A cross species exploration of nuclear morphology (786.2)

Abstract

Our knowledge and understanding of the structures and mechanisms responsible for nuclear organization are based primarily on research in animal cells. In order to address the lack of understanding of plant nuclear morphology, new research specifically targeting the nuclear organization of plants has begun. However, much of this research is limited to the popular model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. In order to broaden the base of research in this area, this study included not only A. thaliana, but three other well‐studied plant species: Medicago truncatula (barrel clover), Nicotiana benthamiana (a tobacco relative) and Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). The main objectives of this project are to determine whether there are any differences in the nuclear morphology among these plant species in regards to cell/organ‐specificity in nuclear size and shape. In addition, we investigated whether environmental conditions could affect nuclear shape, using a transgenic A. thaliana line carrying a nuclear‐localized GFP marker. Specifically, we exposed this line to different osmotic environments and observed whether any changes in the nuclear shape or size resulted. From this project, we have shown that differentiated (non‐spherical) nuclear shapes are seen in M. truncatula, N. benthamiana and S. lycopersicum root tips, roots, hypocotyls and leaves. Our preliminary observations suggest that influencing the environmental conditions of A. thaliana does have a visual effect on the nuclear shape and size of the nuclei as the molarity of the environment increases.