Premium
Selective Inhibition of Flagellar Activity in Chlamydomonas by Nickel
Author(s) -
BEAN BARRY,
HARRIS ALAN
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1979.tb02769.x
Subject(s) - chlamydomonas reinhardtii , chlamydomonas , flagellum , phototaxis , biophysics , microbiology and biotechnology , nickel , chelation , chlorophyceae , biology , biochemistry , chemistry , algae , botany , chlorophyta , mutant , organic chemistry , gene
SYNOPSIS Flagellar activity in the biflagellate chlorophyte Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is selectively inhibited by Ni 2+ or by treatment with Ca 2+ ‐chelating agents. Inhibitions of swimming speed, geotaxis, phototaxis, and pattern swimming result from qualitative and quantitative losses in the activity of individual flagella and in the coordination of activity beween the 2 flagella of each cell. Addition of Ca 2+ (a) prevents inhibition and (b) restores normal flagellar activity in inhibited cells. Mg 2+ is partially effective in reversal of inhibition. Other ions do not cause similar inhibition or reversal of nickel inhibition. The characteristics of inhibition and reversal suggest that the prmary target for nickel is a component of the flagellar apparatus, and that this component uses Ca 2+ to perform its normal function in the regulation of flagellar activity. A 2nd target for nickel is a Carequiring process specific to phototaxis (and not involved in the photophobic response).