title: Prostaglandins may play a signal-coupling role during phagocytosis in Amoeba proteus.
abstract: Phagocytosis in Amoeba proteus can be induced with prostaglandins (PG). In addition, arachidonic acid (the fatty acid precursor to the PG-2 series) also induces phagocytosis. The induction of phagocytosis with arachidonic acid can be partially inhibited by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Phagocytosis in the amoeba can also be induced with the chemotactic peptide N-formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine (NFMLP). The peptide presumably induces phagocytosis by interacting with receptors on the amoeba surface, which may initiate the release of arachidonic acid from membrane lipids. NFMLP-induced phagocytosis can also be partially inhibited by indomethacin. It is suggested that PG's or biochemically related substances may play a signal-coupling role during phagocytosis in the amoeba.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington 99258.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Prusch
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Goette
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Haberman
mesh_terms: D000656:Amoeba / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D011453:Prostaglandins; D016718:Arachidonic Acid