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Participation of actin on Giardia lamblia growth and encystation

Araceli Castillo-Romero1, Gloria Leon-Avila, Armando Perez Rangel

  • 1Departamento de Biologia Celular, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico Distrito Federal, Mexico.

Plos One
|September 24, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Actin microfilaments are crucial for Giardia lamblia growth and encystation, impacting cell morphology and gene expression. Disrupting actin affects parasite development and cyst formation.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Microfilaments are essential for various cellular processes like motility and division.
  • The role of actin structures in the parasite Giardia lamblia remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distribution and function of actin in Giardia lamblia.
  • To elucidate actin's role in parasite growth, morphology, and encystation.

Main Methods:

  • Confocal and scanning electron microscopy were used to visualize actin distribution.
  • Giardia lamblia trophozoites were treated with actin inhibitors (Cytochalasin D, Latrunculin A, Jasplakinolide).
  • Changes in cell morphology, growth, encystation, and gene expression (CWP1) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Structured actin was observed throughout the trophozoite, particularly at the ventral disc, median body, flagella, and around nuclei.
  • Actin inhibitors reduced parasite growth by 27-45% and caused significant morphological damage.
  • Inhibitors also decreased cyst yield, altered cyst morphology, and reduced CWP1 expression by 34%.

Conclusions:

  • Actin plays a vital role in maintaining Giardia lamblia morphology, growth, and encystation.
  • The findings indirectly suggest a role for actin in regulating gene expression.
  • Targeting actin could be a potential strategy against Giardia lamblia infections.

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