多泡肠袋虫超微结构的研究

对寄生于鲴亚科鱼类肠道中的多泡肠袋虫的超微结构进行了研究,描述了其体表皮层、胞口、核与胞器及腹中凹板各部分的精细构造。结果显示其体表及口区皮层均由表膜和表膜下纤维系统两部分组成;"V"形胞口密被纤毛、对称排布,其咽微丝较体纤毛处更为发达。大核内具多个核仁,异染色质散布核质内;小核内染色质则呈均匀致密分布。另在腹中凹板内质中发现大量支链淀粉粒,并由不连续的微管束沿凹陷边缘将此区域包围起来。同时,对皮层组分和腹中凹板进行了相近物种间的比较分析并对其功能进行了讨论。     

蟹累枝虫的光镜及电镜观察

利用活体观察、蛋白银染色及电镜技术对蟹累枝虫(Epistylis eriocheiri)的形态学、表膜下纤维及超微结构进行了较为系统的描述,研究发现:(1)光镜下该种群体双叉分支,活体时虫体表膜柔软,完全伸展时呈长筒状;大核马蹄形,呈横位;伸缩泡单个,斜卧口围缘下方。口围缘纤维上连细密的环状纤维,下接两端较为粗壮,中间细长的纵长纤维,构成了连续的表膜下纤维系。(2)电镜下该种表面具沟、嵴、横纹结构,沟嵴相互交错;口围纤毛花瓣状;虫体表膜层呈齿状,具嵴状突起、泡间微管、表膜孔,胞质层包括内含胞器单一的致密原生质层和富含胞器的疏松原生质层。研究对该种的上述特征在虫体的收缩机制及与其他相似种之间的关系等方面进行了讨论。       

包囊游仆虫皮层和营养核的超微结构研究

为研究纤毛虫在不同生理条件下结构的分化及其调节机理,本文应用透射电镜术显示,营养期包囊游仆虫背、腹面皮层表膜下含３种方式排列组成的纵微管层以及深部微管;口区皮层内含高电子密度的杆状小体;口围带小腹基部含电子致密带和小腹托架,棘毛基体基部及基体下微管束形成围棘纤维篮;背纤毛基体下方也含微管结构;大核染色质附着在核膜上,核膜其他区域有规则排列的核孔。     

一种游仆虫皮层纤维结构的扫描电镜研究

应用扫描电镜研究了一种游仆虫皮层纤维结构。结果显示,口围带托架由横向组排在一起的小膜托架单元组成,每个小膜托架是由40-50 nm直径的纤维编织成的长方形薄片;波动膜托架是横向平行排列和纵向平行排列两部分共60多股纤维交错编织成的网状结构;额腹横棘毛区表膜下含有纵纤维层、球形纤维层和深部纤维层三层纤维,其纵纤维层在相应于游仆虫皮层脊（或脊和唇）之间的表膜下方被纵沟分成几部分;背面表膜下含有纵纤维,这层纤维下似乎也有球形纤维层。此外,作者也推测了这些皮层纤维结构在游仆虫皮层形态的保持、支持纤毛器和纤毛器运动及形态发生等方面的作用。     

包囊游仆虫休眠包囊的超微结构研究

包囊游仆虫休眠包囊中,各类纤毛器的纤毛基体上方的大部分纤毛杆退化,或仅保留毛基体,有时部分额腹棘毛的毛基体也瓦解消失。残留纤毛的纤毛杆周围微管和中央微管仍具有“9 2”结构特征,也有少数纤毛杆出现2套“9 2”微管共处于一层纤毛膜内的现象。毛基体中周围三联体微管的中央形成微管形结构聚合体,基体附属结构仅存在基体间连接及纤毛器托架的残余物;非纤毛区皮层表膜下未见微管层。纤毛区皮层含纤毛器腔周围微管层(相当于表膜下微管层)、纤毛器深部及附近的微管束和分散的微管群。并且,纤毛区皮层囊泡内含有呈不同形态的纤毛杆结构;大核核孔明显变大,核孔数目减少,核孔内膜附着染色质。     

华美游仆虫细胞微管胞器的直接荧光和免疫荧光标记

应用直接荧光和免疫荧光标记显示,腹毛目纤毛虫华美游仆虫(Euplotes elegans)细胞微管胞器由口围带、波动膜、额腹横棘毛、缘棘毛、尾棘毛、背触毛等纤毛器微管以及纤毛器基部附属微管和非纤毛区皮层微管骨架组成.其中,口围带基部含有小膜托架、小膜附属微管,波动膜基部含有波动膜托架,额腹横棘毛基部含有前纵微管束、后纵微管束、横微管束或放射微管柬,左缘棘毛和尾棘毛基部微管束分化不明显,背纤毛基部含有攻瑰花状的基体周围骨架,这些微管结构与细胞背腹面皮层纵微管与横微管网一起组织成该类纤毛虫的主要皮层细胞骨架.结果表明,游仆虫皮层细胞骨架是以微管为主要成分构建而成的,并且其棘毛基部微管的组成具有与其他类纤毛虫不同的特征;游仆虫间期细胞及形态发生时期纤毛基体或纤毛原基中存在中心蛋白,其可能与纤毛基体结构的维持及基体发生过程中微管的组装有关.     

腹毛目纤毛虫鬃棘尾虫纤毛器基部微管的荧光标记

腹毛目纤毛虫鬃棘尾虫的纤毛器微管骨架由口围带、波动膜、额腹横尾棘毛、左右缘棘毛和背触毛等纤毛器微管和纤毛器基部附属微管等组成,其中口围带基部含小膜托架、小膜后微管、小膜托架微管及小膜托架间的倒"V"形微管连接;波动膜基部形成微管骨架网;额腹横棘毛和左、右缘棘毛基部含前纵微管束、后纵微管束和横微管束,但不同位置的棘毛基部微管发达程度不一样;背触毛基部以纤毛基体为中心向前、后皮层发出前纵微管和后纵微管,形成背皮层微管网.     

冠突伪尾柱虫的腹皮层纤毛器微管胞器及其形态发生

应用荧光紫杉醇直接荧光标记和抗α-微管蛋白抗体免疫荧光标记方法,显示冠突伪尾柱虫腹皮层纤毛器微管胞器由口围带、波动膜、额腹横棘毛和左右缘棘毛等纤毛器微管、纤毛器基部附属微管等组成。口围带基部含小膜托架及与托架相联系的肋壁微管,其中领部小膜托架间由"∧"形微管相联接;额腹横棘毛基部含前纵微管束、后纵微管束、横微管束和周围微管束,其微管在不同棘毛基部的发达程度不一,其中两列中腹棘毛基部微管紧密联系成一条粗绳索样结构,且左、右中腹棘毛基部的横微管束定向相反;左、右缘棘毛基部含前纵微管束、后纵微管束和横微管束,其中横微管束不发达。与目前已知的腹毛目纤毛虫例如贻贝棘尾虫、魏氏拟尾柱虫的纤毛器基部微管相比较,冠突伪尾柱虫腹皮层纤毛器基部微管除具有腹毛目纤毛虫纤毛器基部微管的基本特征外,也具有一些特殊的组成模式。皮层纤毛器微管形态发生中,前仔虫口围带并非全部是由老口围带更新而来的,其老口围带只有翻领部发生更新,且翻领部与领部接续处有一小段老的翻领部小膜保留,领部的小膜保留,结果其领部小膜、接续处保留的小膜与更新的翻领部小膜三部分共同组成前仔虫的新口围带。在后仔虫口原基发生的位置,其邻近的老横棘毛没有变化,此时老的横棘毛或许能起到"参照点"或定位作用;各类纤毛器发生、分化过程中,处于非原基区的老额棘毛、横棘毛及左右缘棘毛在较长时间内均未见明显的变化。它们可能是在新结构形成时仍然起到运动作用继而逐渐失去功能而退化瓦解的。     

新伪尾柱虫腹皮层纤毛器微管胞器的形态和形态发生

应用荧光紫杉醇直接荧光标记法显示,腹毛目纤毛虫新伪尾柱虫(Pseudourostyla nova)腹皮层纤毛器微管胞器由口围带、波动膜、额腹横棘毛和左右缘棘毛等纤毛器微管及纤毛器基部附属微管组成.口围带基部含小膜托架及与托架相联系的肋壁微管,其中领部小膜托架间由"Λ"形微管相联接;额腹横棘毛基部含前纵微管束、后纵微管束、横微管束和周围微管束,其微管在不同棘毛基部的发达程度不一;缘棘毛基部含前纵微管束、后纵微管束.同时,对新伪尾柱虫纤毛器微管胞器的形态发生和生理改组过程进行了详细的追踪研究,并对细胞皮层的额腹棘毛定位及组成特征进行了补充报道.此外,发现形态发生末期新纤毛器微管形成时,残存部分老额棘毛、横棘毛和缘棘毛,此后老结构逐渐被吸收.结果表明,新伪尾柱虫的纤毛器基部微管具有其种的特异性,新纤毛器微管分化过程中老结构可能具有定位和物质贡献作用.     

腹毛目纤毛虫大尾柱虫腹皮层纤毛器基部微管的荧光标记

应用荧光紫杉醇直接荧光标记,显示腹毛目纤毛虫大尾柱虫Urostyla grandis腹皮层纤毛器微管胞器由口围带、波动膜、额腹横棘毛和左、右缘棘毛等纤毛器微管、纤毛器基部附属微管等组成.其中,口围带小膜托架及其相联系的肋壁微管和波动膜基体托架,额棘毛基部前纵微管束、后纵微管束及横棘毛基部前纵微管束,中腹棘毛及左、右缘棘毛基部前纵微管束、后纵微管束和横微管束,是该纤毛虫皮层纤毛器基部的主要附属微管.据结果推测,尽管腹毛目纤毛虫的纤毛器基部微管具有相同的结构成分,但其结构的组成、分化特征、定位和定向、发达程度等均有差异.所得结果为进一步说明纤毛虫细胞皮层纤毛器的形态及其微管建构的多样性提供了新的证据资料.     

Microtubule organization and cell division in embryogenie protoplast cultures of white spruce (Picea glauca)

Summary Immunofluorescence methods were developed for examining the distribution of microtubules in freshly isolated and cultured protoplasts and regenerated somatic embryos of white spruce (Picea glauca). Freshly isolated protoplasts consisted of both uniand multinucleate types. Uninucleate protoplasts established parallel cortical microtubules during cell wall formation and cell shaping, divided within 24 h and developed into somatic embryos in culture. Dividing cells were characterized by preprophase bands (PPBs) of microtubules, atypical spindle microtubules focused at the poles and a typical phragmoplast at telophase. Multinucleate protoplasts also established parallel arrays of cortical microtubules during cell wall formation. In addition their nuclei divided synchronously within 4 days, then cell walls formed between the daughter nuclei. Individual multinucleate protoplast-derived colonies subsequently gave rise to elongate suspensor cells thereby forming embryo-like structures by 7 days.     

Ultrastructure of Prorodon (Ciliophora, Prostomatida) I. Somatic Cortex and Some Implications Concerning Kinetid Evolution In Prostomatid and Colpodid Ciliates

ABSTRACT. This study describes the ultrastructure of the somatic cortex of Prorodon aklitolophon and Prorodon teres. the meridionally arranged somatic kineties of both species can be separated into two parts: a short anterior part, which consists of a few somatic dikinetids (in which both kinetosomes are ciliated), and a longer posterior consisting of monokinetids. the somatic monokinetids are associated with a convergent postciliary microtubular ribbon, a transverse microtubular ribbon flatly inserted in front of the kinetosome, a short and steeply extending kinetodesmal fibre attached to kinetosomal triplet 5 and 7, and a desmose anterior to triplet 3. From this desmose, two to five prekinetosomal microtubules originate and extend anteriorly. the posterior kinetosome of the somatic dikinetids is associated with the same microfibrillar and microtubular structures as the somatic monokinetid, except that no prekinetosomal microtubules originate from the desmose. the anterior kinetosome has a single postciliary microtubule and a tangentially oriented transverse microtubular ribbon. the permanent collecting canals of the unique contractile vacuole system extend parallel and adjacent to the somatic kinetics of Prorodon . the collecting canals are supported by the prekinetosomal microtubules. A similarly organized contractile vacuole system is not yet known from any other ciliate group. One of the most surprising results of this investigation was finding a significant similarity between the somatic dikinetid pattern of Prorodon and the colpodid dikinetid pattern. A hypothesis is presented to illustrate the evolution of the somatic kinetid patterns in colpodid and prostomatid ciliates.     

Early events in rice somatic embryogenesis: Changes in cortical microtubule distribution and orientation

Summary The changes in the microtubular pattern during the first few days of somatic embryo induction were studied using the rice scutellum epithelium system. A clear difference in the distribution and orientation of the microtubules could be found as early as 12 h after culturing. In the control treatment, the microtubules tended to congregate near the terminal part of the cells and had an oblique to transverse orientation with respect to the long axis of the cells. In the hormone-treated explants, the microtubules were more evenly distributed throughout the cells as compared to the control treatment. The microtubules initially had an oblique orientation similar to the control. However, by 16 h, the majority of microtubules were aligned parallel to the long axis of the cells. The scutellum epithelial cells in both the control- and hormone-treated explants divided periclinally at about 48 h. In the control treatment, the scutellum epithelial cells gradually became vacuolated over time, while the hormone-treated explants remained densely cytoplasmic. The fluorescence staining intensity gradually declined in the control, whereas a distinct staining pattern of microtubules remained in the hormone-treated explants.     

Dicyemid’s dilemma: structure versus genes. The unorthodox structure of dicyemid reproduction

The clear phylogenetic status of the enigmatic Phylum Dicyemida is still uncertain. Their primitive body plan lacks essential metazoan synapomorphies, while genetic data favor a kinship with higher lophotrochozoans. This ultrastructural study increases the confusion about this phylum by presenting an unusual gonad and sperm structure lacking all synapomorphies essential for the various phyla of the lophotrochozoans, either free-living ones or parasites. In Dicyema typus, gonadogenesis is reduced to a single somatic cell, i.e., the infusorigen’s axial cell that functions as a somatic gonadal founder cell as soon as a spermatogonium takes residence in its cytoplasm. The spermiogenic cells resulting therefrom are not connected by intercellular bridges and permanently contain a bundle of microtubules in their cytoplasm, obviously a kind of “dormant” spindle having assembled without centrosomes. Primary spermatocytes develop so-called polycomplexes, multiple synaptinemal complexes. The structure of the sperm is based on a certain kind of somatic cell that has been minimally adapted to function as a sperm. The mature sperm consists in only three organelles: an ovoid nucleus with a somatic chromatin structure, numerous pore complexes and a centrally arranged cluster of coiled tubular structures; a bundle of microtubules embedded into a rim running along the nucleus longitudinal surface, projecting out of the cell like a spear; and a lipid vesicle tightly attached to one pole of the nucleus, touching there the adjacent bundle of microtubules. Immunelectron microscopy confirms the somatic condition of mature sperm, revealing somatic histone H1 immunoreactivity over the nucleus, which can be interpreted as synapomorphy shared with Protozoa, Porifera and Cnidaria. Fertilization occurs as selfing, where the sperm penetrates, “bundle of microtubules first”, a primary oocyte attached vis-à-vis on the other side of the plasma membrane of the infusorigen’s axial cell. This somatic situation points to an ancient evolutionary model rather than to a condition caused by retrogression due to their life as commensals.     

Structure of the mammalian kinetochore

The structure of the mammalian trilaminar kinetocnore was investigated using stereo electron microscopy of chromosomes in hypotonie solutions which unraveled the chromosome but maintained microtubules. Mouse and Chinese hamster ovary cells were arrested in Colcemid and allowed to reform microtubules after Colcemid was removed. Recovered cells were then swelled, lysed or spread in hypotonic solutions which contained D₂O to preserve microtubules. The chromosomes were observed in thin and thick sections and as whole mounts using high voltage electron microscopy. Bundles of microtubules were seen directly attached to chromatin, indicating that the kinetochore outer layer represents a differential arrangement of chromatin, continuous with the body of the chromosome. In cells fixed without pretreatment, the outer layer could be seen to be composed of hairpin loops of chromatin stacked together to form a solid layer. The hypotonically-induced unraveling of the outer layer was found to be reversible, and the typical 300 nm thick disk reformed when cells were returned to isotonic solutions. Short microtubules, newly nucleated after Colcemid removal, were found not to be attached to the kinetochore outer layer, but were situated in the fibrous corona on the external surface of the outer layer. This was verified by observations of thick sections in stereo which made it possible to identify microtubule ends within the section. Thus, kinetochore microtubules are nucleated within the fibrous corona, and subsequently become attached to the outer layer. We dedicate this paper to Wolfgang Beermann on the occasion of his 60th birthday in appreciation of many years of friendship and his pioneering contributions in the field of chromosome biology     

Cloned embryos from semen. Part 1: in vitro proliferation of epithelial cells on embryonic fibroblasts after isolation from semen by gradient centrifugation

Although epithelial-like somatic cells have been previously isolated from semen, cell proliferation rates were low. Culture of whole semen samples resulted in loss of potentially valuable spermatozoa. The aims of the present study were to: (1) isolate somatic cells from semen, while preserving sperm viability, and (2) optimize in vitro culture conditions for semen-derived epithelial cells. Density gradient centrifugation of washed ejaculates of two rams (Ovis aries) (n = 24) and one eland bull (Taurotragus oryx) (n = 4) was performed using a three-layer discontinuous Percoll column consisting of 90% (P-90), 50% (P-50), and 20% (P-20) Percoll. In vitro culture and Trypan Blue staining indicated that live somatic cells settled in the P-20 layer. Nonmotile spermatozoa were recovered at the P-50 and P-90 interfaces, whereas motile spermatozoa were collected in the pellet from the P-90 layer. Subsequently, somatic cells isolated from the P-20 layer were plated either on inactivated 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast feeder layers, collagen-coated plates with 3T3 feeder cell inserts, or on collagen-coated plates. Initial somatic cell plating was similar among treatments, but proliferation significantly increased when cocultured with 3T3 cells (feeder or insert). Furthermore, two different types of epithelial cells were obtained. The exact origin of the cells in the male reproduction system is uncertain and probably variable. The present method of cell isolation and in vitro culture may be of value for preserving endangered species. Specifically, cells isolated and cultured from cryopreserved semen of nonliving males could be used for producing embryos by somatic cell nuclear transfer.     

Comparison of the binding of anti-tubulin antibody and the fluorescent taxol derivative Flutax-1 to the microtubular system of Tetrahymena

Using confocal microscopic analysis, FITC-labelled anti-alpha-tubulin antibody and the fluorescent taxol derivative Flutax-1 in fixed and living Tetrahymena pyriformis GL, longitudinal microtubules, oral and somatic cilia, deep fibers, and contractile vacuole pores were equally labeled. While the antibody stained transversal microtubules, these were not labeled by Flutax-1. At the same time, oral cilia were more intensely stained by Flutax-1, than by the antibody. There were no differences in the staining of fixed preparations and living cells. The observations suggest (i) the difference between the MAPs of longitudinal and transversal microtubules which allow or inhibit the binding of the indicator molecules, and (ii) the different functions of these two types of microtubules.     

The Ultrastructure of Chaenea teres and an Analysis of the Phylogeny of the Haptorid Ciliates

Chaenea teres has typical haptorid ultrastructure. The somatic monokinetid has two transverse microtubular ribbons, an overlapping postciliary microtubular ribbon, and a laterally directed kinetodesmal fiber. The evered cytopharynx forms a dome at the apical end of the cell. The base of the dome is surrounded by oral dikinetids. The left, anterior kinetosome of the oral pair is not ciliated and has a transverse microtubular ribbon, a nematodesmata and a single postciliary microtubule. The right, posterior kinetosome is ciliated and has only postciliary microtubules. The kinetosomes at the anterior ends of the somatic kinetics are close together and their transverse microtubules and nematodesmata contribute to the support of the cytopharynx. The transverse microtubules of these oralized somatic kinetosomes, together with those from the oral dikinetids, line the cytopharynx. Accessory or bulge microtubules arise perpendicular to the transverse microtubules. A dorsal brush of three kineties of clavate cilia is found on the cell surface just posterior to the oral region. Mucocysts and a single type of toxicyst are present. The toxicysts are confined to the oral region. There are multiple ovoid macronuclei that stain weakly. Micronuclei were not observed. Cladistic analysis indicates the Chaenea may be most closely related to Fuscheria and Acropisthium. The cladistic analysis also suggests that existing taxonomies of the subclass Haptoria need to be revised. We propose some modifications to Foissner & Foissner's classification that include transferring Helicoprorodon, Actinobolina, the buetschiliids, and the balantidiids to the order Haptorida and recognizing the close relationship between pleurostomes and spathidiids.     

Microtubule organization in lymphoid malignancies.

The abnormal organization of actin-containing microfilaments and vimentin-containing intermediate filaments in neoplastic lymphocytes of T and B cell origin has been described. We investigated microtubules of pathologic cells from 34 lymphoid malignancies, by immunofluorescence microscopy, using monoclonal tubulin antibody. In most cases, apart from two cases of lymphoma, one T cell lymphoma and one B cell lymphoma, interphase leukemia cells, lymphoma cells, and myeloma cells were shown to contain well-organized microtubules which were associated with a microtubule organization center at one end. In the cells of a patient with T cell lymphoma, although microtubules were not visible in the lymphoma cells from lymph nodes, they became visible after 72 hours in culture with concanavalin A (Con A) and interferon alpha. Cap formation was observed with antitubulin monoclonal antibody in the peripheral blood lymphocytes from a chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient, but well-developed microtubules were observed on other occasions in the same patient. There were no obvious structural differences between microtubules in T and B cell lymphoid malignancies, but leukemia cells and lymphoma cells with irregularly shaped nuclei, such as adult T cell leukemia cells and B cell lymphoma cells with cleaved nuclei, had complicated microtubules surrounding their irregular nuclei. In general, after blastogenic stimuli with phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), Con A, and pokeweed mitogen (PWM), the development of the microtubules was proportional to the incorporation of 3H thymidine (3H-TDR). In most cases, after incubation with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and interferon alpha, the number of intact cells decreased and the number of degenerated cells increased, but the intact cells had intact microtubules.     

The site of RanGTP generation can act as an organizational cue for mitotic microtubules

Background information. RanGTP, which is generated on chromosomes during mitosis, is required for microtubule spindle assembly. Due to its restricted spatial generation within the cell it has been suggested that RanGTP acts as a spatial cue to organize site‐specific spindle assembly within the cell. However, the absence of a detectable sharp gradient of RanGTP in somatic cells has led to suggestions that it may only act as a spatial cue in large cells and that it may operate as a general activator of the mitotic cytosol in somatic cells. Results. We report that ectopic generation of RanGTP at the plasma membrane stimulates the formation of organized arrays of microtubules at the plasma membrane. Conclusions. These results suggest that the site of RanGTP generation in a mitotic somatic cell can generate critical spatial information that specifies where microtubules grow towards and where microtubules are organized. As RanGTP is normally generated on chromosomes, these results suggest that RanGTP may play an important role in specifying that spindle assembly occurs around chromosomes.