Extracellular matrix-induced signaling in Entamoeba histolytica: its role in invasiveness.
Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites can invade the mucosa of the host large intestine to cause disease. Here, Isaura Meza describes recent work indicating that the trophozoites respond to the binding of extracellular matrix proteins by activating receptor-mediated signal transduction pathways. Activation of phosphokinase C or adenylyl cyclase induces protein phosphorylation, actin gene expression and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton to form adhesive structures that promote interaction with the substrate and the release of proteases. The release of proteases at the sites of contact, with the subsequent degradation of the substrate and generation of chemotactic peptides, facilitates locomotion and dissemination of the invading trophozoites.[1]References
- Extracellular matrix-induced signaling in Entamoeba histolytica: its role in invasiveness. Meza, I. Parasitol. Today (Regul. Ed.) (2000) [Pubmed]
Annotations and hyperlinks in this abstract are from individual authors of WikiGenes or automatically generated by the WikiGenes Data Mining Engine. The abstract is from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.About WikiGenesOpen Access LicencePrivacy PolicyTerms of Useapsburg