A C2 domain protein kinase initiates phagocytosis in the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica

Somlata, Sudha Bhattacharya and Alok Bhattacharya ()
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Somlata: School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Sudha Bhattacharya: School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Alok Bhattacharya: School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Nature Communications, 2011, vol. 2, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Phagocytosis is a process whereby particles are taken in by cells through mechanisms superficially similar to those for endocytosis. It serves a wide range of functions, from providing nutrition in unicellular organisms to initiation of both innate and adaptive immunity in vertebrates. In the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, it has an essential role in survival and pathogenesis. In this study, we show that EhC2PK, a C2-domain-containing protein kinase, and the Ca2+ and actin-binding protein, EhCaBP1, are involved in the initiation of phagocytosis in E. histolytica. Conditional suppression of EhC2PK expression and overexpression of a mutant form reveals its role in the initiation of phagocytic cups. EhC2PK binds phosphatidylserine in the presence of Ca2+ and thereby recruits EhCaBP1 and actin to the membrane. Identification of these proteins in phagocytosis is an important step in amoebic biology and these molecules could be the important targets for developing novel therapies against amoebiasis.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1199

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