Dynamics of Sequestered Cryptophyte Nuclei in Mesodinium rubrum during Starvation and Refeeding.

ABSTRACT: The marine mixotrophic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum is known to acquire chloroplasts, mitochondria, nucleomorphs, and nucleus from its cryptophyte prey, particularly from species in the genera, Geminigera and Teleaulax. The sequestered prey nucleus and chloroplasts are considered to support photosynthesis of M. rubrum. In addition, recent studies have shown enlargement of the retained prey nucleus in starved M. rubrum and have inferred that enlargement results from the fusion of ingested prey nuclei. Thus far, however, little is known about the mechanism underlying the enlargement of the prey nucleus in M. rubrum. Here, we conducted starvation and refeeding studies to monitor the fate of prey nuclei acquired by M. rubrum when feeding on Tele

SUBMITTER: Kim M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5359308 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature