Structural and functional diversity of Entamoeba histolytica calcium-binding proteins

Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) is an etiological agent of human amoebic colitis, and it causes a high level of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Ca²⁺ plays a pivotal role in amoebic pathogenesis, and Ca²⁺-binding proteins (CaBPs) of E. histolytica appear to be a major determinant in this process. E. histolytica has 27-EF-hand containing CaBPs, suggesting that this organism has complex Ca²⁺ signaling cascade. E. histolytica CaBPs share (29-47%) sequence identity with ubiquitous Ca²⁺-binding protein calmodulin (CaM); however, they do not show any significant structural similarity, indicating lack of a typical CaM in this organism. Structurally, these CaBPs are very diverse among themselves, and perhaps such diversity allows them to recognize different cellular targets, thereby enabling them to perform a range of cellular functions. The presence of such varied signaling molecules helps parasites to invade host cells and advance in disease progression. In the past two decades, tremendous progress has been made in understanding the structure of E. histolytica CaBPs by using the X-ray or NMR method. To gain greater insight into the structural and functional diversity of these amoebic CaBPs, we analyzed and compiled all the available literature. Most of the CaBPs has about 150 amino acids with 4-EF hand or EF-hand-like sequences, similar to CaM. In a few cases, all the EF-hand motifs are not capable of binding Ca²⁺, suggesting them to be pseudo EF-hand motifs. The CaBPs perform diverse cellular signaling that includes cytoskeleton remodeling, phagocytosis, cell proliferation, migration of trophozoites, and GTPase activity. Overall, the structural and functional diversity of E. histolytica CaBPs compiled here may offer a basis to develop an efficient drug to counter its pathogenesis.