Journal of Helminthology

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Research Papers

F-actin accumulates in the vulva of female Strongyloides venezuelensis

C.V. Silvaa1 c1, A.L.R. Gonçalvesa1, L. Cruza1, M.C. Cruza2, M.T. Uetaa3 and J.M. Costa-Cruza1

a1 Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

a2 Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil

a3 Universidade Estadual de Campinas, SP, Brazil

Abstract

Little is known about the actin cytoskeleton architecture in female Strongyloides venezuelensis and thus to investigate the distribution and concentration of actin, female worms were labelled with phalloidin-rhodamine and visualized under confocal microscopy. Our results demonstrate that filamentous actin accumulates in the vulva and the concentration of F-actin at this site suggests its important role, especially during oviposition, in the life cycle of S. venezuelensis.

(Received November 18 2011)

(Accepted June 14 2012)

Correspondence:

c1 E-mail: silva_cv@yahoo.com.br