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Dos Santos DL, Chaúque BJM, Matiazo FF, de Miranda Ribeiro L, Rott MB. Agar dehydration: a simple method for long-term storage of Acanthamoeba spp. collection at room temperature. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:153. [PMID: 38446221 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08172-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
This study describes dehydration of agar containing cysts as a novel and inexpensive method for long-term storage of Acanthamoeba spp. collections at room temperature. Five hundred microliters of axenically cultured Acanthamoeba spp. trophozoites (106 cells/mL) in PYG media or 150 µl of amoeba suspension (106 cells or cysts/mL) from monoxenic plate culture was spread onto the surface of non-nutritive agar (NNA, 2-3-mm thick) without or with a layer of heat-inactivated Escherichia coli, respectively. The plates were sealed and incubated at 30 °C. After the encystment, the Parafilm® was removed, and the plates were kept at the same temperature until the NNA was completely dehydrated. The dehydrated cyst-containing NNA was cut in rectangles and stored in airtight tubes at room temperature for up to 3 years. Cyst viability was assessed by inoculating them in fresh NNA with a layer of E. coli and in PYG followed by incubation at 30 °C. One hundred percent of samples from all specimens (19) stored over the 3 years allowed new cultures to be re-established; however, two strains showed reduced viability, at 66.7% and 62.5%, after 2 years of room temperature storage. One hundred percent of the cyst samples produced axenically and maintained in dry NNA allowed the re-establishment of axenic cultures through direct incubation in PYG, with excystment occurring within 24 or 48 h. For the first time, we report the dehydration of cyst-containing agar as an economical and effective method for the long-term storage of Acanthamoeba spp. collections at room temperature. It enables the creation of large collections using reduced space and economical transport of Acanthamoeba strains, in addition to allowing better organization of the collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Leal Dos Santos
- Laboratory 520, Protozoology Laboratory, Microbiology Immunology and Parasitology Department, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos Street, N 2600, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 90035-002, Brazil
- Postdoctoral Fellow at Master's Program in Clinical Research (MPPC) at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) (CAPES Pilot Program), Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil
| | - Beni Jequicene Mussengue Chaúque
- Laboratory 520, Protozoology Laboratory, Microbiology Immunology and Parasitology Department, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos Street, N 2600, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 90035-002, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, UFRGS, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil
- Center of Studies in Science and Technology (NECET), Biology Course, Universidade Rovuma, Niassa Branch, Lichinga, Mozambique
| | - Fernanda Fraga Matiazo
- Laboratory 520, Protozoology Laboratory, Microbiology Immunology and Parasitology Department, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos Street, N 2600, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 90035-002, Brazil
| | - Larissa de Miranda Ribeiro
- Laboratory 520, Protozoology Laboratory, Microbiology Immunology and Parasitology Department, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos Street, N 2600, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 90035-002, Brazil
| | - Marilise Brittes Rott
- Laboratory 520, Protozoology Laboratory, Microbiology Immunology and Parasitology Department, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos Street, N 2600, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 90035-002, Brazil.
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Henriquez FL, Campbell SJ, Sundararaj BK, Cano A, Muench SP, Roberts CW. The Acanthamoeba shikimate pathway has a unique molecular arrangement and is essential for aromatic amino acid biosynthesis. Protist 2014; 166:93-105. [PMID: 25576842 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2014.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The shikimate pathway is the only known biosynthetic route for de novo synthesis of aromatic compounds. It is described as an ancient eukaryotic innovation that has been retained in a subset of eukaryotes, replaced in plants through the acquisition of the chloroplast, but lost in many including humans. Herein, we demonstrate that Acanthamoeba castellanii possesses the shikimate pathway by biochemical and a combination of bioinformatics and molecular biological methods. The growth of A. castellanii (Neff strain and a recently isolated clinical specimen, both T4 genotypes) is inhibited by glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine], an inhibitor of EPSP synthase and the addition of phenylalanine and tryptophan, which are dependent on the shikimate pathway, rescued A. castellanii from glyphosate indicating that glyphosate was specific in action. A. castellanii has a novel complement of shikimate pathway enzymes including unique gene fusions, two Type I and one Type II DAHP synthases (for which their likely sensitivities to feedback inhibition by phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan has been modelled) and a canonical chorismate synthase. The shikimate pathway in A. castellanii therefore has a novel molecular arrangement, is required for amino acid biosynthesis and represents an attractive target for antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona L Henriquez
- Institute of Biomedical Science and Environmental Health Research, School of Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK
| | - Sara J Campbell
- Institute of Biomedical Science and Environmental Health Research, School of Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK; Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0NR, UK
| | - Bharath K Sundararaj
- Institute of Biomedical Science and Environmental Health Research, School of Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK; Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0NR, UK
| | - Antonella Cano
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0NR, UK
| | - Stephen P Muench
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT
| | - Craig W Roberts
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0NR, UK.
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Lloyd D. Encystment in Acanthamoeba castellanii: a review. Exp Parasitol 2014; 145 Suppl:S20-7. [PMID: 24726698 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2013] [Revised: 03/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation of Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites involves massive turnover of cellular components and remodelling of organelle structure and function so as to produce a cryptobiotic cell, resistant to desiccation, heat, freezing, and chemical treatments. This review presents a summary of a decade of research on the most studied aspects of the biochemistry of this process, with emphasis on problems of biocide and drug resistances, putative new targets, molecular and cell biology of the process of encystment, and the characteristics of the encysted state. As well as the intrinsic pathogenicity of the organism towards the cornea, and the ability of related species to invade the human brain, its propensity for harbouring and transmitting pathogenic bacteria and viruses is considerable and leads to increasing concerns. The long-term survival and resistance of cysts to drugs and biocides adds another layer of complexity to the problem of their elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lloyd
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AT, UK.
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Roberts CW, Henriquez FL. Drug target identification, validation, characterisation and exploitation for treatment of Acanthamoeba (species) infections. Exp Parasitol 2009; 126:91-6. [PMID: 20035751 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2009] [Revised: 11/19/2009] [Accepted: 11/30/2009] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
New more efficacious antimicrobials as required for the treatment of Acanthamoeba infections as those currently available require arduous treatment regimes, are not always effective and are poorly active against the cystic stages. Herein, we review potential drug targets including tubulin, alternative oxidase, amino acid biosynthesis and myosin. In addition, we review the literature for current missing tools and resources for the identification, validation and development of new antimicrobials for this organism. Additional targets should come to light through a concerted genome sequencing effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig W Roberts
- Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NR, UK
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