- A-Z
- Endocytobiosis and ...
- Volume 1
- Bacterial symbionts...
- Autor(in)
- Seitenbereich
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037-046
- Zusammenfsg.
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Paramecium bursaria cells isolated from nature were found to contain bacterial symbionts in their micronuclei. These endonuclear symbionts were located in the achromatic parts of the nuclei and, in highly infected nuclei, also between the chromosomes. The reduced stainability of the micronucleus in some cell lines suggested a loss of chromatin, but infected micronuclei were able to divide mitotically. The mating reactivity of symbiont bearing cells was lower than that of symbiont-free cells, but their micronuclei also retained the ability to undergo meiosis. The observed endonuclear symbiosis appears poorly adapted and should, perhaps, be considered parasitic. A hypothesis concerning the origin of this endonuclear symbiosis is discussed.