Zur systematischen Einordnung von Cyanophora paradoxa,Gloeochaete wittrockiana und Glaucocystis nostochinearum1

Die Morphologie und Feinstruktur (einschließlich Pellicula, Geißelapparat, Mitose und Cytokinese) von Cyanophora paradoxa, Gloeochaete wittrockiana und Glaucocystis nostochinearum, drei apoplastidalen Algen mit blaugrünen Endosymbionten (Cyanellen), wurde vergleichend untersucht. Gloeochaete und Glaucocystis sind in allen systematisch bedeutsamen Merkmalen gleich, während Cyanophora insbesondere durch seine andersartige Struktur der Geißelwurzeln abweicht. Die bei Gloeochaete und Glaucocystis vorkommende Kombination von Merkmalen, in geringerem Maße gilt das auch für Cyanophora, ist bei keiner anderen Klasse der Algen vorhanden. Es wird vorgeschlagen, Gloeochaete und Glaucocystis (und mit gewissen Einschränkungen auch Cyanophora) als Glaucophyceen zu führen, wie das bereits Skuja (1954) vorgeschlagen hat.     

Immunocytochemical Localization of Phosphoribulose Kinase in the Cyanelles of Cyanophora paradoxa and Glaucocystis nostochinearum

The distribution of phosphoribulose kinase (PRK) in the cyanelles of Cyanophora paradoxa Korschikoff and Glaucocystis nostochinearum Itzigsohn was studied by protein A-gold immunoelectron microscopy. In both endocyanomes, antiserum against PRK heavily labeled the thylakoid region of the cyanelles, whereas little or no label was present over the carboxysomes. Antiserum against ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase by contrast heavily labeled the carboxysomes of each endocyanome. In vitro studies of PRK distribution in cell-free extracts of C. paradoxa showed that 93% of the enzyme was in the soluble fraction. Quantitative immunoelectron microscopy showed that more than 99% of the PRK in the cyanelle of C. paradoxa was localized in the thylakoid region. We conclude that the carboxysomes of cyanelles like the carboxysomes of autotrophic prokaryotes and the pyrenoids of green algal chloroplasts do not contain phosphoribulose kinase.     

The pigments of the symbiotic algae (cyanomes) of Cyanophora paradoxa and Glaucocystis nostochinearum and two Rhodophyceae,Porphyridium aerugineum and Asterocytis ramosa

Summary The pigments of the endosymbiotic algae in Cyanophora paradoxa (colorless cryptomonad) and Glaucocystis nostochinearum (colorless Chlorophyceae) and two Rhodophyceae, Porphyridium aerugineum and Asterocytis ramosa have been examined. Both endosymbionts contain chlorophyll a, -carotene, zeaxanthin, C-phycocyanin and small amounts of allophycocyanin. Porphyridium has been shown to contain chlorophyll a, -carotene and zeaxanthin, as does Asterocytis ramosa. The biliproteins of Porphyridium have not been examined, but evidence is presented to suggest that Asterocytis ramosa may contain R-phycocyanin and possibly C-phycocyanin. The taxonomic implications of these results have been discussed, especially with regard to cyanome symbionts and their evolution from and classification with the Cyanophyceae.     

Infection of Glaucocystis nostochinearum (Glaucophyta) by Lagenidium sp. (Oomycota) and its hyperparasite Pythiella sp. (Oomycota)

The glaucophyte Glaucocystis nostochinearum has to our knowledge been observed to be infected by a parasite for the first time. It was found in samples taken from the northernmost freshwater pond in Germany (on the island of Sylt). The fungal parasite was identified as the oomycete Lagenidium sp. which itself was parasitised by another oomycete, Pythiella sp.     

Zur Cytologie und taxonomischen Einordnung von Glaucocystis

Zusammenfassung Glaucocystis ist eine einzellige Alge mit endosymbiontischen Cyanophyceen, die gewöhnlich für eine apoplastidische Oocystis gehalten wird. Gegen diese taxonomische Einordnung sprechen verschiedene Befunde unserer licht- und elektronenmikroskopischen Untersuchungen, unter anderem der Besitz zweier rudimentärer Geißeln, pulsierender Vacuolen (während der Zellteilung) und die Zellsymmetrie. Wie aus einer tabellarischen Übersicht über die Anordnung des Golgi-Apparates in den verschiedenen Algengruppen hervorgeht, ist es sehr unwahrscheinlich, daß Glaucocystis überhaupt eine Chlorophycee ist, denn ihre Dictyosomen liegen im Gegensatz zu denen der Grünalgen ringförmig um die Geißelbasis, sind also parabasal angeordnet. Weil weitere spezifische Merkmale sowie eigene Pigmente fehlen, scheint uns eine taxonomische Einordnung vorerst nicht möglich zu sein.

---

Summary Glaucocystis is an unicellular alga with endosymbiontic blue-green algae and is usually thought to be an apoplastidic Oocystis. However, our light and electron microscopical investigations show, that there is no relationship to Oocystis, since Glaucocystis has two reduced flagella, contractile vacuoles (during the cell division), and a different symmetry of the cell. A survey on the position of the Golgi apparatus in the different groups of algae demonstrates that Glaucocystis is most probably no chlorophycean since its dictyosomes surround the flagellar base and are therefore in contrast to that of green algae in parabasal position. Due to the lack of other specific characteristics as well as own pigments it seems us very difficult to place at present Glaucocystis in the taxonomic system of the algae.

     

Cell wall structure and deposition in Glaucocystis

Events leading to cell wall formation in the ellipsoidal unicellular alga Glaucocystis are described. The wall is deposited in three phases: (a) a thin nonfibrillar layer, (b) cellulosic microfibrils arranged in helically crossed polylamellate fashion, and (c) matrix substances. At poles of cells, microfibrils do not terminate but pass around three equilaterally arranged points, resulting in microfibril continuity between the twelve helically wound wall layers. These findings were demonstrated in walls of both mother cells and freeze-fractured growing cells, and models of the wall structure are presented. Cellular extension results in spreading apart, and in rupture, of microfibrils. On freeze-fractured plasma membranes, there were 35 nm X 550 nm structures associated with the ends of microfibrils. These are interpreted as representing microfibril-synthesizing centers (terminal complexes) in transit upon the membrane. These terminal complexes are localized in a zone, or zones. The plasma membrane is subtended by flattened sacs, termed shields, which become cross-linked to the plasma membrane after completion of wall deposition. During wall deposition, microtubules lie beneath the shields, and polarized filaments lie between shields and plasma membrane. The significance of these findings in relation to understanding the process of cellulose deposition is discussed, and comparisons are made with the alga Oocystis.     

The evolution of molecular biology into systems biology

Systems analysis has historically been performed in many areas of biology, including ecology, developmental biology and immunology. More recently, the genomics revolution has catapulted molecular biology into the realm of systems biology. In unicellular organisms and well-defined cell lines of higher organisms, systems approaches are making definitive strides toward scientific understanding and biotechnological applications. We argue here that two distinct lines of inquiry in molecular biology have converged to form contemporary systems biology.     

A model for the pattern of deposition of microfibrils in the cell wall of Glaucocystis

Freeze-fracturing of Glaucocystis nostochinearum Itzigsohn cells during cell-wall microfibril deposition indicates that unidirectionally polarized microfibril ends are localized in a zone of synthesis covering about 30% of the sarface area of the plasma membrane. Within this zone there are about 6 microfibril ends/m² cell surface. It is proposed that microfibrils are generated by the passage of their tips over the cell surface and that the pattern of microfibril organization at the poles of the cells, in which microfibrils of alternate layers are interconnected at 3 rotation centres, results directly from the pattern of this translation of microfibril tips. In a model of the deposition pattern it is proposed that the zone of synthesis may split into 3 sub-zones as the poles are approached, each sub-zone being responsible for the generation of one rotation centre. It is demonstrated that the microfibrillar component of the entire wall could be generated by the steady translation of the microfibril tips (at which synthesis is presumed to occur) over the cell surface at a rate of 0.25–0.5 m min^-1. Microcinematography indicates that the protoplast rotates during cell-wall deposition, and it is proposed that this rotation may play a role in the generation of the microfibril deposition pattern.     

The biology of endotoxin

Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) is the major component of the outer leaflet of Gram-negative bacteria and has profound immunostimulatory and inflammatory capacity. The septic shock syndrome caused by endotoxin still has an unacceptably high mortality rate and, owing to increasing numbers of resistant strains, remains an ongoing threat throughout the world. However, the past years have provided new insights especially into the receptors of the innate immune system that are involved into the recognition of LPS and the initial signal transduction pathways that are engaged after the primary recognition on the cell surface. The knowledge about the molecular basis for the responses to endotoxin may eventually lead to the development of new drugs to fight the fatal effects of bacterial infections.