Localization study for lysosome enzyme (Beta-hexosaminidase)‎ in the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract EN

Dictyostelium discoideum possesses many kinds of lysosomal enzyme family member.

Those lysosomal enzymes appear to be very similar in homology to those found in higher eukaryotes.

There is growing evidence that lysosomes are not only degradative organelles but are also involved in other critical cellular processes.

Beta-hexosaminidase (NagA) is one of the most important lysosome enzymes.

We used the model organism D.

discoideum to study this protein.

One separate mutant cell line was first analyzed, cell line was overexpressed (Green fluorescent protein) GFP-tagged NagA (GFP-NagA).

Microscopic analysis of cells expressing GFP-NagA revealed that NagA was associated with lysosomes.

Subjecting these cells to selected lysosome prob provided additional support for these findings.

To test if the protein is found in the Golgi complex and the endosome, we used wheat germ and RITC-Dextran.

Compared with wild-type cells, the GFP-NagA over-expressing cells were susceptible to osmotic stress.