Abstract
The development of the preprophase band (PPB) of microtubules (MT) in meristematic plant cells was studied by using antibodies to pig brain tubulin and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. The PPB is first visible as a wide band of MT that are arranged only slightly more densely than flanking MT of the cortical interphase array. MT progressively become more tightly packed together, and other cortical MT are no longer seen as the PPB matures. The surface of the nuclear envelope (NE) displays no tubulin fluorescence during interphase but begins to fluoresce in the early stages of PPB development, and its intensity progressively increases thereafter. The pattern at the NE is usually diffuse at first, suggesting the presence of nonpolymerized tubulin, but fibers along the NE can be resolved at later stages. MT, arranged either radially or as a meshwork, can occur between the nucleus and cell cortex, and sometimes appear to connect the PPB and NE directly. Isolated preprophase nuclei from cells ruptured during processing often retain the PPB in its normal orientation, indicating stable linkages between the nucleus and PPB. Fluorescent cross-bars perpendicular to the axis of the MT were resolved in some PPB, suggesting lateral linkages. This suggestion is reinforced by the presence of PPB that hold together as a ribbon of MT in certain preparations, allowing PPB to be isolated from the rest of the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (2.3 MB).
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Albertini D. F., Clark J. I. Visualization of assembled and disassembled microtubule protein by double label fluorescence microscopy. Cell Biol Int Rep. 1981 Apr;5(4):387–397. doi: 10.1016/0309-1651(81)90009-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Brighton W. D., Grulich R. An alternative lamp for fluorescence microscopy. Immunology. 1972 Feb;22(2):301–303. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Busby C. H., Gunning B. Observations on pre-prophase bands of microtubules in uniseriate hairs, stomatal complexes of sugar cane, and Cyperus root meristems. Eur J Cell Biol. 1980 Jun;21(2):214–223. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- De Mey J., Lambert A. M., Bajer A. S., Moeremans M., De Brabander M. Visualization of microtubules in interphase and mitotic plant cells of Haemanthus endosperm with the immuno-gold staining method. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1982 Mar;79(6):1898–1902. doi: 10.1073/pnas.79.6.1898. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Galatis B., Mitrakos K. On the differential divisions and preprophase microtubule bands involved in the development of stomata of Vigna sinensis L. J Cell Sci. 1979 Jun;37:11–37. doi: 10.1242/jcs.37.1.11. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hardham A. R., Gunning B. E. Structure of cortical microtubule arrays in plant cells. J Cell Biol. 1978 Apr;77(1):14–34. doi: 10.1083/jcb.77.1.14. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Osborn M., Weber K. The display of microtubules in transformed cells. Cell. 1977 Nov;12(3):561–571. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(77)90257-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Pickett-Heaps J. D., Northcote D. H. Cell division in the formation of the stomatal complex of the young leaves of wheat. J Cell Sci. 1966 Mar;1(1):121–128. doi: 10.1242/jcs.1.1.121. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Pickett-Heaps J. D., Northcote D. H. Organization of microtubules and endoplasmic reticulum during mitosis and cytokinesis in wheat meristems. J Cell Sci. 1966 Mar;1(1):109–120. doi: 10.1242/jcs.1.1.109. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Pickett-Heaps J. D. Preprophase microtubule bands in some abnormal mitotic cells of wheat. J Cell Sci. 1969 Mar;4(2):397–420. doi: 10.1242/jcs.4.2.397. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Pickett-Heaps J. D. Preprophase microtubules and stomatal differentiation; some effects of centrifugation on symmetrical and asymmetrical cell division. J Ultrastruct Res. 1969 Apr;27(2):24–44. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wick S. M., Seagull R. W., Osborn M., Weber K., Gunning B. E. Immunofluorescence microscopy of organized microtubule arrays in structurally stabilized meristematic plant cells. J Cell Biol. 1981 Jun;89(3):685–690. doi: 10.1083/jcb.89.3.685. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]