Tissue and subcellular localization of oligofurostanosides and their specific degrading beta-glucosidase in Dioscorea caucasica Lipsky.

The application of the histochemical technique using the Ehrlich reagent showed that the oligofurostanosides--the steroid glycosides of the furostan series--are localized in idioblasts (special cells--receptacles) of the epidermal layer of Dioscorea caucasica leaves. The activity of oligofurostanoside-specific beta-glucosidase was localized mainly in the membrane fraction of the thylakoides and was also found in the Dioscorea caucasica leaves. We have suggested, that the differential tissue, the subcellular localization of the oligofurostanosides and their degrading enzymes provide the maintenance of the furostanol structure of steroid glycosides which is necessary for their transport within the leaf and from the leaf to the rhizome.

Entamoeba histolytica: the serine-rich gene polymorphism-based genetic variability of clinical isolates from Georgia.

It is generally accepted that a majority of individuals infected by Entamoeba histolytica do not develop symptomatic disease. However, the parasite and the host factors contributing to the development of the disease, remain undetermined. It is also unclear why certain individuals develop extra-intestinal amebiasis without exhibiting apparent intestinal symptoms. An outbreak of amebic liver abscess in Tbilisi, Georgia in 1998-1999 suggested that the causative E. histolytica strain had an unusual propensity for extra-intestinal spread. To correlate the genetic differences with pathogenic potential of the parasite, we have examined the SREHP gene polymorphisms among Georgian E. histolytica isolates. Comparison of polymorphic patterns revealed the presence of several different genotypes of E. histolytica, thus preventing an association of a single genotype with hepatic disease, but supporting the previous finding of extensive genetic diversity among E. histolytica isolates from the same geographic origin.