Coordination on timing of gene expression inParamecium

Abstract

SUMMARYInParamecium caudatum, syngen 3, cells become mature (i.e. capable of undergoing conjugation) by about 50 fissions after conjugation. Matingtype-instability, another mating characteristic, begins to occur between 80 and 120 fissions after conjugation in heterozygotes for the mating type locus (Myohara & Hiwatashi, 1975). Mating-type instability also occurs in dominant homozygotes, earlier than in heterozygotes. In two different early maturing mutants the homozygotes become mature 20 fissions earlier than in wild-type clones, and mating-type instabiliiy also begins earlier than in wild-type clones. The number of fissions from maturity to the occurrence of the mating type change does not differ.