G protein signaling in the parasite Entamoeba histolytica

Dustin E Bosch; David P Siderovski

doi:10.1038/emm.2013.30

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G protein signaling in the parasite Entamoeba histolytica

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

G protein signaling in the parasite Entamoeba histolytica

Dustin E Bosch and David P Siderovski

Experimental & molecular medicine, Vol.45(3), pp.e15-e15

03/22/2013

DOI: 10.1038/emm.2013.30

PMCID: PMC3641396

PMID: 23519208

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Abstract

The parasite Entamoeba histolytica causes amebic colitis and systemic amebiasis. Among the known amebic factors contributing to pathogenesis are signaling pathways involving heterotrimeric and Ras superfamily G proteins. Here, we review the current knowledge of the roles of heterotrimeric G protein subunits, Ras, Rho and Rab GTPase families in E. histolytica pathogenesis, as well as of their downstream signaling effectors and nucleotide cycle regulators. Heterotrimeric G protein signaling likely modulates amebic motility and attachment to and killing of host cells, in part through activation of an RGS-RhoGEF (regulator of G protein signaling-Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor) effector. Rho family GTPases, as well as RhoGEFs and Rho effectors (formins and p21-activated kinases) regulate the dynamic actin cytoskeleton of E. histolytica and associated pathogenesis-related cellular processes, such as migration, invasion, phagocytosis and evasion of the host immune response by surface receptor capping. A remarkably large family of 91 Rab GTPases has multiple roles in a complex amebic vesicular trafficking system required for phagocytosis and pinocytosis and secretion of known virulence factors, such as amebapores and cysteine proteases. Although much remains to be discovered, recent studies of G protein signaling in E. histolytica have enhanced our understanding of parasitic pathogenesis and have also highlighted possible targets for pharmacological manipulation.

Animals

Entamoeba histolytica - metabolism

Entamoebiasis - parasitology

GTP-Binding Proteins - metabolism

Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins - metabolism

Humans

ras Proteins - metabolism

Signal Transduction

Details

Title: Subtitle: G protein signaling in the parasite Entamoeba histolytica
Creators: Dustin E Bosch - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
David P Siderovski - West Virginia University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Experimental & molecular medicine, Vol.45(3), pp.e15-e15
DOI: 10.1038/emm.2013.30
PMID: 23519208
PMCID: PMC3641396
NLM abbreviation: Exp Mol Med
ISSN: 1226-3613
eISSN: 2092-6413
Grant note: F30 DK091978 / NIDDK NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 03/22/2013
Academic Unit: Pathology
Record Identifier: 9984200020702771

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