Spatial organization and dynamics of chromosomes and microtubules during barley mitosis

Abstract

SUMMARY Mitosis and cytokinesis are fundamental processes through which somatic cells increase their numbers and allow plant growth and development. Here, we analyzed the organization and dynamics of mitotic chromosomes, nucleoli, and microtubules in living cells of barley root primary meristems using a series of newly developed stable fluorescent protein translational fusion lines and time‐lapse confocal microscopy. The median duration of mitosis from prophase until the end of telophase was 65.2 and 78.2 min until the end of cytokinesis. We showed that barley chromosomes frequently start condensation before mitotic pre‐prophase as defined by the organization of microtubules and maintain it even after entering into the new interphase. Furthermore, we found that the process of chromosome condensation does not finish at metaphase, but gradually continues until the end of mitosis. In summary, our study features resources for in vivo analysis of barley nuclei and chromosomes and their dynamics during mitotic cell cycle.

Insight into chromatin compaction and spatial organization in rice interphase nuclei

“…As we analyzed G1 nuclei of highly dynamic root meristem cells, we can speculate that the larger size of these nuclei and higher proportion of interchromatin compartments are needed for the synthesis of mRNA and proteins, which are required for DNA synthesis in the following S phase. The less compact chromatin of meristem root G1 nuclei can be also affected by the cell division dynamics in the root apical meristem ( Kaduchová et al., 2023 ). The repeated and rapid division of the cells prevent the root meristem chromatin to be tightly condensed, and thus more flexible and accessible for the entire process of the cell division.…”

Visualizing the dynamics of plant energy organelles

“…When covalently attached to proteins that are unique to the respective organelle at either the organelle membranes or lumens after translation, these FPs faithfully report the intracellular positions of the organelles by fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, organelle and cytoskeletal FP marker collections have expanded beyond model plants and are now optimized for uses in crop plants like maize [ 58 ], rice [ 59 , 60 ], and barley [ 61 ]. Several excellent articles have summarized typical examples [ 62–64 ].…”