Differentially expressed genes of Acanthamoeba castellanii during encystation

Korean J Parasitol. 2007 Dec;45(4):283-5. doi: 10.3347/kjp.2007.45.4.283.

Abstract

To examine the expressed gene profile during encystation of Acanthamoeba castellanii Castellani, we used differentially expressed gene (DGE) screening by RT-PCR with 20 sets of random primers. From this analysis, we found that approximately 16 genes showed upregulation during encystation. We chose 6 genes, which had relatively higher expression levels, for further investigation. Based on homology search in database, DEG2 showed 55% of similarity with xylose isomerase, DEG9 showed 37% of similarity with Na P-type ATPase, and DEG14 showed 77% of similarity with subtilisin-like serine proteinase. DEG3 and DEG26 were identified as hypothetical proteins and DEG25 exhibited no significant similarity to any known protein. Encystation of Acanthamoeba has been suggested to be a process to resist adverse environmental or nutritional conditions. Further characterization studies of these genes may provide us with more information on the encystation mechanism of Acanthamoeba.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acanthamoeba castellanii / genetics*
  • Acanthamoeba castellanii / growth & development*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Life Cycle Stages*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins