Metabolic Profile Associated With Encystation in Acanthamoeba.

ABSTRACT: The genus Acanthamoeba includes widespread protozoa that can cause severe infections in humans. Their ability to form resistant cysts within infected tissues complicates treatment, making it essential to understand the encystation process for developing effective therapeutic strategies. This study utilized untargeted metabolomics (GC-MS) to analyze metabolic changes during the encystation of an Acanthamoeba strain in Neff's encystation saline. We conducted metabolite analysis at three stages of differentiation: the trophozoite-dominant phase (0 h), the pre-cyst-dominant phase (24 h), and the cyst-dominant phase (72 h). The results indicated a global metabolic downregulation during encystation, which is consistent with a state of dormancy. Components of the cyst wall such as cellobiose and

SUBMITTER: Cirelli C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12310340 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep-Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature