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Distribution of the DNA and the DNA‐Histone Antigens in the Nuclei of Free‐Living and Parasitic Sarcomastigophora
Author(s) -
STEWART JOHN M.,
BECK J. SWANSON
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1967.tb01988.x
Subject(s) - biology , histone , dna , anti nuclear antibody , nuclear dna , antigen , microbiology and biotechnology , antibody , genetics , mitochondrial dna , autoantibody , gene
SYNOPSIS. Sixty‐seven species of the subphylum Sarcomastigophora were stained with 2 human antinuclear antibodies to detect the corresponding nuclear antigens, using the indirect immunofluorescence technic. One antinuclear serum contained an antibody to DNA and the other an antibody to DNA linked to histone (DNA‐H). Results were classified according to the revised classification of the Society of Protozoologists' Committee on Taxonomy and Taxanomic Problems (1964). The DNA antigen was detected in the nuclei of all species studied. The DNA‐H antigen was found in all the freeliving species examined, but it was not present in any of the 40 parasitic species tested. The free‐living species of Sarcodina studied represented the orders Amoebida (families Amoebidae, Mayorellidae) and Actinophryida. Parasitic species tested were all from the Amoebida. Within the Mastigophora, free‐living species were examined from the orders Cryptomonadida, Euglenida, Volvocida, Dinoflagellida, Kinetoplastida (suborder Bodonina), and Rhizomastigida. Parasitic species studied represented the orders Kinetoplastida (suborder Trypanosomatina), Trichomonadida and Rhizomastigida. It is suggested that the absence of the DNA‐H antigen in parasitic species is perhaps linked with the inability of these species to survive in a free‐living environment.