The cell biology and genome of <i>Stentor pyriformis</i>, a giant cell that embeds symbiotic algae in a microtubule meshwork.

ABSTRACT: Endosymbiotic events in which an endosymbiont is retained within a cell that remains capable of phagocytosis, a situation known as mixotrophy, provide potentially important clues about the eukaryotic evolution. Here we describe the cell biology and genome of the giant mixotrophic ciliate Stentor pyriformis. We show that S. pyriformis contains Chlorella variabilis as an endosymbiont that retains the ability to live outside the host. Within the host, the Chlorella cells surrounded by microtubule "baskets" near the cell surface. Photosynthetic efficiency of the Chlorella is reduced inside the Stentor cell compared with outside the host, due to increased nonphotochemical quenching. S. pyriformis displays positive phototaxis via directed swimming

SUBMITTER: Boudreau V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12005096 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature