The Mastigont System in Trichomonads

Observations on the transmission of Dientamoeba fragilis and the cyst life cycle stage

“…The pelta apparently supports the periflagellar canal from which the flagella emerge in the trichomonads (Benchimol et al ., 2000). The costa is found only in trichomonads which possess an undulating membrane and it is assumed that its function is to provide mechanical support to the undulating membrane (Benchimol, 2010). Although the costa and pelta structure are visible in D. fragilis , no external flagella, undulating membrane or axonemes are seen in the peritrophic space.…”

The costa of trichomonads: A complex macromolecular cytoskeleton structure made of uncommon proteins

“…Many more examples of complex intracellular protein structures exist, ranging from structures formed as consequence of controlled and reversible polarisation processes, as occurs during the assembly of microtubules, to structures that involve the association of these structures to form more complex assemblies, such as the formation of the eukaryotic flagellum or the axostyles that are found in several protists. In these structures, microtubules are combined due to linking, with the participation of short filaments, such as nexin and dynein arms, and several microtubule‐associated proteins (Marande and Kohl, ; Benchimol, ). One intriguing and not yet completely explored structure is the costa, which is a prominent striated structure that is found only in those trichomonads that have an undulating membrane–recurrent flagellum complex.…”

“…One intriguing and not yet completely explored structure is the costa, which is a prominent striated structure that is found only in those trichomonads that have an undulating membrane–recurrent flagellum complex. These eukaryotic protists also display other complex cytoskeletal structures, such as the pelta–axostyle complex, which is made of microtubules, and parabasal filaments, among others (Honigberg et al., ; Benchimol, ; ).…”