Summary
Sexual induction in the ‘Gone 12’ mutant of Volvox carteri can be achieved by shortterm treatment with glutardialdehyde or formaldehyde, followed by capture of the aldehyde by means of amino acids at slightly acidic pH. The same effect is obtained by exposure to anthranilic acid formalide, the condensation product of 2-amino benzoic acid with formaldehyde, at low concentration for several minutes. This is in contrast to the prolonged exposure required by the specific glycoprotein inducer. In both situations the asexual reproductive cells are affected in such a way that they change their pattern of cleavage to form sexual embryos rather than asexual ones. Thus, besides the natural messenger molecule, a physical (UV light, heat) or molecular shock may trigger the chain reaction leading to expression of sexual induction.
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Starr, R.C., Jaenicke, L. Sexual induction in Volvox carteri f. nagariensis by aldehydes. Sexual Plant Reprod 1, 28–31 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00227019
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00227019