G418 induces programmed cell death in Acanthamoeba through the elevation of intracellular calcium and cytochrome c translocation.

ABSTRACT: Acanthamoeba is a widely distributed opportunistic parasite which causes a vision-threatening keratitis and a life-threatening encephalitis. The cyst stage of this amoeba is especially resistant to currently used therapeutics and so alternative agents are urgently required. Growing evidence supports the existence of a programmed cell death system (PCD) in Acanthamoeba and while some features are shared by higher eukaryote cells, others differ. It is hoped that by understanding these differences we can exploit them as targets for novel drug intervention to activate PCD pathways in the amoebae but not the invaded human tissue. Here, we use the aminoglycoside G418 to activate PCD in Acanthamoeba. This drug caused a shape change in the treated amoebae. Cells rounded up and contracted, and afte

SUBMITTER: Koutsogiannis Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6349814 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature