In plants, the morphological diversity of leaves is largely determined by cell division, especially cell division orientation. Whereas cell division itself is easily monitored, the detection and quantification of cell division orientation are difficult. The few existing methods for detection and quantification of cell division orientation are either inefficient or laborious. Here, we describe a pulse-chase strategy using a 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) labeling assay. Plant tissues are first incubated with EdU for a short period (pulse), followed by a long incubation without EdU (chase). Using this method, the positions of daughter cells are easily detected and can be used to quantify cell division orientation. Our protocol is rapid and very efficient for quantitative analysis of cell division orientation, and can be applied to both model and non-model plant species.

Graphic abstract


Plant cell division pairs clearly visualized by a pulse-chase EdU method

Plasmodesmata (PD) are intercellular channels between walled plant cells that enable the transportation of materials between adjacent cells, which are important for plant growth and development. The permeability of PD must be tightly regulated. Assays to determine the permeability of PD are crucial for related studies on the regulation of PD development and permeability. Here we describe an assay for the determination of PD permeability via the observation and quantification of GFP diffusion and cell-to-cell transport of CMV MP-GFP in Arabidopsis leaves.

The rapid auxin-triggered growth of the Arabidopsis hypocotyls involves the nuclear TIR1/AFB-Aux/IAA signaling and is accompanied by acidification of the apoplast and cell walls (Fendrych et al., 2016). Here, we describe in detail the method for analysis of the elongation and the TIR1/AFB-Aux/IAA-dependent auxin response in hypocotyl segments as well as the determination of relative values of the cell wall pH.

Limonium spp. are known to have sexual and apomixis (asexual reproduction through seeds) reproductive modes. Here, we present dissection protocol developed for ovules of Limonium spp. using differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. This protocol permits better handling of ovules and offers certain advantages over earlier techniques particularly in larger ovules. This method also enables observation of meiosis and embryo sac development in intact ovules, and the ready detection of events distinguishing sexual and apomictic development.