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Probing the distribution of plant hormones by immunocytochemistry

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Abstract

Taking advantage of the highly specific structuralrequirements of antibodies for binding, the detectionof plant hormones in tissue by immunolocalisationoffers a powerful tool to study the distribution ofthese signalling molecules. For instance, specificmonoclonal and polyclonal antibodies have been raisedfor abscisic acid, indole-3-acetic acid and a varietyof cytokinins. Immobilisation by chemical fixation orfreezing minimises diffusion of these low molecularweight compounds in plant tissues. Associated primaryantibodies in sections or permeabilised cells can bedetected by secondary antibodies linked to enzymes,fluorescent molecules or electron opaque markers,which allow detection by either light or electronmicroscopy. These techniques have already found theirapplication in various studies related to thephysiology of these plant hormones.

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Author notes

  1. Walter Dewitte

    Present address: Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1QT, Cambridge, UK (author for correspondence)

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Plant Biochemistry and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp (UIA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Antwerp, Belgium;

    Walter Dewitte

  2. Laboratory for Plant Biochemistry and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp (UIA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Antwerp, Belgium

    Harry Van Onckelen

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  2. Harry Van Onckelen
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Dewitte, W., Van Onckelen, H. Probing the distribution of plant hormones by immunocytochemistry. Plant Growth Regulation 33, 67–74 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010729703354

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