Analysis of chromosome movement in crane fly spermatocytes by ultraviolet microbeam irradiation of individual chromosomal spindle fibres. II. Action spectra for stopping chromosome movement and for blocking ciliary beating and myofibril contractions.

Chromosome-to-pole movement in crane fly spermatocytes was temporarily blocked by ultraviolet light focussed to a 4-micrometer-diameter spot on single chromosomal spindle fibres. Since similar irradiation of the interzonal region did not alter chromosome-to-pole movement, this effect was specific to spindle fibres. The action spectrum for blocking chromosome movement in this specific way had two peaks, one at 270 nm and one at 290 nm. To block movement, irradiations with 280-nm-wavelength light required two to four times more energy than irradiations with 270- or 290-nm-wavelength light. Action spectra were obtained for blocking ciliary beating and for blocking myofibril contraction. The action spectrum for blocking ciliary beating had a broad peak, between 260 nm and 280 nm, whilst that for blocking myofibril contraction had two peaks, at 270 and 290 nm, just like that for blocking chromosome movement. We discuss the similarities and differences in the various action spectra, and we compare the action spectra to absorption spectra of spindle components and to other action spectra (e.g., that for depolymerizing actin-containing filaments). Absorption spectra were obtained for ultraviolet light passing through spindle fibres as well as for ultraviolet light passing through the interzone.