Figure 1.
A series of images of a TE that was undergoing vacuole rupture (a–f). This TE was stained with SYTO16 and FDA (a–e). The red autofluorescence of the chloroplasts was merged. a, The green fluorescence of SYTO16 and fluorescein could be observed in the nucleus and cytoplasm (7 min before vacuole rupture). The TE was highly vacuolated and its nucleus was tightly pressed against the plasma membrane. b, Soon after vacuole rupture (0 min), the nucleus was released from the vacuolar turgor pressure and became spherical. The heterochromatin structure could be seen just inside the nucleus. SYTO16 fluorescence in some chloroplasts appeared in this focal plane. The green fluorescence in the cytoplasm disappeared probably because the emission spectra of fluorescein changed following vacuole rupture (see “Discussion”). c, Nuclear fluorescence started decreasing from the central region (6 min after vacuole rupture). d, Nuclear fluorescence of SYTO16 decreased markedly in the central region (10 min after vacuole rupture). e, The fluorescence of SYTO16 disappeared almost completely, whereas the autofluorescence of the chloroplasts was still visible (18 min after vacuole rupture). f, The nuclear envelope could be seen in the light image of the TE even 20 min after vacuole rupture (arrow). The bar indicates 20 μm.