engleski

Morphological features and isoenzyme characterization of endosymbiotic algae from green hydra

Symbiotic associations are of a wide significance in evolution and biodiversity. Green hydra is a typical example of endosymbiosis. In its gastrodermal myoepithelial cells it harbors the individuals of unicellular green algae. Morphological characteristics of isolated algae determined by light and electron microscopy were presented. Cytological morphometric parameters (cell area, cell radius, chloroplast area) of isolated alga from green hydra (Cx), as well as referent species Chlorella kessleri (Ck) and Chlorella vulgaris (Cv), revealed the similarity between the isolated endosymbionts and C. kessleri. Isoenzyme patterns of esterase (EST), peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT) were used for the investigation of genetic variability in endosymbiotic algae isolated from green hydra. Out of 14 EST isoenzymes observed in Cx species, 9 were specifically expressed in Cx sample. Results of the EST isoenzyme analysis indicated a higher degree of similarity between Cx and Cv than between Cx and Ck. Due to much higher heterogeneity, EST isoenzymes seem to be more suitable genetic markers for identification of different Chlorella species than CAT and POX isoenzymes. Results obtained suggest that symbiogenesis in green hydra has probably not been terminated yet.

endosymbiotic alga; green hydra; morphometry; isoenzymes

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