RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Preston, T. M. A1 King, C. A.YR 1984 T1 Amoeboid Locomotion of Acanthamoeba castellanii with Special Reference to Cell-Substratum Interactions JF Microbiology, VO 130 IS 9 SP 2317 OP 2323 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-130-9-2317 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2080, AB The amoeboid locomotion of Acanthamoeba castellanii has been studied by observation of individual cells moving on a planar glass substratum. Cell-substratum interactions involved in traction have been 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 (approximately 0.4 μm diameter) on the substratum beneath. Surprisingly, 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 (i) an increase in the cell-substratum gap, (ii) a marked decrease in cell motility, (iii) reduced cell adhesion to glass., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-130-9-2317