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Immunofluorescent Localization of a Connexin 26‐like Protein at the Surface of Mesophyll Protoplasts from Vicia faba L. and Helianthus annuus L.
Author(s) -
Schulz Margot,
Traub O.,
Knop Mona,
Willecke K.,
Schnabl Heide
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
botanica acta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.871
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1438-8677
pISSN - 0932-8629
DOI - 10.1111/j.1438-8677.1992.tb00274.x
Subject(s) - protoplast , vicia faba , polyclonal antibodies , helianthus annuus , biology , connexin , antibody , botany , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , sunflower , genetics , horticulture , gap junction , intracellular
Mesophyll protoplasts from three week old leaves of Helianthus annuus L. and from four week old leaves of Vicia faba L. were incubated with polyclonal, monospecific antibodies, raised against either cx 32 or cx 26 mouse liver connexin. Crossreactions were visualized by FITC‐labeled anti‐rabbit antibodies. Incubations with the cx 26 antibody resulted in fluorescing spots on protoplast surfaces of both plant species, indicating the presence of a polypeptide, immunologically related to the animal cx 26. A plant protein, exhibiting similarities to cx 26, would present a new member of connexin‐like plant proteins. Controls, performed with preimmune serum or with the FITC‐conjugate alone, were negative. Immunofluorescing spots were not obtained after incubations with the cx 32 antibody. Since the existence of a cx 32‐like plant protein, associated with ultrastructures of plasmodesmata and the plasma membrane, is meanwhile established, several explanations for the failed attempt to demonstrate a cx 32 antibody labeling at protoplast surfaces are discussed.