Poly(A)+ RNA and cytoskeleton during cyst formation in the cap ray of Acetabularia peniculus.

The configuration and distribution of polyadenylated RNA (poly(A)+ RNA) during cyst formation in the cap rays of Acetabularia peniculus were demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization using oligo(dT) as a probe, and the spatial and functional relationships between poly(A)+ RNA and microtubules or actin filaments were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy and cytoskeletal inhibitor treatment. Poly(A)+ RNA striations were present in the cytoplasm of early cap rays and associated with longitudinal actin bundles. Cytochalasin D destroyed the actin filaments and caused a dispersal of the striations. Poly(A)+ RNA striations occurred in the cytoplasm of the cap rays up to the stage when secondary nuclei migrated into the cap rays, but they disappeared after the secondary nuclei were settled in their positions. At that time, a mass of poly(A)+ RNA was present around each of the secondary nuclei and accumulated rRNA. This mass colocalized with microtubules radiating from the surface of each secondary nucleus and disappeared when the microtubules were depolymerized by butamifos, which did not affect the configuration of actin filaments. These masses of poly(A)+ RNA continued to exist even after the cap ray cytoplasm divided into cyst domains. Thus two distinct forms of poly(A)+ RNA population, striations and masses, appear in turn at consecutive stages of cyst formation and are associated with distinct cytoskeletal elements, actin filaments and microtubules, respectively.

Class XIII myosins from the green alga Acetabularia: driving force in organelle transport and tip growth?

The green alga Acetabularia cliftonii (Dasycladales) contains at least two myosin genes, which already have been assigned class XIII of the myosin superfamily (Cope et al., 1996, Structure 4: 969-987). Here we report a complete analysis of their gene structure and their corresponding transcripts Aclmyo1 and Aclmyo2. Despite promising Northern blot data no evidence for alternative splicing could be found. Dissecting the primary structure at complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) level we found a myosin typical organization in head, neck and variable tail region. Most striking is the extremely short tail region of Aclmyo1 with only 18 residues and the maximum number of 7 IQ motifs in Aclmyo2. Probing Acetabularia protein extracts with an antibody raised to a synthetic peptide derived from the amino terminal region in Alcmyo1 showed cross-reactivity to a polypeptide with a molecular mass of approximately 100 kD. This corresponds to the predicted molecular weight of Aclmyo1, which is 106 kD as deduced from the amino acid sequence. Additionally, the same cross-reactive protein is capable of binding F-actin as indicated by a co-sedimentation assay. Confocal laser scanning microscopy with raised antibody revealed co-localization with organelles, the budding region of lateral whorls and the cell apex suggesting involvement of putative Acetabularia myosin in organelle transport and tip growth.

Protein phosphatase 2A, a potential regulator of actin dynamics and actin-based organelle motility in the green alga Acetabularia.

The giant, unicellular alga Acetabularia is a well known experimental model for the study of actin-dependent intracellular organelle motility. In the cyst stage, however, which is equivalent to the gametophytic stage, organelles are immobile, even though an actin cytoskeleton is present. The reason for the lack of organelle motility at this stage has not been known. To test the hypothesis that organelle motility could be under the control of posttranslational modification by protein phosphorylation, we have treated cysts with submicromolar concentrations of okadaic acid or calyculin A, both potent inhibitors of serine/threonine protein phosphatases (ser/thr-PPases). The effects were dramatic: Instead of linear actin bundles typical for control cysts, circular arrays of actin bundles formed in the cortical cyst cytoplasm. Concomitant with the formation of these action rings, the cytoplasmic layers beneath the rings began to slowly rotate in a continuous and uniform counter-clockwise fashion. This effect suggests that protein phosphorylation acts on the actin cytoskeleton at two levels: (1) It changes the assembly properties of the actin filament system to the extent that novel cytoskeletal configurations are formed and (2) it raises the activity of putative motor proteins involved in the rotational movements to levels sufficiently high to support motility at a stage when organelle motility does not normally occur. Northern blot analysis of cyst stage-mRNA using probes specific to protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1) and type 2A (PP2A) reveals that PP2A is strongly expressed at this developmental stage whereas PP1 is not detectable, suggesting that PP2A is the likely target to the protein phosphatase inhibitors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Accumulation of peroxidase in the cap rays of Acetabularia during the development of gametangia.

Accumulation of peroxidase was demonstrated by light and electron microscopy to occur in Acetabularia in certain regions of the cap rays in relation to the development of the gametangia (cysts). Peroxidase was found to be incorporated into special, cell wall-like obstructions that separate the cap rays from the stalk when the secondary nuclei have settled in the cap rays. It is assumed that peroxidase acts as an anti-microbial protectant of the gametangia.

Changes in the cyclic AMP content during growth and development of Acetabularia.

The 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic-AMP) content of the unicellular alga Acetabularia has been examined at various developmental stages. It has been found that very young algae, less than 10mm in length, have a high cAMP content [more than 7 pmoles per 100 mg wet weight (WW)], but that with the growth of the algae, the cAMP content decreases rapidly, reaching the low level of 0.5--1.0 pmoles per 100mg WW. The cAMP content remains at this level until cap differentiation, after which an increase in cAMP content accompanies cap enlargement. It has been shown that these results are unlikely to be affected by changes in the cAMP content induced by variations in circadian rhythm. Treatment with theophylline (2.10(-3) M), a phosphodieterase inhibitor, results in an increase in the cAMP content and delays growth and cap formation. Experiments on the effects of theophylline upon the circadian rhythm of oxygen evolution have shown that the continuous presence of theophylline in the culture medium does not induce a phase shift in the rhythm. The cAMP content of anucleate Acetabularia shows development stage variations parallel to that of the whole algae.

Germination of cysts in acetabularia mediterranea.

Techniques for the growth of uniformly reacting populations of cysts of Acetabularia mediterranea and for quantitative measurement of cyst germination have been developed. Cysts of A. mediterranea can be induced to germinated by exposure to the atmosphere. Germination rates are very low in young cysts. They increased during exposure to total darkness. This "maturation of cysts" is found to be completed after a period of 12-15 weeks. Germination rates of cysts that have passed the maturation period exceed 90 percent in continuous white light and 80 percent in darkness. Cysts germinate in less than two days in darkness and less than four days in light. The influence of temperature at a range of 15 degrees C to 25 degrees C on germination kinetics is studied in light and darkness. Germination is accelerated with increasing temperature up to 21 degrees C. At higher temperature germination is delayed in light but the time of germination remains constant in darknesss. Rates of germination are not altered by the influence of temperature in light while in darkness there is a dramatic decrease at temperatures higher than 21 degrees C. From these findings it is concluded that cyst germinationA. mediteranea does not need any light but is influenced by light dependent systems. The influence of light is strongest at elevated temperatures.