Skip to main content
Log in

The role of flagellar adhesion in sexual activation ofChlamydomonas eugametos

  • Published:
Protoplasma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Sex-specific agglutination in gametes ofChlamydomonas eugametos was carried out with dead partner cells (killed by glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde or OsO4), with isolated flagella, flagellar appendages and isoagglutinins derived from cell-free culture medium. The activation of the plasma papilla in agglutinated cells was studied by scanning electron microscopy in relation to the agglutinative properties of the materials tested. The results reveal differences in agglutination and papilla activation between gametes of both mating types. They also indicate that papilla activation depends on the extent of agglutination, which is a function of sex-specific flagellar properties and the amount and nature of the agglutinative material used. A hypothesis is presented to explain the observed phenomena.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bergman, K., Goodenough, U. W., Goodenough, D. A., Jawitz, J., Martin, H., 1975: Gametic differentation inChlamydomonas reinhardii. II. Flagellar membranes and the agglutination reaction. J. Cell Biol.67, 606–622.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloodgood, R. A., 1977: Motility occurring in association with the surface of theChlamydomonas flagellum. J. Cell Biol.75, 983–989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourguignon, L. Y. W., Singer, S. J., 1977: Transmembrane interactions and the mechanism of capping of surface receptors by their specific ligands. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.)74, 5031–5035.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, M. R., Jr., Johnson, C. O. P., Bold, H. C., 1968: Electron and phasecontrast microscopy of sexual reproduction inChlamydomonas moewusii. J. Phycol.4, 100–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edelman, G. M., 1976: Surface modulation in cell recognition and cell growth. Some new hypotheses on phenotypic alteration and transmembranous control of cell surface receptors. Science192, 218–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodenough, U. W., 1977: Mating interactions inChlamydomonas. In: Microbial interactions (Receptors and Recognition, Series B, Volume 3) (Reissig, J. L., ed.), pp. 324–350. London: Chapman and Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koch, G. L. E., Smith, M. J., 1978: An association between actin and the major histocompatibility antigen H-2. Nature273, 274–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewin, R. A., 1952: Studies on the flagellar of algae. I. General observations onChlamydomonas moewusii Gerloff. Biol. Bull.102, 74–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Løvlie, A., Bryhni, E., 1976: Signal for cell fusion. Nature263, 779–781.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lutz, H. U., Lui, S., Palek, J., 1977 a: Release of spectrin-free vesicles from human erythrocytes during ATP depletion. J. Cell Biol.73, 548–560.

    Google Scholar 

  • —,Lomant, A. J., McMillan, P., Wehrli, E., 1977 b: Rearrangements of integral membrane components duringin vitro aging of sheep erythrocyte membranes. J. Cell Biol.74, 389–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLean, R. J., Laurendi, C. J., Brown, M. R., Jr., 1974: The relationship of gamone to the mating reaction inChlamydomonas moewusii. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.)71, 2610–2613.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mesland, D. A. M., 1976: Mating inChlamydomonas eugametos. A scanning electron microscopical study. Arch. Microbiol.109, 31–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1977: Flagellar surface morphology ofChlamydomonas eugametos. Protoplasma93, 311–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Petris, S., 1978: Preferential distribution of surface immunoglobulins on microvilli. Nature272, 66–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snell, W. J., 1976: Mating inChlamydomonas: a system for the study of specific cell adhesion. J. Cell Biol.66, 48–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solter, K. M., Gibor, A., 1977: Evidence for role of flagella as sensory transducers in mating ofChlamydomonas reinhardii. Nature265, 444–445.

    Google Scholar 

  • Triemer, R. E., Brown, M. R., Jr., 1975: The ultrastructure of fertilization inChlamydomonas moewusii. Protoplasma84, 315–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tschermak-Woess, E., 1963: Das eigenartige Kopulationsverhalten vonChloromonas saprophila, einer neuen Chlamydomonacee. Österr. Botan. Z.110, 294–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsubo, Y., 1961: Chemotaxis and sexual behaviour inChlamydomonas. J. Protozool.8, 114–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, R. L., Goodenough, D. A., Goodenough, U. W., 1977: Membrane differentiation at sites specialized for cell fusion. J. Cell Biol.72, 144–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiese, L., 1965: On sexual agglutination and mating-type substances (gamones) in isogamous heterothallic Chlamydomonads. I. Evidence of the identity of the gamones with the surface components responsible for sexual flagellar contact. J. Phycol.1, 46–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1974: Nature of sex-specific glycoprotein agglutinins inChlamydomonas. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.234, 383–395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witman, G. B., Carlson, K., Berliner, J., Rosenbaum, J. L., 1972:Chlamydomonas flagella. I. Isolation and electrophoretic analysis of microtubules, matrix, membranes and mastigonemes. J. Cell Biol.54, 507–539.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mesland, D.A.M., van den Ende, H. The role of flagellar adhesion in sexual activation ofChlamydomonas eugametos . Protoplasma 98, 115–129 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01676665

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01676665

Keywords

Navigation