Synthesis, transport, and utilization of specific flagellar proteins during flagellar regeneration in Chlamydomonas

Distribution and bulk flow analyses of the intraflagellar transport (IFT) motor kinesin-2 support an "on-demand" model for Chlamydomonas ciliary length control

Most cells tightly control the length of their cilia. The regulation likely involves intraflagellar transport (IFT), a bidirectional motility of multi-subunit particles organized into trains that deliver building blocks into the organelle. In Chlamydomonas, the anterograde IFT motor kinesin-2 consists of the motor subunits FLA8 and FLA10 and the nonmotor subunit KAP. KAP dissociates from IFT at the ciliary tip and diffuses back to the cell body. This observation led to the diffusion-as-a-ruler model of ciliary length control, which postulates that KAP is progressively sequestered into elongating cilia because its return to the cell body will require increasingly more time, limiting motor availability at the ciliary base, train assembly, building block supply, and ciliary growth. Here, we show that Chlamydomonas FLA8 also returns to the cell body by diffusion. However, more than 95% of KAP and FLA8 are present in the cell body and, at a given time, just ~1% of the motor participates in IFT. After repeated photobleaching of both cilia, IFT of fluorescent kinesin subunits continued indicating that kinesin-2 cycles from the large cell-body pool through the cilia and back. Furthermore, growing and full-length cilia contained similar amounts of kinesin-2 subunits and the size of the motor pool at the base changed only slightly with ciliary length. These observations are incompatible with the diffusion-as-a-ruler model, but rather support an "on-demand model," in which the cargo load of the trains is regulated to assemble cilia of the desired length.

N-Terminal Processing and Modification of Ciliary Dyneins

Axonemal dyneins are highly complex microtubule motors that power ciliary motility. These multi-subunit enzymes are assembled at dedicated sites within the cytoplasm. At least nineteen cytosolic factors are specifically needed to generate dynein holoenzymes and/or for their trafficking to the growing cilium. Many proteins are subject to N-terminal processing and acetylation, which can generate degrons subject to the AcN-end rule, alter N-terminal electrostatics, generate new binding interfaces, and affect subunit stoichiometry through targeted degradation. Here, we have used mass spectrometry of cilia samples and electrophoretically purified dynein heavy chains from Chlamydomonas to define their N-terminal processing; we also detail the N-terminal acetylase complexes present in this organism. We identify four classes of dynein heavy chain based on their processing pathways by two distinct acetylases, one of which is dependent on methionine aminopeptidase activity. In addition, we find that one component of both the outer dynein arm intermediate/light chain subcomplex and the docking complex is processed to yield an unmodified Pro residue, which may provide a setpoint to direct the cytosolic stoichiometry of other dynein complex subunits that contain N-terminal degrons. Thus, we identify and describe an additional level of processing and complexity in the pathways leading to axonemal dynein formation in cytoplasm.

Modular, cascade-like transcriptional program of regeneration in Stentor

The giant ciliate Stentor coeruleus is a classical model system for studying regeneration and morphogenesis in a single cell. The anterior of the cell is marked by an array of cilia, known as the oral apparatus, which can be induced to shed and regenerate in a series of reproducible morphological steps, previously shown to require transcription. If a cell is cut in half, each half regenerates an intact cell. We used RNA sequencing (RNAseq) to assay the dynamic changes in Stentor's transcriptome during regeneration, after both oral apparatus shedding and bisection, allowing us to identify distinct temporal waves of gene expression including kinases, RNA -binding proteins, centriole biogenesis factors, and orthologs of human ciliopathy genes. By comparing transcriptional profiles of different regeneration events, we identified distinct modules of gene expression corresponding to oral apparatus regeneration, posterior holdfast regeneration, and recovery after wounding. By measuring gene expression after blocking translation, we show that the sequential waves of gene expression involve a cascade mechanism in which later waves of expression are triggered by translation products of early-expressed genes. Among the early-expressed genes, we identified an E2F transcription factor and the RNA-binding protein Pumilio as potential regulators of regeneration based on the expression pattern of their predicted target genes. RNAi-mediated knockdown experiments indicate that Pumilio is required for regenerating oral structures of the correct size. E2F is involved in the completion of regeneration but is dispensable for earlier steps. This work allows us to classify regeneration genes into groups based on their potential role for regeneration in distinct cell regeneration paradigms, and provides insight into how a single cell can coordinate complex morphogenetic pathways to regenerate missing structures.

Cytoskeleton-related regulation of primary cilia shortening mediated by melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1

Primary cilia are specialized microtubule-based organelles. Their importance is highlighted by the gamut of ciliary diseases associated with various syndromes including diabetes and obesity. Primary cilia serve as signaling hubs through selective interactions with ion channels and conventional G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) receptor 1 (MCHR1), a key regulator of feeding, is selectively expressed in neuronal primary cilia in distinct regions of the mouse brain. We previously found that MCH acts on ciliary MCHR1 and induces cilia shortening through a Gi/o-dependent Akt pathway with no cell cycle progression. Many factors can participate in cilia length control. However, the mechanisms for how these molecules are relocated and coordinated to activate cilia shortening are poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of cytoskeletal dynamics in regulating MCH-induced cilia shortening using clonal MCHR1-expressing hTERT-RPE1 cells. Pharmacological and biochemical approaches showed that cilia shortening mediated by MCH was associated with increased soluble cytosolic tubulin without changing the total tubulin amount. Enhanced F-actin fiber intensity was also observed in MCH-treated cells. The actions of various pharmacological agents revealed that coordinated actin machinery, especially actin polymerization, was required for MCHR1-mediated cilia shortening. A recent report indicated the existence of actin-regulated machinery for cilia shortening through GPCR agonist-dependent ectosome release. However, our live-cell imaging experiments showed that MCH progressively elicited cilia shortening without exclusion of fluorescence-positive material from the tip. Short cilia phenotypes have been associated with various metabolic disorders. Thus, the present findings may contribute toward better understanding of how the cytoskeleton is involved in the GPCR ligand-triggered cilia shortening with cell mechanical properties that underlies clinical manifestations such as obesity.

Functional exploration of the IFT-A complex in intraflagellar transport and ciliogenesis

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) particles or trains are composed of IFT-A and IFT-B complexes. To assess the working mechanism of the IFT-A complex in IFT and ciliogenesis, we have analyzed ift43 mutants of Chlamydomnonas in conjunction with mutants of the other IFT-A subunits. An ift43 null mutant or a mutant with a partial deletion of the IFT43 conserved domain has no or short flagella. The mutants accumulate not only IFT-B but also IFT-Ain the short flagella, which is in contrast to an ift140 null mutant. The IFT43 conserved domain is necessary and sufficient for the function of IFT43. IFT43 directly interacts with IFT121 and loss of IFT43 results in instability of IFT-A. A construct with a partial deletion of the IFT43 conserved domain is sufficient to rescue the instability phenotype of IFT-A, but results in diminishing of IFT-A at the peri-basal body region. We have further provided evidence for the direct interactions within the IFT-A complex and shown that the integrity of IFT-A is important for its stability and cellular localization. Finally, we show that both IFT43 and IFT140 are involved in mobilizing ciliary precursors from the cytoplasmic pool during flagellar regeneration, suggesting a novel role of IFT-A in transporting ciliary components in the cytoplasm to the peri-basal body region.

Analysis of Axonemal Assembly During Ciliary Regeneration in Chlamydomonas

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is an outstanding model genetic organism for study of assembly of cilia. Here, methods are described for synchronization of ciliary regeneration in Chlamydomonas to analyze the sequence in which ciliary proteins assemble. In addition, the methods described allow analysis of the mechanisms involved in regulation of ciliary length, the proteins required for ciliary assembly, and the temporal expression of genes encoding ciliary proteins. Ultimately, these methods can contribute to discovery of conserved genes that when defective lead to abnormal ciliary assembly and human disease.

Flagellar regeneration requires cytoplasmic microtubule depolymerization and kinesin-13

In ciliated cells, two types of microtubules can be categorized: cytoplasmic and axonemal. It has been shown that axonemal tubulins come from a 'cytoplasmic pool' during cilia regeneration. However, the identity and regulation of this 'pool' is not understood. Previously, we have shown that Chlamydomonas kinesin-13 (CrKin13) is phosphorylated during flagellar regeneration, and required for proper flagellar assembly. In the present study, we show that CrKin13 regulates depolymerization of cytoplasmic microtubules to control flagellar regeneration. After flagellar loss and before flagellar regeneration, cytoplasmic microtubules were quickly depolymerized, which was evidenced by the appearance of sparse and shorter microtubule arrays and increased free tubulins in the cell body. Knockdown of CrKin13 expression by RNA interference inhibited depolymerization of cytoplasmic microtubules and impaired flagellar regeneration. In vitro assay showed that CrKin13 possessed microtubule depolymerization activity. CrKin13 underwent phosphorylation during microtubule depolymerization, and phosphorylation induced targeting of CrKin13 to microtubules. The phosphorylation of CrKin13 occurred at residues S100, T469 and S522 as determined by mass spectrometry. Abrogation of CrKin13 phosphorylation at S100 but not at other residues by inducing point mutation prevented CrKin13 targeting to microtubules. We propose that CrKin13 depolymerizes cytoplasmic microtubules to provide tubulin precursors for flagellar regeneration.

A role for the membrane in regulating Chlamydomonas flagellar length

Flagellar assembly requires coordination between the assembly of axonemal proteins and the assembly of the flagellar membrane and membrane proteins. Fully grown steady-state Chlamydomonas flagella release flagellar vesicles from their tips and failure to resupply membrane should affect flagellar length. To study vesicle release, plasma and flagellar membrane surface proteins were vectorially pulse-labeled and flagella and vesicles were analyzed for biotinylated proteins. Based on the quantity of biotinylated proteins in purified vesicles, steady-state flagella appeared to shed a minimum of 16% of their surface membrane per hour, equivalent to a complete flagellar membrane being released every 6 hrs or less. Brefeldin-A destroyed Chlamydomonas Golgi, inhibited the secretory pathway, inhibited flagellar regeneration, and induced full-length flagella to disassemble within 6 hrs, consistent with flagellar disassembly being induced by a failure to resupply membrane. In contrast to membrane lipids, a pool of biotinylatable membrane proteins was identified that was sufficient to resupply flagella as they released vesicles for 6 hrs in the absence of protein synthesis and to support one and nearly two regenerations of flagella following amputation. These studies reveal the importance of the secretory pathway to assemble and maintain full-length flagella.

Mechanoreception in motile flagella of Chlamydomonas

Ciliates and flagellates temporarily swim backwards on collision by generating a mechanoreceptor potential. Although this potential has been shown to be associated with cilia in Paramecium, the molecular entity of the mechanoreceptor has remained unknown. Here we show that Chlamydomonas cells express TRP11, a member of the TRP (transient receptor potential) subfamily V, in the proximal region of the flagella, and that suppression of TRP11 expression results in loss of the avoiding reaction. The results indicate that Chlamydomonas flagella exhibit mechanosensitivity, despite constant motility, by localizing the mechanoreceptor in the proximal region, where active bending is restricted.

IFT20 is required for opsin trafficking and photoreceptor outer segment development

The light-detecting outer segments of vertebrate photoreceptors are cilia. Like other cilia, all materials needed for assembly and maintenance are synthesized in the cell body and transported into the cilium. The highly elaborated nature of the outer segment and its high rate of turnover necessitate unusually high levels of transport into the cilium. In this work, we examine the role of the IFT20 subunit of the intraflagellar transport (IFT) particle in photoreceptor cells. IFT20 was deleted in developing cones by a cone-specific Cre and in mature rods and cones by a tamoxifen-activatable Cre. Loss of IFT20 during cone development leads to opsin accumulation in the inner segment even when the connecting cilium and outer segment are still intact. With time this causes cone cell degeneration. Similarly, deletion of IFT20 in mature rods causes rapid accumulation of rhodopsin in the cell body, where it is concentrated at the Golgi complex. We further show that IFT20, acting both as part of the IFT particle and independent of the particle, binds to rhodopsin and RG-opsin. Since IFT20 dynamically moves between the Golgi complex and the connecting cilium, the current work suggests that rhodopsin and opsins are cargo for IFT transport.

Chlamydomonas agglutinin is a hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein

The mt(+) sexual agglutinin from Chlamydomonas reinhardi is shown to contain approximately 12% hydroxyproline, and two inhibitors of hydroxyproline formation, alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl and 3,4-dehydroproline, are shown to block the production of agglutinin activity in an in vivo bioassay system. These results indicate that the agglutinin glycoprotein may be related to a class of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins found in the extracellular matrix of higher plants, several of which have been shown to have lectin activity.

Chlamydomonas CAV2 encodes a voltage- dependent calcium channel required for the flagellar waveform conversion

Cilia and flagella can alter their beating patterns through changes in membrane excitation mediated by Ca(2+) influx. The ion channel that generates this Ca(2+) influx and its cellular distribution have not been identified. In this study, we analyzed the Chlamydomonas ppr2 mutant, which is deficient in the production of a flagellar Ca(2+) current and consequently has a defective photophobic response and mechanoshock response. ppr2 had a mutation in CAV2, which encodes a homolog of the alpha(1) subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs). CAV2 has four domains, each with six transmembrane segments and EEEE loci in the ion-selective filter, which are typical of VDCCs in vertebrates. Interestingly, we found that CAV2 primarily localized toward the distal part of flagella. We provide evidence that CAV2 is transported toward the flagellar tip via intraflagellar transport (IFT) because CAV2 accumulated near the flagellar base when IFT was blocked. The results of this study suggest that the Ca(2+) influx of Chlamydomonas flagella is mediated by the VDCC, CAV2, whose distribution is biased to the distal region of the flagellum.

Asymmetric distribution of nuclear pore complexes and the cytoplasmic localization of beta2-tubulin mRNA in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Although it is generally accepted that nuclear architecture is an important determinant of nuclear activity, it is not clear whether cytoplasmic events, such as transcript localization and cell polarity, are affected by this architecture. Characterization of the nuclear architecture of the single-cell alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii revealed a polarized nucleus, with nuclear pore complexes preferentially concentrated at the posterior side of the nucleus. Nuclear asymmetry was greatly exaggerated during the upregulation of genes encoding flagellar proteins, when nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) were observed to hyperpolarize to the posterior side of the nucleus while heterochromatin polarized to the anterior side. Interestingly, prior to deflagellation, the beta2-tubulin gene was preferentially located in the posterior region of the nucleus, and following deflagellation, beta2-tubulin transcripts accumulated posteriorly in polysome-rich cytoplasmic regions adjacent to the highest concentration of NPCs, suggesting a connection between nuclear architecture and cytoplasmic transcript localization.

Intraflagellar transport

Eukaryotic cilia and flagella, including primary cilia and sensory cilia, are highly conserved organelles that project from the surfaces of many cells. The assembly and maintenance of these nearly ubiquitous structures are dependent on a transport system--known as 'intraflagellar transport' (IFT)--which moves non-membrane-bound particles from the cell body out to the tip of the cilium or flagellum, and then returns them to the cell body. Recent results indicate that defects in IFT might be a primary cause of some human diseases.

Flagellar protein dynamics in Chlamydomonas

Cilia and flagella appear to be stable, terminal, microtubule-containing organelles, but they also elongate and shorten in response to a variety of signals. To understand mechanisms that regulate flagellar dynamics, Chlamydomonas cells with nongrowing flagella were labeled with (35)S, and flagella and basal body components were examined for labeled polypeptides. Maximal incorporation of label into the flagella occurred within 3 h. Twenty percent of the flagellar polypeptides were exchanged. These included tubulins, dyneins, and 80 other axonemal and membrane plus matrix polypeptides. The most stable flagellar structure is the PF-ribbon, which comprises part of the wall of each doublet microtubule and is composed of tubulin and three other polypeptides. Most (35)S was incorporated into the high molecular weight ribbon polypeptide, rib240, and little, if any, (35)S is incorporated into PF-ribbon-associated tubulin. Both wild-type (9 + 2) and 9 + 0 flagella, which lack central microtubules, exhibited nearly identical exchange patterns, so labeling is not due to turnover of relatively labile central microtubules. To determine if flagellar length is balanced by protein exchange, (35)S incorporation into disassembling flagella was examined, as was exchange in flagella in which microtubule assembly was blocked by colchicine. Incorporation of (35)S-labeled polypeptides was found to occur into flagellar axonemes during wavelength-dependent shortening in pf18 and in fla10 cells induced to shorten flagella by incubation at 33 degrees C. Colchicine blocked tubulin addition but did not affect the exchange of the other exchangeable polypeptides; nor did it induce any change in flagellar length. Basal bodies also incorporated newly synthesized proteins. These data reveal that Chlamydomonas flagella are dynamic structures that incorporate new protein both during steady state and as flagella shorten and that protein exchange does not, alone, explain length regulation.

Analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the scaly green flagellate Scherffelia dubia Pascher emend. Melkonian et Preisig

Partial sequencing of cDNA libraries to generate expressed sequence tags (ESTs) is an effective means of gene discovery, generation of molecular markers and characterization of transcription patterns. We have constructed an EST-database of the scaly green flagellate Scherffelia dubia (Chlorophyta) containing 361 sequences. cDNAs were obtained from interphase cells and from cells regenerating flagella. Analysis of the ESTs identified 138 EST-groups with significant similarity to known sequences. 134 EST-groups showed no significant similarity to any sequences in the databases. Most of the ESTs with similarity to known proteins are associated with typical interphase cell functions of a photosynthetic plant cell: assimilation of nutrients and biosynthesis of proteins. Others are related to the activation of the secretory pathway or the biogenesis of scales (e.g. kdo-synthase). Comparison of S. dubia ESTs with the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana and the EST database of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii revealed that S. dubia ESTs with similarity to known proteins were more similar to sequences in C. reinhardtii than to those of A. thaliana. Additionally, ESTs for guanylyl cyclase and cGMP phosphodiesterase are present in the two flagellates, but so far these gene products have not been found in embryophytes.

A dynein light chain is essential for the retrograde particle movement of intraflagellar transport (IFT)

Several enzymes, including cytoplasmic and flagellar outer arm dynein, share an Mr 8,000 light chain termed LC8. The function of this chain is unknown, but it is highly conserved between a wide variety of organisms. We have identified deletion alleles of the gene (fla14) encoding this protein in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. These mutants have short, immotile flagella with deficiencies in radial spokes, in the inner and outer arms, and in the beak-like projections in the B tubule of the outer doublet microtubules. Most dramatically, the space between the doublet microtubules and the flagellar membrane contains an unusually high number of rafts, the particles translocated by intraflagellar transport (IFT) (Kozminski, K.G., P.L. Beech, and J.L. Rosenbaum. 1995. J. Cell Biol. 131:1517-1527). IFT is a rapid bidirectional movement of rafts under the flagellar membrane along axonemal microtubules. Anterograde IFT is dependent on a kinesin whereas the motor for retrograde IFT is unknown. Anterograde IFT is normal in the LC8 mutants but retrograde IFT is absent; this undoubtedly accounts for the accumulation of rafts in the flagellum. This is the first mutation shown to specifically affect retrograde IFT; the fact that LC8 loss affects retrograde IFT strongly suggests that cytoplasmic dynein is the motor that drives this process. Concomitant with the accumulation of rafts, LC8 mutants accumulate proteins that are components of the 15-16S IFT complexes (Cole, D.G., D.R. Deiner, A.L. Himelblau, P.L. Beech, J.C. Fuster, and J.L. Rosenbaum. 1998. J. Cell Biol. 141:993-1008), confirming that these complexes are subunits of the rafts. Polystyrene microbeads are still translocated on the surface of the flagella of LC8 mutants, indicating that the motor for flagellar surface motility is different than the motor for retrograde IFT.

Differential expression and phosphorylation of the 74-kDa intermediate chains of cytoplasmic dynein in cultured neurons and glia

The 74-kDa intermediate chains (IC74) of the cytoplasmic dynein complex are believed to be involved in the association of dynein with membranous organelles. While each dynein molecule is thought to have two or three IC74 subunits, at least six different IC74 protein isoforms were found in dynein from brain. Therefore we investigated the relationships of the brain cytoplasmic dynein IC74 isoforms and their association in the dynein complex at the cellular level. We found that cultured cortical neurons and glia express distinct IC74 isoforms. The IC74 isoform pattern observed in dynein from cortical neurons was generally similar to that found in dynein from adult brain, indicating that there are different populations of cytoplasmic dynein in neurons. Two IC74 isoforms were observed on two-dimensional gels of dynein from glia, while a single glial IC74 mRNA was detected. Metabolic labeling of glial dynein with 32P followed by treatment of the isolated dynein with phosphatase in vitro demonstrated that one of the glial IC74 isoforms is the product of the single glial IC74 mRNA and that the other is its phosphoisoform. A single mRNA product and its phosphoisoform are therefore sufficient for constitutive dynein function and regulation in glial cells.

Ciliogenesis in sea urchin embryos--a subroutine in the program of development

One major milestone in the development of the sea urchin embryo is the assembly of a single cilium on each blastomere just before hatching. These cilia are constructed both from pre-existing protein building blocks, such as tubulin and dynein, and from a number of 9 + 2 architectural elements that are synthesized de novo at ciliogenesis. The finite or quantal synthesis of certain key architectural proteins is coincident with ciliary elongation and proportional to ciliary length. Upon deciliation, the synthesis of architectural proteins occurs anew, a new cilium grows, and the stores of various building blocks are replenished. This routine of coordinated ciliary gene expression may be replayed experimentally many times without delaying normal development. The ability to regenerate cilia has allowed elucidation of these various protein synthetic relationships and has led to the discovery of the pathways by which membrane-associated tubulin and axoneme-associated architectural proteins are conveyed into the highly compartmentalized growing cilium. The sea urchin embryo thus provides a very convenient model system for studies of ciliary assembly and maintenance, coordinate gene expression and membrane dynamics.

Sequences controlling transcription of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii beta 2-tubulin gene after deflagellation and during the cell cycle

In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, transcripts from the beta 2-tubulin gene (tubB2), as well as those from other tubulin-encoding genes, accumulate immediately after flagellar excision as well as at a specific time in the cell cycle. Control of tubB2 transcript accumulation following deflagellation is regulated, at least partially, at the transcriptional level. We have fused the tubB2 promoter to the arylsulfatase (ars) reporter gene, introduced this construct into C. reinhardtii, and compared expression of the chimeric gene with that of the endogenous tubB2 gene. After flagellar excision, transcripts from the tubB2/ars chimeric gene accumulate with kinetics similar to those of transcripts from the endogenous tubB2 gene. The tubB2/ars transcripts also accumulate in a cell cycle-specific manner; however, chimeric transcripts are more abundant earlier in the cell cycle than the endogenous tubB2 transcripts. To elucidate transcriptional control of tubB2, we have mutated or removed sequences in the tubB2 promoter and examined the effect on transcription. The tubB2 promoter shares features with the promoters of other tubulin-encoding genes; these include a GC-rich region between the TATA box and the transcription initiation site and multiple copies of a 10-bp sequence motif that we call the tub box. The tubB2 gene contains seven tub box motifs. Changing the GC-rich region to an AT-rich region or removing three of the seven tub box motifs did not significantly affect transcription of the chimeric gene. However, removing four or five tub box motifs prevented increased transcription following deflagellation and diminished cell cycle-regulated transcription from the tubB2 promoter.

Sequences controlling transcription of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii beta 2-tubulin gene after deflagellation and during the cell cycle

In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, transcripts from the beta 2-tubulin gene (tubB2), as well as those from other tubulin-encoding genes, accumulate immediately after flagellar excision as well as at a specific time in the cell cycle. Control of tubB2 transcript accumulation following deflagellation is regulated, at least partially, at the transcriptional level. We have fused the tubB2 promoter to the arylsulfatase (ars) reporter gene, introduced this construct into C. reinhardtii, and compared expression of the chimeric gene with that of the endogenous tubB2 gene. After flagellar excision, transcripts from the tubB2/ars chimeric gene accumulate with kinetics similar to those of transcripts from the endogenous tubB2 gene. The tubB2/ars transcripts also accumulate in a cell cycle-specific manner; however, chimeric transcripts are more abundant earlier in the cell cycle than the endogenous tubB2 transcripts. To elucidate transcriptional control of tubB2, we have mutated or removed sequences in the tubB2 promoter and examined the effect on transcription. The tubB2 promoter shares features with the promoters of other tubulin-encoding genes; these include a GC-rich region between the TATA box and the transcription initiation site and multiple copies of a 10-bp sequence motif that we call the tub box. The tubB2 gene contains seven tub box motifs. Changing the GC-rich region to an AT-rich region or removing three of the seven tub box motifs did not significantly affect transcription of the chimeric gene. However, removing four or five tub box motifs prevented increased transcription following deflagellation and diminished cell cycle-regulated transcription from the tubB2 promoter.

Tubulin and tektin in sea urchin embryonic cilia: pathways of protein incorporation during turnover and regeneration

Axonemal precursor tubulin is the major protein component of the detergent-soluble membrane/matrix fraction of sea urchin embryonic cilia. Its unusual abundance may reflect the rapid turnover of these cilia, a process that is further documented here. However, whether during induced regeneration or normal turnover and growth, most other newly synthesized axonemal proteins are not detectable in the membrane/matrix fraction, raising the question of how non-tubulin precursors transit the growing cilium to the distal tip where assembly is generally thought to occur. Three potential explanations were considered: (1) the assembly of these components is proximal; (2) their relative concentration is too low to detect; or (3) tubulin alone is conveyed via a membrane/matrix pathway while most other axonemal proteins are transported in association with the axoneme. Light microscope autoradiography of axonemes pulse-chase labeled with [3H]leucine showed relatively uniform labeling, with no evidence for proximal incorporation. Fully grown cilia and cilia at early stages of regeneration were isolated from labeled embryos, fractionated into membrane/matrix, axonemal tubulin and architectural remnant components, and their labeled protein compositions were compared. Heavily labeled axonemal proteins, most notably the integral microtubule doublet component tektin-A, were not detected in the membrane/matrix fraction of emerging cilia, even though nearly half of the total ciliary tubulin appeared in that fraction, arguing against membrane-associated or soluble matrix transit for the architectural proteins at low concentrations. However, after thermal fractionation of axonemes from growing cilia, labeled proteins characteristic of the architectural remnant dominated the solubilized microtubule fraction, supporting axoneme-associated transport of the non-tubulin proteins during growth, in contrast to a membrane/matrix pathway for tubulin.

The dcc mutation affects ciliary length in Tetrahymena thermophila

We have characterized ciliogenesis in a mutant Tetrahymena thermophila that both fails to regain motility following deciliation and that fails to complete cytokinesis. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations revealed that starved deciliated cells regenerated fewer, shorter cilia at the restrictive temperature than similarly treated cells incubated at the permissive temperature. Transmission electron microscopic evaluation of isolated, regenerated cilia revealed no structural abnormalities. Incorporation of S-35 methionine was similar during ciliary regeneration at both the restrictive and permissive temperatures, indicating the mutant phenotype was not due to a simple failure in translation or transcription. Mutant cells incubated in growth medium at the restrictive temperature arrested in cytokinesis and assembled a large number of abnormally short cilia. These cells also developed irregular surface projections that were not visible on wild-type cells. These observations suggest that ciliogenesis can be initiated in growing cells as well as in starved deciliated cells but that elongation is inhibited before cilia reach full length. The mutation was named dcc for defective in ciliogenesis and cytokinesis.

Flagellar microtubule dynamics in Chlamydomonas: cytochalasin D induces periods of microtubule shortening and elongation; and colchicine induces disassembly of the distal, but not proximal, half of the flagellum

To study the mechanisms responsible for the regulation of flagellar length, we examined the effects of colchicine and Cytochalasin D (CD) on the growth and maintenance of Chlamydomonas flagella on motile wild type cells as well as on pf 18 cells, whose flagella lack the central microtubules and are immobile. CD had no effect on the regeneration of flagella after deflagellation but it induced fully assembled flagella to shorten at an average rate of 0.03 microns-min. Cells remained fully motile in CD and even stubby flagella continued to move, indicating that flagellar shortening did not selectively disrupt machinery necessary for motility. To observe the effects of the drug on individual cells, pf 18 cells were treated with CD and flagella on cells were monitored by direct observation over a 5-hour period. Flagella on control pf 18 cells maintained their initial lengths throughout the experiment but flagella on CD-treated cells exhibited periods of elongation, shortening, and regrowth suggestive of the dynamic behavior of cytoplasmic microtubules observed in vitro and in vitro. Cells behaved individually, with no two cells exhibiting the same flagellar behavior at any given time although both flagella on any single cell behaved identically. The rate of drug-induced flagellar shortening and elongation in pf 18 cells varied from 0.08 to 0.17 microns-min-1, with each event occurring over 10-60-min periods. Addition of colchicine to wild type and pf 18 cells induced flagella to shorten at an average rate of 0.06 microns-min-1 until the flagella reached an average of 73% of their initial length, after which they exhibited no further shortening or elongation. Cells treated with colchicine and CD exhibited nearly complete flagellar resorption, with little variation in flagellar length among cells. The effects of these drugs were reversible and flagella grew to normal stable lengths after drug removal. Taken together, these results show that the distal half to one-third of the Chlamydomonas flagellum is relatively unstable in the presence of colchicine but that the proximal half to two-thirds of the flagellum is stable to this drug. In contrast to colchicine, CD can induce nearly complete flagellar microtubule disassembly as well as flagellar assembly. Flagellar microtubules must, therefore, be inherently unstable, and flagellar length is stabilized by factors that are sensitive, either directly or indirectly, to the effects of CD.

Cytochalasin D inhibits basal body migration and ciliary elongation in quail oviduct epithelium

The effects of cytochalasin D (CD) were studied by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron-microscopic examination at different stages of ciliary differentiation in epithelial cells of quail oviduct. Immature quails were prestimulated by estradiol benzoate injections to induce ciliogenesis in the undifferentiated oviduct. After 24 h of CD culture, SEM study revealed inhibition of ciliogenesis and dilation of the apex of non-ciliated cells. TEM study showed that 2 h of CD treatment produced dilation of lateral intercellular spaces, after 6 h of treatment, this resulted in intracellular macrovacuolation. Vacuoles were surrounded by aggregates of dense felt-like material. CD also induced the disappearance of microvilli, and rounding of the apical surface of undifferentiated cells and those blocked in ciliogenesis. Centriologenesis was not inhibited by CD; basal bodies assembled in generative complexes in the supranuclear region after 24 h of treatment. However, the migration of mature basal bodies towards the apical surface was impaired. Instead, they anchored onto the membrane of intracellular vacuoles; growth of cilia was induced in the vacuole lumen. Cilium elongation was disturbed, giving abnormally short cilia with a dilated tip; microtubules failed to organize correctly.

Isolation and characterization of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants with defects in the induction of flagellar protein synthesis after deflagellation

Amputating the flagella of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii stimulates increased synthesis of many flagellar proteins within 30 min. We have isolated a series of mutants which are defective in this stimulation, taking advantage of the fact that cells which cannot stimulate flagellar protein synthesis cannot regenerate flagella. More than a dozen mutants which have flagella, but cannot regenerate them after amputation, were isolated and studied by in vivo labeling to identify those non-regenerator mutants which were specifically defective in the induction of flagellar protein synthesis. Ten such mutants have been identified, and in each of them flagellar amputation does not stimulate the synthesis of any of the major flagellar proteins. At least four of the mutants display an interesting conditional phenotype. The synthesis of flagellar proteins after deflagellation is defective only in gametic cells; vegetative cells of these mutants are capable of flagellar protein synthesis after flagellar amputation.

Transcriptional regulation of coordinate changes in flagellar mRNAs during differentiation of Naegleria gruberi amebae into flagellates

The nuclear run-on technique was used to measure the rate of transcription of flagellar genes during the differentiation of Naegleria gruberi amebae into flagellates. Synthesis of mRNAs for the axonemal proteins alpha- and beta-tubulin and flagellar calmodulin, as well as a coordinately regulated poly(A)+ RNA that codes for an unidentified protein, showed transient increases averaging 22-fold. The rate of synthesis of two poly(A)+ RNAs common to amebae and flagellates was low until the transcription of the flagellar genes began to decline, at which time synthesis of the RNAs found in amebae increased 3- to 10-fold. The observed changes in the rate of transcription can account quantitatively for the 20-fold increase in flagellar mRNA concentration during the differentiation. The data for the flagellar calmodulin gene demonstrate transcriptional regulation for a nontubulin axonemal protein. The data also demonstrate at least two programs of transcriptional regulation during the differentiation and raise the intriguing possibility that some significant fraction of the nearly 200 different proteins of the flagellar axoneme is transcriptionally regulated during the 1 h it takes N. gruberi amebae to form visible flagella.

Mapping flagellar genes in Chlamydomonas using restriction fragment length polymorphisms

To correlate cloned nuclear DNA sequences with previously characterized mutations in Chlamydomonas and, to gain insight into the organization of its nuclear genome, we have begun to map molecular markers using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). A Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strain (CC-29) containing phenotypic markers on nine of the 19 linkage groups was crossed to the interfertile species Chlamydomonas smithii. DNA from each member of 22 randomly selected tetrads was analyzed for the segregation of RFLPs associated with cloned genes detected by hybridization with radioactive DNA probes. The current set of markers allows the detection of linkage to new molecular markers over approximately 54% of the existing genetic map. This study focused on mapping cloned flagellar genes and genes whose transcripts accumulate after deflagellation. Twelve different molecular clones have been assigned to seven linkage groups. The alpha-1 tubulin gene maps to linkage group III and is linked to the genomic sequence homologous to pcf6-100, a cDNA clone whose corresponding transcript accumulates after deflagellation. The alpha-2 tubulin gene maps to linkage group IV. The two beta-tubulin genes are linked, with the beta-1 gene being approximately 12 cM more distal from the centromere than the beta-2 gene. A clone corresponding to a 73-kD dynein protein maps to the opposite arm of the same linkage group. The gene corresponding to the cDNA clone pcf6-187, whose mRNA accumulates after deflagellation, maps very close to the tightly linked pf-26 and pf-1 mutations on linkage group V.

Transcriptional regulation of coordinate changes in flagellar mRNAs during differentiation of Naegleria gruberi amebae into flagellates

The nuclear run-on technique was used to measure the rate of transcription of flagellar genes during the differentiation of Naegleria gruberi amebae into flagellates. Synthesis of mRNAs for the axonemal proteins alpha- and beta-tubulin and flagellar calmodulin, as well as a coordinately regulated poly(A)+ RNA that codes for an unidentified protein, showed transient increases averaging 22-fold. The rate of synthesis of two poly(A)+ RNAs common to amebae and flagellates was low until the transcription of the flagellar genes began to decline, at which time synthesis of the RNAs found in amebae increased 3- to 10-fold. The observed changes in the rate of transcription can account quantitatively for the 20-fold increase in flagellar mRNA concentration during the differentiation. The data for the flagellar calmodulin gene demonstrate transcriptional regulation for a nontubulin axonemal protein. The data also demonstrate at least two programs of transcriptional regulation during the differentiation and raise the intriguing possibility that some significant fraction of the nearly 200 different proteins of the flagellar axoneme is transcriptionally regulated during the 1 h it takes N. gruberi amebae to form visible flagella.

Molecular cloning and expression of flagellar radial spoke and dynein genes of Chlamydomonas

Several flagellar dynein ATPase and radial spokehead genes have been isolated from a Chlamydomonas genomic expression library in lambda gt11. The library was probed with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies raised against purified flagellar polypeptides, and recombinant phage giving positive signals were cloned. In vitro translation of mRNAs hybrid-selected by the cloned sequences from whole cell RNA provided confirmation of identity for three of the four clones. Evidence supporting the identification of the fourth, which encodes a dynein heavy chain, was provided by antibody selection; the fusion protein produced by this clone selected heavy chain-specific antibodies from a complex polyclonal antiserum recognizing many dynein determinants. One of the radial spoke sequences isolated here is of particular interest because it encodes the wild-type allele of a locus which was defined previously by temperature-sensitive paralyzed flagella mutation pf-26ts (Huang, B., G. Piperno, Z. Ramanis, and D. J. L. Luck, 1981, J. Cell Biol., 88:80-88). The cloned sequence was used to hybrid-select mRNA from mutant pf-26ts cells, and when translated in vitro, the selected mRNA produced a mutant spokehead polypeptide with an altered electrophoretic mobility. This confirms that the pf-26ts mutation alters the primary structure of a radial spokehead polypeptide. To quantify spokehead and dynein mRNAs during flagellar regeneration, all of the cloned sequences were used as hybridization probes in RNA dot experiments. Levels increased rapidly and coordinately after deflagellation, peaked 3-10-fold above nondeflagellated controls, and then returned to control values within 2 h. This accumulation pattern was similar to that of flagellar alpha-tubulin mRNA.

Redistribution and shedding of flagellar membrane glycoproteins visualized using an anti-carbohydrate monoclonal antibody and concanavalin A

Two carbohydrate-binding probes, the lectin concanavalin A and an anti-carbohydrate monoclonal antibody designated FMG-1, have been used to study the distribution of their respective epitopes on the surface of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, strain pf-18. Both of these ligands bind uniformly to the external surface of the flagellar membrane and the general cell body plasma membrane, although the labeling is more intense on the flagellar membrane. In addition, both ligands cross-react with cell wall glycoproteins. With respect to the flagellar membrane, both concanavalin A and the FMG-1 monoclonal antibody bind preferentially to the principal high molecular weight glycoproteins migrating with an apparent molecular weight of 350,000 although there is, in addition, cross-reactivity with a number of minor glycoproteins. Western blots of V-8 protease digests of the high molecular weight flagellar glycoproteins indicate that the epitopes recognized by the lectin and the antibody are both repeated multiple times within the glycoproteins and occur together, although the lectin and the antibody do not compete for the same binding sites. Incubation of live cells with the monoclonal antibody or lectin at 4 degrees C results in a uniform labeling of the flagellar surface; upon warming of the cells, these ligands are redistributed along the flagellar surface in a characteristic manner. All of the flagellar surface-bound antibody or lectin collects into a single aggregate at the tip of each flagellum; this aggregate subsequently migrates to the base of the flagellum, where it is shed into the medium. The rate of redistribution is temperature dependent and the glycoproteins recognized by these ligands co-redistribute with the lectin or monoclonal antibody. This dynamic flagellar surface phenomenon bears a striking resemblance to the capping phenomenon that has been described in numerous mammalian cell types. However, it occurs on a structure (the flagellum) that lacks most of the cytoskeletal components generally associated with capping in other systems. The FMG-1 monoclonal antibody inhibits flagellar surface motility visualized as the rapid, bidirectional translocation of polystyrene microspheres.

Multiple forms of tubulin in the cilia and cytoplasm of Tetrahymena thermophila

Most higher eukaryotic tubulins are separated into alpha- and beta-tubulin when electrophoresed in NaDodSO4- denaturing gels, while many lower eukaryotic tubulins are poorly resolved under these conditions, which include a stacking gel (pH 6.80) and a separating gel (pH 8.80). By lowering the pH of the separating gel to 8.25, we have found that tubulin isolated from the protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila is resolved by one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis into two alpha-tubulins and one beta-tubulin. Moreover, at least five alpha- and two beta-tubulin isotypes are identified in Tetrahymena by isoelectric focusing and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Three of these alpha isotypes and one beta isotype are found specifically in ciliary microtubules, while the other two isotypes are found only in the cytoplasmic tubulin pool that was isolated and induced to self-assemble into microtubules in vitro. Peptide mapping by limited proteolytic digestion indicates that the tubulins are closely related. Possible mechanisms for the generation and selection of these tubulin isotypes are discussed.

Reversal of the posttranslational modification on Chlamydomonas flagellar alpha-tubulin occurs during flagellar resorption

We previously have shown that a posttranslational modification of alpha-tubulin takes place in the flagellum during Chlamydomonas flagellar assembly (L'Hernault, S. W., and J. L. Rosenbaum, 1983, J. Cell Biol., 97:258-263). In this report, we show that the posttranslationally modified alpha-3 tubulin is changed back to its unmodified alpha-1 precursor form during the microtubular disassembly that takes place during flagellar resorption. These data indicate that the addition and removal of a posttranslational modification on alpha-tubulin might be a control step in the assembly and disassembly of flagella.

Localization of actin in Chlamydomonas using antiactin and NBD-phallacidin

We have localized actin in gametes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi by two approaches: (1) indirect immunofluorescence with an affinity-purified antibody and (2) staining with NBD-phallacidin, a fluorescent reagent that binds only to F-actin [Barak et al, 1980, Proc Natl Acad Sci, 77:980-984]. Staining of either mating type "plus" (mt+) or "minus" (mt-) gametes with antiactin antibody resulted in similar fluorescent images: most of the actin was located peripherally along the lateral and posterior aspects of the cells. There was diffuse staining centrally, but the flagella did not stain. No brightly stained spot was observed near the mt+ mating structure, the site where the fertilization tubule elongates with concomitant polymerization of actin [Detmers et al, 1983, J Cell Biol, 97:522-532]. Gametes stained prior to mating with NBD-phallacidin showed no fluorescence above background, indicating that there were no concentrations of F-actin in these cells. This suggested that the cytoplasmic staining observed with antiactin represented primarily a nonfilamentous form of the protein. In mating gametes staining with NBD-phallacidin was detected only in the fertilization tubule, indicating that this was the only dense accumulation of filamentous actin within the cells. Mating gametes stained with antiactin antibody exhibited cytoplasmic fluorescence that was slightly more punctate than prior to mating, and the fertilization tubule was brightly stained. Our observations suggest that the site-specific polymerization of actin within the fertilization tubule occurs in the absence of a concentrated pool of actin subjacent to the mating structure.

Rapid changes in tubulin RNA synthesis and stability induced by deflagellation in Chlamydomonas

Detachment of the flagella of Chlamydomonas induces a rapid accumulation of mRNAs for tubulin and other flagellar proteins. Measurement of the rate of alpha and beta tubulin RNA synthesis during flagellar regeneration shows that deflagellation elicits a rapid, 4-7-fold burst in tubulin RNA synthesis. The synthesis rate peaks within 10-15 min, then declines back to the predeflagellation rate. Redeflagellation of cells at times before the first flagellar regeneration is completed (and when cells have already accumulated elevated levels of tubulin RNA) induces another burst in tubulin RNA synthesis which is identical to the first in magnitude and duration. This finding indicates that the induction signal may act to simply reprogram the tubulin genes for a transient burst of maximal synthesis. Evidence is presented that the stability of the tubulin RNAs changes during regeneration. Stability changes include both an apparent stabilization during regeneration and accelerated decay following regeneration.

Repeated consensus sequence and pseudopromoters in the four coordinately regulated tubulin genes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi

The 5' coding and promoter regions of the four coordinately regulated tubulin genes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi have been mapped and sequenced. DNA sequencing data shows that the predicted N-terminal amino acid sequences of Chlamydomonas alpha- and beta-tubulins closely match that of tubulins of other eucaryotes. Within the alpha 1- and alpha 2-tubulin gene set and the beta 1- and beta 2-tubulin gene set, both nucleotide sequence and intron placement are highly conserved. Transcription initiation sites have been located by primer extension analysis at 140, 141, 159, and 132 base pairs upstream of the translation initiator codon for the alpha 1-, alpha 2-, beta 1-, and beta 2-tubulin genes, respectively. Among the structures with potential regulatory significance, the most striking is a 16-base-pair consensus sequence [GCTC(G/C)AAGGC(G/T)(G/C)--(C/A)(C/A)G] which is found in multiple copies immediately upstream of the TATA box in each of the four genes. An unexpected discovery is the presence of pseudopromoter regions in two of the transcribed tubulin genes. One pseudopromoter region is located 400 base pairs upstream of the authentic alpha 2-tubulin gene promoter, whereas the other is located within the transcribed 5' noncoding region of the beta 1-tubulin gene.

mRNA abundance changes during flagellar regeneration in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Flagellar amputation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii induces the accumulation of a specific set of RNAs, many of which encode flagellar proteins. We prepared a cDNA clone bank from RNA isolated from cells undergoing flagellar regeneration. From this bank, we selected clones that contain RNA sequences that display several different patterns of abundance regulation. Based on quantitation of the relative amounts of labeled, cloned cDNAs hybridizing to dots of RNA on nitrocellulose filters, the cloned sequences were divided into five regulatory classes: class I RNAs remain at constant abundance during flagellar regeneration; classes II, III, and IV begin to increase in abundance within a few minutes after deflagellation, reach maximal abundance at successively later times during regeneration, and return to control cell levels within 2 to 3 h; and class V RNA abundance decreases during flagellar regeneration. Alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNAs are included in regulatory class IV. The abundance kinetics of alpha-tubulin mRNAs differ slightly from those of beta-tubulin mRNAs. The availability of these clones makes possible studies on the mechanisms controlling the abundance of a wide variety of different RNA species during flagellar regeneration in Chlamydomonas.

mRNA abundance changes during flagellar regeneration in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Flagellar amputation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii induces the accumulation of a specific set of RNAs, many of which encode flagellar proteins. We prepared a cDNA clone bank from RNA isolated from cells undergoing flagellar regeneration. From this bank, we selected clones that contain RNA sequences that display several different patterns of abundance regulation. Based on quantitation of the relative amounts of labeled, cloned cDNAs hybridizing to dots of RNA on nitrocellulose filters, the cloned sequences were divided into five regulatory classes: class I RNAs remain at constant abundance during flagellar regeneration; classes II, III, and IV begin to increase in abundance within a few minutes after deflagellation, reach maximal abundance at successively later times during regeneration, and return to control cell levels within 2 to 3 h; and class V RNA abundance decreases during flagellar regeneration. Alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNAs are included in regulatory class IV. The abundance kinetics of alpha-tubulin mRNAs differ slightly from those of beta-tubulin mRNAs. The availability of these clones makes possible studies on the mechanisms controlling the abundance of a wide variety of different RNA species during flagellar regeneration in Chlamydomonas.

Repeated consensus sequence and pseudopromoters in the four coordinately regulated tubulin genes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi

The 5' coding and promoter regions of the four coordinately regulated tubulin genes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi have been mapped and sequenced. DNA sequencing data shows that the predicted N-terminal amino acid sequences of Chlamydomonas alpha- and beta-tubulins closely match that of tubulins of other eucaryotes. Within the alpha 1- and alpha 2-tubulin gene set and the beta 1- and beta 2-tubulin gene set, both nucleotide sequence and intron placement are highly conserved. Transcription initiation sites have been located by primer extension analysis at 140, 141, 159, and 132 base pairs upstream of the translation initiator codon for the alpha 1-, alpha 2-, beta 1-, and beta 2-tubulin genes, respectively. Among the structures with potential regulatory significance, the most striking is a 16-base-pair consensus sequence [GCTC(G/C)AAGGC(G/T)(G/C)--(C/A)(C/A)G] which is found in multiple copies immediately upstream of the TATA box in each of the four genes. An unexpected discovery is the presence of pseudopromoter regions in two of the transcribed tubulin genes. One pseudopromoter region is located 400 base pairs upstream of the authentic alpha 2-tubulin gene promoter, whereas the other is located within the transcribed 5' noncoding region of the beta 1-tubulin gene.

Transcription of alpha- and beta-tubulin genes in vitro in isolated Chlamydomonas reinhardi nuclei

Removal of the flagella of Chlamydomonas results in increases in both flagellar protein synthesis and tubulin messenger RNA accumulation. These observations led us to examine whether flagellar protein gene sequences are transcribed differentially in nuclei isolated before and after deflagellation. A nuclear isolation protocol was developed using the cell wall-less strain of Chlamydomonas, CW 15, after cell lysis with 0.5% Nonidet P-40. Transcriptional activity of isolated nuclei was determined by incorporating [32P]UTP into TCA-precipitable and phenol-extractable RNA, and by hybridizing newly transcribed RNA to complementary DNA clones containing alpha- and beta-tubulin sequences. Nuclei from deflagellated cells are more active in transcribing sequences that hybridize with alpha- and beta-tubulin complementary DNA probes than are nuclei from nondeflagellated cells. In addition, while total [32P]UTP incorporation is inhibited 45% by alpha-amanitin concentrations of 1.0 micrograms/ml, tubulin RNA synthesis in this system is completely inhibited by this concentration of alpha-amanitin. This demonstration of differential transcription in nuclei before and after cell deflagellation provides the means to study in vitro the mechanisms that signal and regulate flagellar protein gene activity.

Preferential turnover of membrane proteins in the intact Chlamydomonas flagellum

Radioactive labeling studies demonstrate a continuous incorporation of newly synthesized proteins and glycoproteins into the intact flagella of Chlamydomonas. This apparent turnover is preferentially occurring for membrane components. In particular, two classes of flagellar membrane components, one a high molecular weight (HMW) group of closely migrating glycoproteins and the other a protein with a MW around 65 kD, are continuously turning over in the vegetative cell. This selective protein turnover may explain the ability of Chlamydomonas to rapidly recover from proteolytic modification of the flagellar surface and to change its flagellar surface properties during the early events in mating.

A flagellar surface glycoprotein mediating cell-substrate interaction in Chlamydomonas

The Chlamydomonas flagellar surface exhibits interesting adhesive properties that are associated with flagellar surface motility. This dynamic surface property can be exhibited as the binding and movement of small polystyrene microspheres or as the interaction of the flagellar surface with a solid substrate followed by whole cell locomotion, termed "gliding". In order to identify flagellar surface proteins that mediate substrate interaction during flagellar surface motility, two immobilized iodination systems were employed that mimic the conditions for flagellar surface motility: small polystyrene microspheres derivatized with lactoperoxidase, and large glass beads derivatized with Iodogen. Use of these iodination conditions resulted in preferential iodination of a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein with apparent molecular weight of 300,000-350,000. These results suggest this glycoprotein as a major candidate for the surface-exposed adhesive component that directly interacts with the substrate and couples the substrate to a system of force transduction presumed to be located within the flagellum.

Outer doublet heterogeneity reveals structural polarity related to beat direction in Chlamydomonas flagella

Analysis of serial cross-sections of the Chlamydomonas flagellum reveals several structural asymmetries in the axoneme. One doublet lacks the outer dynein arm, has a beak-like projection in its B-tubule, and bears a two-part bridge that extends from the A-tubule of this doublet to the B-tubule of the adjacent doublet. The two doublets directly opposite the doublet lacking the arm have beak-like projections in their B-tubules. These asymmetries always occur in the same doublets from section to section, indicating that certain doublets have consistent morphological specializations. These unique doublets give the axoneme an inherent structural polarity. All three specializations are present in the proximal portion of the axoneme; based on their frequency in random cross-sections of isolated axonemes, the two-part bridge and the beak-like projections are present in the proximal one quarter and one half of the axoneme, respectively, and the outer arm is absent from the one doublet greater than 90% of the axoneme's length. The outer arm-less doublet of each flagellum faces the other flagellum, indicating that each axoneme has the same rotational orientation relative to the direction of its effective stroke. This strongly suggests that the direction of the effective stroke is controlled by a structural component within the axoneme. The striated fibers are associated with specific triplets in a manner suggesting that they play a role in setting up or maintaining the 180 degrees rotational symmetry of the two flagella.