Incorporation of Host Mitochondria into the Haustorial Encapsulation of Barley Powdery Mildew (II)

Abstract

It was observed using an electron microscope that the mitochondria of Hordeum vulgare L. were incorporated into the encapsulation of Erysiphe graminis hordei. The host mitochondria aggregated in the cytoplasm near the haustorial lobes. Some of them were in contact with the encapsulation membrane and in some cases, segments of the encapsulation membranes were elongated towards the mitochondria and joined them. At the contact phase the mitochondrial outer membrane disappeared, and the cristae and matrix directly contacted the encapsulation matrix. The mitochondria appeared to be incorporated into the encapsulation with subsequent degradation of the cristae into their units. The degraded cristae units were found along the encapsulation membrane, or they were released in the encapsulation matrix. A double mitochondrial membrane continuing to the encapsulation's single membrane was clearly discernible at the contact point of the encapsulation and the host mitochondria.