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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Regulation of UDPG pyrophosphorylase in Acetabularia mediterranea.

The kinetic properties of UDPG pyrophosphorylase (glucosyl-1-phosphate uridyl transferase, EC 2.7.7.9) suggest that it may play a key role in the regulation of metabolism in Acetabularia mediterranea. The enzyme-catalyzed reaction is readily reversible in vitro, and has been assayed in both directions. The enzyme shows substrate inhibition by UDPG and UTP at substrate concentrations in excess of 2 mM. The kinetic behavior of the enzyme is consistent with the hypothesis that it catalyzes an ordered bisubstrate biproduct reaction in which G-1-P is the leading substrate, and UTP is the leading product. A plot of initial velocity vs. PPi concentration is sigmoid, indicating a cooperative homotropic effect. PGAL inhibits the reaction in the direction: UTP + G-1-P leads to UDPG + PPi It has no effect on the reverse reaction. The responses of the enzyme may serve to regulate the allocation of G-1-P between anabolic and catabolic pathways.

Acetabularia↗
PubMed1978

Protoplasts from Acetabularia: isolation and fusion.

Protoplasts were isolated from cells of Acetabularia cliftonii, which are presumed to be haploid. The release of the protoplasts occurred after treatment of the cells with papain or proteinase K. They are genuine protoplasts since they contain a nucleus. Fusion was initiated by mechanically pushing together two protoplasts. Under these conditions, the efficiency of fusion was more than 90% within 30 minutes at room temperature. Haploid cells from one cyst, i.e., cells which eventually would have formed gametes of the same mating type, exhibit a greater propensity for fusion as compared to haploid cells from different cysts.

Acetabularia↗
PubMed1982

Protein synthesis by isolated Acetabularia chloroplasts. Synthesis of the two minor chlorophyll a complexes in vitro.

Isolated chloroplasts of Acetabularia incorporate radioactive amino acids into more than 30 polypeptides in the light, including the apoprotein of the P700-chlorophyll a protein complex, the reaction centre core of photosystem I [Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 609. 107-120 (1980)]. In this paper it is shown that the apoproteins of the two minor chlorophyll a complexes, thought to be part of photosystem II reaction centre core, are also synthesized by isolated chloroplasts. Furthermore, they are integrated correctly into the thylakoid membrane in the absence of any cytoplasmic contribution, such that they can be isolated as chlorophyll-protein complexes indistinguishable from those already in the membrane. In contrast, the minor chlorophyll a + b complex 'CP 29' [Camm, E. L. and Green, B. R. (1980) Plant Physiol. 66, 428-432] and its dimers are not synthesized by isolated chloroplasts. In this they resemble the other chlorophyll a + b complex, the light-harvesting complex (LHC). It may be significant that the LHC, which is not essential for photosynthetic activity, is under nuclear control, while the reaction centre polypeptides, cytochrome b559, and cytochrome f, are synthesized on chloroplast ribosomes.

Acetabularia↗
PubMed1982

Deoxycytidine monophosphate deaminase in Acetabularia: properties and regulation in the early generative phase.

The occurrence of a dCMP deaminase in Acetabularia mediterranea has been demonstrated. The enzyme which is found in a particulate fraction is substantially stimulated by the addition of dCTP. The activity of the enzyme is increased at the beginning of the generative phase in nucleate as well as in anucleate cells. This regulation is due to de novo synthesis of the enzyme. By means of inhibitor studies, it has been shown that the enzyme is translated on 70S ribosomes of and coced for in cell organelles.

Acetabularia↗
PubMed1981

Long-term measurement of endogenous diurnal oscillations of the electrical potential in an individual Acetabularia cell.

In Acetabularia mediterranea the transcellular electrical potential along the cell is subjected to diurnal oscillations which persist under constant conditions. The frequency may significantly differ between individual cells even in simultaneous measurements. The free running period of a distinct cell may be subjected to slow changes during long-term measurements. Such measurements have been performed over about 100 days.

Acetabularia↗
PubMed1995

Protein phosphatase 2A, a potential regulator of actin dynamics and actin-based organelle motility in the green alga Acetabularia.

The giant, unicellular alga Acetabularia is a well known experimental model for the study of actin-dependent intracellular organelle motility. In the cyst stage, however, which is equivalent to the gametophytic stage, organelles are immobile, even though an actin cytoskeleton is present. The reason for the lack of organelle motility at this stage has not been known. To test the hypothesis that organelle motility could be under the control of posttranslational modification by protein phosphorylation, we have treated cysts with submicromolar concentrations of okadaic acid or calyculin A, both potent inhibitors of serine/threonine protein phosphatases (ser/thr-PPases). The effects were dramatic: Instead of linear actin bundles typical for control cysts, circular arrays of actin bundles formed in the cortical cyst cytoplasm. Concomitant with the formation of these action rings, the cytoplasmic layers beneath the rings began to slowly rotate in a continuous and uniform counter-clockwise fashion. This effect suggests that protein phosphorylation acts on the actin cytoskeleton at two levels: (1) It changes the assembly properties of the actin filament system to the extent that novel cytoskeletal configurations are formed and (2) it raises the activity of putative motor proteins involved in the rotational movements to levels sufficiently high to support motility at a stage when organelle motility does not normally occur. Northern blot analysis of cyst stage-mRNA using probes specific to protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1) and type 2A (PP2A) reveals that PP2A is strongly expressed at this developmental stage whereas PP1 is not detectable, suggesting that PP2A is the likely target to the protein phosphatase inhibitors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetabularia↗
PubMed1977

[Effect of colchicine on the morphogenesis and ultrastruct of Acetabularia mediterranea].

The effect of colchicine on morphogenesis of the regenerating nuclear fragments of Acetabularia mediterranea has been studied. Colchicine was shown to inhibit the formation of caps. The algae are most sensitive to colchicine at the early stages of regeneration. The breakdown of microtubules in the perinuclear cytoplasm of regenerating algae under the effect of colchicine was found under the electron microscopy. The breakdown of microtubules in this zone appears not to disturb the transport of morphogenetical substances in the apical cell part. Colchicine inhibits the morphogenesis, apparently, at the expense of protein inactivation in the zone of growth.

Acetabularia↗
PubMed1977

[RNA synthesis gradients in the nucleus-free fragments of Acetabularia mediterranea under conditions of local illumination].

The intensity of RNA synthesis was studied in different regions of anuclear fragments of the Acetabularia mediterranea stem under their local illumination. The local illumination was shown to activate RNA synthesis and formation of distal-medial gradients of this synthesis in the illuminated regions of the fragments to a much greater extent than in their darkened regions. The formation of the gradient in the illuminated region took place even if the growth in this region was insignificant and was not accompanied by the cap formation. The results obtained suggests the absence of obligatory correspondence between the ability of morphogenesis and the gradient of RNA synthesis.

Acetabularia↗
PubMed1977

[ On the absence of high-molecular polyphosphates in chloroplasts of Acetabularia mediterranea].

High-molecular polyphosphates have been identified in a crude fraction of chloroplasts of Acetabularia mediterranea. However, after a short-term treatment of the fraction with a hypotonic salt solution and centrifugation in a sucrose density gradient it was found possible to completely separate high-molecular polyphosphates from intact chloroplasts. Consequently the chloroplasts themselves contain no high-molecular polyphosphates. It is assumed that the high-molecular polysphates found in a crude fraction of chloroplasts are constitutents of the "metachromatic" granules which can be revealed in the A. mediterranea cytoplasm by cytochemical methods.

Acetabularia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Intracellular distribution of RNA in Acetabularia mediterranea].

RNA synthesis and distribution in cytoplasm of Acetabularia mediterranea cell were studied by radiochemical and ultramicrobiochemical methods. Existance of an apico-basal gradient of RNA concentration in the cytoplasm was shown. Variations in the rate of the RNA synthesis in different regions of the cytoplasm are of great importance for the formation of this gradient whereas a contribution of nuclear RNA transport is insignificant. Sedimentation coefficients of about 23S and 16S were detected for the most part of the synthesized cytoplasmic RNAs. Evidently these RNAs represent rRNA of chloroplast ribosomes. Basal region of cytoplasm contains a relatively large amount of low molecular weight RNA. The differences in stability of newly-synthesized RNA were found in cytoplasmic regions under examination.

Acetabularia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Deformation and morphogenesis of Acetabularia cell membrane. I. Relation of deformation to genetic and geometric factors].

Relationships between the changes of geometric shape, volume and deformations of the apical growth part of acetabularia cell are studied. Jung module E approximately 25 kg/cm2, viscosity coefficient of the apex cell theta 4 - 10(4) kg-sec/cm2 and intracellular pressure P approximately 1 kg/cm2 are measured. Cell shape formation according to Waddington is concerned with simple physical factors which are under the genetic control. It is shown that uneven deformations with the loss of shape stability bring about periodic cell complications.

Acetabularia↗
PubMed1986

High yield and stable transformation of the unicellular green alga Acetabularia by microinjection of SV40 DNA and pSV2neo.

SV40 DNA and pSV2neo were microinjected into isolated nuclei of Acetabularia mediterranea. The injected nuclei were implanted into anucleate cell fragments of the same species. Such combinations not only survived but also formed progeny. The F(1), F(2) and F(3) generations of these combinations were analyzed. In the case of SV40-treated cells T-antigen was expressed and accumulated in the nuclei of all three generations studied as shown by indirect immunofluorescence. Nuclear exchange experiments revealed expression of the T-antigen only if a transformed nucleus but not if only a transformed cytoplasm was involved. Transformation by pSV2neo, a chimeric gene with a selectable marker was demonstrated by the induction of G-418 resistance as well as immunofluorescence. Genomic DNA was isolated from gametes, originating in cysts from the F(1), F(2) and F(3) generations of injected cells, and subjected to Southern analysis. These experiments demonstrated that both types of DNA are integrated into the host genome.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Improved visualization of F-actin in the green alga Acetabularia by microwave-accelerated fixation and simultaneous FITC-Phalloidin staining.

By employing a new procedure we have been able to visualize a highly intense actin cytoskeleton in the unicellular green alga Acetabularia acetabulum Silva. The protocol described in this study involves microwave-accelerated simultaneous permeabilization with 10% dimethyl sulphoxide, fixation with 1% glutaraldehyde and incubation with 0.5 microM fluorescein-isothiocyanate-conjugated Phalloidin. Comparison of the images of the actin cytoskeleton of the stalk, as visualized by methods used previously, with those obtained in our own experiments shows that the actin filaments were preserved completely in an excellent condition. The required time for each procedure could be reduced from 12 h for the most commonly used immunofluorescence technique to 35 min. Moreover, it has been possible to observe the actin filament system of hair whorls, rhizoid and tip. Previously, the actin cytoskeleton of these parts of the cell could not be visualized by conventional techniques. It is shown that each region of the cell-stalk, tip, rhizoid and side branches-displays characteristic degrees of actin bundling and regularity of actin alignment.

Actins↗
PubMed1983

The influence of the nucleus on the regulation of the dCMP deaminase in acetabularia.

The enzyme activity of dCMP deaminase (EC 3.5.4.12) In Acetabularia mediterranea is substantially increased at the beginning of cyst formation. A similar albeit advanced increase is observed in anucleate cells. The advance in the anucleate cells is not due to non-specific effects of cell surgery since nucleate grafts which are also subjected to surgery exhibit a delayed regulation characteristic for nucleate cells. Moreover, the nuclear effect on the regulation is demonstrated by experiments in which the flow of information from nucleus to cytoplasm is interrupted by treatment with actinomycin D or by tying off the rhizoid for five days. In these cells not only is the time of the increase advanced but also cyst formation is accelerated.

Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed2001

Characterization of a nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase gene from the green alga Acetabularia acetabulum and comparison of its structure with those of the corresponding genes in mouse and Caenorhabditis elegans.

Proton-pumping nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (Nnt) is a membrane-bound enzyme that catalyzes the reversible reduction of NADP(+) by NADH. This reaction is linked to proton translocation across the membrane. Depending on metabolic conditions, the enzyme may be involved in NADPH generation, e.g., for detoxification of peroxides and/or free radicals and protection from ischemic damage. Nnt exists in most prokaryotes and in animal mitochondria. It is composed of 2-3 subunits in bacteria and of a single polypeptide in mitochondria. An open question is whether Nnt exists in any photosynthetic eukaryotes and if so, to which class it belongs. In the present study it is demonstrated that, by cloning and sequencing cDNA and genomic copies of its NNT gene, an ancient alga, Acetabularia acetabulum (Chlorophyta, Dasycladales), contains a nuclear-encoded Nnt. In contrast to photosynthetic bacteria, this algal Nnt is composed of a single polypeptide of the class found in animal mitochondria. Excluding a poly(A) tail, NNT cDNA from A. acetabulum is 3688 bp long, consists of eight exons and spans 17 kb. The NNT gene from mouse was also characterized. Subsequently, the gene organization of the A. acetabulum NNT was compared to those of the homologous mouse (100 kb and 21 exons) and Caenorhabditis elegans (5.1 kb and 18 exons) genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1970

Evidence for variation in the quantity of DNA among plastids of Acetabularia.

The DNA content of individual plastids of the giant unicellular algae Acetabularia mediterranea, and Polyphysa cliftoni was studied. Four methods were used for localizing DNA: acridine orange staining, radioautography following actinomycin D-(3)H treatment, electron microscopy of thin tissue sections, and electron microscopy of osomotically disrupted plastids. With each method, DNA was readily detected in 20-35% of plastids, but no DNA was observed in the remaining 65-80%. The results further showed that in those plastids with detectable DNA the amount of DNA present was variable. The sensitivity and reliability of the localization methods are discussed, and the possible implications of these findings are considered.

Autoradiography↗
PubMed1970

The membrane potential of Acetabularia mediterranea.

The cytoplasm of an Acetabularia cell is normally at a potential of about -170 mv relative to the external solution; the vacuole is also at this potential. Although there is strict flux equilibrium for all ions, the potential is more negative than the Nernst potentials of any of the permeating ions. Darkness, CCCP, low temperature, and reducing [Cl(-)](o) by a factor of 25 all rapidly depolarize the membrane and inhibit Cl(-) influx. Some of these treatments do not inhibit the effluxes of K(+) and Na(+). Increasing [K(+)](o) also depolarizes the membrane both under normal conditions and at low temperature; in the latter case the membrane is partially depolarized in normal seawater (low [K(+)](o)) and in high [K(+)](o) positive potentials of up to +15 mv are attained. It is concluded that the membrane potential is controlled by the electrogenic influx of Cl(-), and also, at least in some circumstances, by the diffusion of K(+). In addition, it is suggested that electrogenic efflux of H(+) may be important in transient nonequilibrium situations. An Appendix deals with the interpretation of simple nonsteady-state tracer kinetic data.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1982

Electrogenic Cl- pump in Acetabularia.

Measurements of this transmembrane potential difference (V) under various conditions have demonstrated the operation of an electrogenic Cl- pump in the outer plasma membrane (plasmalemma) of the unicellular marine alga Acetabularia. In preparations of partly purified membranes (containing plasmalemma), there is Cl- stimulated, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-insensitive, vanadate-sensitive ATPase activity with a pH optimum around pH 6.5. These properties are consistent with the assumption that the electrogenic Cl- pump is an ATPase. In order to investigate electrical details of the "Mitchellian" type of charge-translocating enzyme, steady-state current-voltage curves of the electrogenic pump (Ip(V)) were measured in vivo under dark and light conditions and analysed by two-state reaction kinetic model. This model with the resulting parameters predicts V-sensitive, undirectional Cl- effluxes through the pump. The predictions of this model agree with the experimental results. Green light causes a fast decrease of V, which is explained as a disturbance of the pump cycle. Relaxation studies on this effect and reaction kinetic analysis of Ip(V) under different external Cl- concentrations are used to develop a consistent three-state model of the pump that includes the order of and absolute rate constants of individual reactions, states of charge, stoichiometry, voltage-sensitivity and density of the pump molecules in the membrane.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗