Summary
High resolution scanning electron microscopy was used to obtain images of cortical microtubules and associated structures in onion root tips. Specimens were prepared using a modified quick-freeze deep-etch technique utilising cytosolic extraction with saponin and conductive staining with osmium.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- DMSO:
-
dimethylsulfoxide
- HRSEM:
-
high resolution scanning electron microscope/microscopy
- MTSB:
-
microtubule stabilising buffer
- TEM:
-
transmission electron microscope/microscopy
References
Barnes SH, Blackmore S (1984) Scanning electron microscopy of chloroplast ultrastructure. Micron Microsc Acta 15: 187–194
Blackmore S, Barnes SH, Claugher D (1984) Scanning electron microscopy of cytoskeletal components inAucuba japonica leaves. J Ultrastruct Res 86: 215–219
Fukudome H, Tanaka K (1992) A method for simultaneously revealing both the cytoskeleton and membranous cell organelles for scanning electron microscopy and its application to rat tissues. J Electron Microsc 41: 357–363
Hardham AR, Gunning BES (1978) Structure of cortical microtubule arrays in plant cells. J Cell Biol 89: 685–690
Hawes CR, Martin B (1986) Deep-etching of plant cells: cytoskeleton and coated pits. Cell Biol Int Rep 10: 985–992
Hirokawa N, Heuser JE (1981) Quick-freeze, deep-etch visualization of the cytoskeleton beneath surface differentiations of intestinal epithelial cells. J Cell Biol 91: 399–409
Ledbetter MC, Porter KR (1963) A “microtubule” in plant cell fine structure. J Cell Biol 19: 239–250
Marchant HJ (1978) Microtubule associated with the plasma membrane isolated from protoplasts of the green algaMougeotia. Exp Cell Res 115: 25–30
Robards AW, Sleytr UB (1985) Low temperature methods in biological electron microscopy. Elsevier, Amsterdam [Glauert AM (ed) Practical methods in electron microscopy, vol 10]
Tanaka K, Mitsushima A (1984) A preparation method for observing intracellular structures by scanning electron microscopy. J Microsc 133: 213–222
Traas JA (1984) Visualization of the membrane bound cytoskeleton and coated pits of plant cells by means of dry cleaving. Protoplasma 119: 212–218
Wick SM, Seagul RW, Osborn M, Weber K, Gunning BES (1981) Immunofluorescence microscopy of organized microtubule arrays in structurally stabilized mseristematic plant cells. J Cell Biol 89: 685–690
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vesk, P.A., Rayns, D.G. & Vesk, M. Imaging of plant microtubules with high resolution scanning electron microscopy. Protoplasma 182, 71–74 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01403691
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01403691