Stabilizing microtubules with taxol increases microfilament stability during freezing of rye root tips |
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Authors: | B CHU G P KERR J V CARTER |
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Institution: | Departments of Horticultural Science and Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA |
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Abstract: | We have used double fluorescence labelling to investigate the effect of freezing on microtubules and microfilaments in root-tip cells of rye (Secale cereale L. cv Rymin). Freezing to -5°C (which does not kill these cells) caused partial depolymerization of both, but microfilaments were more resistant than microtubules. When microtubules were stabilized against freeze-induced depolymerization by pre-treating seedlings with taxol, microfilaments exhibited enhanced stability as well. Almost all the frozen cells containing taxol-stabilized microtubules also contained microfilaments. When seedlings were treated with the microtubule-destabilizing drug APM prior to freezing, microfilaments became more susceptible to freeze-induced depolymerization than in controls. These data suggest a physical interaction between microtubules and microfilaments in these cells. |
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Keywords: | Secale cereale L rye cytoskeleton microtubules microfilaments freezing taxol |
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