Visualization of cytoskeletal changes through the life cycle inAcetabularia

Summary The cytoskeleton in the siphonous, marine green algaAcetabularia is visualized by immunocytochemistry using antibodies against plant alfa tubulin and animal smooth muscle actin. In the vegetative phase of the life cycle, when the cell grows a cylindrical stalk and until the reproductive cap is completed, actin forms continuous, parallel bundles that extend through the entire length of the stalk and cap rays respectively. Microtubules (MTs) cannot be detected until the primary nucleus, located in the rhizoid of the giant cell, divides to form thousands of secondary nuclei. MTs can then be seen radiating from each secondary nucleus that is encountered in the stalk on its migration upwards into the cap rays. They are oriented mostly parallel to the long axis of the cell. At arrival in the cap rays up to the white spot stage, when nuclei assume equidistant positions in the cap ray cytoplasm, a radiating system of MTs forms around each nucleus and dramatically increases until impressive radial arrays have developed. This phase coincides with a disappearance of actin bundles in the cap rays, but they are retained in the stalk cytoplasm. Shortly after that additional MTs appear around the disk like partitions of cap ray cytoplasm. Concomitantly, bundles of actin reappear colinearly with the circumferrential MTs eventually forming complete rings around each disk of cap ray cytoplasm. During this process the compartments of the future cysts are gradually bulging outwards and simultaneously the rings of actin sink inwards until domes are formed with the nuclei fixed in the top centers of the domes. At this stage the peripheral areas of the radiating MT systems around the nuclei start to break down, whereas the circumferrential MT systems remain intact. Subsequently, the rings of both actin and MTs decrease in diameter, and finally contract to a spot opposite the nucleus, while the cysts continue to develop their oval shape. After the cysts have become separated, they round up and enter several rounds of nuclear divisions. MTs form short radial arrays around each nucleus with minor changes due to a reduction of MTs during division followed by a reappearance after completion of each division. Actin is rearranged in the cysts to a cortical network of randomly oriented, short bundles, that is maintained until gamete formation sets in.These findings accentuate the involvement of Cytoskeletal elements in the key steps of morphogenesis inAcetabularia to an extent that is unknown in higher plants.     

Resistance to the cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae Woll.) transferred from the wild grassAegilops ventricosa to hexaploid wheat by a “stepping-stone” procedure

Transfer of resistance toHeterodera avenae, the cereal cyst nematode (CCN), by a stepping-stone procedure from the wild grassAegilops ventricosa to hexaploid wheat has been demonstrated. The number of nematodes per plant was lower, and reached a plateau much earlier, in the resistant introgression line H93-8 (1–2 nematodes per plant) than in the recipient H10-15 wheat (14–16 nematodes per plant). Necrosis (hypersensitive reaction) near the nematode, little cell fusion, and few, often degraded syncytia were observed in infested H93-8 roots, while abundant, well-formed syncytia were present in the susceptible H10-15 wheat. Line H93-8 was highly resistant to the two Spanish populations tested, as well as the four French races (Fr1-Fr4), and the British pathotype Hall, but was susceptible to the Swedish pathotypes HgI and HgIII. Resistance was inherited as though determined by a single quasi-dominant factor in the F₂ generations resulting from crosses of H93-8 with H10-15 and with Loros, a resistant wheat carrying the geneCre1 (syn.Ccn1). The resistance gene in H93-8 (Cre2 orCcn2) is not allelic with respect to that in Loros. RFLPs and other markers, together with the cytogenetical evidence, indicate that theCre2 gene has been integrated into a wheat chromosome without affecting its meiotic pairing ability. Introduction ofCre2 by backcrossing into a commercial wheat backgroud increases grain yield when under challenge by the nematode and is not detrimental in the absence of infestation.     

The biology ofChlamydomyxa montana: Ultrastructure of the cyst

Summary Cells ofChlamydomyxa montana Lankester photosynthesize within a cyst under bright light and ingest diatoms in an excysted amoeboid form during periods of low light intensity. Cyst cell walls are partially comprised of cellulose and vary in thickness. The cells are multinucleate and intracellular bacteria are closely associated with the nuclei. A pair of centrioles is also present adjacent to individual nuclei. Chloroplasts are numerous and thylakoids are generally organized into bands of three. No endoplasmic reticulum was found surrounding the plastids, nor was a complete girdling lamella ever observed within.C. montana chloroplasts appear to be its own but this protist does not precisely fit into an algal class.     

包囊游仆虫包囊形成和解脱过程中纤毛器的分化

包囊游仆虫(Euplotes encysticus)形成包囊时,各类纤毛器中的纤毛杆被部分地或全部地吸收,毛基体被保留下来。休眠包囊中,背纤毛器的定位无明显变化,但原腹面纤毛器中的口围带和波动膜、额腹棘毛和横棘毛,以及左、右尾棘毛都按序陷入在细胞质内深处,并相互汇聚在一起。脱包囊时,纤毛结构在原毛基体上再分化,新纤毛器按口围带、横棘毛、额腹棘毛和左、右尾棘毛的顺序从细胞内显露出来。     

Echinococcus multilocularis: distribution and persistence of specific host immunoglobulins on cysts membranes

Cyst vesicles were obtained from larval cyst masses of Echinococcus multilocularis grown in Medium 858 in vitro or isolated from the intraperitoneal or subcutaneous larval cyst mass of C57BL/6J mice infected 12 weeks previously. Antigenic determinants were present on the outermost section of the laminated layer and throughout the germinal layer of the cysts. Specific host antibodies of the IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgM classes and complement component C3 but not host IgA or C-reactive protein were detected on the intact cysts by the indirect immunofluorescent technique. Specific antibodies were bound to the epitopes on the laminated layer but were not detected on the germinal layer. Host albumin, however, was found on the laminated layer, germinal layer, and within the intact cyst. IgG2a and IgG2b were high-affinity antibodies but IgG1 and IgM were low-affinity antibodies as they were eluted easily from the laminated layer with two washes of sodium phosphate buffer (0.01 M, pH 7.2) containing 0.15 M NaCl. The significance of bound antibody in complement activation and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity of the proliferative phase (cyst) of alveolar hydatid cyst is discussed.     

Polyphosphate granules in encysted zoospores of Rozella allomycis

Methods of ultracytochemistry and of X-ray energy dispersive analysis have been used to demonstrate that the gamma-like granules in encysted zoospores of the chytrid Rozella allomycis contain polyphosphate. The possibility that cysts contain two classes of polyphosphate granules which differ in structure, in function, and in origin is discussed.     

氮磷限制对锥状斯氏藻孢囊形成的作用

在实验室研究了锥状斯氏藻(Scrippsiellatrochoidea)在N、P单因子营养限制(N:500μg.L-1,P:74～0.74μg.L-1和P:74μg.L-1,N:500～5μg.L-1)条件下的生长和孢囊形成。结果显示N、P限制不利于锥状斯氏藻的快速生长,其中低P对细胞生长的限制作用更显著。其孢囊形成率在15～99%之间,中度N限制能促进孢囊的形成,形成率几乎可达100%。孢囊一般在对数生长期结束、细胞数量达到最大值时开始形成。但由于接种后营养盐浓度的急剧降低,营养极度限制组孢囊可在接种后第1d就开始形成。结果显示稳定生长期孢囊的大量形成大大降低了锥状斯氏藻营养细胞数量,能在一定程度上促进其赤潮的消亡。     

镜检法在腹腔内接种包虫病动物模型中的应用

目的建立一种简单快速观察腹腔内接种包虫病动物模型的方法。方法按2000个原头节／mL剂量,用多房棘球蚴对灰仓鼠进行腹腔接种,采用肉眼观察法和显微镜镜检法在第10天,15天,18天,22天,39天和60天观察灰仓鼠腹腔内包囊、包囊液和原头节的生长情况;设空白对照组10只。结果通过肉眼观察和显微镜镜检,发现灰仓鼠在接种后的第18天有原头蚴生长;第15天,18天和22天包囊增大、增多;第39天有成熟原头节胚基生长;第60天有不同发育程度的原头蚴。随着接种时间的延长,包囊重量与传代时间成正比。结论本试验为制备包虫病动物模型提供了简单快速的观察方法。     

Generalist Life Cycle Aids Persistence of Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Dinophyceae) in Seasonal Coastal Habitats of the Baltic Sea

In seasonal environments, strong gradients of environmental parameters can shape life cycles of phytoplankton. Depending on the rate of environmental fluctuation, specialist or generalist strategies may be favored, potentially affecting life cycle transitions. The present study examined life cycle transitions of the toxin producing Baltic dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii and their regulation by environmental factors (temperature and nutrients). This investigation aimed to determine whether genetic recombination of different strains is required for resting cyst formation and whether newly formed cysts are dormant. Field data (temperature and salinity) and sediment surface samples were collected from a site with recurrent blooms and germination and encystment experiments were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. Results indicate a lack of seasonal germination pattern, set by an endogenous rhythm, as commonly found with other dinoflagellates from the Baltic Sea. Germination of quiescent cysts was triggered by temperatures exceeding 10°C and combined nutrient limitation of nitrogen and phosphorus or a drop in temperature from 16 to 10°C triggered encystment most efficiently. Genetic recombination was not mandatory for the formation of resting cysts, but supported higher numbers of resistant cysts and enhanced germination capacity after a resting period. Findings from this study confirm that A. ostenfeldii follows a generalist germination and cyst formation strategy, driven by strong seasonality, which may support its persistence and possibly expansion in marginal environments in the future, if higher temperatures facilitate a longer growth season.