Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Interspecies transfer of mitochondria in Paramecium aurelia

  • Published:
Molecular and General Genetics MGG Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Erythromycin-resistant mitochondria from species 1, 5 and 7 of P. aurelia were injected into erythromycin-sensitive paramecia of each of the same three species. Mitochondria from species 1 and 5 were successfully transferred to all three species, but species 7 mitochondria failed to develop in species 1 and 5. Minor differences were indicated in the frequency of successful transfers of species 1 mitochondria into species 1 and 5 cells. From studies on the transferability of mitochondria from “hybrid” cells, containing mitochondria from one species and nuclei from another, it was concluded that mitochondrial compatibility was mainly under control of the nuclear genome, with a possible minor control also by the mitochondrial genome.

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

  • Adoutte, A., Beisson, J.: Evolution of mixed populations of genetically different mitochondria in Paramecium aurelia. Nature (Lond.) 235, 393–396 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, S.L., Byrne, B.C., Cronkite, D.L.: Intersyngenic variations in the esterases of bacterized Paramecium aurelia. Biochem. Genet. 5, 135–150 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Arber, W.: Host-controlled variation. In: The bacteriophage lambda (ed. Hershey, A.A.), p. 83–96. New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Beale, G.H.: A note on the inheritance of erythromycin resistance in Paramecium aurelia. Genet. Res. 14, 341–342 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beale, G.H.: Genetic studies on mitochondrially inherited mikamycin resistance in Paramecium aurelia. Molec. gen. Genet. 127, 241–248 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beale, G.H., Knowles, J.K.C., Tait, A.: Mitochondrial genetics in Paramecium. Nature (Lond.) 235, 396–397 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beisson, J., Sainsard, A., Adoutte, A., Beale, G.H., Knowles, J., Tait, A.: Genetic control of mitochondria in Paramecium Genetics 78, 403–413 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cummings, D.J., Tait, A., Goddard, J.M.: Methylated bases in DNA from Paramecium aurelia. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.) 374, 1–11 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, D.E., Korman, E.F., Vanderkooi, G., Wakabayashi, T., Valdivia, E.: Structure and function of the mitochondrial system. In: Anatomy and biogenesis of mitochondria and chloroplasts (ed. Boardman, N.K., Linnane, A.W., Smillie, R.M.) pp. 1–17. Amsterdam: North Holland 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, J.K.C.: Observation on two mitochondrial phenotypes in single Paramecium cells. Exp. Cell Res. 70, 223–226 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, J.K.C., An improved microinjection technique in Paramecium aurelia. Exp. Cell Res. 88, 79–87 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, J.K.C., Tait, A.: A new method for studying the genetic control of specific mitochondrial proteins in Paramecium aurelia. Molec gen. Genet. 117, 53–59 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koizumi, S.: Microinjection and transfer of cytoplasm in Paramecium. Exp. Cell Res. 88, 74–78 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Perasso, R., Adoutte, A.: The process of selection of erythromycin-resistant mitochondria by erythromycin in Paramecium. J. Cell Sci. 14, 475–497 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sager, R., Lane, D.: Molecular basis of maternal inheritance. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 69, 2410–2413 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sainsard, A., Claisse, M., Bacmefrezol, M.: A nuclear mutation affecting structure and function of mitochondria in Paramecium. Molec. gen. Genet. 130, 113–125 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonneborn, T.M.: Mating types in P. aurelia in diverse conditions for mating in different stocks; occurrence, number and interrelations of the types. Proc. Amer. phil. Soc. 79, 411–434 (1938)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonneborn, T.M.: Paramecium aurelia: mating types and groups; lethal interactions; determination and inheritance. Amer. Nat. 73, 390–413 (1939)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonneborn, T.M.: Breeding systems reproductive methods and species problems in Protozoa. In: The species problem (ed. Ernst Mayr), p. 155–324. Washington: Amer. Assoc. Adv. Sci. 1957

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonneborn, T.M.: The Paramecium aurelia complex of 14 sibling species. Trans. Amer. Micr. Soc. 94, 155–178 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tait, A.: Enzyme variation between syngens in Paramecium aurelia. Biochem. Genet. 4, 461–470 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Animal Genetics, EH9 3JN, Edinburgh

    G. H. Beale & J. K. C. Knowles

Authors
  1. G. H. Beale
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. K. C. Knowles
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by Ch. Auerbach

Dedicated to T.M. Sonneborn on the occasion of his seventieth birthday. This paper is part of a Sonneborn Festchrift most of which will appear in Genetical Research in 1976.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Beale, G.H., Knowles, J.K.C. Interspecies transfer of mitochondria in Paramecium aurelia . Molec. Gen. Genet. 143, 197–201 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00266922

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00266922

Keywords

Search

Navigation