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Sialic acids: key determinants for invasion by the Apicomplexa.
Nikolas Friedrich1, Stephen Matthews, Dominique Soldati-Favre
1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, University of Geneva, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
International Journal for Parasitology
|May 1, 2010
Summary
Sialic acids on host cell surfaces are crucial for invasion by Apicomplexa parasites. These parasites utilize specific adhesin proteins to bind these sialic acids, enabling host cell entry.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Sialic acids are terminal glycans on vertebrate cell surfaces.
- Viruses and bacteria exploit sialic acids for host cell entry.
- Apicomplexa parasites, obligate intracellular protozoans, also use carbohydrate receptors for invasion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of sialic acids in host cell recognition and invasion by Apicomplexa parasites.
- To understand the mechanisms by which Apicomplexa adhesins interact with host cell surface glycans.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Apicomplexa parasite adhesin proteins.
- Investigation of protein complex assembly, processing, and oligomerization.
- Studies on the specificity of adhesin-receptor interactions.
Main Results:
- Host cell entry by Apicomplexa is an active process mediated by adhesin proteins.
- Adhesin functionality depends on complex assembly, proteolytic processing, and oligomerization.
- Parasite adhesins exhibit varying specificity, allowing adaptation to host receptor heterogeneity and immune pressure.
Conclusions:
- Sialic acids play a critical role in selective host cell recognition by Apicomplexa species.
- Understanding these interactions is key to developing strategies against Apicomplexa infections.
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