Abstract: Meristematic cells of Vicia faba L. were labeled with rabbit anti-actin antibody and FITC-conjugated goat anti-rabbit lgG antibody and observed with fluorescence microscopy. Both the nuclei and chromosomes sent forth distinctive fluorescence, indicating that actin is present in the nuclei and chromosomes. Sections were reacted with the anti-actin antibody and protein A-colloidal gold and observed with transmission electron microscopy. Gold particles were found over the whole nuclei, and a lot of particles were concentrated in condensed chromatin areas and nucleoli, confirming the observations with the fluorescence microscopy. V. faba nuclei and chromosomes were treated with DNase Ⅰ and 2 mol/L NaC1, and DNA and histone-depleted nuclei and chromosomes were obtained. Indirect immunofluorescence tests showed that the DNA and histone-depleted nuclei and chromosomes reacted positively with the anti-actin antibody. These results demonstrated that actin exists not only in intact nuclei and chromosomes but also in DNA and histone-depleted nuclei and chromosomes of V. faba. In addition, the authors' results indicate that tropomyosin is present in the nuclei and chromosomes of V. faba. Presence of actin in nuclei and chromosomes as well as in DNA and histone-depleted nuclei and chromosomes of higher plants is discussed.

Key words: Nucleus, Chromosome, Actin, Tropomyosin, Vicia faba