Skip to main content

A Method to Visualize the Actin and Microtubule Cytoskeleton by Indirect Immunofluorescence

  • Protocol
  • First Online:
Molecular and Cell Biology Methods for Fungi

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 638))

Abstract

The cytoskeleton provides the basic architectural organization and shape of the eukaryotic cell, and plays a key role in segregation of the genetic material. A method to visualize the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton in the fungus Ustilago maydis by indirect immunofluorescence is described here. The method entails growth of cells to early logarithmic phase, fixation with a cross-linking agent or organic solvent, partial digestion of the cell wall and permeabilization of cells with a detergent to allow entry of antibodies, exposure to primary antibody, followed by treatment with secondary antibody conjugated to a fluorophore to allow visualization with fluorescence microscopy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Protocol
USD 49.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Desai A, Mitchison TJ (1997) Microtubule polymerization dynamics. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 13:83–117

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Harris SD (2006) Cell polarity in filamentous fungi: shaping the mold. Int Rev Cytol 251:41–77

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Heath IB (2000) Organization and function of actin in hyphal tip growth. In: Steiger C, Baluska F, Volkmann D, Barlow P (eds) Actin: a dynamic framework for mulitple plant cell functions. Kluwer, Dordrecht, Boston & London, pp 275–300

    Google Scholar 

  4. Karpova TS, McNally JG, Moltz SL, Cooper JA (1998) Assembly and function of the actin cytoskeleton of yeast: relationships between cables and patches. J Cell Biol 142:1501–1517

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Xiang X, Plamann M (2003) Cytoskeleton and motor proteins in filamentous fungi. Curr Opin Microbiol 6:626–633

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Schmitz HP, Kaufmann A, Köhli M, Laissue PP, Philippsen P (2006) From function to shape: a novel role of a formin in morphogenesis of the fungus Ashbya gossypii. Mol Biol Cell 17:130–145

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Banuett F, Herskowitz I (2002) Bud morphogenesis and the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton during budding in the corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis. Fungal Genet Biol 37:149–170

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Banuett F (2002) Pathogenic development in Ustilago maydis: a progression of morphological transitions that results in tumor formation and teliospore production. In: Osiewacz HD (ed) Molecular biology of fungal development. Marcel Dekker, New York, Basel, pp 349–398

    Google Scholar 

  9. Steinberg G, Wedlich-Söldner R, Brill M, Schulz I (2001) Microtubules in the fungal pathogen Ustilago maydis are highly dynamic and determine cell polarity. J Cell Sci 114:609–622

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Straube A, Brill M, Oakley BR, Horio T, Steinberg G (2003) Microtubule organization requires cell cycle-dependent nucleation at dispersed cytosplasmic sites: polar and perinuclear microtubule organiziang centers in the plant pathogen Ustilago maydis. Mol Biol Cell 14:642–657

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Steinberg G, Fuchs U (2004) The role of microtubules in cellular organization and endocytosis in the plant pathogen Ustilago maydis. J Microsc 214:114–123

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Fink G, Schuchardt I, Colombelli J, Stelzer E, Steinberg G (2006) Dynein-mediated pulling forces drive rapid mitotic spindle elongation in Ustilago maydis. EMBO J 25:4897–4908

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hagan IM, Hyams JS (1988) The use of cell division cycle mutants to investigate the control of microtubule distribution in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. J Cell Sci 89:343–357

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Banuett F, Herskowitz I (1994) Morphological transitions in the life cycle of Ustilago maydis and their genetic control by the a and b loci. Exp Mycol 18:247–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Hoch HC, Staples RC (1983) Visualization of actin in situ by rhodamine-conjugated phalloidin in the fungus Uromyces phaseoli. Eur J Cell Biol 32:52–58

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Sylvia Sanders, who provided protocols used in her work with yeast during our tenure in the lab of Ira Herskowitz (deceased 2003) at UCSF, where I developed the method herein described. My work is funded by NIGMS grant 2S06 GM063119.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Flora Banuett .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this protocol

Cite this protocol

Banuett, F. (2010). A Method to Visualize the Actin and Microtubule Cytoskeleton by Indirect Immunofluorescence. In: Sharon, A. (eds) Molecular and Cell Biology Methods for Fungi. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 638. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-611-5_17

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-611-5_17

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-610-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-611-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

Publish with us

Policies and ethics