Control of flagellar length in Chlamydomonas

Abstract

The flagella of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii are controlled by a number of sophisticated homeostatic mechanisms which ensure that the flagella are maintained at a specific length, and that each cell has two flagella of equal length. Mutants with defects in flagellar length control have been obtained, defining at least nine genes that are involved in the control of flagellar length and the equality of flagellar length. The active machinery involved in flagellar length control requires that cells precisely measure the length of their flagella and drastically alter flagellar protein production and assembly when necessary to maintain desired lengths.