THE SUPRAMOLECULAR ORGANIZATION OF RED ALGAL CELL-MEMBRANES AND THEIRPARTICIPATION IN THE BIOSYNTHESIS AND SECRETION OF EXTRACELLULAR POLYSACCHARIDES - A REVIEW

The relationship between the supramolecular organization of red algal cell membranes and the biosynthesis and secretion of the cell wall ske letal and matrix polysaccharides is reviewed. Freeze-fracture studies have revealed that organized macromolecular structures - ''linear term inal complexes'' and ''tetrads'' - are present on the plasma membrane and on membranes of the endomembrane system. The ''linear terminal com plexes'' seem to be involved in the biosynthesis, assembly, and orient ation of the cellulose microfibrils and the ''tetrads'' in the synthes is of the matrix polysaccharides. It is shown how the research on the supramolecular organization of cell membranes has increased the knowle dge on the biosynthesis and secretion of the extracellular crystalline and non-crystalline polysaccharides in red algae. In this review, the progress to date is discussed.