  Synchronous and directed ciliary beating in trachea allows transport and
ejection of virus and dust from the body. This ciliary function depends on the
coordinated configuration of basal bodies (root of cilia) in apical cell
membrane. However, the mechanism for their formation remains unknown. In this
study, we show that the polarity in apical microtubule bundles plays a
significant role in the organization of basal bodies. A mathematical model
incorporating polarity has been formulated which provides a coherent
explanation and is able to reproduce experimental observations. We have
clarified both necessity ('why polarity is required for pattern formation') and
sufficiency ('how polarity works for pattern formation') of cytoskeleton
polarity for correct pattering of basal bodies with verification by
experimental data. This model further leads us to a possible mechanism for
cellular chirality.
