Conjugation in Oxytricha bifaria: cell interaction.
As a model of cell interaction, the mating process of Oxytricha bifaria has been investigated. Mating involves several distinct and sterotyped stages, each lasting a determined time, and ending with the formation of firmly united pairs. A "waiting period" intervenes between the mixture of complimentary mating types and the onset of cell interaction. A proper starvation shortens the waiting period (25 min vs 120 min). Treatment of properly starved cells with heterologous cell-free fluid further reduces the waiting period. Certain enzyme treatments (pronase, trypsin and lipase) dramatically increase the waiting period in both washed enzyme-treated cells and in unwashed cells. Trypsin inhibits the first two stages of the mating process, while lipase inhibits membrane fusion between mates.
D002455:Cell Division; D016798:Ciliophora / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D003470:Culture Media; D008049:Lipase / Q000494:pharmacology; D010740:Phospholipases / Q000494:pharmacology; D011402:Pronase / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D014357:Trypsin / Q000494:pharmacology
D003470:Culture Media; D010740:Phospholipases; D008049:Lipase; D014357:Trypsin; D011402:Pronase