Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A unique pattern of F-actin organization supports cytokinesis in vacuolated cells of Macrocystis pyrifera (Phaeophyceae) gametophytes

  • Short communication
  • Published:
Protoplasma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary.

The organization of actin filaments and their role in cytokinesis was studied in regenerating protoplasts and thallus cells of gametophytes of the brown alga Macrocystis pyrifera. Before the onset of cytokinesis, a ring of actin filaments appeared on the putative cytokinetic plane just under the plasmalemma. Light and electron microscopy of cytokinetic cells revealed that large vacuoles occupy the space between the daughter nuclei, which very often are eccentrically positioned at the cell cortex. By the progress of cytokinesis, actin filament bundles emanating from the cytokinetic ring tend to form an actin plate that enters cytoplasmic pockets in which the cytokinetic diaphragm develops. The mechanism of this cytokinetic pattern that has not been reported so far for brown algae is discussed.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

AF:

actin filament

AFP 568:

Alexa Fluor Phalloidin 568

CCR:

cortical cytoplasmic ring

Mt:

microtubule

PDC:

protoplast-derived cell

References

  • V Allen DL Kropf (1992) ArticleTitleNuclear rotation and lineage specification in Pelvetia embryos. Development 115 873–883

    Google Scholar 

  • KD Belanger RS Quatrano (2000) ArticleTitleMembrane recycling occurs during asymmetric cell growth and cell plate formation in Fucus distichus zygotes. Protoplasma 212 24–37 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01279344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SR Bisgrove DL Kropf (2004) ArticleTitleCytokinesis in brown algae: studies of asymmetric division in fucoid zygotes. Protoplasma 223 163–173 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00709-004-0038-6 Occurrence Handle15221521 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD2czhvF2rsw%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • – Henderson DC, Kropf DL (2003) Asymmetric division in fucoid zygotes is positioned by telophase nuclei. Plant Cell 15: 854–862

    Google Scholar 

  • SH Brawley KR Robinson (1985) ArticleTitleCytochalasin treatment disrupts the endogenous currents associated with cell polarization in fucoid zygotes: studies of the role of F-actin in embryogenesis. J Cell Biol 100 1173–1184 Occurrence Handle10.1083/jcb.100.4.1173 Occurrence Handle3980581 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL2MXhvVejtrc%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • – Quatrano RS, Wetherbee R (1977) Fine-structural studies of the gametes and embryo of Fucus vesiculosus L. (Phaeophyta) III: cytokinesis and the multicellular embryo. J Cell Sci 24: 275–294

    Google Scholar 

  • I Dimitriadis C Katsaros B Galatis (2001) ArticleTitleThe effect of taxol on centrosome function and microtubule organization in apical cells of Sphacelaria rigidula (Phaeophyceae). Phycol Res 49 23–34 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1440-1835.2001.00222.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjsFSnsL0%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • B Galatis C Katsaros K Mitrakos (1973) ArticleTitleUltrastructure of the mitotic apparatus in Dictyota dichotoma (Lamour.). Rapp Comm Int Mer Medit 22 53–54

    Google Scholar 

  • WE Hable NR Miller DL Kropf (2003) ArticleTitlePolarity establishment requires dynamic actin in fucoid zygotes. Protoplasma 221 193–204 Occurrence Handle12802626 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXksFWmtrw%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D Karyophyllis C Katsaros B Galatis (1997) ArticleTitleCentrosome and microtubule dynamics in apical cells of Sphacelaria rigidula (Phaeophyceae) treated with nocodazole. Protoplasma 199 161–172 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01294504 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXnvVOiug%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • – – Dimitriadis I, Galatis B (2000) F-Actin organization during the cell cycle of Sphacelaria rigidula (Phaeophyceae). Eur J Phycol 35: 25–33

    Google Scholar 

  • C Katsaros B Galatis (1992) ArticleTitleImmunofluorescence and electron microscope studies of microtubule organization during the cell cycle of Dictyota dichotoma (Phaeophyta, Dictyotales). Protoplasma 169 75–84 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01343372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • – – Mitrakos K (1983) Fine structural studies on the interphase and dividing apical cells of Sphacelaria tribuloides (Phaeophyta). J Phycol 19: 16–30

    Google Scholar 

  • – Karyophyllis D, Galatis B (2005) Cytoskeleton and morphogenesis in brown algae. Ann Bot (in press)

  • DL Kropf A Maddock DL Gard (1990) ArticleTitleMicrotubule distribution and function in early Pelvetia development. J Cell Sci 97 545–552

    Google Scholar 

  • N Kutsuna F Kumagai MH Sato S Hasezawa (2003) ArticleTitleThree-dimensional reconstruction of tubular structure of vacuolar membrane throughout mitosis in living tobacco cells. Plant Cell Physiol 44 1045–1054 Occurrence Handle10.1093/pcp/pcg124 Occurrence Handle14581629 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXos1Gktrw%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • JW La Claire SuffixII (1981) ArticleTitleOccurrence of plasmodesmata during infurrowing in a brown alga. Biol Cell 40 139–142

    Google Scholar 

  • – West JA (1979) Light- and electron-microscopic studies of growth and reproduction in Cutleria (Phaeophyta). II. Gametogenesis in the male plant of C. hancockii. Protoplasma 101: 247–267

    Google Scholar 

  • DR Markey RT Wilce (1975) ArticleTitleThe ultrastructure of reproduction in the brown alga Pylaiella littoralis I: mitosis and cytokinesis in the plurilocular gametangia. Protoplasma 85 219–241 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01567948 Occurrence Handle1197767 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaE28%2FnvFKguw%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • F Marty (1999) ArticleTitlePlant vacuoles. Plant Cell 11 587–600 Occurrence Handle10.1105/tpc.11.4.587 Occurrence Handle10213780 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXjtFSrur4%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C Nagasato T Motomura (2002) ArticleTitleUltrastructural study on mitosis and cytokinesis in Scytosiphon lomentaria zygotes (Scytosiphonales, Phaeophyceae) by freeze-substitution. Protoplasma 219 140–149 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s007090200015 Occurrence Handle12099214 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD38zlsF2iuw%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • E Panteris P Apostolakos H Quader B Galatis (2004) ArticleTitleA cortical cytoplasmic ring predicts the division plane in vacuolated cells of Coleus: the role of actomyosin and microtubules in the establishment and function of the division site. New Phytol 163 271–286 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1469-8137.2004.01125.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Provasoli L (1968) Media and prospects for the cultivation of marine algae. In: Watanabe A, Hattori A (eds) Cultures and collections of algae. Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists, Hakone, pp 63–75

  • DJ Rawlence (1973) ArticleTitleSome aspects of the ultrastructure of Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis (Phaeophyceae, Fucales) including observations on cell plate formation. Phycologia 12 17–28

    Google Scholar 

  • MEA Schoenwalder (2002) ArticleTitleThe occurrence and cellular significance of physodes in brown algae. Phycologia 41 125–139

    Google Scholar 

  • V Varvarigos C Katsaros B Galatis (2004) ArticleTitleRadial F-actin configurations are involved in polarization during protoplast germination and thallus branching of Macrocystis pyrifera (Phaeophyceae, Laminariales). Phycologia 43 693–702 Occurrence Handle10.2216/i0031-8884-43-6-693.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Athens

    V. Varvarigos, B. Galatis & C. Katsaros

Authors
  1. V. Varvarigos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B. Galatis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. Katsaros
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Katsaros.

Additional information

Correspondence and reprints: Department of Botany, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Athens 157 84, Greece.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Varvarigos, V., Galatis, B. & Katsaros, C. A unique pattern of F-actin organization supports cytokinesis in vacuolated cells of Macrocystis pyrifera (Phaeophyceae) gametophytes. Protoplasma 226, 241–245 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-005-0115-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-005-0115-5

Search

Navigation