Ultrastructural changes during nectar secretion from extrafloral nectaries of Pithecellobium dulce Benth. 2023

Pramod Sivan, and Karumanchi S Rao
Division of Glycoscience, Department of Chemistry, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Centre, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden. psivan@kth.se.

The structural changes in the secretory cells are important to understand the ontogeny and nectar secretion process from the nectaries. In this study, we investigated the ultrastructural changes during different developmental/secretion stages of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) of Pithecellobium dulce. The dense cytoplasm with active biosynthesis mechanisms such as ribosomes, mitochondria, large nucleus, and plastids with accumulated starch grains characterized the pre-secretion stage of young nectariferous cells. During the secretory phase, the cytoplasm showed distinct changes associated with endomembrane transport such as the predominant occurrence of Golgi, secretory vesicles, and ER resulting in the subsequent appearance of secretions in the intercellular and subcuticular spaces. Cell wall loosening following the dissolution of middle lamellae leading to the formation of subcuticular spaces was evident during advanced stages of nectar secretion. The characteristic cytoplasmic and apoplastic changes associated with cell death were noticed during the post-secretory stages. The structural evidence from the present study suggests the occurrence of two modes of secretion (merocrine and holocrine) during the early and late stages of secretion in the EFNs of P. dulce.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007887 Fabaceae The large family of plants characterized by pods. Some are edible and some cause LATHYRISM or FAVISM and other forms of poisoning. Other species yield useful materials like gums from ACACIA and various LECTINS like PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININS from PHASEOLUS. Many of them harbor NITROGEN FIXATION bacteria on their roots. Many but not all species of "beans" belong to this family. Afzelia,Amorpha,Andira,Baptisia,Callerya,Ceratonia,Clathrotropis,Colophospermum,Copaifera,Delonix,Euchresta,Guibourtia,Legumes,Machaerium,Pithecolobium,Stryphnodendron,Leguminosae,Pea Family,Pithecellobium,Tachigalia,Families, Pea,Family, Pea,Legume,Pea Families
D002473 Cell Wall The outermost layer of a cell in most PLANTS; BACTERIA; FUNGI; and ALGAE. The cell wall is usually a rigid structure that lies external to the CELL MEMBRANE, and provides a protective barrier against physical or chemical agents. Cell Walls,Wall, Cell,Walls, Cell
D003593 Cytoplasm The part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990) Protoplasm,Cytoplasms,Protoplasms
D055571 Secretory Pathway A series of sequential intracellular steps involved in the transport of proteins (such as hormones and enzymes) from the site of synthesis to outside the cell. The pathway involves membrane-bound compartments through which the newly synthesized proteins undergo POST-TRANSLATIONAL MODIFICATIONS, packaging, storage, or transportation to the PLASMA MEMBRANE for secretion. Secretion Pathway,Secretion Process,Secretory Process,Secretion Pathways,Secretion Processes,Secretory Pathways,Secretory Processes
D057048 Plant Nectar Sugar-rich liquid produced in plant glands called nectaries. It is either produced in flowers or other plant structures (extrafloral nectaries), providing a source of attraction for pollinating insects and animals, as well as being a nutrient source to animal mutualists which provide protection of plants against herbivores. Extrafloral Nectar,Nectar,Nectar, Extrafloral,Nectar, Plant

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