Extracellular matrix-induced signaling in Entamoeba histolytica: its role in invasiveness.
Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites can invade the mucosa of the host large intestine to cause disease. Here, Isaura Meza describes recent work indicating that the trophozoites respond to the binding of extracellular matrix proteins by activating receptor-mediated signal transduction pathways. Activation of phosphokinase C or adenylyl cyclase induces protein phosphorylation, actin gene expression and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton to form adhesive structures that promote interaction with the substrate and the release of proteases. The release of proteases at the sites of contact, with the subsequent degradation of the substrate and generation of chemotactic peptides, facilitates locomotion and dissemination of the invading trophozoites.
Meza
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Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, CINVESTAV del IPN, México, D.F., México. imeza@cell.cinvestav.mx
D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004404:Dysentery, Amebic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
D005353:Fibronectins; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases