KARYOTYPING OF AMOEBA PROTEUS

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Genetics
• Protistology

Background:

• Karyotyping Amoeba proteus is challenging due to chromosome structure.
• Standardized protocols for mitotic chromosome preparation are lacking for this species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel protocol for obtaining extended mitotic chromosome spreads of Amoeba proteus.
• To describe the karyotyping process for A. proteus using this protocol.
• To characterize the chromomeric patterns of A. proteus chromosomes.

Main Methods:

• Development of a chromosome spreading protocol for Amoeba proteus.
• Karyotyping using DAPI and YoYo1 staining.
• Analysis of chromomeric patterns in metaphase chromosomes.

Main Results:

• A repeatable protocol yielding extended A. proteus mitotic chromosomes was established.
• The 'B'-strain of A. proteus possesses 27 chromosome pairs.
• Chromosome-specific, homologous chromomeric patterns were identified and documented in an image bank.

Conclusions:

• The developed protocol facilitates detailed karyotyping of Amoeba proteus.
• Chromomeric patterns are reliable, chromosome-specific identifiers for A. proteus.
• This work provides a valuable resource for A. proteus research and strain identification.