Two distinct compartments of a ctenophore comb plate provide structural and functional integrity for the motility of giant multicilia

Protein that gives comb jellies their graceful movement

28 February 2023

A protein that gives rise to the unique structure and movement of the colourful combs on comb jellies has been identified.

The intricate structure and graceful movement of comb jellies, also called ctenophores, make them mesmerizing to watch. To swim, they beat eight rows of iridescent, comb-like plates.

These combs are made of hair-like structures known as cilia that are clumped together in a hexagonal arrangement. The eight combs don’t all beat exactly in sync with each other, but rather in a coordinated, ripple-like manner.

Now, four researchers from the University of Tsukuba in Japan have found the protein responsible for both the hexagonal arrangement of the cilia and the asymmetric beating.

This finding adds to previous work done by the team that identified another critical protein found in another compartment of the combs.

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References

1. Current Biology 32, 5144–5152 (2022). doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.09.061