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

The study used confocal and video micrographs to examine the cytoskeleton and endoplasmic reticulum in living and fixed plant cells, such as alfalfa roots, onion epithelial, and pear pollen cells. It highlighted the challenges of preserving cytoplasmic structures during fixation and emphasized the importance of imaging stained living cells over time. In alfalfa roots, early responses to Nod factor stimulation included changes in cytoplasmic streaming, nuclear movements, and vacuole shape, with the endoplasmic reticulum repositioning towards the root hair tip within 10 minutes. The actin cytoskeleton underwent changes over 12 hours, correlating with root hair growth changes, suggesting a mechanism involving dynamic actin filament and endoplasmic reticulum alterations.