As the Chlamydomonas cell grows its basal bodies follow a cycle of duplication, movement and segregation which is closely coupled to the cell cycle. A genetic analysis of this basal body cycle is proposed, with the emphasis on the analysis of mutants in which segregation is aberrant. Because the Chlamydomonas basal bodies serve to nucleate flagella in interphase, such mutants have a distinctive vfl (variable flagella number) phenotype by which they can readily be recognized. Light and electron microscopy will be used to describe the mutants cellular phenotypes in detail. The structural basis of basal body segregation is of particular interest to us, and so special attention will be given to the connectors which link basal bodies to the nucleus and to one another. Their behavior will be followed throughout the basal body cycle, both in wild type and in vfl mutants. The Chlamydomonas basal body cycle is closely homologous to the centriole cycle as it exists in higher eucaryotes. In spite of much intense investigation, the centriole's cellular function remains mysterious. The proposed investigation provides a unique opportunity to explore the function of this organelle whose essence has eluded biologists for over a century.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM034771-02
Application #
3286330
Study Section
Genetics Study Section (GEN)
Project Start
1985-09-05
Project End
1988-08-31
Budget Start
1986-09-01
Budget End
1987-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Carnegie-Mellon University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
052184116
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213