Antiphase Synchronization in a Flagellar-Dominance Mutant of Chlamydomonas

TL;DR

This study reveals that a mutant of Chlamydomonas can synchronize its flagella in antiphase, with stochastic switching between in-phase and antiphase states, providing insights into flagellar coordination mechanisms.

Contribution

It is the first demonstration of antiphase synchronization in a flagellar mutant, highlighting stochastic switching and distinct waveforms, advancing understanding of flagellar coordination.

Findings

Mutant exhibits stable antiphase synchronization.

Flagella switch stochastically between in-phase and antiphase.

Antiphase state has higher frequency and distinct waveform.

Abstract

Groups of beating flagella or cilia often synchronize so that neighboring filaments have identical frequencies and phases. A prime example is provided by the unicellular biflagellate Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which typically displays synchronous in-phase beating in a low-Reynolds number version of breaststroke swimming. We report here the discovery that ptx1, a flagellar dominance mutant of C. reinhardtii, can exhibit synchronization in precise antiphase, as in the freestyle swimming stroke. Long-duration high-speed imaging shows that ptx1 flagella switch stochastically between in-phase and antiphase states, and that the latter has a distinct waveform and significantly higher frequency, both of which are strikingly similar to those found during phase slips that stochastically interrupt in-phase beating of the wildtype. Possible mechanisms underlying these observations are discussed.