Entamoeba Shows Reversible Variation in Ploidy under Different Growth Conditions
Author Information
Author(s): Mukherjee Chandrama, Clark C. Graham, Lohia Anuradha
Primary Institution: Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
Hypothesis
Does the DNA content of Entamoeba histolytica change under different growth conditions?
Conclusion
The study found that the nuclear DNA content of Entamoeba histolytica increases significantly in axenic cultures compared to xenic cultures, and this change is reversible.
Supporting Evidence
- E. histolytica trophozoites in axenic cultures have at least 10 times more DNA than in xenic cultures.
- Re-association with bacterial flora reduces DNA content back to xenic levels.
- E. invadens trophozoites show a 40-fold increase in DNA content during excystation.
Takeaway
This study shows that the amount of DNA in Entamoeba can change a lot depending on how it's grown, and it can go back to normal when conditions change.
Methodology
The study compared DNA content in axenic and xenic cultures of Entamoeba histolytica and E. invadens using flow cytometry and other techniques.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on specific isolates and may not represent all strains of Entamoeba.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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