Growth and Encystation of Acanthamoeba castellanii

Abstract

SUMMARY: Complete encystment of Acanthamoeba occurred in peptone-yeast extract-glucose medium supplemented with 50 mM-magnesium chloride. There was an increase in the RNA, protein and DNA contents of the cells which coincided with an increase in the proportion of binucleate amoebae and commitment to encystation, suggesting that encystation could be a consequence of the inhibition of cell division when nutrient concentrations were limiting growth.