The Tetrahymena chaperonin subunit CCTη gene is coexpressed with CCTγ gene during cilia biogenesis and cell sexual reproduction

Abstract

We report here the cloning and the characterization of the T. pyriformis CCTη gene (TpCCTη) and also a partial sequence of the corresponding T. thermophila gene (TtCCTη). The TpCCTη gene encodes a protein sharing a 60.3% identity with the mouse CCTη. We have studied the expression of these genes in Tetrahymena exponentially growing cells, cells regenerating their cilia for different periods and during different stages of the cell sexual reproduction. These genes have similar patterns of expression to those of the previously identified TpCCTγ gene. Indeed, the Tetrahymena CCTη and CCTγ genes are upregulated at 60–120 min of cilia recovery, and in conjugation when vegetative growth was resumed and cell division took place. Our results seem to indicate that both CCT subunits play an important role in the biogenesis of the newly synthesized cilia of Tetrahymena and during its cell division.