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| Publication Type | J |
| Authors | Bosabalidis, A. M. |
| Title | Programmed cell death in salt glands of Tamarix aphylla L.: an electron microscope analysis |
| Source | Central European Journal of Biology |
| Author Keywords | Programmed cell death Tamarix aphylla Salt glands protein storage vacuole autophagic vacuoles plants germination maturation senescence autolysis aleurone |
| Abstract | Tamarix aphylla is a halophyte growing in soils rich in NaCl. Leaves of Tamarix aphylla develop numerous salt glands, which initiate, secrete NaCl, become senescent and eventually die, as part of a programmed process. Dead glands are replaced by new ones, so that only active glands exist on the leaves. Most importantly, these glands remove excess NaCl from the tissues, which protects against hyperosmotic phenomena. Leaf pieces were initially fixed with glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide, dehydrated in an acetone series, and lastly embedded in Spurr's resin. Semithin sections were observed using a Zeiss Axiostar Plus light microscope and ultrathin sections on a JEM 2000 FXII electron microscope. During gland senescence, secretory cells exhibit a number of ultra-structural features, which include: the formation of autophagic vacuoles, dilation of the nuclear envelope and the endoplasmic reticulum, extensive separation of the protoplasm from the cell walls, and ultimately, disorganization of the organelles, intense electron density and homogeneity of the cytoplasm. All ultrastructural features of senescence contribute to the lysis and necrosis of gland cells. This process is not accidental as a result of environmental conditions, but instead proceeds within a certain developmental pattern leading to programmed cell death of the gland. |
| Author Address | Aristotle Univ Thessaloniki, Dept Bot, Sch Biol, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece. Bosabalidis, AM (reprint author), Aristotle Univ Thessaloniki, Dept Bot, Sch Biol, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece. artbos@bio.auth.gr |
| ISSN | 1895-104X |
| ISBN | 1895-104X |
| 29-Character Source Abbreviation | Cent. Eur. J. Biol. |
| Publication Date | Oct |
| Year Published | 2012 |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Beginning Page | 927-930 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | 10.2478/s11535-012-0067-7 |
| Unique Article Identifier | WOS:000307287100017 |
| Plants associated with this reference |