Molecular changes in Entamoeba histolytica in response to bacteria.
Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite, is the causative agent of amoebiasis. The degree of virulence, as inferred from invasiveness, of potentially pathogenic strains may be regulated by both host and parasite factors that determine the gut environment. One such factor that plays an important role is the bacterial flora in the gut. Previous studies have clearly shown that bacterial flora is an important determinant of virulence in E. histolytica. However, the exact nature of changes induced in E. histolytica in response to bacteria and their role in virulence is not clear. In this study the levels of a number of molecules potentially important in virulence mechanisms were determined in E. histolytica cells grown with and without normal human bacterial flora, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Significant changes were observed only after the E. histolytica cells had been adapted to grow with bacterial flora for a number of generations, and not in short term culture.
Bhattacharya
A
A
School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. alok@jnuniv.ernet.in
Anand
M T
MT
Paul
J
J
Yadav
N
N
Bhattacharya
S
S
D000818:Animals; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000469:parasitology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005470:Fluorometry; D006001:Glycoconjugates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors; D014774:Virulence
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D006001:Glycoconjugates