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At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Sucrose preculture to simplify cryopreservation of banana meristem cultures.

A simple cryopreservation method is described for proliferating meristem cultures of banana (Musa spp.). It relies on a 2-week preculture on media containing 0.4 M sucrose followed by rapid cooling in liquid nitrogen. Different preculture media were screened for efficient protection of banana meristems against cryopreservation. Sucrose can be replaced by both fructose and glucose without significantly affecting post-thaw survival rates. A high BA concentration (0.1 mM) in the preculture medium results in less material available for cryopreservation, but does not affect cryoprotection. Culture in liquid media significantly improved post-thaw regeneration. The optimized cryopreservation protocol was applied on 36 banana accessions belonging to 8 different genomic groups. It is shown that post-thaw regeneration frequencies (ranging between 0 and 66 percent) are highly dependent on the genomic constitution of the banana cultivar.

Cryopreservation↗

Potato MADS-box gene POTM1-1 transcripts are temporally and spatially distributed in floral organs and vegetative meristems.

The POTM1-1 gene is abundantly expressed in both vegetative and reproductive organs of potato. We performed in situ hybridization and RNA blotting analysis to investigate the patterns of POTM1-1 gene expression in the flower development and the early tuber development. In the early flowers, POTM1-1 transcripts were accumulated abundantly in the developing reproductive organs, including the placentae of carpels and the pollen sacs of stamens. In contrast, the pattern of POTM1-1 distribution during late flower development was different from that of the early flower development. The POTM1-1 transcripts were abundant in the sepals and petals of late flowers, but were minimally expressed in the stamens and carpel. In the shoot apical meristem of the vegetative organs, transcripts were distributed throughout meristem domes, young leaves, and developing vascular cambium. In the early tuberization, the transcripts were widely distributed in the swollen tips of the stolons. Taken together, the results suggest that POTM1-1 gene expression is temporally and spatially regulated in active growing tissues of both vegetative and floral organs with specific distribution patterns dependent upon the developmental stages of the tissue.

Flowers↗

[The effect of cadmium on shoot apical meristems of barley].

We studied the effects of cadmium acetate at various concentrations (200 to 800 mg/kg substrate) on growth and development of shoot apical meristem of the barley plants (Hordeum vulgare L.) under the conditions of vegetative experiment. It was shown that in the presence of increasing cadmium concentrations in the soil substrate, the apex length and number of inflorescence elements decreased and the rate of organogenesis slowed down, thus affecting the spike potential productivity and morphological parameters of barley plants at the flowering phase. It is possible that the negative effect of cadmium on the shoot apical meristem is associated with its influence on division of the apex cells.

Acetates↗

Extract from maturing antheridia of Chara induces increased condensation of mitotic chromosomes in root meristem cells.

Serving as the incubation medium for root meristems of Allium cepa and Melandrium noctiflorum, crude extracts obtained from maturing male sex organs of Chara tomentosa induce: (1) increased condensation (with both shortening and thickening) of prophase, metaphase and anaphase chromosomes, (2) disarrangement of metaphase plates and aberrant segregation of chromosomes during anaphase, and (3) abnormal decondensation of chromosomes at telophase. Numerous resemblances that exist between the natural processes occurring in male sex organs of Chara and root meristem cells from antheridial extract-treated seedlings suggest the existence of a diffusible condensation-promoting factor, responsible for the reorganization of chromatin.

Cell Count↗

Modular construction of the protoderm and peripheral root cap in the "open" root apical meristem of Trifolium repens cv. Ladino.

Roots with open apical organization are defined by not having specific tiers of initial cells in the root apical meristem; those with closed apical organization have specific initial tiers to which all cell files can be traced. An example of the clear organization of closed roots is the development protocol of the root cap and protoderm. The key event in differentiating these tissues is the T-division, a periclinal division of the root cap/protoderm (RCP) initial that establishes a module. Each module comprises two packets, the protoderm and peripheral root cap. Consecutive T-divisions of the same RCP initial produce up to five modules on average in a lineage of cells in white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Ladino), with all lineages around the circumference of the root dividing in "waves" to form one module prior to the next. On average, clover has approximately 32 axial protoderm and peripheral root cap cells in each module, and 32 RCP lineages. The occurrence of RCP T-divisions in white clover, a root with open apical organization, and the subsequent modular construction of the root cap and protoderm, provides a link between open and closed roots and suggests a common developmental feature that most roots of seed plants may share independent of their root meristem organization type. The open apical organization of the white clover root varies from roots with closed apical organization in that the RCP initials occur in staggered positions instead of connected to discrete tiers, and the peripheral root cap and columella daughter cells form additional layers of cells. White clover also forms root hairs on all protoderm cells irrespective of their position relative to the underlying cortical cells.

Cell Division↗

Development of an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method for pear (Pyrus communis L.) with leaf-section and axillary shoot-meristem explants.

We have developed a new Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method for the low-frequency-regenerating pear (Pyrus communis L.) cvs. Silver bell and La France. Leaf sections derived from in vitro shoots were initially used for the transformation procedure. Under optimum transformation conditions, which included culture and selection on 30 mg/l kanamycin (Km) combined with 500 mg/l sulbenicillin, a 3.2% transformation efficiency was obtained for cv. Silver bell, but no transformants of La France were obtained because of the very low regeneration frequency. Axillary shoot meristems were then examined as potential explants for La France. Selection in 5 mg/l Km and 375 mg/l carbenicillin resulted in transformed shoots being produced at an efficiency of 4.8%, and the apparent white Km-sensitive shoots were not formed during a 2-year subculture on micropropagation medium containing 50 mg/l Km. Therefore, transformations using axillary shoot meristems may be an alternative method for pear cultivars recalcitrant to regeneration from leaf sections.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

New Evidence for the Role of Mechanical Forces in the Shoot Apical Meristem.

The mechanism for initiation of lateral organs in the shoot apical meristem is still unknown. In this article we investigate one critical component of a buckling mechanism of organ initiation (that is, the presence and distribution of compressive stresses in the meristem). Direct evidence for compression in the sunflower capitulum was obtained from the gaping pattern of shallow cuts and the propagation of fractures. Cuts gaped widely in the central region of the capitulum but remained closed, or nearly so, in the generative and differentiation regions, suggesting the presence of circumferential compression at these locations. Fractures were initiated in the generative region and propagated circumferentially over most of their length. They did not cross the generative region perpendicularly, suggesting again the presence of compressive stresses in the circumferential direction. This conclusion was confirmed by the stress distribution computed from the geometry of the capitulum at three stages of development. One interpretation of these results is that the generative region corresponds to a zone of compression that could control the initiation of new primordia by means of buckling of the tunica layer.

Journal Article↗

The rates of deceleration of nuclear and organellar DNA syntheses differ in the progenitor cells of the apical meristems during carrot somatic embryogenesis.

The synthesis of DNA in nuclei and organellar nucleoids at the various stages of somatic embryogenesis in carrot (Daucus carota L. cv. Kurodagosun) was analyzed using anti-5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunofluorescence microscopy. The active syntheses of both nuclear and organellar DNA started in the cells forming the embryo proper 3 d after the initiation of embryogenesis, but not in cells forming suspensor-like cell aggregates. In the early globular embryo, active DNA syntheses were continuously observed in the whole embryo proper, except for the progenitor cells of the root apical meristem (RAM) and shoot apical meristem (SAM). These were recognized as slowly cycling cells with a non-BrdU-labelled nucleus and strongly BrdU-labelled organellar nucleoids. At the heart- and torpedo-shaped embryo stages, both nuclear and organellar DNA syntheses were inactive in the presumptive RAM and SAM. Thus, slowing down of organellar DNA synthesis is not coupled with, but is later than, that of nuclear DNA synthesis in the progenitor cells of the embryonic RAM and SAM. These findings clearly indicate that the timing of DNA synthesis is similar in the progenitor cells of both the RAM and SAM in the early stages of somatic embryogenesis.

Cell Nucleus↗

Cytogenetic effects of the food preservatives--sodium benzoate and sodium sulphite on Vicia faba root meristems.

Sodium sulphite and sodium benzoate induce in Vicia faba root meristems: (1) dose-dependent reduction in mitotic figures, (2) intact and severed anaphase bridges, (3) premature chromosome condensation heading to pycnotic nuclei, and (4) chromatin erosion in interphase nuclei. The effects are due to the anions and not due to the sodium ions. Complete recovery of mitotic figures and normal chromosome configurations were observed within the first 23-46 h of regrowth. Recovery was accompanied by severed anaphase bridges and micronuclei of various shapes. Both benzoate and sulphite inhibit DNA synthesis in Vicia faba root meristems. Sulphite was more effective than benzoate.

Benzoates↗

Stem cell regulation in the Arabidopsis shoot apical meristem.

The aerial structure of higher plants is generated dynamically throughout the life cycle through the activity of stem cells that are located at the growing shoot tip, the apical meristem. The stem cells continuously divide to renew themselves and provide cells for leaf, stem and flower formation. Stem cell maintenance is governed by intercellular communication between the apical stem cells and the underlying organizing centre. Recent advances have been made in understanding the mechanisms that induce shoot stem cell identity, and that control the position and size of the organizing centre. Elements such as chromatin remodeling factors, transcription factors and microRNAs are newly implicated in these regulatory processes. These advances provide a framework for our understanding of how signals are integrated to specify and position the stem cell niche in the shoot apical meristem.

Arabidopsis↗

The CLAVATA1 gene encodes a putative receptor kinase that controls shoot and floral meristem size in Arabidopsis.

The shoot apical meristem is responsible for above-ground organ initiation in higher plants, accomplishing continuous organogenesis by maintaining a pool of undifferentiated cells and directing descendant cells toward organ formation. Normally, proliferation and differentiation are balanced, so that the structure and size of the shoot meristem is maintained. However, Arabidopsis plants homozygous for mutations at the CLAVATA1 (CLV1) locus accumulate excess undifferentiated cells. We describe the molecular cloning and expression pattern of the CLV1 gene. It encodes a putative receptor kinase, suggesting a role in signal transduction. The extracellular domain is composed of 21 tandem leucine-rich repeats that resemble leucine-rich repeats found in animal hormone receptors. We provide evidence that CLV1 expression in the inflorescence is specifically associated with meristematic activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A comparison of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced chromatid aberrations and micronuclei in barley meristems using FISH techniques.

Chromatid aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) in combination with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using telomere- and centromere-specific probes were studied to compare the cytogenetic effects of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) on root tip meristem cells of barley (Hordeum vulgare). A similar dose-dependent increase was observed for CA and MN. The frequency of MN with telomere and/or centromere-specific signals corresponded well with the expectation derived from the frequency of the different types of aberrations. Thus, the micronucleus test offers an easy and fast assay to measure chromosome damage and clastogenic adaptation in barley meristems. Combined with FISH it is also possible to elucidate the origin of MN and to discriminate between aneugenic and clastogenic effects.

Chromatids↗

Study of external low irradiation dose effects on induction of chromosome aberrations in Pisum sativum root tip meristem.

The effects of low doses of ionizing radiation have been a matter of important debate over the last few years. The point of discussion concerns the validity of the linear dose-response extrapolation for low doses, used by international organizations, to establish radio-protection norms. Here, we contributed to this discussion by investigating the induction of chromosome aberrations by low to moderate doses ranging from 0 to 10 Gy in root meristem cells of 6-day-old Pisum plantlets. After acute irradiation of plantlets by a (60)Co source, the percentage of root tip meristem cells displaying chromosome aberrations was estimated immediately after irradiation and after 20 h recovery time. The dose-effect curves show non-linear responses, especially in the low dose range (0- 1 Gy), which is of particular interest. After 20 h of recovery, a steep increase of aberrations was observed for cells exposed to 0.4 Gy, followed by a plateau for doses until 1 Gy. There was an irradiation effect on plant growth during the first and second generations, showing the persistence of cell division anomalies as a long term effect of acute irradiation. This result suggests the induction of a genomic instability. Our results, in agreement with some obtained in animals, show rather non-linear dose-effect responses, with notably higher biological effects of low doses than expected.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

The UNUSUAL FLORAL ORGANS gene of Arabidopsis thaliana is an F-box protein required for normal patterning and growth in the floral meristem.

Genetic and molecular studies have suggested that the UNUSUAL FLORAL ORGANS (UFO) gene, from Arabidopsis thaliana, is expressed in all shoot apical meristems, and is involved in the regulation of a complex set of developmental events during floral development, including floral meristem and floral organ identity. Results from in situ hybridization using genes expressed early in floral development as probes indicate that UFO controls growth of young floral primordia. Transgenic constructs were used to provide evidence that UFO regulates floral organ identity by activating or maintaining transcription of the class B organ-identity gene APETALA 3, but not PISTILLATA. In an attempt to understand the biochemical mode of action of the UFO gene product, we show here that UFO is an F-box protein that interacts with Arabidopsis SKP1-like proteins, both in the yeast two-hybrid system and in vitro. In yeast and other organisms both F-box proteins and SKP1 homologues are subunits of specific ubiquitin E3 enzyme complexes that target specific proteins for degradation. The protein selected for degradation by the complex is specified by the F-box proteins. It is therefore possible that the role of UFO is to target for degradation specific proteins controlling normal growth patterns in the floral primordia, as well as proteins that negatively regulate APETALA 3 transcription.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of 2 MHz ultrasound on DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in Pisum sativum root meristem cells.

The amounts of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis were determined in Pisum sativum root meristem cells at various times after a 1 min exposure to 1 MHz ultrasound at a power density of 30 W/cm2. Immediate depressions in all three macromolecular syntheses occurred after sonication, followed by an apparent recovery several hours later. These events appear to correlate in time with the subsequent reduction and recovery in mitotic index in Pisum sativum root meristem cells exposed to 2 MHz ultrasound.

DNA↗

Recovery of Pisum root meristems after mitotic-inhibitory treatments with 3H-thymidine. Inhibition of cell-cycle progression by unincorporated 3H-thymidine.

Primary root meristems of Pisum sativum recover form a 3H-thymidine-induced reduction in mitotic activity once the roots are no longer exposed to exogenous 3H-thymidine. Cells arrested in G2 during 3H-thymidine treatment apparently do not divide for at least 16 hours after treatment, whereas cells remaining in G1 and S do divide and thereby account for recovery. Recovery occurs only when meristems are no longer exposed to exogenous (i.e. unincorporated) 3H-thymidine, suggesting that cytoplasmic irradiation from unincorporated 3H-thymidine prevents cellular recovery from 3H-thymidine-induced inhibition of cell progression through the mitotic cycle. Concentrations of 14C-thymidine which result in cytoplasmic irradiation nearly equivalent to that achieved with 3H-thymidine, but much lower levels of nuclear irradiation, also prevent recovery from 3H-thymidine-induced inhibition of mitotic activity, but do not alone produced such inhibition. These results support the contention that cytoplasmic irradiation prevents recovery from the effects of nuclear irradiation. Unincorporated 3H-thymidine also prevents recovery from sucrose deprivation in stationary phase G2 cells which have not incorporated 3H-thymidine into nuclear DNA.

Mitosis↗

In vitro meristem culture of juvenile and mature Sequoiadendron giganteum.

A total of 7000 meristems were used in experiments to investigate the possibility of cloning Sequoiadendron giganteum Buchholz by in vitro meristem culture of juvenile (2-year-old) and mature (100-year-old) ortets. Cultures were initiated on a low-salt medium containing 0.1 mg l(-1) 1-naphthaleneacetic acid to stimulate meristematic activity. Benzylamino purine (0.01-0.5 mg l(-1)) inhibited meristematic activity, whereas gibberellic acid (0.01-0.5 mg l(-1)) had no effect on meristematic development. The mature ortet showed more specific mineral requirements and a lower capacity for cloning than the juvenile ortet. Rooted plants were obtained only from the juvenile clone. There was a marked seasonal effect on meristematic activity, especially for the mature clone, the most active material being obtained during budbreak.

Journal Article↗

SCARECROW is involved in positioning the stem cell niche in the Arabidopsis root meristem.

Stem cells self-renew and produce daughter cells that differentiate. How stem cells are specified and maintained is a central question in developmental biology. Plant stem cells occupy a small region or niche in larger zones of mitotic activity called meristems. Here we provide molecular evidence that in the Arabidopsis root meristem, the stem cell population depends on a central group of cells, the quiescent center (QC), which positions the stem cell niche. We show that the putative transcription factor SCARECROW (SCR), first identified by its role in radial patterning, is required cell-autonomously for distal specification of the QC, which in turn regulates stem cell fate of immediately surrounding cells.

Arabidopsis↗