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Development of flange and reticulate wall ingrowths in maize (Zea mays L.) endosperm transfer cells

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Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) endosperm transfer cells are essential for kernel growth and development so they have a significant impact on grain yield. Although structural and ultrastructural studies have been published, little is known about the development of these cells, and prior to this study, there was a general consensus that they contain only flange ingrowths. We characterized the development of maize endosperm transfer cells by bright field microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The most basal endosperm transfer cells (MBETC) have flange and reticulate ingrowths, whereas inner transfer cells only have flange ingrowths. Reticulate and flange ingrowths are mostly formed in different locations of the MBETC as early as 5 days after pollination, and they are distinguishable from each other at all stages of development. Ingrowth structure and ultrastructure and cellulose microfibril compaction and orientation patterns are discussed during transfer cell development. This study provides important insights into how both types of ingrowths are formed in maize endosperm transfer cells.

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Abbreviations

MBETC:

Most basal endosperm transfer cells

CLSM:

Confocal laser scanning microscopy

DAP:

Days after pollination

GDD:

Growing degree days

OPW:

Outer periclinal wall

TEM:

Transmission electron microscopy

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by the Instituto de Biotecnologia e Bioengenharia - Centro de Biotecnologia dos Açores, by Grant BIIC M3.1.6/F/038/2009 from Direcção Regional de Ciência e Tecnologia, and by Grant SFRH/BD/8122/2002 from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. The authors thank Richard M. Twyman and Alan G Smith for critical review of the article and to Fabíola S. Gil for her technical input.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Biotecnologia e Bioengenharia—Centro de Biotecnologia dos Açores, Universidade dos Açores, 9701-851, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal

    Paulo Monjardino, Sara Rocha, Ana C. Tavares & Artur da Câmara Machado

  2. IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4150-180, Porto, Portugal

    Rui Fernandes, Paula Sampaio & Roberto Salema

  3. Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4150-180, Porto, Portugal

    Roberto Salema

Authors
  1. Paulo Monjardino
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  2. Sara Rocha
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  3. Ana C. Tavares
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  4. Rui Fernandes
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  5. Paula Sampaio
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  6. Roberto Salema
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  7. Artur da Câmara Machado
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Correspondence to Paulo Monjardino.

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Handling Editor: David McCurdy

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Monjardino, P., Rocha, S., Tavares, A.C. et al. Development of flange and reticulate wall ingrowths in maize (Zea mays L.) endosperm transfer cells. Protoplasma 250, 495–503 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-012-0432-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-012-0432-4

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