Ultrastructural and chemical changes in the cell wall of Haematococcus pluvialis (Volvocales, Chlorophyta) during aplanospore formation

Abstract

Changes in the ultrastructure and chemistry of the cell wall of the unicellular volvocalean green alga Haematococcus pluvialis were investigated during the transformation of flagellates into aplanospores. The motile biflagellated state exhibited a distinct gelatinous extracellular matrix. Its ultrastructure resembled the typical volvocalean multilayered architecture with a median tripartite crystalline layer. The transformation into the non-motile cell state was characterized by formation of a new layer, a primary wall, within the extracellular matrix. During this process, the initial extracellular matrix remained intact except for the outer layers of the tripartite crystalline layer, which decomposed. Further morphogenesis of the aplanospore resulted in the formation of a voluminous multilayered cell wall. A trilaminar sheath was formed inside the primary wall and the innermost and thickest part was an amorphous secondary wall, consisting mostly of a mannan. Results obtained by staining with the fluorescent dye primuline as well as by acetolysis suggest the occurrence of sporopollenin-like material (algaenan) within the trilaminar sheath of the aplanospore cell wall. The primary wall and the outer remnants of the extracellular matrix disintegrated as the aplanospores aged, and were completely absent in the resting cell state.