Involvement of the actin cytoskeleton and p21rho-family GTPases in the pathogenesis of the human protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica.
It has been estimated that infection with the enteric protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica kills more than 50,000 people a year. Central to the pathogenesis of this organism is its ability to directly lyse host cells and cause tissue destruction. Amebic lesions show evidence of cell lysis, tissue necrosis, and damage to the extracellular matrix. The specific molecular mechanisms by which these events are initiated, transmitted, and effected are just beginning to be uncovered. In this article we review what is known about host cell adherence and contact-dependent cytolysis. We cover the involvement of the actin cytoskeleton and small GTP-binding proteins of the p21rho-family in the process of cell killing and phagocytosis, and also look at how amebic interactions with molecules of the extracellular matrix contribute to its cytopathic effects.
University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
G D
GD
Godbold
B J
BJ
Mann
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000469:parasitology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000201:enzymology*; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D010587:Phagocytosis; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins
D000199:Actins; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins