MICROTUBULAR AND ACTIN FILAMENT CONFIGURATIONS DURING MICROSPORE AND POLLEN DEVELOPMENT IN BRASSICA-NAPUS CV TOPAS

The structures of the microtubular and microfilamental cytoskeletons were investigated during the development of microspores and pollen grains of Brassica napus L. cv. Topas. Microfilaments were observed directly with rhodamine-phalloidin and microtubules with FITC by indirect immunofluorescent staining and transmission electron microscopy. We observed microtubules in all developmental stages and noted several changes in the configuration of the microtubular cytoskeleton during microspore development, microspore mitosis, and pollen development. A preprophase band before microspore mitosis was not observed. The arrest of the microspore nucleus in an eccentric position is likely caused by microtubules as is the shape of the phragmoplast at microspore mitosis. Despite the application of various staining methods, i.e., labelling of fixed and unfixed fresh and cryosectioned microspores and pollen with rhodamine-phalloidin, microfilaments could not be observed in all developmental stages. Prominent microfilamental arrays were observed during cytokinesis of microspore mitosis and during the free generative cell stage. They mark the stages with different configurations.