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Cytochalasin-Induced Ultrastructural Alterations in Nicotiana Pollen Tubes

  • Chapter
Cell Dynamics

Part of the book series: Protoplasma ((PROTOPLASMA,volume 2))

Summary

Cytochalasin causes rapid inhibition of cytoplasmic streaming and growth in pollen tubes. In the present study we describe the ultra-structural changes that occur in pollen tubes of Nicotiana alata following treatment with cytochalasins. We utilize rapid freeze fixation and freeze substitution as a method superior to conventional chemical fixation for the preservation of cytoskeletal elements and membrane systems. The results show that either cytochalasin B or cytochalasin D causes microfilaments to form massive bundles throughout the cytoplasm, including the tipmost region of the pollen tube. Other effects include a loss of organelle zonation and vesicle aggregation in the tube tip, the accumulation of large stacks and coils of endoplasmic reticulum, and a crystalline rearrangement of a membrane component of some of the vacuoles. Following removal of cytochalasin the pollen tube ultrastructure returns to its normal configuration.

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Abbreviations

CB:

cytochalasin B

CD:

cytochalasin D

CF:

conventional chemical fixation

DMSO:

dimethylsulfoxide

MES:

2(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid

MF:

microfilament

MT:

microtubule

PEG:

polyethylene glycol

PM:

plasma membrane

RER:

rough endoplasmic reticulum

RF-FS:

rapid freeze fixation-freeze substitution

RP:

rhodamine labelled phalloidin

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botany Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA

    S. A. Lancelle

  2. Botany Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA

    P. K. Hepler

Authors
  1. S. A. Lancelle
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  2. P. K. Hepler
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

    Masashi Tazawa Ph.D.

Additional information

Dedicated to Professor Dr. Noburo Kamiya on the occasion of his 75th birthday

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© 1988 Springer-Verlag

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Lancelle, S.A., Hepler, P.K. (1988). Cytochalasin-Induced Ultrastructural Alterations in Nicotiana Pollen Tubes. In: Tazawa, M. (eds) Cell Dynamics. Protoplasma, vol 2. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-9011-1_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-9011-1_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7091-9013-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-9011-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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