The fate of surface cell layers of Daucus carota (L.) embryos raised in suspension culture

Abstract

The ultrastructure and fate of surface cells covering mature somatic embryos of Daucus carota grown in suspension culture were analyzed and new information obtained concerning somatic embryogenesis in these conditions. Our studies showed that during some developmental stages, these embryos were covered irregularly and discontinuously by cells with a typical protodermal phenotype characterized by a cuticle on the outer cell wall. We observed that cells with cuticles were peeled off from the surface of mature embryos. Before peeling off, these cells underwent programmed cell death, which was confirmed by the TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling method. Transmission electron microscopy revealed advanced processes of autophagy in these cells.

Keywords:

• Cuticle
• Daucus carota
• programmed cell death
• protodermis
• TUNEL labeling
• ultrastructure
• somatic embryogenesis

Acknowledgements

We thank Prof. Jerzy Klag and Dr Danuta Urbańska-Jasik from the Department of Animal Histology and Embryology (University of Silesia, Katowice) for providing TEM and technical help. We also thank Ewa Mazur from Laboratory of Cell Biology (University of Silesia, Katowice) for sectioning of material for TEM.

Additional information

Funding

Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.