Microtubule dynamics is required for rapid coiling of haptonemata in haptophyte algae

Abstract

A haptonema is an elongated microtubule-based motile organelle uniquely present in haptophytes. The most notable and rapid movement of a haptonema is 'coiling', which occurs within a few milliseconds following mechanical stimulation in an unknown motor-independent mechanism. Here, we analyzed the coiling process in detail by high-speed filming and showed that haptonema coiling was initiated by left-handed twisting of the haptonema, followed by writhing to form a helix from the distal tip. On recovery from a mechanical stimulus, the helix slowly uncoiled from the proximal region. Electron microscopy showed that the seven microtubules in a haptonema were arranged mostly in parallel but that one of the microtubules often wound around the others in the extended state. The persistence lengths calculated from the curvature of the haptonematal microtubules indicated their unusual flexibility. A microtubule stabilizer, paclitaxel, inhibited coiling and induced right-handed twisting of the haptonema in the absence of Ca ²⁺ , suggesting changes in the microtubule surface lattice. Addition of Ca ²⁺ caused bend propagation toward the proximal region. These results indicate that switching microtubule conformation with the aid of Ca ²⁺ -binding microtubule-associated proteins is responsible for rapid haptonematal coiling.