Visualization of microtubules in interphase and mitotic plant cells of Haemanthus endosperm with the immuno-gold staining method

A procedure is presented for the immunocytochemical visualization of microtubules in interphase and mitotic cells of Haemanthus endosperm. It includes preservation of microtubules (MTs) with glutaraldehyde and uses colloidal gold, coated with secondary antibodies, in a novel indirect-light microscop...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 1982-03, Vol.79 (6), p.1898-1902
Main Authors: Mey, J. de, Lambert, A.M, Bajer, A.S, Moermans, M, Brabander, M. de
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anaphase
Animal cells
Antibodies
Cell Division
Cell Wall - metabolism
Cells
Endosperm
Gold
Immunologic Techniques
Interphase
Kinetochores
Microtubules
Microtubules - ultrastructure
Mitosis
plant breeding
Plant cells
plant genetics
Plants
Prophase
Space life sciences
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Summary:A procedure is presented for the immunocytochemical visualization of microtubules in interphase and mitotic cells of Haemanthus endosperm. It includes preservation of microtubules (MTs) with glutaraldehyde and uses colloidal gold, coated with secondary antibodies, in a novel indirect-light microscopic technique: the immuno-gold staining method. This immunocytochemical stain allows us to follow the changes in distribution of MTs during mitosis with greater precision and specificity than allowed by other light microscopic techniques. Many aspects of MT arrangements, as reported from ultrastructural studies, are corroborated and extended. This demonstrates the reliability of the technique. In addition, a number of significant observations were made. These concern (i) the presence of a network of MTs in interphase cells, (ii) the transformation of this network into a spindle-like cage of MTs (the clear zone) surrounding the nucleus during prophase, (iii) the drastic rearrangement of MT distribution during prometaphase, (iv) new evidence for the formation of aster-like arrays of polar MTs during anaphase, and (v) the development of the phragmoplast.
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.79.6.1898