Proteins in the sieve element-companion cell complexes: their detection, localization and possible functions

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Hayashi ◽  
Akari Fukuda ◽  
Nobuo Suzui ◽  
Shu Fujimaki

Many kinds of proteins have been found in the sieve element–companion cell complexes by the analyses of phloem sap and microscopic observations. The cDNAs, which encode some of these sieve-tube proteins, have already been cloned. As mature sieve elements lack nuclei and most ribosomes, sieve-tube proteins have been hypothesized to be synthesized in the companion cells and then transported to the lumina of the functional sieve tubes through the plasmodesmata connecting the companion cells and sieve elements. Soluble proteins present in the sieve tubes can be collected by several techniques, such as incision or the aphid technique. The composition of the proteins in the phloem sap is unique compared with that of tissue extract, suggesting these proteins have important roles for the development and functions of sieve tubes.

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (15) ◽  
pp. 3737-3755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aart J E van Bel ◽  
Rita Musetti

Abstract Phytoplasmas reside exclusively in sieve tubes, tubular arrays of sieve element–companion cell complexes. Hence, the cell biology of sieve elements may reveal (ultra)structural and functional conditions that are of significance for survival, propagation, colonization, and effector spread of phytoplasmas. Electron microscopic images suggest that sieve elements offer facilities for mobile and stationary stages in phytoplasma movement. Stationary stages may enable phytoplasmas to interact closely with diverse sieve element compartments. The unique, reduced sieve element outfit requires permanent support by companion cells. This notion implies a future focus on the molecular biology of companion cells to understand the sieve element–phytoplasma inter-relationship. Supply of macromolecules by companion cells is channelled via specialized symplasmic connections. Ca2+-mediated gating of symplasmic corridors is decisive for the communication within and beyond the sieve element–companion cell complex and for the dissemination of phytoplasma effectors. Thus, Ca2+ homeostasis, which affects sieve element Ca2+ signatures and induces a range of modifications, is a key issue during phytoplasma infection. The exceptional physical and chemical environment in sieve elements seems an essential, though not the only factor for phytoplasma survival.


2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aart J. E. van Bel ◽  
Michael Knoblauch

Sieve elements and companion cells constitute the modules of the conducting elements in the phloem ofAngiosperms. Consequently, phloem transport basically relies on the concerted action of the sieve element/companion cell complexes. Sieve elements and companion cells are highly interactive units and show an extreme division of labour as exemplified by their state of life. Whereas the sieve element is almost ‘clinically’ dead, the companion cell is a paragon of bubbling activity. In the course of evolution, the sieve element has sacrificed all of its genetic and most of its metabolic equipment to serve photoassimilate translocation. A small part of the structural and metabolic outfit has been retained for a proper accomplishment of its function. In contrast, the cells bordering the sieve element have gained metabolic weight during evolution. With reference to their evolutionary descent, the peculiarities of sieve elements and companion cells are discussed in the light of recent cell-biological and molecular-biological findings. Emphasis is focused on their interaction, which is the secret of the success of the sieve element/companion cell complex.


1965 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
MC Wark

The companion cells of the secondary phloem of Pisum contain all the organelles characteristic of cells possessing an active metabolism. The cytoplasm of the companion cells shows little change during ontogeny. Complex plasmodesmata connect the sieve elements and companion cells. These are the only connections observed between the sieve elements and other phloem cells. New wall structures of the companion cells are described. These structures are here tentatively called trabeculae; they intrude into the cytoplasm, but never completely cross the cell. The trabeculae alter in appearance at the time when the sieve element nucleus and tonoplast disappear. The phloem parenchyma cells are large vacuolated cells wider in diameter but shorter in length than the sieve elements. They contain all the organelles found in normal photosynthetic tissue. The cytoplasm of the phloem parenchyma shows little change during ontogeny. Plasmodesmata of well-developed pit fields connect the phloem parenchyma with the companion cells. The phloem parenchyma does not communicate with the sieve elements.


2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Rudzińska-Langwald ◽  
Maria Kamińska

Changes in anatomy and cytology of conducting tissues of <em>Limonium sinuatum</em> Mill. plants affected by aster yellows phytoplasma were investigated. In the phloem tissues of affected plants stem necrosis takes place. In necrotic regions no sieve tubes were observed only necrotic cells and parenchyma cells. The sieve tubes present on the border of necrosis showed collapsed walls and were rich in vesicles. Phytoplasma cells were observed in sieve tubes present in nonnecrotic regions of the phloem. Various structural changes in sieve elements were investigated. The endoplasmic reticulum cistemae were often localised in the lumen of the sieve element without contact with the walls. Such localisation of endoplasmic reticulum was never observed in healthy plants. Vesicles of different size, fuzzy material and clumping of p-proteins were characteristic for sieve elements from nonnecrotic part of phloem. No correlation with the sieve tube structure and the appearance of phytoplasma in a single sieve element was found. In control plants of <em>L. sinuatum</em> phloem observed were phloem parenchyma cells with spiny vesicles (SV). In infected plants there were a remarkable increase in cells with SV. Also the SV itself had not only a vesicular but also a tubular or extended cistern shape.


1957 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-341
Author(s):  
T. E. MITTLER

1. A study has been made of the factors involved in the uptake of phloem sap by Tuberolachnus salignus (Gmelin) feeding on the stems of various Salix spp. 2. A method has been developed for maintaining the parthenogenetic viviparous forms of T. salignus in culture throughout the year. 3. It has been established that during normal feeding T. salignus have the tips of their stylets inserted into the phloem sieve-tubes of the host plant. 4. The phloem sieve-tube sap of intact and turgid willow stems is under considerable pressure. This pressure forces the sieve-tube mp up the stylet food canal of feeding aphids, and also causes the sieve-tube sap to exude for many hours from the cut end of embedded stylet bundles. 5. Intact and feeding T. salignus rely almost entirely on this pressure to maintain their normal rate of eieve-tube sap uptake. The aphids must, however, swallow actively in order to ingest.


1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lalit M. Srivastava

The origin of sieve elements and parenchyma cells in the secondary phloem of Austrobaileya was studied by use of serial cross sections stained with tannic acid – ferric chloride and lacmoid. In three important respects, Austrobaileya phloem recalls gymnospermous features: it has sieve cells rather than sieve-tube members; a significant proportion of sieve elements and companion cells arise independently of each other; and sieve areas occur between sieve elements and companion cells ontogenetically unrelated to each other. The angiospermous feature includes origin of most sieve elements and parenchyma, including companion cells, after divisions in phloic initials. In these instances companion cells show a closer ontogenetic relationship to sieve elements than do other parenchyma cells. The combination of gymnospermous and angiospermous features makes phloem of Austrobaileya unique when compared to that of all those species that have been investigated in detail. It is further suggested that the term albuminous cells is inappropriate and should be replaced by companion cells but that the ontogenetic relationship implicit in the definition of companion cells is too restrictive and should be abandoned.


1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (12) ◽  
pp. 2592-2600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thompson Demetrio Pizzolato

The interconnecting vascular system of the floret of Alopecurus carolinianus Walter begins as a single, collateral bundle, which enters the rachilla and becomes reorganized into a diarch pattern while ascending between the glumes. During a pronounced posterior enlargement, the rachilla bundle becomes connected with the median and four lateral bundles of the lemma. Above the trace to the lemma median, elements of a xylem discontinuity surrounded by those of a sieve-element plexus form in the rachilla bundle. Higher, a trace consisting of elements of the xylem discontinuity and the plexus enters the anterior and the posterior stamen. Two bundles, the lowest portion of the pistil vasculature, rise eccentrically from the xylem discontinuity and sieve-element plexus at the level of the stamen traces. The bundles condense into one which rotates counterclockwise and connects with the anterior sieve tube of the pistil. The xylem discontinuity of the bundle now in the pistil begins to diminish, and the sieve elements fan out to the sides and posterior of the xylem discontinuity. From the sieve elements one or two posterolaterals emerge toward the styles. The bundle of diffuse sieve elements in a semicircle behind the diminishing xylem discontinuity is now the placental bundle of the pistil. After its xylem discontinuity and then its sieve elements fade out, the placental bundle merges with the ovule at the chalaza.


Plant Science ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 181 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio Paez-Valencia ◽  
Araceli Patron-Soberano ◽  
Alejandra Rodriguez-Leviz ◽  
Jonathan Sanchez-Lares ◽  
Concepcion Sanchez-Gomez ◽  
...  

1968 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
SY Zee ◽  
TC Chambers

The morphogenesis of the sieve elements, companion cells, and phloem parenchyma in the region between 0.5 and 2.0 mm from the actively growing root apex of seedlings of Pisum sativum L. cv. Telephone is described. The overall developmental pattern is essentially similar to that already described for the secondary phloem of the young stem internode of the same species, although differences in the development of some organelles do exist between the two types of phloem. The development of the sieve element is traced from the earliest stages of cross wall formation up to the morphologically mature stages. Very few sieve elements reach morphological maturity in this region. The possibility that the functional translocatory sieve elements are those at earlier stages of development is discussed.


Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lothar Kalmbach ◽  
Ykä Helariutta

Sieve pores of the sieve plates connect neighboring sieve elements to form the conducting sieve tubes of the phloem. Sieve pores are critical for phloem function. From the 1950s onwards, when electron microscopes became increasingly available, the study of their formation had been a pillar of phloem research. More recent work on sieve elements instead has largely focused on sieve tube hydraulics, phylogeny, and eco-physiology. Additionally, advanced molecular and genetic tools available for the model species Arabidopsis thaliana helped decipher several key regulatory mechanisms of early phloem development. Yet, the downstream differentiation processes which form the conductive sieve tube are still largely unknown, and our understanding of sieve pore formation has only moderately progressed. Here, we summarize our current knowledge on sieve pore formation and present relevant recent advances in related fields such as sieve element evolution, physiology, and plasmodesmata formation.


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