{
  "abstract": "The central pair (CP) of microtubules is essential for flagellar motility, yet the molecular events underpinning its nucleation remain poorly defined. Here, we report a comprehensive screen of flagellar transition zone proteins that identifies new central pair assembly proteins (CPAPs). Using expansion microscopy, we reveal a concentric architecture at the basal plate, with themelin and basalin forming nested punctae with radial symmetry surrounding a central core containing TZP103.8, TZP48 and {gamma}-tubulin. A subset of CPAPs pre-assemble at the probasal body, a precursor structure that has not yet built a flagellum, with themelin functioning as the architectural template and master recruiter, and TZP103.8 and {gamma}-tubulin IFT-dependant addition being the final step of basal plate activation. Strikingly, in the absence of TZP103.8, {gamma}-tubulin still reaches the basal plate but is insufficient for central pair nucleation. We propose the staged assembly of CPAPs progressively constructs a structural template that geometrically constrains {gamma}-tubulin into the positions and orientations required for CP nucleation.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of Warwick"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "A. Paterou"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "S. Dean"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aycqbrf9s9fe6.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.23.753794",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.23.753794v1.full",
  "id": "aycqbrf9s9fe6",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.23.753794v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "cell biology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1311|Genetic and Kidney Cyst Diseases"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214227115",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.23.753794v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-23",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aycqbrf9s9fe6.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:24:16Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.23.753794",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.23.753794v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:cell biology",
      "subfield": "cell-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Staged maturation converts a probasal body template complex into a nucleation-competent basal plate",
  "title_text": "Staged maturation converts a probasal body template complex into a nucleation-competent basal plate",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:24:16Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aycqbrf9s9fe6",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}