Mastoparan-induced programmed cell death in the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtti

The present study was focused on the elucidation of stress-induced cell death signaling events in the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii exposed to treatment with wasp venom mastoparan. By applying pharmacological approach with specific inhibitors, we have investigated the involvement of ethylene, nitric oxide and lipid signaling in MP-treated C. reinhardtii. Superior sensitive laser-based detectors were used for real-time measurement of trace amounts of ethylene and nitric oxide. The morphological features in the cells undergoing programmed cell death were detected by using laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Data showed that mastoparan induces programmed cell death in C. reinhardtii 137 C(+) that is associated with phospholipid signaling, including phospholipases C and D, ethylene and nitric oxide and, the dead cells express apoptotic-like cellular disintegration, involving cytoplasm shrinkage and condensation of the nucleus.