Transfer of exponentially growing cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to hyperosmotic growth medium containing 0.7-1 M KCl, 1 M mannitol, and/or 1 M glycerol caused cessation of yeast growth for about 2 h; thereafter, growth resumed at almost the original rate. During this time, formation of fluorescent patches on the inner surface of cell walls stained with Primulin or Calcofluor white was observed. The fluorescent patches also formed in solutions of KCl or when synthesis of the cell wall was blocked with cycloheximide and/or 2-deoxyglucose. The patches gradually disappeared as the cells resumed growth, and the new buds had smooth cell walls. Electron microscopy of freeze-etched replicas of osmotically stressed cells revealed deep plasma membrane invaginations filled from the periplasmic side with an amorphous cell wall material that appeared to correspond to the fluorescent patches on the cell surface. The rate of incorporation of D-[U-14C]glucose from the growth medium into the individual cell wall polysaccharides during osmotic shock followed the growth kinetics. No differences in cell wall composition between osmotically stressed yeast and control cells were found. Hyperosmotic shock caused changes in cytoskeletal elements, as demonstrated by the disappearance of microtubules and actin microfilaments. After 2-3 h in hyperosmotic medium, both microtubules and microfilaments regenerated to their original polarized forms and the actin patches resumed their positions at the apices of growing buds. The response of S. cerevisiae strains with mutations in the osmosensing pathway genes hog1 and pbs2 to hyperosmotic shock was similar to that of the wild-type strain. We conclude that, besides causing a temporary disassembling of the cytoskeleton, hyperosmotic shock induces a change in the organization of the cell wall, apparently resulting from the displacement of periplasmic and cell wall matrix material into invaginations of the plasma membrane created by the plasmolysis.

No abstract

Meiotic prophase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe is characterized by striking nuclear movements and the formation of linear elements along chromosomes instead of tripartite synaptonemal complexes. We analysed the organization of nuclei and microtubules in cells of fission yeasts undergoing sexual differentiation. S. japonicus var. versatilis and S. pombe cells were studied in parallel, taking advantage of the better cytology in S. versatilis. During conjugation, microtubules were directed towards the mating projection. These microtubules seem to lead the haploid nuclei together in the zygote by interaction with the spindle pole bodies at the nuclear periphery. After karyogamy, arrays of microtubules emanating from the spindle pole body of the diploid nucleus extended to both cell poles. The same differentiated microtubule configuration was elaborated upon induction of azygotic meiosis in S. pombe. The cyclic movements of the elongated nuclei between the cell poles is reflected by a dynamic and coordinated shortening and lengthening of the two microtubule arrays. When the nucleus was at a cell end, one array was short while the other bridged the whole cell length. Experiments with inhibitors showed that microtubules are required for karyogamy and for the elongated shape and movement of nuclei during meiotic prophase. In both fission yeasts the SPBs and nucleoli are at the leading ends of the moving nuclei. Astral and cytoplasmic microtubules were also prominent during meiotic divisions and sporulation. We further show that in S. versatilis the linear elements formed during meiotic prophase are similar to those in S. pombe. Tripartite synaptonemal complexes were never detected. Taken together, these findings suggest that S. pombe and S. versatilis share basic characteristics in the organization of microtubules and the structure and behaviour of nuclei during their meiotic cell cycle. The prominent differentiations of microtubules and nuclei may be involved in the pairing, recombination, and segregation of meiotic chromosomes.

Meiotic prophase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe is characterized by striking nuclear movements and the formation of linear elements along chromosomes instead of tripartite synaptonemal complexes. We analysed the organization of nuclei and microtubules in cells of fission yeasts undergoing sexual differentiation. S. japonicus var. versatilis and S. pombe cells were studied in parallel, taking advantage of the better cytology in S. versatilis. During conjugation, microtubules were directed towards the mating projection. These microtubules seem to lead the haploid nuclei together in the zygote by interaction with the spindle pole bodies at the nuclear periphery. After karyogamy, arrays of microtubules emanating from the spindle pole body of the diploid nucleus extended to both cell poles. The same differentiated microtubule configuration was elaborated upon induction of azygotic meiosis in S. pombe. The cyclic movements of the elongated nuclei between the cell poles is reflected by a dynamic and coordinated shortening and lengthening of the two microtubule arrays. When the nucleus was at a cell end, one array was short while the other bridged the whole cell length. Experiments with inhibitors showed that microtubules are required for karyogamy and for the elongated shape and movement of nuclei during meiotic prophase. In both fission yeasts the SPBs and nucleoli are at the leading ends of the moving nuclei. Astral and cytoplasmic microtubules were also prominent during meiotic divisions and sporulation. We further show that in S. versatilis the linear elements formed during meiotic prophase are similar to those in S. pombe. Tripartite synaptonemal complexes were never detected. Taken together, these findings suggest that S. pombe and S. versatilis share basic characteristics in the organization of microtubules and the structure and behaviour of nuclei during their meiotic cell cycle. The prominent differentiations of microtubules and nuclei may be involved in the pairing, recombination, and segregation of meiotic chromosomes.

InS~c~~~~~~cescereur'siaecells the actincytoskeletonis present as actindotsin the bud and around theseptum,i.e. in areas of intensive cell wall synthesis, and as actin cables, which are loose bundles along the longitudinal cell axis. However, the apparently asymmetrical pattern of actin no longer persisted after protoplasting, when the cables disappeared and dots were evenly distributed under the whole protoplast surface. This pattern was maintained during regeneration of a new cell wall all over the protoplast surface, thus providing evidence of a relationship between the new wall formation and the presence of a regular arrangement of actin dots. The completed cell wall allowed the protoplast to bud and produce a normal daughter cell. However, before the walled protoplast began to bud, actin dots accumulated at the site of bud emergence and actin cables appeared, extending to the cytoplasm. Later, actin dots accumulated in the growing bud, forming a ring in the neck, and actin cables passed to the bud. Completion of the protoplast-to-cell reversion was preceded by restoration of the normal actin cytoskeleton.