title: Attachment of the cap to the central microtubules of Tetrahymena cilia.
abstract: The central microtubule cap is bound to the ends of the two central microtubules in Tetrahymena thermophila cilia by plug-shaped structures similar in appearance to the distal filament plugs attached to the ends of the A-microtubules. The caps have been separated from the microtubules and are composed of a bead, two plates, and two peg-like plugs to which the microtubules are attached. The structure of the cap is discussed in relation to the directionality of microtubule assembly in vivo.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002923:Cilia / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013768:Tetrahymena / Q000648:ultrastructure*