Presence of centrin in the human parasite Giardia: a further indication of its ubiquity in eukaryotes.
The presence and distribution of the cytoskeletal protein centrin in the lower eukaryote Giardia were determined using a monoclonal antibody to algal centrin. Immunofluorescence shows that centrin is a major component of rodlike structures associated with the flagella and strongly attached to the ventral disc and the 2 nuclei. Two groups of spots are also highlighted at the top of each nucleus where the basal bodies are situated. Western blot analysis revealed a single 23-kDa polypeptide. These findings support the ubiquity of centrin and its ancient evolutionary origin and also underline cytoskeleton complexity of Giardia, the reportedly most primitive eukaryotic organism known.
Belhadri
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Department of Botany, UBC, Vancouver, Canada.
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D003285:Contractile Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D008970:Molecular Weight; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D003285:Contractile Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C056608:caltractin