The Dynein Motor Is The Basis Of Active Oscillations Of Mosquito Antennae

The driver responsible for spontaneous oscillations of the mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) antennae was investigated. The activation energy derived from the temperature dependence of the spontaneous oscillation frequency is 30 kJ/mol suggesting a dynein ATPase is responsible. Colchicine application abolished spontaneous oscillations but left transduction intact. Hence, the transduction apparatus is thought not to be responsible for the spontaneous oscillations of the antennae.