Connections between microtubules and endoplasmic reticulum in mitotic spindle

Abstract

Dividing endosperm cells of Haemanthus katherinae Bak. were treated with an 0.025 per cent aqueous solution of an oleander glycosides mixture which produces severe disturtaances in the mitotic spindle and high hypertrophy of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in the whole cells. There appear between the kinetochore microtubules (MTs) numerous elongated and narrow ER cisterns, particularly well visible when the number of kinetochore MTs is reduced. Both these structures (MTs and ER) are frequently connected by cross-bridges. The presumable role of these connections is discused.