Summary
In seedlings of maize (Zea mays L. cv. Percival), growth is controlled by the plant photoreceptor phytochrome. Whereas coleoptile growth is promoted by continuous far-red light, a dramatic block of mesocotyl elongation is observed. The response of the coleoptile is based entirely upon light-induced stimulation of cell elongation, whereas the response of the mesocotyl involves light-induced inhibition of cell elongation. The light response of actin microfilaments was followed over time in the epidermis by staining with fluorescence-labelled phalloidin. In contrast to the underlying tissue, epidermal cells are characterized by dense longitudinal bundles of microfilaments. These bundles become loosened during phases of rapid elongation (between 2–3 days in irradiated coleoptiles, between 5–6 days in dark-grown coleoptiles). The condensed bundles re-form when growth gradually ceases. The response of actin to light is fast. If etiolated mesocotyls are transferred to far-red light, condensation of microfilaments can be clearly seen 1 h after the onset of stimulation together with an almost complete block of mesocotyl elongation. The observations are discussed in relation to a possible role of actin microfilaments in the signal-dependent control of cell elongation.
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Waller, F., Nick, P. Response of actin microfilaments during phytochrome-controlled growth of maize seedlings. Protoplasma 200, 154–162 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01283291
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01283291