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The nuclear division of E. histolytica trophozoites was analyzed by using specific stains for DNA, with the aim to define the sequential changes of chromatin during its life cycle. Furthermore, we characterized the internal structural arrangements of microtubules in the microtubular organizing center (MTOC) and determined the number of chromosomes and its association with the spindle. The MTOC is formed by multiple microtubule-nucleating centers, that are involved in the displacement of DNA during nuclear division. We found the existence of a single MTOC in one pole of the nucleus at early anaphase. Our results lead us to propose a new hypothesis in which it is suggested that metaphase corresponds to the arrangement of condensed DNA bodies, or "chromosomes" around the MTOC and, through the assembly of microtubules, one set of uncondensed chromatin is displaced to the opposite pole of the nucleus, while the other remains condensed and associated to the original MTOC. We observed six chromosomes in our preparations, corroborating previous observations (2,3). Whether or not a new MTOC is formed during nuclear division remains to be clarified.
C Argüello, and
B Valenzuela, and
E Rangel
May 1998,
Experimental parasitology,
C Argüello, and
B Valenzuela, and
E Rangel
March 1991,
Molecular and biochemical parasitology,
C Argüello, and
B Valenzuela, and
E Rangel
January 1997,
Archives of medical research,
C Argüello, and
B Valenzuela, and
E Rangel
January 2000,
Archives of medical research,
C Argüello, and
B Valenzuela, and
E Rangel
April 2005,
International journal for parasitology,
C Argüello, and
B Valenzuela, and
E Rangel
November 2003,
Molecular and cellular biochemistry,
C Argüello, and
B Valenzuela, and
E Rangel
January 1987,
Advances in experimental medicine and biology,
C Argüello, and
B Valenzuela, and
E Rangel
July 1980,
Infection and immunity,
C Argüello, and
B Valenzuela, and
E Rangel
April 2004,
International journal for parasitology,
C Argüello, and
B Valenzuela, and
E Rangel
December 1977,
Zeitschrift fur Parasitenkunde (Berlin, Germany),
