THE EFFECTS OF MERCAPTOETHANOL UPON FORM AND MOVEMENT OF AMOEBA PROTEUS

¹ Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

The effects on Amoeba proteus of mercaptoethanol solutions of varying concentrations were studied. In 10^-1 M mercaptoethanol the amoebae lose their pseudopodia and after several hours undergo cytolysis. Amoebae immersed in lesser concentrations (10^-3 to 10^-5M) maintain an apparently normal form and normal movement. The effects of mercaptoethanol on the stability of the pseudopodia. as indicated by their resistance to the solational action of high pressure, showed a distinct loss of pseudopodial stability. The decreased stability of the pseudopodia induced by these mercaptoethanol solutions indicated a pressure differential of 500 lbs./in. 2 (at 20° C.), in comparison with the pseudopodial stability of control amoebae. This loss of stability in the mercaptoethanol-treated amoebae is interpreted as a weakening of the plasmagel structure of the amoeba. The experiments also suggest that the sol-gel equilibrium in amoeba is a thiol-sensitive system and that interference with this system inhibits protoplasmic gelation and reduces pseudopodial stability.