Auxotrophy to lipoproteins of Entamoeba histolytica cultivated under axenic conditions

• Published in: Parasitology research (1987) Vol. 86; no. 12; pp. 1018 - 1021
• Main Authors: MATA-CARDENAS, B. D, VARGAS-VILLARREAL, J, MARTINEZ-RODRIGUEZ, H. G, CASTRO-GARZA, J, GONZALEZ-GARZA, M. T, SAID-FERNANDEZ, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.12.2000
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cholesterol - metabolism; Cholesterol - pharmacology; Culture Media; Culture Media, Serum-Free; Entamoeba histolytica - growth & development; Entamoeba histolytica - metabolism; Fatty Acids - metabolism; Fatty Acids - pharmacology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects and techniques; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids - pharmacology; Lipoproteins - metabolism; Lipoproteins - pharmacology; Phospholipids - metabolism; Phospholipids - pharmacology; Protozoa; Cell proliferation; Protozoa; Host parasite relation; Auxotrophy; Axenic culture; Lobosea; Free form; Parasite; Entamoeba histolytica; Lipids; Lipoprotein; Strain
• ISSN: 0932-0113; 1432-1955
• DOI: 10.1007/PL00008522

Entamoeba histolytica grows in media without serum but with a mixture of aminoacids, vitamins, lipoproteins, free cholesterol, phospholipids and fatty acids called PACSR. The ability of lipoproteins and free lipids to support growth of three E. histolytica strains (HK9, HMI:IMSS and HM3:IMSS) was analysed. Tubes containing 5 ml culture medium, amino acids, vitamins and either 120-1,200 microg lipoproteins/ml or 0.017-0.10 mg free lipids/ml (predissolved in absolute ethanol) were inoculated with 1x10(4) trophozoites/ml and incubated at 37 degrees C for 72 h. Amoebae died within 12 h in the presence of any free lipid combination, while those having 240-480 mg lipoproteins/ml reached densities similar to or higher than those of controls (depending on strain). The addition of ethanol (0.1%) to the media produced stable lipid solutions and did not show significant adverse effects. Accordingly, E. histolytica is auxotrophic to lipoproteins and unable to use free cholesterol, phospholipids or fatty acids.