Abstract:Actin filaments were localized in the isolated generative cells of Allamanda schoteii and Hedyehir-um coranarium using fluorescence labeled phalloidin. In the generative cells of A. schuteii an actin cytoskeleton was revealed. This cytoskeleton was characterized by having a network consisting of thick bundles in the cytoplasm and around the nucleus. The pattern of organization of the actin filament cytoskeleton in the generative cell of H. coranarium was slightly different. It possessed a more well developed cytoskeleton consisting of an actin network and a more tightly packed mass of actin filaments around the nucleus. The pattern of distribution of the actin filaments in the dividing generative cells of A. schcteii was also followed. This was done by using immunofluo-rescence technique instead of fluorescence labeled phalloidin; because the fluorescence labeled phalloidin failed to stain the actin in the dividing cells. Using the immunofluorescence technique an actin network in the prophase cell was observed. When the cell entered metaphase the actin filaments reorganized into a spindle-shaped structure. In the anaphase and telophase cell, filaments were no longer seen. The cell became filled with punctate anti-actin fluorescence not unlike that seen in the root-tip cells of wheat by McCurdy and Gunning.
