Isolation and characterization of macronuclei of Paramecium caudatum infected with the macronucleus-specific bacterium Holospora obtusa

Abstract

Macronuclei from Paramecium caudatum infected with Holospora obtusa may be isolated on sucrose step gradients. Macronuclei containing primarily infectious forms can be separated from those bearing predominantly reproductive forms. RNA polymerase activity in infected macronuclei is greater by a factor of 5 than that in uninfected macronuclei. Proteinase activity is also significantly higher.