Mucilage processing and secretion in the green alga closterium. I. Cytology and biochemistry

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Journal of Phycology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-3646.1993.00650.x· OSTI ID:5813765

Domozych, C R; Plante, K; Blais, P; Paliulis, L; Domozych, D S ^[1]

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1. Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY (United States)

Placoderm desmids (Conjugales, Chlorophyta) such as Closterium exhibit a gliding locomotory behavior. This results from the forceful extrusion of an acidic polysaccharide from one pole of the cell causing the cell to glide in the opposite direction. A biochemical and cytological analysis of gliding behavior was performed. The mucilage is a high molecular weight polysaccharide rich in glucuronic acid and fucose. Under normal growth conditions, 3 [mu]g of mucilage is produced per cell in 30 days. Mucilage production increased 3-4 fold in cells challenged with low phosphate or nitrate conditions. A polyclonal antibody was raised against the mucilage and used in immunofluorescence studies. These results show that upon contact with another object Closterium aligns itself parallel to that object by a [open quotes]jack-knife[close quotes] motion. Subsequently, large amounts of mucilage are released to form elongate tubes enmeshing the cell with that object. In post-cytokinetic phases of the cell cycle, mucilage is extruded only through the pole of the developing semi-cell. Chlorotetracyclene-labeling of mucilage-secreting cells show a correlation between calcium-rich loci on the cell surface and sites of mucilage release. 20 refs., 25 figs., 1 tab.

• DOE Contract Number: FG09-87ER13810
• OSTI ID: 5813765
• Journal Information: Journal of Phycology; (United States), Vol. 29:5; ISSN 0022-3646
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
POLYSACCHARIDES
BIOCHEMISTRY
UNICELLULAR ALGAE
CYTOLOGY
MOTION
SECRETION
CELL CYCLE
CHLOROPHYCOTA
GLUCURONIC ACID
GROWTH
HEXOSES
ALDEHYDES
ALGAE
BIOLOGY
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMISTRY
HYDROXY ACIDS
MICROORGANISMS
MONOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
SACCHARIDES
550300* - Cytology
550200 - Biochemistry