Saponin-induced release of single cells from filaments and rhizoid differentiation in Spirogyra

Abstract

Some species of Spirogyra living in streams can anchor to the substratum by differentiating a rhizoid from a terminal cell of a filament. Rhizoid differentiation occurs in the light but not in the dark. When a filament of Spirogyra sp. competent for rhizoid differentiation was incubated in a medium containing 0.1% saponin, terminal cells were released one by one, forming single cells. Single cells effectively differentiated to be rhizoids when saponin in the incubation medium was removed. The single-cell system developed in the present study seems suitable for analysis of gene expression during rhizoid differentiation of Spirogyra.

Conjugating Green Algae Including Desmids

“…The interesting alga Oocardium stratum Näg. Cells in filamentous zygnemataleans, by contrast, are held together by tight bonds; under certain conditions, Spirogyra and Zygnema will dissociate into single cells (e.g., Ikegaya et al, 2004). 65) forms lime-encrusted aggregations in alkaline lakes and streams (Linhart, 2011;Wallner, 1933).…”

Studies on conjugation of Spirogyra using monoclonal culture

“…We have been engaged in rhizoid differentiation of Spirogyra (Inoue et al 1999, 2002; Yamada et al 2003; Yoshida et al 2003, 2006, 2008; Yoshida and Shimmen 2007, 2009; Ikegaya et al 2004, 2008a, b). Randhawa (1959) discussed similarity between rhizoid formation and conjugation process; both result from a contact stimulus.…”

Rhizoid differentiation of Spirogyra is regulated by substratum

“…Nagata extensively studied the process of rhizoid differentiation (Nagata 1973a(Nagata , b, 1977(Nagata , 1979. Recently, we started this study by expecting a contribution to understanding of plant morphogenesis (Inoue et al 1999(Inoue et al , 2002Yamada et al 2003;Yoshida et al 2003;Ikegaya et al 2004). Upon cutting the algal filaments, the cell wall of the cut cell detaches from the filament.…”