The dynein electrophoretic bands in axonemes naturally lacking the inner or the outer arm.

Abstract

Two unconventional sperm models (all motile) were studied. The 1st model has only the outer arm on the doublets (the gall midge, Diplolaboncus); the 2nd model has only a well-developed inner arm (the eel, Anguilla). Both are devoid of central tubules and radial spokes. The gall midge sperm yields a single electrophoretic band migrating similarly to the sea urchin dynein band A; a major high MW band is obtained from eel sperm which co-migrates with the sea urchin dynein band B. The present picture is consistent with the localization of dynein in the axoneme-namely, of an A-like band in the outer arm, and of the B band in the inner arm. The D band is present only in the eel, where .gamma.-links are present. ATPase activity was localized histochemically and found to be associated with both inner and outer arms and with the .gamma.-links.