Unequal distribution of osmiophilic particles in the epidermal periplasmic space of upper and lower flanks of gravi-responding rye coleoptiles.

In various studies, auxin (IAA)-induced coleoptile growth has been reported to be closely correlated with an increased occurrence of osmiophilic particles (OPs) at the inner surface of the outer, growth-limiting epidermal cell wall, indicating a possible function related to the mechanism of IAA-induced wall loosening. In order to test whether changes in cell elongation rates of upper and lower flanks (UFs, LFs, respectively) during graviresponsive growth are reflected in appropriate changes in the occurrence of OPs, rye (Secale cereale L.) coleoptiles either as segments or as part of intact seedlings, were gravitropically stimulated by positioning them horizontally for 2 h. Ultrastructural analyses within the UFs and LFs of the upward-bending coleoptiles revealed a distinct imbalance in the occurrence of OPs. The number of OPs per transverse epidermal cell section of the elongation-inhibited UF on average amounted to twice the number of OPs counted in epidermal cell sections of the faster-growing LF. As a hypothesis, the results lead us to suggest that OPs are involved in the mechanism of wall loosening and that temporary growth inhibition of epidermal cells of the UF during upward bending is mediated by inhibition of OP entry into the cell walls. Thereby, more OPs accumulate near the inner surface of the outer wall of epidermal cells of the UF compared with the LF.