Conjugation involving dividing cells of Tetrahymena thermophila.
Feulgen-stained preparations of mixtures of starved Tetrahymena thermophila cells of complementary mating types have revealed an atypical form of conjugation involving cells which have completed the nuclear events of cell division, but have not undergone cytokinesis. Both micronuclei in the dividing cells are induced to undergo meiosis, but in 21 of 23 cases, the anterior micronucleus was activated 1st, suggesting that the meiotic inducer is synthesized near the mating junction and diffuses posteriad. Despite the induction of two micronuclei, "triad" conjugants appear to regulate nuclear events so as to produce a normal outcome.
Bliley
M A
MA
Department of Biology, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro 16444.
Van Bell
C T
CT
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D048631:Micronucleus, Germline / Q000502:physiology; D013768:Tetrahymena / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure