Abstract
The fungal metabolite brefeldin A (BFA) causes inhibition of cell growth inMicrasterias denticulata after 2 h incubation, combined with slight malformation of the cell shape. The BFA effects on cell development are accompanied by a gradual decrease in the number of Golgi cisternae and severe structural and morphological changes of the dictyosomes which are already visible after only 10 min exposure. When the treatment is prolonged the number of dictyosomes is markedly reduced, leading to almost complete loss of Golgi bodies, particularly in the young semicell. Groups of primary wall material-containing vesicles accumulated in areas of former dictyosomes, and previously unknown vesicular bodies are found. Restitution of almost normal dictyosomes occurs within 5 h when the cells are allowed to recover from BFA treatment.Micrasterias cells incubated in BFA at concentrations below 15 μM maintain their ability to divide over several generations. Our results indicate that, of the various inhibitors of the secretory pathway tested against growingMicrasterias cells, BFA is the only drug which induces complete and reversible dissociation of dictyosomes in the growing semicell. This allows deductions about the function of the processes targeted by BFA during cell development inMicrasterias.
Published Version
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