Figure 2.

The fate of the nuclear membrane and DNA in fiber cells near the border of the OFZ. The lens slice was stained with DiOC₆ (for membranes) and SYTO 17 (for DNA) and viewed with a confocal microscope. Cortical fiber cells are shown in A–C, cells just outside the border of the OFZ are shown in D–F, cells immediately within the OFZ are shown in G–I, and cells in the center of the lens are shown in J–L. A, D, G, and J are differential interference contrast images; B, E, H, and K, are confocal images of the DiOC₆ fluorescence; and C, F, I, and L are the corresponding confocal images of the SYTO 17 fluorescence. Note the sudden change in nuclear morphology at the border of the OFZ and the loss of the nuclear membrane (D–F). The last nucleus to possess a nuclear membrane is indicated by the arrow in D–F. Collapsed nuclei are evident in cells within the OFZ and SYTO 17–stained nuclear remnants (L, arrows) can be discerned, even in the most central fiber cells. Bar, 25 μm.