Peptide stimulation of phagocytosis inAmoeba proteus

摘要

The tripeptide n-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (NFMLP) at low levels (10−9M) localized in a glass micropipette elicits a positive chemotactic response inAmoeba proteus. Peptide in solution at higher concentrations (10−5M) stimulates food vacuole formation. Vacuoles induced by NFMLP result from the fusion of pseudopods which, in turn, entrap a portion of the external medium. Food vacuole formation stimulated by NFMLP is dependent on the concentration of calcium in the external medium. The binding of NFMLP to the amoeba surface may bring about a movement of calcium into the cell which can be inhibited with calcium-channel block