Microtubules rearrange during differentiation of vascular cambial derivatives, microfilaments do not

Chaffey, N, Barlow, P.W and Barnett, J.R (1997) 'Microtubules rearrange during differentiation of vascular cambial derivatives, microfilaments do not.' Trees: Structure and Function, 11 (6). pp. 333-341. ISSN 0931-1890

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004680050093

Abstract

The plant cytoskeleton has been implicated in a variety of morphogenetic events in higher plants. Most of this work, however, has concentrated on epidermal cells or primary tissues. We have investigated the cortical microtubular (CMT) and microfilament (MF) components of the cytoskeleton in a secondary tissue  –  active vascular cambium of Aesculus hippocastanum L. (horse-chestnut)  –  and followed the changes in these components during the early stages of differentiation of fusiform cambial derivatives to axial elements of the secondary vascular system. A correlative approach was used employing indirect immunofluorescence microscopy of α-tubulin on 6 μm sections, and transmission electron microscopy of 60 nm sections. The study has demonstrated a rearrangement of the CMT cytoskeleton, from random to helical, as fusiform vascular cambial cells begin to differentiate as secondary phloem vascular tissue. A similar CMT rearrangement is seen as fusiform cambial cells begin to differentiate as secondary xylem fibres. This rearrangement is interpreted as evidence of determination of cambial derivatives towards vascular development. Axially-oriented MF bundles are present in fusiform cambial cells and their axial orientation is retained in the vascular derivatives at early stages of their development even though the CMTs have become rearranged.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: Aesculus hippocastanum L., Cytoskeleton, Immunofluorescence Determination, Vascular cambium
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Q Science > QK Botany
Divisions: School of Sciences
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004680050093
Date Deposited: 20 Jul 2015 12:02
Last Modified: 15 Aug 2021 09:40
URI / Page ID: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/6344
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