Proteinaceous inclusions in specialized thallus cells of Chylocladia verticillata (Rhodymeniales, Rhodophyta)

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Abstract
The marine red alga Chylocladia verticillata (Rhodymeniales, Rhodophyta) possesses numerous scattered small cells in the inner face of the hollow thallus which are characterized by the presence of a great number of cytoplasmic membrane-bound fibrillar inclusions. Application of the Coomassie Brilliant Blue R histochemical technique and treatment of tissue with enzyme solutions indicated that these inclusions are constituted of protein. The frequent, close association of the proteinaceous inclusions with endoplasmic reticulum elements and the occasional coalescence of the endoplasmic reticulum membranes to the inclusion membrane suggest that these inclusions may originate from the endoplasmic reticulum. Fibrillar elements of cytoplasmic inclusions appear to be organized into successive arrays of arcs arranged in nearly parallel stacked levels, as interpreted by examining different planes of inclusion sections. Analysis of the diffraction pattern of such sections has revealed that the proteinaceous content of the inclusions is polycystalline in structure.