Abstract
The initial stages of mating between gametes of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardi involves interactions between flagella of plus and minus gametes, expressed first as agglutination, then by pairing and cell wall lysis. In this paper we demonstrate that the initial step, agglutination, and the subsequent step, the release of carbohydrates, are both sensitive to trypsin treatment. Trypsinized cells recover their agglutinability in about 45 min. However, release of carbohydrates is delayed an additional hour. The two steps can also be differentiated with the antibiotics cycloheximide and actinomycin D added after trypsin treatment. Cycloheximide added to trypsinized cells inhibits recovery of both agglutinability and carbohydrates release. Actinomycin D, on the other hand, allows the recovery of agglutinability, but inhibits the recovery of carbohydrate release. The differences in rates of recovery and in sensitivity to cycloheximide and actinomycin D, lead us to conclude that different proteins of the flagellar surface are associated with the two early steps of mating.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
