Tetrahymena basal bodies. Issue 1 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bayless, Brian; Galati, Domenico; Pearson, Chad
• Is Part Of: Cilia. Volume 5:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 5
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Tetrahymena -- Ciliate -- Basal body -- Centriole -- Microtubule; Cilia and ciliary motion -- Periodicals; Cilia and ciliary motion -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; 571.67
• DOI: 10.1186/s13630-016-0022-8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2530

Abstract

Abstract Tetrahymena thermophila is a ciliate with hundreds of cilia primarily used for cellular motility. These cells propel themselves by generating hydrodynamic forces through coordinated ciliary beating. The coordination of cilia is ensured by the polarized organization of basal bodies (BBs), which exhibit remarkable structural and molecular conservation with BBs in other eukaryotes. During each cell cycle, massive BB assembly occurs and guarantees that futureTetrahymena cells gain a full complement of BBs and their associated cilia. BB duplication occurs next to existing BBs, and the predictable patterning of new BBs is facilitated by asymmetric BB accessory structures that are integrated with a membrane-associated cytoskeletal network. The large number of BBs combined with robust molecular genetics meritsTetrahymena as a unique model system to elucidate the fundamental events of BB assembly and organization.