Cloning of Tetrahymena cells in a chemically defined medium is possible in the presence of surfactants or at reduced temperature.

When Tetrahymena cells are exposed to physical or chemical stress they may die. The effect of a given stress depends on the culture medium, the temperature, and the manipulation of the cells. Cells in broth-medium or buffer solution are more resistant than cells in chemically defined medium (CDM).

Effects of Pluronic F-68 on Tetrahymena cells: protection against chemical and physical stress and prolongation of survival under toxic conditions.

The effects of the non-ionic surfactant Pluronic F-68 (0.01% w/v) on Tetrahymena cells have been studied. A marked protection against chemical and physical stress was observed.

Interface-mediated death of unconditioned Tetrahymena cells: effect of the medium composition.

We have previously shown that the cell death of Tetrahymena thermophila in low inocula cultures in a chemically-defined medium is not apoptotic. The death is caused by a cell lysis occurring at the medium-air interface and can be prevented by the addition of insulin or Pluronic F-68. Here, we report that cell death can also be caused by the medium.

Expression of Tetrahymena snRNA gene variants including a U1 gene with mutations in the 5' splice site recognition sequence.

The expression of U1, U2 and U5 snRNA gene variants has been studied under different physiological states of Tetrahymena. Variants of all three snRNA genes are expressed. Among the snRNAs detected is U1-3, a variant with 66 mutations compared to the normal U1 snRNA.