Tubulin lattice in cilia is in a stressed form regulated by microtubule inner proteins

Cilia, the hair-like protrusions that beat at high frequencies to propel a cell or move fluid around are composed of radially bundled doublet microtubules. In this study, we present a near-atomic resolution map of the Tetrahymena doublet microtubule by cryoelectron microscopy. The map demonstrates that the network of microtubule inner proteins weaves into the tubulin lattice and forms an inner sheath. From mass spectrometry data and de novo modeling, we identified Rib43a proteins as the filamentous microtubule inner proteins in the protofilament ribbon region. The Rib43a–tubulin interaction leads to an elongated tubulin dimer distance every 2 dimers. In addition, the tubulin lattice structure with missing microtubule inner proteins (MIPs) by sarkosyl treatment shows significant longitudinal compaction and lateral angle change between protofilaments. These results are evidence that the MIPs directly affect and stabilize the tubulin lattice. It suggests that the doublet microtubule is an intrinsically stressed filament and that this stress could be manipulated in the regulation of ciliary waveforms.

Tubulin Lattice in Cilia is in a Stressed Form Regulated by Microtubule Inner Proteins

Cilia, the hair-like protrusions that beat at high frequencies to propel a cell or move fluid around the cell, are composed of radially bundled doublet microtubules. The doublet microtubule is composed of a 13-protofilament A-tubule, a partial 10-protofilament B-tubule and microtubule inner proteins (MIPs) inside the tubulin lattice. In this study, we present the near-atomic resolution map of theTetrahymenadoublet microtubules. The map demonstrates that the network of microtubule inner proteins is weaving into the tubulin lattice, forming an inner sheath of proteins. In addition, we also obtain the tubulin lattice structure with missing MIPs by Sarkosyl treatment. In this structure, the tubulin lattice showed significant longitudinal compaction and lateral angle changes between protofilaments. These results are evidence that the binding of MIPs directly affects and stabilizes the tubulin lattice. It is also suggested that the doublet microtubule is an intrinsically stressed filament and this stress could be exploited in the regulation of ciliary waveforms.