Macronuclear differentiation during oral regeneration in Stentor coeruleus.

The moniliform macronucleus of Stentor coeruleus coalesces and renodulates during division, reorganization and regeneration. These nuclear events are spatially and temporally synchronized with oral primordium development occurring at stages six and seven of membranellar morphogenesis. Coalesced, elongating and early renodulating macronuclei at states six and seven contained microtubules within double membrane-bound channels, passing through the nucleus parallel to the long axis. The number of microtubules per channel varied between 4 and 23. Microtubules were also found in the perinuclear cytoplasm at these stages, forming a loose network around the nucleus. The microtubules and channels are absent in control cells and macronuclei of regenerating cells prior to stage six. These transient microtubules and channels appearing in late stage six and stage seven may provide the axial plane on which elongation of the macronucleus proceeds.