Changes in Cell Wall Structure During Rhizoid Formation of Silvetia babingtonii (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) Zygotes

We examined the ultrastructure of the cell wall and immunolocalization of alginates using specific antibodies against M-rich alginates and MG blocks during rhizoid formation in fucoid zygotes, Silvetia babingtonii. The thallus region of 24-h-old zygotes had a cell wall made of three layers with different fiber distribution. In the 12-h-old zygotes, three layers in the thallus were observed before rhizoid formation, namely the inner, middle, and outer layers. During rhizoid elongation, only the inner layer was apparent close to the rhizoid tip area. Immunoelectron microscopy detected M-rich blocks of alginate on the inner half of the cell wall, irrespective of the number of layers in the thallus and rhizoid regions. The MG blocks were seen to cover a slightly wider area than M-rich alginate blocks. It was suggested that parts of M in mannuronan would be rapidly converted to G, and MG-blocks are generated. Transcriptome analysis was performed using 3 -, 10 -, and 24-h-old zygotes after fertilization to examine the relationship between gene expression and alginate synthesis over time. The expression of two mannuronan C5-epimerase homologs that convert mannuronic acid into guluronic acid in alginates was upregulated or downregulated over the course of the examination

In vitro synthesis of pig kidney general acyl CoA dehydrogenase

In vitro synthesis of general acyl CoA dehydrogenase [EC 1.3.99.3], one of the mitochondrial flavoenzymes, was carried out to elucidate its biosynthetic mechanism. Poly(A)+ RNA isolated from pig kidney was translated in vitro using wheat germ lysate system and the synthesized enzyme was immunoprecipitated by the antibody against purified pig kidney general acyl CoA dehydrogenase. The apparent molecular weight of the synthesized protein was estimated to be approximately 1,000 daltons larger than that of the mature enzyme, indicating that general acyl CoA dehydrogenase in pig kidney is synthesized as a precursor with a larger molecular weight