Electro-Optical Imaging of F-Actin and Endoplasmic Reticulum in Living and Fixed Plant Cells

The study utilized confocal and video micrographs to examine the architecture of the cytoskeleton and endoplasmic reticulum in living and fixed plant cells, specifically in alfalfa roots, onion epithelial, and pear pollen cells. It highlighted the challenges of preserving cytoplasmic structure during fixation and emphasized the importance of imaging stained living cells over time. The research observed that after Nod factor stimulation, significant changes occurred in root hairs, including altered cytoplasmic streaming, nuclear movements, and vacuole shape. Within 10 minutes, the endoplasmic reticulum repositioned towards the root hair tip, and over 12 hours, the actin cytoskeleton underwent changes correlated with root hair growth. These findings suggested a mechanism for root hair growth changes involving dynamic alterations in the actin filament and endoplasmic reticulum.