Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 8, 2025
07:27
Live Confocal Imaging of Developing Arabidopsis Flowers
Published on: April 1, 2017
15.2K
Programmed cell death (PCD) processes begin extremely early in Alstroemeria petal senescence
Carol Wagstaff1,2, Patricia Malcolm2, Arfhan Rafiq1
1Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Main Building, Cardiff University, PO Box 915, Cardiff CF10 3TL, UK.
The New Phytologist
|April 20, 2021
Summary
Alstroemeria petal senescence involves programmed cell death (PCD) starting early and continuing throughout flower opening. Mesophyll cells degenerate while epidermal cells remain intact, indicating distinct PCD patterns.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Petal senescence in Alstroemeria, a Liliaceous species, involves wilting and abscission 8-10 days post-flowering.
- Flower development and senescence are often regulated by programmed cell death (PCD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate programmed cell death (PCD) in Alstroemeria petals.
- To analyze the timing, cellular localization, and molecular markers of PCD during petal senescence.
Main Methods:
- Light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for cellular and nuclear changes.
- DNA laddering assays to detect DNA fragmentation.
- Gene expression analysis of the ALSDAD-1 gene.
Main Results:
- TEM revealed nuclear and cellular degradation beginning before full flower opening, with mesophyll cell degeneration preceding epidermal cell integrity.
- DNA laddering increased progressively during petal development.
- Expression of ALSDAD-1 was downregulated after flower opening.
Conclusions:
- Programmed cell death (PCD) processes initiate early and persist throughout Alstroemeria petal senescence.
- Distinct spatial patterns of PCD exist, with mesophyll cells undergoing more rapid degeneration than epidermal cells.
- Multiple molecular and physiological markers confirm PCD involvement in Alstroemeria petal senescence.
Keywords:
AlstroemeriaDAD-1 expressionDNA ladderingpetalprogrammed cell death (PCD)senescenceultrastructureMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Overview of Cell Death
8.3K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
8.3K
01:30Apoptosis
12.6K
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size...
12.6K
01:16Necrosis
5.2K
Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become...
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become...
5.2K
01:17The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
7.0K
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
7.0K
02:19Morphogenesis
29.2K
Plant morphogenesis—the development of a plant’s form and structure—involves several overlapping developmental processes, including growth and cell differentiation. Precursor cells differentiate into specific cell types, which are organized into the tissues and organ systems that make up the functional plant.
29.2K
01:18Autophagic Cell Death
3.7K
Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
3.7K