101. Endopolyploidy in the Leaf Cells of Rhodes Grass (Chloris gayana Kunth).
- Author
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Kobayashi, Hidekazu and Oi, Takao
- Subjects
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FLUORESCENCE microscopy , *GRASSES , *SOMATIC cells , *CELL physiology , *FLOW cytometry - Abstract
Premise of research. Endopolyploidy is the occurrence of different levels of ploidy in the cells of the somatic tissues of an organism. Although several cell functions have been associated with endopolyploidy, its biological significance has not been fully elucidated. Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth) is a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase–type C4 plant. Its leaves are characterized by several morphologically and functionally specialized structures, such as well-developed bundle sheath and bicellular salt glands. The investigation of endopolyploidy in such specialized cells can help to understand their functions and might reveal new roles of endopolyploidy in plants. Methodology. The endopolyploidy in various cell types of the leaf blades of diploid and tetraploid Rhodes grass cultivars was evaluated using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Pivotal results. Leaf blades of Rhodes grass contained 2C, 4C, and 8C nuclei, and the occurrence of endopolyploidy depended on the cell type. More than 99% of the nuclei in mesophyll and epidermal cells were 2C, whereas the proportion of endopolyploid nuclei (4C and 8C) was more than 45% in bundle sheath, salt glands (basal and cap cells), and bulliform cells. These results were common between the cultivars with different ploidies. Conclusions. These results indicate that endopolyploidy is not similar throughout leaf cell types but occurs in specialized cells in the leaf blades of Rhodes grass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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