Transport of membrane receptors and the mechanics of sexual cell fusion in <i>Chlamydomonas eugametos</i>

Abstract

During sexual reproduction in the heterothallic, biflagellate, green alga Chlamydomonas , gametes adhere together via their agglutinins, sex‐specific glycoproteins extrinsically bound to the flagellar membrane. Using an antibody specific for a C. eugametos agglutinin, we illustrate that agglutinins engaged in adhesion are transported to the flagellar tips. This tipping phenomenon, together with a particular orientation of the flagella, forms part of the mechanism by which gametes position themselves properly for fusion in pairs.