The role of endoplasmic reticulum during gametogenesis in the aquatic fungus Allomyces macrogynus
The Chytridiomycete Allomyces macrogynus generates new membranes for cleavage furrow and nuclear-cap formation during gametogenesis and zoosporogenesis. Transmission electron microscopy after impregnation with a mixture of zinc iodide and osmium tetroxide clearly demonstrated changes in the endoplasmic reticulum. Endoplasmic reticulum was intensely stained but did not appear to contribute to the formation of the unstained flagellar membranes or cleavage furrows. However, the relative cytoplasmic volume of endoplasmic reticulum decreased as positively stained nuclear-cap membrane formed. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that flagellar membranes and cleavage furrows are derived from trans-Golgi equivalents, whereas the nuclear-cap membrane is derived from the endoplasmic reticulum. Key words: Allomyces macrogynus, Chytridiomycetes, endoplasmic reticulum, gametogenesis, zoosporogenesis.