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Kage A, Takahashi K, Nozaki H, Higashiyama T, Baba SA, Nishizaka T. Swimming ability and flagellar motility of sperm packets of the volvocine green alga Pleodorina starrii. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0287561. [PMID: 39024288 PMCID: PMC11257277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic flagella collectively form metachronal waves that facilitate the ability to cause flow or swim. Among such flagellated and planktonic swimmers, large volvocine genera such as Eudorina, Pleodorina and Volvox form bundles of small male gametes (sperm) called "sperm packets" for sexual reproduction. Although these sperm packets reportedly have flagella and the ability to swim, previous studies on volvocine motility have focused on asexual forms and the swimming characteristics of sperm packets remain unknown. However, it is important to quantify the motility of sperm packets and sperm in order to gain insights into the significance of motility in the sexual reproduction of planktonic algae. In this study, we quantitatively described the behavior of three flagellated forms of a male strain of Pleodorina starrii-asexual colonies, sperm packets, and single dissociated sperm-with emphasis on comparison of the two multicellular forms. Despite being smaller, sperm packets swam approximately 1.4 times faster than the asexual colonies of the same male strain. Body length was approximately 0.5 times smaller in the sperm packets than in asexual colonies. The flagella from sperm packets and asexual colonies showed asymmetric waveforms, whereas those from dissociated single sperm showed symmetric waveforms, suggesting the presence of a switching mechanism between sperm packets and dissociated sperm. Flagella from sperm packets were approximately 0.5 times shorter and had a beat period approximately twice as long as those from asexual colonies. The flagella of sperm packets were densely distributed over the anterior part of the body, whereas the flagella of asexual colonies were sparse and evenly distributed. The distribution of flagella, but not the number of flagella, appear to illustrate a significant difference in the speeds of sperm packets and asexual colonies. Our findings reveal novel aspects of the regulation of eukaryotic flagella and shed light on the role of flagellar motility in sexual reproduction of planktonic algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azusa Kage
- Department of Physics, Gakushuin University, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohei Takahashi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hisayoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Higashiyama
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shoji A. Baba
- Department of Biology, Ochanomizu University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Sutherland KR, Damian-Serrano A, Du Clos KT, Gemmell BJ, Colin SP, Costello JH. Spinning and corkscrewing of oceanic macroplankton revealed through in situ imaging. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm9511. [PMID: 38748799 PMCID: PMC11095445 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm9511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Helical motion is prevalent in nature and has been shown to confer stability and efficiency in microorganisms. However, the mechanics of helical locomotion in larger organisms (>1 centimeter) remain unknown. In the open ocean, we observed the chain forming salp, Iasis cylindrica, swimming in helices. Three-dimensional imaging showed that helicity derives from torque production by zooids oriented at an oblique orientation relative to the chain axis. Colonies can spin both clockwise and counterclockwise and longer chains (>10 zooids) transition from spinning around a linear axis to a helical swimming path. Propulsive jets are non-interacting and directed at a small angle relative to the axis of motion, thus maximizing thrust while minimizing destructive interactions. Our integrated approach reveals the biomechanical advantages of distributed propulsion and macroscale helical movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly R. Sutherland
- Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97405, USA
| | | | - Kevin T. Du Clos
- Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Chauvin, LA 70344, USA
| | - Brad J. Gemmell
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Sean P. Colin
- Marine Biology/Environmental Sciences, Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI 02809, USA
- Whitman Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - John H. Costello
- Whitman Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
- Biology Department, Providence College, Providence, RI 02908, USA
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Bondoc-Naumovitz KG, Laeverenz-Schlogelhofer H, Poon RN, Boggon AK, Bentley SA, Cortese D, Wan KY. Methods and Measures for Investigating Microscale Motility. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:1485-1508. [PMID: 37336589 PMCID: PMC10755196 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Motility is an essential factor for an organism's survival and diversification. With the advent of novel single-cell technologies, analytical frameworks, and theoretical methods, we can begin to probe the complex lives of microscopic motile organisms and answer the intertwining biological and physical questions of how these diverse lifeforms navigate their surroundings. Herein, we summarize the main mechanisms of microscale motility and give an overview of different experimental, analytical, and mathematical methods used to study them across different scales encompassing the molecular-, individual-, to population-level. We identify transferable techniques, pressing challenges, and future directions in the field. This review can serve as a starting point for researchers who are interested in exploring and quantifying the movements of organisms in the microscale world.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rebecca N Poon
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, EX4 4QD, Exeter, UK
| | - Alexander K Boggon
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, EX4 4QD, Exeter, UK
| | - Samuel A Bentley
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, EX4 4QD, Exeter, UK
| | - Dario Cortese
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, EX4 4QD, Exeter, UK
| | - Kirsty Y Wan
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, EX4 4QD, Exeter, UK
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Sato Y, Yoshimura K, Matsuda K, Haraguchi T, Marumo A, Yamagishi M, Sato S, Ito K, Yajima J. Membrane-bound myosin IC drives the chiral rotation of the gliding actin filament around its longitudinal axis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19908. [PMID: 37963943 PMCID: PMC10646037 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47125-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Myosin IC, a single-headed member of the myosin I family, specifically interacts with anionic phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI[4,5]P2) in the cell membrane via the pleckstrin homology domain located in the myosin IC tail. Myosin IC is widely expressed and physically links the cell membrane to the actin cytoskeleton; it plays various roles in membrane-associated physiological processes, including establishing cellular chirality, lipid transportation, and mechanosensing. In this study, we evaluated the motility of full-length myosin IC of Drosophila melanogaster via the three-dimensional tracking of quantum dots bound to actin filaments that glided over a membrane-bound myosin IC-coated surface. The results revealed that myosin IC drove a left-handed rotational motion in the gliding actin filament around its longitudinal axis, indicating that myosin IC generated a torque perpendicular to the gliding direction of the actin filament. The quantification of the rotational motion of actin filaments on fluid membranes containing different PI(4,5)P2 concentrations revealed that the rotational pitch was longer at lower PI(4,5)P2 concentrations. These results suggest that the torque generated by membrane-bound myosin IC molecules can be modulated based on the phospholipid composition of the cell membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusei Sato
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
| | - Kohei Yoshimura
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33, Inage, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kyohei Matsuda
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
| | - Takeshi Haraguchi
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33, Inage, Chiba, Japan
| | - Akisato Marumo
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
| | - Masahiko Yamagishi
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
| | - Suguru Sato
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33, Inage, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kohji Ito
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33, Inage, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Junichiro Yajima
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan.
- Komaba Institute for Science, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan.
- Research Center for Complex Systems Biology, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan.
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Kwok ACM, Chan WS, Wong JTY. Dinoflagellate Amphiesmal Dynamics: Cell Wall Deposition with Ecdysis and Cellular Growth. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:md21020070. [PMID: 36827111 PMCID: PMC9959387 DOI: 10.3390/md21020070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Dinoflagellates are a major aquatic protist group with amphiesma, multiple cortical membranous "cell wall" layers that contain large circum-cortical alveolar sacs (AVs). AVs undergo extensive remodeling during cell- and life-cycle transitions, including ecdysal cysts (ECs) and resting cysts that are important in some harmful algal bloom initiation-termination. AVs are large cortical vesicular compartments, within which are elaborate cellulosic thecal plates (CTPs), in thecate species, and the pellicular layer (PL). AV-CTPs provide cellular mechanical protection and are targets of vesicular transport that are replaced during EC-swarmer cell transition, or with increased deposition during the cellular growth cycle. AV-PL exhibits dynamical-replacement with vesicular trafficking that are orchestrated with amphiesmal chlortetracycline-labeled Ca2+ stores signaling, integrating cellular growth with different modes of cell division cycle/progression. We reviewed the dynamics of amphiesma during different cell division cycle modes and life cycle stages, and its multifaceted regulations, focusing on the regulatory and functional readouts, including the coral-zooxanthellae interactions.
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Samatas S, Lintuvuori J. Hydrodynamic Synchronization of Chiral Microswimmers. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 130:024001. [PMID: 36706412 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.130.024001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We study synchronization in bulk suspensions of spherical microswimmers with chiral trajectories using large scale numerics. The model is generic. It corresponds to the lowest order solution of a general model for self-propulsion at low Reynolds numbers, consisting of a nonaxisymmetric rotating source dipole. We show that both purely circular and helical swimmers can spontaneously synchronize their rotation. The synchronized state corresponds to velocity alignment with high orientational order in both the polar and azimuthal directions. Finally, we consider a racemic mixture of helical swimmers where intraspecies synchronization is observed while the system remains as a spatially uniform fluid. Our results demonstrate hydrodynamic synchronization as a natural collective phenomenon for microswimmers with chiral trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotiris Samatas
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, LOMA, UMR 5798, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - Juho Lintuvuori
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, LOMA, UMR 5798, F-33400 Talence, France
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Legal T, Tong M, Black C, Valente Paterno M, Gaertig J, Bui KH. Molecular architecture of the ciliary tip revealed by cryo-electron tomography. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.03.522627. [PMID: 36711791 PMCID: PMC9881849 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.03.522627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cilia are essential organelles that protrude from the cell body. Cilia are made of a microtubule-based structure called the axoneme. In most types of cilia, the ciliary tip is distinct from the rest of the cilium. Here, we used cryo-electron tomography and subtomogram averaging to obtain the structure of the ciliary tip of the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. We show the microtubules in the tip are highly cross-linked with each other and stabilised by luminal proteins, plugs and cap proteins at the plus ends. In the tip region, the central pair lacks the typical projections and twists significantly. By analysing cells lacking a ciliary tip-enriched protein CEP104/FAP256 by cryo-electron tomography and proteomics, we discovered candidates for the central pair cap complex and explain potential functions of CEP104/FAP256. These data provide new insights into the function of the ciliary tip and inform about the mechanisms of ciliary assembly and length regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Legal
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Québec, Canada
| | - M Tong
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Québec, Canada
| | - C Black
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Québec, Canada
| | - M Valente Paterno
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Québec, Canada
| | - J Gaertig
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - K H Bui
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Québec, Canada
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Torque generating properties of Tetrahymena ciliary three-headed outer-arm dynein. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16722. [PMID: 36202966 PMCID: PMC9537190 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21001-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cilia/flagella are cellular bio-machines that drive the movement of microorganisms. Molecular motor axonemal dyneins in the axoneme, which consist of an 9 + 2 arrangement of microtubules, play an essential role in ciliary beating. Some axonemal dyneins have been shown to generate torque coupled with the longitudinal motility of microtubules across an array of dyneins fixed to the coverglass surface, resulting in a corkscrew-like translocation of microtubules. In this study, we performed three-dimensional tracking of a microbead coated with axonemal outer-arm dyneins on a freely suspended microtubule. We found that microbeads coated with multiple outer-arm dyneins exhibited continuous right-handed helical trajectories around the microtubule. This unidirectional helical motion differs from that of other types of cytoplasmic dyneins, which exhibit bidirectional helical motility. We also found that, in an in vitro microtubule gliding assay, gliding microtubules driven by outer-arm dyneins tend to turn to the left, causing a curved path, suggesting that the outer-arm dynein itself is able to rotate on its own axis. Two types of torque generated by the axonemal dyneins, corresponding to the forces used to rotate the microtubule unidirectionally with respect to the long and short axes, may regulate ciliary beating with complex waveforms.
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Ohmura T, Nishigami Y, Ichikawa M. Simple dynamics underlying the survival behaviors of ciliates. Biophys Physicobiol 2022; 19:e190026. [PMID: 36160323 PMCID: PMC9465405 DOI: 10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v19.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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