scholarly journals P PROTEIN IN THE PHLOEM OF CUCURBITA

1968 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Cronshaw ◽  
Katherine Esau

During maturation of sieve elements in Cucurbita maxima Duchesne, the P-protein bodies (slime bodies) usually disperse in the tonoplast-free cell. In some sieve elements the P-protein bodies fail to disperse. The occurrence of dispersal or nondispersal of P-protein bodies can be related to the position of the sieve elements in the stem or petiole. In the sieve elements within the vascular bundle the bodies normally disperse; in the extrafascicular sieve elements the bodies often fail to disperse. Extrafascicular sieve elements showing partial dispersal also occur. The appearance of the sieve plate in fixed material is related to the degree of dispersal or nondispersal of the P-protein bodies. In sieve elements in which complete dispersal occurs the sieve plate usually has a substantial deposit of callose, and the sieve-plate pores are filled with P protein. In sieve elements containing nondispersing P-protein bodies the sieve plate bears little or no callose, and its pores usually are essentially "open." The dispersed P-protein components may aggregate into loosely organized "strands," which sometimes extend vertically through the cell and continue through the sieve-plate pores; but they may be oriented otherwise in the cell, even transversely.

IAWA Journal ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.-Dietmar Behnke

Nondispersive protein bodies present in the sieve elements in addition to dispersive P-protein are characteristic features of many woody dicotyledons; their origin may be nuclear or cytoplasmic. While nuclear nondispersive protein bodies are found in only two families, the Boraginaceae and Myristicaceae, bodies of cytoplasmic origin are present in 39 of the more than 350 families screened. These results were obtained from 228 dicotyledons studied with the electron microscope and data of additional species from the literature. The terminology, origin, form and distribution of nondispersive protein bodies are discussed. Their ultrastructural composition is described as being predominantly spindle-shaped, compound- spherical, rod-shaped and rosette-like. Based on the data accumulated from over 450 species (of about 3000 screened) it is evident that their taxonomic range is confined to a few dicotyledon superorders. Compound-spherical nondispersive protein bodies are characteristic of most of the Malvanae/Violanae; spindle-shaped forms are restricted to the Fabaceae (Rutanae). Rosanae-Proteanae-Myrtanae and the Magnolianae are the only other superorders that contain nondispersive protein bodies in several of their families. Evolutionary trends and possible taxonomic consequences implied in this distribution are discussed.


1967 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 801-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Cronshaw ◽  
Katherine Esau

An ontogenetic study of the sieve element protoplast of Nicotiana tabacum L. by light and electron microscopy has shown that the P-protein component (slime) arises as small groups of tubules in the cytoplasm. These subsequently enlarge to form comparatively large compact masses of 231 ± 2.5 (SE)A (n = 121) tubules, the P-protein bodies. During subsequent differentiation of the sieve element, the P-protein body disaggregates and the tubules become dispersed throughout the cell. This disaggregation occurs at about the same stage of differentiation of the sieve elements as the breakdown of the tonoplast and nucleus. Later, the tubules of P-protein are reorganized into smaller striated 149 ± 4.5 (SE)A (n = 43) fibrils which are characteristic of the mature sieve elements. The tubular P-protein component has been designated P1-protein and the striated fibrillar component P2-protein. In fixed material, the sieve-plate pores of mature sieve elements are filled with proteinaceous material which frays out into the cytoplasm as striated fibrils of P2-protein. Our observations are compatible with the view that the contents of contiguous mature sieve elements, including the P-protein, are continuous through the sieve-plate pores and that fixing solutions denature the proteins in the pores. They are converted into the electron-opaque material filling the pores.


1983 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-47
Author(s):  
J. Thorsch ◽  
K. Esau

Nuclear crystalloids have been found in sieve elements of several Boraginaceae. Nuclei of differentiating sieve elements of Echium and other genera except Amsinckia contain one or more crystalloids composed of thin rods densely packed in parallel arrangement. After the nuclei disintegrate in the maturing sieve element the crystalloids are released into the cell lumen where they persist intact. In Amsinckia the crystalloid consists of two components: a dense component, similar to the crystalloid in the other genera and a loosely arranged paracrystalline component. The proteinaceous nature of the nuclear crystalloids and their possible similarity to P-protein was investigated by enzyme digestion techniques. Three proteolytic enzymes were employed in this study: protease, pepsin and trypsin. Successful digestion of the dense crystalloid in both Echium and Amsinckia was obtained with each enzyme tested. P-protein plugging the sieve plate pores was also digested. The loose component in Amsinckia and the aggregated and dispersed P-protein were not affected by the enzyme digestion procedures. These results seemed to indicate that the density or compactness of the proteinaceous inclusions may play a role in the differential response.


Planta ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ray F. Evert ◽  
Walter Eschrich ◽  
Susan E. Eichhorn

Author(s):  
James Cronshaw

Long distance transport in plants takes place in phloem tissue which has characteristic cells, the sieve elements. At maturity these cells have sieve areas in their end walls with specialized perforations. They are associated with companion cells, parenchyma cells, and in some species, with transfer cells. The protoplast of the functioning sieve element contains a high concentration of sugar, and consequently a high hydrostatic pressure, which makes it extremely difficult to fix mature sieve elements for electron microscopical observation without the formation of surge artifacts. Despite many structural studies which have attempted to prevent surge artifacts, several features of mature sieve elements, such as the distribution of P-protein and the nature of the contents of the sieve area pores, remain controversial.


1979 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-22
Author(s):  
K. Esau ◽  
A.C. Magyarosy

The compounds crystalloids formed in sieve element nuclei of Amsinckia douglasiana A. DC. (Boraginaceae) during differentiation of the cell become disaggregated during the nuclear breakdown characteristic of a maturing sieve element. The phenomenon occurs in both healthy and virus-infected plants. The crystalloid component termed cy, which is loosely aggregated, separates from the densely aggregated component termed cx and disperses. The cx component may become fragmented, or broken into large pieces, or remain intact after the cell matures. After their release from the nucleus both crystalloid components become spatially associated with the dispersed P-protein originating in the cytoplasm, but remain distinguishable from it. The component tubules of P-protein are hexagonal in transections and are somewhat wider than the 6-sided cy tubules. The cx tubules are much narrower than the P-protein or the cy tubules and have square transections. Both the P-protein and the products of disintegrated crystalloids accumulate at sieve plates in sieve elements subjected to sudden release of hydrostatic pressure by cutting the phloem. The question of categorizing the tubular components of the nuclear crystalloid of a sieve element with reference to the concept of P-protein is discussed.


Planta ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. D. Sabnis ◽  
J. W. Hart
Keyword(s):  

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