Morphology and histochemistry of glandular trichomes in Hyptis villosa Pohl ex Benth. (Lamiaceae) and differential labeling of cytoskeletal elements

ABSTRACT

Lamiaceae contains many species known for their aromatic properties that are produced by the production of essential oils in glandular trichomes. Hyptis is one of the most common genera of Lamiaceae in the Brazilian flora, and includes several species with medicinal value. However, studies on the morphology and functioning of their glandular trichomes are lacking. We analyzed the morphology, histochemistry and ultrastructure of the glandular trichomes in leaves of H. villosa, emphasizing the differential distribution of actin filaments and microtubules in cells secreting hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds. Four morphotypes of glandular trichomes were identified. Total lipid, terpenes, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, proteins and polysaccharides were histochemically detected in all morphotyes. This evidences the mixed nature of the secretions of this species, although there are differences in the prevalence of lipophilic and hydrophilic components among the glandular morphotypes and among the cells of the same trichome. The actin microfilaments are more abundant in cells that secrete mainly hydrophilic compounds, and microtubules predominate in cells that secrete lipophilic compounds. Our results corroborate the correlation between the glandular morphotype and the composition of the secretion produced, with a differential distribution of the cytoskeletal elements according to the prevalence of either hydrophilic or lipophilic substances.

Keywords actin microfilaments; cytoskeleton; glandular hairs; microtubules; ultrastructure

Introduction

Glandular trichomes are epidermal appendices with highly variable morphology and responsible for the production of secretion with economic, medicinal and ecologic values (Ascensão et al. 1999; Argyropoulou et al. 2010; Tozin et al. 2015a). Substances of different chemical categories can be produced by glandular trichomes, and their subcellular features vary according to the substances produced and the form of release of the secretion (Ascensão et al. 1995; Ascensão & Pais 1998; Appezzato-da-Glória et al. 2012; Naidoo et al. 2012; Tozin et al. 2015a; Silva et al. 2016).

The subcellular features of glandular trichomes have been exhaustively described to several species from different families (Ascensão & Pais 1998; Argyropoulou et al. 2010; Sacchetti et al. 1999; Papini et al. 2010; Paiva & Martins 2011; Appezzato-da-Glória et al. 2012; Naidoo et al. 2012; Amrehn et al. 2014; Tozin et al. 2015a; Silva et al. 2016 and references therein); however, some important aspects, such as the involvement of the cytoskeletal elements in such secretory process remains poorly studied. It has been demonstrated that movement of oil droplets in the cytoplasm of animal cells is driven by microtubule motor proteins (Zehmer et al. 2009 and references therein) and that actin filaments are the major components involved in the movement and anchorage of vesicles and organelles in plant (Evert 2006 and references therein) and animal (Valderrama et al. 2001; Stamnes 2002) cells. However, information on the cytoskeleton elements in secretory cells of plants was not found.

The Lamiaceae comprise many species known by their medicinal and economic values given by the production of essential oils in glandular trichomes (Ascensão et al. 1999; Serrato-Valentini et al. 1997; Werker 2000; Rodrigues et al. 2013). The morphology of the glandular trichomes is highly variable within the family. In almost all studied species, capitate and peltate trichomes are present (Ascensão & Pais 1998), being common the occurrence of different versions of them (Ascensão et al. 1995; Ascensão & Pais 1998; Ascensão et al. 1999; Corsi & Bottega 1999; Martins 2002; Maggi et al. 2010; Baran et al. 2010; Mota et al. 2013). Peculiarities on the distribution, arrangement and function of the different glandular morphotypes have been observed in Lamiaceae (Corsi & Bottega 1999) and a correlation between the gland morphology and the composition of secretion has been proposed (Werker 1993; Ascensão & Pais 1998; Corsi & Bottega 1999).

Hyptis is one of the most common genera of Lamiaceae in the Brazilian flora (Silva et al. 2013), comprising several species with medicinal value (Falcão & Menezes 2003). The bioactive potential of the essential oils of Hyptis species have been proved by their antibacterial (Souza et al. 2003), antifungal (Oliveira et al. 2004) and antitumoral (Costa-Lotufo 2004) properties. However, despite the medicinal importance of Hyptis species, studies on the morphology and cellular features in relation to the secretory process of glandular trichomes are lacking to the genus.

In this paper we studied the glandular trichomes of H. villosa, popularly named hortelã-do-cerrado, a shrub with reddish-brown pubescence, common in the campo cerrado in Brazil (Durigan et al. 2004). We analyzed the morphology, histochemistry and the subcellular features of the glandular trichomes in the leaves, emphasizing the differential distribution of actin filaments and microtubules in cells secreting different compounds. Information on the relative density of each glandular morphotype and the correlation between the glandular morphotype and the secretion composition is presented.

Materials and methods

Studied area and plant material

The studied population of Hyptis villosa Pohl ex Benth. was growing in an area of campo cerrado in Botucatu city (22º53'09"S e 48º26'42"W), São Paulo State, Brazil. In this region, the climate is Cfa with hot climate and rains in the summer and drought in the winter.

The campo cerrado is one of the physiognomies of the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna), characterized by the predominance of grasses and small shrubs with sparse trees (Maroni et al. 2006), where the plant individuals are subjected to high light intensity and low air relative humidity (Tozin et al. 2015b).

For microscopic analysis, fully expanded leaves located between the third and fourth nodes in the stem were collected from adult individuals of H. villosa (n=6). Reproductive material were collected and vouchers were deposited in the Herbarium Irina Delanova Gemtchújnicov (BOTU) of the Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.

Conventional light microscopy (LM)

Samples were fixed in FAA 50 (Johansen 1940), dehydrated in an ethanol series, and embedded in Leica(r) historesin. The cross sections (5 μm thick) were stained with 0.05% toluidine blue, pH 4.3 (O'Brien et al. 1964), and mounted in Entellan(r) on permanent slides. The relevant results were documented using the Leica DMR photomicroscope with a Leica DFC 425 a digital camera.

Histochemical tests

Cross sections obtained from the median region of fresh leaves were treated with: Sudan III for total lipids (Johansen 1940), Nadi reagent for terpenes (David & Carde 1964), Bromophenol mercuric blue for proteins (Mazia et al. 1953), Schiff reagent/periodic acid (PAS) for noncellulosic polysaccharides (Amaral et al. 2001), ferric chloride for phenolic compounds (Johansen 1940) and Dragendorff reagent for alkaloids (Svendsen & Verpoorte 1983). Control tests were performed according to Figueiredo et al. (2007). The relevant results were documented using the Leica DMR photomicroscope with a Leica DFC 425 a digital camera.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

Samples of middle region of the leaf blades were fixed in glutaraldehyde (2.5% with 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.3), post-fixed in osmium tetroxide 1%, dehydrated in a acetone series, critical-point dried, gold-coated (Robards 1978), and examined using a Fei Quanta 200 scanning electron microscope.

Quantitative analyses

In order to evaluate the density of each glandular morphotype, a leaf excised from each individual (n=6) was analyzed using a Leica M205C stereomicroscope coupled to a digital system of image capture. The glandular density in both surfaces of the leaf blade was calculated in a 1 mm² area using the software Leica Application Suite. The obtained data were submitted to ANOVA and the media compared with Tukey test (5% of probability).

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

For transmission electron microscopy, samples were fixed in glutaraldehyde (2.5% with 0.1M phosphate buffer, pH 7.3), post-fixed with 1% osmium tetroxide aqueous solution in the same buffer, dehydrated in an ethanol series and embedded in Araldite resin. Ultra-thin sections were placed in formvar film-coated grids and stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate (Reynolds 1963) and examined with a Fei Tecnai Spirit transmission electron microscope.

Imunolabeling of cytoskeletal elements in confocal microscopy

Cross sections of the median region of blade obtained from fresh leaves were fixed with formaldehyde 4%, incubated in triton X-100 0.2% and in anti-β-tubulin-FITC (1:100 in PBS with BSA 1%) (Sigma-Aldrich(r), St. Louis, MO, USA) at room temperature. After, the samples were incubated in phalloidin-rhodamine (500 µg/1 ml in methanol) (Sigma-Aldrich(r), St. Louis, MO, USA) at room temperature. The slides were mounted in DAPI (Fluoroshield with DAPI, Sigma-Aldrich(r), St. Louis, MO, USA), and examined in a Leica TCS SP5 confocal microscope under 488-nm, 543-nm, and 405-nm laser lines.

Results

Distribution, morphology and ultrastructure of glandular trichomes

The leaf indument of H. villosa is comprised by glandular and non-glandular trichomes (Fig. 1A-D). Four morphotypes of glandular trichomes (I-IV) differing on size, shape, cell number, and histochemical and ultrastructural features were observed in both leaf surfaces (Fig. 1A-D).

Figure 1
Glandular trichomes on the leaf blade of Hyptis villosa. (A-B) Cross sections of leaf blade under light microscopy showing the glandular trichomes (Gt) in both leaf surfaces. Scanning electron micrographs of (B) the abaxial and (C) the adaxial leaf surfaces. Bars = A-B, 50 μm; C, 250 μm; D, 200 μm.

Morphotype I: peltate; comprised by a four-celled globular head, and body with a short unicellular stalk and a unicellular basis (Fig. 2A-C). The head cells are covered by smooth cuticle (Fig. 2B); secretion with homogenous and dense aspect fills the wide subcuticular space (Fig. 2C, 2D insert). The cell walls are thin with loose appearance (Fig. 2D insert). The cytoplasm is dense and abundant and with numerous plastids (Fig. 2D); the plastids are devoid of thylakoids and present tubular elements (Fig. 2D); oil drops occur free in the cytoplasm (Fig. 2D); the vacuoles are small, sparse and exhibits flocculate content (Fig. 2D). The stalk cell possesses periclinal walls with plasmodesmata and thick anticlinal walls (Fig. 2E-insert). The nucleus is voluminous and the cytoplasm is dense and abundant with smooth endoplasmic reticulum with dilated cistern, plastids, vesicles and scattered oil drops (Fig. 2E-F); the plastids are devoid of thylakoids and present osmiophilic globules (Fig. 2E-F); small vesicles occur in the cytoplasm (Fig. 2E, F). The basal cell has thin walls (Fig. 2G, H); numerous plasmodesmata occur in the periclinal walls (Fig. 2H). The cytoplasm is reduced due to the presence of a large central vacuole (Fig. 2G). Hyperactive dictyosomes, plastids with thylakoids, mitochondria, and polysomes characterize the basal cell (Fig. 2G-H).

Figure 2
Morphotype I of glandular trichome in Hyptis villosa leaf blade. (A) Light microscopy showing glandular trichome with head cells (Hc), stalk cell (Sc) and a basal cell (Bc). (B) Top view of the glandular head under scanning electron microscopy showing the smooth cuticle. (C-H) Transmission electron micrographies. (C) General aspect of trichome with electron dense head cells (Hc) and stalk cell (Sc). Note the wide subcuticular space (Ss) filled by homogenous secretion. Bc: basal cell. (D) Portion of head cell with plastids (Pl) devoid of thylakoids containing tubular elements. Va: vacuole. The insert shows the subcuticular space (Ss) filled with secretion. Cw: cell wall. (E-F) Detail of stalk cell with plastids (Pl) with osmiophilic inclusions, smooth endoplasmic reticulum (Ser), vesicles (Ve) and oil droplets (Ol). In the insert in E, the arrows indicate plasmodesmata connecting stalk to head cells and basal cell (Bc). Cw: cell wall. (G) Basal cell (Bc) with plastids (Pl) with thylakoids and large vacuole (Va). Observe the oil drops (Ol) in the stalk cell (Sc). (H) Basal cell (Bc) hyperactive containing dictyosomes (Di) and several vesicles. Plasmodemata (arrows) connect the basal cell to the mesophyll (Me).Bars = A, C, 5 μm; B, 10 μm; D-F, H, 0.5 μm; G, 2 μm.

Morphotype II: capitate; composed by a bicellular rounded to oval head and a body with a unicellular short stalk and unicellular basis (Fig. 3A-C). The head cells are covered by smooth cuticle (Fig. 3B); secretion with flocculate aspect fills the wide subcuticular space (Fig. 3C); their walls are thick with loose appearance and form labyrinth projections (Fig. 3D and insert, 3E); plasmodesmata connect the head cell between themselves (Fig. 3D-insert) and to the stalk (Fig. 3F). The nucleus is voluminous with irregular contour (Fig. 3C); the cytoplasm is abundant and characterized by hyperactive dictyosomes, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, small plastids devoid of thylakoids and polysomes (Fig. 3D-E); vacuoles of different size are present and contain fibrillar material (Fig. 3C-D); paramural bodies are observed in the periplasmic space (Fig. 3D). The stalk cell presents walls with loose aspect (Fig. 3F); the cytoplasm is abundant with mitochondria with dilated cristae, plastids without thylakoids, polysomes and scattered oil drops (Fig. 3F-G); a large central vacuole is filled with electron-dense content (Fig. 3F) Paramural bodies are observed in the stalk cell (Fig. 3F, G). The basal cell possesses moderately thick anticlinal walls and thin anticlinal walls (Fig. 3H). The cytoplasm is reduced and presents amorphous plastids (Fig. 3H), mitochondria, and free oil drops; a large central vacuole is observed (Fig. 3H).

Figure 3
Morphotype II of glandular trichome in Hyptis villosa leaf blade. Glandular trichome under (A) light and (B) scanning electron microscopy constituted by two head cells (Hc), a stalk cell (Sc) and a basal cell (Bc). (C-H) Transmission electron microscopy. (C) Head cells with wide subcuticular space (Ss) containing secretion. Sc: stalk cell. (D) Portion of head cell showing cell wall (Cw) with labyrinthine projections (*), periplasmic space with paramural bodies (large arrow) and electron-dense cytoplasm with smooth endoplasmic reticulum (Ser), plastids (Pl) and vacuoles (Va). The insert shows plasmodemata (arrow) connecting the head cells. Ss: subcuticular space. (E) Detail of the head cell with dictyosomes (Di), rough endoplasmic reticulum (Rer), polysomes and vacuoles (Va). *: labyrinthine projections of the cell wall. (F) General aspect of the stalk cell containing dense cytoplasm with plastids (Pl) devoid of thylakoids and a large central vacuole (Va) filled with lipidic material. Note the plasmodematas (arrows) connecting the stalk cell to the head cells. (G) Portion of stalk cell (Sc) with mitochondria (Mi), oil drops (Ol) and vacuoles (Va). Observe the dictyosomes (Di) in the head cell (Hc). (H) Basal cell with thick periclinal walls, reduced cytoplasm with plastids (Pl) and a large central vacuole (Va). Sc: stalk cell. Bars = A-B, 10 μm; C, H, 5 μm; D, 1 μm; E, G, 0.5 μm; F, 2 μm.

Morphotype III: capitate; constituted by a unicelular rounded head and body with a short neck cell, a bicellular long stalk (Fig. 4A-C), a large unicelular pedestal and a 6-8 celled basis (Fig. 4A-B). The head cell is covered by smooth cuticle (Fig. 4B); the walls are thin and present loose aspect (Fig. 4D). The nucleus is voluminous with irregular contour (Fig. 4C); the cytoplasm is abundant and contains hiperactive dictyosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, multivesicular bodies, polysomes and plastids devoid of thylakoids and containing voluminous electron-dense bodies (Fig. 4D, E and insert). Numerous vesicles occur scattered in the cytoplasm and next to the plasmalema (Fig. 4D, E-insert). Paramural bodies occur in the periplasmic space (Fig. 4D). The neck and stalk cells present similar features. Their walls are thin; the periplasmic space is narrow and contains paramural bodies (Fig. 4F). The nucleus is voluminous with evident nucleolus (Fig. 4C, F). The cytoplasm is abundant and rich in hyperactive dictyosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, polysomes, mitochondria with dilated cristae, oil drops, vesicles (Fig. 4F, G), and plastids with thylakoids containing voluminous electron dense bodies (Fig. 4F-insert). Plasmodesmata in the periclinal walls connect the stalk cells (Fig. 4G).The pedestal cell possesses thick walls and reduced cytoplasm (Fig. 4H) by the presence of a large central vacuole; plastids with starch grains of different sizes occur in the pedestal cell (Fig. 4H). The basal cell possesses moderately thick anticlinal walls and thin anticlinal walls. The cytoplasm is reduced and presents mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum (Fig. 4I); a large central vacuole is observed (Fig. 4I).

Figure 4
Morphotype III of glandular trichome in Hyptis villosa leaf blade. Glandular trichome under (A) Light and (B) scanning electron microscopy. showing a head cell (Hc), a neck cell (Nc), two stalk cells (Sc), a pedestal cell (Pd) and basal cells (Bc). (C-H) Transmission electron microscopy. (C) General view of the head cell (Hc), neck cell (Nc) and stalk cell (Sc) showing dense cytoplasm, voluminous nucleus (Nu) and vacuoles (Va). (D) Head cell with thin wall (Cw) and dense cytoplasm with rough endoplasmic reticulum (Rer), polysomes, mitochondria (Mi), and vacuoles (Va). Ps: periplasmic space (Ps); Mb: multivesicular body; Nu: nucleus. (E) Detail of head cell showing plastids (Pl) with large osmiophilic inclusion, dictyosomes (Di), mitochondria (Mi), polysomes, vacuole (Va) and vesicles (Ve). Observe vescicles (Ve) close to the plasmalema in the insert. (F) Neck cell with dense cytoplasm with mitochondria (Mi), dictyosomes (Di), polysomes, small vacuole (Va) and vesciles (Ve). The insert shows plastids with thylakoids containing voluminous starch grains. Nu: nucleus. (G) Detail showing plasmodesmata (arrow) connecting stalk cells. Di: dictyosome; Ol: oil. (H) Pedestal cell with reduced cytoplasm containing with dictyosomes (Di), mitochondria (Mi) and plastids (Pl) with starch grains with different sizes. (I) Portion of basal cell with large vacuole (Va) and reduced cytoplasm with mitochondria (Mi) and rough endoplasmic reticulum (Rer). Bars = A, 30 µm; B, µm; C, 5 µm; D-I, 0.5 µm.

Morphotype IV: capitate; composed by a four-celled spherical glandular head and a body constituted by a long unicelular stalk and slightly elevated basis with 6-8 cells (Fig. 5A-C). The cuticle that covers the glandular head breaks via a horizontal line on the head top (Fig. 5C-insert). The description of the subcellular features of this morphotype was not possible because no sample analyzed on transmission electron microscopy exhibited this morphotype.

Figure 5
Morphotype IV of glandular trichome in Hyptis villosa leaf blade. Glandular trichome under (A-B) light and (C) scanning electron microscopy showing head cells (Hc), stalk cell (Sc) and basal cells (Bc). Observe the wide subcuticular space (Ss) in B. The insert in C present rupture of the cuticle on the head top. Bars = A, C, 50 µm; B, 25 µm.

The distribution of each morphotype varied in the leaf surfaces (Tab. 1). The morphotype I and II were more abundant in the abaxial leaf surface while the morphotypes III and IV were the most plentiful on the adaxial leaf surface (Tab. 1). In generally, the adaxial leaf surface presented a higher density of glandular hairs in comparison to the abaxial leaf surface (Tab. 1).

Table 1
Density of each glandular trichomes in both leaf surface of Hyptis villosa (Lamiaceae).

Morphotype	Leaf surface
	Adaxial	Abaxial
I	4 c	20 b
II	22 b	59 a
III	78 a	9 bc
IV	14 bc	4 c
F(3,3)	111.8	86.1
P	<0.0001	<0.0001

Histochemistry of the glandular trichomes

Different categories of chemical compounds were histochemically detected in the glandular trichomes of H. villosa (Tab. 2) (Fig. 6A-Q). Hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds were detected in all the glandular morphotypes. Different chemical compounds were histochemically detected along the parts of the trichome body and differences on the relative abundance of substances have been observed among the glandular morphotypes. (Tab. 2).

Table 2
Histochemistry of the leaf glandular trichomes in Hyptis villosa (Lamiaceae).

Metabolic group	Reagent	Glandular morphotype
		I			II			III				IV
		HC	SC	BC	HC	SC	BC	HC	NC	SC	BC	HC	SC	BC
Total lipids	Sudan IV	+++	++	-	+	++	+	+	++	+	-	++	+	-
Terpenes	Nadi reagent	+++	-	-	+	++	-	+	++	+	-	+++	+	-
Phenolic compounds	Ferric trichloride	++	-	-	++	-	-	++	-	+	+	+	-	-
Alkaloids	Dragendorff reagent	+	-	-	+	-	-	++	+	+	-	+	-	-
Proteins	Bromophenol blue	+	-	+	+++	+	-	++	+	+	+	+	+	-
Neutral polysaccharides	PAS	+	++	++	+++	-	-	++	-	++	+	+	++	-

• Note: BC, basal cell; SC, stalk cell; NC, neck cell; HC, head cell; PAS, periodic acid-Schiff"s; +, ++, +++ abundance relative; -, absence.

Figure 6
Histochemical tests of glandular trichomes in Hyptis villosa leaf blade. (A-D) Morphotype I. (E-I) Morphotype II. (J-N) Morphotype III. (O-Q) Morphotype IV. (A, E, K) Nadi reagent. The insert in A shows glandular head in overview. (B, F, O) Ferric Trichloride. (C, H, M) Bromophenol blue. (D, I, N, Q) PAS. (G, L, P) Dragendorff reagent. (J) Sudan IV. Bars = A-D, J-N, 15 µm; E-I, 10 µm; O, 100 µm; P-Q, 25 µm.

Distribution of the cytoskeletal elements

The distribution of microtubules and actin filaments was different in each portion of the glandular trichomes and among the different glandular morphotypes (Fig 7A-H).

Figure
7. Imunolabeling of cytoskeletal elements in the glandular trichomes in Hyptis villosa leaf blade under confocal microscopy. (A-C) Morphotype I. (D-E) Morphotype II. (F-G) Morphotype III. (H) Morphotype IV. (A, D, F) Microtubule labeling by anti-β-tubulin-FITC. (B, E, G) F-actin labeling by phalloidin-rhodamine. (C, H) Microtubule and F-actin labeling by anti-β-tubulin-FITC and phalloidin-rhodamine.

In the morphotype I the head cells exhibited strong marking for microtubules (Fig. 7A, C); actin filaments were more abundant in the stalk cell (Fig. 7B-C) and the basal cell presented high abundance of actin filaments and microtubules (Fig. 7A-C).

The morphotype II showed intense marking for microtubules (Fig. 7D) and actin filaments (Fig. 7E) in the head cells. The stalk cells presented a stronger marking for microtubules only (Fig. 7D). In the morphotype III, the labeling to microtubules was intense in the neck cell (Fig. 7F) and moderate in the other trichome cells; the actin filaments were densely marked in the head and stalk cells (Fig. 7G, insert) and moderately stained in the other cells. In the morphotype IV the actin filaments were intensely labeled in the stalk cell and the microtubules were densely stained in the glandular head cells (Fig. 7H).

Discussion

For our knowledge, this is the first report of the morphological, histochemical and subcellular features of glandular trichomes in a Hyptis species. The use of different convergent techniques of light and electron microscope enabled us to identify four glandular morphotypes of trichomes in both leaf surfaces of H. villosa, differing on shape, size, cell number, subcellular features and secretion composition. In addition, imunolabeling of actin filaments and microtubules produced differential results among the glandular morphotypes and along the trichome bodies, according to the main chemical classes of substances produced. A correlation between glandular morphotype and the composition of the secretion was possible to be established.

The presence of peltate and capitate glandular trichomes is a common feature to Lamiaceae species (Werker et al. 1993; Ascensão et al. 1999), and has been reported to species from different genera (Ascensão et al. 1995; 1999; Corsi & Bottega 1999; Rodrigues et al. 2006; Duarte & Lopes 2007; Gonçalves et al. 2010). As a rule, peltate trichomes present short stalk and a large secretory head, while in the capitate trichomes the stalk is more than half of the height of the head (Abu-Asab & Cantino 1987; Ascensão & Pais 1998; Werker 2000). According to this classification, the morphotypes I of H. villosa is peltate and the morphotypes II, III and IV are capitate.

In a general way, a higher density of glandular trichomes was obtained to the adaxial leaf surface of H. villosa. This is a remarkable feature, since the most of the researches shows higher density of glandular hairs in the abaxial leaf surface in the studied plant species (Tozin et al. 2015b; Búfalo et al. 2016). In H. villosa the higher density of glandular trichomes in the adaxial leaf surface could represent an important strategy for dealing with the high light intensity that strikes on the plants in the campo cerrado (Tozin et al. 2015b), improving the reflection of the sunlight, minimizing the water loss and playing a chemical defense against biotic agents (Pérez-Estrada et al. 2000). In this sense, we can also suggest that the greatest need of protection against environmental factors, mainly the high luminosity, could also be related to the highest density of capitate trichomes (longer) in the adaxial leaf surface of H. villosa.

Hyptis species are mainly known by the production of essential oils with aromatic and medicinal potentials (Silva et al. 2013). In fact, terpenes were histochemically detected in all the glandular morphotypes analyzed, and can represent the major chemical category of substances responsible for the aromatic properties of H. villosa. However, hydrophilic compounds were also histochemically detected in different portions of the glandular trichomes. This evidences the mixed nature of the secretion in this species, although there are differences in the prevalence of lipophilic and hydrophilic fractions among the morphotypes and among the portions of a same trichome.

Total lipids, terpenes, phenolic compounds, protein, alkaloids and polysaccharides may play different biological roles in the interaction of the plant with the environment (Harbone 1993; Langenheim 2003). Total lipids, terpenes and alkaloids in leaves are associated to the chemical defense against pathogens and herbivores (Langenheim 2003; Combrinck et al. 2007). Polysaccharides are important in the maintenance of the hydric potential of the cells protecting the organs against desiccation (Ascensão et al. 1999; Werker 2000), important role in environment with low humidity as in the Brazilian Cerrado. Phenolic compounds are also important in the defense against herbivores and pathogens and in the protection of the plants against high irradiance, like that in the Cerrado, that could cause photoinhibition and damage to the cell machinery (Liakoura et al. 1997; Tozin et al. 2015a; Silva et al. 2016).

Total lipids and terpenes were abundantly stained by the histochemical tests in the morphotype I, mainly in the head cells. In fact, the observation of several plastids lacking thylakoids in the head cells is associated with the production of oils (Fahn 1979; Rodrigues & Machado 2012); in addition, the presence of tubular inclusions in these plastids is common reported in cells secreting monoterpenes (Turner et al. 1999). In general way, lipids are released from the secretory cells via ecrine (Evert 2006), cross the cell wall driven by the mechanical pressure exercised by the protoplast (Paiva 2016) and accumulate in the subcuticular space; oil material can cross the cuticle and reach the outer side of the cells without requiring rupture of pore formation in the cuticle. In fact, the cuticle in the head cells of morpohtype I remained intact in all the samples analyzed. In the stalk cells, the presence of proliferative smooth endoplasmic reticulum, plastids with osmiophilic inclusions and vesicles are indicative of production of lipophilic and hydrophilic substances (Fahn 1979; Evert 2006). Moreover, the occurrence of hyperactive dictyosomes characterizes the basal cells and indicates the intense production of hydrophilic substances (Fahn 1979; Evert 2006), corroborating our histochemical results.

In the morphotype II, the head cells are mainly characterized by the abundance of hyperactive dictiosomes and proliferative rough endoplasmic reticulum, indicating the intense synthesis of hydrophilic and proteic compounds (Evert 2006); in fact, the polysaccharides and proteins were the main category of substances detected by the histochemical tests in these cells. The presence of labyrinthic walls in the head cells is a remarkable feature of the morphotype II and characterizes transfer cells (Evert 2006). The folds of the cell walls increase the surface of the plasmalemma and may favor the process of release of secretion (Gunning & Pate 1969; Evert 2006), facilitating the exchanges between the symplast and apoplast (Gunning & Pate 1969; Pate & Gunning 1972). Following Gama et al. (2016), the presence of transfer cells in secretory tissues can improve the capacity of transport of the secretion, compensating the spending of the secretion production. This suggests some type of evolution of the transfer cells molded by physiological selection pressures, facilitating the short distance transport (Gunning & Pate 1969). The widespread occurrence of plastids devoid of thylakoids in the stalk cells of morphotype II indicate that these organelles are the main sites of production of the total lipids and terpenes detected in these cells (Evert 2006; Tozin et al. 2015a). Similarly, the abundance of plastids and oil drops in the basal cells are indicatives of oil production in this portion of the trichome (Evert 2006; Tozin et al. 2015a).

In the morphotype III, the head, neck and stalk cells present similar ultrastructural features. The occurrence of plastids withouth tylakoids containing osmiophlic inclusions, rough endoplasmic reticulum, dictiosomes and multivesicular bodies indicates the production of proteins, lipids and polysaccharides in the whole trichome body (Evert 2006). However, the histochemical reactions to phenolic compounds, alkaloids, protein and polysaccharides were more intense in the head cells while the lipids were more intensely marked in the neck cells of the morphotype III. ). In the morphotype III, part of the secretion is release toward the apoplast by granulocrine process what is suggested by the presence of vesicles adjacent to the plasmalemma (Fahn 1979). In this morphotype, no subcuticular space was observed. Some secretion can accumulate as paramural bodies in the periplasmic space before to reach the outside of the cells. The presence of voluminous electron-dense bodies inside plastids as observed in the head, neck and stalk cells of this glandular morphotypes is a common feature to cells producing and accumulating proteins (Fahn 1979; Evert 2006; Silva et al. 2016); in addition, the occurrence of plastids with starch grains of different sizes in the stalk cells suggest the involvement of these cells in providing energy to the production of secretion by degradation of the carbohydrates (Nepi et al. 1996; Paiva & Machado 2008; Silva et al. 2016). The occurrence of a pedestal elevating the apical portion of the trichome is remarkable in the morphotype III; the occurrence of thick walls and reduced cytoplasm in the pedestal cell indicates its fundamental role in supporting the apical portion of the trichome (Silva et al. 2016).

The widespread presence of plasmodesmata in morphotypes I, II and III connecting the cells of the trichomes among themselves and to the neighboring cells suggests the symplastic passage of substances from the lower cells toward the head cells of trichomes (Ascensão et al. 1999; Evert 2006; Argyropoulou et al. 2010; Silva et al. 2016). These substances may represent precursors of the secretion that will be synthetized in the head cells (Ascensão et al. 1999; Tozin et al. 2015a; Silva et al. 2016).

The rupture of the cuticle on the head cells via a horizontal line was a differential aspect in the morphotype IV, since no pores or rupture was observed in the other morphotypes. Although the analysis of the morphotype IV was not possible under transmission electron microscopy, the rupture of the cuticle suggests the accumulation of secretion in a subcuticular space in a previous moment (Ascensão et al. 1995; Serrato-Valentini et al. 1997). In this morphotype, lipopholic and hydrophilic substances were histochemically detected in the head and stalk cells, with more intense reaction to lipids and terpenes in the head cells.

Our results for imunolabeling of the cytoskeleton elements in the glandular morphotypes of H. villosa corroborate the histochemical tests and the transmission electron microscopy data indicating a correlation between the main compounds produced in the cells and the predominance of actin filaments or microtubules. In general, microtubules were strongly marked in cells where the production of lipophilic substances was predominant, such as the head cells of morphotypes I, II and IV, the stalk cells of morphotype II and the neck cell of morphotype III. On the other hand, the imunolabeling for actin filaments was more intense in cells producing mainly lipophilic substances, such as the stalk cells of morphotypes I, III and IV and in the head cells of morphotype II. The involvement of microtubules in the transport of oil drops is well established in animal cells (Zehmer et al. 2009 and references therein). It has been showed that the ability of oil drops to form and grow in size (Andersson et al. 2006) and their rapid movement in the cytoplasm (Gross et al. 2000) is dependent on microtubules. So, we suggest that the more intense marking for microtubules in cells secreting abundant lipophilic compounds in H. villosa may be associated with the involvement of these elements in the intracellular transport of oil bodies. Concerning the actin filaments, their role in the conduction of the cytoplasmic current and in the vesicles movement is well studied in animal (Valderrama et al. 2001; Stamnes 2002) and plant cells (Evert 2006 and references therein), but not in secretory cells in plants. We purpose that the most intense labeling for actin filaments observed in cells producing secretion predominantly hydrophilic in glandular trichomes of H. villosa can be explained by being this cytoskeletal element the main responsible for the movement of vesicles produced by the dictyosomes throughout the cytoplasm (Evert 2006 and reference therein).

Our results showed that the four glandular morphotypes in the leaves of H. villosa are sites of production of bioactive compounds, occurring a correlation between the glandular morphotype and the composition of the secretion produced. Furthermore, we confirmed the existence of a differential distribution of actin filaments and microtubules between cells secreting mainly hydrophilic or lipophilic compounds. Additional studies with experimental approaches are being conducted to better understand the role of the cytoskeleton elements in the morphogenesis and functioning of the glandular hairs in Lamiaceae species.

Acknowledgements

We thank the CNPq (444205/2014-4) for the financial support; and the staff of the Centro de Microscopia Eletrônica (CME), IBB, UNESP, for helping in the sample preparation.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  10 Nov 2016
• Date of issue
  Jul-Sep 2017

History

• Received
  11 Aug 2016
• Accepted
  11 Oct 2016