Cytokinesis of the binucleate zoosporangia of Allomyces macrogynus

Allomyces macrogynus, a true fungus, produces zoosporangia which discharge uninucleate zoospores after cytoplasmic cleavage. Binucleate zoosporangia of A. macrogynus were induced and examined to understand the basic principles of cytokinesis associated with the multinucleate zoosporangia. Development of cleavage membranes was visualized by constructing three dimensional models based on electron micrographs and confocal images. Cleavage membranes on the cleavage plane showed asymmetric ingression from the cortex, but cleavage of cytoplasm was completed by the fusion of cleavage membranes with plasma membrane. Also, the position of the cleavage plane was continuously rotated until settled at the last stage. These studies suggest that the positions of the numerous cleavage planes within a multinucleate zoosporangium are continuously adjusted during development of cleavage membranes. The final settlement of cleavage planes would define the exact boundary of cleavage planes and the expansion of cleavage membranes toward the boundary could complete the cleavage of cytoplasm.