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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Ref ID : 4190

J. Florin-Christensen, M. Florin-Christensen, J. Knudsen, and L. Rasmussen; Cytolytic Activity Released from Tetrahymena. J.Protozool. 32(4):657-660, 1985

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Using a hemolytic assay system, we have detected cytolytic activities in extracellular medium from Tetrahymena thermophila and T. pyriformis. In addition, we have identical two phospholipase activities (types A and C) from the same source by thin layer chromatography analysis of the breakdown products of a phospholipid preparation. The hemolytic activity peaks at low pH values. It is inhibited by egg lecithin, supporting the view that a phospholipase activity is involved in the cytolytic processes. Cytolytic activities may play important roles in Tetrahymena, both in nutrition, especially in parasitic and scavenger forms, and in defense against predators. Tetrahymena is probably partly protected from its own released cytolytic phospholipase by having a high proportion of phosphonolipids on its surface membrane.