ATP-induced relative movement between microfilaments and microtubules in myxomycete flagellates

Permeabilized flagellates of the myxomycete Physarum polycephalum were treated with ATP, and changes in the cytoskeletal organization were examined by fluorescence microscopy. The backbone structure in permeabilized flagellates consisted of a coaligned bundle of microfilaments and microtubules. Treatment of such permeabilized flagellates with ATP caused relative movement between the microtubules and the bundle of microfilaments, so that the microtubules and the microfilaments apparently slid apart. Similar movement was observed using the isolated backbone structures.