Incorporation of C14-labeled maleic hydrazide into the root-tip cells of Allium cernuum, Vicia faba, and Tradescantia paludosa

Abstract

Allium cernuum, Vicia faba, and Tradescantia paludosa were treated by root immersion in maleic hydrazide (1 mM/liter) labeled with C(14) (C(14)-MH) for 1 hour to determine the location within the cell to which MH moves during various periods of time after treatment. Root tips were fixed 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and 3 weeks after treatment. Autoradiographs of root tips squashed 24 to 72 hours after fixation showed that C(14)-MH was distributed throughout the nuclei and was particularly concentrated in the nucleoli. The nucleolar localization of the chemical was transitory, fixations made 3 weeks after treatment showing well labeled nuclei many of which completely lacked label in the nucleoli. The chromosomes seen in mitotic divisions of all three species had the same amount of label in euchromatic as heterochromatic areas. Since the chemical was not accumulated preferentially in heterochromatic areas, it seems likely that the reported specificity of MH for the breakage of heterochromatin can not be due to preferential heterochromatic incorporation.