Imaging the ER and Endomembrane System in Cereal Endosperm

Author(s)
Verena Ibl, Jenny Peters, Eva Stöger, Elsa Arcalís
Abstract

The cereal endosperm is a complex structure comprising distinct cell types, characterized by specialized organelles for the accumulation of storage proteins. Protein trafficking in these cells is complicated by the presence of several different storage organelles including protein bodies (PBs) derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and dynamic protein storage vacuoles (PSVs). In addition, trafficking may follow a number of different routes depending on developmental stage, showing that the endomembrane system is capable of massive reorganization. Thus, developmental sequences involve progressive changes of the endomembrane system of endosperm tissue and are characterized by a high structural plasticity and endosomal activity.Given the technical dexterity required to access endosperm tissue and study subcellular structures and (seed storage protein) SSP trafficking in cereal seeds, static images are the state of the art providing a bulk of information concerning the cellular composition of seed tissue. In view of the highly dynamic endomembrane system in cereal endosperm cells, it is reasonable to expect that live cell imaging will help to characterize the spatial and temporal changes of the system. The high resolution achieved with electron microscopy perfectly complements the live cell imaging.We therefore established an imaging platform for TEM as well as for live cell imaging. Here, we describe the preparation of different cereal seed tissues for live cell imaging concomitant with immunolocalization studies and ultrastructure.

Organisation(s)
External organisation(s)
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
Volume
1691
Pages
251-262
No. of pages
12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7389-7_20
Publication date
2018
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
106028 Plant anatomy, 106052 Cell biology
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Genetics, Molecular Biology
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/d11ce330-c1b5-4e92-9c53-8047ba327297