Cytolysis of Free-Living Algae by Complement

概要

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Cells of Euglena gracilis show a marked change in cell shape when normal rat serum is added-they contract assuming a spherical shape. Contraction is followed by irreversible cytolysis. Examination of lysed cells by electron microscopy revealed numerous lesions of about 10 nm inner diameter in the cell membrane. However heat-inactivated sera neither affected the characteristic elongated state of Euglena nor caused any lesions in the cell membrane. Assay using radiolabelled (^<125>I) anti C5b-C9(m) antibodies showed that the lytic complexes are integrated into the cell membrane of Euglena. When C4-deficient and factor D-depleted sera were used as complement sources, the results showed that the killing of Euglena was dependent on an intact alternative pathway of the complement. This serum-mediated lysis of algae also occurred in different systematic groups: Chilomonas paramecium (Cryptophyceae), Chroomonas spec. (Cryptophyceae), Ochromonas danica (Chrysophyceae), Astasia longa (Euglenophyceae), Distigma elegans (Euglenophyceae), and Polytomella spec. (Chlorophyceae).
日本植物生理学会の論文