CYTOPLASMIC DNA IN ENTAMOEBA-HISTOLYTICA - ITS BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

We report a study on the DNA organization in Entamoeba histolytica usi ng a ribosomal DNA probe, The rDNA genes were found forming mers which were separated in a typical ladder pattern by pulse field electrophor esis. DNA rosette structures were visualized through electron microsco py in DNA eluted from bands recognized by the ribosomal probe, The in situ hybridization experiments using a DNA probe suggested that the rD NA genes are portioned between the nucleus and a cytoplasmic structure , These findings provide new data on DNA organization in E., histolyti ca and open the question concerning the presence of a novel organelle in this eukaryotic parasite.