Electrophoresis in plant cell organelles

Abstract

Electric currents applied through living plant tissue induce intracellular transfer of electrode associated molecular complexes which alter the spatial configurations between the cell nucleus and surrounding organelles. This putative transduction process was quantitatively evaluated by microscopically determining the degree of Nucleus-Organelle Clustering (NOC) between the plant cell nuclei and chloroplasts. Type and molecular complexity of the electrode affiliated donor greatly influenced the level of Cf, an empirically derived clustering factor. A low level, well defined NOC was observed in normal non-transduced plant tissue, the nature of which suggested the presence of a natural electric field surrounding the nucleus. Movement of cell organelles into proximity with the nuclear membrane was considered as taking place by means of electrophoretic mechanisms.