Immunofluorescent localization of MAPKs and colocalization with microtubules in Arabidopsis seedling whole-mount probes

Methods Mol Biol. 2014:1171:107-15. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0922-3_9.

Abstract

In all eukaryotes, signaling by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways plays a crucial role in signal transduction during regulation of cell growth, differentiation, proliferation as well as death and stress responses. In this chapter we describe a reliable method to immunolocalize MAPKs in roots of Arabidopsis thaliana by using whole-mount seedling probes. This method relies on quick and efficient chemical fixation, partial cell wall digestion, plasma membrane permeabilization, subsequent antibody incubation, and visualization by high-end confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) performed on whole Arabidopsis seedlings. Protocols are provided for immunofluorescent localization of MPK3, MPK4, and MPK6, representing three major developmentally and stress-regulated MAPKs of Arabidopsis. In addition, protocols for colocalization of these MAPKs with microtubules are also provided.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / cytology*
  • Arabidopsis / enzymology*
  • Arabidopsis / growth & development
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique / methods*
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / analysis
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Transport
  • Seedlings / cytology*
  • Seedlings / enzymology*
  • Seedlings / growth & development

Substances

  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases