Journal of Cell Science, Vol 22, Issue 1 133-147, Copyright © 1976 by Company of Biologists

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Studies on the mechanism of circus movement in dissociated embryonic cells of a teleost, Oryzias latipes: fine-structural observations

N Fujinami

The fine structure of lobopodia in dissociated embryonic cells of the freshwater fish, Oryzias latipes, was observed with the electron microscope in order to understand the mechanism of the circus movements which they display. Dense material (grandular or fibrillar) is present in the zone between the lobopodium and the endoplasm, as well as in the cortical layer around the cell circumference. The direction of lobopodial movement is related to the distribution of this dense material. The band between the lobopodium and the endoplasm is conspicuous and is connected to the cortical dense layer around the cell periphery at the advancing front of the lobopodium, while the dense material is usually almost absent beneath the cell membrane in the anterior region of the lobopodium. The band between lobopodium and endoplasm is blurred or disrupted near the hind end of the lobopodiu, where the peripheral dense layer is well developed. In situ localization of actin/heavy meromyosin complexes in the cell showed that the dense material has actin-like properties. Cytochalasin B(0-5 mug/ml) induced constriction of the neck of the bleb, shrinkage of the endoplasm, and herniation of the endoplasmic contents to the enlarged hemispherical bleb, and thus arrested the circus movement. On the basis of these results, an hypothesis concerning the mechanism of circus movement is proposed and discussed.