The effect of colchicine on regenerating membranellar cilia in Stentor coeruleus

RNA Interference by Cyanobacterial Feeding Demonstrates the SCSG1 Gene Is Essential for Ciliogenesis during Oral Apparatus Regeneration in Stentor

In the giant ciliate Stentor coeruleus, oral apparatus (OA) regeneration is an experimentally tractable regeneration paradigm that occurs via a series of morphological steps. OA regeneration is thought to be driven by a complex regulatory system that orchestrates the temporal expression of conserved and specific genes. We previously identified a S. coeruleus-specific gene (named SCSG1) that was significantly upregulated during the ciliogenesis stages of OA regeneration, with an expression peak at the stage of the first OA cilia appearance. We established a novel RNA interference (RNAi) method through cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 feeding in S. coeruleus. The expression of SCSG1 gene was significantly knocked down by using this method and induced abnormal ciliogenesis of OA regeneration in S. coeruleus, suggesting that SCSG1 is essential for OA regeneration in S. coeruleus. This novel RNAi method by cyanobacterial feeding has potential utility for studying other ciliates.

Proteomic identification and expression of oral apparatus constituents in cell regeneration of giant ciliate Stentor coeruleus (strain WHEL)

The giant ciliate Stentor coeruleus (S. coeruleus) is a suitable model organism for studying morphogenesis and regeneration at the single-cell level. It contains a prominent structure on the anterior end of the cell, known as the oral apparatus (OA). OA can be induced to shed by urea treatment and then new OA regenerates via a series of defined morphological events and the cell resumes normal feeding activity. We identified OA constituents in S. coeruleus by mass spectrometry. A total of 882 OA-associated proteins were identified; the homologs of 181 of these are known OA constituents in other organisms. The expression pattern of OA-associated genes during regeneration was investigated using single-cell transcriptome sequencing. The expression of most OA-associated genes was high during regeneration, indicating their stable expression after OA shedding. We also identified OA-associated differentially expressed genes that may be involved in regulating OA reconstruction. In summary, this study gives preliminary insight into the molecular basis of OA in S. coeruleus.

The contractile process in the ciliate, Stentor coeruleus. I. The role of microtubules and filaments

The structural basis for the function of microtubules and filaments in cell body contractility in the ciliate Stentor coeruleus was investigated. Cells in the extended state were obtained for ultrastructural analysis by treatment before fixation with a solution containing 10 mM EGTA, 50-80 mM Tris, 3 mM MgSO(4), 7.5 mM NH(4)Cl, 10 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.1). The response of Stentor to changes in the divalent cation concentrations in this solution suggests that Ca(+2) and Mg(+2) are physiologically important in the regulation of ciliate contractility. The generation of motive force for changes in cell length in Stentor resides in two distinct longitudinal cortical fiber systems, the km fibers and myonemes. Cyclic changes in cell length are associated with (a) the relative sliding of parallel, overlapping microtubule ribbons in the km fibers, and (b) a distinct alteration in the structure of the contractile filaments constituting the myonemes. The microtubule and filament systems are distinguished functionally as antagonistic contractile elements. The development of motive force for cell extension is accomplished by active microtubule-to-microtubule sliding generated by specific intertubule bridges. Evidence is presented which suggests that active shortening of contractile filaments, reflected in a reversible structural transformation of dense 4-nm filaments to tubular 10-12-nm filaments, provides the basis for rapid cell contraction.

Colchicine-inhibited cilia regeneration: explanation for lack of effect in tris buffer medium

In Stentor coeruleus growth of new, daughter ciliates and experimentaly inducled regeneration of oral membranellar cilia are reversibly inhibited by low, nontoxic concentrations of colchicine. However, if the clulture medium containing colchicine (or Colcemid) is made up in tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer, growth of ciliated daughters and regeneration of oral cilia proceed normally. The evidence suggests that the mechanism of this reversal of the effects of colchicine (or Colcemid) is due to a chemical reaction between tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane (or its hydrochloride, or both) and colchicine (or Colcemid), wihich reduces the effective concentration of these mitotic spindle inhibitors reaching the stentors.