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Ultrastructure of extrusomes in hypotrichous ciliate Pseudourostyla nova

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Abstract

The ultrastructure of extrusomes of the hypotrichous ciliate Pseudourostyla nova was observed in scanning and transmission electron microscopy and enzyme-cytochemistry. The results show that the distribution, morphological characteristics, morphogenesis process, and extrusive process of the extrusomes in P. nova are different from the trichocysts in Paramecium, suggesting that the extrusomes of P. nova can respond to environmental stimuli, play an important role in the defense of this species, and cannot be regarded as “trichocysts”. The results also suggest that the extrusomes might be originated from the Golgi apparatus and mature in the cytoplasm; after the extrusion of mature extrusomes, the residual substance might be reabsorbed and reused by the ciliate cell via food vacuoles, and take part in material recycling of the cell.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China

    Yao Zhou  (周瑶), Zhengjun Wang  (王正君) & Fukang Gu  (顾福康)

  2. College of Life Sciences and Agro-forest, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161000, China

    Yao Zhou  (周瑶)

  3. College of Life and Environment Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China

    Jun Zhang  (章骏)

Authors
  1. Yao Zhou  (周瑶)
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  2. Zhengjun Wang  (王正君)
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  3. Jun Zhang  (章骏)
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  4. Fukang Gu  (顾福康)
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Correspondence to Fukang Gu  (顾福康).

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Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.30770238)

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Zhou, Y., Wang, Z., Zhang, J. et al. Ultrastructure of extrusomes in hypotrichous ciliate Pseudourostyla nova . Chin. J. Ocean. Limnol. 29, 103–108 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-011-9943-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-011-9943-7

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