MICROTUBULES AND ACTIN-FILAMENTS CO-LOCALIZE EXTENSIVELY IN NON-FIXED CELLS OF TOBACCO

Microtubules and actin filaments were simultaneously stained and optimally preserved in detergent extracted tobacco protoplasts. Successful staining of microtubules depended on the presence of either mannitol or sucrose, which apparently prevented microtubule degradation by the antibodies. Calcium had no visible effects on the organization of microtubules or actin filaments, neither did dimethylsulfoxide stabilize microtubules. As seen by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy, co-localization occurred throughout the cell and extended over large distances, up to 14-15-mu-m.