title: Cell models of Blepharisma: Ca(2+)-dependent modification of ciliary movement and cell elongation.
abstract: Ionic mechanisms were examined with reference to modification of swimming velocity and cell elongation in Triton-extracted cell models of Blepharisma. The extracted cells swam forward at Ca(2+) concentrations below 10(-6) M. The forward swimming velocity of the cell models increased with a decreased Ca(2+) concentration in the surrounding medium. At Ca(2+) concentrations above 10(-6) M, the models swam backward or rotated. The elongation of the models occurred at Ca(2+) concentrations below 10(-7) M. Results suggest that swimming velocity, cell elongation and contraction of intact cells may be regulated by intracellular Ca(2+) concentration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsuoka
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuriu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arita
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taneda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzaki
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shigenaka