FLUTAX Labeling of the Ciliature Microtubular Organelles in Diaxonella pseudorubra

Abstract: The microtubular organelles of a hypotrichous ciliate， Diaxonella pseudorubra， were visualized by FLUTAX (fluorescence taxoid) labeling. The results showed that these organelles consisted of adoral zone of membranelles (AZM)， frontal-ventral-transverse cirri (FVTC) and the base associated microtubules of these ciliatures. The microtubular cytoskeleton of AZM comprises membranelle brackets and the associated microtubules. There are four types of microtubules at the base of FVTC， anterior longitudinal microtubules (ALM)， posterior longitudinal microtubules (PLM)， transverse microtubules (TM) and radiating microtubules(RM). These different types of microtubules differ from each other in developmental degree. The base associated microtubules of marginal cirri (MC) contain ALM and PLM. All of the old AZM were renewed during the process of morphogenesis. AZM of the proter was formed at the site where the inner of the old AZM. At the end of the differentiation of the cell， some part of old FC， TC and MC remain unchanged for a long time. Meanwhile， our results also indicated that the microtubular organization of Diaxonella pseudorubra was quite different from other ciliates. Moreover， during the period of defferetiation and maturation of the new structures， the collapse of old cirri may contribute to the new structure’s orienting and constituting while the function of old cirri is losing gradually.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2011.04.0008