A Quarter Century Exploring Tetrahymena *

Abstract

In reviewing 25 years of work on Tetrahymena , the author describes early difficulties experienced by himself and others in developing a chemically-defined medium and in defining the taxonomy of T. pyriformis. With identification of its essential requirements, a variety of nutritional studies revealed the close resemblance between the metabolic pathways of this ciliate and those of the chick and rat. This suggested studies on the effects of gamma radiation and the effect of antibiotics. Attention then turned to the puzzle of the absence of conjugation in all strains of T. pyriformis then maintained in laboratories. The observation that these strains were all amicronucleate led to the discovery of mating types (with D. F. Gruchy). This brought up the problem of what constitutes a species and how it might be solved in T. pyriformis where clearly defined groups are set off from other similar groups (varieties) by a breeding barrier. Another problem is whether a life cycle exists in this ciliate and if so, the role amicronucleate strains play in this cycle. The origin and obvious evolutionary success of these “genetically dead” strains are other problems that are considered. The search for nutritional markers for genetic experiments inspired large-scale collections, including some from tropical habitats. Strains were found which differed in serine and pyridoxine requirements. Genetic analysis was hindered by the high lethality following conjugation, unsatisfactory mating behavior in some clones, and the complete absence of autogamy, the latter making it difficult to obtain homozygous clones. The use of x-radiation yielded haploid individuals; when these were mated with diploid clones the resulting haploid progeny proved that the genes controlling mating type and pyridoxine synthesis resided in the micronucleus. Genetic analysis of the serine and pyridoxine mutants supports the idea that T. pyriformis is more of an outbreeder than an inbreeder. Left for the future is an extension of our knowledge of the breeding system of T. pyriformis and ultimately to examine critically the factors responsible for the success of this ubiquitous ciliate.