Functional anatomy of the mechanoreceptor cells in tendrils of Bryonia dioica Jacq

• Published in: Planta Vol. 196; no. 3; pp. 539 - 550
• Main Authors: Engelberth, J, Wanner, G, Groth, B, Weiler, E.W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer-Verlag 1995; Springer
• Subjects: actin; Actins; Biological and medical sciences; Bryonia cretica; Calcium; cell differentiation; Cell membranes; Cell physiology; cell ultrastructure; Cell walls; Cells, cell elements: structure and function; Cytoplasm; cytoskeleton; Epidermal cells; epidermis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; inorganic ions; mechanical stimulation; Mechanoreceptors; Microfilaments; Microtubules; plant morphology; Plant physiology and development; plasma membrane; plasmodesmata; structure-activity relationships; tactile blep; Tendrils; tubulin; ultrastructure; Ultrastructure; Dicotyledones; Mechanoreceptor; Tendrils; Angiospermae; Cucurbitaceae; Above ground plant part; Cytoskeleton; Epidermis; Spermatophyta; Microtubule
• ISSN: 0032-0935; 1432-2048
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00203654

The ultrastructure of epidermal cells of tendrils of Bryonia dioica Jacq. (Cucurbitaceae) was determined using microscopic, histochemical and immunochemical techniques with focus on the tactile blep, the mechanoreceptor of these cells. Tactile bleps resemble bordered pits in structure and probably in formation. They contain cytoplasm rich in endoplasmic reticulum, dictyosomes, mitochondria and microbodies. The cytoplasm is highly vesiculated and usually contains lipid-body-like structures. Cytoskeletal elements (microtubules, actin filaments) are uniquely arranged in the tactile blep, and chlorotetracycline-fluorescence analysis shows large amounts of membrane-associated calcium within the tactile blep. We propose a physically interconnected cytoskeleton-membrane device as the immediate force sensor and transducer which creates a primary intracellular signal, for which calcium is a likely candidate.