Migration of the cell nucleus during the amoebo-flagellate transformation ofPhysarum polycephalum is mediated by an actin-generated force that acts on the centrosome

Summary The mechanism of cell-nuclear migration during the amoebo-flagellate transformation inPhysarum polycephalum was examined by fluorescence microscopy after staining with a tubulinspecific antibody, rhodamine-conjugated phalloidin and 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). While the round amoeba cells changed to comma-shaped swarm cells within 20min after suspension in buffer, the cell nuclei moved from the central region of each cell to the periphery, each forming a sharp projection in the direction of movement. A centrosome also migrated from the center of the cell to the cell periphery. Since the centrosome was in close contact with the tip that protruded from the cell nucleus throughout the cellnuclear migration, the migration of the cell nucleus and the centrosome could be recognized as comigration. Then the flagella began to elongate from the centrosome and the cells became slender and polarized, adopting the so-called comma-shape. On the basis of these observations, the transformation process was classified into three steps: cell-nuclear migration, flagella formation and swarm maturation. The comigration of the cell nucleus and the centrosome was not inhibited by the anti-microtubule drug nocodazole (4 M) but it was inhibited by the anti-microfilament drug cytochalasin A (4 M), suggesting that the force of migration is generated by microfilaments. To investigate the role of the centrosome in this comigration in detail, we identified two aberrant strains, defective in swimming ability, from among various laboratory strains. The two strains, TM 4 and J, were found to have defects in cell-nuclear migration. Strain TM 4 had two types of irregular swarm cells: in one, only a part of the cell nucleus projected a thin filamentous structure; and in the other, no cell-nuclear migration occurred. Strain J had two centrosomes per cell and such swarm cells exhibited an attempt of cell-nuclear migration at two sites which corresponded to the position of the centrosome. The characteristics of these two strains indicate that the centrosome is essential for cell-nuclear migration. Our observations suggest that the cell-nuclear migration is mediated by actin-generated forces that act on the centrosome rather than on the cell nucleus itself.Abbreviations FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate - DAP 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - KPB potassium phosphate buffer - MTOC microtubule organizing center