Action mechanisms of the secondary metabolite euplotin C: Signaling and functional role in Euplotes

Francesca Trielli, Davide Cervia, Graziano Di Giuseppe, Chiara Ristori, Thomas Kruppel, Bruno Burlando, Graziano Guella, Aldo Viarengo, Paola Bagnoli, Maria Umberta Delmonte Corrado, Fernando Dini

Risultato della ricerca: Contributo su rivistaArticolo in rivistapeer review

Abstract

Among secondary metabolites, the acetylated hemiacetal sesquiterpene euplotin C has been isolated from the marine, ciliated protist Euplotes crassus, and provides an effective mechanism for reducing populations of potential competitors through its cytotoxic properties. However, intracellular signaling mechanisms and their functional correlates mediating the ecological role of euplotin C are largely unknown. We report here that, in E. vannus (an Euplotes morphospecies that does not produce euplotin C and shares with E. crasssus the same interstitial habitat), euplotin C rapidly increases the intracellular concentration of both Ca2+ and Na+, suggesting a generalized effect of this metabolite on cation transport systems. In addition, euplotin C does not induce oxidative stress, but modulates the electrical properties of E. vannus through an increase of the amplitude of graded action potentials. These events parallel the disassembling of the ciliary structures, the inhibition of cell motility, the occurrence of aberrant cytoplasmic vacuoles, and the rapid inhibition of phagocytic activity. Euplotin C also increases lysosomal pH and decreases lysosomal membrane stability of E. vannus. These results suggest that euplotin C exerts a marked disruption of those homeostatic mechanisms whose efficiency represents the essential prerequisite to face the challenges of the interstitial environment.

Lingua originaleInglese
pagine (da-a)365-373
Numero di pagine9
RivistaJournal of Eukaryotic Microbiology
Volume55
Numero di pubblicazione5
DOI
Stato di pubblicazionePubblicato - set 2008
Pubblicato esternamente

Fingerprint

Entra nei temi di ricerca di 'Action mechanisms of the secondary metabolite euplotin C: Signaling and functional role in Euplotes'. Insieme formano una fingerprint unica.

Cita questo