Effect of different colchicine concentrations on microtubules and membranes in tomato root tip cells
The effect of colchicine on microtubules has been investigated in numerous cell types. In this present study we have used different concentrations of colchicine to determine if the two major groups of microtubules in plant cells, plasma membrane associated and mitotic, are differentially sensitive to this drug.Tomato seeds “Michigan forcing” were germinated on filter paper saturated with distilled water. Radicles 1.5 to 2.0cm were selected and placed into either distilled water or colchicine, 0.001, 0.01, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.1%, for 20 hrs. During this time they were kept at 20°C in dim light. Root tips were fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer at pH7.2 for lh at 4°C. After 5 rinses in buffer they were placed in 1% OsO4 in phosphate buffer at pH7.2 for 1h at 4°C. Root tips were then dehydrated in ethanol, treated with propylene and embedded in Epon.No growth occurred in any of the colchicine treated radicles. Observation of thin sections of control cells revealed many plasma membrane associated microtubules, many cells in division stages and the usual arrangement of cell organelles.