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Ultrastructural aspects of the hyphal tip ofSclerotium rolfsii preserved by freeze substitution

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Summary

The hyphal tip ofSclerotium rolfsii was examined after fixation by freeze substitution. The Spitzenkörper consisted of a dense mass of apical vesicles and microvesicles surrounding a vesicle-free zone. Linear arrangements of microvesicles were occasionally observed within the Spitzenkörper. Abundant microfilaments were seen within the Spitzenkörper region, often in close association with apical vesicles and microvesicles. Microtubules passed through the Spitzenkörper and terminated at the plasmalemma at the extreme hyphal apex. Filasomes were mostly observed within the apical region and were in close proximity to the plasmalemma. Rough ER, mitochondria, microtubules, and vacuoles were abundant in the subapical region and were usually oriented parallel to the long axis of the hypha. Ribosomes were aligned on the outer surfaces of mitochondria. Golgi body equivalents were observed throughout the subapical region and appeared as inflated cisternae of varying shapes and electron opacities. Relationships to other basidiomycetous hyphal tip cells are discussed.

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Abbreviations

AV:

apical vesicle

C:

Celsius

diam:

diameter

f:

filasome

G:

Golgi body equivalent

h:

hour

nm:

nanometer

M:

mitochondria

ME:

membranous elements; min minute

MV:

microvesicle

MVB:

multivesicular body

N:

nucleus

OsO4 :

osmium tetroxide

R:

ribosome

ER:

endoplasmic reticulum

S:

Spitzenkörper

Va:

vacuole

μm:

micrometer

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

    R. W. Roberson & M. S. Fuller

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  1. R. W. Roberson
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  2. M. S. Fuller
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Roberson, R.W., Fuller, M.S. Ultrastructural aspects of the hyphal tip ofSclerotium rolfsii preserved by freeze substitution. Protoplasma 146, 143–149 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405923

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405923

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