Trace Element Distribution at the Subcellular Level - Possible Correlation between Zinc and mRNA

The trace element distributions at the subcellular level in a single cell have been analyzed using the Heidelberg scanning proton microprobe (SPM). The tip of growing pollen tube of Lilium longiflorum is characterized by a specific zonation. Through SPM analysis in the tip we have obtained the element distributions for P, Ca, and Zn. Experimental results indicate that the trace element Zn is associated with a special zone, containing the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The mRNA is also enriched in that zone; therefore a possible correlation between Zn and mRNA could exist.