The CSC connects three major axonemal complexes involved in dynein regulation

Mol Biol Cell. 2012 Aug;23(16):3143-55. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E12-05-0357. Epub 2012 Jun 27.

Abstract

Motile cilia and flagella are highly conserved organelles that play important roles in human health and development. We recently discovered a calmodulin- and spoke-associ-ated complex (CSC) that is required for wild-type motility and for the stable assembly of a subset of radial spokes. Using cryo-electron tomography, we present the first structure-based localization model of the CSC. Chlamydomonas flagella have two full-length radial spokes, RS1 and RS2, and a shorter RS3 homologue, the RS3 stand-in (RS3S). Using newly developed techniques for analyzing samples with structural heterogeneity, we demonstrate that the CSC connects three major axonemal complexes involved in dynein regulation: RS2, the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), and RS3S. These results provide insights into how signals from the radial spokes may be transmitted to the N-DRC and ultimately to the dynein motors. Our results also indicate that although structurally very similar, RS1 and RS2 likely serve different functions in regulating flagellar motility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Axoneme / metabolism*
  • Axoneme / ultrastructure
  • Calmodulin / chemistry
  • Calmodulin / genetics
  • Calmodulin / metabolism*
  • Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / genetics
  • Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / metabolism*
  • Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / ultrastructure
  • Dyneins / metabolism*
  • Flagella / metabolism
  • Flagella / ultrastructure
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Microtubules / ultrastructure
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • RNA Interference

Substances

  • Calmodulin
  • Plant Proteins
  • Dyneins