Oestradiol and progesterone differentially alter cytoskeletal protein expression and flame cell morphology in Taenia crassiceps

- Effects of oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) on expression of actin, tubulin, myosin in Taenia crassiceps are described.
- Using videomicroscopy, we demonstrate that steroids increase the function of flame cells (FCs).
- FCs were affected in the ciliary tuft, associated to changes in expression of actin, tubulin and myosin.
- Exposition of T. crassiceps cysticerci to E2 and P4 promotes differential protein expression pattern.
- For the first known time, it is demonstrated that E2and P4 affect the assembly and function of FCs.