Microsporidian Spore Envelope Keratins Phosphorylate and Disassemble During Spore Activation

The microsporidian spore stage of the nerve parasite, Spraguea lophii, consists of outer envelope stabilized in part by keratins, including K4 and K13. The nonepidermal K4 and K13 keratins were found only in the spore envelope and were absent in the internal microsporidian sporoplasm. At the time of spore activation, the keratin-based outer spore envelope assemblage dissociated and became phosphorylated when the spores were placed in the presence of labeled ATP. Verapamil or lanthanum, agents which block S. lophii spore activation, also blocked spore envelope keratin disassembly and phosphorylation when the spores were incubated in activation medium with labeled ATP. However, after the removal of the verapamil or lanthanum, the spores regained the capacity to activate in discharge medium and the keratin analogues appeared to dissociate and phosphorylate.