Skip to main content
Log in

Fluorescent labelling of nascent RNA reveals nuclear transcription domains throughout plant cell nuclei

  • Published:
Protoplasma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Transcription and RNA processing are main functions of the nucleus. These processes are found localized in specific nuclear domains. We have investigated the presence of nuclear transcription domains in plants by incorporating 5-bromouridine 5′-triphosphate in nascent RNA in isolated nuclei ofBrassica napus. Bromo-uridine labelled RNA was visualized by a FITC-labelled biotin-avidin system in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Labelled domains were found throughout the nucleus, in some cases including the nucleolus. This shows that the distribution of transcription sites in plant nuclei is similar to that of mammalian nuclei and that the same labelling procedures can be used.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Beven AF, Simpson GG, Brown JWS, Shaw PJ (1995) The organization of spliceosomal components in the nuclei of higher plants. J Cell Sci 108: 509–518

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Binarova P, Straatman K, Hause B, Hause G, Van Lammeren AAM (1993) Nuclear DNA synthesis during the induction of embryogenesis in cultured microspores and pollen ofBrassica napus L. Theor Appl Genet 87: 9–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Dirks RW, Daniël KC, Raap AK (1995) RNAs radiate from gene to cytoplasm as revealed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. J Cell Sci 108: 2565–2572

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Blanco MA, Miller DD, Sheetz MP (1995) Nuclear spreads: I. Visualization of bipartite ribosomal RNA domains. J Cell Biol 128: 15–27

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gustavsson H-O, Ellerström M, Stålberg K, Azcurra I, Koman A, Hoglund A-S, Rask L, Josefsson L-G (1991) Distinct sequence elements in a napin promoter interact in vitro with DNA-binding proteins fromBrassica napus. Physiol Plant 82: 205–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Hause B, Hause G, Pechan P, Van Lammeren AAM (1993) Cytoskeletal changes and induction of embryogenesis in microspore and pollen cultures ofBrassica napus L. Cell Biol Int 17: 153–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Hause G, Cordewener JHG, Ehrmanova M, Hause B, Binarova P, Van Lookeren Campagne MM, Van Lammeren AAM (1995) Cell cycle dependent distribution of phosphorylated proteins in microspores and pollen ofBrassica napus L., detected by the monoclonal antibody MPM-2. Protoplasma 187: 117–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Hozák P, Cook PR, Schöfer C, Mosgöller W, Wachtler F (1994) Site of transcription of ribosomal RNA and intranucleolar structure in HeLa cells. J Cell Sci 107: 639–648

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huang S, Spector DL (1991) Nascent pre-mRNA transcripts are associated with nuclear regions enriched in splicing factors. Genes Dev 5: 2288–2302

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson DA, Hassan AB, Errington RJ, Cook PR (1993) Visualization of focal sites of transcription within human nuclei. EMBO J 12: 1059–1065

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence JB, Singer RH, Marselle LM (1989) Highly localized tracks of specific transcripts within interphase nuclei visualized by in situ hybridization. Cell 57: 493–502

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nakayama C, Saneyoshi M (1984) Utilizations of various uridine 5′-triphosphate analogues by DNA dependent RNA polymerases I and II purified from liver nuclei of cherry salmon (Oncorynchus masou). J Biochem 96: 1501–1509

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Raap AK, van de Rijke FM, Dirks RW, Sol CJ, Boom R, van der Ploeg M (1991) Bicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization to intron and exon mRNA sequences. Exp Cell Res 197: 319–322

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Risueño MC, Testillano PS (1994) Cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry of nucleolar chromatin in plants. Micron 25: 331–360

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roeder RG (1976) Eukaryotic nuclear RNA polymerases. In: Losick R, Chamberlin M (eds) RNA polymerases. Cold Spring Harbor, New York, pp 285–329

    Google Scholar 

  • Sentenac A (1985) Eukaryotic RNA polymerases. CRC Crit Rev Biochem 18: 31–90

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sjödahl S, Gustavsson H-O, Rodin J, Lenman M, Hoglund A-S, Rask L (1993) Cruciferin gene families are expressed coordinately but with tissue-specific differences duringBrassica napus seed development. Plant Mol Biol 23: 1165–1176

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spector DL (1993) Macromolecular domains within the cell nucleus. Annu Rev Cell Biol 9: 265–315

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stuurman N, de Graaf A, Floore A, Josse A, Humbel B, de Jong L, van Driel R (1992) A monoclonal antibody recognizing nuclear matrix-associated nuclear bodies. J Cell Sci 101: 773–784

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Testillano PS, Sánchez-Pina MA, Olmedilla A, Fuchs JP, Risueño MC (1993) Characterization of the interchromatin region as the nuclear domain containing snRNPs in plant cells. A cytochemical and immunoelectron microscopy study. Eur J Cell Biol 61: 349–361

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wansink DG, Schul W, van der Kraan I, van Steensel B, van Driel R, de Jong L (1993) Fluorescent labeling of nascent RNA reveals transcription by RNA polymerase II in domains scattered throughout the nucleus. J Cell Biol 122: 283–293

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Straatman, K.R., Trompetter, C.M., Schul, W. et al. Fluorescent labelling of nascent RNA reveals nuclear transcription domains throughout plant cell nuclei. Protoplasma 192, 145–149 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01273886

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01273886

Keywords

Navigation