title: A microtubule organizing centre (MTOC) is responsible for the production of the sperm flagellum in Matsucoccus feytaudi (Hemiptera: Coccoidea).
abstract: A microtubule organizing centre (MTOC) has been described in the spermatid of the hemipteran Matsucoccus feytaudi (Coccoidea). This structure, revealed as a fluorescent ring by treatment with γ-tubulin antibody, gives rise to a bundle of microtubules which surrounds the elongated cylindrical nucleus. This microtubule bundle has been considered an atypical sperm flagellum provided with sperm motility. A comparison of the M. feytaudi MTOC with the material associated with the centriole of Drosophila melanogaster spermatids confirms the great similarity between the two structures, both involved in the nucleation of microtubules. Like the D. melanogaster material associated with the centriole, the M. feytaudi MTOC is a transient structure which disappears or degenerates at the end of spermiogenesis and is no longer visible in the mature sperm.
authors: Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Centro di Ricerca per l'Agrobiologia e la Pedologia (CRA-ABP), via di Lanciola 12/a, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy. Electronic address: francesco.paoli@entecra.it.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Paoli
authors: Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Centro di Ricerca per l'Agrobiologia e la Pedologia (CRA-ABP), via di Lanciola 12/a, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy. Electronic address: piofederico.roversi@entecra.it.
authors: Pio Federico
authors: PF
authors: Roversi
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy. Electronic address: gottardo@unisi.it.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Gottardo
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy. Electronic address: giuliano.callaini@unisi.it.
authors: Giuliano
authors: G
authors: Callaini
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy. Electronic address: david.mercati@unisi.it.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Mercati
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy. Electronic address: romano.dallai@unisi.it.
authors: Romano
authors: R
authors: Dallai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D022101:Microtubule-Organizing Center / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009758:Nymph / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011679:Pupa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013082:Sperm Tail / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D014404:Tubulin
chemical_list: D014404:Tubulin
keywords: Centriole adjunct; Drosophila melanogaster; Insect spermiogenesis; Pericentriolar material; Scale insects; γ-tubulin