Initial ciliary assembly in Chlamydomonas requires Arp2/3 complex–dependent endocytosis

Abstract

Using the ciliary model system Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we find that the Arp2/3 complex is required for ciliary maintenance and for initial ciliary assembly. We also show that endocytosis occurs in these cells. Finally, we show that ciliary membrane proteins can and do come from the cell body plasma membrane and that this requires the Arp2/3 complex. Therefore, we propose a model where Arp2/3 complex-mediated endocyosis is needed to reclaim cell body plasma membrane for early ciliary assembly.