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The Effect of Homologous Rabbit Antiserum on the Growth of Leishmania tarentolae —a Fine Structure Study
Author(s) -
STRAUSS PHYLLIS R.
Publication year - 1971
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.1550-7408.1971.tb03297.x
Subject(s) - antiserum , multinucleate , cytokinesis , homologous chromosome , syncytium , biology , membrane , microbiology and biotechnology , cell division , cell , chemistry , antibody , biochemistry , genetics , gene
SYNOPSIS. The fine structure of Leishmania tarentolae growing in the presence of homologous rabbit antiserum was investigated. Immediately after agglutination of the promastigotes, a dense band between pellicles of adjacent cells could be seen, and a surface coat was rendered visible. The cells did not fuse. At dilutions of antiserum from 1:100–1:1200 the promastigotes continued to grow, forming large masses. By 5 days these consisted of individual cells adhering to one another. In cross‐section, any 2 cells were separated by 2 membranes with associated subpellicular fibrils and a dense band between the 2 membranes. The term syncytium generally refers to a multinucleate cell originating by fusion of several cells and has been used to mean a multinucleate cell arising from nuclear division unaccompanied by cytokinesis. Therefore, it is unlikely that the masses formed in the presence of homologous antiserum are syncytia.