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J Water Health 2019 Feb;17(1):160-171

Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia E-mail:

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of free-living amoebae (FLA) in Peninsular Malaysia and to compare different methodologies to detect them from water samples. Water samples were collected from tap water, recreational places, water dispensers, filtered water, etc. and tested for FLA using both cultivation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) via plating assays and centrifugation methods. Read More

Eur J Protistol 2019 Jan 28;68:88-98. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Institute of Tropical Medicine and Specific Prophylaxis, Centre for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Nuclear group I introns are parasitic mobile genetic elements occurring in the ribosomal RNA genes of a large variety of microbial eukaryotes. In Acanthamoeba, group I introns were found occurring in the 18S rDNA at four distinct insertion sites. Introns are present as single elements in various strains belonging to four genotypes, T3 (A. Read More

J Virol 2019 Feb 6. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 162-8601, Japan

Recent discoveries of new large DNA viruses reveal high diversity in their morphologies, genetic repertoires, and replication strategies. Here, we report the novel features of Medusavirus, a large DNA virus newly isolated from hot spring water in Japan. Medusavirus with a diameter of 260 nm shows a T=277 icosahedral capsid with unique spherical-headed spikes on its surface. Read More

Arq Bras Oftalmol 2019 Mar-Apr;82(2):103-106. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Fundación Oftalmológica Los Andes, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile.

Purpose: To report our initial experience in the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis with accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with Acanthamoeba keratitis with progressive corneal melting who were treated with accelerated collagen cross-linking.

Results: A total of 6 eyes (5 patients) were reviewed. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol 2019 Feb 2. Epub 2019 Feb 2.

Aravind Eye Hospital and Post-Graduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, India 641014.

Purpose: To ascertain the incidence of Acanthamoeba Keratitis, and the co-existence of Acanthamoeba & fungi in microbial keratitis Design; A prospective cross-sectional study METHODS: Patients presenting with stromal keratitis were additionally tested for Acanthamoeba irrespective of the clinical diagnosis. Culture positivity was the gold standard RESULTS: Of the 401 cases included in the study, 40 were positive for Acanthamoeba (10 %), 16 of these 40 were positive for both Acanthamoeba and fungi (4.5% of the Study Group was Acanthamoeba and fungal Keratitis positive); 5/40 for Acanthamoeba and bacteria; 2/40 had triple infection with Acanthamoeba, fungi and bacteria. Read More

Ann Parasitol 2018 ;64(4):317-322

Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Nowogrodzka 73, 02-018 Warsaw, Poland

Acanthamoeba species are ubiquitous in natural and man-made environments worldwide; some strains are able to colonize human eyes as facultative parasites. It has been shown that environmental and clinical isolates/species of Acanthamoeba vary in their pathogenicity. In this study we examine and compare the in vitro effects of the changing temperature on the population dynamics of subsequent amoebic strains. Read More

Ann Parasitol 2018 ;64(4):299-308

Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Biotechnology and Laboratory Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland

Amoebas from the genus Acanthamoeba are cosmopolitan organisms, which can exist as free-living organisms and as parasites within host tissue. Acanthamoeba infection present a serious risk to human health and are characterized by high mortality, especially in immunocompromised individuals. These protozoa are the etiological factors of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) and Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). Read More

Bioengineering (Basel) 2019 Feb 1;6(1). Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro 24210-130, Brazil.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous compartments of distinct cellular origin and biogenesis, displaying different sizes and include exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. The EVs have been described in almost every living organism, from simple unicellular to higher evolutionary scale multicellular organisms, such as mammals. Several functions have been attributed to these structures, including roles in energy acquisition, cell-to-cell communication, gene expression modulation and pathogenesis. Read More

Ann Parasitol 2018 ;64(4):285–297

Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Farah Abad Road, Sari, Iran

Acanthamoeba, an opportunistic protozoan parasite, is distributed in the environment globally, causes serious human infections, including a fatal encephalitis and keratitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and genotyping of Acanthamoeba spp. from different water and soil sources in Iran. Read More

Parasitol Res 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.

In this work, the presence of free-living amoebae (FLA) in dishcloths collected from human activity related places was evaluated. Once in the laboratory, 6 cm pieces of each dishcloth were cut and washed with Page's Amoeba Solution (PAS) in sterile tubes. After washing, the dishcloth pieces were removed, and the tubes were centrifuged (1500 rpm for 10 min). Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2019 ;1921:191-204

Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.

Legionella pneumophila resides in multispecies biofilms, where it infects and replicates in environmental protozoa such as Acanthamoeba castellanii. Studies on L. pneumophila physiology and host-pathogen interactions are frequently conducted using clonal bacterial populations and population level analysis, overlooking the remarkable differences in single cell behavior. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2019 ;1921:79-89

Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.

The amoeba-resistant bacterium Legionella pneumophila infects humans through aerosols and thereby can cause a life-threatening pneumonia termed Legionnaires' disease. In the environment L. pneumophila forms and colonizes biofilms, which usually comprise complex multispecies communities. Read More

Acta Parasitol 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Medical School, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

PURPOSE : The present study aimed to investigate the amoebicidal and amoebistatic efects of Artemisia argyi leaf methanolic extract by testing the effects on trophozoites and on cysts. We also determined cytotoxic effect, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities, total phenolic, lavonoid and antioxidative contents of A. argyi. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2019 Jan 25;12(1):58. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Subdepartamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Av. Marathon 1000, Ñuñoa, CP 7780050, Santiago, Chile.

Background: Acanthamoeba spp. are the causative agents of a severe keratitis occurring mainly in contact lens wearers. The genus comprises more than 24 species that are currently divided into 20 different genotypes (T1-T20) according to sequence variations in the 18S rRNA gene. Read More

Chemosphere 2019 Mar 11;219:971-980. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.

Drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) may be a "Trojan Horse" for some waterborne diseases caused by opportunistic pathogens (OPs). In this study, two simulated DWDS inoculated with groundwater were treated with chlorine (Cl) and ultraviolet/chlorine (UV/Cl) respectively to compare their effects on the OPs distributed in four different phases (bulk water, biofilms, corrosion products, and loose deposits) of DWDS. 16S rRNA genes sequencing and qPCR were used to profile microbial community and quantify target genes of OPs, respectively. Read More

Nat Prod Res 2019 Jan 24:1-6. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

a Unité de recherche: Valorisation des Ressources Naturelles, Molécules Bioactives et Analyses Physicochimiques et Biologiques , Université Frères Mentouri , Constantine , Algérie.

This study was performed on the derived fractions [chloroform (FT-C), ethyl acetate (FT-E) and n-butanol (FT-B)] of the 70% ethanol extract prepared from Frankenia thymifolia, endemic to North Africa. The fractions showed high total phenolic and flavonoid contents particularly FT-E. These results agreed with their antioxidant effects. Read More

Indian J Med Res 2018 10;148(4):456-459

Department of Medical Parasitology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh 160 012, India.

Parasite Epidemiol Control 2019 Feb 29;4:e00081. Epub 2018 Dec 29.

Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki 036-8564, Japan.

Objectives: Microorganisms in environmental samples are identified by sequential screening, isolation, and culture steps, followed by the verification of physiological characteristics and morphological classification. Isolation and purification of Amoebae from soil samples is extremely complex, laborious, and time-consuming and require considerable expertise for morphological evaluation. PCR testing of soil DNA seems to be an effective means for protozoa habitat screening. Read More

Infect Genet Evol 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Microbiology, Government Institute of Science, Mumbai, India. Electronic address:

Background: Mycobacterium leprae being an obligate intracellular parasite cannot be cultured in any artificial culture media but it has been shown to reside in wild armadillos in North America. Many studies suggested that M. leprae could be found in the environment and may have a role in continuing transmission of the disease. Read More

Cell Microbiol 2019 Jan 17:e13008. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

The causative agent of tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and its close relative Mycobacterium marinum manipulate phagocytic host cells, thereby creating a replication-permissive compartment termed the Mycobacterium-containing vacuole (MCV). The phosphoinositide (PI) lipid pattern is a crucial determinant of MCV formation and is targeted by mycobacterial PI phosphatases. In this study, we establish an efficient phage transduction protocol to construct defined M. Read More

Exp Parasitol 2019 Feb 12;197:29-35. Epub 2019 Jan 12.

Faculty of Superior Studies Iztacala, UNAM. Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico. Electronic address:

Free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are the etiological agents of cutaneous lesions, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) and amoebic keratitis (AK), which are chronic infections with poor prognosis if not diagnosed promptly. Currently, there is no optimal therapeutic scheme to eradicate the pathologies these protozoa cause. In this study we report the morphological and molecular identification of three species of the genus Acanthamoeba, belonging to T4 group; A. Read More

Cornea 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Ophthalmology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.

Purpose: Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe vision-threatening ocular infection that is frequently a diagnostic challenge. Treatment course is lengthy and often not fully effective. Contact lens wear has been recognized as the prime risk factor for AK. Read More

Korean J Parasitol 2018 Dec 31;56(6):615-618. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, P.R. China.

Members of genus Acanthamoeba are widely distributed in the environment. Some are pathogenic and cause keratitis and fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. In this study, we isolated an Acanthamoeba CJW/W1 strain from tap water in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China. Read More

Korean J Parasitol 2018 Dec 31;56(6):553-558. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Department of Medical Zoology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul 02447, Korea.

Pathogenic Acanthamoeba spp. cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and keratitis. Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare but serious ocular infection that can result in permanent visual impairment or blindness. Read More

Parasitol Res 2019 Feb 7;118(2):641-651. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh, UK.

Acanthamoeba is a widely distributed opportunistic parasite which causes a vision-threatening keratitis and a life-threatening encephalitis. The cyst stage of this amoeba is especially resistant to currently used therapeutics and so alternative agents are urgently required. Growing evidence supports the existence of a programmed cell death system (PCD) in Acanthamoeba and while some features are shared by higher eukaryote cells, others differ. Read More

Br J Ophthalmol 2019 Jan 5. Epub 2019 Jan 5.

School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Queensland, Australia.

Aims: To estimate the incidence of culture-positive microbial keratitis in Queensland and analyse trends in the organisms and their sensitivities cultured from corneal scrapes, especially low-incidence organisms.

Methods: Retrospective multicentre case series of all positive corneal scrapes in Queensland, Australia between 2005 and 2015. Pathology organisations in Queensland were identified by online and local directory search and agreed to participate. Read More

Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2018 Dec 16;6(12):2290-2294. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Arak Branch, Arak, Iran.

Aim: A previous study confirmed the contamination of water sources with this parasite in Arak, Markazi Province, Iran. The current study investigated soil sources and determined the predominant genotype of Acanthamoeba in this region of Iran.

Material And Methods: Forty-eight soil samples, collected from different regions of Arak, Markazi province, Iran, were evaluated in this study. Read More

Ann Agric Environ Med 2018 Dec 3;25(4):725-731. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Medical Biology, Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.

Introduction: Free-living amoebae, ubiquitous in outer environments, in predisposing circumstances may exist as parasites, infectious agents of Acanthamoeba keratitis. In recent decades, the vision-threatening corneal infection is a growing human health threat worldwide, including Poland. The applied therapy is often ineffective due to diagnostic mistakes, various pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba strains and high resistance of cysts to drugs; many agents with possible anti-amoebic activity are still being tested. Read More

Biocontrol Sci 2018 ;23(4):241-244

Department of Microbiology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University.

Acanthamoeba castellanii, a ubiquitous organism in water environments, is pathogenic toward humans and also is a host for bacteria of the genus Legionella, a causative agent of legionellosis. Fragrance ingredients were investigated for their antibacterial activity against planktonic Legionella pneumophila, amoebicidal activity against A. castellanii, and inhibitory effect against L. Read More

Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2019 Mar 19;1863(3):521-527. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, 61-614 Poznan, Umultowska St. 89, Poland. Electronic address:

Background: During standard gene cloning, the recombinant protein appearing in bacteria as the result of expression leakage very often inhibits cell proliferation leading to blocking of the cloning procedure. Although different approaches can reduce transgene basal expression, the recombinant proteins, which even in trace amounts inhibit bacterial growth, can completely prevent the cloning process.

Methods: Working to solve the problem of DNase II-like cDNA cloning, we developed a novel cloning approach. Read More

Parasite Immunol 2019 Feb;41(2):e12612

Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.

Aim: Acanthamoeba infections are characterized by an intense localized innate immune response associated with an influx of macrophages. Acanthamoeba protease production is known to affect virulence. Herein, the ability of Acanthamoeba trophozoite proteases, of either the laboratory Neff strain or a recently isolated clinical strain, to stimulate IL-12 and IL-6 and to activate protease-activated receptors, PAR and PAR expressed on murine macrophages, was investigated. Read More

Clin Ophthalmol 2018 10;12:2567-2573. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Ophthalmology, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Saitama, Japan,

Purpose: To determine risk factors and clinical signs for severe keratitis (AK) by comparing severe cases with mild cases with good prognosis.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed medical records of ten cases of AK (five males and five females) referred to our hospital and classified cases into two groups. One eye that required therapeutic keratoplasty and three eyes with a poor visual acuity (<0. Read More

J Environ Sci (China) 2019 Mar 26;77:20-31. Epub 2018 Apr 26.

Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.

In this study, qPCR was used to quantify opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) and free-living amoebae in 11 tap water samples collected over four seasons from a city in northern China. Results demonstrated that the average numbers of gene copies of Legionella spp. and Mycobacterium spp. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Dec 19;19(12). Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland.

The pathological process occurring within the central nervous system (CNS) as a result of the infection by spp. is not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether spp. Read More

Ophthalmology 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Jhaveri Microbiology Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.

Front Microbiol 2018 5;9:2962. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo CEU, CEU Universities, Madrid, Spain.

The genus comprises more than 60 species, and about half are associated with infection. is the most commonly associated with these infections and by far the most studied, but non- species, such as , , etc., may also present clinical importance. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Dec 3;11(1). Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Microbiology, Aravind Eye Hospital Coimbatore, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

The oomycete and the protozoan can cause fulminant and recalcitrant keratitis, respectively. These infections are not only sight-threatening but can also threaten the structural integrity of the eye. A high index of suspicion is required to identify keratitis given its uncommon occurrence. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 12 17;12(12):e0006979. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Parasitology School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea.

Background: In previous studies, we suggested that Acanthamoeba is a new aero-allergen and that patients who showed positive results for the skin-prick test response to Acanthamoeba cross-reacted with several pollen allergens. Additionally, patients with common antibodies reacted to the 13-15 kDa Acanthamoeba unknown allergen.

Objective: We examined whether profilin of Acanthamoeba is a human airway allergic agent because of its molecular weight. Read More

J Curr Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 19;30(4):377-380. Epub 2018 Mar 19.

Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Purpose: To report a rare and complicated case of acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) presented with total necrosis and dislodgment of cornea, iris, and crystalline lens with exposure of vitreous hyaloids face.

Methods: Case report of 28-year-old female referred to the Farabi Eye Hospital with a history of known left eye AK since 4 months earlier. She also had a history of soft contact lens wear for two years and topical steroid use before proper diagnosis. Read More

Int J Pharm 2019 Feb 12;556:330-337. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Service Pharmaceutique, Plateforme Fripharm, Groupe Hospitalier Centre Edouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 5, Place d'Arsonval, F-69437 Lyon Cedex 03, France; Université de Lyon, Laboratoire de Pharmacie Galénique Industrielle, UMR-CNRS 5305, Plateforme Fripharm, ISPB-Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8, Avenue Rockefeller, F-69373 Lyon Cedex 08, France. Electronic address: http://fripharm.com.

Poor bioavailability and low residence time limit the efficiency of conventional biguanide-based eye drops against Acanthamoeba keratitis. The aim of this work was to formulate an original anti-amoebic thermoreversible ocular gel combining biguanide and metalloproteases inhibitor - chelating agent. Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX)-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (NaEDTA) were compounded in poloxamer 407 saline solution. Read More

Eye (Lond) 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.

J Virol 2019 Mar 19;93(5). Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Giant viruses are complex members of the virosphere, exhibiting outstanding structural and genomic features. Among these viruses, the pandoraviruses are some of the most intriguing members, exhibiting giant particles and genomes presenting at up to 2.5 Mb, with many genes having no known function. Read More

Small 2019 Jan 7;15(2):e1804436. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China.

Drinking water treatment processes (DWTPs) impact pathogen colonization and microbial communities in finished water; however, their efficacies against opportunistic pathogens are not fully understood. In this study, the effects of treatment steps on the removal of Legionella spp., Legionella pneumophila, nontuberculous mycobacteria, Mycobacterium avium, and two amoeba hosts (Vermamoeba vermiformis, Acanthamoeba) are evaluated in two parallel trains of DWTPs equipped with different pretreatment units. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 12 3;15(12). Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Egaleo, Greece.

A growing number of people undertake international travel, and yet faster growth of such travel is expected in the tropics. Information on the hazards presented by pool and hot spring waters in tropical countries is very limited. This review aims to collate available information on pool water quality, alongside data on cases and outbreaks associated with swimming in pools in tropical regions affecting both local populations and travellers. Read More

Turk J Pediatr 2018 ;60(3):340-343

Division of Infectious Diseases, İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey.

Sütçü M, Aktürk H, Gülümser-Şişko S, Acar M, Erol OB, Somer A, Bilgiç B, Salman N. Granulomatous amebic encephalitis caused by Acanthamoeba in an immuncompetent child. Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60: 340-343. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2018 Nov 26;11(1):604. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.

Background: Acanthamoeba spp. can cause serious human infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and cutaneous acanthamoebiasis. Cysteine biosynthesis and the L-serine metabolic pathway play important roles in the energy metabolism of Acanthamoeba spp. Read More

Exp Parasitol 2019 Jan 22;196:22-27. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Island, Spain.

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a sight-threatening corneal infection. The early symptoms include redness, pain, photophobia and intense tearing. Chronic infection usually progresses to stromal inflammation, ring ulcers, corneal opacification and hypopyon. Read More

J Mol Evol 2019 Jan 20;87(1):7-15. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Laboratório de Genética Evolutiva Paulo Leminsk, Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciencias Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil.

The definition of a genomic signature (GS) is "the total net response to selective pressure". Recent isolation and sequencing of naturally occurring organisms, hereby named entoorganisms, within Acanthamoeba polyphaga, raised the hypothesis of a common genomic signature despite their diverse and unrelated evolutionary origin. Widely accepted and implemented tests for GS detection are oligonucleotide relative frequencies (OnRF) and relative codon usage (RCU) surveys. Read More

Biophys Rev 2018 Dec 16;10(6):1481-1482. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan.

In this short review, I describe a brief history of the discovery of myosin I isolated from Acanthamoeba in 1973 by Tom Pollard and Ed Korn. Today, myosins form a large "family tree" that includes more than 30 types of myosins. I discuss the importance of the relationship among actin, myosin, and other actin-binding proteins, many of which were pioneered by Pollard-san ("-san" is a Japanese honorific suffix showing respect, politeness and friendship). Read More