EFFECT OF METHYL GLYOXAL ON GROWTH AND CELL DIVISION OF CHLAMYDOMONAS REINHARDII

Methyl glyoxal, at concentrations of 1.0–2.0 mM, inhibits growth of the green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardii. The photosynthetic assimilation of carbon dioxide is also inhibited by the glyoxal. At the lower concentrations (less than 1.0–1.5 mM) protein synthesis Is inhibited, whereas polysaccharide synthesis and assimilation of carbon dioxide into the alcohol–soluble fraction is stimulated; at higher concentrations fl.5–2.5 mM) these latter two processes are also inhibited. Cell division in synchonized cultures of the alga is more sensitive to methyl glyoxal when it is added at the start of the growth cycle than when added late in the growth cycle. However, when added late in the growth cycle, methyl glyoxal delays the onset of cell division by 2 hours. No such delay occurs when cycloheximide is added 4–6 hours before division. Copyright © 1969, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved