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Płachno BJ, Kapusta M, Stolarczyk P, Świątek P. Do Cuticular Gaps Make It Possible to Study the Composition of the Cell Walls in the Glands of Drosophyllum lusitanicum? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1320. [PMID: 38279320 PMCID: PMC10816202 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Carnivorous plants can survive in poor habitats because they have the ability to attract, capture, and digest prey and absorb animal nutrients using modified organs that are equipped with glands. These glands have terminal cells with permeable cuticles. Cuticular discontinuities allow both secretion and endocytosis. In Drosophyllum lusitanicum, these emergences have glandular cells with cuticular discontinuities in the form of cuticular gaps. In this study, we determined whether these specific cuticular discontinuities were permeable enough to antibodies to show the occurrence of the cell wall polymers in the glands. Scanning transmission electron microscopy was used to show the structure of the cuticle. Fluorescence microscopy revealed the localization of the carbohydrate epitopes that are associated with the major cell wall polysaccharides and glycoproteins. We showed that Drosophyllum leaf epidermal cells have a continuous and well-developed cuticle, which helps the plant inhibit water loss and live in a dry environment. The cuticular gaps only partially allow us to study the composition of cell walls in the glands of Drosophyllum. We recoded arabinogalactan proteins, some homogalacturonans, and hemicelluloses. However, antibody penetration was only limited to the cell wall surface. The localization of the wall components in the cell wall ingrowths was missing. The use of enzymatic digestion improves the labeling of hemicelluloses in Drosophyllum glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz J. Płachno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 9 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kapusta
- Bioimaging Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, 59 Wita Stwosza St., 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Piotr Stolarczyk
- Department of Botany, Physiology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Kraków, 29 Listopada 54 Ave., 31-425 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Piotr Świątek
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, 9 Bankowa St., 40-007 Katowice, Poland;
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Płachno BJ, Kapusta M. The Localization of Cell Wall Components in the Quadrifids of Whole-Mount Immunolabeled Utricularia dichotoma Traps. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:56. [PMID: 38203227 PMCID: PMC10778831 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Utricularia (bladderworts) are carnivorous plants. They produce small hollow vesicles, which function as suction traps that work underwater and capture fine organisms. Inside the traps, there are numerous glandular trichomes (quadrifids), which take part in the secretion of digestive enzymes, the resorption of released nutrients, and likely the pumping out of water. Due to the extreme specialization of quadrifids, they are an interesting model for studying the cell walls. This aim of the study was to fill in the gap in the literature concerning the immunocytochemistry of quadrifids in the major cell wall polysaccharides and glycoproteins. To do this, the localization of the cell wall components in the quadrifids was performed using whole-mount immunolabeled Utricularia traps. It was observed that only parts (arms) of the terminal cells had enough discontinuous cuticle to be permeable to antibodies. There were different patterns of the cell wall components in the arms of the terminal cells of the quadrifids. The cell walls of the arms were especially rich in low-methyl-esterified homogalacturonan. Moreover, various arabinogalactan proteins also occurred. Cell walls in glandular cells of quadrifids were rich in low-methyl-esterified homogalacturonan; in contrast, in the aquatic carnivorous plant Aldrovanda vesiculosa, cell walls in the glandular cells of digestive glands were poor in low-methyl-esterified homogalacturonan. Arabinogalactan proteins were found in the cell walls of trap gland cells in all studied carnivorous plants: Utricularia, and members of Droseraceae and Drosophyllaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz J. Płachno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 9 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Cracow, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kapusta
- Laboratory of Bioimaging, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, 59 Wita Stwosza St., 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland;
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Płachno BJ, Kapusta M, Stolarczyk P, Świątek P, Lichtscheidl I. Differences in the Occurrence of Cell Wall Components between Distinct Cell Types in Glands of Drosophyllum lusitanicum. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15045. [PMID: 37894725 PMCID: PMC10606540 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Carnivorous plants are mixotrophs that have developed the ability to lure, trap, and digest small organisms and utilize components of the digested bodies. Leaves of Drosophyllum lusitanicum have two kinds of glands (emergences): stalked mucilage glands and sessile digestive glands. The stalked mucilage glands perform the primary role in prey lure and trapping. Apart from their role in carnivory, they absorb water condensed from oceanic fog; thus, plants can survive in arid conditions. To better understand the function of carnivorous plant emergences, the molecular composition of their cell walls was investigated using immunocytochemical methods. In this research, Drosophyllum lusitanicum was used as a study system to determine whether cell wall immunocytochemistry differs between the mucilage and digestive glands of other carnivorous plant species. Light and electron microscopy were used to observe gland structure. Fluorescence microscopy revealed the localization of carbohydrate epitopes associated with the major cell wall polysaccharides and glycoproteins. The mucilage gland (emergence) consists of a glandular head, a connecting neck zone, and stalk. The gland head is formed by an outer and inner layer of glandular (secretory) cells and supported by a layer of endodermoid (barrier) cells. The endodermoid cells have contact with a core of spongy tracheids with spiral-shaped thickenings. Lateral tracheids are surrounded by epidermal and parenchymal neck cells. Different patterns of cell wall components were found in the various cell types of the glands. Cell walls of glandular cells generally are poor in both low and highly esterified homogalacturonans (HGs) but enriched with hemicelluloses. Cell walls of inner glandular cells are especially rich in arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs). The cell wall ingrowths in glandular cells are significantly enriched with hemicelluloses and AGPs. In the case of cell wall components, the glandular cells of Drosophyllum lusitanicum mucilage glands are similar to the glandular cells of the digestive glands of Aldrovanda vesiculosa and Dionaea muscipula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz J. Płachno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 9 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kapusta
- Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, 59 Wita Stwosza St., 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Piotr Stolarczyk
- Department of Botany, Physiology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Kraków, 29 Listopada 54 Ave., 31-425 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Piotr Świątek
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, 9 Bankowa St., 40-007 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Irene Lichtscheidl
- Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure Research, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria;
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Lustofin K, Świątek P, Miranda VFO, Płachno BJ. Phylogenetical Position versus Pollination Syndromes: Floral Trichomes of Central American and Mexican Pinguicula. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098423. [PMID: 37176130 PMCID: PMC10179228 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Central American and Mexican Pinguicula species are characterized by enormous divergence in size and color of flowers and are pollinated by butterflies, flies, bees, and hummingbirds. It is known that floral trichomes are key characters in plant-pollinator interaction. The main aim of our study was to verify our hypothesis that the distribution and diversity of non-glandular and glandular trichomes are related to the pollinator syndromes rather than the phylogenetic relationships. The studied sample consisted of Central American and Mexican species. In our study, we relied on light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with a phylogenetic perspective based on ITS DNA sequences. The flower morphology of species pollinated by butterflies and hummingbirds was similar in contrast to species pollinated by flies and bees. Species pollinated by butterflies and hummingbirds contained low diversity of non-glandular trichomes, which occurred mostly in the tube and basal part of the spur. Surprisingly, in P. esseriana and P. mesophytica, non-glandular trichomes also occurred at the base of lower lip petals. In the case of species pollinated by flies/bees, we observed a high variety of non-glandular trichomes, which occurred on the surface of corolla petals, in the tube, and at the entrance to the spur. Furthermore, we did not identify any non-glandular trichomes in the spur. The capitate glandular trichomes were of similar morphology in all examined species. There were minor differences in the shape of the trichome head, as well as the length and the number of stalk cells. The distribution and the diversity of non-glandular and glandular trichomes and pollinator syndromes were mapped onto a phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus. Most micromorphological characters appear to be associated more with floral adaptation to pollinators and less with phylogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Lustofin
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Cracow, 9 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Cracow, Poland
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Cracow, Poland
| | - Piotr Świątek
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, 9 Bankowa St., 40-007 Katowice, Poland
| | - Vitor F O Miranda
- Laboratory of Plant Systematics, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Bartosz J Płachno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Cracow, 9 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Cracow, Poland
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Wójciak M, Feldo M, Stolarczyk P, Płachno BJ. Biological Potential of Carnivorous Plants from Nepenthales. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083639. [PMID: 37110873 PMCID: PMC10146735 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Since Charles Darwin and his book carnivorous plants have aroused interest and heated debate. In addition, there is growing interest in this group of plants as a source of secondary metabolites and in the application of their biological activity. The aim of this study was to trace the recent literature in search of the application of extracts obtained from families Droseraceae, Nepenthaceae, and Drosophyllaceae to show their biological potential. The data collected in the review clearly indicate that the studied Nepenthales species have great biological potential in terms of antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer use. We proposed that further investigations should include: (i) bioactivity-guided investigations of crude plant extract to connect a particular type of action with a specific compound or a group of metabolites; (ii) a search for new bioactive properties of carnivorous plants; (iii) establishment of molecular mechanisms associated with specific activity. Furthermore, further research should be extended to include less explored species, i.e., Drosophyllum lusitanicum and especially Aldrovanda vesiculosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Wójciak
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Marcin Feldo
- Chair and Department of Vascular Surgery and Angiology, Medical University of Lublin, 11 Staszica St., 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Piotr Stolarczyk
- Department of Botany, Physiology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Kraków, 29 Listopada 54 Ave., 31-425 Cracow, Poland
| | - Bartosz J Płachno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 9 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Cracow, Poland
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Carnivorous Plants from Nepenthaceae and Droseraceae as a Source of Secondary Metabolites. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052155. [PMID: 36903400 PMCID: PMC10004607 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Carnivorous plants are able to attract small animals or protozoa and retain them in their specialized traps. Later, the captured organisms are killed and digested. The nutrients contained in the prey bodies are absorbed by the plants to use for growth and reproduction. These plants produce many secondary metabolites involved in the carnivorous syndrome. The main purpose of this review was to provide an overview of the secondary metabolites in the family Nepenthaceae and Droseraceae, which were studied using modern identification techniques, i.e., high-performance liquid chromatography or ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. After literature screening, there is no doubt that tissues of species from the genera Nepenthes, Drosera, and Dionaea are rich sources of secondary metabolites that can be used in pharmacy and for medical purposes. The main types of the identified compounds include phenolic acids and their derivatives (gallic, protocatechuic, chlorogenic, ferulic, p-coumaric acids, gallic, hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, syringic caffeic acids, and vanillin), flavonoids (myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol derivatives), including anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, and cyanidin), naphthoquinones (e.g., plumbagin, droserone, and 5-O-methyl droserone), and volatile organic compounds. Due to the biological activity of most of these substances, the importance of the carnivorous plant as a pharmaceutical crop will increase.
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Immunocytochemical Analysis of Bifid Trichomes in Aldrovanda vesiculosa L. Traps. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043358. [PMID: 36834769 PMCID: PMC9958864 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The two-armed bifids (bifid trichomes) occur on the external (abaxial) trap surface, petiole, and stem of the aquatic carnivorous plant Aldrovanda vesiculosa (Droseracee). These trichomes play the role of mucilage trichomes. This study aimed to fill the gap in the literature concerning the immunocytochemistry of the bifid trichomes and compare them with digestive trichomes. Light and electron microscopy was used to show the trichome structure. Fluorescence microscopy revealed the localization of carbohydrate epitopes associated with the major cell wall polysaccharides and glycoproteins. The stalk cells and the basal cells of the trichomes were differentiated as endodermal cells. Cell wall ingrowths occurred in all cell types of the bifid trichomes. Trichome cells differed in the composition of their cell walls. The cell walls of the head cells and stalk cells were enriched with arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs); however, they were generally poor in both low- and highly-esterified homogalacturonans (HGs). The cell walls in the trichome cells were rich in hemicelluloses: xyloglucan and galactoxyloglucan. The cell wall ingrowths in the basal cells were significantly enriched with hemicelluloses. The presence of endodermal cells and transfer cells supports the idea that bifid trichomes actively transport solutes, which are polysaccharide in nature. The presence of AGPs (which are considered plant signaling molecules) in the cell walls in these trichome cells indicates the active and important role of these trichomes in plant function. Future research should focus on the question of how the molecular architecture of trap cell walls changes in cells during trap development and prey capture and digestion in A. vesiculosa and other carnivorous plants.
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Stellate Trichomes in Dionaea muscipula Ellis (Venus Flytrap) Traps, Structure and Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010553. [PMID: 36613996 PMCID: PMC9820793 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The digestive organs of carnivorous plants have external (abaxial) glands and trichomes, which perform various functions. Dionaea muscipula Ellis (the Venus flytrap) is a model carnivorous plant species whose traps are covered by external trichomes. The aim of the study was to fill in the gap regarding the structure of the stellate outer trichomes and their immunocytochemistry and to determine whether these data support the suggestions of other authors about the roles of these trichomes. Light and electron microscopy was used to show the trichomes' structure. Fluorescence microscopy was used to locate the carbohydrate epitopes that are associated with the major cell wall polysaccharides and glycoproteins. The endodermal cells and internal head cells of the trichomes were differentiated as transfer cells, and this supports the idea that stellate trichomes transport solutes and are not only tomentose-like trichomes. Trichome cells differ in the composition of their cell walls, e.g., the cell walls of the internal head cells are enriched with arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs). The cell walls of the outer head cells are poor in both low and highly homogalacturonans (HGs), but the immature trichomes are rich in the pectic polysaccharide (1-4)-β-D-galactan. In the immature traps, young stellate trichomes produce mucilage which may protect the trap surface, and in particular, the trap entrance. However, the role of these trichomes is different when the outer head cells collapse. In the internal head cells, a thick secondary wall cell was deposited, which together with the thick cell walls of the outer head cells played the role of a large apoplastic space. This may suggest that mature stellate trichomes might function as hydathodes, but this should be experimentally proven.
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