Field emission scanning electron microscopy of microtubule arrays in higher plant cells

Abstract

Specimen preparation protocols that allow field emission scanning electron microscope imaging of microtubules. In plant cells were developed, involving simultaneous permeabilization with saponin and stabilization of microtubules with taxol. All categories of microtubule array were observed in onion root tip cells and in tobacco BY-2 cells grown in suspension culture and synchronized to provide high frequencies of mitotic stages. Cortical arrays consist of overlapping microtubules with free ends: individual microtubules directly overlie individual microfibrils in the cell wall. Preprophase bands and spindle microtubule bundles were also imaged. Phragmoplasts revealed early stages of wall depo..