Programmed cell death in the nucellus of Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae)

Abstract

The authors thank Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze for support under grant n°2002.1076 to J.L.V. Teresa Ghiglione and Gabriela Venturi for English corrections.

Ultrastructural characteristics of callus cells of Nicotiana tabacum L. var. BELW3 grown in presence of NaCl

“…The injured cells resulted in an extensive alteration of these components until to a total disorganization of the protoplast. In particular, the strong nucleus condensation and the cyto-plasm fragmentation resemble to morphological aspects concerning the Programmed Cell Death (PCD), in agreement with the observations of Papini et al (2010), (2011) and Brighigna et al (2006) in Tillandsia plants. Although plasmolysis was not found, the cytoplasmic and nuclear changes, evidenced principally by the strong in particular, the cytoplasm and the vacuoles have irregular alveolar areas sometimes with a great quantity of multivesicular structures (arrows).…”

The ultrastructure of the development of Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) trichome

“…After Beers (1997) the death of tracheary elements more closely resembles that occurring in cells of senescent leaves, where cellular disorganization is the last event, apparently following tonoplast breakdown (Fukuda, 2000). In the wing cells of the Tillandsia trichomes PCD appears to be morphologically more similar to the apoptotic type, like that observed in the tapetal cells by Papini et al (1999) when the nucellus degenerates (Brighigna et al, 2006). In the last stage mitochondria survived until very late: high level of ATP in the cell has been shown to be able to drive the cells towards apoptosis (low ATP level would lead to necrosis) determining the type of death after the signal reception (Lemasters, 1999;Vianello et al, 2007).…”

Proteomic profile of the nucellus of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) seeds during development

“…This tissue has an important role in the development of endosperm and embryo [1]. The mobilization of nutrients from the nucellus to these tissues is dependent on the occurrence of programmed cell death (PCD) in the former one [2][3][4], even though in castor bean seeds, cell division in the nucellus takes place until endosperm and embryo are well developed [5]. The studies on PCD of this tissue in species such as Ricinus communis [6] and Sechium edule [4] have strengthened the idea that the nucellus and other maternal tissues such as the inner integument of seeds [7] may act as transient source of reserves which may be mobilized to suit the needs of the developing seed.…”