Ricinosomes provide an early indicator of suspensor and endosperm cells destined to die during late seed development in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa).
OBJECTIVE
In mature quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) seeds, the lasting endosperm forms a micropylar cone covering the radicle. The suspensor cells lie within the centre of the cone. During the final stage of seed development, the cells of the lasting endosperm accumulate protein and lipids while the rest are crushed and disintegrated. Both the suspensor and endosperm die progressively from the innermost layers surrounding the embryo and extending towards the nucellar tissue. Ricinosomes are endoplasmic reticulum-derived organelles that accumulate both the pro-form and the mature form of cysteine endopeptidase (Cys-EP), first identified in castor bean (Ricinus communis) endosperm during germination. This study sought to identify associations between the presence of ricinosomes and programmed cell death (PCD) hallmarks in suspensor and endosperm cells predestined to die during quinoa seed development.


METHODS
A structural study using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy was performed. To detect the presence of Cys-EP, both western blot and in situ immunolocalization assays were carried out using anti-R. communis Cys-EP antibody. A TUNEL assay was used to determine DNA fragmentation.


CONCLUSIONS
Except for the one or two cell layers that constitute the lasting endosperm in the mature seed, ricinosomes were found in suspensor and endosperm cells. These cells were also the site of morphological abnormalities, including misshapen and fragmented nuclei, vesiculation of the cytosol, vacuole collapse and cell wall disorganization. It is proposed that, in suspensor and endosperm cells, the early detection of Cys-EP in ricinosomes predicts the occurrence of PCD during late seed development.
Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Guiraldes 2160, Pab. 2, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA, Argentina.
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López-Fernández
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Maldonado
D016923:Cell Death; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D027465:Chenopodium quinoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D056625:Endosperm / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015388:Organelles / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000378:metabolism
D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases
Amaranthaceae; Chenopodiaceae; Chenopodium quinoa; Cys-EP; Cys-EP in situ immunolocalization; Cys-EP western blot; PCD; TUNEL; cysteine endopeptidase; endosperm; micropylar endosperm; programmed cell death; ricinosomes; suspensor