Primary ciliary dyskinesia encompasses a heterogenous group of inherited condition characterized by clinical, functional, and ultrastructural features. The transmission electronmicroscopic findings of nasal cilia in a 14-year old girl with primary ciliary dyskinesia were studied. The ultrastructure of axonemes showed normal outer membrane, dynein arms, microtubules, and nexin links but partial lack of radial spokes. The nature of the defective spoke is not clear and further studies will be necessary to determine how the radial spokes and central sheath interact and coordinate ciliary movement.
Adolescent ; Arm ; Axoneme ; Cilia ; Dyneins ; Female ; Humans ; Kartagener Syndrome* ; Membranes ; Microtubules

Giardia lamblia is a protozoan that causes diarrheal diseases in humans. Cytoskeletal structures of Giardia trophozoites must be finely reorganized during cell division. To identify Giardia proteins which interact with microtubules (MTs), Giardia lysates were incubated with in vitro-polymerized MTs and then precipitated by ultracentifugation. A hypothetical protein (GL50803_8405) was identified in the precipitated fraction with polymerized MTs and was named GlMBP1 (G. lamblia microtubule-binding protein 1). Interaction of GlMBP1 with MTs was confirmed by MT binding assays using recombinant GlMBP1 (rGlMBP1). In vivo expression of GlMBP1 was shown by a real-time PCR and western blot analysis using anti-rGlMBP1 antibodies. Transgenic G. lamblia trophozoites were constructed by integrating a chimeric gene encoding hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged GlMBP1 into a Giardia chromosome. Immunofluorescence assays of this transgenic G. lamblia, using anti-HA antibodies, revealed that GlMBP1 mainly localized at the basal bodies, axonemes, and median bodies of G. lamblia trophozoites. This result indicates that GlMBP1 is a component of the G. lamblia cytoskeleton.
Antibodies ; Axoneme ; Basal Bodies ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Division ; Cytoskeleton ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Giardia lamblia* ; Giardia* ; Hemagglutinins ; Humans ; Microtubules ; Polymers ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Trophozoites

Microtubules are the prime component of the cytoskeleton along with microfilaments. Being vital for organelle transport and cellular divisions during spermatogenesis and sperm motility process, microtubules ascertain functional capacity of sperm. Also, microtubule based structures such as axoneme and manchette are crucial for sperm head and tail formation. This review (a) presents a concise, yet detailed structural overview of the microtubules, (b) analyses the role of microtubule structures in various male reproductive functions, and (c) presents the association of microtubular dysfunctions with male infertility. Considering the immense importance of microtubule structures in the formation and maintenance of physiological functions of sperm cells, this review serves as a scientific trigger in stimulating further male infertility research in this direction.]]>
Actin Cytoskeleton ; Axoneme ; Cytoskeleton ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; Kartagener Syndrome ; Male ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; Microtubules ; Organelles ; Sperm Head ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa ; Tail

Microtubule network provides many intracellular microbes with an efficient way to move within host cells. Orientia tsutsugamushi move from the cell periphery to the microtubule organizing center (MTOC) by dynein-dependent mechanism. In this study, we investigated the role of microtubule on the growth of O. tsutsugamushi. The treatment of infected cells with taxol as well as daunomycin enhanced the bacterial growth in contrast to colchicine. Immunofluorescent (IF) staining of taxol-treated cells exhibited that O. tsutsugamushi clustered tightly near the nucleus with thick bundles of microtubules, whereas dispersed in the cytoplasm in colchicine-treated cells. These results suggest that microtubule network facilitate the growth of O. tsutsugamushi.
Colchicine ; Cytoplasm ; Daunorubicin ; Microtubule-Organizing Center ; Microtubules ; Orientia tsutsugamushi* ; Paclitaxel

PURPOSE: To evaluate morphological differences in proprioceptors in extraocular muscles between congenital exotropia, acquired exotropia and congenital nystagmus. METHODS: Nine medial recti including the myotendinous junction were resected using medial rectus resection in three congenital and five acquired exotropia patients. Two medial recti and two lateral recti were resected using the modified Kestenbaum procedure in two congenital nystagmus patients. The muscle tissues were examined under a light microscope following examination with a transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: In the congenital exotropia group, the electron microscopic findings showed degenerative changes in proprioceptors, such as decreased microtubules, axonal shrinkage and decreased myelin thickness. In the acquired exotropia group, the neural structures in the myotendinous junction were well maintained. There were no neural structures in the myotendinous junction in the congenital nystagmus group. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on the type of strabismus, there may be morphological differences in proprioceptors of extraocular muscles.
Axons ; Exotropia* ; Humans ; Microtubules ; Muscles* ; Myelin Sheath ; Nystagmus, Congenital* ; Strabismus

From neurophenomenological perspectives, schizophrenia has been conceptualized as "a disorder with heterogeneous manifestations that can be integrally understood to involve fundamental perturbations in consciousness". While these theoretical constructs based on consciousness facilitate understanding the 'gestalt' of schizophrenia, systematic research to unravel translational implications of these models is warranted. To address this, one needs to begin with exploration of plausible biological underpinnings of "perturbed consciousness" in schizophrenia. In this context, an attractive proposition to understand the biology of consciousness is "the orchestrated object reduction (Orch-OR) theory" which invokes quantum processes in the microtubules of neurons. The Orch-OR model is particularly important for understanding schizophrenia especially due to the shared 'scaffold' of microtubules. The initial sections of this review focus on the compelling evidence to support the view that "schizophrenia is a disorder of consciousness" through critical summary of the studies that have demonstrated self-abnormalities, aberrant time perception as well as dysfunctional intentional binding in this disorder. Subsequently, these findings are linked with 'Orch-OR theory' through the research evidence for aberrant neural oscillations as well as microtubule abnormalities observed in schizophrenia. Further sections emphasize the applicability and translational implications of Orch-OR theory in the context of schizophrenia and elucidate the relevance of quantum biology to understand the origins of this puzzling disorder as "fundamental disturbances in consciousness".
Biology ; Consciousness* ; Microtubules ; Neurons ; Quantum Theory* ; Schizophrenia* ; Time Perception

The present study involves a chronological and comparative analysis of both microtubule-associated protein 1A (MAP1A) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) immunoreactivities in the striatum of both seizure resistant (SR) and seizure sensitive (SS) gerbil. The MAP1A immunoreactivity is weakly detected in perikarya of SR gerbils. However, MAP1A immunoreactivity is more accumulated in perikarya and dendrites in the pre-seizure group. At 30 min postictal, MAP1A immunoreactivity in the perikarya is decreased. At 3 hr postictal, MAP1A immunoreactivity in perikarya and dendrites is similarly decreased to the level of SR gerbils. The MAP2 immunoreactivity is weakly detected in the perikarya and dendrites of SR gerbils. However, MAP2 immunoreactivity is more accumulated in perikarya and dendrites. In particular, the neuropil between unstained fiber tracts obviously contains strong MAP2 immunoreactivity. At 30 min postictal, MAP2 immunoreactivity isn't almost observed in striatum. At 3 hr postictal, the MAP2 immunoreactivity is not different in the 30 min post -seizure groups but is only observed in the neuropil. However, at 12 hr postictal, the decrease of both MAP1A and MAP2 immunoreactivities had recovered to the pre -seizure level of SS gerbils. These results suggest that MAPs immunoreactivity in the striatum is different in SR and SS gerbils, and that this difference may be the results of seizure activity in this animal.
Animals ; Dendrites ; Epilepsy ; Gerbillinae* ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins* ; Microtubules* ; Neuropil ; Seizures*

Objective: To investigate the regulatory effects of bio-intensity electric field on directional migration and microtubule acetylation in human epidermal cell line HaCaT, aiming to provide molecular theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of wound repair. Methods: The experimental research methods were used. HaCaT cells were collected and divided into simulated electric field group (n=54) placed in the electric field device without electricity for 3 h and electric field treatment group (n=52) treated with 200 mV/mm electric field for 3 h (the same treatment methods below). The cell movement direction was observed in the living cell workstation and the movement velocity, trajectory velocity, and direction of cosθ of cell movement within 3 h of treatment were calculated. HaCaT cells were divided into simulated electric field group and electric field treatment 1 h group, electric field treatment 2 h group, and electric field treatment 3 h group which were treated with 200 mV/mm electric field for corresponding time. HaCaT cells were divided into simulated electric field group and 100 mV/mm electric field group, 200 mV/mm electric field group, and 300 mV/mm electric field group treated with electric field of corresponding intensities for 3 h. The protein expression of acetylated α-tubulin was detected by Western blotting (n=3). HaCaT cells were divided into simulated electric field group and electric field treatment group, and the protein expression of acetylated α-tubulin was detected and located by immunofluorescence method (n=3). Data were statistically analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis H test,Mann-Whitney U test, Bonferroni correction, one-way analysis of variance, least significant difference test, and independent sample t test. Results: Within 3 h of treatment, compared with that in simulated electric field group, the cells in electric field treatment group had obvious tendency to move directionally, the movement velocity and trajectory velocity were increased significantly (with Z values of -8.53 and -2.05, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the directionality was significantly enhanced (Z=-8.65, P<0.01). Compared with (0.80±0.14) in simulated electric field group, the protein expressions of acetylated α-tubulin in electric field treatment 1 h group (1.50±0.08) and electric field treatment 2 h group (1.89±0.06) were not changed obviously (P>0.05), while the protein expression of acetylated α-tubulin of cells in electric field treatment 3 h group (3.37±0.36) was increased significantly (Z=-3.06, P<0.05). After treatment for 3 h, the protein expressions of acetylated α-tubulin of cells in 100 mV/mm electric field group, 200 mV/mm electric field group, and 300 mV/mm electric field group were 1.63±0.05, 2.24±0.08, and 2.00±0.13, respectively, which were significantly more than 0.95±0.27 in simulated electric field group (P<0.01). Compared with that in 100 mV/mm electric field group, the protein expressions of acetylated α-tubulin in 200 mV/mm electric field group and 300 mV/mm electric field group were increased significantly (P<0.01); the protein expression of acetylated α-tubulin of cells in 300 mV/mm electric field group was significantly lower than that in 200 mV/mm electric field group (P<0.05). After treatment for 3 h, compared with that in simulated electric field group, the acetylated α-tubulin of cells had enhanced directional distribution and higher protein expression (t=5.78, P<0.01). Conclusions: Bio-intensity electric field can induce the directional migration of HaCaT cells and obviously up-regulate the level of α-ubulin acetylation after treatment at 200 mV/mm bio-intensity electric field for 3 h.
Humans ; Acetylation ; Tubulin/metabolism* ; Microtubules/metabolism* ; Electricity ; Epidermal Cells/metabolism*

The Kingdom fungus has a unique structure and organization. Recent advances in electron microscopy and use of specific cytochemical technique enable the ultrastructures to be visualized. The hypha is a tube-like structure with a rigid wall, containing a moving slug of protoplasm. Hypha grows only at the tapered apical tip region, which is called extension zone. Extreme tip area has apical vesicle cluster which is responsible for tip growth. Unique fungal structure, Spitzenk rper, is thought to be a central region of the apical vesicle cluster. Most hyphal structures except the species belong to Zygomycetes have septa. But the septum is not completely blocked and it has different types of opening pores. The simple septal pores with Woronin bodies, which are found in Ascomycetes and Deuteromycetes, can be plugged in two different mechanisms. During normal differentiation the pores become occluded by a gradual deposition of plugged material. Loss of cytoplasm from damaged hyphae can be reduced and blocked by the rapid occlusion of septal pores by Woronin bodies or hexagonal crystal bodies. Septal sealing in Basidiomycetes which have dolipore septum is made by the rapid formation of electron-dense pore plugs. The shape of the fungal cell is the shape of fungal wall. Fungal walls appear to be composed of layers, which are thought to merge into one another to form one structure. The cytoskeleton consists of microtubules and microfilaments with motor proteins, and they seems to act together in the fungal cells.
Actin Cytoskeleton ; Ascomycota ; Basidiomycota ; Cytoplasm ; Cytoskeleton ; Fungal Structures ; Fungi ; Gastropoda ; Hyphae ; Microscopy, Electron ; Microtubules ; Mitosporic Fungi

PURPOSE: To investigate subcellular localizations of wild type myocilin and trunctated (Q368X) myocilin in cultured human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. METHODS: GFP and GFP tagged truncated myocilin, full-length myocilin, and stromelysin were expressed in TM cells using adenoviral vectors, and their secretory properties were examined by western blotting. To determine the subcellular localizations of myocilins, cellular organelles of the infected TM cells were stained with antibodies or orgenelle specific fluorescent indicators and examined under confocal microscope. RESULTS: Wild type myocilin was expressed as discrete fine vesicles in the perinuclear region of TM cells as well as in ER, but not in microtubules or mitochondria. Colocalization of wild type and truncated myocilin, indicative of in vivo interaction of the proteins, was also observed in cells co-expressing the proteins. Truncated myocilin was found to be accumulated as aggregates in ER, and inhibited the secretion of normal myocilin. CONCLUSIONS: Our result suggests that intracellular accumulation of truncated myocilin may cause a dysfunction of the cells, resulting in alterations in structural compartmentalization of trabecular ECM and obstruction of aqueous outflow.
Antibodies ; Blotting, Western ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 ; Microtubules ; Mitochondria ; Organelles ; Trabecular Meshwork*