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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles
Published on: May 5, 2022
Involvement of actin filaments in rhizoid morphogenesis of Spirogyra
Katsuhisa Yoshida1, Teruo Shimmen
1Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo, Harima Science Park City, Hyogo, Japan. yoshikatsu@silver.kobe-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
The role of actin filaments in rhizoid morphogenesis was studied in Spirogyra. When the algal filaments were severed, new terminal cells started tip growth and finally formed rhizoids. Actin inhibitors, latrunculin B and cytochalasin D, reversibly inhibited the process. A mesh-like structure of actin filaments (AFs) was formed at the tip region. Gd(3+) inhibited tip growth and decreased AFs in the tip region. Either a decrease in turgor pressure or lowering of the external Ca(2+) concentration also induced similar results. It was suggested that the mesh-like AF structure is indispensable for the elongation of rhizoids. A possible organization mechanism of the mesh-like AF structure was discussed.
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