High-resolution scanning electron microscopy of the cytoskeleton of Tritrichomonas foetus

Abstract

Tritrichomonas foetus is a pathogenic protozoan that causes bovine trichomoniasis. In addition to its importance in veterinary medicine, this parasite is also a good representative of one the earliest eukaryotic cells available for study. T. foetus contains organelles that are common to all eukaryotic cells as well as uncommon cell structures such as hydrogenosomes and a complex and elaborate cytoskeleton that constitutes the mastigont system. The mastigont system is mainly formed by several proteinaceous structures that are associated with basal bodies, the pelta-axostylar complex and the costa. Although the structural organization of trichomonad cytoskeletons has been analyzed using several techniques, observation using a new generation of scanning electron microscopes with a resolution of 0.8nm has allowed more detailed visualization of the three-dimensional organization of the mastigont system. Moreover, this study revealed the presence of new structures, such as the costa accessory filament, and the presence of two groups of microtubules that form the pelta-axostylar system.