AbstractCiliates represent suitable model systems to study the mechanisms of graviperception and signal transduction as they show clear gravity-induced behavioural responses (gravitaxis and gravikinesis). The cytoplasm seems to act as a “statolith” stimulating mechanosensitive ion channels in the cell membrane. In order to test this hypothesis, electrophysiological studies with Stylonychia mytilus were performed, revealing the proposed changes (de- or hyperpolarization) depending on the cell’s spatial orientation. The behaviour of Paramecium and Stylonychia was also analyzed during variable acceleration conditions of parabolic flights (5th German Parabolic Flight Campaign, 2003). The corresponding data confirm the relaxation of the graviresponses in microgravity as well as the existence of thresholds of graviresponses, which are found to be in the range of 0.4×g (gravikinesis) and 0.6×g (gravitaxis).
Graviperception in ciliates: Steps in the transduction chain
Advances in Space Research ; 35 , 2 ; 296-299
2005-03-07
4 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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