Series of structures found in protists
TheMastigont system is a series of structures found in severalProtists such as thrichomonads andamoebae. It is formed by thebasal bodies and several other structures composed offibrils. Their function is not fully understood.[1] The system is studied and visualised mainly through techniques such as plasma membrane extraction, high-voltage electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, the cell-sandwich technique, freeze-etching, andimmunocytochemistry.
The main structures that compose the Mastigont system include:[2]
- thepelta-axostyle system, made ofmicrotubules; it supports the cell axis and is involved inkaryokinesis. The pelta is a microtubular structure that holds the flagellar canal.
- Thecosta, a rootlet; it supports flagellar movements and provides an anchoring system for the nucleus and Golgi.
- Theparabasal and sigmoid filaments;
- Other filaments.
- ^Benchimol, Marlene (2010). "The Mastigont System in Trichomonads".Structures and Organelles in Pathogenic Protists. Microbiology Monographs. Vol. 17. pp. 1–26.doi:10.1007/978-3-642-12863-9_1.ISBN 978-3-642-12862-2.ISSN 1862-5576.
- ^McKhann, Heather I., and Lorraine Olendzenski, eds. Illustrated Glossary of Protoctista: Vocabulary of the Algae, Apicomplexa, Ciliates, Foraminifera, Microspora, Water Molds, Slime Molds, and the Other Protoctists. Jones & Bartlett Learning, 1993.
- Poirier, Thomas P., S. C. Holt, and B. M. Honigberg. "Fine structure of the mastigont system in Trichomonas tenax (Zoomastigophorea: Trichomonadida)."Transactions of the American Microscopical Society (1990): 342–351.
- de Souza, Wanderley. "Structures and Organelles in Pathogenic Protists."Molecular Microbiology 5 (2007).
- Margulis, Lynn, and Michael J. Chapman.Kingdoms and domains: An illustrated guide to the phyla of life on Earth. Academic Press, 2009.
- Brugerolle, G (1991), Flagellar and cytoskeletal systems in amitochondriate flagellates: Archamoeba, Metamonada and Parabasala.Protoplasma 164: 70–90.
