Select acetophenones modulate flagellar motility in chlamydomonas

Abstract

Acetophenones were screened for activity against positive phototaxis of Chlamydomonas cells, a process that requires co-ordinated flagellar motility. The structure-activity relationships of a series of acetophenones are reported, including acetophenones that affect flagellar motility and cell viability. Notably, 4-methoxyacetophenone, 3,4-dimethoxyacetophenone, and 4-hydroxyacetophenone induced negative phototaxis in Chlamydomonas, suggesting interference with activity of flagellar proteins and control of flagellar dominance.

Figure 1

Chlamydomonas phototaxis. When the eyespot is facing the light source, the trans flagellum has a larger amplitude during positive phototaxis, while the cis flagellum has a larger amplitude during negative phototaxis (18).