Thiol proteinase expression and pathogenicity of Entamoeba histolytica

Expression of the 56-kilodalton (kDa) neutral thiol proteinase has been shown to correlate with the potential of clinical isolates of Entamoeba histolytica to produce invasive disease. A 56-kDa band was identified by gelatin substrate gel electrophoresis in 10 of 10 isolates from patients with colitis or amebic liver abscesses, but in only 1 of 10 isolates from asymptomatic patients. Pathogenic isolates appear capable of releasing significantly larger quantities of the proteinase, as measured by cleavage of a synthetic peptide substrate, ZRR-AMC (benzyloxy-carbonyl-arginine-arginine-4-amino-7-methylcoumarin). We have also shown that the proteinase is released during the course of clinical invasive amebic disease, as demonstrated by the presence of circulating antibodies detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These studies support the importance of the 56-kDa thiol proteinase in the pathogenesis of invasive amebiasis.