| Abstract: | The pattern of change of the microtubule cytoskele-ton of the root-tip cells of rice during mitosis was studied using immunofluorescence technic and confocal laser scanning microscopy. All the major stages of cell division including preprophase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase were observed. The most significant finding was that in the preprophase cells microtubules radiating from the nuclear surface to the cortex were frequently seen. During development these microtubules became closely associated with the preprophase band and prophase spindle indicating that the microtubules radiating from the nuclear surface, the preprophase band and the prophase spindle were structurally and functionally closely related to each other. Granule-like anchorage sites for the radiating microtubules at the nuclear surface were often seen and the possibility that these granule-like anchorage sites might represent the microtubule organizing centres was discussed. |
