Extensive remodeling during Chlamydomonas reinhardtii zygote maturation leads to highly resistant zygospores.

ABSTRACT: The unicellular soil alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii forms diploid zygotes during its sexual cycle. The process of a zygote maturing into a highly resistant zygospore remains poorly understood despite its importance for survival under adverse environmental conditions. Here we describe the detailed timeline of morphological and physiological changes during zygote maturation in darkness on ammonium-free Tris-acetate-phosphate agar plates. The formation of a multilayered cell wall is primarily responsible for the increase in cell size in the first few days after zygote formation. Desiccation and freezing tolerance also develop in the period 3-7 days. Photosynthetic and respiratory activity decrease to reach minimal levels after 7-10 days, accompanied by a partial dedifferentiation of the chlor

SUBMITTER: Cardador M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11808170 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature