Identification of developmentally regulated genes in Entamoeba histolytica: insights into mechanisms of stage conversion in a protozoan parasite.
Cell Microbiol
; 9(6): 1426-44, 2007 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17250591
ABSTRACT
Developmental switching between life-cycle stages is a common feature among many pathogenic organisms. The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica converts between cysts (essential for disease transmission) and trophozoites (responsible for tissue invasion). Identification of genes involved in the developmental pathway has been severely hindered by the inability to generate E. histolytica cysts in vitro. Using parasite strains derived from recent human infections and whole-genome transcriptional profiling, we determined that 1439 genes (approximately 15% of annotated genes) were potentially developmentally regulated. Genes enriched in cysts (672 in total) included cysteine proteinases and transmembrane protein kinases, which may be involved in signal transduction. Genes enriched in trophozoites (767 in total) included genes typically thought of as important in tissue invasion by trophozoites, including the Gal/GalNAc lectin light subunit and cysteine protease 1. Putative regulators of differentiation including possible G-protein coupled receptors, signal transduction proteins and transcription factors were identified. A number of E. histolytica stage-specific genes were also developmentally regulated in the reptilian parasite E. invadens, indicating that they likely have conserved functions in Entamoeba development. These advances lay the groundwork for dissection of the molecular signals that initiate stage conversion and development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic measures targeting E. histolytica cysts.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Genes de Protozoários
/
Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento
/
Entamoeba histolytica
/
Entamebíase
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Cell Microbiol
Assunto da revista:
MICROBIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2007
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos