ISOLATION AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE ZYGOSPORE CELL-WALL OF CHLAMYDOMONAS-REINHARDII

After mating of competant haploid cells the diploid zygote formed could be matured into a zygospore. Isolation of the cell walls of the zygospore followed by chemical analysis indicated that the protein content was approx. 5%. Amino acid analysis showed the cell walls to contain hydroxyproline in substantial quantities (about 6 mol% of the total amino acids). The neutral sugars found were arabinose, mannose, galactose, glucose with trace amounts of rhamnose and xylose. The glucose accounted for approx. 50% of the total sugars. Twenty five percent (by weight) of the cell wall was unaccounted for, possibly remaining insoluble during the hydrolysing procedures. The results were compared with those obtained previously for the vegetative cell wall and are discussed with reference to the change from the haploid to the diploid state. © 1979.