Seasonally dependent formation of protein-storage vacuoles in the inner bark tissues of Salix microstachya
The inner bark tissues of temperate hardwoods often act in the temporary storage of reduced nitrogen as protein during the overwintering period. Electron microscopic studies reported here demonstrate the analogy between the protein-storage vacuoles of the inner bark tissues and protein bodies in seeds. Development of these organelles parallels that of protein body formation seen in many dicotyledonous seeds. Coincident with the synthesis and sequestering of specific proteins, the large central vacuoles of the phloem parenchyma cells are slowly replaced over a 3- to 4-week period with numerous smaller protein-storage vacuoles (protein bodies). These arise via the subdivision of the larger vacuole and subsequent filling of the smaller vacuoles with protein. During this process there is a proliferation of both free ribosomes and rough endoplasmic reticulum in the ground cytoplasm. Stacks of rough endoplasmic reticulum are present in the peripheral cytoplasm and surround the smaller vacuoles as proteinaceous material is deposited. Golgi complexes, although not numerous, are present in the ground cytoplasm during the filling of the protein storage vacuoles. Key words: protein-storage vacuoles, protein body development, Salix microstachya, hardening, nitrogen storage, dormancy onset.