Flagellar length control in multiflagellated eukaryotes: a case study with Giardia

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical model to explain how the multiple flagella of Giardia, an octo-flagellate, are maintained at different lengths, providing insights into organelle size control mechanisms.

Contribution

It extends previous models to account for multiple flagella of different lengths in Giardia, offering predictions consistent with experimental data.

Findings

Predicted different lengths for the four pairs of Giardia flagella.

Model insights into physical mechanisms of flagellar length regulation.

Predictions align with experimental observations.

Abstract

Every organism has a size that is convenient for its function. Not only multicellular organisms but also uni-cellular organisms and even subcellular structures have convenient sizes. Flagella of eukaryotic cells are long dynamic cell protrusions. Because of their simple linear geometry, these cell appendages have been popular system for experimental investigation of the mechanisms of size control of organelles of eukaryotic cells. In the past most of the attention have been focussed on mono-flagellates and bi-flagellates. By extending our earlier model of bi-flagellates, here we develop a theoretical model for flagellar length control in {\it Giardia} which is an octo-flagellate. It has four pairs of flagella of four different lengths. Analyzing our model we predict the different sizes of the four pairs of flagella . This analysis not only provide insight into the physical origins of the different lengths but the predicted lengths are also consistent with the experimental data.