Electrical Characters on Surface of Apoptotic Cell in Maize Roots Induced by Cytotoxins

The difference of electrophoretic mobility (EPM) value between normal and apoptotic cells induced by cytotoxins cycloheximide, actinomycin D and colchicine was firstly identified using the method of cell electrophoresis. Combined with the protoplast preparation, the change of electric charge on protoplast membrane in apoptotic cells was quantified directly in an in vivo system of the root tip of maize. Experimental results indicated that the absolute value of Zeta potential on hte membrane of apoptotic plant cells induced by cytotoxic drugs was much higher than that in normal cells. The presented results prompted that the method of cell electrophoresis could be taught as a creative approach to accomplish quantitative analysis of surface charge of cell membrane of apoptotic cells.