Loss of microtubular orientation and impaired development of prophase bands upon inhibition of RNA synthesis in root meristem cells

1991 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 492-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Utrilla ◽  
C. de la Torre
Keyword(s):  
1967 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Himes

The B chromosomes of maize are condensed in appearance during interphase and are relatively inert genetically; therefore they fulfill the definition of heterochromatin. This heterochromatin was studied in root meristem cells by radioautography following administration of tritiated thymidine and cytidine, and was found to behave in a characteristic way, i.e. it showed asynchronous DNA synthesis and very low, if any, RNA synthesis. A cytochemical comparison of normal maize nuclei with nuclei from isogenic maize stock containing approximately 15–20 B-chromosomes in addition to the normal complement has revealed the following: (a) the DNA and histone contents are greater in nuclei with B chromosomes; (b) the proportion of DNA to histone is identical with that of nuclei containing only normal chromosomes; (c) the amount of nonhistone protein in proportion to DNA in interphase is less in nuclei with B chromosomes than in normal nuclei. In condensed B chromosomes the ratio of nonhistone protein to DNA is similar to that in other condensed chromatin, such as metaphase chromosomes and degenerating nuclei. The B chromosomes appear to have no effect on nucleolar RNA and protein. Replication of B chromosomes is precisely controlled and is comparable to that of the ordinary chromosomes not only in synthesis for mitosis but also in formation of polyploid nuclei of root cap and protoxylem cells.


1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 293-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Olmedilla ◽  
M.E. Fernández-Gómez ◽  
S.Moreno Diaz de la Espina

Author(s):  
Awtar Krishan ◽  
Dora Hsu

Cells exposed to antitumor plant alkaloids, vinblastine and vincristine sulfate have large proteinacious crystals and complexes of ribosomes, helical polyribosomes and electron-dense granular material (ribosomal complexes) in their cytoplasm, Binding of H3-colchicine by the in vivo crystals shows that they contain microtubular proteins. Association of ribosomal complexes with the crystals suggests that these structures may be interrelated.In the present study cultured human leukemic lymphoblasts (CCRF-CEM), were incubated with protein and RNA-synthesis inhibitors, p. fluorophenylalanine, puromycin, cycloheximide or actinomycin-D before the addition of crystal-inducing doses of vinblastine to the culture medium. None of these compounds could completely prevent the formation of the ribosomal complexes or the crystals. However, in cells pre-incubated with puromycin, cycloheximide, or actinomycin-D, a reduction in the number and size of the ribosomal complexes was seen. Large helical polyribosomes were absent in the ribosomal complexes of cells treated with puromycin, while in cells exposed to cycloheximide, there was an apparent reduction in the number of ribosomes associated with the ribosomal complexes (Fig. 2).


Author(s):  
Arya K. Bal

In the course of studies in the root meristem tissue of Rubus chamaemorus L. some important changes in the ultrastructural morphology were observed during the initiation of senescence at the end of the growing season.Root meristems were collected from naturally growing healthy populations of Cloudberry plants, and fixed in Karnovsky's mixture or in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer. The samples were osmicated, dehydrated following usual methods and embedded in Epon. Ultrathin sections were stained in uranyl acetate and lead citrate.Figure 1 shows part of a dense cell in the meristem. The electron density of these cells is due to large amounts of a particulate material in the cytoplasmic matrix. The smallest particle seen in electron micrographs is about 40 A, although larger aggregates are also found, which remain randomly distributed in association with various cell organelles. Dense substance has been found associated with golgi membranes, proplastids, vacuoles and microtubules (Fig. 2).


1965 ◽  
Vol 49 (3_Suppl) ◽  
pp. S160 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Stöcker ◽  
G. Dhom

1972 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 396-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.-D. Schulz ◽  
H. Haarmann ◽  
A. Harland

ABSTRACT The present investigation deals with the oestrogen-sensitivity of the female reproductive system during the neonatal period. Newborn female guinea pigs were used as test animals. At different times after a single subcutaneous injection of a physiological dose of 0.1 μg or an unphysiologically high dose of 10 μg 17β-oestradiol/100 g body weight, the RNA- and protein-synthesis was examined in the hypothalamic region, pituitary, cerebral cortex, liver, adrenal gland, ovary and uterus. With a physiological dose an increase in organ weight, protein content, RNA-and protein-synthesis was found only in the uterus. These alterations turned out to be dose-dependent. In addition to the findings in the uterus an inhibition of the aminoacid incorporation rate occurred in the liver following the injection of the high oestradiol dose. As early as 1 hour after the administration of 0.1 μg 17β-oestradiol an almost 100% increase in uterine protein synthesis was detectable. This result demonstrates a high oestrogen-sensitivity of this organ during the neonatal period. All the other organs of the female reproductive system such as the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary did not show any oestrogen response. Therefore the functional immaturity of the uterus during post partem life is not the result of a deficient hormone sensitivity but is correlated with the absence of a sufficient hormonal stimulus at this time. The investigation on the effects of actinomycin resulted in different reactions in the uterus and liver. In contrast to the liver a paradoxical actinomycin effect was found in the uterus after treatment with actinomycin alone. This effect is characterized by a small inhibition of RNA-synthesis and a 50% increase in protein synthesis. The treatment of the newborn test animals with actinomycin and 17β-oestradiol together abolished the oestrogen-induced stimulation of the uterine RNA-and protein-synthesis. Consequently, the effect of oestrogens during the neonatal period is also connected with the formation of new proteins via an increased DNA-directed RNA-synthesis.


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