Selected Simple Methods of Plant Cell Wall Histochemistry and Staining for Light Microscopy - Plant Cell Morphogenesis: Methods and Protocols - page 24

Chapter 2

Selected Simple Methods of Plant Cell Wall Histochemistry
and Staining for Light Microscopy

Aleš Soukup

Abstract

Histochemical methods allow for identifi cation and localization of various components within the tissue.
Such information on the spatial heterogeneity is not available with biochemical methods. However, there is
limitation of the specifi city of such detection in context of complex tissue, which is important to consider,
and interpretations of the results should regard suitable control treatments if possible. Hereby we present set
of selected simple staining and histochemical methods with comments based on our laboratory experience.

Key words Cell wall, Histochemistry, Lignin, Suberin, Pectin, Cellulose, Callose, Antibody, Staining

1 Introduction

Rigid plant cell wall is a prominent structure tightly related to cell
shape, function, and interactions in the context of a multicellular
body and in communication with surrounding environment. In
fact, plant cell walls are structures most frequently followed study-
ing tissue and organ anatomical organization. Combination of sim-
ple methods of cell wall staining and histochemistry might provide
substantial and easily accessible information on cell wall composi-
tion, modifi cations, and changes related to development and tissue
differentiation. However, unlike the biochemical detection, it does
not allow for specifi c separation of cross-linked, complex mixture of
components, which signifi cantly increase probability of nonspecifi c
results and interactions during detection. Therefore, higher proba-
bility of incorrect interpretation should be compensated with use of
proper controls and independent parallel reactions if possible.
Histochemical detection should not be confused with proce-
dures of “anatomical staining” because the affi nity of pigment to
target structure (e.g., safranin staining of lignifi ed cell walls)
depends highly on particular conditions (pH, polarity of solvent,
temperature, time of dyeing, etc.) and is far less specifi c than
colored product gained during specifi c reaction with substrate.