Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

X-ray and dissolution studies of paramylon storage granules fromEuglena

  • Published:
Protoplasma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Paramylon is the β-1,3 glucan storage carbohydrate in the euglenoid algae. Mature paramylon granules are highly crystalline, fibrillar, and have a complex substructure. X-ray diffraction was used to demonstrate that mature paramylon granules are much more crystalline than immature granules. Freeze-etch electron microscopy showed that in mature granules, the microfibrils are organized in highly ordered arrays while the microfibrils of immature granules are less organized. The data suggest that the high crystallinity of paramylon is due to higher-order aggregates of microfibrils and the interaction of water with the microfibrils. The dissolution of paramylon was recorded by darkfield videomicroscopy. In a 0.5 N NaOH solution, paramylon dissociates in a regular manner into its constituent 4 nm microfibrils, and the central region of the granule is the last remaining refractile area during the dissolution process.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

LN:

liquid nitrogen

References

  • Atkins EDT, Parker KD (1969) The helical structure of a β-D-1,3-xylan. J Polymer Sci C 28: 69–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Barber AA, Bartlett TW, Levedahl BH (1966) Isolation of paramylon fromEuglena gracilis varbacillarus SML-1 by combined rate and isopycnic-zonal centrifugation. Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 21: 303–316

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barras DR, Stone BA (1968) Carbohydrate composition and metabolism inEuglena. In:Buetow DE (ed) The biology ofEuglena, vol 2. Academic Press, New York, pp 149–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Booy FP, Chanzy H, Boudet A (1981) An electron diffraction study of paramylon storage granules fromEuglena gracilis. J Microsc 121: 133–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Chanzy H, Imada K, Vuong R (1978) Electron diffraction from the primary wall of cotton fibers. Protoplasma 94: 299–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke AE, Stone BA (1960) Structure of paramylon fromEuglena gracilis. Biochim Biophys Acta 44: 161–163

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deflandre G (1934) Sur les propriétés optiques du paramylon. Bull Biol France Belg 68: 382–384

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamptner E (1952) Eine polarisationsoptische Untersuchung an Paramylonkörnern vonEuglena undPhacus. Österr Bot Z 99: 556–588

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiss JZ, Triemer RE (1988) A comparative study of the storage carbohydrate granules fromEuglena (Euglenida) andPavlova (Prymnesiida). J Protozool 35: 237–241

    Google Scholar 

  • —,Vasconcelos AC, Triemer RE (1986) Paramylon synthesis and chloroplast structure associated with nutrient levels inEuglena (Euglenophyceae). J Phycol 22: 327–333

    Google Scholar 

  • — — — (1987) The structure of the euglenoid storage carbohydrate, paramylon. Am J Bot 74: 877–882

    Google Scholar 

  • — — — (1988) The intramembranous particle profile of the paramylon membrane during paramylon synthesis inEuglena (Euglenophyceae). J Phycol 24: 152–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreger DR, Meeuse BJD (1952) X-ray diagrams ofEuglena-paramylon, of the acid-insoluble glucan of yeast cell walls and of laminarin. Biochim Biophys Acta 9: 699–700

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kreger DR, Van Der Veer J (1970) Paramylon in a chrysophyte. Acta Bot Neerl 19: 401–402

    Google Scholar 

  • Leedale GF, Meeuse BJD, Pringsheim EG (1965) Structure and physiology ofEuglena spirogyra III–VI. Arch Microbiol 50: 133–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Marchessault RH, Deslandes Y (1979) Fine structure-of (1-3)-β-D-glucans: curdlan and paramylon. Carbohydr Res 75: 231–242

    Google Scholar 

  • — —,Ogawa K, Sundararajan PR (1977) X-ray diffraction data for β-(l-3)-D-glucan. Can J Chem 55: 300–303

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller SC, Brown RM (1980) Evidence for an intramembrane component associated with a cellulose microfibril-synthesizing complex in higher plants. J Cell Biol 84: 315–326

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Picciolo GLW (1964) Paramylon in two strains ofAstasia longa. Ph.D. thesis, University of Maryland, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Pochmann A (1956) Untersuchungen über Plattenbau und Spiralbau, über Wachstum und Zerteilung der Paramylonkörner. Österr Bot Z 103: 110–141

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1958) Zweiter Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Struktur, Entwicklung und Zerteilung der Paramylonkörner. Österr Bot Z 104: 321–341

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang MC, Bartnicki-Garcia S (1976) Synthesis of β-l,3-glucan microfibrils by a cell-free extract fromPhytophthora cinnamomi. Arch Biochem Biophys 174: 351–354

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. J. Z. Kiss

    Present address: Department of Botany, Ohio State University, 1735 Neil Avenue, 43210-1293, Columbus, OH, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey

    J. Z. Kiss & R. E. Triemer

  2. Department of Botany, University of Texas at Austin, Texas

    E. M. Roberts & R. M. Brown Jr.

Authors
  1. J. Z. Kiss
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. M. Roberts
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. M. Brown Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. E. Triemer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kiss, J.Z., Roberts, E.M., Brown, R.M. et al. X-ray and dissolution studies of paramylon storage granules fromEuglena . Protoplasma 146, 150–156 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405924

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405924

Keywords

Search

Navigation