Mitosis in the yeast Lipomyces lipofer

Abstract

A study of mitosis in Lipomyces has been carried out because preliminary observations by Ganesan and Roberts, 1959 (9), had indicated that the nucleus of this yeast might be unusually favourable for morphological observations. This impression has proved correct. The chromosomes of Lipomyces are visible as separate, countable bodies for the greater part of mitosis. The pattern of mitosis differs from the common one in that in Lipomyces the proper distribution of sister chromosomes is accomplished without the help of a spindle apparatus. At the end of prophase sister chromosomes are found in pairs which align themselves parallel to one another to form a palisade or stack whose long axis coincides with the axis of the impending division. At anaphase-telophase the stack of paired chromosomes fuses into a seemingly homogeneous cord which divides by constriction.