Microtubule arrays in prothalli large-vacuolated and meristematic dividing cells of the fern Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai were studied using Steedman's wax, indirect immunofluorescence labelling and confocal las...Microtubule arrays in prothalli large-vacuolated and meristematic dividing cells of the fern Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai were studied using Steedman's wax, indirect immunofluorescence labelling and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results showed that the use of high paraformaldehyde concentration (8%) allowed good fixation of prothallus cells, which are characterized by numerous (meristematic cells) and big (large-vacuolated cells) vacuoles. Results also plead for the efficiency of Steedman's wax embedding method in: (1) avoiding excessive use of enzyme for digesting cell wall in the process of the microtubule cytoskeleton labelling, (2) minimizing the autofluorescence effect in cells through utilization of alcohol in sample dehydration, and (3) permitting a clear visualization of microtubule patterns during the cell mitosis. Steedman's wax, coupled with immunofluorescence labelling and confocal laser scanning microscopy techniques, allows a good investigation of cell division process in plants by using simple multicellular organisms such as fern prothalli.展开更多
文摘Microtubule arrays in prothalli large-vacuolated and meristematic dividing cells of the fern Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai were studied using Steedman's wax, indirect immunofluorescence labelling and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results showed that the use of high paraformaldehyde concentration (8%) allowed good fixation of prothallus cells, which are characterized by numerous (meristematic cells) and big (large-vacuolated cells) vacuoles. Results also plead for the efficiency of Steedman's wax embedding method in: (1) avoiding excessive use of enzyme for digesting cell wall in the process of the microtubule cytoskeleton labelling, (2) minimizing the autofluorescence effect in cells through utilization of alcohol in sample dehydration, and (3) permitting a clear visualization of microtubule patterns during the cell mitosis. Steedman's wax, coupled with immunofluorescence labelling and confocal laser scanning microscopy techniques, allows a good investigation of cell division process in plants by using simple multicellular organisms such as fern prothalli.
