Synergistic effects of p-fluorophenylalanine and supra-optimal temperatures on cell division in Tetrahymena...

The combined effects of sub-optimal (20 degrees) or supra-optimal (31 degrees C and 34 degrees C) temperatures and the amino acid analogue p-fluorophenylalanine on preparations for cell division in Tetrahymena pyriformis were analysed. A supra-optimal temperature of 31 degrees produced a marked exaggeration of the division-delaying capacity of the analogue. The analogue also sensitises cells when combined with the normal heat shock temperature of 34 degrees, which indicates that division proteins continue to be synthesized at this temperature but cannot be effectively utilized by the cell. These results support the model that preparations involve interactions between and formation of assemblies of proteins on a strict time schedule shortly before division.