PACRG and FAP20 form the inner junction of axonemal doublet microtubules and regulate ciliary motility.

We previously demonstrated that PACRG plays a role in regulating dynein-driven microtubule sliding in motile cilia. To expand our understanding of the role of PACRG in ciliary assembly and motility, we used a combination of functional and structural studies, including newly identified mutants. Using cryo-electron tomography we show that PACRG and FAP20 form the inner junction between the A- and B-tubule along the length of all nine ciliary doublet microtubules.

Microtubule binding protein PACRG plays a role in regulating specific ciliary dyneins during microtubule sliding.

The complex waveforms characteristic of motile eukaryotic cilia and flagella are produced by the temporally and spatially regulated action of multiple dynein subforms generating sliding between subsets of axonemal microtubules. Multiple protein complexes have been identified that are associated with the doublet microtubules and that mediate regulatory signals between key axonemal structures, such as the radial spokes and central apparatus, and the dynein arm motors; these complexes include the N-DRC, MIA, and CSC complexes. Previous studies have shown that PACRG (parkin co-regulated gene) forms a complex that is anchored to the axonemal doublet microtubules.

FAP206 is a microtubule-docking adapter for ciliary radial spoke 2 and dynein c.

Radial spokes are conserved macromolecular complexes that are essential for ciliary motility. A triplet of three radial spokes, RS1, RS2, and RS3, repeats every 96 nm along the doublet microtubules. Each spoke has a distinct base that docks to the doublet and is linked to different inner dynein arms.

The CSC connects three major axonemal complexes involved in dynein regulation.

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.

PF19 encodes the p60 catalytic subunit of katanin and is required for assembly of the flagellar central apparatus in Chlamydomonas.

For all eukaryotic cilia the basal bodies provide a template for the assembly of the doublet microtubules, and intraflagellar transport provides a mechanism for transport of axonemal components into the growing cilium. What is not known is how the central pair of microtubules is nucleated or how their associated polypeptides are assembled. Here we report that the Chlamydomonas pf19 mutation results in a single amino acid change within the p60 catalytic subunit of katanin, and that this mutation prevents microtubule severing activity.

The CSC is required for complete radial spoke assembly and wild-type ciliary motility.

The ubiquitous calcium binding protein, calmodulin (CaM), plays a major role in regulating the motility of all eukaryotic cilia and flagella. We previously identified a CaM and Spoke associated Complex (CSC) and provided evidence that this complex mediates regulatory signals between the radial spokes and dynein arms. We have now used an artificial microRNA (amiRNA) approach to reduce expression of two CSC subunits in Chlamydomonas.

A conserved CaM- and radial spoke associated complex mediates regulation of flagellar dynein activity.

For virtually all cilia and eukaryotic flagella, the second messengers calcium and cyclic adenosine monophosphate are implicated in modulating dynein- driven microtubule sliding to regulate beating. Calmodulin (CaM) localizes to the axoneme and is a key calcium sensor involved in regulating motility. Using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we identify members of a CaM-containing complex that are involved in regulating dynein activity.

A kinesin-like calmodulin-binding protein in Chlamydomonas: evidence for a role in cell division and flagellar functions.

Kinesin-like calmodulin-binding protein, KCBP, is a novel member of the C-kinesin superfamily first discovered in flowering plants. This minus-end-directed kinesin exhibits Ca(2+)-calmodulin-sensitive motor activity in vitro and has been implicated in trichome morphogenesis and cell division. A homologue of KCBP is also found in the unicellular, biflagellate green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CrKCBP).

Calmodulin and PF6 are components of a complex that localizes to the C1 microtubule of the flagellar central apparatus.

Studies of flagellar motility in Chlamydomonas mutants lacking specific central apparatus components have supported the hypothesis that the inherent asymmetry of this structure provides important spatial cues for asymmetric regulation of dynein activity. These studies have also suggested that specific projections associated with the C1 and C2 central tubules make unique contributions to modulating motility; yet, we still do not know the identities of most polypeptides associated with the central tubules. To identify components of the C1a projection, we took an immunoprecipitation approach using antibodies generated against PF6.

PF15p is the chlamydomonas homologue of the Katanin p80 subunit and is required for assembly of flagellar central microtubules.

Numerous studies have indicated that the central apparatus plays a significant role in regulating flagellar motility, yet little is known about how the central pair of microtubules or their associated projections assemble. Several Chlamydomonas mutants are defective in central apparatus assembly. For example, mutant pf15 cells have paralyzed flagella that completely lack the central pair of microtubules.