Our recent work has focussed on the structure and function of of the many light chains which are involved in assembly and regulation. This figure shows our current model for the outer dynein arm from Chlamydomonas . Null mutants for this protein in Chlamydomonas show serious defects in flagellar assembly. In collaboration with Kevin Pfister's lab, we have also identified a series of light chains within mammalian cytoplasmic dynein. The merged image is shown at right.
Most particles are perinuclear, and some align along microtubules.
Two functional thioredoxins containing redox-sensitive vicinal dithiols from the Chlamydomonas outer dynein arm. Brain cytoplasmic and flagellar outer arm dyneins share a highly conserved M r 8,000 light chain. Tctex-2 is an outer arm dynein light chain. Identification of the t complex-encoded cytoplasmic dynein light chain Tctex1 in inner arm I1 supports the involvement of flagellar dyneins in meiotic drive. Identification and molecular characterization of the p24 dynactin light chain.