ULTRASTRUCTURAL-LOCALIZATION OF BASIC-PROTEINS OF BLASTOCYSTIS-HOMINIS

Basic proteins of Blastocystis hominis were detected by the ammoniacal silver and ethanolic phosphotungstic acid techniques using electron m icroscopy. The central vacuole showed many silver grains when treated with ammoniacal silver and an increased electron density when treated with phosphotungstic acid. The intensity of positive reactions correla ted with the electron density of the central vacuole, because cells ha ving an electron-lucent central vacuole showed no silver grain deposit s. Since it is known that the concentration of electron-dense material s in the central vacuole increases during log phase of growth, and the n decreases in stationary phase, this organelle must accumulate basic proteins during cell growth.