Opisthorchis viverrini: the effects of colchicine and cytochalasin B on the adult tegument
Sobhon, P.; Apinhasmit, W.
Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 27(2): 312-318
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-1562 PMID: 9279995 Document Number: 468611
The roles of the tegumental cytoskeleton were investigated by treating adult Opisthorchis viverrini with colchicine and cytochalasin B. Following a short incubation period (10-20 minutes), colchicine disrupted microtubules in the tegumental cells' processes, which affected the transport of dense granules from the cells' soma to the tegument. As a result, some of these granules were fused together to form membrane-bound vacuoles. In addition, microtrabeculae were also depolymerized, which resulted in the formation of non-membrane-bound vacuoles and the distension of microvilli to form blebs, some of which were disrupted. After prolonged incubation (120 minutes), general breakdown of the tegumental cytoskeleton occurred, and parts of it were sloughed off. With cytochalasin B treatment, the responses were similar to those of colchicine but with less severity. After a short incubation period (10-20 minutes), the microtrabeculae were depolymerized; this led to the formation of non-membrane-bound vacuoles in the apical and middle zones of the tegument. Later, the tegumental microvilli were distended to form blebs but no evidence of tegumental sloughing occurred even after prolonged incubation. It is concluded that microtubules played a role in the translocation of granules from the tegumental cells to the tegument which modulated the synthesis of membrane and glycocalyx, while microtrabeculae were involved in the maintenance of the structure and integrity of the tegument.