Korean J Parasitol.  2014 Apr;52(2):131-135.

Down-Regulation of Cellulose Synthase Inhibits the Formation of Endocysts in Acanthamoeba

• Moon EK
• Hong Y
• Chung DI
• Goo YK
• Kong HH

Abstract

Acanthamoeba cysts are resistant to unfavorable physiological conditions and various disinfectants. Acanthamoeba cysts have 2 walls containing various sugar moieties, and in particular, one third of the inner wall is composed of cellulose. In this study, it has been shown that down-regulation of cellulose synthase by small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly inhibits the formation of mature Acanthamoeba castellanii cysts. Calcofluor white staining and transmission electron microscopy revealed that siRNA transfected amoeba failed to form an inner wall during encystation and thus are likely to be more vulnerable. In addition, the expression of xylose isomerase, which is involved in cyst wall formation, was not altered in cellulose synthase down-regulated amoeba, indicating that cellulose synthase is a crucial factor for inner wall formation by Acanthamoeba during encystation.

Keyword

Acanthamoeba castellanii; encystation; cellulose synthase; endocyst

MeSH Terms

Acanthamoeba castellanii/*enzymology/genetics/metabolism
Aldose-Ketose Isomerases/*biosynthesis
Amebiasis/*pathology
Benzenesulfonates
Cell Wall/chemistry/genetics/*metabolism
Cellulose/biosynthesis
Down-Regulation
Encephalitis/parasitology
Glucosyltransferases/*biosynthesis/genetics
Keratitis/parasitology
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
RNA Interference
RNA, Small Interfering
Benzenesulfonates
RNA, Small Interfering
Cellulose
Glucosyltransferases
Aldose-Ketose Isomerases