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. 2024 Apr 4;22(4):e3002563.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002563. eCollection 2024 Apr.

Mutualism on the edge: Understanding the Paramecium-Chlorella symbiosis

Benjamin H Jenkins  1
Affiliations

Mutualism on the edge: Understanding the Paramecium-Chlorella symbiosis

Benjamin H Jenkins. PLoS Biol. .

Abstract

Exploring the mechanisms that underpin symbiosis requires an understanding of how these complex interactions are maintained in diverse model systems. The ciliate protist, Paramecium bursaria, offers a valuable insight into how emergent endosymbiotic interactions have evolved.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Schematic of the Paramecium bursaria endosymbiosis.
(A) Free-living algae are engulfed into phagosomes and fused with host lysosomes to form the digestive vacuole. (B) Successful symbionts evade digestion through budding of the digestive vacuole to form the perialgal vacuole. (C) Perialgal vacuoles are localized beneath the host cell membrane between the trichocysts and mitochondria. (D) Symbionts within perialgal vacuoles exchange metabolites with the host to maintain the interaction. (E) Symbiont breakdown is triggered through dissociation of the perialgal vacuole from the host cell membrane followed by lysosomal fusion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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