Characterization of the major proteins in gamma particles, cytoplasmic organelles in Blastocladiella emersonii zoospores. 1984

T M Hohn, and J S Lovett, and C E Bracker

The gamma particles of Blastocladiella emersonii are 0.5-micron (diameter), electron dense, membrane-enclosed organelles in the cytoplasm of zoospores that have been reported (E.C. Cantino and G.L. Mills, in P. Lemke, ed., Viruses and Plasmids in Fungi, 1979, and R.B. Myers and E.C. Cantino, in A. Wolsky (ed.), Monographs in Developmental Biology, 1974) to store the enzyme chitin synthetase. These particles were isolated from zoospores, and the two major proteins were purified for an analysis of their composition and function. The lower-molecular-weight protein (apparent molecular weight, 41,000) was insoluble in aqueous buffers, had an unusual, very basic amino acid composition, and comprised the characteristic electron-dense inclusions seen in micrographs of sections of fixed and stained gamma particles. After dispersal of the gamma particle membranes with detergent, the higher-molecular-weight protein (apparent molecular weight, 43,000) and a third minor protein (apparent molecular weight, 45,000) sedimented through sucrose cushions with the 41 kilodalton inclusion body protein but were dissociated from it by sonication in buffer containing 7 M urea. Together, the two major proteins represent 60 to 70% of the total protein in the gamma particle and 2.9% of the total protein in zoospores. Tests with specific antisera showed that the two major proteins were not antigenically related, a result consistent with the differences in amino acid composition. When zoospore lysates were centrifuged in sucrose density gradients, the major gamma particle proteins and chitin synthetase activity migrated to regions of different density. Proteins from sporulating thalli and germinating zoospores were separated by gel electrophoresis, and the two major gamma particle proteins were detected by reaction with specific antisera after electrophoretic transfer to nitrocellulose filters. Neither protein could be found in growth phase cells; the appearance and disappearances of both proteins were correlated with the formation of the gamma particles during sporulation and their decay during zoospore germination. The results indicate that gamma particles do not store chitin synthetase in the proteinaceous inclusion, but an alternative function has not yet been identified.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008970 Molecular Weight The sum of the weight of all the atoms in a molecule. Molecular Weights,Weight, Molecular,Weights, Molecular
D009940 Organoids An organization of cells into an organ-like structure. Organoids can be generated in culture, e.g., self-organized three-dimensional tissue structures derived from STEM CELLS (see MICROPHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS). They are also found in certain NEOPLASMS. Organoid
D010455 Peptides Members of the class of compounds composed of AMINO ACIDS joined together by peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids into linear, branched or cyclical structures. OLIGOPEPTIDES are composed of approximately 2-12 amino acids. Polypeptides are composed of approximately 13 or more amino acids. PROTEINS are considered to be larger versions of peptides that can form into complex structures such as ENZYMES and RECEPTORS. Peptide,Polypeptide,Polypeptides
D001754 Blastocladiella A genus of aquatic fungi of the family Blastocladiaceae, order Blastocladiales, used in the study of zoospore formation. Blastocladiellas
D002458 Cell Fractionation Techniques to partition various components of the cell into SUBCELLULAR FRACTIONS. Cell Fractionations,Fractionation, Cell,Fractionations, Cell
D002499 Centrifugation, Density Gradient Separation of particles according to density by employing a gradient of varying densities. At equilibrium each particle settles in the gradient at a point equal to its density. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Centrifugations, Density Gradient,Density Gradient Centrifugation,Density Gradient Centrifugations,Gradient Centrifugation, Density,Gradient Centrifugations, Density
D002687 Chitin Synthase An enzyme that converts UDP glucosamine into chitin and UDP. EC 2.4.1.16. Chitin-UDP Acetylglucosaminyltransferase,Chitin Synthase 1,Chitin Synthetase 2,trans-N-Acetylglucosaminosylase,Acetylglucosaminyltransferase, Chitin-UDP,Chitin UDP Acetylglucosaminyltransferase,trans N Acetylglucosaminosylase
D005656 Fungal Proteins Proteins found in any species of fungus. Fungal Gene Products,Fungal Gene Proteins,Fungal Peptides,Gene Products, Fungal,Yeast Proteins,Gene Proteins, Fungal,Peptides, Fungal,Proteins, Fungal
D005658 Fungi A kingdom of eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms that live parasitically as saprobes, including MUSHROOMS; YEASTS; smuts, molds, etc. They reproduce either sexually or asexually, and have life cycles that range from simple to complex. Filamentous fungi, commonly known as molds, refer to those that grow as multicellular colonies. Fungi, Filamentous,Molds,Filamentous Fungi,Filamentous Fungus,Fungus,Fungus, Filamentous,Mold
D000596 Amino Acids Organic compounds that generally contain an amino (-NH2) and a carboxyl (-COOH) group. Twenty alpha-amino acids are the subunits which are polymerized to form proteins. Amino Acid,Acid, Amino,Acids, Amino

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