Biomaterial Database

Isolation and characterization of phagocytosis- and virulence-deficient mutants of Entamoeba histolytica. 1986

M A Rodríguez, and E Orozco

We have used chemical mutagenesis to isolate 10 independent phagocytosis-deficient mutants of Entamoeba histolytica from a highly virulent clone (strain HM1:IMSS). Phagocytosis-deficient mutants were characterized by several biologic properties related to amoebic pathogenic mechanisms: virulence, adhesion to red blood cells, cytopathic effect of live trophozoites on cell culture monolayers, ability of amoebic extracts to destroy cell culture monolayers, and growth in semisolid agar. All of these mutants were also deficient in in vivo virulence and in vitro cytopathic effect. Three were also deficient in adhesion, and the extracts of three others were unable to destroy cell culture monolayers. These findings suggest a strong correlation between phagocytosis and in vivo and in vitro cytopathogenicity. Both adherence of trophozoites to target cells and toxin activity of crude extracts of amoebae seem to be necessary factors for the expression of the virulence of this parasite. Traits responsible for growth in semisolid agar do not seem to be involved in virulence.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009154	Mutation	Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations.	Mutations
D010587	Phagocytosis	The engulfing and degradation of microorganisms; other cells that are dead, dying, or pathogenic; and foreign particles by phagocytic cells (PHAGOCYTES).	Phagocytoses
D002448	Cell Adhesion	Adherence of cells to surfaces or to other cells.	Adhesion, Cell,Adhesions, Cell,Cell Adhesions
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D004748	Entamoeba histolytica	A species of parasitic protozoa causing ENTAMOEBIASIS and amebic dysentery (DYSENTERY, AMEBIC). Characteristics include a single nucleus containing a small central karyosome and peripheral chromatin that is finely and regularly beaded.	Endamoeba histolytica,histolytica, Endamoeba
D004912	Erythrocytes	Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN.	Blood Cells, Red,Blood Corpuscles, Red,Red Blood Cells,Red Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, Red,Blood Corpuscle, Red,Erythrocyte,Red Blood Cell,Red Blood Corpuscle
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man