Thinopyrum ponticum (2n = 10x = 70, JJJJsJs) belongs to the Triticeae tribe, and is currently used as a source of pathogen resistance genes in wheat breeding. In order to characterize its chromosomes, the number and position of 45S and 5S rDNA sites, as well as the distribution of the repetitive DNA sequences pAs1 and pSc119.2, were identified by fluorescent in situ hybridization. The number of nucleoli and NORs was also recorded after silver nitrate staining. Seventeen 45S and twenty 5S rDNA sites were observed on the short arms of 17 chromosomes, the 45S rDNA was always located terminally. On three other chromosomes, only the 5S rDNA site was observed. Silver staining revealed a high number of Ag-NORs (14 to 17) on metaphase chromosomes, whereas on interphase nuclei there was a large variation in number of nucleoli (one to 15), most of them (82.8%) ranging between four and nine. The pAs1 probe hybridized to the terminal region of both arms of all 70 chromosomes. In addition, a disperse labeling was observed throughout the chromosomes, except in centromeric and most pericentromeric regions. When the pSc119.2 sequence was used as a probe, terminal labeling was observed on the short arms of 17 chromosomes and on the long arms of five others. The relative position of 45S and 5S rDNA sites, together with the hybridization pattern of pAs1 and pSc119.2 probes, should allow whole chromosomes or chromosome segments of Th. ponticum to be identified in inbred lines of wheat x Th. ponticum.

Este artigo discute, do ponto de vista da biologia celular, as teorias determinística e indeterminística sobre a androgênese. São examinados o papel do vacúolo e dos diferentes estresses no desvio do grão de pólen de seu desenvolvimento normal e o ponto onde a competência androgenética é adquirida. Baseado numa extensa revisão da literatura e dados de estudos realizados em trigo pelo nosso laboratório, é proposto um modelo para a capacidade androgenética do grão de pólen. O modelo determinístico de dois pontos para androgênese in vitro é nossa proposta para explicar a aquisição da capacidade androgenética do grão de pólen: o primeiro ponto de mudança seria no início da meiose e o segundo ponto de mudança no estádio de pólen uninucleado, porque a eliminação dos determinantes esporofíticos citoplasmáticos ocorre nestes dois pontos estratégicos. Qualquer anormalidade neste processo permite a manutenção das moléculas de informação esporofítica, resultando na ausência do estabelecimento do programa gametofítico e permitindo a reativação do processo embrionário

This article discusses, from the standpoint of cellular biology, the deterministic and indeterministic androgenesis theories. The role of the vacuole and of various types of stresses on deviation of the microspore from normal development and the point where androgenetic competence is acquired are examined. Based on extensive literature review and data on wheat studies from our laboratory, a model for androgenetic capacity of pollen grain is proposed. A two point deterministic model for in vitro androgenesis is our proposal for acquisition of androgenetic potential of the pollen grain: the first switch point would be early meiosis and the second switch point the uninucleate pollen stage, because the elimination of cytoplasmatic sporophytic determinants takes place at those two strategic moments. Any abnormality in this process allowing the maintenance of sporophytic informational molecules results in the absence of establishment of a gametophytic program, allowing the reactivation of the embryogenic process