Intercellular nuclear migration in cryofixed tobacco male meiocytes

Unusual nuclear structures in male meiocytes of wild-type rye as revealed by volume microscopy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

During the analysis of plant male meiocytes coming from destroyed meiocyte columns (united multicellular structures formed by male meiocytes in each anther locule), a considerable amount of information becomes unavailable. Therefore, in this study intact meiocyte columns were studied by volume microscopy in wild-type rye for the most relevant presentation of 3-D structure of rye meiocytes throughout meiosis.

METHODS

We used two types of volume light microscopy: confocal laser scanning microscopy and non-confocal bright-field scanning microscopy combined with alcohol and aldehyde fixation, as well as serial block-face scanning electron microscopy.

KEY RESULTS

Unusual structures, called nuclear protuberances, were detected. At certain meiotic stages, nuclei formed protuberances that crossed the cell wall through intercellular channels and extended into the cytoplasm of neighbouring cells, while all other aspects of cell structure appeared to be normal. This phenomenon of intercellular nuclear migration (INM) was detected in most meiocytes at leptotene/zygotene. No cases of micronucleus formation or appearance of binucleated meiocytes were noticed. There were instances of direct contact between two nuclei during INM. No influence of fixation or of mechanical impact on the induction of INM was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Intercellular nuclear migration in rye may be a programmed process (a normal part of rye male meiosis) or a tricky artefact that cannot be avoided in any way no matter which approach to meiocyte imaging is used. In both cases, INM seems to be an obligatory phenomenon that has previously been hidden by limitations of common microscopic techniques and by 2-D perception of plant male meiocytes. Intercellular nuclear migration cannot be ignored in any studies involving manipulations of rye anthers.

Methomyl, imbraclaobrid and clethodim induced cytomixis and syncytes behaviors in PMCs of Pisum sativum L: Causes and outcomes

Cytomixis is a common phenomenon observed in meiotic cells such as anther which is influenced by various factors. Use of pesticides is a common practice in agriculture. However, it is not known whether pesticides can induce cytomixis in plant cells and induce genetic variation. To understand this, the present study was planned to assess the cytomixis and syncytes behaviors in PMCs of Pisum sativum L. Seeds of P. sativum (Family: Fabaceae) were treated with different concentrations of commonly used pesticides methomyl (ME), imbraclaobrid (IM) and clethodim (CL). Seeds were treated with various concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5% of ME, IM and CL prepared in water) for 1 and 3 h. Effect of pesticides on pollen fertility, frequency of cytomixis, and kind of cytomixis cells was assessed. In the cytomixis cells, the cytomictic channel (CC) and direct fusion (DF), and various stages of meiosis (PI, MI, AI and TI) with cytomixis cells were observed. In addition, frequency of syncytes cell and their various stages of meiosis I (PI, MI, AI and TI) in pollen mother cells (PMCs) was assessed. During the microsporogenesis in P. sativum, the occurrence of cytomixis and syncytes at various stages of meiosis I were seen. The formation of cytoplasmic channels and direct fusing of pollen mother cells (PMCs) were both seen to cause cytomixis, with the former being more common than the latter. The percentage of PMCs with cytomixis and syncytes cells increased with increase in the concentration of pesticides. The result of the present investigation indicates that commonly used pesticides ME, IM, and CL have a significant effect on pollen fertility, frequency of cytomixis, and kind of cytomixis cells, the cytomictic channel (CC) and direct fusion (DF), in addition, frequency of syncytes cell and their various stages of meiosis I (PI, MI, AI and TI) in pollen mother cells (PMCs) on P. sativum.