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Imaging Nuclear Morphology and Organization in Cleared Plant Tissues Treated with Cell Cycle Inhibitors

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1370))

Abstract

Synchronization of root cells through chemical treatment can generate a large number of cells blocked in specific cell cycle phases. In plants, this approach can be employed for cell suspension cultures and plant seedlings. To identify plant cells in the course of the cell cycle, especially during mitosis in meristematic tissues, chemical inhibitors can be used to block cell cycle progression. Herein, we present a simplified and easy-to-apply protocol to visualize mitotic figures, nuclei morphology, and organization in whole Arabidopsis root apexes. The procedure is based on tissue clearing, and fluorescent staining of nuclear DNA with DAPI. The protocol allows carrying out bulk analysis of nuclei and cell cycle phases in root cells and will be valuable to investigate mutants like overexpressing lines of genes disturbing the plant cell cycle.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grants from the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES), of a PVE Science without Frontiers of the National Council for Science and Technology (CNPq) and by the CAPES/COFECUB program.

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Correspondence to Janice de Almeida Engler .

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de Souza Junior, J.D.A., de Sa, M.F.G., Engler, G., de Almeida Engler, J. (2016). Imaging Nuclear Morphology and Organization in Cleared Plant Tissues Treated with Cell Cycle Inhibitors. In: Caillaud, MC. (eds) Plant Cell Division. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1370. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3142-2_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3142-2_5

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-3141-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-3142-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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