Ion regulation in the different life stages of Trypanosoma cruzi.
Different ion and pH regulation mechanisms have been detected in the three main life stages of Trypanosoma cruzi: epimastigote, metacyclic trypomastigote and amastigote. Treatment with amiloride showed that the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger participated in all three forms. The Na(+)/K(+) ATPase exchanger appeared to be more active in the epimastigote than in the other forms. V-H(+)-ATPase inhibitors revealed the activity of this regulatory mechanism in the amastigote and epimastigote forms, while treatment with oligomycin only affected the amastigotes. The HCO(-)(3)/Cl(-) exchanger was found in all stages as well as in the intracellular pH-regulatory mechanism after abrupt basification. We deduce that ion regulation in T. cruzi is a complex process and depends upon the precise stage of the cell cycle of the parasite. It would seem to be an important mechanism, allowing the parasite to adapt to the changing environmental conditions within which it develops.
Gil
J R
JR
Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Campus Universitario Fuentenueva, 18071 Granada, Spain.
Soler
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Azzouz
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Osuna
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D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000378:metabolism; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003470:Culture Media; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D016623:Ion Pumps / Q000378:metabolism*; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000378:metabolism; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000254:growth & development*; D025262:Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D014709:Vero Cells
D001639:Bicarbonates; D002712:Chlorides; D003470:Culture Media; D016623:Ion Pumps; D025262:Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase