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Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Lipid Droplet Isolation for Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Published on: April 17, 2017
Various dictyostelids from the environment can produce multilamellar bodies
Alicia F Durocher1,2,3, Cynthia Gagné-Thivierge1,2,3, Steve J Charette1,2,3
1Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Pavillon Charles-Eugène-Marchand, Université Laval, 1030 avenue de la Médicine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
Abstract:
Multilamellar bodies (MLBs), structures composed of concentric membrane layers, are known to be produced by different protozoa, including species of ciliates, free-living amoebae, and Dictyostelium discoideum social amoebae. Initially believed to be metabolic waste, potential roles like cell communication and food storage have been suggested for D. discoideum MLBs, which could be useful for the multicellular development of social amoebae and as a food source. However, among dictyostelids, this phenomenon has only been observed with D. discoideum, and mainly with laboratory strains grown in axenic conditions. It was thought that other social amoebae may also produce MLBs. Four environmental social amoeba isolates were characterized. All strains belong to the Dictyostelium genus, including some likely to be Dictyostelium giganteum. They have distinctive phenotypes comprising their growth rate on Klebsiella aerogenes lawns and the morphology of their fruiting bodies. They all produce MLBs like those produced by a D. discoideum laboratory strain when grown on K. aerogenes lawns, as revealed by analysis using the H36 antibody in epifluorescence microscopy as well as by transmission electron microscopy. Consequently, this study shows that MLBs are produced by various dictyostelid species, which further supports a role for MLBs in the lifestyle of amoebae.
Insights
Multilamellar bodies (MLBs) are produced by various social amoeba species, not just Dictyostelium discoideum. This finding suggests MLBs play a broader role in amoeba lifestyles and development.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Microbiology
- Protozoology
Background:
- Multilamellar bodies (MLBs) are concentric membrane structures found in various protozoa.
- Previously, MLBs were observed mainly in laboratory strains of Dictyostelium discoideum and considered waste products.
- Potential roles in cell communication and food storage for D. discoideum MLBs were hypothesized, impacting social amoeba development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate MLB production in environmental social amoeba isolates.
- To determine if MLB production is exclusive to Dictyostelium discoideum or occurs in other dictyostelids.
- To support or refute the proposed roles of MLBs in amoeba biology.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of four environmental social amoeba isolates from the Dictyostelium genus.
- Phenotypic analysis including growth rate on Klebsiella aerogenes lawns and fruiting body morphology.
- Detection of MLBs using H36 antibody in epifluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- All four environmental isolates, including potential Dictyostelium giganteum, produced MLBs.
- MLB production was observed when isolates were grown on K. aerogenes lawns.
- Microscopic analysis confirmed the presence of MLB structures similar to those in D. discoideum.
Conclusions:
- Multilamellar bodies are produced by multiple dictyostelid species, extending beyond D. discoideum.
- The widespread occurrence of MLBs supports their significant role in the lifestyle of social amoebae.
- This study broadens the understanding of MLB function in protozoan biology.
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