Articles tagged with Protozoa
Scientists discovered a new species of amoeba that can survive and thrive at temperatures up to 70°C (158°F) by changing shape and forming a protective outer layer. The organism's genome has extra genes associated with protein maintenance and DNA repair, helping it cope with extreme heat.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have successfully captured viral infection process under a light microscope using the giant Mimivirus. The footage showcases the proliferation of the virus and its release from cells, highlighting its biological significance in ecosystems.
A Brazilian study published in PNAS suggests that life on Earth was more diverse than classical theory suggests 800 million years ago, with multiple lineages of amoebae and ancestors of plants, algae, and animals already established. The study's findings challenge the long-held paradigm for the Neoproterozoic period and provide new ins...
Scientists have mapped the global repertoire of genes that determine the male or female sexual fates in Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites. This study reveals key regulators of gene expression during development and identifies novel candidate 'driver' genes, shedding light on the complex biology of malaria transmission.
Researchers at the University of Vienna and Wageningen University & Research found that chlamydiae, which live inside host cells, evolved over a billion years ago. They also discovered that some chlamydiae gained important genes through gene transfer from other bacteria, challenging traditional views on endosymbiotic evolution.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that regulating the electrical charge on the inner side of the cell membrane can activate pathways responsible for cell movement. This finding has potential implications for understanding cancer cell migration and immune cell function.
Researchers discovered a new ancient branch of life, Provora, comprising microbial predators that nibble prey to death. These microbes, called nibblerids and nebulids, were found in marine habitats globally and differ by 170-180 nucleotides from all other living things.
Great bustards prefer to eat plants with chemical compounds that kill pathogens in vitro. Corn poppies and purple viper's bugloss contain antiprotozoal and nematicidal compounds, as well as antifungal agents.
A UVA researcher is using a harmless amoeba to develop an innovative treatment for deadly C. difficile infections in young children. The approach has the potential to deliver specific antibodies directly to the gut, reducing the need for antibiotics and addressing a growing public health threat.
A preliminary study found that organic leafy greens are susceptible to contamination with disease-causing bacteria and protozoa, including Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and Helicobacter. The presence of these pathogens inside free-living amoebae suggests a potential risk to public health through contaminated organic vegetables.
Researchers discover medusavirus undergoes four stages of maturation within host cells, with unique particle structures and DNA-protein exchange mechanisms. The findings provide new insights into giant viruses' biology and behavior.
The electronic amoeba, an analog computer inspired by a single-celled organism, has been developed to find approximate solutions to the traveling salesman problem in linear time. The device uses resistance values to represent constraints and requests, allowing for efficient and dynamic optimization.
A study by Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin reveals that the amoeba Entamoeba gingivalis plays a key role in periodontitis, causing inflammation and tissue destruction. The parasite's elimination may improve treatment outcomes for patients with gum disease.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that amoebae build a barrier around their colonies to counteract bacterial attacks. The protein CadA enables the amoebae to recognize specific species and adapt to survive, forming clumps with Gram-negative bacteria and allowing for feeding on the edges.
Scientists discovered a giant virus, Medusavirus, that turns amoebas into stone-like cysts and harbors ancient proteins crucial to eukaryotic life. This finding suggests a possible relationship between the virus and the emergence of complex life.
A newly discovered Medusavirus giant virus provides new insights into host-virus co-evolution, with features including DNA coding for five histones and unique capsid surface proteins. The discovery suggests a lateral gene transfer model between host and virus.
The Vibrio cholerae bacterium has evolved skills to survive in aquatic environments by 'hitchhiking' on predatory amoebas and establishing a replication niche within their osmoregulatory organelle. This adaptation may have contributed to the emergence of V. cholerae as a major human pathogen.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that sugar-binding proteins called lectins are essential for social amoebas and bacteria living together. Lectins protect bacteria from being killed by amoebas and mediate the establishment of a microbiome, allowing bacteria to transfer genetic material to the amoeba.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism used by Xanthomonas citri to resist amoebae, which is controlled by a signaling pathway that enhances its resistance. The study confirms the bacterium's arsenal of mechanisms to withstand environmental competitors and predators.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a mechanism used by bacteria Amoebophilus to shoot micro-daggers that pierce the digestive compartment of an amoeba, allowing it to escape digestion and thrive. The study reveals new insights into bacterial evolution and opens up possibilities for other structural biology investigations.
Researchers found that compounds from the desert creosote bush exhibit powerful anti-parasitic effects, particularly against Giardia and Naegleria fowleri. The study offers a promising lead for developing new antimicrobial agents to combat deadly parasitic infections.
A study by the University of Zaragoza found Giardia and Cryptosporidium in 55% and 70% of drinking water plants, posing a public health risk despite low concentrations. The pathogens are resistant to chlorination and can trigger diarrheic outbreaks.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison study reveals that certain amoebas called dictyostelids can penetrate biofilms and devour bacteria, including multi-drug resistant species. This finding has potential applications in combating antibiotic-resistant infections, such as bacterial keratitis and fire blight.
A new species of testate amoeba, Arcella gandalfi, has been identified in South America with a unique funnel-shaped carapace resembling Gandalf's hat. Its color ranges from light yellow to brown and is considered large for a single-celled organism.
Researchers have solved the mystery of how Paulinella, an amoeba, engulfed a bacterium and harnessed its genes for photosynthesis. The study reveals that microbial genomes can move genes between organisms according to need, and that this process allows for adaptation and evolution.
Dr. Katherine Ralston, a UC Davis microbiologist, has been awarded a 2016 Pew scholarship to study the mechanisms of 'trogocytosis,' or 'cell nibbling,' which allows Entamoeba histolytica to kill cells in the human intestine. This research could lead to new insights into disease prevention.
Research reveals that social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum relies on its symbiotic bacteria to protect itself from environmental toxins, despite having fewer detoxifying sentinel cells. The bacteria help shield the amoebae from toxins, enabling them to thrive even in toxic environments.
A social amoeba uses DNA nets to trap and kill invading bacteria, a mechanism similar to that seen in mammalian immune cells. This discovery highlights the convergent evolution of immune systems across species.
Scientists have found that a social amoeba uses both phagocytosis and DNA nets to defend against bacteria, similar to the human immune system. This discovery could lead to new treatments for chronic granulomatous disease and other immune disorders.
Researchers at UC Davis identified genes linked to electrotaxis in amoebas, which could help understand electrical signals detection. The study's findings may lead to new insights into wound healing and tissue development.
Researchers have discovered the structure of a key protein on the surface of the mimivirus, aiding efforts to determine its hosts and unknown functions. The R135 protein is similar to an enzyme found in a fungus and may participate in biodegrading lignin, suggesting alternative hosts such as algae.
A team of scientists found that cheater amoebae produce fewer high-quality spores, which survive better, suggesting a more balanced system than previously thought. This discovery has implications for developing therapies using socially successful bacteria to fight diseases.
Two new studies from Johns Hopkins shed light on how complex cells detect and respond to minute differences in chemical concentrations. Cells use their internal 'skeleton' to influence gradient detection and movement, with implications for development, immune response, wound healing, and cancer metastasis.
A new paper by UCSB researchers scrutinizes Naegleria fowleri, a heat-loving amoeba causing rare but fatal infections. The study highlights the distinction between sapronotic diseases and conventional infectious diseases.
Scientists have discovered a simple single-celled amoeba that can help understand the function of human proteins in causing Alzheimer's disease. This discovery allows for animal-free testing, paving the way for potential improved treatments for the degenerative disease.
Scientists studying the wild strain of the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum discovered that some clones can farm bacteria and carry defensive symbionts to protect their crops. The researchers isolated wild clones from soil and found that these clones were more complex than previously thought.
Researchers identified genetic controls that enable social amoebas to differentiate between gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The study found nearly 800 genes activated when exposed to gram-negative bacteria, highlighting a key role for a specific gene in degrading bacterial cell walls.
Researchers found that tiny single-cell organisms are spreading rapidly through the world's oceans, stabilizing coastlines and reefs with their calcareous shells. By 2100, these protozoa may spread closer to the poles, occupying ecological niches left by corals.
Experiments with social amoebae reveal that cooperation depends on kinship, and population bottlenecks can stabilize cellular cooperation. The study found that nearly all multicellular organisms begin life as a single cell, and that cheater mutants are more likely to occur in groups where relatedness is low.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine identified a genetic 'lock and key' mechanism in social amoebae that enables cells to recognize kin from non-kin. The proteins TgrB1 and TgrC1, with immunoglobulin folds, act as a lock and key, facilitating cooperation and aggregation among genetically similar cells.
A new technology using tiny protozoa to detect toxins in water sources may provide unprecedented assessment of the world's water supplies. The Swimming Behavioral Spectrophotometer (SBS) can detect chemicals, pesticides, and biological warfare agents with near-instant feedback.
The completed genome of Naegleria gruberi sheds light on the transition from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, showcasing a single-celled organism with multiple identities. The analysis reveals genes associated with cellular movement and energy production, providing insights into the evolution of eukaryotic organisms.
In a study published in Nature, researchers found that cooperative amoebas can evolve genetic defenses against cheaters, preserving collective behavior. The Dictyostelium discoideum mutants discovered by the Rice-Baylor team demonstrated a remarkable ability to resist cheater cells and maintain altruistic traits.
The analysis of a 100-million-year-old termite in amber has revealed the oldest example of mutualism between an animal and microorganism, showing that termites depend on protozoa to digest wood. The study also found new fossil flagellate species, a new species of termite, and other discoveries.
Scientists have discovered that Salmonella uses a secretion system to protect itself inside amoeba, allowing it to survive and multiply. This finding has significant implications for controlling the spread of Salmonella in water supplied to animals.
In a breakthrough study, researchers discovered that social amoebas form multi-cellular organisms with genetically similar 'kin' to ensure survival. By aggregating based on genetic similarity rather than true kinship, cells can increase their chances of reproducing and passing on their genes.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, discovered a protein compass that helps amoebas find bacteria by scent. This molecular switch is also shared with human immune cells to locate infection sites.
Researchers found a new enzyme, EhROM1, that helps the dysentery-causing amoeba evade the immune system. The enzyme is part of an ancient group of enzymes used by malaria parasites to enter host cells.
A study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology found that some protozoa are globally dispersed, while others are geographically restricted, suggesting a moderate degree of endemicity. The analysis used a new fast-evolving DNA marker to reveal higher biodiversity than previously thought.
The discovery of an immune system in a social amoeba suggests that multicellularity may have originated from ancient signaling mechanisms. The study identifies a 'sentinel' cell that circulates within the slug, eliminating bacteria and toxins through a Toll/Interleukin-1 Receptor domain protein pathway.
Dennis Hong, a Virginia Tech professor, has developed a robotic locomotion mechanism that mimics the motion of an amoeba. The Whole Skin Locomotion (WSL) mechanism enables robots to squeeze through narrow spaces and navigate challenging terrain with ease.
Researchers have produced the first molecular 'dictionary' of social amoeba species, revealing a major trend in the evolution of increased cell specialization and organism size. The study provides a powerful tool to examine molecular mechanisms driving evolution and development.
A study found that Acanthamoeba polyphagam increases MRSA numbers 1000-fold by providing a survival environment. The released bacteria are more invasive and less susceptible to biocides.
MRSA has been found to infect a species of amoeba, which can help the bacteria spread between locations. This discovery raises concerns about hospital hygiene and the potential for MRSA to emerge more resistant to antibiotics and virulent.
A study published in PNAS reveals a short protein, SDF-2, used by Dictyostelium to synchronize spore formation, similar to DBI found in human brains. The discovery confirms the organism's potential as an experimental system for studying cell communication.
The sequencing of Dictyostelium's genome has clarified its relationship to humans, revealing nearly twice as many protein coding genes as fungi. This increase in gene function information makes it a more effective model for discovering targets for drugs against human diseases.
The E. histolytica genome sequence shows a degraded core genome with retained and expanded gene families characteristic of more complex organisms. This study provides insights into the amoeba's unusual shared biology with anaerobic gut bacteria, shedding light on its metabolic processes and potential drug targets.
PTEN, a cancer-suppressing protein, directs cells by anchoring to the cell membrane and regulating phosphate groups. Its presence helps cells move forward while restricting movement at the back, crucial for sensing direction. The findings could have implications in understanding cancer spread and metastasis.
Researchers successfully imaged single molecules of cAMP binding to receptors on the surface of living amoebae, providing new insights into chemotaxis and cell movement. The study's real-time video reveals how receptors behave when detecting cAMP gradients, allowing cells to respond faster to changes in their environment.