Experimental analysis of the adhesion reaction between isolated Chlamydomonas flagella.

Protocols are presented for producing reproducible in vitro agglutination between Chlamydomonas flagella, based on previous studies by Kohle et al. The results indicate that the adhesive interactions occur between glutaraldehyde cross-linked flagella and can be cross-linked by glutaraldehyde. They are sensitive to divalent cations and, to a lesser extent, to monovalent ions, an inhibition that is fully reversed when the ions are removed. The ambiguities inherent in in vivo studies, particularly in a system where the adhesion molecules have been shown to be in a dynamic state of turnover and inactivation, are eliminated, and numerous studies involving enzyme digestion, antibodies, lectins and the like should now be possible with this adhesion system.