scholarly journals DRC3 connects the N-DRC to dynein g to regulate flagellar waveform

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (15) ◽  
pp. 2788-2800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junya Awata ◽  
Kangkang Song ◽  
Jianfeng Lin ◽  
Stephen M. King ◽  
Michael J. Sanderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Motor Domain ◽  
Flagellar Motility ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cryo Electron Tomography ◽  
Radial Spokes ◽  
Regulatory Complex ◽  
And Function ◽  
Linker Domain ◽  
Distal Lobe

The nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), which is a major hub for the control of flagellar motility, contains at least 11 different subunits. A major challenge is to determine the location and function of each of these subunits within the N-DRC. We characterized a Chlamydomonas mutant defective in the N-DRC subunit DRC3. Of the known N-DRC subunits, the drc3 mutant is missing only DRC3. Like other N-DRC mutants, the drc3 mutant has a defect in flagellar motility. However, in contrast to other mutations affecting the N-DRC, drc3 does not suppress flagellar paralysis caused by loss of radial spokes. Cryo–electron tomography revealed that the drc3 mutant lacks a portion of the N-DRC linker domain, including the L1 protrusion, part of the distal lobe, and the connection between these two structures, thus localizing DRC3 to this part of the N-DRC. This and additional considerations enable us to assign DRC3 to the L1 protrusion. Because the L1 protrusion is the only non-dynein structure in contact with the dynein g motor domain in wild-type axonemes and this is the only N-DRC–dynein connection missing in the drc3 mutant, we conclude that DRC3 interacts with dynein g to regulate flagellar waveform.

scholarly journals The CSC connects three major axonemal complexes involved in dynein regulation

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (16) ◽  
pp. 3143-3155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Heuser ◽  
Erin E. Dymek ◽  
Jianfeng Lin ◽  
Elizabeth F. Smith ◽  
Daniela Nicastro
Keyword(s):  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Structural Heterogeneity ◽  
Flagellar Motility ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Localization Model ◽  
Cryo Electron Tomography ◽  
Radial Spokes ◽  
Regulatory Complex ◽  
Health And Development ◽  
Cilia And Flagella

Motile cilia and flagella are highly conserved organelles that play important roles in human health and development. We recently discovered a calmodulin- and spoke-associ­ated complex (CSC) that is required for wild-type motility and for the stable assembly of a subset of radial spokes. Using cryo–electron tomography, we present the first structure-based localization model of the CSC. Chlamydomonas flagella have two full-length radial spokes, RS1 and RS2, and a shorter RS3 homologue, the RS3 stand-in (RS3S). Using newly developed techniques for analyzing samples with structural heterogeneity, we demonstrate that the CSC connects three major axonemal complexes involved in dynein regulation: RS2, the nexin–dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), and RS3S. These results provide insights into how signals from the radial spokes may be transmitted to the N-DRC and ultimately to the dynein motors. Our results also indicate that although structurally very similar, RS1 and RS2 likely serve different functions in regulating flagellar motility.

scholarly journals Scaffold subunits support associated subunit assembly in the Chlamydomonas ciliary nexin–dynein regulatory complex

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (46) ◽  
pp. 23152-23162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Gui ◽  
Kangkang Song ◽  
Douglas Tritschler ◽  
Raqual Bower ◽  
Si Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Core Complex ◽  
The Core ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Cryo Electron Tomography ◽  
Regulatory Complex ◽  
Cilia And Flagella ◽  
Linker Domain ◽  
Shed Light

The nexin–dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC) in motile cilia and flagella functions as a linker between neighboring doublet microtubules, acts to stabilize the axonemal core structure, and serves as a central hub for the regulation of ciliary motility. Although the N-DRC has been studied extensively using genetic, biochemical, and structural approaches, the precise arrangement of the 11 (or more) N-DRC subunits remains unknown. Here, using cryo-electron tomography, we have compared the structure of Chlamydomonas wild-type flagella to that of strains with specific DRC subunit deletions or rescued strains with tagged DRC subunits. Our results show that DRC7 is a central linker subunit that helps connect the N-DRC to the outer dynein arms. DRC11 is required for the assembly of DRC8, and DRC8/11 form a subcomplex in the proximal lobe of the linker domain that is required to form stable contacts to the neighboring B-tubule. Gold labeling of tagged subunits determines the precise locations of the previously ambiguous N terminus of DRC4 and C terminus of DRC5. DRC4 is now shown to contribute to the core scaffold of the N-DRC. Our results reveal the overall architecture of N-DRC, with the 3 subunits DRC1/2/4 forming a core complex that serves as the scaffold for the assembly of the “functional subunits,” namely DRC3/5–8/11. These findings shed light on N-DRC assembly and its role in regulating flagellar beating.

scholarly journals Scaffold subunits support associated subunit assembly in the Chlamydomonas ciliary nexin-dynein regulatory complex

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Gui ◽  
Kangkang Song ◽  
Douglas Tristchler ◽  
Raqual Bower ◽  
Yan Si ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Core Complex ◽  
Ciliary Motility ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Large N ◽  
Cryo Electron Tomography ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Regulatory Complex ◽  
Cilia And Flagella ◽  
Linker Domain

ABSTRACTThe nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC) in motile cilia and flagella functions as a linker between neighboring doublet microtubules, acts to stabilize the axonemal core structure, and serves as a central hub for the regulation of ciliary motility. Although the N-DRC has been studied extensively using genetic, biochemical, and structural approaches, the precise arrangement of the eleven (or more) N-DRC subunits remains unknown. Here, using cryo-electron tomography, we have compared the structure of Chlamydomonas wild-type flagella to that of strains with specific DRC subunit deletions or rescued strains with tagged DRC subunits. Our results show that DRC7 is a central linker subunit that helps connect the N-DRC to the outer dynein arms. DRC11 is required for the assembly of DRC8, and DRC8/11 form a sub-complex in the proximal lobe of the linker domain that is required to form stable contacts to the neighboring B-tubule. Gold labeling of tagged subunits determines the precise locations of the previously ambiguous N-terminus of DRC4 which is now shown to contribute to the core scaffold of the N-DRC and C-terminus of DRC5. Our results reveal the overall architecture of N-DRC, with the three subunits, DRC1/2/4 forming a core complex that serves as the scaffold for the assembly of the “functional subunits” associate, namely DRC3/5-8/11. These findings shed light on N-DRC assembly and its role in regulating flagellar beating.Significance StatementCilia and flagella are small hair-like appendages in eukaryotic cells that play essential roles in cell sensing, signaling, and motility. The highly conserved nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC) is one of the key regulators for ciliary motility. At least 11 proteins (DRC1–11) have been assigned to the N-DRC, but their precise arrangement within the large N-DRC structure is not yet known. Here, using cryo-electron tomography combined with genetic approaches, we have localized DRC7, the sub-complex DRC8/DRC11, the N-terminus of DRC4, and the C-terminus of DRC5. Our results provide insights into the N-DRC structure, its function in the regulation of dynein activity, and the mechanism by which n-drc mutations can lead to defects in ciliary motility that cause disease.

scholarly journals Detailed structural and biochemical characterization of the nexin-dynein regulatory complex

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 294-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Oda ◽  
Haruaki Yanagisawa ◽  
Masahide Kikkawa
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Dynein Motor ◽  
Cryo Electron Tomography ◽  
Regulatory Complex ◽  
And Function

The nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC) forms a cross-bridge between the outer doublet microtubules of the axoneme and regulates dynein motor activity in cilia/flagella. Although the molecular composition and the three-dimensional structure of N-DRC have been studied using mutant strains lacking N-DRC subunits, more accurate approaches are necessary to characterize the structure and function of N-DRC. In this study, we precisely localized DRC1, DRC2, and DRC4 using cryo–electron tomography and structural labeling. All three N-DRC subunits had elongated conformations and spanned the length of N-DRC. Furthermore, we purified N-DRC and characterized its microtubule-binding properties. Purified N-DRC bound to the microtubule and partially inhibited microtubule sliding driven by the outer dynein arms (ODAs). Of interest, microtubule sliding was observed even in the presence of fourfold molar excess of N-DRC relative to ODA. These results provide insights into the role of N-DRC in generating the beating motions of cilia/flagella.

scholarly journals Three-dimensional structure of the radial spokes reveals heterogeneity and interactions with dyneins in Chlamydomonas flagella

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia F. Barber ◽  
Thomas Heuser ◽  
Blanca I. Carbajal-González ◽  
Vladimir V. Botchkarev ◽  
Daniela Nicastro
Keyword(s):  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Flagellar Motility ◽  
Three Dimensional Structure ◽  
Radial Spoke ◽  
Cryo Electron Tomography ◽  
Radial Spokes ◽  
Axonemal Dynein ◽  
Subtomogram Averaging

Radial spokes (RSs) play an essential role in the regulation of axonemal dynein activity and thus of ciliary and flagellar motility. However, few details are known about the complexes involved. Using cryo–electron tomography and subtomogram averaging, we visualized the three-dimensional structure of the radial spokes in Chlamydomonas flagella in unprecedented detail. Unlike many other species, Chlamydomonas has only two spokes per axonemal repeat, RS1 and RS2. Our data revealed previously uncharacterized features, including two-pronged spoke bases that facilitate docking to the doublet microtubules, and that inner dyneins connect directly to the spokes. Structures of wild type and the headless spoke mutant pf17 were compared to define the morphology and boundaries of the head, including a direct RS1-to-RS2 interaction. Although the overall structures of the spokes are very similar, we also observed some differences, corroborating recent findings about heterogeneity in the docking of RS1 and RS2. In place of a third radial spoke we found an uncharacterized, shorter electron density named “radial spoke 3 stand-in,” which structurally bears no resemblance to RS1 and RS2 and is unaltered in the pf17 mutant. These findings demonstrate that radial spokes are heterogeneous in structure and may play functionally distinct roles in axoneme regulation.

scholarly journals The MIA complex is a conserved and novel dynein regulator essential for normal ciliary motility

2013 ◽  
Vol 201 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryosuke Yamamoto ◽  
Kangkang Song ◽  
Haru-aki Yanagisawa ◽  
Laura Fox ◽  
Toshiki Yagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Chain Complex ◽  
Flagellar Motility ◽  
Flagellar Beat ◽  
Cryo Electron Tomography ◽  
Regulatory Complex ◽  
Physical Interactions ◽  
Dynein Arms

Axonemal dyneins must be precisely regulated and coordinated to produce ordered ciliary/flagellar motility, but how this is achieved is not understood. We analyzed two Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants, mia1 and mia2, which display slow swimming and low flagellar beat frequency. We found that the MIA1 and MIA2 genes encode conserved coiled-coil proteins, FAP100 and FAP73, respectively, which form the modifier of inner arms (MIA) complex in flagella. Cryo–electron tomography of mia mutant axonemes revealed that the MIA complex was located immediately distal to the intermediate/light chain complex of I1 dynein and structurally appeared to connect with the nexin–dynein regulatory complex. In axonemes from mutants that lack both the outer dynein arms and the MIA complex, I1 dynein failed to assemble, suggesting physical interactions between these three axonemal complexes and a role for the MIA complex in the stable assembly of I1 dynein. The MIA complex appears to regulate I1 dynein and possibly outer arm dyneins, which are both essential for normal motility.

scholarly journals Cryo-electron tomography of cells: connecting structure and function

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladan Lučić ◽  
Andrew Leis ◽  
Wolfgang Baumeister
Keyword(s):  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Cryo Electron Tomography ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals Structural insights into flagellar stator–rotor interactions

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunjie Chang ◽  
Ki Hwan Moon ◽  
Xiaowei Zhao ◽  
Steven J Norris ◽  
MD A Motaleb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Change ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Deletion Mutants ◽  
Flagellar Motor ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cryo Electron Tomography ◽  
Flagellar Filament ◽  
Structural Insights

The bacterial flagellar motor is a molecular machine that can rotate the flagellar filament at high speed. The rotation is generated by the stator–rotor interaction, coupled with an ion flux through the torque-generating stator. Here we employed cryo-electron tomography to visualize the intact flagellar motor in the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. By analyzing the motor structures of wild-type and stator-deletion mutants, we not only localized the stator complex in situ, but also revealed the stator–rotor interaction at an unprecedented detail. Importantly, the stator–rotor interaction induces a conformational change in the flagella C-ring. Given our observation that a non-motile mutant, in which proton flux is blocked, cannot generate the similar conformational change, we propose that the proton-driven torque is responsible for the conformational change required for flagellar rotation.

scholarly journals Cell Surface Filaments of the Gliding Bacterium Flavobacterium johnsoniae Revealed by Cryo-Electron Tomography

2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (20) ◽  
pp. 7503-7506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Liu ◽  
Mark J. McBride ◽  
Sriram Subramaniam
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Unknown Mechanism ◽  
Flavobacterium Johnsoniae ◽  
Atp Binding Cassette Transporter ◽  
Cryo Electron Tomography ◽  
Inner Surface ◽  
Gliding Bacterium

ABSTRACT Flavobacterium johnsoniae cells glide rapidly over surfaces by an as-yet-unknown mechanism. Using cryo-electron tomography, we show that wild-type cells display tufts of ∼5-nm-wide cell surface filaments that appear to be anchored to the inner surface of the outer membrane. These filaments are absent in cells of a nonmotile gldF mutant but are restored upon expression of plasmid-encoded GldF, a component of a putative ATP-binding cassette transporter.

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