[Development of Acanthamoeba castellanii into a cyst with and without modification of gene activity pattern]

Regulation of ribosomal RNA transcription during differentiation of Acanthamoeba castellanii: a review

During the cellular differentiation induced by starvation of Acanthamoeba castellanii, the expression of a number of genes is regulated. Evidence is reviewed that at least one of these, the precursor ribosomal RNA transcription unit, is regulated at the level of transcription. The structure of the rRNA transcription unit and of the RNA polymerases responsible for transcription in Acanthamoeba are reviewed. Utilizing an in vitro transcription system constructed from these components, preliminary evidence has been obtained that pre-rRNA gene expression is regulated by a modification of RNA polymerase I that affects the enzyme's ability to participate efficiently in the initiation of transcription. These results are reviewed in relation to other known mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes.

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II from Acanthamoeba castellanii. Comparison of the catalytic properties and subunit architectures of the trophozoite and cyst enzymes

The actively growing cells (trophozoites) of the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii were found to contain three or perhaps four different forms of class II DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6). The chromatographic and catalytic properties of all forms of the Acanthamoeba class II polymerases suggest them to be cognates of the class II polymerases previously reported. The predominant form was purified to near homogeneity and its subunit composition determined. Nine different polypeptides were found associated with the purified enzyme: 21 000; 185 000; 140 000; 70 000; 35 000; 21 000; 19 000; 18 500 and 16 200. These polypeptides were interpreted in terms of two class II RNA polymerases which differ in the molecular weight of their largest subunit. When A. castellanii is transferred to a medium lacking nutrients, the cells undergo cellular differentiation resulting in the formation of metabolically inactive cells (cyst formation). During this process there are significant changes in the RNA sequences transcribed. In contrast to this, we find that the chromatographic and catalytic properties of all of the class II RNA polymerases remain unchanged. Further, the subunit architecture of the predominant form(s) of polymerase II is unaltered. These findings suggest that although new RNA sequences are transcribed during encystment their appearance is not a consequence of extensive alterations in the subunit composition of the major class II RNA polymerase.

[The cellulase enzyme system during growth and development of Acanthamoeba castellanii (author's transl)]

It could be shown that extracts of growing cultures of Acanthamoeba castellanii contained a cellulose degrading system. Reducing sugars are split off by one component of this system at an optimum of pH 4, another enzyme changes the viscosity at an optimum of pH 6, and a third component is a beta-glucosidase with an optimum at pH 3.5. At pH 4 the cellulose degradation products are cellobiose and glucose; at pH 6 higher molecular weight oligosaccharides are produced. During the development from trophozoites to cysts in a nutrient-free medium, the activities of both cellulases decline: Prior to the start of cellulose synthesis only 30%, and in cysts only 10% of the original existing activities are detectable. The biological function of the cellulase enzyme system is discussed together with a consideration of the fact that excystment takes place without digestion of the cyst wall in which the cellulose is deposited.