Reactivation of euglenoid movement and flagellar beating in detergent-extracted cells of Astasia longa: Different mechanisms of force generation are involved

Detergent-extracted cell models of the euglenoid flagellate, Astasia longa, were obtained that rounded-up on addition of calcium. Treatment with 4% Triton X-100 and Nonidet P-40 removed the flagellar membrane, all membranous structures inside the cell body and the plasma membrane at groove regions of the cell surface. Maximum rounding-up was induced when the concentration of free calcium was raised to ≥10−7M, and ATP strongly enhanced this response. The ionic requirements and sensitivity to vanadate were different from those for the reactivation of flagellar movement. The results suggest that the mechanism of force generation is different from the dynein-based system of the flagellum and that a rise in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration might cause euglenoid movement in vivo. The mechanism of euglenoid movement is discussed in relation to other protozoan motile systems.