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MECHANISMS CONTROLLING NUCLEAR MIGRATION ALONG THE TRICHOGYNE IN THE RED ALGA, BOSTRYCHIA MORITZIANA (RHODOMELACEAE, RHODOPHYTA)
Author(s) -
Wilson S. M.,
PickettHeaps J.D.,
West J.A.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.00001-211.x
Subject(s) - biology , microtubule , cytoskeleton , microbiology and biotechnology , actin , sexual reproduction , botany , algae , fertilisation , zygote , confocal microscopy , evolutionary biology , embryo , embryogenesis , cell , genetics , reproductive technology
Sexual reproduction in red algae has been studied for over a century primarily for taxonomic purposes. Despite this interest, only recently have the critical events of fertilisation been revealed. Time‐lapse video microscopy techniques have been used to document the stages in the fertilization process within Bostrychia moritziana. Once plasmogamy between a trichogyne and spermatium is achieved, two differentiated male nuclei may enter the trichogyne. One of the two migrates to the carpogonium while the other travels in the opposite direction towards the trichogyne tip and plays no further role in fertilisation. The precise mechanism governing this bidirectional movement of male nuclei is unknown, but the cytoskeleton is believed to be involved. Fluorescent staining and confocal microscopy shows an extensive arrangement of actin filaments in spermatia and along trichogynes yet microtubules are only evident in dividing spermatia. Actin filaments appear to be involved in plasmogamy and ensheath male nuclei as they migrate from the spermatium and as they travel along the trichogyne in either direction. Drug‐inhibition studies and UV‐microbeam irradiation indicate nuclear migration along trichogynes is actin/myosin dependent