BIOSYNTHESIS OF PROSTAGLANDINS IN PATHOGENIC AND NONPATHOGENIC STRAINS OF ACANTHAMOEBA SPP

The aim of the present study was to examine the biosynthesis of prosta glandins and to investigate factors conditioning their biosynthesis in pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains of Acanthamoeba spp. We establis hed that the activity of the synthase of prostaglandins was almost ide ntical in pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains and that the synthesis of endoperoxide prostaglandins was similar to that of other organisms up to the point at which prostaglandin H-2 was produced. The course o f biosynthesis in vitro can be activated by various compounds such as glutathione, albumin, and p-chloromercuribenzoic acid (p-CMB), which a re either activators or inhibitors of the enzymes. We suggest that the course of biosynthesis of prostaglandins in vivo is most probably act ivated by tissues or constitutional liquids surrounding the parasites.