Axoneme is the inner structure of cilia and flagella composed of microtubules. It is a complex structure arranged in the form of a ring. In the non-motile cilia it is in the form of 9 microtubule doublets arranged in a ring pattern whereas the motile cilia has additional 2 doublets in the center as well.

FUNCTION

The axonemal cytoskeleton supports cilia and flagella. It provides attachment site to various proteins, e.g. kinesin II. It holds together the structure of the cilia and flagella during their movement. It plays a role of scaffolding various protein complexes as well.

CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

The structural abnormalities of the cilia does not allow them to work properly. These defects or mutations have been found to cause many diseases in humans. Some of these include polycystic kidney disease (PKD), retinitis pigmentosa and various other developmental defects.