Amoeboid Locomotion of Acanthamoeba castellanii with Special Reference to Cell-Substratum Interactions

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Abstract
The amoeboid locomotion of A. castellanii was studied by observation of individual cells moving on a planar glass substratum. Cell-substratum interactions involved in traction were observed by reflexion interference microscopy. A variable part of the ventral surface of A. castellanii formed a protean platform, the associated contact, from which filopodia were subtended; these established stable, focal adhesions (.apprx. 0.4 .mu.m diameter) on the substratum beneath. Acanthopodia, a prominent feature of this protozoon, did not play an obvious role in traction. The dimensions of the cell-substratum gap in the associated contact could be modulated by the concentration of ambient electrolyte. Dilution of electrolyte from 50 mM-KCl to 2 mM resulted in an increase in the cell-substratum gap, a marked decrease in cell motility, and reduced cell adhesion to glass.

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