Microtubule cytoskeleton behavior in the initial steps of host cell invasion by Besnoitia besnoiti.
Besnoitia besnoiti is a protozoan parasite responsible for bovine besnoitiosis. Indirect immunofluorescence showed that isolated B. besnoiti possesses a set of subpellicular microtubules, radiating from the apical end and extending for more than 2/3 of the cell body. Upon interaction with the host cell, B. besnoiti undergoes dramatic modifications of shape and surface, as revealed by atomic force microscopy, accompanied by a distinct tubulin labeling on the posterior region. In the host cell, the microtubule cytoskeleton shows a re-arrangement around the invading parasite suggesting a filamentous interaction with the parasite cytoskeleton during invasion.
Reis
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Y
Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical, CVZ, CIISA, Av. Universidade Técnica, Lisboa 1300-477, Portugal.
Cortes
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H
Viseu Melo
L
L
Fazendeiro
I
I
Leitão
A
A
Soares
H
H
D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008870:Microtubules / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D021745:Sarcocystidae / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure