Modified Pseudo-Schiff Propidium Iodide for Staining the Shoot Apical Meristem in Arabidopsis

Abstract

Visualization of cell structure with fluorescent dye for characterizing cell size, shape, and arrangement is a common method to study tissue morphology and morphogenesis. In order to observe shoot apical meristem (SAM) in Arabidopsis thaliana by laser scanning confocal microscopy, we modified the pseudo-Schiff propidium iodide staining method by adding a series solution treatment to stain the deep cells. The advantage of this method is mainly reflected by the direct observation of the clearly bounded cell arrangement and the typical three-layer cells in SAM without the traditional tissue slicing.

Keywords: Arabidopsis thaliana; Cell arrangement; Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM); Propidium iodide; Shoot apical meristem (SAM).