Fig. 1. Distribution of multiciliated cells and transporting epithelia
containing single cilia in the pronephros. (A) Whole-mount
immunofluorescence of the trunk region of a 48 hpf embryo stained with
anti-acetylated tubulin reveals bright cilia bundles (arrowheads) in the
pronephric lumens, as well as single ciliated cells (arrows) in a more caudal
nephron segment. (B) At higher magnification, compressed bundles of
cilia (arrowheads) and single cilia (arrows) can be observed in the pronephric
lumen. (C) Bundles of cilia emanating from individual cells project
into a distended lumen of a mechanically obstructed pronephros. Dotted lines
in B and C outline the pronephric tubules. (D-F) Electron micrographs
of the pronephros show isolated multiciliated cells (MCC; false-colored in
red) interspersed among transporting epithelial cells (false-colored in light
blue). Arrowheads show apical basal bodies. (D) MCCs are distinguished by
multiple apical basal bodies, by the lack of a brush border (bb), by
a small basal cell surface and by multiple apical cilia (asterisks).
n, nucleus. (E) Example of an MCC with multiple apical cilia basal
bodies, and bundles of cilia in the lumen. (F) Cross section of a pronephric
tubule in a 7 dpf larva, showing a single MCC with multiple basal bodies,
apical mitochondria (asterisks) and bundles of cilia fitting tightly into the
pronephric lumen.