VEGETATIVE NUCLEAR DIVISION IN NEUROSPORA

A re-examination of the mode of vegetative nuclear division in Neurospora crassa was facilitated by the availability of the mutant “clock” which produces definite growth bands. Since the growth rhythm is correlated with nuclear divisions, stained mycelial mats of this mutant prepared at intervals from the beginning of a growth period provided a sequence of stages of division. In a 28-hour period the following broad features of nuclear behavior were observed: In the early part of the period during rapid mycelial growth, dividing elongated nuclei predominated. At the end of the period the mycelium contained mostly rounded resting nuclei. In the middle of a growth period nuclear forms of various degrees of annularity occurred along with elongated and rounded nuclei. Elongated and rounded nuclei completed division cycles without change in form, although the corresponding stages of the two types were similar. Elongated nuclei assumed a spiral form at the beginning of division. As division proceeded, relaxation of the nuclear gyres was accompanied by a visible duplication of the chromatin thread and the appearance of chromomere-like bodies on the daughter threads. One of the chromomere-like bodies became displaced and was interpreted to be a chromosome or a segment of a chromosome that acts as a mitotic center. All the chromosomes were found to be interconnected and to act as a unit throughout the division cycle. Only after the separation of the daughter chromatin threads could seven chromosomes be counted. Electron microscopic studies complemented the observations with the light microscope. On the basis of the evidence it was concluded that the vegetative nuclear division in Neurospora differs from the classical mitotic pattern in the following respects: (1) absence of visible centrioles, (2) the presence of interconnected chromosomes, (3) the comparatively late appearance of countable chromosomes, and (4) the frequent presence of interzonal connections between separating chromatin threads.     

CRUCIFORM NUCLEAR DIVISION IN SOROSPHAERA VERONICAE

Sorosphaera veronicae Schroet. is an endobiotic, holocarpic, obligately parasitic fungus presently classified in the Plasmodiophoromycetes. The ultrastructure of nuclear envelope formation in somatic nuclear division in cystosoral plasmodia was studied. The inner membrane of the nuclear envelope during prophase appears to invaginate and blebb off intranuclear membranous vesicles. The intranuclear membranous vesicles become associated with the surface of the separating chromatin in anaphase and eventually are involved in the formation of daughter nuclear envelopes within the original nuclear envelope. The sequence of nuclear envelope breakdown and reformation in S. veronicae is noteworthy because it emphasizes alternate methods of nuclear envelope formation other than the generally considered “typical” formation described in Allium cepa L.     

CRUCIFORM NUCLEAR DIVISION IN WORONINA PYTHII (PLASMODIOPHOROMYCETES)

Somatic nuclear divisions in sporangiogenous plasmodia of Woronina pythii Goldie-Smith were studied with transmission electron microscopy. During metaphase, each nucleus formed a cruciform configuration as chromatin became aligned at the equatorial plate perpendicular to the persistent nucleolus. Except for polar fenestrations, the original nuclear envelope remained intact throughout the mitotic division. Intranuclear membranous vesicles appeared to bleb off the inner membrane of the original nuclear envelope, adhered to the surfaces of the separating chromatin, and eventually formed new daughter nuclear envelope within the original nuclear envelope. During the first 24 hr of vegetative plasmodial growth, each telophase nucleus exhibited an obvious constriction of the original nuclear envelope in the interzonal region. Similar constrictions were not evident in telophase nuclei found in 24–36-hr-old plasmodia. This variation in the ultrastructural morphology of cruciform division appears to be related to the age and size of each sporangiogenous plasmodium, and is the first to be documented within this group of fungal pathogens.     

NUCLEAR DIVISION IN THE DEVELOPING PYCNOSPORES OF MACROPHOMINA PHASEOLI

Nuclear behavior was studied in Giemsa-stained pycnidial material of Macrophomina phaseoli. The young pycnospore was at first uninucleate but repeated nuclear division occurred as it enlarged, and the mature spore was always multinucleate. The developing spore, therefore, provided a favorable site for observing mitosis. Noteworthy features were: (1) a metaphase characterized by a loss in stainability of the nucleolus and by the appearance of centrioles, spindle fibers and countable chromosomes; (2) a short early anaphase; (3) a long late anaphase with a broad band of interzonal fibers separating the daughter nuclei; (4) the occurrence of irregularities such as aneuploidy, chromosome bridge formation and chromosome lagging. The basic chromosome number was six. Following a study of Giemsa-stained cellophane cultures of the fungus it was concluded that the method of nuclear division in the vegetative hyphae is similar to that observed in the developing spores. Some comparisons are made with observations on nuclear division in the vegetative hyphae of other fungi.     

CHROMOSOME NUMBERS IN THE HYPOCREALES 1. NUCLEAR DIVISION IN THE ASCUS OF NECTRIA PEZIZA

El -Ani , Arif S. (Columbia U., New York, N. Y.) Chromosome numbers in the Hypocreales. 1. Nuclear division in the ascus of Nectria peziza. Amer. Jour. Bot. 46(6): 412–417. Illus. 1959.—The 4 nuclear divisions in the ascus of Nectria peziza were studied with the aid of acetoorcein and aceto-carmine techniques. The ascus was found to arise by crozier formation. Synapsis takes place while the chromosomes are still contracted and elongation of chromosomes continues throughout the pachytene phase. The haploid complement was found to consist of 5 chromosomes, the second of which is the nucleolus-organizing chromosome. This chromosome number which had never been reported in the Hypocreales was also found in several other species of this group of fungi. Chromosome numbers in the Hypocreales are discussed with regard to the species concept in the imperfect genus Fusarium.     

NUCLEAR BEHAVIOR,SEPTATION, AND HYPHAL GROWTH OF ALTERNARIA SOLANI

Nuclei of multinucleate hyphal tip cells divided almost synchronously. Nuclear division was followed by multiple septation during which the elongated hyphal tip cell was divided into several, generally multinucleate, cells. Within the same hypha a distinct growth pattern was not observed with respect to number, length, and nuclear number of cells formed with each successive nuclear division-septation cycle. Hyphal branches originated and received nuclei from hyphal tip cells.     

弱细颤藻脂溶性化合物分析

对人工培养的弱细颤藻 Oscillatoria tenuis 中有机化合物的初步分析结果表明,脂溶性有机化合物占藻细胞干重5.8%,其中色素化合物含量较高,烃类化合物含量较低。烷烃化合物碳原子数分布范围为 C_(14)—C_(19),以正十七烷含量最高。色素化合物主要为脱镁叶绿素α,β-胡萝卜素和橙红色的未知色素化合物等。     

细叶黄芪叶肉原生质体发育早期细胞核的变化

采用常规超薄切片,放射性同位素标记以及图像处理等技术,对细叶黄芪叶肉原生质体发育早期细胞核内的核仁结构、RNA合成和DNA合成等活动进行了研究。结果表明,离体培养后4h,核仁体积开始增大,培养3—5天时,其体积增长了4—5倍。同时,颗粒区(G)与纤维区(DFC)的比值明显上升,培养5天时,G/DFC比值增长近8倍。此时,核仁的纤维中心也增多。用放射性同位素标记的研究结果表明,培养后4h,~3H-尿苷开始掺入,培养24h,其掺入值达最高峰,是刚游离原生质体的近10倍。~3H-胸苷的掺入是在培养48h后才开始的,培养96h达到最高峰。另外,在培养24h内的切片样品中看到,部分原生质体细胞核内存在着由一些纤维组分构成的束状结构,即核内包含物(IN)。猜测它们可能与核骨架中纤维组分有关。最后,本文着重对细叶黄芪叶肉原生质体发育早期细胞内发生的各种结构与组分变化及时间进程进行了系统分析,将叶肉原生质体早期发育过程分为三个有序阶段,并对叶肉原生质体脱分化过程中的细胞壁再生和脱分化机制等问题进行了讨论。     

SOME EFFECTS OF A PLANT VIRUS ON NUCLEAR DIVISION

This paper records some observations on the effect of the virus of aspermy disease of tomato on the formation of the mega- and micro-spores of the plant. The obvious interference by the virus in the normal meiotic processes suggests that this is the cause of the non-formation of seed in infected plants. It is suggested that the interference by virus with nuclear divisions may be more widespread and of greater biological significance than is at present realized.     

PHOTO-INHIBITION OF SPORULATION IN ALTERNARIA SOLANI

Lukens, R. J. (Connecticut Agric. Expt. Sta., New Haven.) Photo-inhibition of sporulation in Alternaria solani. Amer. Jour. Bot. 50(7): 720–724. Illus. 1963.—Day-old conidiophores from starved cultures of Alternaria solani require a 12-hr dark period to produce conidia. If the cultures are illuminated during the dark period, conidial production is inhibited. The action spectrum of light inhibiting conidial formation contains 2 maxima, a sharp one at 450 mμ and a broad one extending from 375 to 425 mμ. The entire action spectrum corresponds approximately to the absorption spectra of riboflavin-5-phosphate mononucleotide (FMN) and of 6-carotene. FMN nullifies the effect of light in inhibiting sporulation, but b-carotene does not. Flavins appear to be essential for conidial formation and are photo-inactivated. It is likely that flavins are photo-receptors through which light inhibits conidial formation in A. solani.     

NUCLEAR MIGRATION AND ASYMMETRIC CELL DIVISION IN ONOCLEA SENSIBILIS SPORES: AN ULTRASTRUCTURAL AND CYTOCHEMICAL STUDY

A method of preparation for electron microscopy of fern spores in early stages of germination is presented. The cytochemistry and fine structure of Onoclea spores during the early stages of germination are described. The cytoplasm of the hydrated spore is filled with lipid droplets, protein granules and chloroplasts. During the early stages of development ribosomes and mitochondria increase in the area surrounding the central nucleus, and a new peripheral wall forms around the protoplast. Microtubules and large, branching mitochondria are associated with the nucleus during migration from its original central position in the spore to the proximal face and then to one end of the spore. There is no morphological polarization of cytoplasmic organelles of the spore before migration of the nucleus.