2010 Volume 43 Issue 2 Pages 101-105
To analyze cell-cell adhesion in Paramecium caudatum, we examined methyl cellulose-induced autogamous cells for their ability to adhere. It was found that the autogamous cells have cell-cell adhesion ability. In addition, we examined the proportion of adhering (conjugating) pairs derived from autogamous cells at various stages (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 h after the onset of induction of autogamy). The proportion of adhering cells reached a maximum about 2 h after the onset of induction of autogamy, and thereafter, rapidly decreased by 4 h after the onset, eventually reaching almost zero 6 h after the onset. These results suggest that there is a transient expression or activation of molecule(s) involved in cell-cell adhesion around 2 h after the onset of induction of autogamy.
