Echinococcus granulosus: cellular territories and morphological regions in mature protoscoleces.
Basic aspects of the generation, structure and function of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces are unknown. We review the work done on the structure and ultrastructure of the E. granulosus protoscolex and provide new data together with a comprehensive view of this form of the parasite. The surface, as observed by scanning electron microscopy, tightly correlates with five cellular territories characterized in the interior using light and transmission electron microscopy as well as a histochemical technique. Three of these territories are surrounded by a basal lamina that is also present in the internal side of the tegument, suggesting a complex internal organization. These cellular territories correlate with the expression of specific genes and the regionalization of DNA synthesis in protoscoleces. Additionally, a proposal to explain movements of the body of this form of the parasite in relation to the neck or to the germinal layer of the hydatid cyst is provided.
Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (I.C.B.M.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Av. Independencia 1027, P.O. Box 70061, Santiago, Chile.
Mario
M
Galindo
Laboratorio de Diagnostico Veterinario, Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (S.A.G.), Avda Ogana 1060, Coyhaique, Chile.
Gloria
G
Schadebrodt
Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (I.C.B.M.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Av. Independencia 1027, P.O. Box 70061, Santiago, Chile.
Norbel
N
Galanti
D000818:Animals; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000469:parasitology; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology; D008168:Lung / Q000469:parasitology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000469:parasitology