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- Title
Serial block face SEM visualization of unusual plant nuclear tubular extensions in a carnivorous plant (Utricularia, Lentibulariaceae).
- Authors
Płachno, Bartosz J.; Świątek, Piotr; Jobson, Richard W.; Małota, Karol; Brutkowski, Wojciech
- Abstract
Background and Aims In Utricularia nelumbifolia, the nuclei of placental nutritive tissue possess unusually shaped projections not known to occur in any other flowering plant. The main aim of the study was to document the morphology and ultrastructure of these unusual nuclei. In addition, the literature was searched to find examples of nuclear tubular projections in other plant groups, and the nuclei of closely related species of Utricularia (i.e. sects Iperua, Orchidioides, Foliosa and Utricularia) were examined. Methods To visualize the complexity of the nuclear structures, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used, and 3-D ultrastructural reconstructions were made using the serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBEM) technique. The nuclei of 11 Utricularia species, i.e. U. nelumbifolia, U. reniformis, U. cornigera, U. nephrophylla (sect. Iperua), U. asplundii, U. alpina, U. quelchii (sect. Orchidioides), U. longifolia (sect. Foliosa), U. intermedia, U. minor and U. gibba (sect. Utricularia) were examined. Key Results Of the 11 Utricularia species examined, the spindle-like tubular projections (approx. 5 µm long) emanating from resident nuclei located in placental nutritive tissues were observed only in U. nelumbifolia. These tubular nuclear extensions contained chromatin distributed along hexagonally shaped tubules. The apices of the projections extended into the cell plasma membrane, and in many cases also made contact at the two opposing cellular poles, and with plasmodesmata via a short cisterna of the cortical endoplasmic reticulum. Images from the SBEM provide some evidence that the nuclear projections are making contact with those of neighbouring cells. Conclusions The term chromatubules (chromatin-filled tubules) for the nuclear projections of U. nelumbifolia placental tissue was proposed here. Due to the apparent association with the plasma membrane and plasmodesmata, it was also speculated that chromatubules are involved in nucleus-cell-cell communication. However, further experimental evidence is required before any functional hypothesis can be entertained.
- Subjects
CARNIVOROUS plants; ANGIOSPERMS; PLANT ultrastructure; SCANNING electron microscopy; PLANT species
- Publication
Annals of Botany, 2017, Vol 120, Issue 5, p673
- ISSN
0305-7364
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/aob/mcx042