Relative quantification of membrane-associated calcium in red spruce mesophyll cells

Catherine H. Borer; Paul Schaberg; Jonathan R. Cumming

Treesearch

Relative quantification of membrane-associated calcium in red spruce mesophyll cells

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Catherine H. Borer, Paul Schaberg, Jonathan R. Cumming

Year:

1997

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Trees. 12: 21-26.

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Abstract

We describe a method for localizing and comparing relative amounts of plasma membrane-associated calcium ions (mCa) in complex tissues and verify the procedure for mesophyll cells of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) needles. This technique incorporates epifluorescence microscopy using the fluorescent probe chlorotetracycline (CTC) with computer image processing and analysis. Using an appropriate standardization for image brightness, the procedure allows relative quantitative comparison of CTC-fluorescence in the plasma membrane-cell wall region that corresponds to relative amounts of mCa. The technique effectively discerned mCa differences among red spruce needle sections exposed to treatments designed to alter mCa levels in vitro.

Keywords

red spruce, mesophyll cell, membrane-associated calcium (mCa), chlorotetracycline (CTC), fluorescence microscopy

Citation

Borer, Catherine H.; Schaberg, Paul; Cumming, Jonathan R. 1997. Relative quantification of membrane-associated calcium in red spruce mesophyll cells. Trees. 12: 21-26.