| Abstract: | A System has been developed to study the photoheterotrophic synthesis of paramylon, a β-1,3 glucan storage product found in the euglenoid flagellates. The amount of paramylon in the cells is controlled by manipulating the levels of nutrients in the culture medium. During experimental conditions, when cells are transferred from an incomplete to a complete medium, the transferred from an incomplete to a complete medium, the paramylon concentration increases at least seven-fold relative to the controls. Electron microscopic studies demonstrate that the pyrenoid disperses concomitantly with the period of paramylon increase. The pyrenoid of Euglena is labeled by a ribulose-1,5 bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase(Ru-BisCO)antibody. The distribution of ruBisCO in the clocrplast is directly related to pyrenoid dispersal. |
