The UNI3 gene is required for assembly of basal bodies of Chlamydomonas and encodes delta-tubulin, a new member of the tubulin superfamily.

ABSTRACT: We have cloned the UNI3 gene in Chlamydomonas and find that it encodes a new member of the tubulin superfamily. Although Uni3p shares significant sequence identity with alpha-, beta-, and gamma-tubulins, there is a region of Uni3p that has no similarity to tubulins or other known proteins. Mutant uni3-1 cells assemble zero, one, or two flagella. Pedigree analysis suggests that flagellar number in uni3-1 cells is a function of the age of the cell. The uniflagellate uni3-1 cells show a positional phenotype; the basal body opposite the eyespot templates the single flagellum. A percentage of uni3-1 cells also fail to orient the cleavage furrow properly, and basal bodies have been implicated in the placement of cleavage furrows in Chlamydomonas. Finally when uni3-1 cells are observed by electro

SUBMITTER: Dutcher SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC25351 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature