Immunolocalisation of the cytoskeleton to plasmodesmata of Chara corallina

Abstract

The macromolecular structure of plasmodesmata in the giant called freshwater alga, Chars corallina, was examined using antibodies against cytoskeletal elements. The large internodal cells of Chars are separated by a nodal complex of smaller cells which are interconnected by plasmodesmata. Putative plasmodesmata-associated proteins can be identified by a comparison of proteins extracted from preparations of clean walls of nodal complexes and those extracted from the external walls of internodal cells which have no plasmodesmata. Actin and tubulin were identified in the protein extracts of nodal walls and the cytoplasm of nodes and internodes but not in the extracts of internodal external walls. Immunogold labelling confirmed the localisation of actin and myosin to plasmodesmata of Chara.