Carbohydrate analysis of Acanthamoeba castellanii

Cellular, Biochemical, and Molecular Changes during Encystment of Free-Living Amoebae

“…Rho kinase is a small GTPase involved in regulation of actin polymerization (17). These results confirmed that cytoskeleton rearrangement is crucial for encystment.…”

“…These enzymes are secreted by Acanthamoeba during excystment (26). Galactose and glucose were present in high levels in the cyst walls (17). During encystment, isocitrate dehydrogenase and isocitrate lyase were regulated, suggesting that lipids were degraded and that acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) might be used for cellulose synthesis (37).…”

“…In Acanthamoeba, farnesyl protein transferase (FPT III), an inhibitor of Ras farnesylation, reduced encystment (17). Ras is a small GTPase that could activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.…”

Targeting cyst wall is an effective strategy in improving the efficacy of marketed contact lens disinfecting solutions against Acanthamoeba castellanii cysts

“…Acanthamoeba keratitis is characterized by 16 blurred vision, sensitivity to light, conjunctivitis, eye lid swelling, 17 and reddened eye with watery discharge, and severe pain [7]. 18 Approximately 85-88% cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis are 19 associated with the use of contact lens and hence contact lens 20 wearers are at increased risk of this infection [8,9]. Acanthamoeba 21 keratitis is often linked to contact lens disinfectants that fail to 22 effectively decontaminate contact lens.…”

War on terror cells: killing the host that harbours ‘superbugs’ is an infection control strategy in our fight against infectious diseases

“…It was shown that cyst walls are made of 4-linked glucopyranose (likely to be cellulose) (22.2%), but also unidentified sugars such as 3-linked galactopyranose (28.6%), 5-linked xylofuranose/4-linked xylopyranose (7.0%), mannopyranose (3.2%), 2,4-linked gluco or galactopyranose (4.4%), 3,4-linked galactopyranose (13.6%), 3,4-linked glucopyranose (6.0%), 4,6-linked mannopyranose (7.8%), and 3,6-linked galactopyranose (7.2%). 52 Further research will determine the biochemical composition and linkage analyses of Acanthamoeba cysts, which will explain their resistance to harsh physical, chemical, and radiological conditions. Understanding the composition of Acanthamoeba cysts will offer insights, not only into cytodifferentiation, but also importantly into specific targets to attack the protective wall assembly.…”