Intracellular coupling modulates biflagellar synchrony

作者：Hanliang Guo, Yi Man, Kirsty Y. Wan, Eva Kanso · 发表于：Journal of The Royal Society Interface · 年份：2021 · DOI：10.1098/rsif.2020.0660 · 被引用次数：43 · 研究领域：Micro and Nano Robotics、Marine and coastal ecosystems、Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation

Beating flagella exhibit a variety of synchronization modes. This synchrony has long been attributed to hydrodynamic coupling between the flagella. However, recent work with flagellated algae indicates that a mechanism internal to the cell, through the contractile fibres connecting the flagella basal bodies, must be at play to actively modulate flagellar synchrony. Exactly how basal coupling mediates flagellar coordination remains unclear. Here, we examine the role of basal coupling in the synchronization of the model biflagellate Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using a series of mathematical models of decreasing levels of complexity. We report that basal coupling is sufficient to achieve inphase, antiphase and bistable synchrony, even in the absence of hydrodynamic coupling and flagellar compliance. These modes can be reached by modulating the activity level of the individual flagella or the strength of the basal coupling. We observe a slip mode when allowing for differential flagellar activity, just as in experiments with live cells. We introduce a dimensionless ratio of flagellar activity to basal coupling that is predictive of the mode of synchrony. This ratio allows us to query biological parameters which are not yet directly measurable experimentally. Our work shows a concrete route for cells to actively control the synchronization of their flagella.