DNA content and differentiation of root apical cells of Brassica rapa plants grown in microgravity

Root cap is proposed to be a graviperceptive tissue in the plant root, and it is composed of several cell types. One such cell type, the columella cells, are thought to initiate the gravity-induced signal transduction cascade, and these cells arise from the activity of the meristematic zone of the root cap. There is, in fact, a continuum of cells in the central column of the root cap representing the meristematic cells, developing columella cells, mature cells, and those that will soon be sloughed off into the soil. In order to study the functional roles of the root cap cells in gravity-sensing, we compared the ultrastructural organization, differentiation, and DNA content in the meristematic, elongating, and differentiating cells of root tips in Brassica rapa plants grown in space microgravity and at 1g. The experiments were also designed to determine the reactions of root cap cells in both main roots (in which the original root cap was present in an embryonic form within the seed) and lateral roots (in which the root cap formed completely in space after seed germination on orbit) to the space microgravity. This study (ROOTS) was performed in collaboration with the B-PAC experiment on the Space shuttle "Columbia" mission STS-87 (Collaborative US/Ukrainian Experiment (CUE) during November 19-December 5, 1997.

Functional state of chromatin and proliferative activity of meristematic cells in pea seedlings under various clinostatic conditions

Data from a complex cytochemical analysis show that the functional state of chromatin and the level of the cell proliferative activity may be reliable cytological criteria for primary structural and functional changes that result in disturbances of plant growth and development. Autoradiographic and cytophotonetric studies made it possible to establish certain differences, induced by fast rotation (50 rev/min) on the clinostat, in the chromatin state and cell reproduction of the pea seedling root meristem for the initial stages of plant development. There were no essential differences for the given parameters under slow (2 rev/min) clinostatic conditions.