FISSION YEAST SCHIZOSACCHAROMYCES POMBE AS A MODEL SYSTEM FOR ULTRASTRUCTURAL INVESTIGATIONS USING TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

Abstract

The unicellular fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe (S. pombe) has become a prominent model system to elucidate a various range of biological processes which are highly conserved in mammalian cells. Ultrastructure of the cells related to the organelle morphology is useful in the generation of the comprehensive overview of the cell function. Transmission electron microscopy provides a unique tool to study cell architecture under physiological conditions, as well as ultrastructural changes of the cells due to toxic or beneficial effects of diverse additives. In recent years, S. pombe has also proved to be a suitable cell system for transmission electron microscopy investigations. In the current study, general features of S. pombe are described. In addition, conventional specimen preparation technique and the important discoveries of cell architecture emerging from transmission electron microscopy studies of S. pombe are summarized.