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Vol. 19, Issue 10, 4319-4327, October 2008
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*Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755; and
The Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543
Submitted May 8, 2008;
Revised July 18, 2008;
Accepted August 4, 2008
Monitoring Editor: Thomas D. Pollard
During intraflagellar transport (IFT), the regulation of motor proteins, the loading and unloading of cargo and the turnover of flagellar proteins all occur at the flagellar tip. To begin an analysis of the protein composition of the flagellar tip, we used difference gel electrophoresis to compare long versus short (i.e., regenerating) flagella. The concentration of tip proteins should be higher relative to that of tubulin (which is constant per unit length of the flagellum) in short compared with long flagella. One protein we have identified is the cobalamin-independent form of methionine synthase (MetE). Antibodies to MetE label flagella in a punctate pattern reminiscent of IFT particle staining, and immunoblot analysis reveals that the amount of MetE in flagella is low in full-length flagella, increased in regenerating flagella, and highest in resorbing flagella. Four methylated proteins have been identified in resorbing flagella, using antibodies specific for asymmetrically dimethylated arginine residues. These proteins are found almost exclusively in the axonemal fraction, and the methylated forms of these proteins are essentially absent in full-length and regenerating flagella. Because most cells resorb cilia/flagella before cell division, these data indicate a link between flagellar protein methylation and progression through the cell cycle.
Address correspondence to: Roger D. Sloboda (rds{at}dartmouth.edu)
Abbreviations used: DIGE, difference gel electrophoresis; IFT, intraflagellar transport; FTC, flagellar tip complex; MetE, methionine synthase (EC 2.1.1.14); SAM, S-adenosyl methionine.
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