• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.403-412
• /
• 2000

Urechis unicinctus spermatogenic cells, sperm and spermatids, prepared from testis are investigated to identify nuclear actin using amoeba monorlonal anti-actin as the first Ab and gold particles (10 nm) conjugated mouse IgG (immunogold) as the Ab marker. The Ag-Ab reactions analyzed the localization of nuclear actin of the spermatogenic cells and the immunogold particles incorporated mainly with nuclear matrices. A few immunogold particles are merged into the acrosomes and the other architectures of spermatogenic cells, such as mitochondrion and centrioles. It is often observed and there is a tendency in which the incorporated immunogold particles are increased in number in the nuclear matrices of sperm compared with that of spermatids The increments and decrements of the incorporated immunogold particles according to developmental stages and the spermatogenic architec-tures are interpreted and discussed in aspect of acrosomal function and of nuclear condensation of spermatids.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.155-164
• /
• 1995

The location of actin and myosin of the several stages of Cwptosporinium parvum was observed. The tissue antigen of C. pcruum was prepared through immunosuppression of IgG mice with Depomedrol . The thin sectioned specimens, which were incubated with the IgG fraction of the rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against chicken back muscle actin and bovine uterus myosin, were treated with 10 nm gold-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG, Electrodense particles were located mainly on the pellicles of all observed developmental stages of the parasites. The number of actin gold particles in the cytoplasm increased when the parasite was dividing actively as in case of meronts. Especially in macrogametocytes, a lot of actin and myosin particles were synthesized and storaged as amilopectin-like bodies. There were many actin gold particles along the microspikes of cytoplasmic membranes in various developmental stages. The actin and myosin observed in this study may play important roles to control the shape of the parasites and movement of cytoplasmic membranes as cvtoskeletal proteins.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.628-634
• /
• 2002

A microfilament-based motility in Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) Is involved in host cell invasion, yet the exact mechanism has not yet been determined. Accordingly, the current study examined the localization of actin and tubulin in T gondii using immunofluorescent (IF) and immunogold staining for electron microscopy. Indirect immunofluorescence (IF) staining using anti-actin and anti-tubulin monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) revealed localization of fluorescence on the entire surface of the tachyzoites. The actin in T. gondii was observed by immunogold staining, and the gold particles were seen on the surface, especially at the anterior end and in the cytoplasm of the parasite. However, there were no gold particles in the nucleus, rhoptries, and dense granules. The tubulin in T gondii was located on the surface and in the cytoplasm of the tachyzoites in the extracellular parasite, compared with anterior part of tachyzoites in the intracellular parasite. The antigens of T gondii recognized by anti-actin mAb were 107 kDa, 50 kDa, 48 kDa, and 40 kDa proteins, while those recognized by anti-tubulin mAb were 56 kDa, 52 kDa, and 34 kDa proteins. Tachyzoites of T gondii pretreated with the actin inhibitor, cytochalasin D (20 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml), and tubulin inhibitor, colchicine (2$\times$10$\^$-6/ M), for 30 min at 37$\^{C}$ were used to infect the isolated mouse macrophages (tachyzo ites:macrophage=2:1). Pretreatment with the inhibitors resulted in lower multiplication of tachyzoites within the macrophages than in the untreated group 18 h post infection (p<0.05). Therefore, the present results suggest that actin and tubulin appear to be involved in the invasion of and multiplication in host cells.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.121-130
• /
• 2004

In this study, ultrastructural change of the bile duct fibroblast at infected rat with Clonorchis sinensis, and the distribution of lectin receptors and actin protein in cultured bile duct infected with Clonorchis sinensis. It explored using colloidal gold label complex with lectin WGA purified from wheat germ (Triticum vulgaris) and anti actin antibody purified actin (43 kDa) isolated from chicken back muscle. The lectin WGA with protein A gold complex labeled sections of the cultured fibroblast revealed gold particles specifically distributed on the multi vesicular form Golgi complex and cell surface of the fibroblast. The actin antibody with protein A gold complex labeled sections of the cultured fibroblast revealed gold particles specifically distributed on the cytoplasm of the fibroblast. Labeling of cultured fibroblast in rat bile duct infected with Clonorchis sinensis was then quantified and compared to that of cultured Fibroblast in Rat Bile duct. These results indicate that lectin WGA receptors are located in the multi vesicular form Golgi complex in the cytoplasm to the cytoplasmic process of the Rat bile duct fibroblast infected with Clonorchis sinensis. Therefore, the GlcNAc and NeuNac regions on the cell surface and cytoplasmic process appear to be functionally associated with cell-recognition and protection from other cell of the tissue, and linked with secretion and exocytosis of the fibroblst cytoplasm. GlcNAc and NeuNAc product in the multi vesicular form Golgi complex then it is transported to cell surface. Actin protein is many appears that infected fibroblast rather than normal fibroblast. The fibroblast of infected with Clonorchis sinensis are against of the physical and chemical stimulation. Then development of cytoplasmic process is relative some stimulation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.185-193
• /
• 2004

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, which invades a wide range of hosts including humans. The exact mechanisms involved in its invasion are not fully understood. This study focused on the roles of $Ca^{2+}$ in host cell invasion and in T. gondii replication. We examined the invasion and replication of T. gondii pretreated with several calcium modulators, the conoid extrusion of tachyzoites. Calmodulin localization in T. gondii were observed using the immunogold method, and $Ca^{2+}$ levels in tachyzoites by confocal microscopy. In light microscopic observation, tachyzoites co-treated with A23187 and EGTA showed that host cell invasion and intracellular replication were decreased. The invasion of tachyzoites was slightly inhibited by the $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers, bepridil and verapamil, and by the calmodulin antagonist, calmidazolium. We observed that calcium saline containing A23187 induced the extrusion of tachyzoite conoid. By immunoelectron microscopy, gold particles bound to anti-calmodulin or anti-actin mAb, were found to be localized on the anterior portion of tachyzoites. Remarkably reduced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ was observed in tachyzoites treated with BAPTA/AM by confocal microscopy. These results suggest that host cell invasion and the intracellular replication of T. gondii tachyzoites are inhibited by the calcium ionophore, A23187, and by the extracellular calcium chelator, EGTA.