Initiation of bends in the microtubular axostyle of Pyrsonympha
Bloodgood, R.A.; Fitzharris, T.P.
Cytobios 23(90): 109-117
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0011-4529 PMID: 755611 Document Number: 126865
The motile axostyle of Pyrsonympha (from the hindgut of Reticulitermes flavipes) is a cytoplasmic bundle of microtubules capable of initiating and progpagating bends; in vivo bends are always initiated at the anterior end of the cell. The early events of bend initiation are described using quantitative data from cinemicrographic recordings and the complicated structures which constitute the site where bends are normally initiated are described using electron microscopy of serial thin sections through the anterior end of the cell. The axostyle, along with the narrow anterior end of the cell, is first bent through an angle of approximately 160 deg and then this angle rapidly decreases to 115 to 120 deg , at which time bend propagation commences. The initial bending of the anterior end of the axostyle through the critical angle necessary for initiation may result from the activity of the 'primary row' of microtubules with its associated filamentous network.