Tubulin is not Posttranslationally Modified (Acetylated or Polyglutamylated) in Tetrahymena Macronucleus

In the interphase of the cell cycle of Tetrahymena pyriformis GL tubulin was not demonstrated in the macronucleus by confocal microscopy using antibodies to α-tubulin, acetylated α-tubulin and polyglutamylated tubulin antibodies or Flutax-1. During cell division, from the formation of the new oral apparatus to the beginning of cytokinesis, tubulin was diffusely present in the nucleus, however (i) it did not form visible microtubules in confocal microscopeand (ii) it was not acetylated or polyglutamylated. As acetylation stabilizes microtubules, the results point to the dynamism of nuclear tubulin which could have a role in the transport of the numerous macronuclear chromosomes.