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Interaction between pathogenic amebas and fibronectin: substrate degradation and changes in cytoskeleton
1Departmento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del I.P.N., Mexico, D.F., Mexico.
The Journal of Cell Biology
|May 1, 1988
Summary
Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites bind to fibronectin via a 37-kD receptor, triggering protease release and cytoskeleton changes essential for tissue invasion.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Entamoeba histolytica invasion involves initial recognition of host surface molecules.
- Fibronectin (FN) interaction is a key initial step in invasion for various pathogens and cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific interaction between Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites and fibronectin.
- To identify the putative receptor responsible for this interaction.
Main Methods:
- Measured binding of radiolabeled fibronectin to trophozoites.
- Visualized fibronectin-antibody complexes using microscopy.
- Assessed fibronectin degradation via gel electrophoresis and radioactivity release.
- Observed focal degradation of fluorescent fibronectin at contact sites.
Main Results:
- Identified a 37-kD membrane peptide as the putative fibronectin receptor.
- Demonstrated that parasite-FN interaction induces protease secretion and actin rearrangement into adhesion plates.
- Confirmed focal degradation of fibronectin at parasite contact sites.
Conclusions:
- Entamoeba histolytica interacts with fibronectin via a specific surface receptor.
- This interaction promotes cytoskeletal changes and protease release, facilitating tissue migration and invasion.