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Updated: Mar 10, 2026

High Resolution Quantification of Crystalline Cellulose Accumulation in Arabidopsis Roots to Monitor Tissue-specific Cell Wall Modifications
Published on: May 10, 2016
Nuclear dynamics and programmed cell death in Arabidopsis root hairs
Kang Tan1, Chenxi Wen1, Hualing Feng1
1Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Northwest University), Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
Abstract:
In this paper we demonstrate the coupling of nuclear migration to the base of Arabidopsis root hairs with programmed cell death (PCD). Nuclear migration and positioning are fundamental processes of eukaryotic cells. To date, no evidence for a direct connection between nucleus migration and PCD has been described in the literature. Based on the findings of our previous study, we hereby further establish the regulatory role of caspase-3-like/DEVDase in root hair death and demonstrate nuclear migration to a position close to the root hair basement during PCD. In addition, continuous observation and statistical analysis have revealed that the nucleus disengages from the root hair tip and moves back to the root after the root hair grows to a certain length. Finally, pharmacological studies have shown that the meshwork of actin filaments surrounding the nucleus plays a pivotal role in nuclear movement during root hair PCD, and the basipetal movement of the nucleus is markedly inhibited by the caspase-3 inhibitor, Ac-DEVD-CHO.
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