Cross sections of the control leaf did not have any visible symptoms and showed the expected anatomical organization for sugarcane foliar blades (Figure 5a). Detailed views of the bundle sheath layer showed chloroplasts of regular shape, distribution and appearance (Figure 5b). In contrast, leaf blades developing symptoms of the mottled stripe disease (inoculated with M1)

showed disorganization of the parenchyma tissue characterized by cell wall swelling, hypertrophy and degradation of chloroplasts in both the bundle sheath layer and radial mesophyll cells (Figure 5c). These tissue alterations were associated with extensive AZD2171 molecular weight colonization of the intercellular spaces of the mesophyll and sub-stomatal cavity by H. rubrisubalbicans strain M1 which were surrounded by gum, strongly stained with toluidine blue (Figure 5c,d). In contrast to the wild type (M1), both H. rubrisubalbicans mutant strains were not frequently seen in different serial LY3023414 manufacturer cross sections of the leaf blades. Although all the strains had the same pattern of mesophyll colonization described above (Figure 5c), TSE and TSN mutant strains colonized the leaf blade less extensively. Moreover, more plant gum was present,

an indication of an effective host defense which apparently restricted the intercellular spreading of both mutants (Figure 5e). Interestingly, even in areas www.selleckchem.com/products/pnd-1186-vs-4718.html densely colonized by the mutants, the plant tissue showed only minor anatomic changes, preserving the shape and sizes of the parenchyma cells and vascular bundles (Figure 5e). However, the apoplastic colonization by the mutant strains reduced the numbers and sizes of the bundle sheath chloroplasts Teicoplanin and produced changes in the cytoplasm and nuclei of plant host cells in close contact with the bacteria (Figure 5f, g). Taken together these results suggest that although the qualitative pattern of bacterial colonization was not affected, the T3SS is necessary for extensive colonization and to induce plant tissue changes which lead to mottled stripe disease symptoms. Figure 5 Light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of

sugarcane leaf blades variety B-4362 inoculated with H. rubrisubalbicans M1, TSE and TSN. (a) Transversal section showing the regular tissue organization of a control plant. (ep) epidermis layer, (px) protoxylem, (ph) phloem, (mx) metaxylem, (bu) buliform cells, (arrows) bundle sheath layer with healthy chloroplasts. (b) Detailed view of the bundle sheath layer (bs) showing its chloroplasts (cl) with regular shape, distribution and appearance (arrows), and (pc) parenchyma cells. (c) Typical pattern of colonization of H. rubrisubalbicans strain M1 (wild type) showing tissue system changes associated with extensive colonization of the intercellular spaces of the mesophyll and sub-stomatal cavity (white arrows). Note the chloroplast degradation (black arrow), (vb) vascular bundles, (bs) bundle sheath, (st) stomata.