Ultrastructure of lipid bodies in Tilletia caries teliospores

Abstract

The ultrastructure of lipid bodies within developing, dormant, and germinating Tilletia caries (DC.) Tul. (race T-16) teliospores was studied by freezeetching and thin-sectioning techniques. When teliospores were prefixed in sodium cacodylate-buffered glutaraldehyde-acrolein for 24 h before further processing, most of the lipid bodies appeared to have a uniformly osmiophilic matrix. Some of these lipid bodies were surrounded by thin electron-dense lines that appeared to be half-unit membranes. Occasionally this membrane seemed to be absent, allowing for a direct interface between lipid and cytosol. Irregular electron-dense patterns were occasionally observed in lipid bodies of developing, dormant, and germinating teliospores. A lamellar substructure with 6to 10-nm center-to-center spacing was visible in the electron-dense patterns at high magnifications. Irregular fracture patterns were visible in freeze-etch replicas.

Triacylglycerol Profiles of Tilletia controversa and Tilletia tritici

“…Ultrastructural and chemical studies of teliospores of T. tritici and T. controversa have shown that lipid bodies are a major part of the spore (5,6,14). Weber and Trione (19) found that T. tritici lipid was mainly in the form of FFAs which were converted to methyl esters during initiation of germination.…”

“…In other dormant fungal spores, the scarcity of membranes results in a low amount of phospholipids (9). While membranes are relatively scarce in dormant teliospores (5,6,7), differences in phospholipids and other membrane lipids should be examined. We are currently exploring this and the production of FFAs during hydration and early germination of teliospores.…”