Cell cycle kinetic analysis with flow cytometry in pea root meristem synchronized with aphidicolin

Meristematic cells in pea root were synchronized after treatment with aphidicolin. Flow cytometric analysis of DNA content variations revealed a variety of information: ca 50% of the cells were synchronized in the first part of the S phase; kinetic studies of the S-phase traverse revealed an increase of the DNA synthesis rate from early to late S; some of the cells in the meristem were non-cycling, arrested in Gl (19%) and G2 (12%). The possibility of using such a synchronized system in cytogenetic and biomolecular studies is discussed.