Entamoeba invadens: enhancement of excystation and metacystic development by cytochalasin D.

Effects of three actin-modifying drugs, cytochalasin D, latrunculin A, and jasplakinolide, on the excystation and metacystic development in vitro of Entamoeba invadens were examined by transfer of the cysts to growth medium with the drugs. Cytochalasin D unexpectedly increased the number of metacystic amoebae of E. invadens strain IP-1 during incubation. Metacystic development, which was determined by the number of nuclei of metacystic amoebae, was faster in the culture with cytochalasin D than in the culture without the drug. These results suggest that cytochalasin D enhances the excystation and metacystic development. In contrast, latrunculin A and jasplakinolide inhibited these process. No excystation occurred in encystation medium even in the presence of cytochalasin D, suggesting that growth medium is essential for excystation. Excystation was further enhanced when the cysts were incubated with cytochalasin D before culture in growth medium with the drug. The enhancing effect of cytochalasin D on the excystation and metacystic development was abrogated by jasplakinolide. Thus, the results indicate that cytochalasin D, unlike latrunculin A and jasplakinolide, caused enhancement of the excystation and metacystic development of this parasite. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.