Cell wall development in Oocystis solitaria in the presence of polysaccharide binding dyes.

Cell wall and thus cellulose microfibril formation in the presence of Congo red or Calcofluor white by Oocystis solitaria autospores was investigated ultrastructurally and chemically. The prevention of microfibril formation by both substances is accompanied by drastic changes of microfibril synthesis and orientation as well as the morphology of plasma-membrane-associated E-face terminal complexes. Removal of Congo red and Calcofluor white from the culture medium results in the recovery of microfibril formation, of a normal patterned microfibril arrangement, and of terminal complexes with extending microfibril imprints.