Flow Cytometric DNA-Analysis of Plant Protoplasts Stained with DAPI

Ingunn Ulrich and Wolfgang Ulrich Institut für Genetik. Universität Hohenheim , Garbenstraße 30, D-7000 Stuttgart-Hohenheim , Bundesrepublik Deutschland Z. Naturforsch. 41c, 1052 — 1056 (1986); received July 23, 1986 Flow Cytometry, Plant Protoplasts, Protoplasts Preparation, D N A , D A PI Protoplasts prepared from leaves of various higher plants were stained with the specific DNA fluorochrome DAPI and measured with a pulse cytophotom eter. DNA distribution curves of protoplasts showed DNA histograms like assays of animal cells stained with the same dye solu­ tion. The percentage of fractions of cell populations in Go/Gr , Sand G 2 + M-phase of the cell cycle could be calculated. A simple method of protoplasts preparation and of flow cytometric estimation of DAPI stained plant protoplasts is described. This method allows cytogenetic and cytokinetic studies of cells from plant material and may be used for fluorescence activated cell sorting.