| Autor: |
Roberts, E., Seagull, R. W., Haigler, C. H., Brown, R. M. |
| Zdroj: |
Protoplasma; February 1982, Vol. 113 Issue: 1 p1-9, 9p |
| Abstrakt: |
Summary Calcofluor White ST is a fluorescent brightener that has previously been shown to alter cellulose ribbon assembly in the bacteriumAcetobacter xylinum. In this report, we demonstrate that Calcofluor also disrupts cell wall assembly in the eukaryotic algaOocystis apiculata. When observed with polarization microscopy, walls altered by Calcofluor show reduced birefringence relative to controls. Electron microscopy has shown that these altered walls contain regions which consist primarily of amorphous material and which generally lack organized microfibrils. We propose that wall alteration occurs because Calcofluor binds with the glucan chains polymerized by the cellulose synthesizing enzymes as they are produced. As a consequence, the glucan chains are prevented from co-crystallizing to form microfibrils. Synthesis of normal walls resumes when Calcofluor is removed, which is consistent with our proposal that Calcofluor acts by direct physical interaction with newly synthesized wall components. |
| Databáze: |
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