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Examination of the Chromosomes of Polysphondylium pallidum Following Metaphase Arrest by Benzimidazole Derivatives and Colchicine

1980; Microbiology Society; Volume: 116; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1099/00221287-116-2-409

1465-2080

Kelly L. Williams,

Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology

Techniques used previously to examine the mitotic chromosomes of Dictyostelium discoideum have been applied to the cellular slime mould Polysphondylium pallidum. Mitosis in P. pallidum is similar to that in D. discoideum except that a metaphase plate configuration is rare and that it has more chromosomes (n = 11 or 12) than D. discoideum (n = 7). Some metaphase arrest (mitotic index 14 %) was achieved in P. pallidum when colchicine was used at a high concentration (10 mg ml−1). Low concentrations of benzimidazole derivatives (thiabendazole, cambendazole, ben late and nocodazole) caused the arrest of cell division, mitotic indices greater than 50%, chromosome doubling and lowered plating efficiency. Growth of P. pallidum in axenic medium was investigated.