Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cytomembrane differentiation in a ciliate, Tetrahymena pyriformis

II. Bifacial cisternae and tubular formations

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Two special kinds of smooth surfaced differentiations of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis are described. (A) A novel type of cytomembrane structure is represented by localized bifacial regions in which one side of the cisterna is studded with ribosomes, flexible in outline and of a cytomembraneous ultrastructure and the other side has a smooth, straight profile and a plasma membrane-like triple-layered appearance. Such smooth patches of predominantly rough ER-cisternae have a tendency to pair with a separation of ca. 250 Å. The micrographs suggest a participation of such patches in the formation of vesicles and/or dictyosomes. (B) Tubular structures, including those with microtubular as well as with “macrotubular” (300–650 Å) diameters, can be in continuity with ER profiles. Possible origins and functions of these tubular forms are 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

References

  • Elliott, A. M., Clemmons, G. L.: An ultrastructural study of ingestion and digestion in Tetrahymena pyriformis. J. Protozool. 13, 311–323 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Esau, K.: A spiny cell component in the sugar beet. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 31, 444–455 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Gill, R. H.: Structural relations between nucleus and cytoplasm during mitosis in Nicotiana tabacum mesophyll. Canad. J. Bot. 47, 581–591 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Falk, H.: Fusiform vesicles in plant cells. J. Cell Biol. 43, 167–174 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Franke, W. W.: Microtubules linked to endoplasmic reticulum with cross-bridges. Exp. Cell Res. 66, 487–489 (1971 a).

    Google Scholar 

  • - Membrane — microtubule — microfilament relationships in the ciliate pellicle. Cytobiologie, in press (1971b).

  • - The association of the nuclear envelope with microtubules and filaments. Protoplasma (Wien), in press (1971 c).

  • —, Eckert, W. A., Krien, S.: Cytomembrane differentiation in a ciliate, Tetrahymena pyriformis. I. Endoplasmic reticulum and dictyosomal equivalents. Z. Zellforsch., 119, 577–604 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • - Kartenbeck, J., Zentgraf, H. W., Scheer, U., Falk, H.: Membrane-to-membrane cross-bridges: a means to orientation and interaction of membrane faces. J. Cell Biol., in press (1971).

  • Grove, S. N., Bracker, C. E., Morré, D. J.: An ultrastructural basis for hyphal tip growth in Pythium ultimum. Amer. J. Bot., in press.

  • Hicks, R. M.: The function of the Golgi complex in transitional epithelium. Synthesis of the thick cell membrane. J. Cell Biol. 30, 623–643 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jurand, A., Selman, G. G.: The anatomy of Paramecium aurelia, p. 218. London: McMillan St. Martin's Press 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kloetzel, J. A.: The role of “cytoplasmic rods” in food vacuole membrane formation in Euplotes. J. Cell Biol. 47, 108a (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumegawa, M., Cattoni, M., Rose, G. G.: Electron microscopy of oral cells in vitro. II. Subsurface and intracytoplasmic confronting cisternae in KB cells. J. Cell Biol. 36, 443–452 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lessie, P. L., Lovett, J. S.: Ultrastructural changes during sporangium formation and zoospore differentiation in Blastocladiella emersonii. Amer. J. Bot. 55, 220–236 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • McKanna, F.: Transport of membranes by means of vesicles in ciliate protozoans. J. Cell Biol. 43, 89a (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitelka, D. R.: Fibrillar system in protozoa 3, 279–388. In: T. T. Chen (ed.), Research in protozoology. Oxford-London-Edinburgh-New York-Sidney-Paris-Braunschweig: Pergamon Press 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter, K., Kenyon, K., Badenhausen, S.: Specialization of the unit membrane. Protoplasma (Wien) 63, 262–274 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Steer, M. W., Newcomb, E. H.: Observations on tubules derived from the endoplasmic reticulum in leaf glands of Phaseolus vulgaris. Protoplasma (Wien) 67, 33–50 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology II, University of Freiburg i. Br., Germany

    Werner W. Franke & Werner A. Eckert

Authors
  1. Werner W. Franke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Werner A. Eckert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The work was supported in part by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

The authors are indebted to Miss Sigrid Krien for skilful technical assistance as well as to Drs. Ch. Bracker, D. J. Morré (both Purdue University, Lafayette, U.S.A), and H. Falk (this institute) for helpful discussions.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Franke, W.W., Eckert, W.A. Cytomembrane differentiation in a ciliate, Tetrahymena pyriformis . Z. Zellforsch 122, 244–253 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00337632

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00337632

Key-Words

Search

Navigation