Ciliary Reorientation Induced by Trypsin Digestion in Triton-Glycerol-Extracted Paramecium caudatum

Abstract

The ciliary movements of Triton-glycerol-extracted models of Paramecium were observed during the course of trypsin digestion. When the cilia were exposed to trypsin, ciliary reorientation took place without raising the Ca²⁺ concentration. Elastase, on the other hand, did not induce such a response. These results seem to suggest that the Ca²⁺-dependent regulating mechanism controlling the ciliary beat direction is selectively digested by trypsin.