Circadian rhythm of protein synthesis in generative and non‐generative antheridial cells of Chara Vulgaris L.

Abstract

Autoradiographic studies have shown that in a natural light/dark alternation there is a clear circadian rhytm of translational activity in manubria, capitular cells and antheridial filament cells of Chara vulgaris. The manubria, which are the secretory cells, exhibited rapid decreases and increases of translational activity. The reaction of capitular and antheridial filament cells to day/night changes is delayed in comparison with the reaction of manubria. It seems that the manubria play the role of oscillators (starter cells) inducing the wave of changes of activity in other cells functionally connected with them. The manubria and, maybe, the capitular cells and antheridial filament cells as well, have a circadian rhythm entrained to 24 hours by natural day/night alternation and, because ofthat, the translational rhythm can be observed under constant illumination, although the rhythm tends to decrease in amplitude after 5–6 days. No circadian rhythm of translational activity was observed in antheridia grown in continuous light for the whole developmental period.

Abstracting keywords:

• Circadian rhythm
• Translation
• Chara
• Antheridia
• Starter cells

Notes

Department of Cytophysiology, Institute of Physiology, Cytology and Cytogenetics, University of Lódz, Pilarskiego 14/16, 90–231 Lódz, Poland.