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Microtubule organization in the sperm ofTradescantia virginiana

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Summary

Microtubules were visualized in the sperm ofTradescantia virginiana pollen tubes grownin vitro and processed for antitubulin immunocytochemistry. The sperm contain thick microtubule bundles from which emerge numerous branches of various dimensions disposed longitudinally and helically along the cell axis. Sperm are usually spindle or cigar-shaped, but cells of various sizes and shapes can be found. All contain microtubule arrays. No F-actin was detected in sperm using rhodamine-phalloidin staining. Sperm microtubules are discussed in terms of their potential roles in cell shaping and motility and their origin during generative cell division.

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Abbreviations

DAPI:

4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole

IgG:

immunoglobulin G

M+W:

Mascarenhas and Walker medium

Mf:

microfilament

Mt:

microtubule

PBA:

phosphate-buffered saline

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

    B. A. Palevitz

  2. Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Universitá di Siena, Siena

    M. Cresti

Authors
  1. B. A. Palevitz
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  2. M. Cresti
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Palevitz, B.A., Cresti, M. Microtubule organization in the sperm ofTradescantia virginiana . Protoplasma 146, 28–34 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01354292

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01354292

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