Immunocytochemical demonstration of cell wall components related to tissue compartments in the globoid galls induced by Clinodiplosis sp. (Cecidomyiidae) on Croton floribundus Spreng. (Euphorbiaceae)
The dynamics of cell wall components during gall development are related to structural specialization to meet the defensive or nutritional requirements of gall tissues. Cell wall features have been studied mostly in galls induced by hemipterans (Psylloidea), while galls induced by Cecidomyiidae have been little explored. We applied monoclonal antibodies to epitopes of proteins and pectins in the cell walls of non-galled leaves and galls induced by Clinodiplosis sp. (Diptera; Cecidomyiidae) on Croton floribundus Spreng. (Euphorbiaceae). The complexity of tissue zonation in Clinodiplosis galls reflected the impairment of the activity of the pectin-methylesterases during development. The labeling of the epitopes of extensins in young galls denoted cell enlargement with resistant cell walls, while the labeling of epitopes of the arabinogalactan proteins in senescent galls indicated the involvement of these proteins with programmed cell death, at the end of cell cycles at the gall development site. We conclude that the cell wall profile in Clinodiplosis galls implies an imbalance between tissue porosity, cell-to-cell signaling, and resistance linked to tissue structural and functional compartments. Current data confirm the presence of the epitopes of extensins in young galls, and the compartmentalization of homogalacturonans and rhamnogalacturonan I in galls as an independent taxon feature.