How to translate text using browser tools
1 January 2002 Microtubules Mediate Germ-nuclear Behavior after Meiosis in Conjugation of Paramecium caudatum
YUKA NAKAJIMA, MASAKI ISHIDA, KAZUYUKI MIKAMI
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Microtubule dynamics in Paramecium caudatum were investigated with an anti-α-tubulin antibody and a microinjection technique to determine the function of microtubules on micronuclear behavior during conjugation. After meiosis, all four haploid micronuclei were connected by microtubular filaments to the paroral region and moved close to this region. This nuclear movement was micronucleus-specific, because some small macronuclear fragments transplanted from exconjugants never moved to the region. Only one of the four germ nuclei moved into the paroral cone and was covered by microtubule assembly (the so-called first assembly of microtubules, AM-I). This nucleus survived there, while the other three not in this region degenerated. The movement of germ nucleus was inhibited by the injection of the anti-α-tubulin antibody. The surviving germ nucleus divided once and produced a migratory pronucleus and a stationary pronucleus. Prior to the reciprocal exchange of the migratory nuclei, microtubules assembled around the migratory pronuclei again (the so-called second assembly of microtubules, AM-II). Then, the migratory pronucleus moved into the partner cell and fused with the stationary pronucleus. Thus, microtubules appear to be indispensable for nuclear behavior: they enable migration of postmeiotic nuclei to the paroral region and they permit the survival of the nucleus at the paroral cone.

YUKA NAKAJIMA, MASAKI ISHIDA, and KAZUYUKI MIKAMI "Microtubules Mediate Germ-nuclear Behavior after Meiosis in Conjugation of Paramecium caudatum," The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology 49(1), 74-81, (1 January 2002). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1550-7408.2002.tb00344.x
Received: 11 December 2000; Accepted: 16 November 2001; Published: 1 January 2002
JOURNAL ARTICLE
8 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
Anti-α-tubulin antibody
Conjugation
fertilization
gametogenesis
macronucleus
micronucleus, Paramecium
nuclear transplantation
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top