Ultrastructure of actinorhizal root nodules of Chamaebatia foliolosa (Rosaceae)

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (8) ◽  
pp. 1697-1707 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Newcomb ◽  
Rod M. Heisey

The structure of the root nodules of Chamaebatia foliolosa Benth. (Rosaceae) has been studied by optical and transmission electron microscopy. The prokaryotic endophyte exhibits two morphological forms: septate hyphae and nonseptate elliptically shaped endophytic vesicles. This microorganism resembles the actinomyceteous endophytes of other actinorhizal root nodules especially those present in Ceanothus, Dryas, and Purshia. The endophyte is always surrounded by a polysaccharide capsule and possesses glycogen granules, lipid droplets, and prominent nucleoids. The infected host cells contain prominent lobed nuclei, numerous small vacuoles, and many plastids which possess numerous granular inclusions and osmiophilic droplets. No endophytic sporangia were observed in these nodules.

1975 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1058-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice Lalonde ◽  
Roger Knowles

Nitrogen-fixing, field-obtained root nodules of the silky green alder were studied by transmission electron microscopy. The nodule endophyte exhibited a prokaryotic cytology and was present in two forms: the hypha (0.3–1.0 μm), which was branched and septate, and the vesicle (3–5 μm), which was also septate and developed at the parental hypha tip. Bacteria-like cells, previously observed in light microscopy studies, were not seen in the present work. The actinomycete-like endophyte penetrated through the host cell wall and became enveloped by a capsular material (0.1 μm), the whole being enclosed by host membranes. In some host cells, the endophyte appeared to lyse and become a mass of shrunken debris. The fine structure of the Alnus crispa var. mollis root nodule endophyte was found to be similar to that of other non-leguminous root nodule endophytes.


1991 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. H. Awad ◽  
A. J. Probert

ABSTRACTThe effect of various concentrations of praziquantel at different time intervals post-treatment on the ultrastructure of Schistosoma margrebowiei using scanning and transmission electron microscopy has been examined. The major changes involved blebbing of the entire surface tegument of both sexes (although more marked in males) together with vacuolation of the basal membrane accompanied by the development of membraneous whorls. These effects were progressively more marked with increased concentration and time of exposure resulting in severe erosion of the tubercles and collapse of the sensory organelles. Exposure of the underlying tegumental tissue resulted and paralysis and contraction of the suckers and neck region was apparent. Disruption of the subtegumental musculature and the appearance of vacuolation and membraneous whorl formation were seen. The gastrodermis was similarly affected and the S4 cells of the vitelline gland showed protein disruption of the vitelline droplets. Host cells were seen adhering to the surface of the worms following drug treatment and the synergism between PZQ and the action of the hosts immune system has been discussed.


1978 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 780-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Tzean ◽  
R. H. Estey

Schizophyllum commune Fr. was shown, by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy, to be a destructive mycoparasite on several phytopathogenic and nematode-trapping fungi. The hyphae of S. commune coiled around host hyphae and fruiting structures and penetrated them by means of either unspecialized hyphae or by penetration pegs that developed from terminal appressoria. The host cell walls were usually chemically degraded after which the parasite grew through an electron-dense, papillate, reaction region and its underlying membrane(s) to produce trophic hyphae inside the host cells.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor A. Rodrigues ◽  
Mariana M. B. Azevedo ◽  
Francisco C. M. Chaves ◽  
Celuta S. Alviano ◽  
Daniela S. Alviano ◽  
...  

Currently available leishmaniasis treatments are limited due to severe side effects.Arrabidaea chicais a medicinal plant used in Brazil against several diseases. In this study, we investigated the effects of 5 fractions obtained from the crude hexanic extract ofA. chicaagainstLeishmania amazonensisandL. infantum, as well as on the interaction of these parasites with host cells. Promastigotes were treated with several concentrations of the fractions obtained fromA. chicafor determination of their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). In addition, the effect of the most active fraction (B2) on parasite’s ultrastructure was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. To evaluate the inhibitory activity of B2 fraction onLeishmaniapeptidases, parasites lysates were treated with the inhibitory and subinhibitory concentrations of the B2 fraction. The minimum inhibitory concentration of B2 fraction was 37.2 and 18.6 μg/mL forL. amazonensisandL. infantum, respectively. Important ultrastructural alterations as mitochondrial swelling with loss of matrix content and the presence of vesicles inside this organelle were observed in treated parasites. Moreover, B2 fraction was able to completely inhibit the peptidase activity of promastigotes at pH 5.5. The results presented here further support the use ofA. chicaas an interesting source of antileishmanial agents.


2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
C W Mims ◽  
C Rodriguez-Lother ◽  
E A Richardson

A combination of scanning and transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the host-pathogen relationship in leaves of Duchesnea indica (Andrz) Focke infected by the rust fungus Frommeëla mexicana var. indicae McCain & Hennen. Samples for transmission electron microscopy were prepared using high pressure freezing followed by freeze substitution. This protocol provided excellent preservation of both host cells and fungal haustoria. Each haustorium of F. mexicana var. indicae possessed a long slender neck with a neck band and an expanded body that contained two nuclei positioned close together. The haustorial body was lobed and sometimes even branched but lacked septa. Details of the extrahaustorial membrane that separated each haustorium from the cytoplasm of its host cell were particularly well preserved. Extensive labyrinth cell wall ingrowths developed around haustorial necks, as well as elsewhere, in infected cells. These ingrowths appeared to be identical to those present in plant transfer cells. Transfer cells are thought to be involved in intensive solute transfer over short distances. This appears to be the first report of the development of transfer cells in response to infection by a plant pathogenic fungus.Key words: haustoria, transfer cells, freeze substitution, electron microscopy.


2001 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 258-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Céu Sousa ◽  
C. A. Gonçalves ◽  
V. A. Bairos ◽  
J. Poiares-da-Silva

ABSTRACT Attachment of Giardia lamblia trophozoites to enterocytes is essential for colonization of the small intestine and is considered a prerequisite for parasite-induced enterocyte dysfunction and clinical disease. In this work, coincubation of Giardiawith Int-407 cells, was used as an in vitro model to study the role of cytoskeleton and surface lectins involved in the attachment of the parasite. This interaction was also studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Adherence was dependent on temperature and was maximal at 37°C. It was reduced by 2.5 mM colchicine (57%), mebendazole (10 μg/ml) (59%), 100 mM glucose (26%), 100 mM mannose (22%), 40 mM mannose-6-phosphate (18%), and concanavalin A (100 μg/ml) (21%). No significant modification was observed when Giardia was pretreated with cytochalasins B and D and with EDTA. Giardia attachment was also diminished by preincubating Int-407 cells with cytochalasin B and D (5 μg/ml) (16%) and by glutaraldehyde fixation of intestinal cells and ofG. lamblia trophozoites (72 and 100%, respectively). Ultrastructural studies showed that Giardia attaches to the Int-407 monolayer predominantly by its ventral surface. Int-407 cells contact trophozoites with elongated microvilli, and both trophozoite imprints and interactions of Giardia flagella with intestinal cells were also observed. Transmission electron microscopy showed that Giardia lateral crest and ventrolateral flange were important structures in the adherence process. Our results suggest a combination of mechanical and hydrodynamic forces in trophozoite attachment; surface lectins also seem to mediate binding and may be involved in specific recognition of host cells.


Author(s):  
K Sato ◽  
S Chitose ◽  
K Sato ◽  
F Sato ◽  
T Ono ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Cells in the vocal fold of maculae flavae are likely to be tissue stem cells. Energy metabolism of the cells in newborn maculae flavae was investigated from the aspect of mitochondrial microstructure. Method Five normal newborn vocal folds were investigated under transmission electron microscopy. Results Mitochondria consisted of a double membrane bounded body containing matrices and a system of cristae. However, these membranes were ambiguous. In each mitochondrion, the lamellar cristae were sparse. Intercristal space was occupied by a mitochondrial matrix. Some mitochondria had fused to lipid droplets and rough endoplasmic reticulum, and both the mitochondrial outer and inner membranes had incarcerated and disappeared. Conclusion The features of the mitochondria of the cells in the newborn maculae flavae showed that their metabolic activity and oxidative phosphorylation were low. The metabolism of the cells in the newborn maculae flavae seems to be favourable to maintain the stemness and undifferentiation of the cells.


2006 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Larisa Poddubnaya ◽  
David Gibson ◽  
Zdzisław Świderski ◽  
Peter Olson

AbstractIn the spathebothriidean tapeworm Didymobothrium rudolphii (Monticelli, 1890) the fine structure of the vitellocytes at different stages of their development within the vitelline follicles, vitelline ducts and uterus was studied for the first time using transmission electron microscopy. The vitellocyte inclusions of D. rudolphii are shell globule clusters containing tightly packed shell globules associated with a matrix of moderate electron density, glycogen granules, large electron-lucent lipid droplets (up to 3 μm in diameter), and, occasionally, a lipid droplet may occur in the nucleus of the vitellocytes. The diameter of the clusters ranges from 0.4 to 2.5 μm, the number of shell globules in the clusters varies from 8 to 45, and the size of the globules ranges from 0.12 to 0.25 μm and they are of approximately homogeneous sizes within a cluster. Most vitellocyte lipid droplets have a heterogeneous configuration with a ‘cavity’ inside them when they are within vitelline ducts and intrauterine eggs. Vitellocytes of the eggs contain dark concentric bodies and lipid droplets. The interstitial tissue has a syncytial structure. The morphological parameters of the diameter and shape of shell globule clusters, arrangement of shell globules in clusters, number and diameter of globules within clusters, types of lipid droplets and presence of dark concentric bodies are compared with those of two other spathebothriidean genera, Cyathocephalus and Diplocotyle. The comparative data demonstrate that vitelline material morphology has unique features in three spathenothriidean genera and may be used as evidence for the recognition of separate taxa.


1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Wood ◽  
William Newcomb ◽  
David Nelson

Root nodules of Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt. (mountain mahogany) were studied by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy to confirm the bacterial nature of the microsymbiont and to determine the morphology of the symbiotic vesicles. The microsymbiont is an actinomycete having two morphologies: septate hyphae (ca. 0.5 μm diam.) and ovoid- or elliptical-shaped nonseptate symbiotic vesicles (2.8 × 3.9 μm). Many of the symbiotic vesicles contain a single, electron-dense ovoid- or spherical-shaped structure, measuring 0.26 μm, whose function is unknown. The actinomycete is surrounded by a capsule that has electron-dense droplets in regions near hyphae. No spores or sporangia were observed in these nodules.


1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (9) ◽  
pp. 1889-1905 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. D. G. Lee ◽  
K. A. Wright

The 'tunnel' within which the nematode Trichuris muris is contained was examined by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. The amount of worm covered by the tunnel varied with age. Young larval worms were completely embedded in the host's intestinal mucosa whereas older larvae and adults had part, if not all, of the posterior region protruding into the lumen. All worms were found to have heads embedded in the tissue and in no cases were whole worms found free in the lumen.The 'tunnel' was shown to be a syncytial protoplasmic mass with recognizable cellular elements such as nuclei, lipid droplets, mitrochondria, and mucous droplets anteriorly whereas more distal to the head these elements became increasingly scarce and degenerated. The syncytium is bordered apically, laterally, and basally by cell membrane. The basal lamina can be identified beneath the basal membrane of the syncytium indicating that syncytium formation occurs in the epithelial sheet only and does not extend into the lamina propria. Evidence suggests that the nematode initially induces a syncytium about its head, feeds on the syncytial cytoplasm, and then moves on to initiate extension of the syncytium. The result of this movement is a 'tunnel' snaking across the caecum and colon.


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