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76 • "PROTIST—2016
of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway. KEGG pathway included metabolisms(131), cellular processes(43), environmental Information processing^), genetic information processing(66) and organismal systems(20). On the other hands, by analysis of 10,713 sequences via the gene ontology database, their annotations included biological processes(1,069) which were cellular process(228), metabolic process(214) and single organisms process(193), molecular functions(415) containing catalytic activity(195) and binding(186) and cellular components (923) possessing cells(240) and cell parts(225). Increased differential expression trans-criptome levels in N. fowleri cysts compared to trophozoites were mainly categorized as serine/ threonine protease, kinase, and lipid metabolisms related protein. Finally, this study may provide new insights into the environmental resistant genes or pathogenic related genes in N. fowleri survival and infectivity. Kewords: Naegleria fowleri, cyst, trophozoite, Next-Generation Sequencing, transcriptome.
AMOEBICIDAL ACTIVITY OF CHLORINE DIOXIDE AGAINST PATHOGENIC ACAN-THAMOEBA CASTELLANII, A. POLYPHGA AND NAGELERIA FOWLERI Sohn Hae-Jin1, Song Kyoung-Ju2, Seong Gi-Sang1, Kang Heekyoung1, Kim Jong-Hyun3, Kim Jong-Rak2, Shin Ho-Joon1
1 - Department ofMicrobiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea
2 - PurgoFarm Co. Ltd, Republic of Korea
3 - Institute ofAnimal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, GyeongsangNational University, Republic of Korea
hj35good@ajou.ac.kr
Pathogenic free-living amoebae, Acanthamoeba spp. and Naegleria fowleri, are widely distributed in soil and water. Several species of Acanthamoeba and N. fowleri can cause serious human infections such as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) or primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) which almost results in death. Recently, there has been an increased incidence of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), particularly in contact lens wearers. Chlorine dioxide (ClO2), yellow-green gas is a powerful disinfectant which is 2.5 and 500,000 times more effective than chlorine-based disinfectants and alcohol, respectively. In this study, we examined the amoebicidal effect of ClO2 gas against A. castellanii, A. polyphagia and N. fowleri trophozoites or cysts. ClO2 gas was induced from "Puristic" that it was a ready-to-use product using a tubing stick without necessitating the ClO2 gas generation on site.
Amoebic trophozoites or cysts were exposed to ClO2 gas (0.064ppmv/min) for 12- 48 hr. Amoebae maintained for 12 - 48 hr without exposure to ClO2 gas were used for the control groups. By microscopic examination, amoebic viability was assessed, and then growth rates were estimated. The results showed that the viability of amoebae was effectively inhibited by treatment with ClO2 gas, as which their viability were assessed by re-cultivation with each flesh medium. The growth rates of A. castellanii and A. polyphaga trophpzoites which were exposed to ClO2 gas for 24 hr were decreased by 50 and 60 % respectively. Whereas, the growth rate of N. fowleri exposed with ClO2 gas for 24 hr was completely inhibited. Furthermore, the actin mRNA levels of amoebae checked by RT-PCR were significantly reduced by treatment of CO2 gas. Similarly, the growth rate of A. castellanii and A. polyphaga cysts exposed with ClO2 gas for 12 hr was significantly inhibited. Taken together, it is suggested that ClO2 gas has amoebicidal effect on A. castellanii, A. polyphaga and N. fowleri. Therefore, the chlorine dioxide is proposed as an effective agent for the prevention and control of Acanthamoeba and N. fowleri infections. Keywords: Acanthamoeba castellanii, A. polyphaga, Naegleri fowleri, chlorine dioxide, amoebicidal effect.
MOLECULAR DEFENCE MECHANISMS IN SPIROTRICH CILIATES TO PREVENT HEAVY METAL TOXICITY
Somasundaram S.1, Abraham J.S.1, Toteja R.1, Gupta R.2, Makhija S.1
1 - Acharya Narendra Dev College, University ofDelhi, Delhi, India
2 - Maitreyi College, University ofDelhi, Delhi, India ravitoteja@andc.du.ac.in
Heavy metal pollution of water is of major concern these days especially in developing countries like India. Anthropogenic activity elevates the concentration of such elements, mainly in aquatic systems. About 85 percent of the water pollution is caused by domestic and industrial sources. A wide range of contaminants are continuously introduced into the water and among these contaminants, heavy metals due to their toxicity, accumulation and non-degradable nature, constitute one of the most dangerous groups. Prolonged exposure to heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, lead and zinc disturb normal biological function and evoke cellular stress response. Due to stress condition, apart from the release of antioxidant enzymes, other proteins like Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) and Metallothioneins (Mts) are the major ones that get induced and these proteins trigger changes at the
