A Study on the Effects of UV on Preferential Digestion of Chloroplast Nuclei in Young Zygote of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Abstract

Chloroplast-nuclei of male origin in the zygotes of Chlamydomonas are known to be digested after mating. This preferential digestion was inhibited by UV irradiation. An action spectrum for the inhibition of preferential digestion showed that maximum inhibition occurred between 260-265nm. Preferential digestion was greatly inhibited during 10min after mating when the zygotes were exposed to a UV pulse (254nm, 1min). This inhibition was largely overcome by subsequent incubation in visible light. These results suggest that the genes involved in maternal inheritance function within the first 10 min after mating.