Influence of Heterologous Transplant of DNA-lacking Mitochondria from Entamoeba histolytica on Proliferation of Entamoeba invadens.

In mitochondria, compatibility of proteins encoded in mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA is essential for normal function of the organelle. Incompatibility between mitochondrial and nuclear DNA can lead to dysfunctional respiration, mitochondrial diseases and lethal problems, which suggests that the presence of heterologous mitochondria is unfavorable. In a previous study, we established a transplant method for DNA-lacking mitochondria (mitosomes) in the anaerobic protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. In this study, interspecies transplant of mitosomes from E. histolytica into E. invadens, which is a parasitic protozoon of reptiles, was performed using the microinjection method at various temperatures and injection volumes. When E. invadens was used as recipient, it showed higher tolerance to a lower temperature and larger injection volume, in comparison with E. histolytica. After microinjection, donor mitosomes expressing HA-tag conjugated protein were observed in recipient cells by immunofluorescent staining. Growth rate of the microinjected-cells was similar to that of intact cells. These observations suggest that heterologous transplant of mitosomes between Entamoeba species were successful without affect proliferation. Therefore, we conclude that interspecies transplant of DNA-lacking mitochondria does not result in incompatibility. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.