Effects of surface-active alkyltrimethylammonium salts on concanavalin A-mediated agglutination in Acanthamoeba castellanii
Paatero, G.; Isomaa, B.; Johansson, M.; Kiiskinen, G.
European Journal of Cell Biology 25(1): 66-70
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0171-9335 PMID: 7285960 Document Number: 177281
Pretreatment of A. castellanii (Neff strain) with sublytic concentrations of surface-active alkyltrimethylammonium salts (C12, C14, C16) enhanced Con concanavalin A-mediated agglutination of the amoebae. Treatment with the surfactants alone did not affect the spontaneous agglutination of the amoebae. EM (scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy) examinations of amoebae treated with sublytic concentrations of the surfactants did not reveal any significant alterations in cell shape or in cell surface morphology in treated cells. The binding of 3H Con A to the amoebae was not affected by pretreatment with sublytic concentrations of the surfactants. The increase in Con A-mediated agglutination in surfactant-treated amoebae may be due to a fluidizing effect of the surfactants on plasma membrane of the amoebae.