Entry of Foreign Bacteria and of its Own Epibionts (Epixenosomes) into an Hypotrichous Ciliate, Euplotidium itoi, by Cortical Invaginations

摘要: Summary A characteristic feature of Euplotidium itoi is the cortical band which containsepixenosomes. In some specimens formation deep invaginations has been observed in band. These contain foreign bacteria and a few epixenosomes. Successively, intracellular vacuoles are formed, delimited by whole cortex with plasmamembrane inward alveolar system toward ciliate cytoplasm. No signs digestion could be within these vacuoles. The gradually dissolved small regions. Very likely, epixenosomes escape from vacuole at sites single unit membrane only. Once cytoplasm surrounded rough endoplasmic reticulum membranes. significance this process, quite unusual ciliates, far being understood; it not even clear whether have role why takes place only level epixenosomal Moreover known what happens to episymbionts once introduced inside host cell. As as concerned, constant alterations mitochondrial features found vacuoles, suggest an infectious nature.