title: Image analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans ciliary transition zone structure, ultrastructure, molecular composition, and function.
abstract: The transition zone (TZ) at the ciliary base has emerged as an important regulator of the composition and functions of cilia, which are microtubule-based structures extending from the surfaces of most eukaryotic cells, serving motility, chemo-/mechano-/photosensation and developmental signaling roles. Possessing distinct ultrastructural features such as microtubule-membrane spanning Y-links, the ∼0.2-1.0-μm long TZ is thought to act as a gated cytosolic (size dependent) and membrane diffusion barrier that drives ciliary compartmentalization by preventing unregulated protein exchange between the cilium and the rest of the cell. Multiple proteins associated with ciliary diseases (ciliopathies) such as Meckel-Gruber syndrome (MKS) and nephronophthisis are specifically found in the TZ, and work from a number of model systems, including Chlamydomonas reinharditii, Caenorhabditis elegans and the mouse indicates TZ-gating and associated ciliogenic functions for a number of these proteins. Here we present a suite of assays for probing the structure, function, and molecular composition of the C. elegans TZ, with emphasis on TZ ultrastructure, diffusion barrier kinetics, MKS module assembly hierarchy, and TZ-dependent behaviors.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Anna A W M
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Oliver E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Blacque
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D002923:Cilia / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
keywords: Caenorhabditis elegans; Cilia; Ciliopathies; Diffusion barrier; Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching; Transition zone; Transmission electron microscopy