Am. Bosabalidis, DEVELOPMENTAL FEATURES OF AUTOPHAGY IN AGING SECRETORY-CELLS OF TAMARIX APHYLLA L SALT-GLANDS, Journal of submicroscopic cytology and pathology, 26(4), 1994, pp. 473-479
During early senescence of Tamarix aphylla salt glands, the plasma mem
brane of the secretory cells forms long lamellar invaginations, which
fold and fuse to create independent cell compartments. These compartme
nts (autophagic provacuoles) are limited by a pair of membranes and co
ntain a portion of cytoplasm. The equipping of the autophagic provacuo
les with hydrolytic enzymes is performed by Golgi vesicles and ER-elem
ents. In developed autophagic vacuoles, the sequestrated cytoplasmic p
ortions progressively undergo disintegration, leading finally to the d
egeneration of the entire salt gland. Cytochemical tests showed the pr
esence of acid phosphatase in autophagic provacuoles and developed vac
uoles as well.