title: The flavonoid (-)-epicatechin affects cytoskeleton proteins and functions in Entamoeba histolytica.
abstract: Human amoebiasis is an intestinal disease with a global distribution. Due to reports of parasite resistance or susceptibility reduction to metronidazole treatment, there is a renewed interest for the search of new molecules with antiamoebic activity. The flavonoid (-)-epicatechin that was isolated from the Mexican medicinal plant Geranium mexicanum HBK has an in vitro activity against E. histolytica trophozoites, however its molecular effects have been poorly documented. Using a proteomic approach based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) analysis, we evidenced that E. histolytica cytoskeleton proteins exhibit differential abundance in response to (-)-epicatechin treatment. Moreover, functional assays revealed modification on pathogenic mechanisms associated with cytoskeleton functionality, namely, adhesion, migration, phagocytosis and cytolysis. Consequently, these data suggested that (-)-epicatechin could affect virulence properties of this human pathogen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This work contributes with some advances in the action mechanisms involved in the antiamoebic effect of the flavonoid (-)-epicatechin. We found that this flavonoid has an unusual effect on trophozoites growth that is dependent of its concentration. Additionally, we reported that (-)-epicatechin affects mainly amebic cytoskeleton proteins, which results in alteration on important virulence mechanisms, like adhesion, migration, phagocytosis and cytolysis. This study provides new knowledge about a potential alternative therapy directed to the treatment of amoebiasis.
authors.affiliation: Posgrado en Biomedicina Molecular, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México.
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bolaños
authors.affiliation: Posgrado en Biomedicina Molecular, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Díaz-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Posgrado en Biomedicina Molecular, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Soto
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN, México City A.P. 14740, México.
authors.forename: Mario A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, México City 03100, México.
authors.forename: Cesar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: López-Camarillo
authors.affiliation: Posgrado en Biomedicina Molecular, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México; Doctorado en Biotecnología, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México.
authors.forename: Laurence A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Marchat
authors.affiliation: Posgrado en Biomedicina Molecular, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México; Doctorado en Biotecnología, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México. Electronic address: estherramirezmoreno@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ramírez-Moreno
mesh_terms: D000562:Amebiasis / Q000469:parasitology; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002392:Catechin / Q000737:chemistry*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D002470:Cell Survival; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000166:cytology*; D031315:Geranium / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D040901:Proteomics; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D002392:Catechin
keywords: (−)-epicatechin; Entamoeba histolytica; Flavonoids; Proteomic analysis; pathogenicity mechanisms