Membrane-bound plastid inclusions in neoplasia of Nicotiana-hybrids.

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Abstract
The development of plastids in tumor cells of Nicotiana hybrids [N. clevelandii .times. N. glutinosa] induced by the tobacco tumor virus (TTV) was studied by transmission electron microscopy and compared to uninfected controls. Proplastids and young chloroplasts in tumor cells contain intrathylakoidal inclusions. In contrast to controls the plastid development is delayed in young chloroplast stages. These are characterized by a poorly developed grana system and the formation of large starch aggregations. The ultrastructural changes in the intrathylakoidal inclusions were studied at the different stages of plastid development. Their possible functional role during plastid ontogeny is discussed.