scholarly journals Cell Division in Oedogonium II. Nuclear Division in O. Cardiacum

1970 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 71 ◽  
Author(s):  
JD Pickett-Heaps ◽  
LC Fowke

Nuclear division in O. cardiacum is described. Before division, the nucleus enlarges considerably. At prophase, the nucleolus starts dispersing and kinetochores appear on the condensing chromatin, situated and oriented apparently at random in the nucleus. By prometaphase, the kinetochore pairs become aligned along the spindle axis before moving into the metaphase-plate configuration; this supports an earlier theory explaining metakinesis. During prophase and metaphase particularly, the nuclear envelope at the poles forms channels that extend for some distance into the cytoplasm; these may also bifurcate. The nucleolus disperses but remains in the intranuclear spindle throughout division as a loosely knit skein of granular material. The kinetochores have a complex structure, up to seven distinct layers being detectable; the kinetochore pairs split, and then migrate polewards at anaphase with the rest of the chromosome trailing behind. Large numbers of microtubules run from the kinetochore into evaginations of the nuclear envelope which increase in size during anaphase. The spindle grows in length considerably during anaphase, this coinciding with a proliferation of interzonal microtubules, first seen amongst the trailing chromosome arms. The nuclear envelope enclosing the spindle becomes severely stretched at this stage; it contracts closely around each of the daughter nuclei, isolating them from the rest of the spindle (including microtubules and the remains of the nucleolus). The spindle then collapses; the nuclei come together and then flatten against one another; between them, vesicles and other components of the septum collect amongst a large number of transversely oriented micro tubules.

1986 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-175
Author(s):  
X.P. Gao ◽  
J.Y. Li

The nuclear division of Oxyrrhis marina is a very distinct one among the mitoses of dinoflagellates that have been studies. Using synchronized populations, we have investigated the ultrastructural changes in this nuclear division. In interphase, nuclei can be classified into two groups on the basis of the shapes of the chromosomes. Y- and U-shaped chromosomes have been observed in both types of interphase nuclei. By prophase the nucleus becomes oval, many nuclear plaques appear on the nuclear envelope, and many microtubules radiate from these nuclear plaques within the nucleus. Metaphase can be identified by the characteristic arrangement of the chromosomes; an equatorial metaphase plate is absent. As in many higher organisms, anaphase includes two stages: anaphase A and anaphase B. During anaphase A the nucleus does not apparently elongate and the chromosomes migrate towards the poles by a combination of the shortening of the chromosome-associated microtubules and the elongation of those located between daughter chromosomes. During anaphase B the nucleus elongates to about twice its former length. This elongation may result from growth of the interzonal nuclear envelope. Dividing nucleoli are associated with microtubules, which suggests that microtubules may play an active role in the division of the nucleolus. The evolution of mitosis and the phylogenetic relationships between Oxyrrhis, typical dinoflagellates and Syndinium are discussed.


1988 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 501-516
Author(s):  
FAYE MURRIN ◽  
WILLIAM NEWCOMB ◽  
I. BRENT HEATH

The ultrastructure of the mitotic nuclear division cycle of the fungus Entomophaga aulicae was studied from serial sections of hyphal tips and protoplasts. The extranuclear bar-shaped nucleus- associated organelle (NAO) remained associated with the persistent nuclear envelope throughout. Prior to spindle formation, a patch of intranuclear NAO-associated chromatin detached from the nuclear envelope to yield a chromatin free zone containing fine filaments and a linear array of presumptive kinetochores. Early metaphase spindles less than 1μm in length were characterized by a ‘fused’ metaphase plate consisting of kinetochore-associated chromatin and a full complement of at least 15 kinetochore microtubules per half-spindle, while most of the chromatin was remote from the intranuclear spindle. Analysis of the distribution of antiparallel spindle microtubules indicated that polar separation and concomitant spindle elongation through metaphase were not accompanied by intermicrotubule sliding. Anaphase exhibited extensive decondensation of the large patches of condensed chromatin characteristic of all other stages. In a logarithmically growing protoplast population all nuclei contained spindle microtubules, with metaphase occupying approximately 66% of the nuclear cycle time. The calculated genome size of 4.3 pg, and average DNA content per chromosome of 0.3 pg, are extremely high for fungi.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lysie Champion ◽  
Sumit Pawar ◽  
Naemi Luithle ◽  
Rosemarie Ungricht ◽  
Ulrike Kutay

The nuclear envelope (NE) aids in organizing the interphase genome by tethering chromatin to the nuclear periphery. During mitotic entry, NE–chromatin contacts are broken. Here, we report on the consequences of impaired NE removal from chromatin for cell division of human cells. Using a membrane–chromatin tether that cannot be dissociated when cells enter mitosis, we show that a failure in breaking membrane–chromatin interactions impairs mitotic chromatin organization, chromosome segregation and cytokinesis, and induces an aberrant NE morphology in postmitotic cells. In contrast, chromosome segregation and cell division proceed successfully when membrane attachment to chromatin is induced during metaphase, after chromosomes have been singularized and aligned at the metaphase plate. These results indicate that the separation of membranes and chromatin is critical during prometaphase to allow for proper chromosome compaction and segregation. We propose that one cause of these defects is the multivalency of membrane–chromatin interactions.


1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (11) ◽  
pp. 2323-2333 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. C. Setliff ◽  
H. C. Hoch ◽  
R. F. Patton

Nuclear division in basidia of Poria latemarginata was studied comparatively by light and electron microscopy. Premeiotic mitosis occurred in the lower half of the basidium and was oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the basidium. Mitosis was not observed with the light microscope and only late anaphase figures of mitosis were seen with the electron microscope. Mitosis was intranuclear with microtubules oriented between two spindle pole bodies (SPBs). The SPBs were spherical with a central core of material slightly more electron opaque than the surrounding SPB material. The nuclear envelope remained intact except at the SPBs.Divisions I and II of meiosis were chiastobasidial and occurred at the apices of basidia. The major features of meiosis observed by both light and electron microscopy were (1) karyogamy followed by the presence of one or two nucleoli in the prophase nucleus; (2) elongated chromosomes and synapsis at late zygotene – pachytene; (3) occurrence of a spindle at metaphase–anaphase composed of chromosomal and continuous microtubules associated with the SPBs; (4) absence of a metaphase plate with chromosomes arranged randomly around a zone of continuous microtubules; (5) condensation of chromosomes and asynchronous separation at anaphase; (6) kinetochores at anaphase; (7) the nuclear envelope remaining intact throughout meiosis except for discontinuities at the SPBs; (8) membrane-bound vesicles associated with chromosomes during division; and (9) separation of daughter nuclei at telophase. Stages of division II meiosis were observed less frequently and were similar to division I. The four postmeiotic nuclei then migrated back toward the central part of the basidium. Sterigmata developed at this time. Postmeiotic nuclei were surrounded by one or two envelopes of perinuclear endoplasmic reticulum before their migration into basidiospores. Electron-opaque inclusions occurred within the nuclei at this stage.


Author(s):  
L. M. Lewis

The effects of colchicine on extranuclear microtubules associated with the macronucleus of Paramecium bursaria were studied to determine the possible role that these microtubules play in controlling the shape of the macronucleus. In the course of this study, the ultrastructure of the nuclear events of binary fission in control cells was also studied.During interphase in control cells, the micronucleus contains randomly distributed clumps of condensed chromatin and microtubular fragments. Throughout mitosis the nuclear envelope remains intact. During micronuclear prophase, cup-shaped microfilamentous structures appear that are filled with condensing chromatin. Microtubules are also present and are parallel to the division axis.


Author(s):  
Joachim R. Sommer ◽  
Nancy R. Wallace

After Howell (1) had shown that ruthenium red treatment of fixed frog skeletal muscle caused collapse of the intermediate cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), forming a pentalaminate structure by obi iterating the SR lumen, we demonstrated that the phenomenon involves the entire SR including the nuclear envelope and that it also occurs after treatment with other cations, including calcium (2,3,4).From these observations we have formulated a hypothesis which states that intracellular calcium taken up by the SR at the end of contraction causes the M rete to collapse at a certain threshold concentration as the first step in a subsequent centrifugal zippering of the free SR toward the junctional SR (JSR). This would cause a) bulk transport of SR contents, such as calcium and granular material (4) into the JSR and, b) electrical isolation of the free SR from the JSR.


2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (16) ◽  
pp. 3111-3121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginie Hachet ◽  
Coralie Busso ◽  
Mika Toya ◽  
Asako Sugimoto ◽  
Peter Askjaer ◽  
...  

Regulation of mitosis in time and space is critical for proper cell division. We conducted an RNA interference–based modifier screen to identify novel regulators of mitosis in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos. Of particular interest, this screen revealed that the Nup205 nucleoporin NPP-3 can negatively modulate the timing of mitotic onset. Furthermore, we discovered that NPP-3 and nucleoporins that are associated with it are lost from the nuclear envelope (NE) in the vicinity of centrosomes at the onset of mitosis. We demonstrate that centrosomes are both necessary and sufficient for NPP-3 local loss, which also requires the activity of the Aurora-A kinase AIR-1. Our findings taken together support a model in which centrosomes and AIR-1 promote timely onset of mitosis by locally removing NPP-3 and associated nucleoporins from the NE.


1981 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 401-409
Author(s):  
A.W. Coleman ◽  
P. Heywood

The arrangement and ultrastructure of chloroplasts is described for the Chloromonadophycean algae gonyostomum semen Diesing and Vacuolaria virescens Cienkowsky. The chloroplasts are present in large numbers and are discoid structures approximately 3–4 micrometer in length by 2–3 micrometer in width. In Gonyostomum semen the chloroplasts form a single layer immediately interior to the cell membrane; frequently their longitudinal axis parallels the longitudinal axis of the cell. The chloroplasts in Vacuolaria virescens are more than I layer deep and do not appear to be preferentially oriented. In both organisms, chloroplast bands usually consist of 3 apposed thylakoids, although fusion and interconnections between adjacent bands frequently occur. External to the girdle band (the outermost thylakoids) is the chloroplast envelope. This is bounded by endoplasmic reticulum but there is no immediately apparent continuity between this endoplasmic reticulum and the nuclear envelope. Electron-dense spheres in the chloroplast stroma are thought to be lipid food reserve. Ring-shaped electron-translucent regions in the chloroplast contain chloroplast DNA. The DNA is distributed along this ring in an uneven fashion and, when stained, resembles a string of beads. Each plastid has I ring, and the ring is unbroken in the intact plastid.


1961 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 369-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. Parsons ◽  
M. A. Bender ◽  
E. B. Darden ◽  
Guthrie T. Pratt ◽  
D. L. Lindsley

The X5563 tumor has been grown in tissue culture. Cells similar to those of the original tumor migrated from the explant and attached to the glass walls of the culture vessels. Electron microscopy showed that large numbers of particles, similar in morphology to virus particles, were associated with these cells after 7 days of culture. The two principal types of particles found in the tumor in vivo appear to be present in vitro. Many more of these particles, however, were larger and showed a more complex structure. Whereas the particles were mainly localized inside endoplasmic reticulum or the Golgi zone in the tumors in vivo, in the tissue culture the majority of the particles were associated with the plasma membrane and were found outside of the cells. The relation of the particles to the granular body is discussed as well as a possible relation to the mammary tumor agent.


1978 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-35
Author(s):  
M.A. Gillott ◽  
R.E. Triemer

The ultrastructure of mitosis in Euglena gracilis was investigated. At preprophase the nucleus migrates anteriorly and associates with the basal bodies. Flagella and basal bodies replicate at preprophase. Cells retain motility throughout division. The reservoir and the prophase nucleus elongate perpendicular to the incipient cleavage furrow. One basal body pair surrounded by a ribosome-free zone is found at each of the nuclear poles. The spindle forms within the intact nuclear envelope- Polar fenestrae are absent. At metaphase, the endosome is elongated from pole to pole, and chromosomes are loosely arranged in the equatorial region. Distinct, trilayered kinetochores are present. Spindle elongates as chromosomes migrate to the poles forming a dumb-bell shaped nucleus by telophase. Daughter nuclei are formed by constriction of the nuclear envelope. Cytokinesis is accomplished by furrowing. Cell division in Euglena is compared with that of certain other algae.


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