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Structural and ultrastructure changes show an increase in amoeboid forms in Heterosigma akashiwo (Raphidophyceae), during recovery after nutrient depletion

Authors :
Alessio Papini
C. Niccolai
P. Di Falco
Fabiola Fani
Caterina Nuccio
Luigi Lazzara
Mattia Belli
Corrado Tani
Source :
Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology. 151:965-973
Publication Year :
2016
Publisher :
Informa UK Limited, 2016.

Abstract

Heterosigma akashiwo shows remarkable ultrastructural changes during the recovery from a late stationary phase (“aged” culture) induced by nutrient depletion. H. akashiwo cells showed different morphological types in “aged” cultures, with an increase in irregular cells and cell fragments. The irregular cells mostly corresponded to an amoeboid shape of the cell. Many of these cells showed chloroplasts with a homogeneous matrix of medium electron density lacking most thylakoids and condensed nucleus, probably as a result of cyst/resting cells germination. In other cells, we observed nuclear blebbing without chromatin condensation and changes in mitochondrion ultrastructure. Some vegetative cells in active phase (“young” culture) were connected to each other, apparently phagocytizing cytoplasmic fragments and intact chloroplasts in the medium. An explanation for the phenomenon may reside in the need of acquiring organic material after nutrient reduction for a faster recovery. On the basis of our obse...

Details

ISSN :
17245575 and 11263504
Volume :
151
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........51f2ec5d532273c98b2d46a9da01362a