthemum segetum shoot apex. Protoplasma 136: 183–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Schnepf E (1974) Gland cells. In: Robards AW (ed) Dynamic aspects of plant ultrastructure. McGraw-Hill, London, pp 331–357

    Google Scholar 

  • Sgorbati S, Levi M, Sparvoli E, Trezzi F, Lucchini G (1986) Cytometry and flow cytometry of 4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)-stained suspensions of nuclei released from fresh and fixed tissues of plants. Physiol Plant 68: 471–476

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Berta G, Trotta A, Schellenbaum L, Citterio A, Dela Pierre M, Gianinazzi-Pearson V, Scannerini S (1993) Chromatin structure variations in successful and unsuccessful arbuscular mycorrhizas of pea. Protoplasma 175: 1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Spurr AR (1969) A low viscosity epoxy resin embedding medium for electron microscopy. J Ultrastruct Res 26: 31–43

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale dell'Università, Viale Mattioli 25, I-10125, Torino, Italy

    Graziella Berta, M. Dela Pierre & M. Maffei

Authors
  1. Graziella Berta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Dela Pierre
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Maffei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Berta, G., Dela Pierre, M. & Maffei, M. Nuclear morphology and DNA content in the glandular trichomes of peppermint (Mentha×piperita L.). Protoplasma 175, 85–92 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01385005

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01385005

Keywords

Search

Navigation