Research note: Reversible birefringence suggests a role for molecular self-assembly in forisome contractility

Functional Plant Biology : FPB
Winfried S PetersMichael Knoblauch

Abstract

Forisomes are contractile protein bodies that control the effective diameter of the sieve elements of the faboid legumes by reversible, Ca2+-driven changes of shape. Forisomes consist of fibrils; we inferred from available electron-microscopical data (which necessarily provide images of fixed, non-functional forisomes) that a reversible assembly of ordered fibrillar arrays might be involved in the contractile mechanism. Here we examined functional forisomes isolated from Vicia faba L. by differential interference contrast microscopy and polarisation microscopy. We found them birefringent in the longitudinally expanded but not in the contracted state, showing 'parallel extinction' with the direction of vibration of the slow ray coinciding with their long axis (positive birefringence). These findings met predictions derived from the theory of form birefringence in rodlet composite bodies, and supported the idea of molecular self-assembly as a factor in forisome contractility.

References

Nov 1, 1972·The Journal of Cell Biology·I J Bendet, J Bearden
Jun 27, 1996·Nature·R Oldenbourg
Jun 4, 1999·Biophysical Journal·Z Pantic-Tanner, D Eden
Jan 5, 2000·FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·S Inoué
May 8, 2001·The Plant Cell·M KnoblauchA J van Bel
Mar 22, 2002·Trends in Plant Science·Aart J E van BelMichael Knoblauch
Jul 1, 1997·The Plant Cell·R. D. Sjolund
Aug 28, 2003·Nature Materials·Michael KnoblauchWinfried S Peters
Sep 3, 2003·Nature Materials·Constantinos Mavroidis, Atul Dubey
Dec 12, 2003·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Lee-Way JinBart Kahr
May 18, 2004·Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton·Michael Knoblauch, Winfried S Peters
Nov 5, 2004·Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS·M Knoblauch, W S Peters
Nov 1, 1975·Plant Physiology·D B Fisher
Aug 3, 2006·Journal of Experimental Botany·Winfried S PetersMichael Knoblauch
Nov 1, 2005·Functional Plant Biology : FPB·Nick GouldPeter E H Minchin

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 22, 2012·Plant, Cell & Environment·Michael KnoblauchWinfried S Peters
Oct 1, 2007·Functional Plant Biology : FPB·Stephen A WarmannAmy Q Shen
Jul 29, 2010·Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology·Boje MüllerDirk Prüfer
Jun 8, 2010·Plant, Cell & Environment·Michael Knoblauch, Winfried S Peters
Sep 12, 2008·Plant & Cell Physiology·Hélène C PélissierMichael Knoblauch
Mar 28, 2012·The Plant Journal : for Cell and Molecular Biology·Michael Knoblauch, Karl Oparka
May 31, 2011·American Journal of Botany·Winfried S PetersMichael Knoblauch
Mar 12, 2008·Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton·Winfried S PetersAmy Q Shen
Oct 9, 2007·Biomaterials·Magnus S JaegerClaus Duschl

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.