Open AccessUltrastructural changes in Chlamydomonas acidophila (Chlorophyta) induced by heavy metals and polyphosphate metabolism
Author(s) -
Nishikawa Kahoko,
Yamakoshi Yoko,
Uemura Isao,
Tominaga Noriko
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1016/s0168-6496(03)00049-7
Subject(s) - polyphosphate , vacuole , biology , ultrastructure , cadmium , intracellular , chlorophyta , biophysics , zinc , biochemistry , phosphate , algae , cytoplasm , botany , materials science , metallurgy
Ultrastructural changes induced by heavy metals (cadmium, zinc, and copper) and polyphosphate metabolism were studied in Chlamydomonas acidophila . Transmission electron microscopy indicated that cadmium led to the most drastic morphometric changes. An increase in number and volume of starch grains and vacuoles as well as the presence of electron dense deposits in vacuole and membrane whorls were observed. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis revealed that vacuolar deposits inside cells treated with cadmium contained phosphate and cadmium. These ultrastructural changes were accompanied by a change in the intracellular polyphosphate level, as shown by in vivo 31 P‐nuclear magnetic resonance. It was also observed that cadmium treatment caused polyphosphate degradation and increased vacuolar short‐chains and orthophosphates.