Ultrastructure of the endoplasmic factor responsible for cytoplasmic streaming in Chara internodal cells. 1979

R Nagai, and T Hayama

Previous investigators have proposed that cytoplasmic streaming in Chara internodal cells results from the interaction between an endoplasmic factor and fibrils composed of microfilaments in the stationary cortex. Using the internal perfusion technique, we confirmed the observation that organelles which had been attached to the fibrils by decreasing the internal concentration of ATP moved along the fibrils after ATP was introduced. Thin-sectioned specimens revealed that endoplasmic organelles of various shapes were linked to microfilament bundles in the absence of ATP. Linkage was effected by regularly arranged electron-dense materials with a spacing of 100 -- 130 nm at definite regions on each organelle. The organelles in question were studied in negatively stained preparations of endoplasm. The organelles had some common features. (1) They were all membrane-limited.(2) Their sizes and configurations varied largely. (3) One or more protuberances were present on them. (4) The protuberances were usually rod- or horn-like. (5) Small globular bodies 20--30 nm in diameter were found in ordered array with the same spacing as those in thin sections at the surface of the protuberances. (6) Many fine filaments were always attached to the surface of the protuberances. These fine filaments differed from F-actin in diameter (less than 4 nm) and inability to react with heavy meromyosin from rabbit skeletal muscle. The role of such components of the organelles in cytoplasmic streaming is discussed. A paracrystalline array of microfilaments with a transverse periodicity of about 38 nm is presented, together with its optical diffraction pattern.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D003593 Cytoplasm The part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990) Protoplasm,Cytoplasms,Protoplasms
D003595 Cytoplasmic Streaming The movement of CYTOPLASM within a CELL. It serves as an internal transport system for moving essential substances throughout the cell, and in single-celled organisms, such as the AMOEBA, it is responsible for the movement (CELL MOVEMENT) of the entire cell. Protoplasmic Streaming,Cytoplasmic Streamings,Protoplasmic Streamings,Streaming, Cytoplasmic,Streaming, Protoplasmic,Streamings, Cytoplasmic,Streamings, Protoplasmic
D003599 Cytoskeleton The network of filaments, tubules, and interconnecting filamentous bridges which give shape, structure, and organization to the cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic Filaments,Cytoskeletal Filaments,Microtrabecular Lattice,Cytoplasmic Filament,Cytoskeletal Filament,Cytoskeletons,Filament, Cytoplasmic,Filament, Cytoskeletal,Filaments, Cytoplasmic,Filaments, Cytoskeletal,Lattice, Microtrabecular,Lattices, Microtrabecular,Microtrabecular Lattices
D000255 Adenosine Triphosphate An adenine nucleotide containing three phosphate groups esterified to the sugar moiety. In addition to its crucial roles in metabolism adenosine triphosphate is a neurotransmitter. ATP,Adenosine Triphosphate, Calcium Salt,Adenosine Triphosphate, Chromium Salt,Adenosine Triphosphate, Magnesium Salt,Adenosine Triphosphate, Manganese Salt,Adenylpyrophosphate,CaATP,CrATP,Manganese Adenosine Triphosphate,MgATP,MnATP,ATP-MgCl2,Adenosine Triphosphate, Chromium Ammonium Salt,Adenosine Triphosphate, Magnesium Chloride,Atriphos,Chromium Adenosine Triphosphate,Cr(H2O)4 ATP,Magnesium Adenosine Triphosphate,Striadyne,ATP MgCl2
D000460 Chlorophyta A phylum of photosynthetic EUKARYOTA bearing double membrane-bound plastids containing chlorophyll a and b. They comprise the classical green algae, and represent over 7000 species that live in a variety of primarily aquatic habitats. Only about ten percent are marine species, most live in freshwater. Algae, Green,Chlorophytina,Green Algae
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