Surface Coat Differences between Invasive Entamoeba histolytica and Non-Invasive Entamoeba dispar

• Published in: Acta Protozoologica Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. 209 - 218
• Main Authors: Arturo González-Robles, Bibiana Chávez-Munguía, Lizbeth Salazar‑Villatoro, Anel Lagunes-Guillén, Verónica Ivonne Hernández-Ramírez, Patricia Talamas-Rohana, Adolfo Martínez-Palomo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Warsaw Jagiellonian University Press 01.01.2015; Jagiellonian University-Jagiellonian University Press
• Subjects: Entamoeba dispar; Entamoeba histolytica; Entamoeba histolytica; Amebiasis; Concanavalin A; Cell surface; Entamoeba dispar
• ISSN: 0065-1583; 1689-0027
• DOI: 10.4467/16890027AP.15.017.3214

Using ultrastructural cytochemical techniques, the authors have found differences in the distribution of surface coat components between the invasive protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica and the non-invasive Entamoeba dispar. Carbohydrate-containing components and anionic sites in the cell surface of both species were detected by staining with ruthenium red and cationized ferritin, respectively. Ruthenium red staining revealed a thicker surface coat in E. histolytica trophozoites, whereas trophozoites of E. dispar showed a higher concentration of cationized ferritin particles on its surface. Mannose or glucose residues were found at the plasma membrane of both parasites treated with Concanavalin A (Con A)-peroxidase; the surface reaction product was more evident in E. dispar, compared with E. histolytica. Con A rapidly produced surface caps in E. histolytica trophozoites, whereas E. dispar showed a much less efficient mobilization of surface Con A receptors. Agglutination with Con A produced much larger clumps in E. histolytica in comparison with E. dispar. In turn, biotinylation assays revealed striking differences in the composition of surface membrane proteins in both amebic species.