Polar localization of filamentous actin in cells of the scale-forming alga Pleurochrysis sp

 Filamentous actin localized to polar cytoplasmic areas between chloroplasts of the prymnesiophyte Pleurochrysis sp. Phalloidin staining of cells, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and previous electron microscopy (E. K. Hawkins and J. J. Lee, Protoplasma 216: 227–238, 2001) indicate that the location of phalloidin staining coincides with the cellular location of the Golgi apparatus. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that filamentous actin may be involved in biogenesis and polarized secretion of scales. Received February 28, 2002; accepted July 1, 2002; published online November 29, 2002