Intermediate filament antigens of 60 and 65 kDa in the nuclear matrix of plants: Their detection and localization

Although the presence of a matrix in plant nuclei has been reported, major questions remain about its structural and biochemical features. We have used an intermediate filament antibody of broad specificity to explore whether Daucus carota (carrot) nuclei and nuclear matrices contain intermediate filament/lamin antigens and, if so, where specifically they are localized. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting revealed two bands, at 60 and 65 kDa, that were highly immunoreactive with the intermediate filament antibody (IFA) of Pruss et al. (1981, Cell 27, 419–428). This pattern was observed consistently, not only with carrot cell-free nuclei and nuclear matrices, but also with nuclear preparations from Vicia faba (broad bean) and Pisum sativum (pea). Immunofluorescence studies with whole carrot nuclei localized the IFA antigens to the nucleoplasm and disclosed no accentuated peripheral labeling. Agarose-embedded nuclear matrices showed not only fluorescence throughout the nucleoplasm but also heavy labeling surrounding the nucleoli and suggestions of peripheral labeling. At the ultrastructural level, immunogold results from pre- and postembedment treatments supported the conclusion that IFA antigens occur throughout the nucleoplasm, with possibly a slight concentration at the periphery. These combined results provide substantial evidence that plant nuclei and their matrices possess at least two major intermediate filament antigens with molecular weights characteristic of animal lamins. Whether or not these antigens represent plant lamins, their nonperipheral localization hints at significant differences among the eukaryotic kingdoms in nuclear organization.