The Mode of Function of the Cytopharyngeal Basket of the Ciliate Pseudomicrothorax dubius

The ciliate Pseudomicrothorax dubius feeds on filamentous blue-green algae, ingesting them at rates of up to 15 μm per second, by means of a cytopharyngeal basket. The wall of the basket is composed of 22 ± 3 nemadesmata, each of which is a bundle of about 200 microtubules which are cross-linked in a hexagonal pattern. The lumen of the non-feeding basket is filled with cytoplasma into which project the nemadesmal lamellae. Each nemadesmal lamella is attached to a nemadesm and consists of a single row of 20–30 microtubules. Each microtubule of the nemadesmal lamella bears a row of pairs of arm-like projections which are embedded in a filamentous matrix. During feeding, the lumen of the basket is occupied by the developing food vacuole. The nemadesmal lamellae are observed between the vacuole membrane and the nemadesmata, and the arms of the nemadesmal lamellae microtubules are oriented toward the membrane of the food vacuole or of small vesicles. A mechanism for the generation of force for phagocytosis by means of the microtubule arms is proposed.
During food uptake the membrane of the food vacuole increases rapidly at rates up to 270 μm² per second. Vacuole growth results from the fusion of membrane-bound vesicles. During phagocytosis a fast streaming of these vesicles can be observed in the cytoplasm surrounding the basket. The direction of streaming is opposite to that of ingestion of the algal filament. The vesicles enter the lumen of the basket at its anterior end, in a zone where the wall of the basket is perforated.     

Microtubules and Microfilaments as Major Components of a Phagocytic Apparatus: the Cytopharyngeal Basket of the Ciliate Pseudomicrothorax dubius

The cytopharyngeal basket of Pseudomicrothorax dubius , through which filamentous blue-green algae are ingested, consists of 22 (± 3) nemadesmata and nemadesmal lamellae, in the form of a tube. A cytostome, delimited by the cell membrane and surrounded by 22 (± 3) major and minor cortical corrugations, covers the end of the basket where the latter is attached to the cell cortex. Each nemadesm, at its greatest diameter, consists of about 200 microtubules which are joined together by sheet-like cross-bridges. The cross-bridges appear to be responsible for the high structural resilience of the nemadesmata. Each nemadesmal lamella is a ribbon of 20–30 microtubules, with two arm-like structures associated with one side of each microtubule. The arms are partially embedded in a fine filamentous layer. Except for a perforated zone, the wall of the basket is completely closed due to the presence of a filamentous sheath which extends between adjacent nemadesmata. Absence of the sheath allows movement of vesicles between the cytoplasm and the lumen of the basket in the perforated zone. The sheath is capable of elastic stretching during food uptake.     

Effects of Cations on Phagocytosis in the Ciliate Pseudomicrothorax dubius1

Various cations have been examined for their effects on phagocytosis. Media with high [Ca²⁺] and low [K⁺] favor phagocytosis, which is inhibited in media with high [K⁺], [Rb⁺], or [Ba²⁺] and low [Ca²⁺]. Microscopical observations of inhibited cells demonstrate that swimming behavior is not modified but they cannot perform the initial step of phagocytosis, attachment to food; when Ca²⁺ is added, cells attach to and ingest food, demonstrating rapid reversal of inhibition. Attachment is shown to be a linear function of the ratio [K⁺]/[Ca²⁺]^1/2 or [Rb⁺]/[Ca²⁺]^1/2 in the medium. The Ca²⁺ influx inhibitor Verapamil blocks attachment, as does La³⁺; the latter is believed to compete with Ca²⁺ for access to the Ca²⁺ channel. Likewise, treatment of cells with media containing no added Ca²⁺ inhibits attachment, and addition of 10 μM Ca²⁺ allows 90% of these cells to attach to and ingest food. The ionophore A23187, known to transport Ca²⁺ into a wide variety of cells, provokes lysosomal streaming movements typical of attachment. Based upon these observations, Ca²⁺ influx plays an essential role in attachment; K⁺ efflux also appears to be necessary since tetraethylammonium chloride blocks attachment. Treatment of cells with Tetrodotoxin, an inhibitor of Na⁺ transport, or suspending them in media containing no added Na⁺ does not affect attachment or ingestion, indicating that Na⁺ is not implicated in these processes. An hypothesis is presented which implicates Ca²⁺ in both direct adhesion and exocytosis phenomena during attachment.     

Structural and Biochemical Characterization of Isolated Trichocysts of the Ciliate Pseudomicrothorax dubius1

ABSTRACT Trichocysts of Pseudomicrothorax dubius were ejected by 15% ethanol in phosphate-buffered culture medium (CM) and purified on discontinuous sucrose gradients, in which they concentrated in the lower part of the 27% phase and in the 57% phase. These phases were washed by 15% ethanol in CM, or by CM alone, and pooled. Ejected trichocysts observed by Nomarski interference contrast microscopy and after negative-staining for electron microscopy show a shaft with periodic cross-bands and four opened-out arms, sometimes with electron-dense droplets at both ends of each arm. On SDS-PAGE, trichocysts show ?20 protein bands. The major bands are at 31 and 30 kD (G₁), 27 and 26.5 kD (G₂), 25 kD, 23 kD, and six bands at 15–20 kD (G₃). Minor bands are observed above 30 kD, among them ciliary components which contaminate the trichocyst fraction. The trichocyst banding pattern was reproducible with different ejection media; however, the 30 kD disappeared when the buffered ejection medium contained no added Ca²⁺ or contained EDTA. When the trichocyst extract is solubilized in sample buffer without 2-mercaptoethanol, the major trichocyst bands are those of G₁ and bands at 32.5–35 kD and 41 kD, which appear to be dimers of a few of the G₃ proteins. On two-dimensional gels of trichocysts, ?40 acidic protein spots are resolved with pI's of 4.6–6.6. On Western blots of two-dimensional gels, glycoproteins were revealed by Concavalin A-peroxidase labeling in three spots of G₃, in two spots at 23 kD, in all five spots of G₁, and in seven spots over 35 kD.     

Primary Lysosomes of the Ciliate Pseudomicrothorax dubius: Cytochemical Identification and Role in Phagocytosis*

SYNOPSIS. Filamentous cyanobacteria are ingested through the cytopharynx of the ciliate Pseudomicrothorax dubius. The cytopharynx is a complex of microtubules and microfilaments located in a highly vesiculated cytoplasm, the phagoplasm. Two types of membrane-bounded phagoplasmic vesicles can be distinguished by their differences in size, fine structure, and acid phosphatase (AcPase) content. One type has a homogeneous, electron-dense interior which is AcPase-positive. These vesicles are present in fed cells and in unfed cells devoid of food vacuoles, and thus appear to be primary lysosomes. During phagocytosis, exocytosis within the cytopharynx of the primary lysosomes results in the elaboration of a food vacuole. The vacuole grows by incorporation of lysosomal membrane; lysosomal hydrolases are liberated into the vacuole. Within less than 1 second of AcPase's entry into the food vacuole, it is detectable within the cyanobacterial cytoplasm, and within 5 seconds, destruction of the cyanobacterial filament is observed. It is hypothesized that the rapidity of hydrolase penetration of the cyanobacterial cell wall is the result of the action of molecules analogous to the “killing agents” of neutrophil leukocytes, which rapidly render bacterial envelopes permeable. AcPase, and presumably other hydrolases, are present in the cyanobacterial filament when filament destruction occurs; they thus appear implicated in this process. Hydrolases may activate an autodestruction mechanism in the cyanobacterium. Firm adherence of the food vacuole membrane to the cyanobacterial filament is demonstrated, and its role in phagocytosis is discussed.     

Feeding Behavior in the Ciliate Pseudomicrothorax dubius is a Series of Morphologically and Physiologically Distinct Events1

Based upon light and electron microscopical observations, the feeding behavior of the ciliate Pseudomicrothorax dubius, when fed the cyanobacterium Oscilatoria formosa, is resolved into two principal phases, contact swimming and phagocytosis, the latter being separable into two steps, attachment aad ingestion. Following collision with an O. formosa filament. cells swim along the filament with their ventral cilia in contact with it during the contact swimming phase. Phagocytosis commences with the attachment of the cytostome to the filament, which initiates lysosomal streaming in the cytostomal-cytopharyngeal region. The filament then enters the cytopharynx concomitant with food vacuole formation during the ingestion step. Treatment of cells with trypsin or modification of the extracellular ionic medium inhibits the attachment step of phagocytosis but does not affect contact swimming. Behavior of cells when fed different cyanobacterial species as well as artificial food substrates is also examined. Contact swimming is a form of contact guidance since the shape of the food substrate determines the direction of cell movement. Additionally, a chemical factor may be present in or on the cyanobacteria and play a role in contact swimming. Evidence is presented that suggests that during the attachment step, two phenomena are involved: direct adhesion between cell surfaces and adhesion due to material liberated by exocytosis.     

Cytochemical Electron Microscopic Localization of Esterase Activity in Lactobacillus casei

Enzymes capable of hydrolyzing thiolacetic acid in two strains of Lactobacillus casei were localized by the formation of electron-opaque PbS deposits in vivo in the presence of Pb(NO(3))(2). By electron microscopy, the deposition of PbS appeared primarily at the plasma membrane and at the outer surface of the cell wall.     

Immunological Characterization of Trichocyst Proteins In the Ciliate Pseudomicrothorax Dubius

ABSTRACT. Ejectable trichocysts were isolated from the ciliate Pseudomicrothorax dubius. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against three groups of trichocyst proteins: G1 (30-31 kDa), G2 (26-27 kDa) and G3 (15-20 kDa). By indirect immunofluorescence, the three antisera strongly label the shafts of ejected trichocysts and the proximal ends of condensed trichocysts within the cells. By immunogold labeling for electron microscopy, the three sera specifically recognize the shafts of both extended and condensed trichocysts and shaft precursors in pretrichocysts as well. On one-dimensional immunoblots of isolated trichocysts, anti-G1 serum recognizes the G1 proteins, anti-G2 serum detects G2 proteins and some G1 proteins, and anti-G3 serum reacts with 15 bands, mainly the G3 and (30-41)-kDa proteins. In cells with and without trichocysts, the sera recognize non-ejectable trichocyst proteins at 41-42 kDa and 47 kDa. On two-dimensional immunoblots of isolated trichocysts, anti-G1 serum labels proteins with a pI of 4.75-5.7, anti-G2 serum labels proteins with a pI of 4.75-6.25 and anti-G3 serum labels proteins with a pI of 4.7-6.6. Analyses of cells with and without trichocysts allow identification of possible precursors between 41 and 47 kDa. Some are in the same pI range as their putative products, but others, labeled by anti-G3 serum, are less acidic than most of their mature products.     

Light and Electron Microscopic Observations on the Heterotrich Ciliate Climacostomum virens

SYNOPSIS. Alveolar membranes and an epiplasm exist under the cell membrane of the noncontractile heterotrich ciliate Climacostomum virens. Postciliary microtubular ribbons join at the right of each somatic kinety to form a Km fiber. Two transverse microtubular fibers occur per kinetosomal pair. A myonemal network interconnects the kinetosomal bases intrakinetally and interkinetally. Ultrastructural comparisons are made between the contractile and noncontractile heterotrichs.
The buccal cortex consists of an adoral zone of membranelles, a peristomal field, a buccal tube, the apical membranelles, and a haplokinety. The kineties of the peristomal field and buccal tube are rows of paired kinetosomes, with a postciliary ribbon of microtubules arising from the posterior kinetosome of each pair, and a transverse ribbon and an oblique ribbon from the anterior kinetosome. No Km fibers exist in this region. The haplokinety is a collar of paired kinetosomes surrounding the cytostome; a postciliary microtubular ribbon descends from each kinetosomal pair into the cytostomal region. Ultrastructural details of the buccal cortex of C. virens and other heterotrichs are compared. The nemadesmata which lie under the membranelles are implicated in the body bending of C. virens.
Algae endosymbiotic in the cytoplasm of C. virens are described.     

Fluorescence and Electron Microscopic Localization of F-actin in the Ependymocytes

The organization of F-actin in the ventricular system has been reported to display pronounced regional differences with respect to shape, size, and development. However, the real roles played by F-actin in these cells cannot be understood unless the precise localization of F-actin is defined. In the present study, we used double-fluorescence labeling to further examine the localization of F-actin in the ependymocytes and its spatial relation to the other two cytoskeletal components, microtubules and intermediate filaments. Then we converted fluorescence signals for F-actin to peroxidase/DAB reaction products by use of a phalloidin-based FITC-anti-FITC system. This detection technique provided an overview of the distribution of F-actin in the ependymocytes at the ultrastructural level, and has been proven to be helpful in correlating light and electron microscopic investigations. (J Histochem Cytochem 57:741–751, 2009)     

Electron Microscopic Localization of Herpesvirus-type Particles in Marek''s Disease

Upon cultivation of chicken lymphoid tumors induced by Georgia isolate of Marek's disease, clusters of refractile rounded cells appeared consistently in the cell cultures. Intranuclear mature, immature, enveloped, and empty herpesvirus-type particles, usually associated with smaller particles, were observed in all rounded cells in the affected areas. Cytoplasmic inclusions containing mature enveloped virus particles were also seen in the rounded cells. Often fibroblasts growing in the vicinity of the cytopathic effect area contained a few herpesvirus-type particles. The original tumors prior to cultivation did not reveal any virus particles, and the virus in infected cultures was always cell-associated. Control cell cultures neither developed the rounded cells nor demonstrated the presence of any type of virus particles.     

A Diazo Coupling Method for the Electron Microscopic Localization of Cholinesterase

The presence of cholinesterase at the myoneural junction of intercostal muscle has been demonstrated in both light and electron microscopic preparations. A new simultaneous diazo coupling technique using α-naphthyl acetate as substrate and "hexazonium pararosanilin" as coupler has been applied to cold formalin-fixed tissues. After postfixation in buffered osmium tetroxide the sites of esterase activity are faithfully demonstrated at a high level of resolution. The details of cholin-esterase distribution and some technical aspects of the procedure are discussed.     

The Ultracytochemical Localization of ATPase Activity in the Ovules of Sunflower

The ultracytochemical localization of ATPase activity was determined employing the method of lead precipitation in the ovules of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). No ATPase activity is observed in the egg and synergids except some at the filiform apparatus. Much ATPase activity is localized on the plasma membrane and wall of the central cell. In the antipodal cells, ATPase activity is also found on the plasma membranes, but only a little in their walls. In the integumentary tapetum, besides the plasma membranes, most of the nuclei are rich in ATPase. Between the integumentary tapetum and uncontinuous cuticle surrounding the embryo sac, there is a gap where a lot of ATPase are found. These ATPases are continuously linked with those in the central cell wall throuth the intervals of the cuticle. At the sites of the wall ingrowths of the central celT, abundant vesicles and other structures with high ATPase activity aggregate noticeably in the gap region. According to the ATPase distribution in the ovules, we propose that the whole surface of embryo sac functions in absorbing nutrients directly from the apoplast outside the cuticle, especially via the wall-membrane apparatus of 'he central cell.     

Dual Electron Microscopic Localization of Mitochondrial Creatine Kinase in Brain Mitochondria

Mitochondrial creatine kinase in brain mitochondria appears to be located at two different intramitochondrial sites. By using immunogold-labeling techniques, a peripheral immunoreactivity was localized between the two boundary membranes, while an additional, central immunoreactivity was found at the crista surface. The peripheral enzyme was accessible to the antibodies after treatment of the brain mitochondria with 100-300 μg digitonin/mg mitochondrial protein, which left 75% of the activity bound to the membranes. Electron microscopic analyses revealed that 43% of the labeled, peripheral creatine kinase was bound at those places where outer membrane vesicles remained attached to the inner envelope membrane, suggesting that the enzyme is in involved in contact formation between outer and inner mitochondrial membranes. Postembedding staining of mitochondria on thin sections of brain tissue or in the isolated state led to the observation of a second location of creatine kinase inside the mitochondria, along the cristae, which was not accessible to the antibodies in isolated, digitonin-treated mitochondria.     

云杉针叶三磷酸腺苷酶活性的超微细胞化学定位

用磷酸铅沉淀技术研究了云杉幼龄针叶及成龄树针叶细胞的三磷酸腺苷酶(ATPase)活性定位。从形态结构上可以看到,种子萌发的幼龄针叶细胞的细胞壁较薄, ATP酶活性反应产物磷酸铅颗粒主要分布于细胞质和细胞质膜上。成龄针叶细胞壁较厚,内质网等细胞器发达,ATP酶主要在细胞壁有较高的活性反应。两者细胞的液泡及细胞核中也有少量定位。幼龄针叶ATP酶活性较成龄针叶的活性较弱, 这种活性变化与不同发育时期叶的生理功能有关。     

Specificity of an Antiserum Produced Against Pseudomicrothorax dubius Trichocysts Prepared by a Rapid Isolation Method

ABSTRACT. A rapid method was developed for the isolation of Pseudomicrothorax dubius ciliary and trichocyst fractions which were characterized by SDS-PAGE followed by combined silver and Coomassie blue staining. Antibodies were prepared against the trichocyst fraction and employed to label Lowicryl thin sections of cells. Trichocysts were strongly labeled, as were the surfaces of the plasma and ciliary membranes. Immunoblots of the trichocyst fraction revealed labeling of major bands at 16–29 kD, characteristic of the trichocyst proteins. On immunoblots of the ciliary fraction, approximately eight bands were labeled, including the major cell surface glycoprotein, the immobilization antigen. Ciliary proteins not located on the membrane surface, such as the tubulins, were not labeled. Absorption of the antiserum against fixed P. dubius cells eliminated the cell surface labeling on Lowicryl sections and on immunoblots of the ciliary fraction. The major trichocyst protein bands were as strongly labeled as with the nonabsorbed antiserum. Labeling of several of the minor, higher molecular weight bands of the trichocyst fraction was eliminated, indicating that they are cell surface contaminants. Of the two major structural components of the trichocyst, the shaft and the arms, the antiserum is shown to react nearly exclusively with the shaft proteins on both Lowicryl sections and immunoblots.     

The Excystment Process in the Ciliate Euplotes muscicola: An Integrated Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study1

Resting cysts and the excystment process in the freshwater ciliate Euplotes muscicola were studied by both light and scanning electron microscopy. Groups of distinctly crested resting cysts adhere to the substrate. Silver-stained preparations reveal surface conservation of dorsal kinetosomes and dorsal argyrome while ventral organelles are directed inward. Excystment involves the development of an expanding excystment vacuole concurrent with a localized thinning on the dorsal cyst wall surface. Cells exit through the pre-formed ostiole, mid-dorsal region first, initially by the force of cytoplasmic streaming, but later aided by cirral movement. Newly emerged cells retain the excystment vacuole and show no dorsal ridging. As the cell expels its excystment vacuole and partially unfolds, normal trophont morphology is re-established. Both cyst structure and cyst typology have implications for hypotrich taxonomy.     

Inducible defence against a ciliate grazer Pseudomicrothorax dubius,in two strains of Phormidium (cyanobacteria)

Experiments were done with two strain of filamentous, mat-forming Phormidium and their ciliate grazer Pseudomicrothorax dubius, to explain why the ciliates remain hungry in an apparent surplus of food, except for the first 24 hours after feeding. Under grazing pressure, both strains of cyanobacteria showed statistically significant increases in the number of filaments terminating in an empty sheath, compared to the control. Direct observations revealed that the mechanism behind this effect was active withdrawal of the trichomes inside the sheaths when disturbed by grazers. As P. dubius is unable to ingest trichomes with such endings, we conclude that cyanobacteria are not limited to chemical means of defence against grazers but can also defend themselves by means of movement and changes in filament morphology. This is apparently the first report on behavioural defence observed in cyanobacteria.     

Electron Microscopic Localization of Exogenous Ferritin within Vacuoles of Giardia muris*

SYNOPSIS. Trophozoites of Giardia muris parasitic in hamsters were fixed in situ at intervals of 1–3 hr after injection of horse ferritin into the small intestinal lumen. Concentrations of ferritin molecules are localized within vacuoles beneath the plasmalemma along the dorsal and ventral surfaces of Giardia. Limiting membranes of these vacuoles are identical with the plasmalemma. It is suggested that the vacuoles function in sequestration of molecules from the intestinal lumen by invagination of the cell membrane.