An Experimental Analysis of the Dictyosome in the Green Alga, Tetraselmis convolutae

Domozych, D. S. 1987. An experimental analysis of the dictyosomein the green alga, Tetraselmis convolutae.—J. exp. Bot.38: 1399–1411. Tetraselmis convolutae possesses two well-defined, polar-orienteddictyosomes. These endo-membrane components have various functionsthat change during the cell cycle phases. The dictyosomes arealso very sensitive to various subcellular poisons. Disruptionof the cellular ionic balance with monovalent ionophores yieldsmaturing face curling, swelling and the production of unusualmultivesicular elements. Divalent ionophore application alsoimpairs maturing face vesiculation and vesicle transport inthe anterior cytoplasm. Caffeine restricts maturing face vesicleproduction, subsequently leading to gross enlargement of cisternallength. Application of the microtubule-inhibitor, colchicine,and the MTOC-affecting agent, IPC, leads to polar axis disruptionof the dictyosome and the formation of multiple, cisternal stacks.A discussion of dictyosome-microtubule-MTOC associations ispresented. Key words: Tetraselmis, dictyosome, disruption