title: Entamoeba histolytica: identification of functional Gs and Gi proteins as possible signal transduction elements in the interaction of trophozoites with fibronectin.
abstract: Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica adhere to several components of the extracellular matrix. Binding is mediated by specific receptors identified in the parasite surface. Interaction of trophozoites with FN induces the formation of special adhesion structures that are dynamic cytoskeleton membrane complexes and facilitate both adhesion and substrate degradation. The process requires activation of signaling pathways in which PLC, IP3, Ca2-, and PKC participate. These observations, and recent experiments showing increments in cAMP in the trophozoites during the interaction with FN, suggest that FN receptors in the amebic surface could be coupled to G-proteins. We report here that trophozoite plasma membrane peptides of 92, 49, 42, 37, and 21 kDa are ADP-ribosylated by Vibrio cholerae and Bordetella pertussis toxins. Three of them are also recognized by antibodies prepared against the alpha-subunit of Gs-and Gi-proteins. Adenylyl cyclase activity detected in isolated membranes was strongly stimulated by treatment with the toxins. Forskolin (an agonist of the enzyme) and FN also induced increments in the enzymatic activity. Live amebas incubated with the toxins showed enhanced adhesion to FN substrates and a striking reorganization of polymerized actin. The actin rearrangement is reminiscent of the one induced by either forskolin or dibutyril cyclic AMP treatment. Our present data show the presence and the functionality of Gs- and Gi-like proteins and their apparent activation during in vitro interaction of amebas with FN and complement previous observations indicating the operation of signal transduction mechanisms in E. histolytica.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Celular, CINVESTAV del IPN, México, D.F., México.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Soid-Raggi
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Torres-Márquez
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Meza
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D037361:Adenylate Cyclase Toxin; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000737:chemistry; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D037361:Adenylate Cyclase Toxin; D005353:Fibronectins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D002772:Cholera Toxin; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases