Structural analysis of the cytoskeleton of Tritrichomonas foetus.

The cytoskeleton of Tritrichomonas foetus was studied by immunofluorescence microscopy, using anti-actin, anti-filamin, anti-myosin and anti-tubulin monospecific antibodies, and by high voltage electron microscopy of Triton X-100 extracted cells. Actin, filamin and myosin were distributed throughout the cytoplasm of T. foetus. Filamin, however, is more concentrated at the cell periphery. The peltar-axostylar system could be seen in interphasic and dividing cells using anti-tubulin antibodies. High voltage electron micrographs showed the spatial distribution of the microtubules and their association with the hydrogenosomes, and the association of the costa with the recurrent flagellum.