The long term objective in the proposed studies is to learn more about the cytoskeletal elements associated with the cell membrane in eukaryotic cells, with particular reference to discovering the molecular basis for regional differentiation within and associated with such structures. The basic approach will be to study four specific polypeptides which have been identified as core proteins within the membrane skeleton of the ciliated protozooan, Tetrahymena. Though globally distributed, these proteins are concentrated and highly patterned within the oral apparatus. The four polypeptides have been purified, and they will be characterized by antibodies, peptide mapping, in vitro assembly, and microsequencing. These techniques will make possible comparisons with vertebrate cytoskeletal proteins. The experiments will also set the stage for cellular studies on the formation and regulation of cell architecture in protozooans. This work has the potential for leading to significant insight into fundamental principles of cytoskeletal structure-function relationships.
