Action de la pepsine sur un flagelle du type «9+1»

Summary

Enzymatic extraction with pepsin was carried out on ultrathin sections of the ‘9 + 1’ flagella ofDugesia tigrina, using the method ofMonneron andBernhard. The 9 peripheral fibrils and the axial zone of its unique central cylinder become altered within 40 min exposure; following 1 h of incubation these same elements are badly damaged, whereas the cortical sheath and associated radial spokes remain fairly well preserved inside the flagellar membrane. Control sections do not show any sensible alteration. The protein nature of peripheral doublets and axial element of the central cylinder seems therefore indicated; the cortical sheath and the spokes have a very similar, if not identical nature, though their chemical constitution still remains to be investigated.