An energy-conserving pyruvate-to-acetate pathway in Entamoeba histolytica. Pyruvate synthase and a new acetate thiokinase.

The pyruvate-to-ethanol pathway in Entamoeba histolytica is unusual when compared with most investigated organisms. Pyruvate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.1), a key enzyme for ethanol production, is not found. Pyruvate is converted into acetyl-CoA and CO2 by the enzyme pyruvate synthase (EC 1.2.7.1), which has been demonstrated previously in this parasitic amoeba. Acetyl-CoA is reduced to acetaldehyde and CoA by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (acylating) (EC 1.2.1.10) at an enzyme activity of 9 units per g of fresh cells with NADH as a reductant. Acetaldehyde is further reduced by either a previously identified NADP+-linked alcohol dehydrogenase or by a newly found NAD+-linked alcohol dehydrogenase at an enzyme activity of 136 units per g of fresh cells. Ethanol is identified as the product of soluble enzymes of amoeba acting on pyruvate or acetyl-CoA. This result is confirmed by radioactive isotopic, spectrophotometric and gas-chromatographic methods.

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Redox Reactions in Lipid Membranes as a Model for Primordial Energy-Conserving Systems

International Astronomical Union Colloquium ◽

10.1017/s0252921100014950 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 161 ◽

pp. 437-442

Author(s):

Salvatore Di Bernardo ◽

Romana Fato ◽

Giorgio Lenaz

Keyword(s):

Experimental Evidence ◽

Lipid Membranes ◽

Energy Supply ◽

Redox Reactions ◽

Living Systems ◽

Asymmetric Distribution ◽

Conservation Of Energy ◽

Asymmetrical Distribution ◽

Energy Conserving ◽

Living Organisms

AbstractOne of the peculiar aspects of living systems is the production and conservation of energy. This aspect is provided by specialized organelles, such as the mitochondria and chloroplasts, in developed living organisms. In primordial systems lacking specialized enzymatic complexes the energy supply was probably bound to the generation and maintenance of an asymmetric distribution of charged molecules in compartmentalized systems. On the basis of experimental evidence, we suggest that lipophilic quinones were involved in the generation of this asymmetrical distribution of charges through vectorial redox reactions across lipid membranes.

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Erythrophagocytosis by Entamoeba histolytica.- Ultrastructural Study

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100094036 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

pp. 156-157 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Norberto Treviño ◽

Alfredo Feria-Velasco ◽

I. Ruiz de Chávez

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Light Microscopy ◽

Entamoeba Histolytica ◽

Ultrastructural Study ◽

Saline Solution ◽

Physiological Saline ◽

Ultrastructural Level ◽

Hot Plate ◽

Physiological Saline Solution ◽

Axenic Conditions

Although erythrophagocytosis by various species of Entamoeba is a well known phenomenon this has not yet been studied in detail at the ultrastructural level. The present work deals with the description of the incorporation process of erythrocytes by trophozoites of E. histolytica. For this study, trophozoites of E. histolytica, HK-9:NIH strain cultured in axenic conditions and washed human erythrocytes were placed on a hot plate at 37°C in physiological saline solution. After 5 minutes, 2.5% glutarldehyde was added and the samples were processed according to conventional techniques for electron microscopy.Based upon light microscopy studies on living trophozoites in contact with erythrocytes, it seems that erythrophagocytosis only takes place in one pole of the parasite.

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Scanning electron microscopy of erythrophagocytosis by Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s042482010012480x ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 880-881

Author(s):

Victor Tsutsumi ◽

Adolfo Martinez-Palomo ◽

Kyuichi Tanikawa

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Red Blood Cells ◽

Entamoeba Histolytica ◽

Causative Agent ◽

Blood Cells ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Complex Phenomenon ◽

Great Capacity ◽

Scanning Electron

The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amebiasis in man. The trophozoite or motile form is a highly dynamic and pleomorphic cell with a great capacity to destroy tissues. Moreover, the parasite has the singular ability to phagocytize a variety of different live or death cells. Phagocytosis of red blood cells by E. histolytica trophozoites is a complex phenomenon related with amebic pathogenicity and nutrition.

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