Egg activation-triggered shape change in the Dictyota dichotoma (Phaeophyceae) zygote is actin-myosin and secretion dependent.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Cellular morphogenesis in land plants and brown algae is typically a slow process involving growth established by an interplay of turgor pressure and cell wall rigidity. However, a recent study showed that zygotes of the brown alga Dictyota dichotoma undergo a rapid shape change from a sphere to an elongated spheroid in about 90 s, establishing the first body axis.

Methods

Using a combination of pharmacology, staining techniques, membrane depolarization and microscopy techniques (brightfield, transmission electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy), egg activation and the shape change of the egg cell of D. dichotoma was studied.

Key results

It was established that elongation of the zygote does not involve growth, i.e. a positive cha

SUBMITTER: Bogaert KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5737549 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature