Abstract
The sliding-tubule hypothesis of flagellar movement has strong experimental support1, but our present knowledge of the mechanism by which this sliding is coordinated and converted into flagellar oscillation and bend propagation is quite limited. Among the few facts known are: (1) calcium has a role in regulating the asymmetry of flagellar waveform2,3, (2) the initiation or activation of motility in spermatozoa from several species involves a cyclic AMP-depen-dent phosphorylation reaction4–7, and (3) the conversion of tubule sliding to bending does not require the radial spokes or central tubules8,9. Inhibitors are valuable tools for investigating mechanisms involved in cellular function, and we report here that Li+ in low concentrations reversibly inhibits the microtubule-based move ment of reactivated sea urchin sperm flagella. The evidence indi cates that the action of Li+is directed primarily towards one or more regulatory sites through which Ca2+ modulates the asymmetry of flagellar waveform, rather than towards dynein ATPase itself. Lithium also appears to inhibit the sperm adenylate cyclase, but this action does not seem to be relevant to its inhibition of normal motility. Our findings indicate the need for considerable caution when using ATP analogues supplied as the Li+salt.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gibbons, I. R. J. Cell Biol. 91, 107s–124s (1981).
Brokaw, C. J. J. Cell Biol. 82, 401–411 (1979).
Gibbons, B. H. & Gibbons, I. R. J. Cell Biol. 84, 13–27 (1980).
Garbers, D. L. & Kopf, G. S. Adv. Cyclic Nucleotide Res. 13, 251–306 (1980).
Ishiguro, K., Murofushi, H. & Sakai, H. J. Cell Biol. 92, 777–782 (1982).
Tash, J. S. & Means, A. R. Biol. Reprod. 28, 75–104 (1983).
Opresko, L. K. & Brokaw, C. J. Gamete Res. 8, 201–218 (1983).
Brokaw, C. J., Luck, D. J. L. & Huang, B. J. Cell Biol. 92, 722–732 (1982).
Gibbons, B. H., Gibbons, I. R. & Baccetti, B. J. submicrosc. Cytol. 15, 15–20 (1983).
Okuno, M. & Brokaw, C. J. J. Cell Sci. 38, 105–123 (1979).
Gibbons, B. H. J. Cell Biol. 84, 1–12 (1980).
Brokaw, C. J. & Gibbons, I. R. in Swimming and Flying in Nature Vol. 1 (eds Wu, T. Y.-T., Brokaw, C. J. & Brennan, C.) 89–126 (Plenum, New York, 1975).
Wolff, J., Berens, S. C. & Jones, A. B. Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun. 39, 77–82 (1970).
Thams, P. & Geisler, A. Acta pharmac. tox. 48, 397–403 (1981).
Gibbons, B. H. & Gibbons, I. R. J. Cell Biol. 63, 970–985 (1974).
Gibbons, B. H. & Gibbons, I. R. J. Cell Biol. 54, 75–97 (1972).
Brokaw, C. J. J. exp. Biol. 71, 229–240 (1977).
Goldstein, S. F. J. Cell Biol. 80, 61–68 (1979).
Sillen, L. G. & Martell, A. E. in Stability Constants of Metal–Ion Complexes Suppl. 1 (The Chemical Society, London, 1971).
Frausto da Silva, J. J. R. & Williams, R. J. P. Nature 263, 237–239 (1976).
Okuno, M. & Brokaw, C. J. Cell Motility 1, 349–362 (1981).
Gibbons, I. R., Evans, J. A. & Gibbons, B. H. Cell Motility Suppl. 1, 181–184 (1982).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gibbons, B., Gibbons, I. Lithium reversibly inhibits microtubule-based motility in sperm flagella. Nature 309, 560–562 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/309560a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/309560a0
This article is cited by
-
Resolution of the competitive inhibitory effects of lithium and AMPPNP on the beat frequency of ATP-reactivated, demembranated, sea urchin sperm flagella
Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility (1985)
-
Calcium activation of mussel gill abfrontal cilia
Journal of Comparative Physiology A (1984)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.