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Agglutination factor in the cell body of Chlamydomonas eugametos

H L Pijst1, R J Zilver, A Musgrave

  • 1Plantenfysiologisch Laboratorium, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Kruislaan 318, NL-1098 SM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Planta
|November 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Chlamydomonas eugametos mating-type minus (mt (-)) gametes use the PAS-1.2 glycoprotein for agglutination. This factor is stored in the cell body

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Chlamydomonas eugametos gametes agglutinate through flagellar surface interactions.
  • The mating-type minus (mt (-)) agglutination factor is a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein, PAS-1.2, located on the flagellar membrane exterior.
  • During flagellar regeneration, agglutination occurs even when protein synthesis is inhibited, suggesting a pre-existing pool of PAS-1.2.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the localization and storage of the mt (-) agglutination factor, PAS-1.2, in Chlamydomonas eugametos.
  • To determine if the cell body serves as a reservoir for PAS-1.2.

Main Methods:

  • Flagellar regeneration experiments with protein synthesis inhibition.
  • Extraction and gel electrophoresis of proteins from flagella-less gamete surfaces.
  • Immunological visualization using anti-PAS-1.2 serum.
  • Assay of biological activity in cell body and flagellar extracts.

Main Results:

  • PAS-1.2 is present on the exterior of regenerating flagella.
  • Large quantities of PAS-1.2 were detected on the surface of flagella-less gametes.
  • PAS-1.2-like material was visualized on the plasma membrane of mt (-) gamete cell bodies.
  • Cell body extracts showed 25 times more agglutination activity than flagellar extracts.

Conclusions:

  • The cell body plasma membrane represents a significant storage pool for the mt (-) agglutination factor, PAS-1.2.
  • PAS-1.2 is mobilized from the cell body to the flagella during mating preparation.
  • This finding explains the rapid agglutination observed during flagellar regeneration.

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