Protists have evolved a myriad of highly specialized cytoskeletal organelles that expand known functional capacities of microtubule (MT) polymers. One such innovation – the ventral disc – is a cup-shaped MT organelle that the parasite Giardia uses to attach to the small intestine of its host. The molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of suction-based forces by overall conformational changes of the disc remain unclear. The elaborate disc architecture is defined by novel proteins and complexes that decorate almost all disc MT protofilaments, and vary in composition and conformation along the length of the MTs. Future genetic, biochemical, and functional analyses of disc-associated proteins will be central toward understanding not only disc architecture and assembly, but also the overall disc conformational dynamics that promote attachment.

生物学家已经进化出无数的高度专业化的细胞骨架细胞器，这些细胞器扩大了微管（MT）聚合物的已知功能。一种这样的创新-腹盘-是杯状MT细胞器，寄生了贾第虫用于附着在宿主的小肠上。通过椎间盘整体构象变化产生基于吸力的分子机制尚不清楚。复杂的椎间盘结构由新颖的蛋白质和复合物定义，这些蛋白和复合物装饰了几乎所有椎间盘MT的原丝，并且沿MT的长度在组成和构象上均发生变化。椎间盘相关蛋白的未来遗传，生化和功能分析将不仅是理解椎间盘的结构和组装，而且是促进附着的整个椎间盘构象动力学的中心。