Subcellular localization of polyamines in embryogenie callus of white spruce (Picea glauca)

Abstract

Polyamines were localized in embryogenic callus cells of Picea glauca by the fluorescent dye o-phthalaldehyde and polyclonal antibodies raised against putrescine, spermidine, and spermine. Localization by both methods showed higher levels of polyamines in the nuclei and nucleoli than in the cytoplasm. In contrast with previous reports on cytochemical localization of polyamines in animal cells, stain was always excluded from the condensed chromatin of spruce somatic embryo cells. Key words: polyamines, cytochemistry, immunolocalization, white spruce.