The distinctive flagellar proteome of Euglena gracilis illuminates the complexities of protistan flagella adaptation

What is it about?

• The eukaryotic flagellum/cilium is a prominent organelle with conserved structure and diverse functions. Euglena gracilis, a photosynthetic and highly adaptable protist, employs its flagella for both locomotion and environmental sensing. • Using proteomics of isolated E. gracilis flagella we identify nearly 1700 protein groups, which challenges previous estimates of the protein complexity of motile eukaryotic flagella. • We identified several unexpected similarities shared with mammalian flagella, including an entire glycolytic pathway and proteasome but also document a vast array of flagella-based signal transduction components that coordinate gravitaxis and phototactic motility. By contrast the pellicle was found to consist of over 900 protein groups, containing additional structural and signaling components. • Our data identify significant adaptations within the E. gracilis flagellum, many of which are clearly linked to the highly flexible lifestyle.

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