Vol 49, No 2 (2011)
Original paper
Published online: 2011-07-11
Microtubule heterogeneity of Ornithogalum umbellatum ovary epidermal cells: non-stable cortical microtubules and stable lipotubuloid microtubules
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2011.0040
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2011;49(2):285-290.
Abstract
Lipotubuloids, structures containing lipid bodies and microtubules, are described in ovary epidermal
cells of Ornithogalum umbellatum. Microtubules of lipotubuloids can be fixed in electron microscope fixative
containing only buffered OsO4 or in glutaraldehyde with OsO4 post-fixation, or in a mixture of OsO4 and glutaraldehyde
[1]. None of these substances fixes cortical microtubules of ovary epidermis of this plant which is
characterized by dynamic longitudinal growth. However, cortical microtubules can be fixed with cold methanol
according immunocytological methods with the use of b-tubulin antibodies and fluorescein. The existence of
cortical microtubules has also been evidenced by EM observations solely after the use of taxol, microtubule
stabilizer, and fixation in a glutaraldehyde/OsO4 mixture. These microtubules mostly lie transversely, sometimes
obliquely, and rarely parallel to the cell axis. Staining, using Ruthenium Red and silver hexamine, has revealed
that lipotubuloid microtubules surface is covered with polysaccharides. The presumption has been made that
the presence of a polysaccharide layer enhances the stability of lipotubuloid microtubules. (Folia Histochemica
et Cytobiologica 2011, Vol. 49, No. 2, 285–290)
Keywords: immunocytochemistryelectron microscopytaxolRuthenium Redhexamine
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