Autophagy development as an adaptive response to microgravity conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract

Aim. The main aim of the study was to analyze the effect of microgravity on the growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings at different time intervals of cultivation (4–10 days) and to investigate the development of autophagy induced by the conditions of microgravity in seedlings root cells. Methods. Microscopic methods as well as in vitro propagation method were used. To simulate of microgravity conditions plants were placed in clinostat machine. Results. In the course of experiments, the peaks of the formation of autophagosome were recorded: in the cells of the root cap zone of at 9th day and in the cells of the root zone extension on the 10th day of clinical establishment. Conclusions. It can be concluded that microgravity is capable to induce the development of autophagy in the roots of A. thaliana seedlings. Cells with signs of autophagy were revealed on the 9th and 10th day of cultivation of seedlings under microgravity conditions. Keywords: Arabidopsis thaliana, autophagy, microgravity.