scholarly journals EXTRACELLULAR MICROTUBULES

1969 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 446-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Benjamin Bouck

Mastigonemes (Flimmer) from the sperm of Ascophyllum and Fucus were found to consist of a tripartite structure—a ca. 2000-A tapered basal region, a closed microtubular shaft, and a group of terminal filaments. Each of these regions appears to be constructed of globular subunits with a center-to-center distance of about 45 A. The mastigoneme microtubule is of smaller diameter (170–190 A) than cytoplasmic microtubules in these or other plant cells. During the initial stages of flagellar ontogeny, structures similar to mastigonemes (presumptive mastigonemes) are found within membrane-limited sacs in the cytoplasm or within the perinuclear space. Mastigonemes at this time are generally not found on the flagellar surface. Later, when the anterior flagellum acquires mastigonemes, the presumptive mastigonemes are absent from the cytoplasm. The regularity of attachment of mastigonemes to the flagellar surface suggests that specific attachment sites are constructed on the plasma membrane during flagellar ontogeny. No evidence for penetration of the mastigoneme through the plasma membrane was obtained. The origin and structure of mastigonemes are discussed in relation to reports of the origin and structure of other microtubular systems.

1980 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
T H Giddings ◽  
D L Brower ◽  
L A Staehelin

Highly ordered arrays of intramembrane particles are observed in freeze-fractured plasma membranes of the green alga Micrasterias denticulata during the synthesis of the secondary cell wall. The observable architecture of the complex consists primarily of a precise hexagonal array of from 3 to 175 rosettes, consisting of 6 particles each, which fracture with the P-face. The complexes are observed at the ends of impressions of cellulose fibrils. The distance between rows of rosettes is equal to the center-to-center distance between parallel cellulose fibrils of the secondary wall. Correlation of the structure of the complex with the pattern of deposition indicates that the size of a given fibril is proportional to the number of rosettes engaged in its formation. Vesicles containing hexagonal arrays of rosettes are found in the cytoplasm and can be observed in the process of fusing with the plasma membrane, suggesting that the complexes are first assembled in the cytoplasm and then incorporated into the plasma membrane, where they become active in fibril formation. Single rosettes appear to be responsible for the synthesis of microfibrils during primary wall growth. Similar rosettes have now been detected in a green alga, in fern protonemata, and in higher plant cells. This structure, therefore, probably represents a significant component of the cellulose synthesizing mechanism in a large variety of plant cells.


1993 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 637-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Kang Zhu ◽  
Jun Shi ◽  
Utpal Singh ◽  
Sarah E. Wyatt ◽  
Ray A. Bressan ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 682-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuya Ishikawa ◽  
Kensaku Maejima ◽  
Ken Komatsu ◽  
Osamu Netsu ◽  
Takuya Keima ◽  
...  

Fig mosaic virus (FMV), a member of the newly formed genus Emaravirus, is a segmented negative-strand RNA virus. Each of the six genomic FMV segments contains a single ORF: that of RNA4 encodes the protein p4. FMV-p4 is presumed to be the movement protein (MP) of the virus; however, direct experimental evidence for this is lacking. We assessed the intercellular distribution of FMV-p4 in plant cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy and we found that FMV-p4 was localized to plasmodesmata and to the plasma membrane accompanied by tubule-like structures. A series of experiments designed to examine the movement functions revealed that FMV-p4 has the capacity to complement viral cell-to-cell movement, prompt GFP diffusion between cells, and spread by itself to neighbouring cells. Altogether, our findings demonstrated that FMV-p4 shares several properties with other viral MPs and plays an important role in cell-to-cell movement.


1984 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 904-910 ◽  
Author(s):  
W J Deery ◽  
A R Means ◽  
B R Brinkley

A Triton X-100-lysed cell system has been used to identify calmodulin on the cytoskeleton of 3T3 and transformed SV3T3 cells. By indirect immunofluorescence, calmodulin was found to be associated with both the cytoplasmic microtubule complex and the centrosomes. A number of cytoplasmic microtubules more resistant to disassembly upon either cold (0-4 degrees C) or hypotonic treatment, as well as following dilution have been identified. Most of the stable microtubules appeared to be associated with the centrosome at one end and with the plasma membrane at the other end. These microtubules could be induced to depolymerize, however, by micromolar Ca++ concentrations. These data suggest that, by interacting directly with the microtubule, calmodulin may influence microtubule assembly and ensure the Ca++-sensitivity of both mitotic and cytoplasmic microtubules.


1976 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
D L Brown ◽  
A Massalski ◽  
R Patenaude

The organization of microtubular systems in the quadriflagellate unicell Polytomella agilis has been reconstructed by electron microscopy of serial sections, and the overall arrangement confirmed by immunofluorescent staining using antiserum directed against chick brain tubulin. The basal bodies of the four flagella are shown to be linked in two pairs of short fibers. Light microscopy of swimming cells indicates that the flagella beat in two synchronous pairs, with each pair exhibiting a breast-stroke-like motion. Two structurally distinct flagellar rootlets, one consisting of four microtubules in a 3 over 1 pattern and the other of a striated fiber over two microtubules, terminate between adjacent basal bodies. These rootlets diverge from the basal body region and extend toward the cell posterior, passing just beneath the plasma membrane. Near the anterior part of the cell, all eight rootlets serve as attachment sites for large numbers of cytoplasmic microtubules which occur in a single row around the circumference of the cell and closely parallel the cell shape. It is suggested that the flagellar rootless may function in controlling the patterning and the direction of cytoplasmic microtubule assembly. The occurrence of similar rootlet structures in other flagellates is briefly reviewed.


1992 ◽  
pp. 225-236
Author(s):  
B. R. Terry ◽  
S. D. Tyerman ◽  
G. P. Findlay

1978 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 158-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
PL Moore ◽  
HL Bank ◽  
NT Brissie ◽  
SS Spicer

The changes in membrane structure of rabbit polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes during bacterial phagocytosis was investigated with scanning electron microscope (SEM), thin-section, and freeze-fracture techniques. SEM observations of bacterial attachment sites showed the involvement of limited areas of PMN membrane surface (0.01-0.25μm(2)). Frequently, these areas of attachment were located on membrane extensions. The membrane extensions were present before, during, and after the engulfment of bacteria, but were diminished in size after bacterial engulfment. In general, the results obtained with SEM and thin-section techniques aided in the interpretation of the three-dimensional freeze-fracture replicas. Freeze-fracture results revealed the PMN leukocytes had two fracture faces as determined by the relative density of intramembranous particles (IMP). Membranous extensions of the plasma membrane, lysosomes, and phagocytic vacuoles contained IMP's with a distribution and density similar to those of the plasma membrane. During phagocytosis, IMPs within the plasma membrane did not undergo a massive aggregation. In fact, structural changes within the membranes were infrequent and localized to regions such as the attachment sites of bacteria, the fusion sites on the plasma membrane, and small scale changes in the phagocytic vacuole membrane during membrane fusion. During the formation of the phagocytic vacuole, the IMPs of the plasma membrane appeared to move in with the lipid bilayer while maintaining a distribution and density of IMPs similar to those of the plasma membranes. Occasionally, IMPs were aligned to linear arrays within phagocytic vacuole membranes. This alignment might be due to an interaction with linearly arranged motile structures on the side of the phagocytic vacuole membranes. IMP-free regions were observed after fusion of lysosomes with the phagocytic vacuoles or plasma membrane. These IMP-free areas probably represent sites where membrane fusion occurred between lysosomal membrane and phagocytic vacuole membrane or plasma membrane. Highly symmetrical patterns of IMPs were not observed during lysosomal membrane fusion.


1970 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 564-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lewis G. Tilney ◽  
Janette Goddard

In the ectodermal cells of sea urchin blastulae, the microtubules converge and appear to make contact with three distinct cytoplasmic foci or satellites associated with the basal body of the cilium. Beneath the nucleus, which lies in the apical end of the cell, the microtubules are aligned predominantly parallel to the cell's long axis and could thus make contact with the satellites as is directly suggested by observations on sections at or near the planes of the satellites. After the embryos are treated with low temperature (0°C), the microtubules disassemble; however, the satellites can still be recognized. Upon rewarming, the microtubules reappear. In early stages of reformation, when the tubules in the cell consist of short segments, tubules have only been found in the apical part of the cell. One end of each microtubule appears to make contact with its respective satellite, or is aligned so that it could contact one of the satellites, provided serial sections were cut and collected in order. After longer periods of recovery, the microtubules elongate; as before, one end of each makes contact with a satellite or is aligned so that it could attach to a satellite. Segments of microtubules seen in the basal region of the cell are aligned parallel to the long axis of the cell as in the untreated ectodermal cells and are therefore interpreted as extensions of those tubules making contact with one of the satellites. On the basis of these observations, we suggest that assembly of microtubules is initiated at the satellites. These sites, perhaps best referred to as "nucleating sites," thereby could exert considerable control over the distribution of microtubules in cells. It is hoped that this preliminary report will be followed up by a more detailed study using serial sections.


1970 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 631-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josef Weigl

Trans-stimulation by salts of the passive efflux of Cl⊖ across the plasma membrane of plant cells was established previously. In this paper the trans-effect of salts is compared with the effect of nystatin on ion efflux. It is further shown that the influx of anions is also stimulated by external salts. Influx of Cl⊖ was stimulated by K2SO4 (>~1 mM), influx of SO42⊖ was stimulated by KCl (>~lmM). This suggests that with increasing external salt concentration not only the electrical potential across the plasmalemma is lowered (due to preferential permeability to monovalent cations) but alsoth e permeability (i. e. the permeability coefficient) of the plasmalemma to anions is increased. According to the model proposed for the salt-stimulated decrease in the resistance to passive anion permeation the plasmalemma may be considered a lipid lattice-electrofilter. The nature of the coupling of the counter fluxes is discussed.


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