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Effects of microfilament disrupters on microfilament distribution and morphology in maize root cells
Abstract:
Maize root tip cells were examined for the distribution of actin microfilaments in various cell types and to determine the effects of microfilament disrupters. Fluorescence microscopy on fixed, stabilized, squashed cells using the F-actin specific probe, rhodamine-labelled phalloidin, allowed for a three-dimensional visualization of actin microfilaments. Microfilaments were observed as long, meandering structures in root cap cells and meristematic cells, while those in immature vascular parenchyma were abundant in the thin band of cytoplasm and were long and less curved. By modifying standard electron microscopic fixation procedures, microfilaments in plant cells could be easily detected in all cell types. Treatment with cytochalasin B, cytochalasin D and lead acetate, compounds that interfere with microfilament related processes, re-organized the microfilaments into abnormal crossed and highly condensed masses. All the treatments affected not only the microfilaments but also the accumulation of secretory vesicles. The vivid demonstration of the effects of all of these microfilament disrupters on the number and size of Golgi vesicles indicates that these vesicles may depend on microfilaments for intracellular movement.
Insights
This study visualizes actin microfilaments in maize root cells and reveals how disrupting them affects cell structure and secretory vesicle movement. These findings suggest microfilaments are crucial for intracellular transport in plant cells.
Area of Science:
- Plant Cell Biology
- Cytoskeleton Dynamics
Background:
- Actin microfilaments play vital roles in cellular processes.
- Understanding their distribution and function in plant cells is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map actin microfilament distribution in various maize root tip cell types.
- To investigate the impact of microfilament-disrupting agents on these structures and vesicle trafficking.
Main Methods:
- Utilized rhodamine-labelled phalloidin for F-actin visualization via fluorescence microscopy.
- Adapted electron microscopy fixation techniques for enhanced microfilament detection.
- Applied cytochalasin B, cytochalasin D, and lead acetate to disrupt microfilaments.
Main Results:
- Actin microfilaments exhibited distinct patterns in root cap, meristematic, and vascular parenchyma cells.
- Disrupting agents caused microfilaments to aggregate into abnormal masses.
- Secretory vesicle accumulation and size were significantly affected by microfilament disruption.
Conclusions:
- Actin microfilaments are differentially distributed across maize root tip cell types.
- Microfilaments are critical for the intracellular transport of secretory vesicles, likely via Golgi vesicles.
- The study provides strong evidence for microfilament involvement in plant cell vesicle trafficking.