Plant Tissue Types Research Articles

Characterization and developmental expression of single-stranded telomeric DNA-binding proteins from mung bean (Vigna radiata).

We have identified and characterized protein factors from mung bean (Vigna radiata) nuclear extracts that specifically bind the single-stranded G-rich telomeric DNA repeats. Nuclear extracts were prepared from three different types of plant tissue, radicle, hypocotyl, and root, in order to examine changes in the expression patterns of telomere-binding proteins during the development of mung bean. At least three types of specific complexes (A, B, and C) were detected by gel retardation assays with synthetic telomere and nuclear extract from radicle tissue, whereas the two major faster-migrating complexes (A and B) were formed with nuclear extracts from hypocotyl and root tissues. Gel retardation assays also revealed differences in relative amount of each complex forming activity in radicle, hypocotyl, and root nuclear extracts. These data suggest that the expression of telomere-binding proteins is developmentally regulated in plants, and that the factor involved in the formation of complex C may be required during the early stages of development. The binding factors have properties of proteins and are hence designated as mung bean G-rich telomere-binding proteins (MGBP). MGBPs bind DNA substrates with three or more single-stranded TTTAGGG repeats, while none of them show binding affinity to either double-stranded or single-stranded C-rich telomeric DNA. These proteins have a lower affinity to human telomeric sequences than to plant telomeric sequences and do not exhibit a significant binding activity to Tetrahymena telomeric sequence or mutated plant telomeric sequences, indicating that their binding activities are specific to plant telomere. Furthermore, RNase treatment of the nuclear extracts did not affect the complex formation activities. This result indicates that the single-stranded telomere-binding activities may be attributed to a simple protein but not a ribonucleoprotein. The ability of MGBPs to bind specifically the single-stranded TTTAGGG repeats may suggest their in vivo functions in the chromosome ends of plants.

Differential growth of <i>Fusarium moniliforme</i> relative to tissues from 'Silver Queen', a sweet maize

Vegetative and reproductive tissues of maize, Zea mays L., were inoculated in vitro with Fusarium moniliforme J. Sheld. to determine inherent differences among plant tissue types to support mycelia proliferation. The F. moniliforme isolate used for inoculations was tagged with gusA, a reporter gene, providing evidence that developing mycelia were from the inoculum source and excluding possibilities of an external contaminant or an internal endophytic F. moniliforme. Vegetative tissues were dissected from roots, stems, and leaves; reproductive tissues were dissected from developing male and female inflorescences and fruits. In addition, mycelial development was analyzed on nonwounded and wounded mature kernels. Fusarium moniliforme mycelial accumulation was more rapid and extensive on reproductive than on vegetative plant tissue. Fusarium moniliforme conidia inoculated on immature kernels formed a dense mycelial mat, whereas F. moniliforme conidia inoculated on mature kernels developed sparse hyphae, unles...

Actinomycete-flora associated with submersed freshwater macrophytes

Aquatic vegetation from three stream sites located within the US Department of Energy's Savannah River Site, South Carolina was sampled to determine the presence, distribution and diversity of actinomycetes on submersed macrophytes. At individual sampling sites, small pieces of submersed aquatic plants ( Sparganium americanum, Ranunculus pusillus and Microanthemum umbrosum) were clipped and placed in sterile sampling containers. In the laboratory, plant fragments were subjected to a wide array of selective measures (5 pretreatments×8 media×2 antibiotic regimes×2 temperatures) in order to obtain the greatest diversity and best isolation methods. A total of 433 actinomycete colonies was isolated, which included 32 distinct strains. The streams, plants and plant tissue types (healthy, necrotic or dead) all had an effect on the presence, distribution and diversity of the actinomycetes.

Actinomycete-flora associated with submersed freshwater macrophytes

Aquatic vegetation from three stream sites located within the US Department of Energy's Savannah River Site, South Carolina was sampled to determine the presence, distribution and diversity of actinomycetes on submersed macrophytes. At individual sampling sites, small pieces of submersed aquatic plants (Sparganium americanum, Ranunculus pusillus and Microanthemum umbrosum) were clipped and placed in sterile sampling containers. In the laboratory, plant fragments were subjected to a wide array of selective measures (5 pretreatments×8 media×2 antibiotic regimes×2 temperatures) in order to obtain the greatest diversity and best isolation methods. A total of 433 actinomycete colonies was isolated, which included 32 distinct strains. The streams, plants and plant tissue types (healthy, necrotic or dead) all had an effect on the presence, distribution and diversity of the actinomycetes.

Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy of Plant Tissues

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy was applied to three distinct types of plant tissue. Reflectance microspectroscopy of nutshells highlighted the differences between the chemistries of the inner and outer surfaces and the tissue as a whole. The outer surfaces were suberized, while the inner surfaces contained absorbances indicative of lignin or tannins or both. Transmission microspectroscopy was used to follow the changes in cell wall structure and composition of flax epidermal cells during development and showed that initial development was accompanied by suberin and lignin deposition, which was followed by polysaccharide deposition characteristic of secondary cell wall formation. These results were compared with those obtained from bamboo. Transmission microspectroscopy was also used to study the infection of potato tubers by Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The spectra suggested that both infective conditions produced cell wall degradation, whereas anaerobic infection was accompanied by extensive breakdown of starch and plasma membrane.

A typologic and morphometric study of variation in phytoliths from einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum)

Variation between phytoliths produced in the laminae, inflorescence bracts, and culms of einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.) were examined. Variation in the type of phytoliths produced and in the morphometries of the various types produced was evaluated. Morphometric data were obtained using computer-assisted image analysis. Types of phytoliths produced by various plant tissues included silica cell, large and small prickle, hair cell, trichome base, stomata, sheet element, long cell, and subepidermal cell phytoliths. Laterally dendriform subepidermal cell phytoliths were unique to inflorescence tissue. Long (100–250 μm), sinuate, alate trapezoid phytoliths were unique to lamina tissue. Tukey honestly significant difference comparisons indicated that there are some significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between the mean morphometries of silica cell phytoliths produced in the lamina tissue and those produced in the culm and inflorescence tissues. Discriminant functions based on the morphometric data obtained were effective in distinguishing between populations of silica cell phytoliths extracted from each of the plant tissue types. These results suggest that (i) when preparing reference matrial for phytolith analysis, each part of a plant should be sampled and evaluated separately, and (ii) discriminant analysis of morphometric data obtained through image analysis is a potentially valuable research tool for the further development and application of phytolith systematics. Key words: phytoliths, image analysis, Triticum monococcum.

11] Analysis of carotenoids in human and animal tissues

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the extraction of carotenoids from human and animal tissues and subsequent analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The identification and quantitation of carotenoids are routinely accomplished for many types of plant tissues using HPLC techniques, and careful examination of these methods is helpful in developing approaches to analyze human and animal tissues for carotenoids. An accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis of carotenoids present in human and animal tissues is dependent on the careful selection of extraction and analytical procedures. Strict adherence to laboratory protocol, which minimizes degradation and/or isomerization of carotenoids during both extraction and analysis procedures, should be observed to ensure accurate results. The procedures and modifications presented in the chapter provide a method by which the major carotenoids present in human and animal tissues may be accurately identified and quantified.

Petrographic and anatomical characteristics of plant material from two peat deposits of Holocene and Miocene age, Kalimantan, Indonesia

Samples from two peat-forming environments of Holocene and Miocene age in Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia, were studied petrographically using nearly identical sample preparation and microscopic methodologies. Both deposits consist of two basic types of organic material: plant organs/tissues and fine-grained matrix. There are seven predominant types of plant organs and tissues: roots possessing only primary growth, stems possessing only primary growth, leaves, stems/roots with secondary growth, secondary xylem fragments, fragments of cork cells, and macerated tissue of undetermined origin. The fine-grained matrix consists of fragments of cell walls and cell fillings, fungal remains, spores and pollen grains, and resin. Some of the matrix material does not have distinct grain boundaries (at ×500) and this material is designated amorphous matrix. The major difference between the Holocene peat and Miocene lignite in reflected light, oil immersion is a loss of red coloration in the cell walls of tissue in the lignite, presumably due to loss of cellulosic compounds. In addition, cortex and phloem tissue (hence primary roots and stems) are difficult to recognize in the lignite, probably because these large, thin-walled tissues are more susceptible to microbial degradation and compaction. Particle size in both peat and lignite samples display a bimodal distribution when measurements are transformed to a - log 2 or phi (φ), scale. Most plant parts have modes of 2–3φ (0.25 – 0.125 mm), whereas the finer-grained particulate matrix has modes of 7–9φ (0.008−0.002 mm). This similarity suggest certain degradative processes. The 2–3φ range may be a “stable” size for plant parts (regardless of origin) because this is a characteristics of a substrate which is most suitable for plant growth in peat. The finer-grained matrix material (7–9φ) probably results from fungal decay which causes plant material to weaken and with slight physical pressure to shatter into its component parts, i.e. fragments of cell walls and fillings. The absence of differences in particle size between the peat and lignite also indicate little compaction of organic components; rather an extreme loss in water content and pore space has occurred from between the particles of organic material.

Equipment for rapid homogenization of high numbers of plant tissue for electrophoretic analysis of proteins.

A homogenizing system was developed to process multiple samples of various plant tissues. The equipment consists of a motor-driven stainless steel homogenizer that fits perfectly into a hole of a disposable plate. Hard plant material like melon or squash seeds (maximal length of 1.4 cm) could be homogenized within 10 s by forcing the homogenizer towards the bottom of a 24- or 48-well tissue culture plate. Smaller seeds could be homogenized within 10 s in a similar way using a 96-well tissue culture plate. Leaf tissue, or other types of soft plant tissue, could be homogenized with the same equipment. For homogenization of small samples, e.g. pistils of small flowers, a 60-well Terasaki plate was used. For homogenization of several hundreds of leaf tissue samples, an apparatus was developed that contains 12 homogenizers driven simultaneously by an electromotor. A tissue culture plate containing 96 leaf samples could be handled in this way in less than 10 min. The performance of the equipment was evaluated by analyzing homogenates of several types of plant tissue by different electrophoretic techniques.

Pattern formation in the flowering plant embryo

Recent mutation studies in Arabidopsis suggest rules by which the primary organization of the plant body is established in the early embryo. The main types of plant tissue arise independently of pattern formation along the axis of polarity. The axis is initially partitioned into three regions. This prepattern is later refined, possibly by position-specific cell activities, as indicated by morphological features as well as the distribution of molecular markers.

Current Applications of Tissue Culture in Plant Propagation and Improvement

Plant tissue culture involves the culture of all types of plant cells, tissues and organs under aseptic conditions. This definition also extends to the culture of excised embryos and to protoplast culture. An overview of tissue culture techniques and their applications in plant propagation and genetic improvement of plants is presented. The areas under review include: (1) embyro culture, (2) meristem culture, (3) micropropagation, (4) somatic embryogenesis, (5) somaclonal variation, (6) in vitro selection, (7) anther culture and (8) protoplast culture. Problems and limitations of each of the techniques are also discussed. Examples are given of work that has been undertaken or that is currently in progress on the application of these techniques to the improvement of Queensland's subtropical horticultural industries. Key examples are: (1) embryo culture to facilitate incorporation of genes conferring disease-resistance from wild Cucurbita species into cultivated varieties, (2) meristem culture for virus elimination in strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), (3) micropropagation for rapid increase in new varieties of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and pineapple (Ananas comosus) to enable more rapid field evaluation and early release, (4) micropropagation of disease-free, genetically uniform planting material of superior female papaya (Carica papaya) selections and banana (Musa spp.) selections and (5) the use of somaclonal variation and gamma-irradiation for the genetic improvement of banana. Finally, future opportunities for the utilisation of tissue culture in plant propagation and improvement in Queensland's horticultural industries are summarised.

Plant cells contain calsequestrin

Calsequestrin is a high capacity low affinity Ca2+-binding protein thought to be essential for the function of the intracellular rapid releasable Ca2+ pool of a variety of animal cells. Here we show that two types of plant tissues, cultured Streptanthus tortuosus cells and spinach leaves, contain a form of calsequestrin. In subcellular fractions of S. tortuosus cells, Stains-all staining reveals a metachromatically blue-staining 56,000-Da protein enriched in the microsomal fraction. This protein shares several biochemical characteristics with animal calsequestrin: 1) it changes its apparent molecular weight with the pH; 2) it is able to bind 45Ca2+ on nitrocellulose transfers; and 3) it is recognized by antibodies against canine cardiac calsequestrin. Calsequestrin was also identified in spinach leaves using a direct extraction procedure that was developed for muscle calsequestrin. Thus, our results demonstrate that plant cells contain calsequestrin within a subcellular membrane fraction. These results also suggest that calsequestrin is an ubiquitous protein rather than being limited only to animal cells.

Mechanized techniques for the selective extraction of enzymes from plant epidermal glands

Many plant products are biosynthesized and accumulated in epidermal glands. For investigations on the metabolism of these compounds it is most convenient to obtain cell-free preparations enriched in gland contents. Two simple mechanized procedures have been developed for gently abrading the plant surface in order to efficiently extract glandular enzymes in high purity. These methods allow rapid processing of large quantities of plant material and yield extracts largely uncontaminated with materials from underlying tissue. The use of these procedures for isolating several enzymes of terpenoid metabolism is described. These techniques work especially well for microsomal enzymes and may be useful not only for enzymes found in epidermal glands but also for other enzymes localized in or near the epidermis. With simple modification, these procedures can be adapted for use with a variety of different types of plant tissues.

Mercury-biogeochemical exploration for mineral deposits

Biogeochemical prospecting for mercury deposits and deposits of other minerals by the chemical analysis of mercury in plants or plant tissue that accumulate this element in linear (or near linear) proportion to the concentration in the soil is an effective method of exploration, even where allochthonous material as much as 200 to 2000 m thick covers the deposits. Plant tissues with this tendency to accumulate mercury (designated as non-barrier to mercury) comprise only a small fraction of the total of 255 types of plant tissues that were tested. Ten of these were considered to be quantitatively informative, and their mercury concentrations exceeded background values 300 or more times. The remaining types of plant tissues ranged in prospecting value from semi-quantitatively informative to qualitatively informative to uniformative (mercury values at or below background). The failure of some earlier uses of this prospecting method is attributed to the use of inappropriate plant tissues, to the mercury in the particular substrate studied existing in a form of low mobility and availability to plants, or to both causes.

Determination of molybdenum in plant tissue by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS)

Abstract The analysis of molybdenum in plant tissue using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS) is described. The method involved wet digestion using a mixture of sulphuric, nitric and perchloric acids followed by a solvent extraction procedure. Molybdenum was extracted into di‐iso butyl ketone (DIBK) as the iron‐thiocyanate complex. The extract was then analysed for molybdenum by GFAAS. The results of analyses of the reference plant materials (orchard leaves and citrus leaves) of the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) compared very well with the certified values. Other types of plant tissue were also analysed and the results correlated well with those obtained by an alternative method.

Carbohydrate sources in a coastal marine environment

Individual neutral sugars in sediments, sediment trap materials and major biological sources of a coastal marine environment (Dabob Bay, Washington State) were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography of equilibrated isomeric mixtures. Plankton, bacteria, and vascular plant tissues of different types yielded reproducible and biochemically consistent compositional patterns. These patterns, when expressed in simple parameters, allowed distinctions between marine and terrestrial carbohydrate sources as well as among the major different types of vascular plant tissues. Plankton and bacteria, due to their compositional diversity, were not further distinguishable by carbohydrate compositions alone. Carbohydrate compositions of Dabob Bay sediments and sediment trap materials, interpreted using source-indicator parameters, indicate a predominantly marine origin with increased relative input of terrestrially-derived carbohydrates in winter periods of low phytoplankton productivity. Both plankton and grasses are indicated as major carbohydrate sources during spring. Glucose yield enhancement factors, determined by comparative acid pretreatments, confirm the general predominance of α-cellulose-poor marine polysaccharides and increased levels of α-cellulose-rich vascular plant remains in winter sediment trap samples.

An electron microscope study of wheat straw composted as a substrate for the cultivation of the edible mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)

The degradation of wheat straw, during composting, to produce the growth substrate for the edible mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), and subsequent colonisation by the fungal hyphae, was studied by electron microscopy which revealed an ecological succession of micro‐organisms, initially dominated by a largely bacterial flora with few fungi. Later in the composting process actinomycetes were dominant. The initial rise in numbers of vegetative bacterial cells was followed by a steady decline and the appearance of spore forms. Several modes of microbial attack were observed. The most rapid degradation occurred initially on the cuticle and in the phloem and spread to a general degradation of all the plant tissue types present. Microbial attachment on the plant cell walls was non‐uniform. As a result of these processes many of the plant fibres became separated but the final material still retained considerable structural integrity. Agaricus bisporus mycelium rapidly covered the surface of the straw but colonised the internal straw tissues more slowly. Surface‐growing hyphal cells were encrusted with needle‐like crystals presumed to be calcium oxalate.

The determination of fluoride in sugar cane by using an ion-selective electrode

A method is described for the determination of fluoride in sugar cane in which a fluoride ion selective electrode is used. Three methods for removing the interferences of silicon, aluminium and iron, which occur in high concentrations in sugar cane, were evaluated in detail: (1) direct complexation of the interfering elements with phosphoric acid; (2) separation of fluoride from the interfering elements by a microdiffusion technique; and (3) separation of fluoride from the bulk of the interfering elements by leaching from a sodium carbonate-zinc oxide fusion, followed by complexing residual trace elements with citrate.The proposed method involves an adaptation of method (3) and yielded good accuracy and precision over a wide concentration range of fluoride (5 to 1000 p.p.m.) added to sugar-cane tissue. The method permits the analysis of six samples per working day per operator and can be applied to other types of plant tissues with which silicon, aluminium and iron cause interference.

Natural Resistance of Wood to Microbial Deterioration

(48). In herbaceous plants, it usually is a post-mortem or post­ harvest problem that has inspired comparatively little interest among general plant pathologists. In forest pathology, however, tissue disinte­ gration is a primary mode of pathogenesis. The perennial habit of tree growth and man's use of wood, where many years or even decades of service are expected from the product, have made the resistance of wood to microbial deterioration of primary importance. The lignocellulosic substance of wood cells is more resistant to degradation by microorganisms than most other types of plant tissue. Thus, the factors responsible for this resistance have an important place in the phytopathologica l literature. In recent years much interest has developed in the role of toxic phenols in

Production of Carbonyl Compounds by Tomato Fruit Tissue in the Presence of Aliphatic Alcohols

IT is well established that, in the absence of oxygen, many types of plant tissue produce ethanol. Under normal conditions, ethanol, other alcohols and various aldehydes are produced in small amounts by ripening fruits and other plant organs1–3. The question whether ethanol is metabolized by plant tissues has, on the other hand, been a source of controversy. In recent years Phillips4, working with barley seedlings, Wager5 with peas and Lowe and James6 with mature carrot disks have found no evidence for appreciable utilization of ethanol. However, Cossins and Turner7–9 showed that ethanol was consumed by the tissue in germinating peas and was converted initially to acetaldehyde and acetone, followed by the production of organic acids and amino-acids. Homogenates of a variety of germinating seeds were shown10, by redox indicator, to have alcohol dehydrogenase activity when the normal C2−, C3− and C4− aliphatic alcohols were added as substrates. Less activity was evident in the presence of the normal C1− or C5−, secondary C3− or iso-C4−, and tertiary C4− or C5− alcohols. Recently, Cossins and Beevers11 showed that carrot disks, corn and pea shoots, potato disks and castor bean endosperm rapidly metabolized carbon-14-labelled ethanol, while apple tissue consumed it very slowly. Their results suggested that acetyl coenzyme-A was derived from ethanol and converted to lipids, amino-acids, organic acids and sugars by known pathways.