scholarly journals Membrane distribution in dividing endosperm cells of Haemanthus.

1982 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 637-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
W T Jackson ◽  
B G Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Membrane System ◽  
Potassium Ferrocyanide ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Chromosome Movement ◽  
Prominent Feature ◽  
Cell Organelles ◽  
Electron Dense Material

Membranes in cell-wall-free dividing endosperm cells of Haemanthus were examined after postfixation with osmium tetroxide-potassium ferrocyanide. We found that preservation and staining of membranes in metaphase cells was highly variable. Even adjacent cells often showed different degrees of preservation of membrane. However, this method does reveal a much more extensive membrane system in the mitotic spindle of Haemanthus than has been revealed previously using glutaraldehyde-osmium fixation. At prometaphase a system of membranes becomes associated with the kinetochore bundles. By metaphase, membranes constitute a prominent feature of kinetochore bundles, terminating near the kinetichores. Minipoles, identified by converging microtubules and associated membranes, are distributed in a zone extending laterally across the polar regions of the cell. The microtubules appear to terminate at the minipoles, whereas the membrane system becomes oriented generally perpendicular to the spindle axis and interfaces distally with a region of amorphous electron-dense material, helical polyribosomes, and cell organelles. The role of this extensive membrane system, if any, in chromosome movement is unknown. However, its distribution is coincident with the distribution of calcium-rich membranes and kinetochore fibers at metaphase in these cells (Wolniak, S. M., P. K. Hepler, and W. T. Jackson, 1981, Eur. J. Cell Biol., 25:171-174). Thus, these membranes may function in creating calcium domains that, in turn, may play a regulatory role in chromosome movement.

Aversive Textures and Their Role in Food Rejection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Pellegrino ◽  
Curtis Luckett
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Sensory Attributes ◽  
Prominent Feature ◽  
Large Vocabulary ◽  
Common Food ◽  
Sensory Attribute ◽  
Touch Sensitivity

Texture is a prominent feature in foods and consequently can be the reason a food is accepted or rejected. However, other sensory attributes, such as flavor/taste, aroma, sound and appearance may also lead to the rejection of food and motivations other than unpleasantness exist in unacceptance. To date, these motivations for food rejection have been studied in isolation and their relationships with psychological factors have not been tested. This study measured reasons people reject a food and probed into the specifics of texture rejection. A large U.S. sample (N=473) was asked to rate their motivations for rejecting a food, list foods that were disliked due to unpleasant sensory attributes, specify the unpleasant sensory attribute(s), and complete an assessment of general touch sensitivity. Results showed 94% of individuals reject a food due to its texture, a rate comparable to flavor-based rejection. Looking at the number of foods being rejected, flavor was the most common food attribute, followed by texture and then aroma. From a linguistic standpoint, aversive textures encompass a large vocabulary, larger than liked textures, and the same food may be rejected due to a single or combination of texture terms. Viscosity (e.g. slimy) and hardness (e.g. mushy) are the most common aversive texture types, but through cluster analysis subsets of individuals were identified that are more aversive to other textures. This study emphasizes the role of aversive textures in food rejection and provides many avenues for future investigations.

scholarly journals Depletion of Centromeric MCAK Leads to Chromosome Congression and Segregation Defects Due to Improper Kinetochore Attachments

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 1146-1159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan L. Kline-Smith ◽  
Alexey Khodjakov ◽  
Polla Hergert ◽  
Claire E. Walczak
Keyword(s):  
Essential Role ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Complex Behavior ◽  
Chromosome Movement ◽  
Immunofluorescence Localization ◽  
Microtubule Attachment ◽  
Chromosome Congression

The complex behavior of chromosomes during mitosis is accomplished by precise binding and highly regulated polymerization dynamics of kinetochore microtubules. Previous studies have implicated Kin Is, unique kinesins that depolymerize microtubules, in regulating chromosome positioning. We have characterized the immunofluorescence localization of centromere-bound MCAK and found that MCAK localized to inner kinetochores during prophase but was predominantly centromeric by metaphase. Interestingly, MCAK accumulated at leading kinetochores during congression but not during segregation. We tested the consequences of MCAK disruption by injecting a centromere dominant-negative protein into prophase cells. Depletion of centromeric MCAK led to reduced centromere stretch, delayed chromosome congression, alignment defects, and severe missegregation of chromosomes. Rates of chromosome movement were unchanged, suggesting that the primary role of MCAK is not to move chromosomes. Furthermore, we found that disruption of MCAK leads to multiple kinetochore–microtubule attachment defects, including merotelic, syntelic, and combined merotelic-syntelic attachments. These findings reveal an essential role for Kin Is in prevention and/or correction of improper kinetochore–microtubule attachments.

The possible role of the frontal and sub-parietal gland systems of the pentastomidReighardia sternae(Diesing, 1864) in the evasion of the host immune response

Parasitology ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Riley ◽  
J. L. James ◽  
A. A. Banaja
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Alternative Explanation ◽  
Surface Membrane ◽  
Membrane System ◽  
Host Immune Response ◽  
Entire Surface ◽  
Strong Immune Response ◽  
Concomitant Immunity ◽  
Host Parasite

SUMMARYThe frontal and sub-parietal glands of the pentastomidReighardia sternaeelaborate lamellate secretion which is poured on to the cuticle. The entire surface of the cuticle, including the mouth, hook pits and reproductive apertures, is coated with secretion. Electron microscope studies indicate that the glands are continuously active, which implies a turnover of surface membranes. The postulated function of these membranes is to protect certain vital areas of the host–parasite interface, notably the pores of ion-transporting cells, from the host immune response. The available evidence suggests that pentastomids do evoke a strong immune response but since most are long-lived they must circumvent it. We believe the surface membrane system to be instrumental in this. Studies on another pentastomid,Porocephalus crotaliin rats have shown that an immune response stimulated by a primary infection will kill subsequent infections and that the surface membranes are strongly immunogenic. Obvious parallels between this situation and that of schistosome infections in mammals are discussed. An alternative explanation of concomitant immunity is proposed.

scholarly journals Action of taxol on mitosis: modification of microtubule arrangements and function of the mitotic spindle in Haemanthus endosperm.

1983 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 527-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Molè-Bajer ◽  
A S Bajer
Keyword(s):  
Equatorial Region ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Higher Plant ◽  
Chromosome Fragments ◽  
Immunocytochemical Method ◽  
And Function ◽  
Spindle Function ◽  
Direction Opposite

We have studied the effect of taxol on mitosis in Haemanthus endosperm. Immuno-Gold Stain (IGS), a new immunocytochemical method (17), was used to visualize microtubules (MTs) in the light microscope. Observations on MT arrangements were correlated with studies in vivo. Chromosome movements are affected in all stages of mitosis which progresses over at least 10(4) range of taxol concentrations. The three most characteristic effects on MTs are: (a) enhancement of the lateral associations between MTs, seen especially during the reorganization of the polar region of the spindle, (b) promotion of MT assembly, leading to the formation of additional MTs in the spindle and MT arrays in the cytoplasm, and (c) an increase in MT stability, demonstrated in their increased cold resistance. In this report, the emphasis is on the primary, immediate effects, occurring in the first 30 min of taxol action. Effects are detected after a few mins, are reversible, and are concentration/time dependent. The spindle and phragmoplast are remarkably modified due to the enhancement of lateral associations of MTs and the formation of abundant nonkinetochore and polar, asterlike MTs. The equatorial region of the interzone in anaphase may be entirely depleted of MTs, and the spindle may break perpendicular to the spindle axis. Mitosis is completed in these conditions, providing evidence for the motile autonomy of each half-spindle. Trailing chromosome arms in anaphase are often stretched and broken. Chromosome fragments are transported away from the polar regions, i.e., in the direction opposite to that expected (5, 6). This supplies the first direct evidence of pushing by elongating MTs in an anastral higher plant spindle. These observations draw attention to the relation between the lateral association of MT ends to assembly/disassembly and to the role of such an interaction in spindle function and organization.

Persisting demibivalents: a unique meiotic behaviour in Cuscuta babylonica Choisy

Genome ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Batia Pazy ◽  
Uzi Plitmann
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Meiotic Behaviour ◽  
Chromosome Behaviour ◽  
Chromosome Movement ◽  
Pollen Mother Cells ◽  
Key Words Meiosis ◽  
Mother Cells ◽  
Telomeric Association

Idiosyncratic chromosome behaviour during meiosis was found in pollen mother cells of Cuscuta babylonica Choisy, a thread-like holoparasitic herb. Its main features are among the following: (i) telomeric association between homologues through most stages of the process, which leads to persisting chromatid bivalents (= "demibivalents"); (ii) uncommon chromosome segregation in first and second anaphase; and (iii) prolonged intensified heterochromatinization. Although "regular" in its own way, this process leads to the formation of unviable products. Its further investigation might contribute to our understanding of the role of the spindle and chromosome movement in the ordinary process of meiosis. Key words: meiosis (abnormal), persisting demibivalents, Cuscuta babylonica.

A simple technique for staining of cell membranes with imidazole and osmium tetroxide.

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 1079-1084 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Thiéry ◽  
J Bernier ◽  
M Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Cell Membranes ◽  
Cell Organelles ◽  
Unsaturated Lipids ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Glutaraldehyde Solution ◽  
Kidney Liver ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Resin Penetration

We describe a simple new technique based on the affinity of imidazole and osmium tetroxide for unsaturated lipids. Organs (e.g., kidney, liver, intestine) were perfused in vivo with a glutaraldehyde solution. Tissue fragments were then immersed in a solution containing imidazole and OsO4 and are further stained with a double lead and copper citrate solution. Ultra-thin (0.06 microns) or thick (0.1-0.3 microns) sections were observed with transmission electron microscopy (80-100 kV). The method presented permits excellent visualization of cell membranes (e.g., endoplasmic reticulum, endocytotic apparatus) because it favors good resin penetration and the alkaline pH preserves cell volume. A better stereomicroscopic analysis of the relationship between cell organelles can be carried out with thick sections. The imidazole/osmium can be used routinely because the technical steps are easy and simple to follow. Furthermore, it can complement other cytochemical methods.

scholarly journals Cold stress effects on organelle ultrastructure in polar Caryophyllaceae species

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 627-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irena Giełwanowska ◽  
Marta Pastorczyk ◽  
Maja Lisowska ◽  
Michał Węgrzyn ◽  
Ryszard J. Górecki
Keyword(s):  
Cold Stress ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
South Shetland Islands ◽  
Ultrastructural Changes ◽  
Adjacent Cell ◽  
Crystalline Inclusion ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Cell Nuclei ◽  
Cell Organelles ◽  
Svalbard Archipelago

AbstractThis study investigated leaf mesophyll cells of Caryophyllaceae plants growing in polar regions – Cerastium alpinum and Silene involucrata from the Hornsund region of Spitsbergen island (Svalbard Archipelago, Arctic), and Colobanthus quitensis from the Admiralty Bay region on King George Island (South Shetland Islands, West Antarctic). Ultrastructural changes were analyzed in mesophyll protoplasts of plants growing in natural Arctic and Antarctic habitats and plants grown in a greenhouse, including plants exposed to short-term cold stress under semi-controlled conditions. Cell organelles of plants growing in natural polar habitats and greenhouse-grown plants were characterized by significant morphological plasticity. Chloroplasts of plants studied in this work formed variously shaped protrusions and invaginations that visibly increased the contact area between adjacent cell compartments and reduced the distance between organelles. S. involucrata plants grown under greenhouse conditions, tested by us in this work, were characterized by highly dynamic cell nuclei with single or multiple invaginations of the nuclear membrane and the presence of channels and cisternae filled with cytoplasm and organelles. Crystalline inclusion proteins were observed in the cell nuclei of C. quitensis between nuclear membranes and in the direct proximity of heterochromatin. Our study revealed significant conformational dynamics of organelles, manifested by variations in the optical density of matrices, membranes and envelopes, in particular in C. quitensis, which could suggest that the analyzed Caryophyllaceae taxa are well adapted to severe climate and changing conditions in polar regions.

scholarly journals Evolution in the cold

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Antarctic Fish ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Evolutionary Studies ◽  
Adaptive Radiations ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Theodosius Dobzhansky once remarked that nothing in biology makes sense other than in the light of evolution, thereby emphasising the central role of evolutionary studies in providing the theoretical context for all of biology. It is perhaps surprising then that evolutionary biology has played such a small role to date in Antarctic science. This is particularly so when it is recognised that the polar regions provide us with an unrivalled laboratory within which to undertake evolutionary studies. The Antarctic exhibits one of the classic examples of a resistance adaptation (antifreeze peptides and glycopeptides, first described from Antarctic fish), and provides textbook examples of adaptive radiations (for example amphipod crustaceans and notothenioid fish). The land is still largely in the grip of major glaciation, and the once rich terrestrial floras and faunas of Cenozoic Gondwana are now highly depauperate and confined to relatively small patches of habitat, often extremely isolated from other such patches. Unlike the Arctic, where organisms are returning to newly deglaciated land from refugia on the continental landmasses to the south, recolonization of Antarctica has had to take place by the dispersal of propagules over vast distances. Antarctica thus offers an insight into the evolutionary responses of terrestrial floras and faunas to extreme climatic change unrivalled in the world. The sea forms a strong contrast to the land in that here the impact of climate appears to have been less severe, at least in as much as few elements of the fauna show convincing signs of having been completely eradicated.

scholarly journals Ultrastructural Features of Membranous Replication Organelles Induced by Positive-Stranded RNA Viruses

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2407
Author(s):  
Van Nguyen-Dinh ◽  
Eva Herker
Keyword(s):  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Membrane System ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Cell Organelles ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Successful Infection ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

All intracellular pathogens critically depend on host cell organelles and metabolites for successful infection and replication. One hallmark of positive-strand RNA viruses is to induce alterations of the (endo)membrane system in order to shield their double-stranded RNA replication intermediates from detection by the host cell’s surveillance systems. This spatial seclusion also allows for accruing host and viral factors and building blocks required for efficient replication of the genome and prevents access of antiviral effectors. Even though the principle is iterated by almost all positive-strand RNA viruses infecting plants and animals, the specific structure and the organellar source of membranes differs. Here, we discuss the characteristic ultrastructural features of the virus-induced membranous replication organelles in plant and animal cells and the scientific progress gained by advanced microscopy methods.

scholarly journals KIF18A's neck linker permits navigation of microtubule-bound obstacles within the mitotic spindle

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. e201800169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi LH Malaby ◽  
Dominique V Lessard ◽  
Christopher L Berger ◽  
Jason Stumpff
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Chromosome Movement ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Chromosome Alignment ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Fiber Dynamics

KIF18A (kinesin-8) is required for mammalian mitotic chromosome alignment. KIF18A confines chromosome movement to the mitotic spindle equator by accumulating at the plus-ends of kinetochore microtubule bundles (K-fibers), where it functions to suppress K-fiber dynamics. It is not understood how the motor accumulates at K-fiber plus-ends, a difficult feat requiring the motor to navigate protein dense microtubule tracks. Our data indicate that KIF18A's relatively long neck linker is required for the motor's accumulation at K-fiber plus-ends. Shorter neck linker (sNL) variants of KIF18A display a deficiency in accumulation at the ends of K-fibers at the center of the spindle. Depletion of K-fiber–binding proteins reduces the KIF18A sNL localization defect, whereas their overexpression reduces wild-type KIF18A's ability to accumulate on this same K-fiber subset. Furthermore, single-molecule assays indicate that KIF18A sNL motors are less proficient in navigating microtubules coated with microtubule-associated proteins. Taken together, these results support a model in which KIF18A's neck linker length permits efficient navigation of obstacles to reach K-fiber ends during mitosis.

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