Immunohistochemical assessment of cell proliferation in plant tissues using formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded material.

Cell proliferation in formaldehyde-fixed and wax-embedded sections of root tissues from Vicia faba beans was assessed by using a monoclonal antibody raised against the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Positive PCNA immunoreactivity was restricted to nuclei in known proliferating zones of the root. The immunoreactivity of cells in metaphase/anaphase of mitosis showed weaker PCNA immunoreactivity while nuclei in telophase showed no PCNA immunoreactivity indicating that this method is well suited to label proliferating cells in plant tissues.