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Microtubules in Signaling

Microtubules in Signaling

The primary cilium, made up of microtubules, acts as antennae on the cell surfaces for relaying external stimuli into the cells. These fine hair-like structures are present, generally one per cell. These are non-motile cilia in a 9+0 microtubules arrangement, where the central pair of microtubules are absent. The primary cilia arise from the basal body embedded in the cell membrane. Intraflagellar transport (IFT) carries requisite proteins from the cytoplasm to the cilium because the primary...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 31, 2025

Application of High-speed Super-resolution SPEED Microscopy in Live Primary Cilium

Application of High-speed Super-resolution SPEED Microscopy in Live Primary Cilium

Published on: January 16, 2018

Single-molecule imaging in the primary cilium.

Lucien E Weiss¹, Julia F Love², Joshua Yoon³

¹Department of Engineering Physics, Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Methods in Cell Biology

|May 10, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy visualizes molecular dynamics and nanoscale structures within the primary cilium. This advanced imaging technique reveals protein interactions and distributions, crucial for understanding cellular development and homeostasis.

Keywords:

3D imaging Hedgehog signaling Inversin compartment Point-spread-function engineering Primary cilium Single-molecule tracking Super-resolution microscopy

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Volumetric Imaging and Analysis of Primary Cilia in Musculoskeletal Tissue using the ARL13B-CENTRIN-2 Mouse Model

Volumetric Imaging and Analysis of Primary Cilia in Musculoskeletal Tissue using the ARL13B-CENTRIN-2 Mouse Model

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Simple Detection of Primary Cilia by Immunofluorescence

Simple Detection of Primary Cilia by Immunofluorescence

Published on: May 15, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 31, 2025

Application of High-speed Super-resolution SPEED Microscopy in Live Primary Cilium

Application of High-speed Super-resolution SPEED Microscopy in Live Primary Cilium

Published on: January 16, 2018

Volumetric Imaging and Analysis of Primary Cilia in Musculoskeletal Tissue using the ARL13B-CENTRIN-2 Mouse Model

Volumetric Imaging and Analysis of Primary Cilia in Musculoskeletal Tissue using the ARL13B-CENTRIN-2 Mouse Model

Published on: March 28, 2025

Simple Detection of Primary Cilia by Immunofluorescence

Simple Detection of Primary Cilia by Immunofluorescence

Published on: May 15, 2020

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Imaging
Biophysics

Background:

The primary cilium is a vital signaling organelle essential for development and tissue homeostasis.
Its small size and complexity require advanced imaging techniques to study molecular functions.
Understanding primary cilium molecular dynamics is key to deciphering its role in health and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

To detail the application of single-molecule fluorescence microscopy for primary cilium research.
To provide a protocol for tracking molecular dynamics and mapping nanoscale structures.
To enable further elucidation of primary cilium structure and function at the molecular level.

Main Methods:

Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy (SMFM) for tracking molecular dynamics.
Super-resolution imaging to visualize nanoscale structures within the primary cilium.
Quantitative analysis of 2D protein dynamics (PTCH1, SMO) and 3D protein distributions (INVS, ANKS6, NPHP3).

Main Results:

Demonstrated successful tracking of individual transmembrane proteins PTCH1 and SMO dynamics.
Successfully mapped the 3D nanoscale distributions of inversin compartment proteins INVS, ANKS6, and NPHP3.
Established a robust protocol adaptable for various proteins and cell lines.

Conclusions:

Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool for dissecting primary cilium molecular mechanisms.
The described protocol facilitates detailed investigation of protein behavior and organization in primary cilia.
This approach will advance our understanding of primary cilium function in biological processes.