Summary
Transmembrane linear terminal complexes considered to be involved in the synthesis of cellulose microfibrils have been described in the plasma membrane ofBoergesenia forbesii. Evidence for the existence of these structures has been obtained almost exlusively using the freeze etching technique. In the present study an attempt has been made to complete these studies using conventional fixation, staining, and sectioning procedures. In developing cells ofBoergesenia forbesii, strongly stained structures traversing the plasma membrane and averaging 598.9 nm ± 171.3 nm in length, 28.7 nm ± 4.2 nm in width, and 35.2 nm ± 6.6 nm in depth have been demonstrated. These structures are considered to be linear terminal complexes. At their distal (cell wall) surface, they appear to be closely associated with cellulose microfibrils. At the proximal (cytoplasmic) surface, they are associated with microtubules and polysomes. A model of the possible interrelation of the terminal complexes and microtubules leading to the generation of cell wall microfibrils is proposed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barton R (1965) An unusual organelle in the peripheral cytoplasm ofChara cells. Nature 205: 201
Brown RM, Jr (1985) Cellulose microfibril assembly and orientation: recent developments. J Cell Sci [Suppl] 2: 13–32
—,Montezinos D (1976) Cellulose microfibrils: Visualization of biosynthetic and orienting complexes in association with the plasma membrane. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 73 (1): 143–147
—,Romanovicz DK (1976) Biogenesis and structure of Golgiderived cellulosic scales inPleurochrysis. I. Role of the endomembrane system in scale assembly and exocytosis. Appl Polym Symp 28: 537
Crawley JCW (1965) A cytoplasmic organelle associated with cell walls ofChara andNitella. Nature 205: 200
Dobberstein B, Kiermayer O (1972) Das Austreten eines besonderen Types von Golgivesikeln während der Sekundarwandbildung vonMicrasterias. Protoplasma 75: 185–194
Giddings TH, Brower DL, Staehelin LA (1980) Visualization of particle complexes in the plasma membrane ofMicrasterias denticulata associated with the formation of cellulose fibrils in primary and secondary cell walls. J Cell Biol 84: 327–339
Haigler CH, Brown RM, Jr, Benziman M (1980) Calcofluor white ST alters thein vivo assembly of cellulose microfibrils. Science 210: 903–906
—,White AR, Brown RM, Jr, Cooper KM (1982) Alteration ofin vivo cellulose ribbon assembly by carboxymethyl-cellulose and other cellulose derivatives. J Cell Biol 94: 67–69
Itoh T, O'Neil RM, Brown RM, Jr (1984) Interference of cell wall regeneration ofBoergesenia forbesii protoplasts by Tinopal LPW, a fluorescent brightening agent. Protoplasma 123: 174–183
Kiermayer O, Dobberstein B (1973) Membrankomplexe dictyosomaler Herkunft als Matrizen für die extraplasmatische Synthese und Orientierung von Mikrofibrilien. Protoplasma 77: 437–451
—, 1981: Cytoplasmic basis of morphogenesis inMicrasterias. In:Kiermayer O (ed) Cytomorphogenesis of plants, vol. 8. Springer, New York
Montezinos D (1982) A cytological model of cellulose biogenesis in the algaOocystis apiculata. In:Brown RM, Jr (ed) Cellulose and other natural polymer systems. Plenum Publ Corp, New York, pp 3–21
—,Brown RM, Jr (1976) Surface architecture of the plant cell; Biogenesis of the cell wall with special emphasis on the role of plasma membrane in cellulose biosynthesis. J Supramol Struct 5: 227–229, 290–292
Mueller SC, Brown RM, Jr, Scott TK (1976) Cellulosic microfibrils: nascent stages of synthesis in a higher plant cell. Science 194: 949–951
— —, (1980) Evidence for an intramembrane component associated with a cellulose microfibril synthesizing complex in higher plants. J Cell Biol 84: 315–326
Oleson P (1980) The visualization of wall-associated granules in thin sections of higher plant cells: occurrence, distribution, morphology and possible role in cell wall biogenesis. Z Pflanzenphysiol 96: 35–48
Preston RD (1964) Structural and mechanical aspects of plant cell walls with particular reference to synthesis and growth. In:Zimmermann MH (ed) Formation of wood in forest trees. Academic Press, London, pp 169–188
Ray PM (1973) Regulation of β-glucan synthetase activity by auxin in pea stem tissue. II. Metabolic requirements. Plant Physiol 51: 609–614
Raymond Y, Finger GB, MacLachlan GA (1978) Tissue slice and paniculate β-1,4-glucan synthetase activities fromPisum epicotyls. Plant Physiol 61: 938–942
Robards AW (1969) Particles associated with developing plant cell walls. Planta 88: 376–379
Roberts E, Seagull RW, Haigler CH, Brown RM, Jr (1982) Alteration of cellulose microfibril formation in eukaryotic cells: Calcofluor White interferes with microfibril assembly and orientation inOocystis apiculata. Protoplasma 113: 1–9
Roelofsen A (1958) Cell wall structure as related to surface growth. Acta Bot Neerl 7: 77–89
Starr RC (1978) The culture collection of algae at The University of Texas at Austin. J Phycol 14 [Suppl]: 97–100
Willison JHM, Cooking EC (1975) Microfibril synthesis at the surface of isolated tobacco mesophyl protoplasts, a freeze-etch study. Protoplasma 84: 147–159
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kudlicka, K., Wardrop, A., Itoh, T. et al. Further evidence from sectioned material in support of the existence of a linear terminal complex in cellulose synthesis. Protoplasma 136, 96–103 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01276358
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01276358