scholarly journals Interrelationships between microtubules, a striated fiber, and the gametic mating structure of Chlamydomonas reinhardi.

1978 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 430-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
U W Goodenough ◽  
R L Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Flagellar Apparatus ◽  
Flagellar Roots ◽  
Mating Structure ◽  
Striated Fiber

The microtubule system associated with the Chlamydomonas reinhardi flagellar apparatus is shown to differ from previous descriptions; two of the four flagellar "roots" possess only two microtubules and are associated with a finely striated fiber. In gametic cells this fiber underlies the gametic mating structure and makes contact with it. Functional interpretations are offered.

scholarly journals The centrin-based cytoskeleton of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: distribution in interphase and mitotic cells.

1988 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 635-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
J L Salisbury ◽  
A T Baron ◽  
M A Sanders
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Flagellar Apparatus ◽  
Immunogold Labeling ◽  
Basal Bodies ◽  
Flagellar Roots ◽  
Cell Biol ◽  
Immunofluorescence Studies ◽  
Descending Fibers

Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against algal centrin, a protein of algal striated flagellar roots, were used to characterize the occurrence and distribution of this protein in interphase and mitotic Chlamydomonas cells. Chlamydomonas centrin, as identified by Western immunoblot procedures, is a low molecular (20,000-Mr) acidic protein. Immunofluorescence and immunogold labeling demonstrates that centrin is a component of the distal fiber. In addition, centrin-based flagellar roots link the flagellar apparatus to the nucleus. Two major descending fibers extend from the basal bodies toward the nucleus; each descending fiber branches several times giving rise to 8-16 fimbria which surround and embrace the nucleus. Immunogold labeling indicates that these fimbria are juxtaposed to the outer nuclear envelope. Earlier studies have demonstrated that the centrin-based linkage between the flagellar apparatus and the nucleus is contractile, both in vitro and in living Chlamydomonas cells (Wright, R. L., J. Salisbury, and J. Jarvik. 1985. J. Cell Biol. 101:1903-1912; Salisbury, J. L., M. A. Sanders, and L. Harpst. 1987. J. Cell Biol. 105:1799-1805). Immunofluorescence studies show dramatic changes in distribution of the centrin-based system during mitosis that include a transient contraction at preprophase; division, separation, and re-extension during prophase; and a second transient contraction at the metaphase/anaphase boundary. These observations suggest a fundamental role for centrin in motile events during mitosis.

Observations on the fine structure of Oedogonium. VI. The striated component of the compound flagellar "roots" of O. cardiacum

1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry R. Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Contractile Function ◽  
Flagellar Apparatus ◽  
Flagellar Roots ◽  
Diploid Female ◽  
Haploid Male ◽  
Outer Component ◽  
Cross Striation ◽  
Striated Root ◽  
Male Strain ◽  
Female Strain

The striated, inner component of the compound flagellar "roots" of zoospores and spermatozoids of Oedogonium cardiacum has been studied ultrastructurally after three methods of preparation. The roots constitute an element of the ring-shaped flagellar apparatus, with the roots and basal bodies alternating in equal numbers. Each root consists of two components radially superposed; the outer component is ribbon-like and formed of three parallel microtubular elements, while the inner component is rod-like (tapering at each extremity) and demonstrates a very regular pattern of cross-striation. Although the striated pattern in sectioned roots differed somewhat from the pattern obtained with negatively stained roots, the major periodicity in both instances averaged about 305–325 Å. This contrasts to a periodicity of 150 Å which was reported earlier. The pattern of cross-striation appears the same for roots of both spermatozoids and zoospores when any one method of preparing the material is considered separately. Furthermore, no distinctions were observed in zoospore roots obtained from a haploid male strain, a haploid female strain, and a diploid female strain. The striated root component of Oedogonium may provide mechanical support for the flagellar apparatus, thereby serving as a means for distributing throughout the motile cell the stresses generated by flagellar action. A possible contractile function cannot be excluded.

Ultrastructure of the flagellar roots in Chlamydomonas gametes

1984 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-143
Author(s):  
R.L. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Basal Body ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
The Other ◽  
Basal Bodies ◽  
Flagellar Roots ◽  
Mating Structure ◽  
Membrane Extension ◽  
Microtubular Root ◽  
Basal Apparatus ◽  
Microtubular System

The cytoskeleton of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii gametes has been studied by electron microscopy. The microtubular system, consisting of four flagellar roots inserted into the basal apparatus, is shown to include two daughter basal bodies and two striated fibres, newly described in this report. One new fibre associates with the 3-over-1 root and is similar to its counterpart, the striated fibre of the 2-member root. These similar root fibres connect each daughter basal body to the V-shaped microtubular root pair. The other new striated fibre joins the daughter basal body to both flagellar roots and is similar to the proximal striated fibre. In mt+ gametes, the conventional root microtubules make direct contact with the doublet zone of the non-activated mating structure. During activation, doublet zone microfilaments associate with the daughter basal body and the finely striated fibre of the 3-over-1 root. These observations suggest that the cytoskeleton acts as a scaffolding for membrane extension by the mt+ mating structure microfilaments.

Flagellar roots, mating structure and gametic fusion in the green alga Ulva lactuca (Ulvales)

1980 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-169
Author(s):  
M. Melkonian
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Green Algae ◽  
Ulva Lactuca ◽  
Ultrastructural Changes ◽  
Flagellar Roots ◽  
Mating Structure ◽  
Male Gametes ◽  
Microtubular Root ◽  
Microtubular Roots

The slightly anisogamous gametes of Ulva lactuca exhibit a cruciate flagellar root system consisting of 4 microtubular roots (4-2-4-2 system) and an elaborate system of fibrous roots associated with the 2-stranded microtubular roots. Two fibres (32-nm striation periodicity; system I fibres) closely underlie each of the 2-stranded roots, while different fibres (150-nm striation periodicity; system II fibres) run parallel to the root microtubules, and are 150–200 nm more internally located. Female gametes have 4 system II fibres, 3 of which are combined into a compound fibre associated with one microtubular root, while the fourth fibre is associated with the opposite root. In male gametes only 2 system II fibres are present, each underlying one of the two 2-stranded roots. A special region of the plasmalemma of both gamete types about 0.5 mum away from the basal bodies and located between 2 adjacent microtubular roots is structurally specialized and acts as a mating structure in gametic fusion. The region is oval-shaped and up to I.I mum long with a maximum diameter of 0.7 mum. A continuous electron-dense boundary layer underlies the plasmalemma at the edges of the mating structure. In both gamete types the mating structure consists of a fuzzy layer of material underlying the plasmalemma and special granules (60 nm diameter) are associated with this layer on its cytoplasmic side. In addition diffuse material overlies the mating structure, especially in male gametes. The mating structure is connected to 3 different kinds of flagellar roots: the boundary layer is linked to a 2-stranded microtubular root and its associated system I fibre; the fuzzy layer of the mating structure is connected with a system II fibre; and in female gametes this is the compound system II fibre. The ultrastructural changes which occur after mixing the 2 gamete types have been followed. Mating structure activation involves contraction of system II fibres (change of striation periodicity to 100 nm), detachment of special granules from the fuzzy layer of the mating structure and their replacement by electron-transparent vesicles at the prospective cell fusion site. Furthermore, release of electron-dense contents from Golgi-derived vesicles in the anterior part of both gamete types precedes cell fusion. Cell fusion is exclusively initiated in a region delimited by the 2 mating structures. After partial dissolution the 2 plasma membranes unite within the mating structure regions. The ultrastructure of gametic fusion in Ulva lactuca is compared to that of other green algae and the significance of flagellar roots in the mating process of green algae is discussed.

scholarly journals FLAGELLAR MOTION AND FINE STRUCTURE OF THE FLAGELLAR APPARATUS IN CHLAMYDOMONAS

1967 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 543-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Ringo
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Flagellar Apparatus ◽  
Transitional Region ◽  
Basal Bodies ◽  
Striated Fiber ◽  
Basal Apparatus ◽  
Cilia And Flagella ◽  
Electron Microscopes ◽  
Shaped Pattern ◽  
Complex Arrangement

The biflagellate alga Chlamydomonas reinhardi was studied with the light and electron microscopes to determine the behavior of flagella in the living cell and the structure of the basal apparatus of the flagella. During normal forward swimming the flagella beat synchronously in the same plane, as in the human swimmer's breast stroke. The form of beat is like that of cilia. Occasionally cells swim backward with the flagella undulating and trailing the cell. Thus the same flagellar apparatus produces two types of motion. The central pair of fibers of both flagella appear to lie in the same plane, which coincides with the plane of beat. The two basal bodies lie in a V configuration and are joined at the top by a striated fiber and at the bottom by two smaller fibers. From the area between the basal bodies four bands of microtubules, each containing four tubules, radiate in an X-shaped pattern, diverge, and pass under the cell membrane. Details of the complex arrangement of tubules near the basal bodies are described. It seems probable that the connecting fibers and the microtubules play structural roles and thereby maintain the alignment of the flagellar apparatus. The relation of striated fibers and microtubules to cilia and flagella is reviewed, particularly in phytoflagellates and protozoa. Structures observed in the transitional region between the basal body and flagellar shaft are described and their occurrence is reviewed. Details of structure of the flagellar shaft and flagellar tip are described, and the latter is reviewed in detail.

scholarly journals Flagellar root contraction and nuclear movement during flagellar regeneration in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

1987 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 1799-1805 ◽  
Author(s):  
J L Salisbury ◽  
M A Sanders ◽  
L Harpst
Keyword(s):  
Flagellar Apparatus ◽  
Central Position ◽  
Free Calcium ◽  
Cell Models ◽  
Nuclear Movement ◽  
Flagellar Roots ◽  
Flagellar Regeneration ◽  
Basal Apparatus ◽  
Ph Shock ◽  
Root Contraction

When Chlamydomonas cells are deflagellated by pH shock or mechanical shear the nucleus rapidly moves toward the flagellar basal apparatus at the anterior end of the cell. During flagellar regeneration the nucleus returns to a more central position within the cell. The nucleus is connected to the flagellar apparatus by a system of fibers, the flagellar roots (rhizoplasts), which undergo a dramatic contraction that coincides with anterior nuclear movement. A corresponding extension of the root system, back to its preshock configuration is observed as the nucleus retracts to a central position. Anterior displacement of the nucleus and flagellar root contraction require free calcium in the medium. Nuclear movement and flagellar root contraction and extension are not sensitive to inhibitors of protein synthesis (cycloheximide), or drugs that influence either microtubules (colchicine) or actin-based microfilaments (cytochalasin D). Detergent-extracted cell models contract and extend their flagellar roots and move their nuclei in response to alterations of free calcium levels in the medium. Cycles of nuclear movement in detergent-extracted models require ATP to potentiate the contractile mechanism for subsequent calcium-induced contraction. Flagellar root contraction and nuclear movement in Chlamydomonas may be causally related to signaling of induction of flagellar precursor genes or to the transport of flagellar precursors or their messages to sites of synthesis or assembly near the basal apparatus of the cell.

ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE FLAGELLAR APPARATUS OF PYROBOTRYS (CHLOROPHYCEAE)

1982 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold J. Hoops ◽  
Gary L. Floyd
Keyword(s):  
Flagellar Apparatus

scholarly journals Organization of the flagellar apparatus and associate cytoplasmic microtubules in the quadriflagellate alga Polytomella agilis.

1976 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
D L Brown ◽  
A Massalski ◽  
R Patenaude
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Part ◽  
Flagellar Apparatus ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Immunofluorescent Staining ◽  
Body Region ◽  
Basal Bodies ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubule ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Attachment Sites ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubules

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.

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