Immunocytochemistry of Paramecium Cytoskeletal Structures

INTRODUCTION Paramecium has a highly complex cellular structure. The cytoskeleton of these organisms interacts with cilia at the cell surface to control cell movement, feeding, and environmental responses. Basal bodies anchored in the cortex organize the cytoskeleton and determine cell shape, and a conspicuous cytoskeletal network, the infraciliary lattice, underlies the cell surface and plays an important role in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis. This protocol describes methods to visualize the cytoskeleton, especially cortical structures. It is not directly applicable for visualization of membrane proteins.