Ion regulation in potassium-sensitive mutants of Paramecium tetraurelia

Abstract

Two recessive mutations of Paramecium tetraurelia confer sensitivity to potassium: While wild-type cells survive when up to 30 mM KCl is added to their growth medium, mutants cease to grow and die when levels of added KCl reach 20-25 mM. Similar sensitivities are seen to Rb+ and Cs+, but not to Na+. Swimming behavior of mutants is indistinguishable from wild type when placed in stimulating solutions containing Na+, K+, or Ba2+. Behavioral adaptation to low levels of K+ also is indistinguishable from wild type. Flame photometry reveals that one mutant is unable to keep out K+ and Na+ when those ions are at low levels in the medium. Both mutants have markedly lower internal Na+ than does wild type. Problems with K+ permeability account for the sensitivity of the one mutant to elevated external K+, but the basis of sensitivity in the other mutant is unclear. These mutants expand the range of ion regulation mutants in Paramecium and demonstrate that lesions in cellular ion regulation in this organism need not result in changes in swimming behavior.