The involvement of glucose-6-phosphatase in mucilage secretion by root cap cells of Zea mays.
In order to determine the involvement of glucose-6-phosphatase in mucilage secretion by root cap cells, we have cytochemically localized the enzyme in columella and peripheral cells of root caps of Zea mays.  Glucose-6-phosphatase is associated with the plasmalemma and cell wall of columella cells.  As columella cells differentiate into peripheral cells and begin to produce and secrete mucilage, glucose-6-phosphatase staining intensifies and becomes associated with the mucilage and, to a lesser extent, the cell wall.  Cells being sloughed from the cap are characterized by glucose-6-phosphatase staining being associated with the vacuole and plasmalemma.  These changes in enzyme localization during cellular differentiation in root caps suggest that glucose-6-phosphatase is involved in the production and/or secretion of mucilage by peripheral cells of Z. mays.
Moore
R
R
Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, USA.
McClelen
C E
CE
D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005952:Glucose-6-Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018518:Plant Root Cap / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003313:Zea mays / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D009077:Mucins; D005952:Glucose-6-Phosphatase