Abstract
Cell extension in the mesocotyl elongation zone (MEZ) of maize ( Zea mays L.) seedlings is inhibited by light. The growth inhibition by blue light in the MEZ was reversible upon transfer to darkness. This experimental system was used for investigating the modification of mechanical cell‐wall properties and the role of cell‐wall lignification in cell elongation. The occurrence of lignin in the cortex and vascular bundle tissues of the MEZ was demonstrated by the isolation of diagnostic monomers released after thioacidolysis of the cell walls. Concomitantly with the inhibition of growth, blue light induces an increase in cell‐wall stiffness (tensile modulus) as well as an increase in extractable lignin in the outer MEZ tissues (cortex+epidermis). Both effects are reversed when growth is resumed in the MEZ in darkness after a period of growth inhibition induced by 3 h light. In the vascular bundle light produces no comparable change in lignin content. Appearance and disappearance of phenylpropanoid material in MEZ cell walls in the light, or in darkness following a brief light treatment, respectively, can be visualized under the fluorescence microscope by characteristic changes in autofluorescence of tissue sections upon excitation with UV radiation. It is concluded from these results that light‐induced lignification of primary walls is involved in cell‐wall stiffening and thus inhibition of elongation growth in the MEZ of maize seedlings. Resumption of growth upon redarkening may be initiated by wall loosening in the uppermost MEZ region which displaces the lignified cell walls towards the lower mesocotyl region.
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Claims 9
Claim · model-written summary
Blue light inhibits maize mesocotyl extension, reversibly in darkness.
Zea maysOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Cell extension in the mesocotyl elongation zone (MEZ) of maize ( Zea mays L.) seedlings is inhibited by light. The growth inhibition by blue light in the MEZ was reversible upon transfer to darkness.”
Claim · model-written summary
Lignin occurs in maize mesocotyl cortex and vascular bundles.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“The occurrence of lignin in the cortex and vascular bundle tissues of the MEZ was demonstrated by the isolation of diagnostic monomers released after thioacidolysis of the cell walls.”
t0“maize seedling mesocotyl”
Claim · model-written summary
Blue light increases cell wall stiffness in outer maize mesocotyl tissues.
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“blue light induces an increase in cell‐wall stiffness (tensile modulus) as well as an increase in extractable lignin in the outer MEZ tissues (cortex+epidermis)”
t0“maize seedling mesocotyl”
Claim · model-written summary
Blue light increases extractable lignin in outer maize mesocotyl tissues.
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“blue light induces an increase in cell‐wall stiffness (tensile modulus) as well as an increase in extractable lignin in the outer MEZ tissues (cortex+epidermis)”
t0“maize seedling mesocotyl”
Claim · model-written summary
Stiffness and lignin changes reverse when maize mesocotyl growth resumes in darkness.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Both effects are reversed when growth is resumed in the MEZ in darkness after a period of growth inhibition induced by 3 h light.”
t0“maize seedling mesocotyl”
Claim · model-written summary
Light produces no comparable lignin change in maize vascular bundles.
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“In the vascular bundle light produces no comparable change in lignin content.”
t0“maize seedling mesocotyl”
Claim · model-written summary
Light dependent phenylpropanoid changes in maize mesocotyl walls were visible by autofluorescence.
- Outcome
- Appearance and disappearance of phenylpropanoid materiale0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Appearance and disappearance of phenylpropanoid material in MEZ cell walls in the light, or in darkness following a brief light treatment, respectively, can be visualized under the fluorescence microscope by characteristic changes in autofluorescence of tissue sections upon excitation with UV radiation.”
t0“maize seedling mesocotyl”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors conclude that light induced lignification stiffens maize mesocotyl walls and inhibits elongation.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“light‐induced lignification of primary walls is involved in cell‐wall stiffening and thus inhibition of elongation growth in the MEZ of maize seedlings.”
Claim · model-written summary
Wall loosening in the upper mesocotyl may initiate renewed growth in darkness.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Resumption of growth upon redarkening may be initiated by wall loosening in the uppermost MEZ region which displaces the lignified cell walls towards the lower mesocotyl region.”
t0“maize seedling mesocotyl”
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