Novel touch-induced, Ca2+-dependent phobic response in a flagellate green alga

Kreimer G, Witman GB (1994)


Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 1994

Journal

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Book Volume: 29

Pages Range: 97-109

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1002/cm.970290202

Abstract

The biflagellate green alga Spermatozopsis similis exhibits a remarkable avoidance reaction in addition to the photophobic or stop response characteristic of such algae. S. similis normally swims forward with its anteriorly attached flagella directed posteriorly and propagating sine-like waves from base to tip. Upon contact with surfaces or other cells, S. similis responds with rapid backward swimming, covering distances of up to 50 mu m in 140 to 220 msec. This reaction, which we term the mechanoshock response, also can be triggered by vigorous mechanical stimulation, but not by physiological light intensities. It consists of 3 phases: (1) a rapid acceleration phase with average duration of 31 msec; (2) a phase of about 66 msec with constant high speed (maximal velocities of > 600 mu m.sec(-1)) or slow deceleration; and (3) a deceleration phase of similar to 83 msec, followed by a stop or short period of circling. The cells then resume forward swimming in a random direction. Prior to the mechanoshock response the flagella rapidly are brought together into a close parallel configuration extending anteriorly of the cell body. They then appear to propel the cell by undulatory beating, while the cell describes a pronounced helical path. Small decreases in the extracellular Ca2+ concentration, as well as low concentrations of Ba2+, strongly suppress the probability of this phobic reaction. We conclude that this mechanoshock response involves large Ca2+ influxes, probably mediated by mechanosensitive and/or stretch-activated ion-channel(s). (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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APA:

Kreimer, G., & Witman, G.B. (1994). Novel touch-induced, Ca2+-dependent phobic response in a flagellate green alga. Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton, 29(2), 97-109. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cm.970290202

MLA:

Kreimer, Georg, and George B. Witman. "Novel touch-induced, Ca2+-dependent phobic response in a flagellate green alga." Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton 29.2 (1994): 97-109.

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