Ultrastructure of mitosis in the chloromonadophycean alga Vacuolaria virescens

1978 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-51
Author(s):  
P. Heywood
Keyword(s):  
Golgi Apparatus ◽  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Contractile Vacuole ◽  
Basal Bodies ◽  
Anterior Surface ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Interphase Cells ◽  
Unusual Type

During preprophase in the chloromonadophycean alga Vacuolaria virescens microtubules are present around the flagellar basal bodies and extend over the anterior surface of the nucleus. These microtubules assist in the separation of the flagella and later enter the nucleus through polar gaps. During prophase the nucleoli begin to disperse and the chromosomes become condensed. At metaphase the nucleus assumes an elliptical shape and an equatorial plate of chromosomes becomes aligned across the long axis of the nucleus; kinetochores are recognizable on some of the chromosomes. The nuclear envelope remains intact over most of the surface and in places it forms folds. During anaphase chromosomes are less distinct and vesicles are present in the elongating nucleus. Most of the new nuclear envelope around the progeny nuclei is formed by coalescence of these membrane vesicles during late anaphase and telophase, although some of the original nuclear envelope may also become incorporated. During telophase disintegration of the original nuclear envelope becomes pronounced and portions of this structure are recognizable in the cytoplasm after completion of mitosis. It is suggested that this unusual type of nuclear envelope behaviour may be important in ensuring the segregation of the Golgi apparatus and contractile vacuole to progeny cells. Interphase cells contain a single extensive Golgi apparatus which is located between the anterior surface of the nucleus and the contractile vacuole. The Golgi apparatus and contractile vacuole act as an osmoregulatory system and their presence is presumably essential to the existence of the organism. Formation of a new contractile vacuole and division of the Golgi apparatus occur early in mitosis and thereafter a Golgi apparatus and contractile vacuole become associated with each of the poles of the nucleus. They retain this location throughout mitosis and during cytokinesis, with the result that an osmoregulatory system is present in each of the daughter cells. In a similar manner, microbody-like organelles are associated with the nuclear envelope during mitosis but not at interphase. Growth of the nuclear envelope during mitosis may serve as the means of partitioning these organelles to the progeny cells. Thus mitosis in Vacuolaria virescens is responsible not only for the equal segregation of the genetic material but also for the correct distribution of some of the cytoplasmic components.

Osmoregulation in the alga Vacuolaria virescens. Structure of the contractile vacuole and the nature of its association with the Golgi apparatus

1978 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-224
Author(s):  
P. Heywood
Keyword(s):  
Golgi Apparatus ◽  
Contractile Vacuole ◽  
Dense Material ◽  
Anterior Surface ◽  
Electron Dense Material ◽  
Golgi Vesicles ◽  
Hexagonal Pattern ◽  
Permanent Structure ◽  
Lateral Walls

The contractile vacuole of the chloromonadophycean alga Vacuolaria virescens is a permanent structure that possesses a specialized membrane: subunits of this membrane have a diameter of 21–24 nm and in places are arranged in a regular hexagonal pattern. The lateral walls of these subunits form regularly spaced bristles or pegs which extend inwards from the trilaminar membrane for a distance of 13–15 nm. The contractile vacuole is situated immediately above an extensive Golgi apparatus that covers most of the anterior surface of the nucleus. Vesicles of Golgi origin give rise to subsidiary vacuoles which in turn empty into the contractile vacuole. Golgi vesicles, subsidiary vacuoles and the contractile vacuole contain similar electron-dense material. It is suggested that this material might be a highly hydrophilic substance which will attract water from the cytoplasm into the Golgi vesicles, subsidiary vacuoles and contractile vacuole from whence it is discharged from the cell. This method of osmoregulation is compared to that occurring in other algae and protozoa.

Memoirs: The Golgi Apparatus of Copromonas Subtilis, and Euglena sp

1938 ◽  
Vol s2-80 (320) ◽  
pp. 567-591
Author(s):  
J. BRONTË GATENBY ◽  
B. N. SINGH
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Golgi Apparatus ◽  
Neutral Red ◽  
The Other ◽  
Contractile Vacuole ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
The Past ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Contractile Vacuoles ◽  
Osmoregulatory Mechanism

1. In Copromonas subtilis , Dobell, and Euglena sp. there is a Golgi apparatus consisting of osmiophil material in the form of granules, which are associated with the osmoregulatory mechanism of the cell. 2. Inside the granules, water collects, so that they become spherical vacuoles, identical with what have in the past been called contractile vacuoles (Copromonas) or accessory contractile vacuoles (Euglena viridis). 3. In Euglena viridis, the Golgi apparatus is closely applied to the so-called contractile vacuole, and consists of numerous loaf-shaped osmiophil bodies which undergo a regular series of changes from systole to diastole, and vice versa. 4. In Copromonas, the osmiophil material may form a thick cortex surrounding what has been called the reservoir, it may be attached to the reservoir in fairly regular loafshaped bodies as in Euglena, or it may be completely detached from the reservoir. 5. The so-called contractile vacuoles of Copromonas are vesicles containing water, which are formed on the site of the osmiophil granules. 6. As far as we are able to say at present, the reservoir of Copromonas is indistinguishable from an enlarged contractile vacuole, and new reservoirs probably arise from swollen contractile vacuoles. It is difficult to believe that the reservoir divides into two, as has been claimed by Dobell. 7. During division of Copromonas, two reservoirs can nearly always be found in the early stages before the nucleus becomes dumb-bell shaped. These seem to have originated from the osmiophil vacuoles. 8. The remaining osmiophil material, when present, moves slightly down the cell, occupying a place in the mid-line. When the new cell-wall between the two organisms has passed down, about one-third the length of the dividing monad, the osmiophil material splits into two sub-equal groups and is so divided between the two organisms. There is therefore a definite dictyokinesis to be found in Copromonas. 9. Just at or after this period, the osmiophil material may become scattered about the upper middle and upper region of the dividing monads, but finally becomes situated in the region of the reservoir. 10. The osmiophil material (Golgi apparatus) persists throughout conjugation and encystment, even when a reservoir cannot be found. 11. There is a rhizoplast joining the basal granule of the flagellum with the intra-nuclear nucleolo-centrosome, and an axostyle is present, passing from the basal granule to the posterior end of the organism. 12. During cell division, the basal granule divides into two and appears to lose its connexion with the two nucleolo-centrosomes of the dividing nucleus. The axostyle appears to be absorbed in the early stages of division and cannot be stained at this epoch, but reappears in each moiety of the dividing organism, when the nucleus is dumb-bell shaped. It appears to reform when the two basal granules have taken their definitive position at the anterior end of the cells. 13. We agree with Wenyon that one flagellum passes over intact to one of the daughter cells at division, the other flagellum arises from the other basal granule. 14. Numerous fat granules are found throughout the organism; what have been called volutin granules in other Protozoa are present in Copromonas, and stain in neutral red. 15. Mitochondria are present mainly in the posterior region of the organism.

Memoirs: The Golgi Apparatus and Pyrenoids of Chilomonas paramecium, with remarks on the Identification of Copromonas subtilis

1940 ◽  
Vol s2-81 (324) ◽  
pp. 595-617
Author(s):  
J. BRONTÉ GATENBY ◽  
J. D. SMYTH
Keyword(s):  
Golgi Apparatus ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Daughter Cell ◽  
Neutral Red ◽  
The Other ◽  
Contractile Vacuole ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide Solution ◽  
Cortical Substance ◽  
Two Bodies

1. In Chilomonas paramecium the contractile vacuole is surrounded by a cortical substance (Golgi apparatus) which has the power of reducing osmium tetroxide solution and thus impregnating black (Nassonow). 2. This cortex blackens thus in over 99 per cent, of individuals in a culture which has not been dividing. In a culture in which the individuals have been rapidly dividing, the percentage of unimpregnated contractile vacnoles increases considerably, up to about 5 per cent. 3. During division of Chilomonas in about 70 per cent. of cases the osmiophile substance is very equally divided between the daughter cells. The dividing cortex comes away from the contractile vacuole, which eventually collapses, new contractile vacuoles arising in the site of the divided osmiophile material. In about 25 per cent, of division stages osmication of the cortex fails to a greater or lesser degree. There is always a very distinct tendency for this failure to take place even in the best of preparations. 4. In some cases (about 3 per cent.), during division, the entire contractile vacuole and its cortex goes over whole to one individual. A new vaeuole, apparently without cortex, arises spontaneously in the other individual. It is unlikely that all of these cases are due to failure of impregnation in one of the individuals, though this possibility cannot be roled out completely. 5. The behaviour of the original contractile vacuole cavity before separation of the daughter cells is as follows. The lipoid, having partially retreated from the vacuole, becomes separated into two parts, and the centrally placed vacuole disappears (figs. 4 and 6, Pl. 36; figs. 10 and 15, Pl. 37). New vacuoles appear in the site of the lipoid bodies in each daughter cell (fig. 5, Pl. 36). 6. Two ellipsoidal accessory bodies or pyrenoids lie on a level with the vestibule. In older cultures the two bodies are often exactly the same size and colour (corrosive osmic followed by neutral red or haematoxylin), but in rapidly dividing cultures, one body may be of normal size, whereas the other may be absent or much smaller. During cell division, one body is carried across to each daughter. No exception to this was ever found. 7. Identification of the smaller Peranemidae is in a confused state. Probably several species, and possibly even genera, have been described by various authors as Scytomonas (Copromonas) subtilis.

Nuclear Envelope Dynamics During Mitosis

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 224-225
Author(s):  
Brian Burke
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Interphase Chromosome ◽  
Lamin B ◽  
Chromosome Architecture ◽  
Complex Membrane ◽  
Pore Complexes

The nuclear envelope is a complex membrane structure that forms the boundary of the nuclear compartment in eukaryotes. It regulates the passage of macromolecules between the two compartments and may be important for organizing interphase chromosome architecture. In interphase animal cells it forms a remarkably stable structure consisting of a double membrane ouerlying a protein meshwork or lamina and penetrated by nuclear pore complexes. The latter form the channels for nucleocytoplasmic exchange of macromolecules, At the onset of mitosis, however, it rapidly disassembles, the membranes fragment to yield small vesicles and the lamina, which is composed of predominantly three polypeptides, lamins R, B and C (MW approx. 74, 68 and 65 kDa respectiuely), breaks down. Lamins B and C are dispersed as monomers throughout the mitotic cytoplasm, while lamin B remains associated with the nuclear membrane vesicles.

scholarly journals Novel Myosin Heavy Chain Kinase Involved in Disassembly of Myosin II Filaments and Efficient Cleavage in MitoticDictyostelium Cells

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4333-4342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Nagasaki ◽  
Go Itoh ◽  
Shigehiko Yumura ◽  
Taro Q.P. Uyeda
Keyword(s):  
Myosin Heavy Chain ◽  
Heavy Chain ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Kinase Domain ◽  
Cleavage Furrow ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Cleavage Process ◽  
Interphase Cells ◽  
Myosin Heavy Chain Kinase

We have cloned a full-length cDNA encoding a novel myosin II heavy chain kinase (mhckC) from Dictyostelium. Like other members of the myosin heavy chain kinase family, themhckC gene product, MHCK C, has a kinase domain in its N-terminal half and six WD repeats in the C-terminal half. GFP-MHCK C fusion protein localized to the cortex of interphase cells, to the cleavage furrow of mitotic cells, and to the posterior of migrating cells. These distributions of GFP-MHCK C always corresponded with that of myosin II filaments and were not observed in myosin II-null cells, where GFP-MHCK C was diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm. Thus, localization of MHCK C seems to be myosin II-dependent. Cells lacking the mhckC gene exhibited excessive aggregation of myosin II filaments in the cleavage furrows and in the posteriors of the daughter cells once cleavage was complete. The cleavage process of these cells took longer than that of wild-type cells. Taken together, these findings suggest MHCK C drives the disassembly of myosin II filaments for efficient cytokinesis and recycling of myosin II that occurs during cytokinesis.

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.

scholarly journals Dem Anfang auf der Spur — die Suche nach DNA-Replikationsursprüngen

BIOspektrum ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 246-249
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Kruse ◽  
Stephan Hamperl
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Genomic Dna ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Uniform Method ◽  
Replication Origins ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Origins Of Replication ◽  
Mammalian Genomes ◽  
Comprehensive Manner

AbstractTimely and accurate duplication of DNA prior to cell division is a prerequisite for propagation of the genetic material to both daughter cells. DNA synthesis initiates at discrete sites, termed replication origins, and proceeds in a bidirectional manner until all genomic DNA is replicated. Despite the fundamental nature of these events, a uniform method that identifies origins of replication in a comprehensive manner is still missing. Here, we present currently available and discuss new approaches to map replication origins in mammalian genomes.

scholarly journals The ultrastructure of cell division in Euglena gracilis

1978 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-35
Author(s):  
M.A. Gillott ◽  
R.E. Triemer
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Basal Body ◽  
Euglena Gracilis ◽  
Equatorial Region ◽  
Basal Bodies ◽  
Cleavage Furrow ◽  
Free Zone ◽  
Prophase Nucleus

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.

Calmodulin and the contractile vacuole complex in mitotic cells of Dictyostelium discoideum

1993 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 1119-1127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Zhu ◽  
T. Liu ◽  
M. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Golgi Complex ◽  
Contractile Vacuole ◽  
Microtubule Organizing Center ◽  
Golgi Membranes ◽  
Golgi Staining ◽  
Interphase Cells ◽  
Organizing Center ◽  
Tubulin Antibodies ◽  
Mitotic Cells

In amoebae of the eukaryotic microorganism Dictyostelium discoideum, calmodulin is greatly enriched on membranes of the contractile vacuole complex, an osmoregulatory organelle. Antibodies specific for Dictyostelium calmodulin were used in the present study to immunolocalize the contractile vacuole complex in relation to the Golgi complex (detected with wheat germ agglutinin) and the microtubule organizing center (MTOC, detected with anti-tubulin antibodies). Cells were examined throughout the cell cycle. Double-staining experiments indicated that the contractile vacuole complex extended to the MTOC in interphase cells, usually, but not always, overlapping the Golgi complex. In metaphase and anaphase cells, the Golgi staining became diffuse, suggesting dispersal of Golgi membranes. In the same mitotic cells, anti-calmodulin antibodies labeled numerous small cortical vacuoles, indicating that the contractile vacuole complex had also become dispersed. When living mitotic cells were examined, the small cortical vacuoles were seen to be active, implying that all parts of the Dictyostelium contractile vacuole complex possess the ability to accumulate fluid and fuse with the plasma membrane. In contrast to observations reported for other types of cells, anti-calmodulin antibodies did not label the mitotic spindle in Dictyostelium. Despite this difference in localization, it is possible that vacuole-associated calmodulin in Dictyostelium cells and spindle-associated calmodulin in larger eukaryotic cells might perform a similar function, namely, regulating calcium levels.

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