Étude cytochimique ultrastructurale de la dégradation des lignines dans les résidus pariétaux de bois d'épicéa et de peuplier par le Reticulitermes lucifugus var. santonensis (Rhinotermitidae, Isoptera)

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 933-941 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Garnier-Sillam ◽  
I. Grech ◽  
Y. Czaninski ◽  
M.-T. Tollier ◽  
B. Monties

Free cell-wall residues were prepared by extracting wood samples of spruce (Populus euramericana cv. Fidzi Pauley) and poplar (Picea sitchensis). These species were chosen for their lignin types: guaiacyl in spruce and guaiacyl–syringyl in poplar. The parietal residues obtained were used as the sole food for the xylophagous termite Reticulitermes lucifugus var. santonensis and were compared before and after ingestion and transit in the digestive tracts. Differences due to the mechanical action of the gizzard were found in association with chemical changes. Polysaccharides were unmasked after digestion and could clearly be observed after reaction with periodic acid – thiocarbohydrazide – silver proteinate. A fibrillary meshwork was also observed inside the lignified cell walls. Biodegradation of cell wall material was particularly clear in poplar where granules formed an electron-dense plasma when uranyl acetate – lead citrate or periodic acid – thiocarbohydrazide – silver proteinate was used as a contrast medium. A selective biodegradation of syringyl monomers in poplar parietal residues was indicated by thioacidolysis but requires confirmation. Breakdown of lignified cell walls begins with a biodegradation of the lignin network associated with or followed by the digestion of polysaccharides. Syringyl-rich lignin fractions seemed to break down faster. Whether the enzymic pathway leading to ligninolysis originates from the termite digestive cells or from the endosymbionts present in their digestive tract lumen remains to be defined. Key words: Isoptera, Reticulitermes lucifugus var. santonensis, wood, lignin, spruce, poplar.

1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 486-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Letourneau ◽  
J. M. Deven ◽  
M. S. Manocha

Mechanically isolated, cytoplasm-free cell walls of Choanephora cucurbitarum were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by use of microchemical methods, infrared spectrophotometry, and X-ray diffraction. Chemical analysis of cell wall revealed the presence of chitin (17%), chitosan (28.4%), neutral sugars (7.2%), uronic acid (2.4%), proteins (8.2%), and lipids (13.8%). The structure of hyphal wall, investigated by electron microscopy of shadowed replicas before and after alkali-acid hydrolysis, showed two distinct regions: microfibrillar and amorphous. The microfibrils, which were composed of mainly chitin, were organized into two distinct layers; an outer, thicker layer of randomly oriented microfibrils, and an inner, thin layer of parallel microfibrils. In its structure and chemical composition the cell wall of C. cucurbitarum resembles those of other zygomycetous fungi.


Plant Methods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angus E. Rae ◽  
Vivien Rolland ◽  
Rosemary G. White ◽  
Ulrike Mathesius

Abstract Background The formation of infection threads in the symbiotic infection of rhizobacteria in legumes is a unique, fascinating, and poorly understood process. Infection threads are tubes of cell wall material that transport rhizobacteria from root hair cells to developing nodules in host roots. They form in a type of reverse tip-growth from an inversion of the root hair cell wall, but the mechanism driving this growth is unknown, and the composition of the thread wall remains unclear. High resolution, 3-dimensional imaging of infection threads, and cell wall component specific labelling, would greatly aid in our understanding of the nature and development of these structures. To date, such imaging has not been done, with infection threads typically imaged by GFP-tagged rhizobia within them, or histochemically in thin sections. Results We have developed new methods of imaging infection threads using novel and traditional cell wall fluorescent labels, and laser confocal scanning microscopy. We applied a new Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stain using rhodamine-123 to the labelling of whole cleared infected roots of Medicago truncatula; which allowed for imaging of infection threads in greater 3D detail than had previously been achieved. By the combination of the above method and a calcofluor-white counter-stain, we also succeeded in labelling infection threads and plant cell walls separately, and have potentially discovered a way in which the infection thread matrix can be visualized. Conclusions Our methods have made the imaging and study of infection threads more effective and informative, and present exciting new opportunities for future research in the area.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 513
Author(s):  
Ewen Silvester ◽  
Annaleise R. Klein ◽  
Kerry L. Whitworth ◽  
Ljiljana Puskar ◽  
Mark J. Tobin

Environmental contextSphagnum moss is a widespread species in peatlands globally and responsible for a large fraction of carbon storage in these systems. We used synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy to characterise the acid-base properties of Sphagnum moss and the conditions under which calcium uptake can occur (essential for plant tissue integrity). The work allows a chemical model for Sphagnum distribution in the landscape to be proposed. AbstractSphagnum is one the major moss types responsible for the deposition of organic soils in peatland systems. The cell walls of this moss have a high proportion of carboxylated polysaccharides (polygalacturonic acids), which act as ion exchangers and are likely to be important for the structural integrity of the cell walls. We used synchrotron light source infrared microspectroscopy to characterise the acid-base and calcium complexation properties of the cell walls of Sphagnum cristatum stems, using freshly sectioned tissue confined in a flowing liquid cell with both normal water and D2O media. The Fourier transform infrared spectra of acid and base forms are consistent with those expected for protonated and deprotonated aliphatic carboxylic acids (such as uronic acids). Spectral deconvolution shows that the dominant aliphatic carboxylic groups in this material behave as a monoprotic acid (pKa=4.97–6.04). The cell wall material shows a high affinity for calcium, with a binding constant (K) in the range 103.9–104.7 (1:1 complex). The chemical complexation model developed here allows for the prediction of the chemical environment (e.g. pH, ionic content) under which Ca2+ uptake can occur, and provides an improved understanding for the observed distribution of Sphagnum in the landscape.


1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 1974-1981 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Batisse ◽  
P. J. Coulomb ◽  
C. Coulomb ◽  
M. Buret

The changes in texture of fruits during ripening are linked to cell wall degradation involving synthesis and degradation of polymers. An increase in pectin solubility leads to cell sliding and an elastic aspect of tissues. The biochemical cell wall process differs between soft and crisp fruits originating from a same cultivar but cultivated under different agroclimatic conditions. Although the proportions of cell wall material are similar, the composition and structure of the two cell walls are very different at maturity. A solubilization of the middle lamella and a restructuration of the primary cell walls arising from the cells separation is observed in crisp fruits. In contrast, the middle lamella of the soft fruits is better preserved and the primary cell walls are thin and show degradation bags delimited by residual membrane formations. In addition, the macroendocytosis process by endosome individualization is more important in soft fruits. In conclusion, the fruit texture depends on the extent of the links between cell wall polymers. Keywords: cherry, cell wall, texture, ultrastructural study.


1959 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 641-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. E. Murray ◽  
W. H. Francombe ◽  
B. H. Mayall

Cultures of sensitive stains of Staphylococcus aureus were fixed with osmium tetroxide after 1–5 hours' exposure to various does of pencillin and were embedded in methacrylate for sectioning and electron microscopy. They were compared with untreated, control cultures. The contrast of the cell wall material was untreated, control cultures. The contrast of the cell wall material was increased, by cutting the section of lanthanum nitrate.The cells increased in size and the surrounding cell wall was thinner than normal. The main lesions appeared in the developing cell wall septa, which showed a loss in density and gross irregularity of shape. Some questionable inclusions were seen in the cytoplasm. Lysis was prevented in a medium containing 0.3 M sucrose and the stable spheroplasts retained a recognizable cell wall after 24 hours' exposure to penicillin. However, the septa could not be demonstrated in the cells treated in sucrose medium.Two resistant strains were exposed to penicillin. In one, the cells showed no morphological effects; in the other, there was temporary damage to the cell septa with complete recovery.The observations support the hypothesis that penicillin interferes with the synthesis of a cell wall component and indicate that the main point of cell wall synthesis is at the site of septum formation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1002-1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Lin ◽  
Michael J. Wester ◽  
Matthew S. Graus ◽  
Keith A. Lidke ◽  
Aaron K. Neumann

The cell wall of Candida albicans is composed largely of polysaccharides. Here we focus on β-glucan, an immunogenic cell-wall polysaccharide whose surface exposure is often restricted, or “masked,” from immune recognition by Dectin-1 on dendritic cells (DCs) and other innate immune cells. Previous research suggested that the physical presentation geometry of β-glucan might determine whether it can be recognized by Dectin-1. We used direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy to explore the fine structure of β-glucan exposed on C. albicans cell walls before and after treatment with the antimycotic drug caspofungin, which alters glucan exposure. Most surface-accessible glucan on C. albicans yeast and hyphae is limited to isolated Dectin-1–binding sites. Caspofungin-induced unmasking caused approximately fourfold to sevenfold increase in total glucan exposure, accompanied by increased phagocytosis efficiency of DCs for unmasked yeasts. Nanoscopic imaging of caspofungin-unmasked C. albicans cell walls revealed that the increase in glucan exposure is due to increased density of glucan exposures and increased multiglucan exposure sizes. These findings reveal that glucan exhibits significant nanostructure, which is a previously unknown physical component of the host– Candida interaction that might change during antifungal chemotherapy and affect innate immune activation.


1992 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.G. Luza ◽  
R. van Gorsel ◽  
V.S. Polito ◽  
A.A. Kader

Fruits of mid- (`O'Henry'), late (`Airtime'), and extra-late-season (`Autumn Gem') peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] cultivars were examined for changes in cell wall structure and cytochemistry that accompany the onset of mealiness and leatheriness of the mesocarp due to chilling injury. The peaches were stored at 10C for up to 18 days or at SC for up to 29 days. Plastic-embedded sections were stained by the Schiff's-periodic acid reaction, Calcofluor white MR2, and Coriphosphine to demonstrate total insoluble carbohydrates, ß-1,4 glucans, and pectins, respectively. Mealiness was characterized by separation of mesocarp parenchyma cells leading to increased intercellular spaces and accumulation of pectic substances in the intercellular matrix. Little structural change was apparent in the cellulosic component of the cell walls of these fruits. In leathery peaches, the mesocarp parenchyma cells collapsed, intercellular space continued to increase, and pectin-positive staining in the intercellular matrix increased greatly. In addition, the component of the cell walls that stained positively for ß-1,4 glucans became thickened relative to freshly harvested or mealy fruit. At the ultrastructural level, dissolution of the middle lamella, cell separation, irregular thickening of the primary wall, and plasmolysis of the mesocarp parenchyma cells were seen as internal breakdown progressed.


Weed Science ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernal E. Valverde ◽  
Arnold P. Appleby ◽  
Steven R. Radosevich ◽  
Alfred Soeldner

Primary root cells from five dinitroaniline-resistant (R) and three susceptible (S) goosegrass biotypes from North Carolina and South Carolina were observed by transmission electron microscopy to determine whether resistance was associated with changes in cell wall formation. Cell wall malformations were found in some cells from two of the R-biotypes and in one of the S-biotypes. Malformations consisted of partially deposited cell walls and the inclusion of cell wall material in the cytoplasm. Some of the affected cells also had abnormal, lobed nuclei and malformed mitochondria. There seems to be little or no correlation between dinitroaniline resistance and cell wall malformations.


Author(s):  
Hilton H. Mollenhauer

Cell walls are fundamentally involved in many aspects of plant biology including the morphology, growth, and development of plant cells and the interactions between plant hosts and their pathogens. Intuitively, one can recognize that these wall properties result from the sum total of the various components of which the wall is composed and that there are classes of substances each of which impart a characteristic property to the cell wall.


1980 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Sprott ◽  
R. C. McKellar

Dithiothreitol reacted, at pH 9.0, with the isolated cell walls of Methanospirillum hungatii, to release about 23% of the cell wall dry weight as a high molecular weight fraction (> 0.5 million daltons). Untreated walls consisted of 70% amino acids, 11% lipid, and 6.6% carbohydrate. Sugars were identified as rhamnose, ribose, glucose, galactose, and mannose. The wall material that was released contained only 47% amino acids and was enriched in lipid, glucose, and phosphate. These results support data from electron micrographs, showing the localized release of cell wall material by the disulfide bond-breaking reagent at alkaline pH. In amino acid composition the untreated walls did not differ greatly from the material released by dithiothreitol, but differed considerably from the walls of another strain of M. hungatii. The ratios of the amino acids found in the cell wall proteins of several archaebacteria and of Bacillus cereus spore coats were similar.


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