Fine structural localization of phosphatases in cilia and basal bodies of Tetrahymena pyriformis

Abstract

Cytochemical localization of ATPase activities in cilia and basal bodies of Tetrahymena pyriformis revealed a number of possible sites of ATPases. In basal bodies, reaction product was localized on the periphery of basal body microtubules, in the core of the B-microtubules, on the dense basal body core, and on the basal plate; some reaction product was associated with the postciliary and basal microtubules. In the cilium, reaction product was associated with the ciliary membrane, the basal granule, the periphery of the outer doublet microtubules, in the core of the B-microtubules, and on the arms and either the central microtubules or the radial spoke heads. Reaction product deposition required ATP and either Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ or ADP and Mg 2+. When incubated in the presence of ATP and Na +, reaction product was only found at the base of the cilium in the region of the ciliary necklace. Implications of the various sites of activity are discussed with respect to possible mechanisms of ciliary motility.