Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chromosome elimination in Heteropeza pygmaea

II. Ultrastructure of the spindle apparatus

  • Published:
Chromosoma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The ultrastructure of early cleavage divisions of the paedogenetic gall midge Heteropeza pygmaea (syn. Oligarces paradoxus) was analysed at different division stages determined by previous in vivo observation. The spindles are enclosed by a continuous layer of vesicles. Centrioles are absent. During anaphase the disassembling microtubules connected with normally segregating chromosomes become increasingly coated with electron-opaque material. The microtubules of eliminated chromosomes blocked in the interzone persist throughout anaphase and remain uncoated. During anaphase the spindles are considerably stretched and stem bodies are formed. The microtubules of the stem bodies are also associated with electronopaque material. These phenomena seem to be consistent with the explanation of chromosome segregation by cyclic assembly and disassembly of spindle microtubules.

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

  • Bärlocher, F.: Beobachtung von Furchungsteilungen mit Chromosomen-Elimination in lebenden Embryonen der Gallmücke Heteropeza pygmaea. Experientia (Basel) 27, 985–987 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bajer, A. S.: Interaction of microtubules and the mechanism of chromosome movement (zipper hypothesis). 1. General principle. Cytobios 8, 139–160 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bajer, A. S., Molé-Bajer, J.: Spindle dynamics and chromosome movements. Int. Rev. Cytol., Suppl. 3 (1972)

  • Burkholder, G. D., Okada, T. A., Comings, D. E.: Whole mount electron microscopy of metaphase. I. Chromosomes and microtubules from mouse oocytes. Exp. Cell Res. 75, 497–511 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Busson-Mabillot, S.: Influence de la fixation chimique sur les ultrastructures. I. Etude sur les organites du follicule ovarien d'un poisson téléostéen. J. Microscopie 12, 317–348 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Camenzind, R.: Die Zytologie der bisexuellen und parthenogenetischen Fortpflanzung von Heteropeza pygmaea Winnertz, einer Gallmücke mit paedogenetischer Vermehrung. Chromosoma (Berl.) 18, 123–152 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Camenzind, R.: Chromosome elimination in Heteropeza pygmaea. I. In vivo observations. Chromosoma (Berl.) 49, 87–98 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietz, R.: Die Assembly-Hypothese der Chromosomenbewegung und die Veränderungen der Spindellänge während der Anaphase. I in Spermatocyten von Pales ferruginea (Tipulidae, Diptera). Chromosoma (Berl.) 38, 11–76 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fahimi, H. D., Drochmans, P.: Essais de standardisation de la fixation au glutaraldéhyde. II. Influence des concentrations en aldéhyde et de l'osmolalité. J. Microscopie 4, 737–748 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Inoué, S., Sato, H.: Cell motility by labile association of molecules: The nature of the mitotic spindle fibers and their role in chromosome movement. J. gen. Physiol. 50, 259–292 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, C., Bajer, A.: Spindle dynamics and arrangement of microtubules. Chromosoma (Berl.) 44, 73–89 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Luykx, P.: Cellular mechanisms of chromosome distribution. Int. Rev. Cytol., Suppl. 2 (1970)

  • McIntosh, J. R., Hepler, P. K., Wie, D. G. van: Model for mitosis. Nature (Lond.) 224, 659–663 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mollenhauer, H. H.: Plastic embedding mixtures for use in electron microscopy. Stain Technol. 39, 111–114 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicklas, R. B.: An experimental and descriptive study of chromosome elimination in Miaster spec. (Cecidomyidae; Diptera). Chromosoma (Berl.) 10, 301–336 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicklas, R. B.: Mitosis. In: Advances in cell biology, p. 225–297. New York: Appleton 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sitte, P.: Einfaches Verfahren zur stufenlosen Gewebe-Entwässerung für die elektronenmikroskopische Präparation. Naturwissenschaften 17, 402–403 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stebbings, H., Willison, J. H. M.: Structure of microtubules: A study of freezeetched and negatively stained microtubules from the ovaries of Notonecta. Z. Zellforsch. 138, 387–396 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Weisenberg, R. C.: Microtubule formation in vitro in solutions containing low calcium concentrations. Science 177, 1104 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wegner, K. W.: Easy and accurate collection of thin serial sections by means of a grid support. Mikroskopie 27, 289–293 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Went, D.: In vitro culture of eggs and embryos in the viviparous paedogenetic gall midge Heteropeza pygmaea. J. exp. Zool. 177, 301–312 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoologisches Institut der Eidgenössischen Technischen Hochschule, Zürich

    Thomas Fux

Authors
  1. Thomas Fux
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fux, T. Chromosome elimination in Heteropeza pygmaea . Chromosoma 49, 99–112 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00284991

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00284991

Keywords

Search

Navigation