Changes in valve morphogenesis of Aulacoseira islandica by γ-tubulin inhibitor gatastatin

Abstract

Diatom valve morphogenesis occurs under the control of microtubules. It is known that γ-tubulin is an important component of the microtubule center, which controls the polymerization of microtubules and provides their nucleation in the cell. In this work, using Aulacoseira islandica as an example, α-tubulin was visualized during valve formation after cytokinesis and during interphase. It was shown that inhibition of γ-tubulin in A. islandica cells causes the formation of valves with an abnormal structure and an increased number of death cells in culture at gatastatin concentrations of 3 and 10 μM, with a threefold decrease in the number of dividing cells. The small number of valves formed under the influence of gatastatin suggests that γ-tubulin activity is required both for the nucleation of microtubules in the cell and for the onset of valve morphogenesis. The results obtained clarify the role of the microtubule center in the morphogenesis of diatom valves.