A method for identifying Ca ionophores using a unicellular organism.
A method is described for identifying Ca++ ionophores using the protozoa Actinosphaerium. This organism is a free-floating spherical form with filamentous axopods radiating from the surface. The axopods are composed of microtubules that disaggregate upon exposure to intracellular Ca++. In the presence of an appropriate ionophore, extracellular Ca++ will pass the cell membrane, enter the cell, and disrupt microtubules. The resultant shortening of axopods can be easily quantified under a microscope. This system may prove to be a valuable research tool in the identification of compounds that possess the ability to facilitate transmembrane Ca++ movement.
D000818:Animals; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007476:Ionophores / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000494:pharmacology
D007476:Ionophores; D011453:Prostaglandins; D000001:Calcimycin; D008274:Magnesium; D002122:Calcium Chloride; D002118:Calcium