Figure 5.

The Organization of Root Cell Files Is Distorted with RNAi-Induced Diminution of γ-Tubulin.

(A) DIC images of a root from an uninduced control plant (left) with cells organized as files and the root of an RNAi plant (right) 5 d after dexamethasone induction with radial expansion and with binuclear cells (arrow).

(B) Confocal laser scanning microscopy single optical section of a root tip of an RNAi plant 10 d after dexamethasone induction. FM1-43 membrane staining and propidium iodide (PI) nuclear staining showed that cells in the meristematic zone became vacuolated, with nuclei shifted from a central position, whereas cell division sites were often misaligned (arrow).

(C) Patches of epidermal cells with misaligned cell walls (top, arrow) or clusters of isodiametric epidermal cells (bottom, arrowhead) in the elongation zone of RNAi plants 10 d after induction of RNAi with ethanol shown in DIC images.

(D) Confocal laser scanning microscopy single optical sections through the central root (left) and close to the surface layer (right) show that all cell files are distorted in roots grown for 15 d with dexamethasone-induced RNAi expression. FM1-43 and propidium iodide staining are as in (B).

Bars = 10 μm.