Video microscopy of colloidal gold particles and immuno-gold labelled microtubules in improved rectified DIC and epi-illumination.
Modification of rectified Nomarski differential interference contrast optics (Nikon) and the epi-illumination system (Nikon IGS-cube) improved the detection of colloidal gold particles with analog video enhanced microscopy. Immuno-gold labelled microtubules of Haemanthus endosperm are visualized at a level of detection unmatched in conventional light microscopy. Single gold, or gold silver enhanced particles in suspension viewed with the modified epi-illumination after pressure injection into cells, are well distinguished from other granular cell components. Immuno-gold has also been detected on the surface of chromosomes and the nuclear envelopes in cells during the rapid experimental disassembly of microtubules. Thus, under certain conditions tubulin in a form other than microtubules may be detected. Practical applications of this "optical stain" for non fading immuno-gold 5-40 nm markers are discussed.
D002455:Cell Division; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006046:Gold / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008029:Lighting / Q000379:methods; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010944:Plants / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014404:Tubulin / Q000032:analysis; D014743:Videotape Recording
D014404:Tubulin; D006046:Gold