Summary
The characteristics of the self-sustained oscillation in the plasmodial strand ofPhysarum polycephalum have been investigated in one steady and two transient conditions. An isolatedPhysarum strand changes its length periodically when it is suspended. In the behaviour of the self-sustained oscillation under the conditions, we provide the first demonstration that the changes in the periods of the oscillation can be ascribed to effects on the shortening phase, while the lengthening periods are almost unaffected. This result means that the asymmetric self-sustained oscillation of thePhysarum strand is composed of an active contracting process, presumably due to actin filaments and myosin-like molecules in the strand, and a passive lengthening process which is merely an extension of the strand under a load.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Durham ACH, Ridgway EB (1976) Control of chemotaxis inPhysarum polycephalum. J Cell Biol 69: 218–223
Fleischer M, Wohlfarth-Bottermann KE (1975) Correlation between tension force generation, fibrillogenesis and ultrastructure of cytoplasmic actomyosin during isometric contractions of protoplasmic strands. Cytobiologie 10: 339–365
Hatano S, Owaribe K, Matsumura F, Hasegawa T, Takahashi S (1980) Characterization of actin, actinin, and myosin isolated fromPhysarum. Can J Bot 58: 750–759
Hu Z, Takahashi K, Tsuchiya Y (1994) Synchronization in a plasmodial strand ofPhysarum polycephalum as a one-dimensionally coupled oscillator system. J Phys Soc Jpn 63: 383–387
Ishigami M (1986) Dynamic aspects of the contractile system inPhysarum plasmodium: I. Changes in spatial organization of the cytoplasmic fibrils according to the contraction-relaxation cycle. Cell Motil 6: 439–447
Kamiya N (1970) Contractile properties of the plasmodial strand. Proc Japan Acad 46: 1026–1031
— (1981) Physical and chemical basis of cytoplasmic streaming. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 32: 205–236
Kuroda K (1958) Studies on the velocity distribution of the protoplasmic streaming in the myxomycete plasmodium. Protoplasma 49: 1–4
Matsumoto K, Ueda T, Kobatake Y (1986) Propagation of phase wave in relation to tactic responses by the plasmodium ofPhysarum polycephalum. J Theor Biol 122: 339–345
— — — (1988) Reversal of thermotaxis with oscillatory stimulus in the plasmodium ofPhysarum polycephalum. J Theor Biol 131: 175–182
Miyake Y, Yano M, Shimizu H (1991) Relationship between endoplasmic and ectoplasmic oscillations during chemotaxis ofPhysarum polycephalum. Protoplasma 162: 175–181
—, Tanaka H, Shimizu H (1992) Entrainment to external Ca2+ oscillation in ionophore-treatedPhysarum plasmodium. Cell Struct Funct 17: 371–375
Nagai R, Yoshimoto Y, Kamiya N (1978) Cyclic production of tension force in the plasmodial strand ofPhysarum polycephalum and its relation to microfilament morphology. J Cell Sci 22: 205–225
Natsume K, Miyake Y, Yano M, Shimizu H (1992) Development of spatio-temporal pattern of Ca2+ on the chemotactic behaviour ofPhysarum plasmodium. Protoplasma 166: 55–60
Ueda T, Kobatake Y (1980) Contraction rhythm in the plasmodium ofPhysarum polycephalum: dependence of the period on the amplitude, temperature and chemical environment. Eur J Cell Biol 23: 37–42
Wohlfarth-Bottermann KE (1975) Tensiometric demonstration of endogenous, oscillation contractions in plasmodia ofPhysarum polycephalum. Z Pflanzenphysiol 76: 14–27
Yoshimoto Y, Kamiya N (1978) Studies on contraction rhythm of the plasmodial strand. III. Role of endoplasmic streaming in synchronization of local rhythms. Protoplasma 95: 111–121
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Takahashi, K., Takamatsu, A., Hu, Z.S. et al. Asymmetry in the self-sustained oscillation ofPhysarum plasmodial strands. Protoplasma 197, 132–135 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01279891
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01279891