Programmed cell death, aerenchyma and pith cavity formation in vitro of Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. Roem.: an anatomical and physiological approach

Luffa cylindrica is a cucurbitaceous plant that has fruits with a fibrous appearance, a pith cavity in the hypocotyl and induction of the formation of lysigenous aerenchyma in the roots under hypoxic conditions. These characteristics are related to programmed cell death, which is a mechanism that is strictly related to plant growth and development and is therefore an important pathway for tissue differentiation, pathogen recognition, stress signals and metabolic status. Although programmed cell death is an essential process for plants, gaps still need to be filled to better understand how it works. Therefore, in this work, we present cucurbits of the genus Luffa as potential models for studies involving programmed cell death and analyze the formation of lysigenous aerenchyma and the pith cavity in Luffa cylindrica over days and in different concentrations of agar (w/v) of agar (0; 0.15; 0.3; 0.45; 0.6; 0.75; and 0.9%) using morphoanatomical and physiological analyses. The results showed that the lysigenous aerenchyma of L. cylindrica is schizo-lysigenous, and its formation has 4 stages. The increase in intercellular spaces, elongation of cortical cells and the appearance of T-shaped cortical cells are characteristics observed during aerenchyma formation. For the first time, the process of pith cavity formation in L. cylindrica has been described anatomically. Changes in cell wall composition occur throughout the process of pith cavity and aerenchyma formation. The increased activity of antioxidant enzymes signals an increase in reactive oxygen species, triggering processes of PCD which result in the formation of aerenchyma and the pith cavity. The intensity of hypoxic stress showed different adaptive responses associated with PCD activation signaled by changes in metabolism and antioxidant enzyme activity. L. cylindrica under hypoxia reduced root growth and invested in the growth of the aerial part as a possible adaptive escape mechanism. Although the low oxygen concentrations affected metabolism, photosynthesis was not compromised and this, together with all the adaptive changes observed in this study, shows that L. cylindrica is resistant to abiotic stresses. Keywords: aerenchyma formation; pith cavity; Luffa cylindrica; programmed cell death; in vitro culture ; cucurbitaceae

Grantor dc:publisher

Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Ferreira, Michelle Araújo

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Otoni, Wagner Campos

Contributors dc:contributor

• Machado, Kleiton Lima de Godoy
• Koehler, Andréa Dias

• Luffa cylindrica
• Parênquima
• Morte celular programada

Statement dc:rights

• Acesso Aberto

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

https://doi.org/10.47328/ufvbbt.2025.173

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:locus.ufv.br:123456789/33894