傅氏凤尾蕨精子发生超微结构的研究

超微结构研究显示傅氏凤尾蕨（Pteris fauriei Hieron）精子发生过程包括生毛体、多层结构和鞭毛等运动细胞器重新发生,环状线粒体形成,核塑形等过程,最后形成一个螺旋形的游动精子,这与其他真蕨类精子发生过程相似。本研究观察到的一些新现象包括：精细胞在分化早期呈极性,细胞核位于精细胞的近极端,生毛体、线粒体和质体等细胞器主要分布远极端;在生毛体分化早期,可见大量微管从其发出,其周围线粒体丰富;基体分化经历了前中心粒、中心粒和基体3个阶段,它们的内部结构不同;研究表明生毛体内的不定形物质是微管组织者,多层结构、附属微管带及鞭毛等细胞器均由不定形物质分化形成;精细胞在分化过程中产生了丰富的膜结构,它们可能为精核塑形提供原料。本研究报道了傅氏凤尾蕨精细胞分化的一些细节,这有助于进一步揭示蕨类植物精子发生的细胞学机制。     

蕨类植物精细胞运动器和细胞骨架的研究

介绍了近年来蕨类植物游动精子运动器和细胞骨架的研究进展。游动精子由配子体精子器中的非运动细胞发育形成,其分化过程包括了运动器官和细胞骨架的合成和组装。精子发生过程中形成的运动器的各部分结构包括鞭毛、基体、多层结构及附属结构;基体是细胞中新形成的结构,在不同类群的蕨类植物中分别由双中心粒、分支生毛体和生毛体产生。鞭毛、基体和多层结构中的微管带形成了游动精子三个独特的微管列阵,由于微管蛋白的后修饰作用这些微管列阵十分稳定;centrin是运动器中的重要成分, 但功能尚不清楚,可能和细胞骨架及运动器的构建有关。     

蕨类植物精细胞运动器和细胞骨架的研究

介绍了近年来蕨类植物游动精子运动器和细胞骨架的研究进展.游动精子由配子体精子器中的非运动细胞发育形成,其分化过程包括了运动器官和细胞骨架的合成和组装.精子发生过程中形成的运动器的各部分结构包括鞭毛、基体、多层结构及附属结构;基体是细胞中新形成的结构,在不同类群的蕨类植物中分别由双中心粒、分支生毛体和生毛体产生.鞭毛、基体和多层结构中的微管带形成了游动精子三个独特的微管列阵,由于微管蛋白的后修饰作用这些微管列阵十分稳定;centrin是运动器中的重要成分,但功能尚不清楚,可能和细胞骨架及运动器的构建有关.     

水蕨中心体蛋白基因的克隆与原核表达

蕨类植物的精子形成是一个运动细胞器重新发生的过程,但对其精子发生的分子机制仍不甚了解。中心体蛋白(centrin)是定位于细胞中心体上的一种高度保守的钙结合蛋白,被认为可能是最早参与运动细胞器发生的蛋白质。克隆鉴定centrin蛋白为进一步分析蕨类精子发生的分子机制奠定基础。该研究从蕨类模式植物水蕨(Ceratopteris thalictroides)中克隆到了水蕨centrin基因(CtCEN),其cDNA序列全长为1 077bp,结构分析表明CtCEN基因属于EF-hand超家族的centrin基因。Centrin的系统树分析发现,藻类、蕨类以及动物等具鞭毛游动精子的生物聚为一支,而被子植物聚为另一分支,表明centrin的功能可能与运动细胞器鞭毛发生有关。原核表达和Western blot分析表明,CtCEN基因表达的蛋白能与人源centrin抗体发生结合,这一结果证实克隆到了centrin基因。     

中心体蛋白Cenexin在大鼠精子发生过程中的表达特征

中心体蛋白Cenexin是成熟中心粒的唯一标志分子。为阐明中心粒在大鼠精子发生中的成熟以及功能,我们首先通过RT－PCR技术从大鼠睾丸组织中扩增出了Cenexin cDNA片段,原核表达重组蛋白后,用其免疫小鼠制备了高滴度的抗Cenexin的多克隆抗体,然后利用免疫荧光染色、Western Blot和半定量RT－PCR方法,研究了大鼠精子发生过程中Cenexin蛋白和基因的表达特征。结果显示Cenexin mRNA水平在精原细胞和精母细胞中较高,随后表达水平下降,而蛋白质分子在精原细胞到精子细胞中都定位于细胞的一个中心粒上,表示有成熟中心粒的存在,在长形精子细胞中该蛋白位于鞭毛的基体部。附睾的绝大多数成熟精子中Cenexin免疫染色消失。中心体蛋白Cenexin在精子变态期的表达变化可能与精子鞭毛形成的起始有关。     

中心体蛋白Cenexin在大鼠精子发生过程中的表达特征

中心体蛋白Cenexin是成熟中心粒的唯一标志分子。为阐明中心粒在大鼠精子发生过程中的成熟以及功能,我们首先通过RT-PCR技术从大鼠睾丸组织中扩增出了Cenexin cDNA片段,原核表达重组蛋白后,用其免疫小鼠制备了高滴度的抗Cenexin的多克隆抗体,然后利用免疫荧光染色、Western Blot和半定量RT-PCR方法,研究了大鼠精子发生过程中Cenexin蛋白和基因的表达特征。结果显示Cenexin mRNA水平在精原细胞和精母细胞中较高,随后表达水平下降,而蛋白质分子在精原细胞到精子细胞中都定位于细胞的一个中心粒上,表示有成熟中心粒的存在,在长形精子细胞中该蛋白位于鞭毛的基体部。附睾的绝大多数成熟精子中Cenexin免疫染色消失。中心体蛋白Cenexin在精子变态期的表达变化可能与精子鞭毛形成的起始有关。     

家蚕精母细胞内基体和鞭毛的电镜观察

中心粒是小的圆柱状微管细胞器。它的最重要特征是具有九组三联体微管系统(DuPraw,1970;Phillip,1970;woIfe,1972)。中心粒几乎发生在所有的动物细胞内;在具有鞭毛或纤毛的细胞内,中心粒发育成基体,再从基体的远心端生长出鞭毛或纤毛来。在动物精子发生和形成过程中,也存在着从中心粒到基体,再由基体产生精子尾部的过程。     

十足目甲壳动物精子发生过程顶体形成和细胞核变化

十足目甲壳动物精子发生对于细胞学家是一个长期有趣的主体,早期对十足目甲壳动物精子发生的研究结果,往往把无鞭毛的精子细胞器与可运动精子的归为同类.McCroan使用孚尔根(Feulgen)染色方法观察绿螯虾(Cambarus viridis)的精子发生,首次发现在其辐射臂观察到有核物质[1].     

优雅蝈螽精子形成期间微丝和微管蛋白的动态变化

【目的】分析微丝和微管蛋白在优雅蝈螽Gampsocleis gratiosa精子形成过程中的作用,为昆虫精子顶体复合体形成和细胞核重建机制研究奠定基础。【方法】应用免疫荧光、PAS-苏木精染色和透射电镜等方法,对优雅蝈螽成虫的精巢、雄性贮精囊和雌性受精囊内精子的发育以及微丝和微管蛋白在精子形成各个时期的分布进行了观察。【结果】精巢中,早期圆形精子细胞中微丝在精子细胞的某区域大量聚集,而微管蛋白随机分布在细胞质中。伸长的精子细胞中,顶体开始形成时,微丝首先在亚顶体区域出现,历经球形、短棒形,然后向细胞核的两侧扩展成倒"Y"形,接着形成箭头形;在顶体的外周即微丝的周围,细胞核周围以及鞭毛中发现微管蛋白。在雄虫贮精囊和雌虫受精囊中,精子和精子束中仅有微管存在,且仅存在于鞭毛中;精子头部的微丝和微管蛋白均消失。【结论】综合分析,我们认为微丝和微管作为"脚手架"结构在优雅蝈螽精子形成期间参与顶体复合体形成和细胞核重建,精子成熟形成精子束过程中"脚手架"结构拆除。     

γ-微管蛋白与细胞内微管的分子组装

微管是真核细胞的骨架系统之一,它对于支持细胞形态、参与细胞的各种运动、细胞内大分子物质的运输及细胞器的位移有重要作用。微管还是构成动物细胞中心体、纤毛和鞭毛、有丝分裂纺锤体等结构的主要元件。微管是中空的圆柱状结构,直径（外径）约２５ｎｍ。组成微管的主要化学成分是球状的ａ－和Ｂ－微管蛋白,分子量大约均为５５ｋＤ。在体外,球状的ａ－、Ｂ－微管蛋白聚合成圆柱状微管已有比较明确的实验模式［１］,在离体实验中,有足够的ａ－和Ｂ－微管蛋白及适量的ＧＴＰ和Ｍｇ２＋。在３７°Ｃ、ｐＨ６．８的条件下,微管蛋白能自…     

Structural and immunocytochemical characterization of the Ginkgo biloba L. sperm motility apparatus

Summary. Ginkgo biloba and the cycads are the only extant seed plants with motile sperm cells. However, there has been no immunocytochemical characterization of these gametes to determine if they share characteristics with the flagellated sperm found in bryophytes and pteridophytes or might give clues as to the relationships to nonflagellated sperm in all other seed plants. To determine characteristics of proteins associated with the motility apparatus in these motile sperm, we probed thin sections of developing spermatogenous cells of Ginkgo biloba with antibodies to acetylated and tyrosinated tubulin and monoclonal antibodies that recognize mammalian centrosomes and centrin. The blepharoplast that occurs as a precursor to the motility apparatus consists of an amorphous core, pitted with cavities containing microtubules and a surface studded with probasal bodies. The probasal bodies and microtubules within the blepharoplast cavities are labeled with antibodies specific to acetylated tubulin. Positive but weak reactions of the blepharoplast core occur with the centrosomereactive antibodies MPM-2 and C-9. Reactions to centrin antibodies are negative at this developmental stage. From this pre-motility apparatus structure, an assemblage of about 1000 flagella and associated structures arises as the precursor to the motility apparatus for the sperm. The flagellar apparatus consists of a three-layered multilayered structure that subtends a layer of spline microtubules, a zone of amorphous material similar to that in the blepharoplast, and the flagellar band. Centrin antibodies react strongly with the multilayered structure, the transition zone of the flagella, and fibrillar material near the flagellar base at the surface of the amorphous material. Both the spline microtubules and all of the tubules in the flagella react strongly with the antibodies to acetylated tubulin. These localizations are consistent with the localizations of these components in pteridophyte and bryophyte spermatogenous cells, although the blepharoplast material surrounding and connecting flagellar bases does not occur in the seedless (nonseed) land plants. These data indicate that despite the large size of ginkgo gametes and the taxonomic separation between pteridophytes and Ginkgo biloba, similar proteins in gametes of both groups perform similar functions and are therefore homologous among these plants. Moreover, the presence of acetylated tubulin in bands of microtubules may be a characteristic shared with more derived non-flagellated sperm of other conifers and angiosperms. Correspondence and reprints: Southern Weed Science Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, P.O. Box 350, Stoneville, MS 38776, U.S.A.     

Immunofluorescent localization of cytoskeletal tubulin and actin during spermatogenesis inPteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn

Summary Details concerning the appearance and behaviour of blepharoplasts during spermatogenesis, and the assembly of the cytoskeletal motile apparatus of spermatids were elucidated by immunofluorescence microscopy using antibodies to tubulin and actin, applied to material prepared from antheridia of the fernPteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. Blepharoplast immunofluorescence with antitubulin first appears as spheres at the future spindle poles prior to the last spermatogenous division. Developing spermatids each have one blepharoplast, which gives rise to a triangular layer corresponding to the incipient microtubule ribbon. Compared to the ribbon, immunoreactivity of the multilayered structure is relatively weak. Intensely fluorescing basal bodies appear, increase in number, and become arranged in rows along two edges of the microtubule ribbon as it widens and elongates. Along the dorsal edge is a dense file of basal bodies spaced at about 0.3 m intervals, parallel to each other and oriented at 145° to the multilayered structure. This spacing and orientation is maintained throughout spermatid development. Basal bodies at the opposite edge are initially oriented at 115° to the multilayered structure but become rearranged into small groups that rotate so that the angle is reduced to 55–70° by the time the assembly of flagella commences on both sets of basal bodies. By this stage the microtubule ribbon has encircled about 2/3 of the nuclear circumference and the nucleus is assuming a crescent shape. In fully developed spermatozoids the groups of basal bodies are oriented at 25° to the multilayered structure, parallel to the long body of the now helical nucleus. Immunofluorescence using antiactin showed that towards the completion of nuclear shaping, actin forms a strip along the helical multilayered structure. Detergent-extraction of mature spermatozoids revealed that actin is associated also with the flagellar band, particularly with basal bodies.Abbreviations MLS multilayered structure - MT microtubule     

The restructuring of the flagellar base and the flagellar necklace during spermatogenesis of Ephestia kuehniella Z. (Pyralidae,Lepidoptera)

Summary Transmission electron microscopy was used to study the development of the flagellar base and the flagellar necklace during spermatogenesis in a moth (Ephestia kuehniella Z.). Until mid-pachytene, two basal body pairs without flagella occur per cell. The basal bodies, which contain a cartwheel complex, give rise to four flagella in late prophase I. The cartwheel complex appears to be involved in the nucleation of the central pair of axonemal microtubules. In spermatids, there is one basal body; this is attached to a flagellum. At this stage, the nine microtubular triplets of the basal body do not terminate at the same proximal level. The juxtanuclear triplets are shifted distally relative to the triplets distant from the nuclear envelope. Transition fibrils and a flagellar necklace are formed at the onset of axoneme elongation. The flagellar necklace includes Y-shaped elements that connect the flagellar membrane and the axonemal doublets. In spindle-containing spermatocytes, the flagellar necklace is no longer detectable. During spermatid differentiation, the transition fibrils move distally along the axoneme and a prominent middle piece appears. Our observations and those in the literature indicate certain trends in sperm structure. In sperms with a short middle piece, we expect the presence of a flagellar necklace. The distal movement of the transition fibrils or equivalent structures is prevented by the presence of radial linkers between the flagellar membrane and the axonemal doublets. On the other hand, the absence of a flagellar necklace at the initiation of spermiogenesis enables the formation of a long middle piece. Thus, in spermatozoa possessing an extended middle piece, a flagellar necklace may be missing.     

Polarity of flagellar assembly in Chlamydomonas.

During mating of the alga Chlamydomonas, two biflagellate cells fuse to form a single quadriflagellate cell that contains two nuclei and a common cytoplasm. We have used this cell fusion during mating to transfer unassembled flagellar components from the cytoplasm of one Chlamydomonas cell into that of another in order to study in vivo the polarity of flagellar assembly. In the first series of experiments, sites of tubulin addition onto elongating flagellar axonemes were determined. Donor cells that had two full-length flagella and were expressing an epitope-tagged alpha-tubulin construct were mated (fused) with recipient cells that had two half-length flagella. Outgrowth of the shorter pair of flagella followed, using a common pool of precursors that now included epitope-tagged tubulin, resulting in quadriflagellates with four full-length flagella. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy using an antiepitope antibody showed that both the outer doublet and central pair microtubules of the recipient cells' flagellar axonemes elongate solely by addition of new subunits at their distal ends. In a separate series of experiments, the polarity of assembly of a class of axonemal microtubule-associated structures, the radial spokes, was determined. Wild-type donor cells that had two full-length, motile flagella were mated with paralyzed recipient cells that had two full-length, radial spokeless flagella. Within 90 min after cell fusion, the previously paralyzed flagella became motile. Immunofluorescence microscopy using specific antiradial spoke protein antisera showed that radial spoke proteins appeared first at the tips of spokeless axonemes and gradually assembled toward the bases. Together, these results suggest that both tubulin and radial spoke proteins are transported to the tip of the flagellum before their assembly into flagellar structure.     

The absolute configuration of the flagellar apparatus in zoospores from two species ofLaminariales (Phaeophyceae

Summary We examined the zoospores produced by the unilocular sporangia ofLaminaria digitata (L.) Lamour. andNereocystis luetkeana Post. & Rupr. by serial sectioning to determine the absolute configuration of their flagellar apparatuses. The basal bodies, which are interconnected by three striated bands, lie parallel to the ventral face of the zoospore, and the posterior basal body always is found to the right of the anterior basal body when the cell is viewed from the ventral face, anterior end up. The four rootlets associated with the basal bodies include a major anterior rootlet of about seven microtubules extending from the anterior basal body along the ventral face towards the apex, a five-membered bypassing rootlet that passes ventral to the basal bodies and is connected to the posterior basal body by a posterior fibrous band, and two short rootlets having a single member each, the minor anterior and posterior rootlets. We consider the configuration observed here to be typical of most phaeophycean motile cells. The flagellar apparatus features suggest a considerable phylogenetic difference between thePhaeophyceae and other classes of chlorophyll c-containing organisms.     

Ultrastructural and immunocytological studies on the rhizoplast in the chrysophycean alga Ochromonas danica

The rhizoplast, a striated band elongating from the flagellar basal body to the nucleus, is conspicuous in cells of Ochromonas danica Prings. In interphase cells, it runs from the basal body of the anterior flagellum to the space between the nucleus and the Golgi body. In O. danica, the rhizoplast duplicates during mitosis and the two rhizoplasts serve as mitotic poles. In the present study, we reinvestigated mitosis of O. danica using transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy, especially focusing on the rhizoplast. The nuclear envelope became dispersed during metaphase, and the rhizoplasts from two sets of the flagellar basal bodies functioned as the mitotic poles. Immunofluorescence microscopy using anti‐α‐tubulin, anti‐centrin and anti‐γ‐tubulin antibodies showed that centrin molecules were localized at the flagellar basal bodies, whereas γ‐tubulin molecules were detected at the rhizoplast during the whole cell cycle.     

Ultrastructure of distal flagellar swellings in spermatocytes and spermatids of Ephestia kuehniella Z. (Pyralidae,Lepidoptera)

Summary Development of flagella was investigated by transmission electron microscopy in spermatocytes and spermatids of the Mediterranean mealmoth, Ephestia kuehniella Z. Growing flagella displayed voluminous distal swellings. In short flagella the apical portion of the swellings contained an amorphous, dense accumulation. In more developed flagella a less dense proximal extension of the apical accumulation was formed, which in turn was in contact with the elongating flagellar microtubules. The material of the flagellar tip is interpreted as being a precursor of the axoneme containing mainly tubulin. The material may be converted into the axoneme.     

Flagellar protein dynamics in Chlamydomonas

Cilia and flagella appear to be stable, terminal, microtubule-containing organelles, but they also elongate and shorten in response to a variety of signals. To understand mechanisms that regulate flagellar dynamics, Chlamydomonas cells with nongrowing flagella were labeled with (35)S, and flagella and basal body components were examined for labeled polypeptides. Maximal incorporation of label into the flagella occurred within 3 h. Twenty percent of the flagellar polypeptides were exchanged. These included tubulins, dyneins, and 80 other axonemal and membrane plus matrix polypeptides. The most stable flagellar structure is the PF-ribbon, which comprises part of the wall of each doublet microtubule and is composed of tubulin and three other polypeptides. Most (35)S was incorporated into the high molecular weight ribbon polypeptide, rib240, and little, if any, (35)S is incorporated into PF-ribbon-associated tubulin. Both wild-type (9 + 2) and 9 + 0 flagella, which lack central microtubules, exhibited nearly identical exchange patterns, so labeling is not due to turnover of relatively labile central microtubules. To determine if flagellar length is balanced by protein exchange, (35)S incorporation into disassembling flagella was examined, as was exchange in flagella in which microtubule assembly was blocked by colchicine. Incorporation of (35)S-labeled polypeptides was found to occur into flagellar axonemes during wavelength-dependent shortening in pf18 and in fla10 cells induced to shorten flagella by incubation at 33 degrees C. Colchicine blocked tubulin addition but did not affect the exchange of the other exchangeable polypeptides; nor did it induce any change in flagellar length. Basal bodies also incorporated newly synthesized proteins. These data reveal that Chlamydomonas flagella are dynamic structures that incorporate new protein both during steady state and as flagella shorten and that protein exchange does not, alone, explain length regulation.