Skip to main content
Log in

Evidence for the presence of DNA in the centrosomal plaques of Ascobolus

  • Published:
Histochemie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

This report focuses on the application of enzymatic digestion techniques in electron microscopy to the study of the nuclear spindle poles of Ascomycetes and more specifically presents observations concerning the cytochemical characteristics of the plaques. Evidence is presented indicating that the plaques contain proteins digestable by pronase and trypsin (more than by pepsin), perhaps a low amount of RNA and that they also contain DNA as shown by their sensitivity to DNase and their Feulgen-positive reaction.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baldwin, E.: Dynamic aspects of biochemistry, 4è ed. p. 75–80. Cambridge: University Press 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dalcq, A. M.: Le centrosome. Bull. Acad. Roy. Belgique (Class Sci.) 50, 1408–1449 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • De Harven, E.: The centriole and the mitotic spindle. In the nucleus eds. A. J. Dalton and F. Haguenau, p. 197–227. New York: Academic Press 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M., Webb, E. C.: Enzymes, p. 240. London: Longmans, Green and Co. Ltd. 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fruton, J. S., Bergmann, M.: The specificity of pepsin. J. biol. Chem. 127, 627–641 (1929).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fulton, C.: Centrioles. In origin and continuity of cell organelles-vol. 2 of results and problems in cell differentiation., eds. J. Reinert and H. Ursprung, p. 170–221 Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Granboulan, N., Granboulan, P.: Cytochimie ultrastructurale du nucleole. I, mise en évidence de chromatine à l'intérieur du nucleole. Exp. Cell Res. 34, 71–87 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Granick, S., Gibor, A.: The DNA of chloroplasts, mitochondria and centrioles. Progr. Nucleic Acid Res. Mol. Biol. 6, 143–186 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufmann, B. P., Gay, H., Mc Donald, M. R.: Localization of cellular proteins by enzymatic hydrolysis, ed. L. Frisch. Cold Spr. Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 14, 85 (1950).

  • Lord, A., Lafontaine, J. G.: The organization of the nucleolus in meristematic plant cells. A cytochemical study. J. Cell Biol. 40, 633–647 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu, B. C.: The course of meiosis and centriole behaviour during the ascus development of the Ascomycete Gelasinospora calospora. Chromosoma (Berl.) 22, 210–226 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mc Donald, B. R., Weijer, J.: The DNA content of centrioles of Neurospora crassa during divisions I and IV of ascosporogenesis. Canad. J. Genet. Cytol. 8, 42–50 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Monneron, A.: Utilisation de la pronase en cytochimie ultrastructurale. J. Microscopie 5, 583–596 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Olson, L. W.: Microtubule morphogenesis in Allomycetes. Doctoral Thesis, Univ. of California, Berkeley, Dep. of Botany, 12–14 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse, A. G.: Histochemistry theoretical and applied, p. 623–625, London: J. A. Churchill 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickett-Heaps, J. D.: The evolution of the mitotic apparatus: an attempt at comparative ultrastructural cytology in dividing plant cells. Cytobios 3, 257–280 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Simonet, J. M., Zickler, D.: Mutations affecting meiosis in Podospora anserina. I, cytological studies. Chromosoma (Berl.) 37, 327–351 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stubblefield, E., Brinkley, B. R.: Architecture and function of the mammalian centriole. In: Formation and fate of cell organells, ed. K. B. Warren, Symp. Intern. Soc. Cell Biol. 6, p. 175–218. New York: Academic Press 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trop, M., Birk, Y.: The specificity of proteinases from Streptomyces griseus (pronase). Biochem. J. 116, 19–25 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Went, H. A.: The behaviour of centrioles and the structure and formation of the achromatic figure. Protoplasmatologia 6, 1–109 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Westergaard, M., Wettstein, D. von.: The nucleolar cycle in an ascomycete. C. R. Lab. Carlsberg 37, 195–237 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yotsuyanagi, Y.: Mise en évidence au microscope électronique des chromosomes de la levure par une coloration spécifique. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 250, 1522–1524 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zickler, D.: Sur l'appareil cinétique de quelques ascomycètes. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 268 D, 3040–3042 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zickler, D.: Division spindle and centrosomal plaques during mitosis and meiosis in some ascomycetes. Chromosoma (Berl.) 30, 287–304 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

We are grateful to Prof. J. André in whose laboratory all electron microscopy observations were made and to Prof. G. Rizet and Dr. L. Lewis for suggestions and reading the manuscript. This work was supported by grants from the C.N.R.S. (L.A. 86).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zickler, D. Evidence for the presence of DNA in the centrosomal plaques of Ascobolus . Histochemie 34, 227–238 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303439

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303439

Keywords

Navigation