DEVELOPMENTAL FEATURES OF AUTOPHAGY IN AGING SECRETORY-CELLS OF TAMARIX APHYLLA L SALT-GLANDS

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.