Effect of conjugation on the incorporation of glycine into Tetrahymena

Abstract

1.1. Conjugation of Tetrahymena enhanced the incorporation of glycine into the nuclear fraction by 500%.2.2. Incorporation of glycine into the microsomal supernatant was augmented by almost 500% by conjugation.3.3. Mitochondrial incorporation was stimulated nearly 3-fold in the conjugating strains while the incorporation of glycine into the microsomes was enhanced approximately 2.5 times.4.4. In the whole cell, glycine incorporation was increased nearly 2-fold by conjugation.5.5. Strong nuclear involvement was indicated by elevated metabolic activity and incorporation of glycine into RNA and DNA.6.6. Stimulation of the metabolism of Tetrahymena by cell communication suggests that the contents of a cell can have a synergistic effect on another cell.7.7. Augmentation of the biosynthetic capacities of cells by fusion is a demonstration of the dominant role of the cell membrane in the regulation and control of cells.8.8. Enhancement of biosynthesis of nuclear proteins in conjugating strains of cells indicates that fusion gives rise to the synthesis of new protein from previously existing protein or protein procursors.9.9. The specific activities of the subcellular fractions after the incorporation of glycine into 2 separated starved strains of Tetrahymena followed the usual pattern of nucleus less than whole cells, whole cells less than mitochondria, mitochondria less than microsomes, but with the microsomal supernatant being much greater than that of the microsomes.