Protoplasmic streaming in the giant unicellular green algaAcetabularia mediterranea

Abstract

The sensitivity of the dual intracellular transport system inAcetabularia mediterranea (Koop andKiermayer 1979 a) to cytochalasin B (CB, 10−5 mol), chlorisopropyl-N-phenylcarbamate (CIPC, 2.10−4 mol), and amiprophosmethyl (APM, 3.10−5 mol) has been studied by microcinematography. Vegetative cells before cap formation, 2–3 cm in length, and cells with a maximum sized cap, containing secondary nuclei, were used for the experiments. All intracellular movements ceased under the influence of CB, while in contrast to “headed streaming bands” and to the migration of the secondary nuclei, the movement of chloroplasts at “thin filaments” was found to be insensitive to Col, CIPC, and APM. All inhibitory effects of the drugs on protoplasmic streaming were completely reversible within a time of less than 10–20 minutes recovery from the drugs. The results suggest an involvement of microfilaments in all intracellular movements while, in addition, microtubules seem to be connected with the movement on “headed streaming bands”, including the migration of secondary nuclei.