Localization of actin in the Tetrahymena basal body-cage complex

The Cilioprotist Cytoskeleton , a Model for Understanding How Cell Architecture and Pattern Are Specified: Recent Discoveries from Ciliates and Comparable Model Systems

The cytoskeletons of eukaryotic, cilioprotist microorganisms are complex, highly patterned, and diverse, reflecting the varied and elaborate swimming, feeding, reproductive, and sensory behaviors of the multitude of cilioprotist species that inhabit the aquatic environment. In the past 10-20 years, many new discoveries and technologies have helped to advance our understanding of how cytoskeletal organelles are assembled in many different eukaryotic model systems, in relation to the construction and modification of overall cellular architecture and function. Microtubule organizing centers, particularly basal bodies and centrioles, have continued to reveal their central roles in architectural engineering of the eukaryotic cell, including in the cilioprotists. This review calls attention to (1) published resources that illuminate what is known of the cilioprotist cytoskeleton; (2) recent studies on cilioprotists and other model organisms that raise specific questions regarding whether basal body- and centriole-associated nucleic acids, both DNA and RNA, should continue to be considered when seeking to employ cilioprotists as model systems for cytoskeletal research; and (3) new, mainly imaging, technologies that have already proven useful for, but also promise to enhance, future cytoskeletal research on cilioprotists.

Immunolocalization of Actin in Paramecium Cells

We have selected a conserved immunogenic region from several actin genes of Paramecium, recently cloned in our laboratory, to prepare antibodies for Western blots and immunolocalization. According to cell fractionation analysis, most actin is structure-bound. Immunofluorescence shows signal enriched in the cell cortex, notably around ciliary basal bodies (identified by anti-centrin antibodies), as well as around the oral cavity, at the cytoproct and in association with vacuoles (phagosomes) up to several μm in size. Subtle strands run throughout the cell body. Postembedding immunogold labeling/EM analysis shows that actin in the cell cortex emanates, together with the infraciliary lattice, from basal bodies to around trichocyst tips. Label was also enriched around vacuoles and vesicles of different size including “discoidal” vesicles that serve the formation of new phagosomes. By all methods used, we show actin in cilia. Although none of the structurally well-defined filament systems in Paramecium are exclusively formed by actin, actin does display some ordered, though not very conspicuous, arrays throughout the cell. F-actin may somehow serve vesicle trafficking and as a cytoplasmic scaffold. This is particularly supported by the postembedding/EM labeling analysis we used, which would hardly allow for any large-scale redistribution during preparation.

Effect of vasoactive peptides in Tetrahymena: chemotactic activities of adrenomedullin, proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)

Adrenomedullin (AMD), proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were studied for chemotaxis, chemotactic selection and G-actin/F-actin transition in Tetrahymena. The aim of the experiments was to study the effects of two different peptides encoded by the same gene compared to a peptide related to one of the two, but encoded by a different gene, at a low level of phylogeny. The positive, chemotactic effect of ADM and the strong negative, chemorepellent effect of PAMP suggest that in Tetrahymena, the two peptides elicit their chemotactic effects via different signalling mechanisms. The complexity of swimming behaviour modulated by the three peptides underlines that chemotaxis, chemokinesis and some characteristics of migratory behaviour (velocity, tortuosity) are working as a sub-population level complex functional unit. Chemotactic responsiveness to ADM and CGRP is short-term, in contrast to PAMP, which as a chemorepellent ligand, has the ability to select sub-populations with negative chemotactic responsiveness. The different effects of ADM and PAMP on the polymerization of actin networks show that the microtubular structure of cilia is more essential to chemotactic response than are transitions of the actin network. The results draw attention to the characteristic effects of vasoactive peptides at this low level of phylogeny.

Structure and protein composition of a basal-body scaffold ("cage") in the hypotrich ciliate Euplotes

Cilia on the ventral surface of the hypotrich ciliate Euplotes are clustered into polykinetids or compound ciliary organelles, such as cirri or oral membranelles, used in locomotion and prey capture. A single polykinetid may contain more than 150 individual cilia; these emerge from basal bodies held in a closely spaced array within a scaffold or framework structure that has been referred to as a basal-body "cage". Cage structures were isolated free of cilia and basal bodies; the predominant component of such cages was found on polyacrylamide gels to be a 45-kDa polypeptide. Antisera were raised against this protein band and used for immunolocalizations at the light and electron microscope levels. Indirect immunofluorescence revealed the 45-kDa polypeptide to be localized exclusively to the bases of the ventral polykinetids. Immunogold staining of thin sections of intact cells further localized this reactivity to filaments of a double-layered dense lattice that appears to link adjoining basal bodies into ordered arrays within each polykinetid. Scanning electron microscopy of isolated cages reveals the lower or "basal" cage layer to be a fine lacey meshwork supporting the basal bodies at their proximal ends; adjoining basal bodies are held at their characteristic spacing by filaments of an upper or "medial" cage layer. The isolated cage thus resembles a miniature test-tube rack, able to accommodate varying arrangements of basal-body rows, depending on the particular type of polykinetid. Because of its clear and specific localization to the basal-body cages in Euplotes, we have termed this novel 45-kDa protein "cagein".

A FERM domain in a class XIV myosin interacts with actin and tubulin and localizes to the cytoskeleton, phagosomes, and nucleus in Tetrahymena thermophila

Previous studies have shown that Myo1(myosin class XIV) localizes to the cytoskeleton and is involved in amitosis of the macronucleus and trafficking of phagosomes. Myo1 contains a FERM domain that could be a site for interaction between Myo1 and the cytoskeleton. Here, we explore the function of FERM by investigating its cytoskeleton binding partners and involvement in localization of Myo1. Alignment of Myo1 FERM with a talin actin-binding sequence, a MAP-2 tubulin-binding sequence, the radixin FERM dimerization motif, and the SV40 nuclear localization sequence (NLS) revealed putative actin- and tubulin-binding sequences, a putative FERM dimerization motif, and NLS-like sequences in both the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of Myo1 FERM. Alignment of Myo1 with an ERM C-terminal motif revealed a similar sequence in the Myo1 motor domain. GFP-FERM and two truncated FERM domains were separately expressed in Tetrahymena. GFP-FERM contained the entire Myo1 FERM. Truncated Myo1 FERM domains contained either the N-terminal or the C-terminal region of FERM and one putative sequence for actin-binding, one for tubulin-binding, a putative dimerization motif, and a NLS-like sequence. Actin antibody coprecipitated GFP-fusion polypeptides and tubulin from lysate of cells expressing GFP-fusions. Cosedimentation assays performed with either whole cell extracts or anti-actin immunoprecipitation pellets revealed that F-actin (independent of ATP) and microtubules cosedimented with GFP-fusion polypeptides. GFP-FERM localized to the cytoskeleton, phagosomes, and nucleus. Truncated GFP-FERM domains localized to phagosomes but not to the cytoskeleton or nucleus.

New Tetrahymena basal body protein components identify basal body domain structure

Basal bodies organize the nine doublet microtubules found in cilia. Cilia are required for a variety of cellular functions, including motility and sensing stimuli. Understanding this biochemically complex organelle requires an inventory of the molecular components and the contribution each makes to the overall structure. We define a basal body proteome and determine the specific localization of basal body components in the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila. Using a biochemical, bioinformatic, and genetic approach, we identify 97 known and candidate basal body proteins. 24 novel T. thermophila basal body proteins were identified, 19 of which were localized to the ultrastructural level, as seen by immunoelectron microscopy. Importantly, we find proteins from several structural domains within the basal body, allowing us to reveal how each component contributes to the overall organization. Thus, we present a high resolution localization map of basal body structure highlighting important new components for future functional studies.

RhoA-mediated apical actin enrichment is required for ciliogenesis and promoted by Foxj1

Programs that direct cellular differentiation are dependent on the strict temporal expression of regulatory factors that can be provided by Rho GTPases. Ciliogenesis is a complex sequence of events involving the generation and docking of basal bodies at the apical membrane, followed by ciliary axoneme generation. Although a cilia proteome has been assembled, programs that direct ciliated cell differentiation are not well established, particularly in mammalian systems. Using mouse primary culture airway epithelial cells, we identified a critical stage of ciliogenesis requiring the temporal establishment of an apical web-like structure of actin for basal body docking and subsequent axoneme growth. Apical web formation and basal body docking were prevented by interruption of actin remodeling and were dependent on RhoA activation. Additional evidence for this program was provided by analysis of Foxj1-null mice that failed to dock basal bodies and lacked apical actin. Foxj1 expression coincided with actin web formation, activated RhoA and RhoB, and persisted despite RhoA inhibition, suggesting that Foxj1 promoted RhoA during ciliogenesis. Apical ezrin localization was also dependent on Foxj1, actin remodeling, and RhoA, but was not critical for ciliogenesis. Thus, temporal Foxj1 and RhoA activity are essential regulatory events for cytoskeletal remodeling during mammalian ciliogenesis.

The actin gene ACT1 is required for phagocytosis, motility, and cell separation of Tetrahymena thermophila

A previously identified Tetrahymena thermophila actin gene (C. G. Cupples and R. E. Pearlman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:5160-5164, 1986), here called ACT1, was disrupted by insertion of a neo3 cassette. Cells in which all expressed copies of this gene were disrupted exhibited intermittent and extremely slow motility and severely curtailed phagocytic uptake. Transformation of these cells with inducible genetic constructs that contained a normal ACT1 gene restored motility. Use of an epitope-tagged construct permitted visualization of Act1p in the isolated axonemes of these rescued cells. In ACT1Delta mutant cells, ultrastructural abnormalities of outer doublet microtubules were present in some of the axonemes. Nonetheless, these cells were still able to assemble cilia after deciliation. The nearly paralyzed ACT1Delta cells completed cleavage furrowing normally, but the presumptive daughter cells often failed to separate from one another and later became reintegrated. Clonal analysis revealed that the cell cycle length of the ACT1Delta cells was approximately double that of wild-type controls. Clones could nonetheless be maintained for up to 15 successive fissions, suggesting that the ACT1 gene is not essential for cell viability or growth. Examination of the cell cortex with monoclonal antibodies revealed that whereas elongation of ciliary rows and formation of oral structures were normal, the ciliary rows of reintegrated daughter cells became laterally displaced and sometimes rejoined indiscriminately across the former division furrow. We conclude that Act1p is required in Tetrahymena thermophila primarily for normal ciliary motility and for phagocytosis and secondarily for the final separation of daughter cells.

Effect of drugs affecting microtubular assembly on microtubules, phospholipid synthesis and physiological indices (signalling, growth, motility and phagocytosis) inTetrahymena pyriformis

Structural changes of microtubules, incorporation of radioactively labelled components into phospholipids, cell motility, growth and phagocytosis were studied under the effect of four drugs affecting microtubular assembly: colchicine, nocodazole, vinblastine and taxol. Although the first three agents influence microtubules in the direction of depolymerization and the fourth stabilizes them, their effects on the structure of microtubules cannot be explained by this. Using confocal microscopy after an acetylated anti-tubulin label, in nocodazole- and colchicine-treated cells, the basal body cages disappear and longitudinal microtubules (LM) became thinner without changing transversal microtubules (TM). After taxol treatment LM also became thinner, however TM disappeared. Under the effect of vinblastine TM became thinner, without influencing LM. These drugs influence the incorporation of components ([(3)H]-serine, [(3)H]-palmitic acid and (32)P) into phospholipids, however their effect is equivocal and cannot be consequently coupled with the effect on the microtubules. Nocodazole, vinblastine and taxol significantly reduced the cell's motility, however colchicine did so to a lesser degree. Vinblastine and nocodazole totally inhibited, and taxol significantly decreased cell growth, while colchicine in a lower concentration increased the multiplication of cells. Phagocytosis was not significantly influenced after 1 min, but after 5 min all the agents studied (except colchicine) significantly inhibited phagocytosis. After 15 and 30 min each molecule caused highly significant inhibition. The experiments demonstrate that drugs affecting microtubular assembly dynamics influence differently the diverse (longitudinal, transversal etc.) microtubular systems of Tetrahymena and also differently influence microtubule-dependent physiological processes. The latter are more dependent on microtubular dynamics than are changes in phospholipid signalling.

Directed motility of phagosomes inTetrahymena thermophila requires actin and Myo1p, a novel unconventional myosin

The phagosome cycle was investigated in Tetrahymena thermophila, which had internalized fluorescent latex beads. Confocal microscopy of cells from a GFP-actin strain revealed actin filaments that extended 3-5 mum from the periphery of fluorescent phagosomes. In GFP-actin cells and in wild-type cells, motility of fluorescent phagosomes was directed from the oral cavity to the posterior end of the cell. Although 60% of fluorescent phagosomes in the MYO1-knockout strain were motile, movement of phagosomes was not directed toward the posterior end of the cell and was random. Forty percent of fluorescent phagosomes in knockout cells were non-motile in contrast to only 20% non-motile phagosomes in wild-type cells. The increased incidence of non-motile phagosomes in the knockout strain could reflect absence of Myo1p as a motor. Another myosin or other molecular motors could power random movement of phagosomes in the MYO1-knockout strain. In latrunculin-treated GFP-actin cells, movement of fluorescent phagosomes was random. Average velocity of random movement of fluorescent phagosomes in the knockout strain and in latrunculin-treated cells was statistically the same as the average velocity (2.0 +/- 1.9 microm/min) of phagosomes in GFP-actin cells. These findings are an indication that dynamic actin and Myo1p are required for directed motility of phagosomes.

Localization by indirect immunofluorescence of tetrin, actin, and centrin to the oral apparatus and buccal cavity of the macrostomal form of Tetrahymena vorax

We have taken advantage of the size of the macrostomal oral apparatus of Tetrahymena vorax to investigate the immunofluorescent localization of three cytoskeletal proteins--tetrin, actin, and centrin. Tetrin and actin antibodies co-localize to cross-connectives that anchor the membranelles. These antibodies also recognize the coarse filamentous reticulum, a filament associated with the undulating membrane. Actin-specific localization extends beyond the coarse filamentous reticulum-undulating membrane complex into a region called the specialized cytoplasm. A centrin antibody localizes to the fine filamentous reticulum which, along with microtubules of the oral ribs, circumscribes the cytostomal opening. Models of phagocytic contraction based on these data are presented.

Expression of GFP-Actin Leads to Failure of Nuclear Elongation and Cytokinesis in Tetrahymena thermophila

Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged actin was used to investigate the distribution and function of actin in Tetrahymena. A strain that expresses both GFP-actin and endogenous actin was developed by transformation of Tetrahymena thermophila with a ribosomal DNA-based replicative vector. Confocal microscopy of living cells and immunogold electron microscopy confirmed localization of GFP-actin to basal bodies and the contractile ring. Incorporation of the fusion protein into these and other actin-related structures correlated with severe impairment of macronuclear elongation and cytokinesis. At 30 degrees C macronuclear elongation failed to occur in 25% of the transformants despite completion of micronuclear division. At 20 degrees C macronuclear elongation failed to occur in 2% of the population. Arrest of cytokinesis coincided with failure of macronuclear elongation. Arrested cells developed into homopolar doublets with two sets of oral structures. This study indicates a requirement for actin in nuclear elongation and cytokinesis. Although GFP-actin can interfere with the functioning of actin-containing structures, the GFP-actin transformant strain can be used to monitor actin distribution and dynamics and is therefore an important new tool for further studies of Tetrahymena actin.

Profilin Functions in Cytokinesis, Nuclear Positioning, and Stomatogenesis in Tetrahymena thermophila

Expression of the actin-binding protein profilin was disrupted in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila by an antisense ribosome method. In cells with the antisense disruption no profilin protein was detected. Cultures of cells with the antisense disruption could be maintained, indicating that profilin was not essential for cytokinesis or vegetative growth. Disruption of the expression of profilin resulted in many cells that were large and abnormally shaped. Formation of multiple micronuclei, which divide mitotically, was observed in cells with a single macronucleus, indicating a defect in early cytokinesis. Some cells with the antisense disruption contained multiple macronuclei, which in Tetrahymena may indicate a function late in cytokinesis. The lack of profilin also affected cytokinesis in the cells that could divide. Normal-sized and normal-shaped cells with the antisense disruption took significantly longer to divide than control cell types. The profilin disruption revealed two new processes in which profilin functions. In cells lacking profilin, micronuclei were not positioned at their normal site on the surface of the macronucleus and phagocytosis was defective. The defect in phagocytosis appeared to be due to disruption of the formation of oral apparatuses (stomatogenesis) and a possible failure in the internalization of phagocytic vacuoles.

Calcium in ciliated protozoa: sources, regulation, and calcium-regulated cell functions

In ciliates, a variety of processes are regulated by Ca2+, e.g., exocytosis, endocytosis, ciliary beat, cell contraction, and nuclear migration. Differential microdomain regulation may occur by activation of specific channels in different cell regions (e.g., voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in cilia), by local, nonpropagated activation of subplasmalemmal Ca stores (alveolar sacs), by different sensitivity thresholds, and eventually by interplay with additional second messengers (cilia). During stimulus-secretion coupling, Ca2+ as the only known second messenger operates at approximately 5 microM, whereby mobilization from alveolar sacs is superimposed by "store-operated Ca2+ influx" (SOC), to drive exocytotic and endocytotic membrane fusion. (Content discharge requires binding of extracellular Ca2+ to some secretory proteins.) Ca2+ homeostasis is reestablished by binding to cytosolic Ca2+-binding proteins (e.g., calmodulin), by sequestration into mitochondria (perhaps by Ca2+ uniporter) and into endoplasmic reticulum and alveolar sacs (with a SERCA-type pump), and by extrusion via a plasmalemmal Ca2+ pump and a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Comparison of free vs total concentration, [Ca2+] vs [Ca], during activation, using time-resolved fluorochrome analysis and X-ray microanalysis, respectively, reveals that altogether activation requires a calcium flux that is orders of magnitude larger than that expected from the [Ca2+] actually required for local activation.

MYO1, a novel, unconventional myosin gene affects endocytosis and macronuclear elongation in Tetrahymena thermophila

Targeted gene disruption was used to investigate the function of MYO1, an unconventional myosin gene in Tetrahymena thermophila. Phenotypic analysis of a transformed strain that lacked a functional MYO1 gene was conducted at both 20 degrees C and 35 degrees C. At either temperature the delta MYO1 strain had a smaller cytoplasm/nucleus ratio than wild type. At 20 degrees C, delta MYO1 populations had a longer doubling time than wild type, lower saturation density, and a reduced rate of food vacuole formation. However, at 35 degrees C, these characteristics were comparable to wild type. Although micronuclear division and cytokinesis appeared normal in delta MYO1 cells, failure of the macronucleus to elongate properly resulted in unequal segregation of macronuclear DNA in cells maintained at either 20 degrees C or 35 degrees C.

Calmodulin and Ca2+/calmodulin-binding proteins are involved in Tetrahymena thermophila phagocytosis

The ciliated protist, Tetrahymena thermophila, possesses one oral apparatus for phagocytosis, one of the most important cell functions, in the anterior cell cortex. The apparatus comprises four membrane structures which consist of ciliated and unciliated basal bodies, a cytostome where food is collected by oral ciliary motility, and a cytopharynx where food vacuoles are formed. The food vacuole is thought to be transported into the cytoplasm by a deep fiber which connects with the oral apparatus. Although a large number of studies have been done on the structure of the oral apparatus, the molecular mechanisms of phagocytosis in Tetrahymena thermophila are not well understood. In this study, using indirect immunofluorescence, we demonstrated that the deep fiber consisted of actin, CaM, and Ca2+/CaM-binding proteins, p85 and EF-1alpha, which are closely involved in cytokinesis. Moreover, we showed that CaM, p85, and EF-1alpha are colocalized in the cytostome and the cytopharynx of the oral apparatus. Next, we examined whether Ca2+/CaM signal regulates Tetrahymena thermophila phagocytosis, using Ca2+/CaM inhibitors chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, N-(6-aminohexyl)-1-naphthalenesulfonamide, and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide HCI. In Tetrahymena, it is known that Ca2+/CaM signal is closely involved in ciliary motility and cytokinesis. The results showed that one of the inhibitors, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide HCl, inhibited the food vacuole formation rather than the ciliary motility, while the other three inhibitors effectively prevented the ciliary motility. Considering the colocalization of CaM, p85, and EF-1alpha to the cytopharynx, these results suggest that the Ca2+/CaM signal plays a pivotal role in Tetrahymena thermophila food vacuole formation.

A PCR screen identifies a novel, unconventional myosin heavy chain gene (MYO1) in Tetrahymena thermophila

Degenerate primers for two regions of sequence homology in the myosin head domain were used in a polymerase chain reaction screen of Tetrahymena thermophila genomic DNA to amplify a 765 bp fragment that was cloned and sequenced. Based on the presence of conserved, myosin-specific sequences, the 765 bp PCR product was identified as a fragment of a myosin gene, the first to be discovered in ciliated protozoa and herein referred to as MYO1. An inverse polymerase chain reaction strategy was used to obtain additional sequence data that included the entire head domain of MYO1. Alignment of the predicted amino acid sequence of the MYO1 head domain with known myosin sequences identified the ATP-binding site, a phosphorylation site, and other myosin-specific consensus regions. In a northern blot analysis, a 765 bp MYO1-specific probe detected a 6.6 kb transcript under highly stringent hybridization conditions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the predicted protein encoded by MYO1 is not a member of any of the previously defined myosin classes and therefore represents a presumptive new myosin class.

Microtubule-microfilament synergy in the cytoskeleton

This review describes examples of structural and functional synergy of the microtubule and actin filament cytoskeleton. An analysis of basal body (centriole)-associated fibrillar networks includes studies of ciliated epithelium, neurosensory epithelium, centrosomes, and ciliated protozoa. Microtubule and actin filament interactions in cell division and development are illustrated by centrosome motility, cleavage furrow positioning, centriole migration, nuclear migration, dynamics in the phragmoplast, growth cone motility, syncytial organization, and ring canals. Model systems currently used for studies on organelle transport are described in relation to mitochondrial transport in axons and vesicular transport in polarized epithelium. Evidence that both anterograde and retrograde motors are associated with one organelle is also discussed. The final section reviews proteins that bind both microtubules and actin filaments and are possible regulators of microtubule-microfilament interactions. Regulatory roles for posttranslational modifications, microtubule and microfilament dynamics, and multisubunit complexes are considered.

Putative myosin heavy and light chains in Tetrahymena: co-localization to the basal body-cage complex and association of the heavy chain with skeletal muscle actin filaments in vitro

The basal body cage is a fibrillar chamber which surrounds each basal body in the ciliate cytoskeleton. The function of this chamber is unknown. In Tetrahymena, the cage contains actin filaments which connect the cage to triplet microtubules. In this study, we have examined the cage for the presence of myosin. Skeletal muscle myosin-II heavy and light chains were used to affinity-purify anti-MHC and anti-MLC antibodies, respectively, from an antiserum raised against Tetrahymena oral apparatus proteins. On western immunoblots of ATP-solubilized Tetrahymena proteins, the anti-MHC antibody detected a putative myosin heavy (180 kDa) chain, and the anti-MLC antibody detected a putative myosin light (18 kDa) chain. The anti-MHC antibody specifically labeled the AI zone of sarcomeres. In cosedimentation assays with an ATP-solubilized protein fraction, the 180 kDa polypeptide associated with skeletal muscle actin filaments in an ATP-dependent manner. The sedimented actin filaments appeared to be organized into bundles. Immunodepletion of the 180 kDa rendered the ATP-solubilized protein fraction ineffective in bundling actin filaments in a cosedimentation assay. ATP-solubilized Tetrahymena proteins, which included the 180 kDa polypeptide, exhibited F-actin-stimulated, Mg2+ ATPase activity and K+, EDTA ATPase activity which are characteristic of myosin ATPases. Immunodepletion of the 180 kDa polypeptide reduced the F-actin, Mg2+ ATPase activity of the ATP-solubilized protein fraction by more than 80%. Based on these various observations, we conclude that the 180 kDa polypeptide is a putative myosin heavy chain, probably a myosin-II and that the 18 kDa polypeptide is probably a myosin-II light chain. We have used the affinity-purified, anti-myosin antibodies with immunofluorescence microscopy and immunogold electron microscopy to map the location of the putative myosin heavy and light chains in Tetrahymena. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that the anti-myosin antibodies localized to Tetrahymena somatic and oral region basal bodies. At the ultrastructural level, the anti-myosin antibodies localized to filaments in the basal body-cage complex. The labeling patterns with both anti-myosin antibodies were identical to the labeling pattern observed with an anti-actin antibody reported in a previous study. The co-localization of myosin and actin argue for a motility system within the basal body-cage complex.