Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amoebic dysentery and is classified as a Category B bioterrorism agent. E. histolytica infections are contracted by ingestion of latent cysts from fecally contaminated food or water. Amoeboid trophozoites emerge in the small intestine and subsequently move to the large bowel. The parasite may also cross the gut epithelial layer and establish extra-intestinal infections, the mos common of which is amoebic liver abscess. During the course of infection in the host, E. histolytica likely confronts stress brought on by ever-changing environments (e.g., small intestine, large intestine, circulation, liver) and by the host immune response. To survive, the parasite must circumvent these exogenous pressures. Thus, it may be useful to target E. histolytica's response to stress for therapy. In other parasites, stress can activate eIF2? kinases that phosphorylate the ?-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (eIF2?). eIF2? is part of a protein complex that delivers Met-tRNA to ribosomes for translation initiation. Phosphorylation of eIF2? inhibits this activity which, in turn, leads to a decline in protein synthesis. This allows clls to conserve resources and reconfigure gene expression to effectively manage stress. Genome analyses indicate that E. histolytica possesses all of the components of this stress response system;however, the premise that phospho-eIF2? controls stress and translation in this pathogen has not been tested. This represents a profound gap in knowledge. Thus, the goal of this application is to characterize this stress response system in E. histolytica.
The first aim i sto define the functions of phospho-eIF2? and to authenticate eIF2? kinases as they relate to the E. histolytica stress response. This will involve tracking phospho-eIF2? during a variety of stressful conditions. Furthermore, cells expressing dominant negative eIF2? will be subjected to stress and their viability will be measured.
The second aim i s to determine if translational control plays a role in the E. histolytica stress response. To answer this question, cells will be subjected to stress and the abundance of polyribosomes will be quantified. Preliminary data demonstrate that at least one condition of stress, serum-starvation, can induce phosphorylation of eIF2? in E. histolytica. Thus, there is high probability of success in defining a role for phospho-eIF2? in control of translation in E. histolytica. If inhibition of translation accompanies stress, it would represent the first example of translational control in this pathogen.

Public Health Relevance

Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amoebic dysentery and is classified as a Category B bioterrorism agent. The proposed studies will examine how the parasite responds to stress, and in particular, how protein translation in the parasite is altered during stress. An appropriate stress-response is necessary for survival of the parasite in the host;therefore, targeting this process is a logical approach for therapy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03AI107950-01A1
Application #
8664552
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Mcgugan, Glen C
Project Start
2014-04-01
Project End
2016-03-31
Budget Start
2014-04-01
Budget End
2015-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Clemson University
Department
Biology
Type
Earth Sciences/Resources
DUNS #
City
Clemson
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29634
Welter, Brenda H; Sehorn, Michael G; Temesvari, Lesly A (2017) Flow cytometric characterization of encystation in Entamoeba invadens. Mol Biochem Parasitol 218:23-27
Kelso, Andrew A; Goodson, Steven D; Chavan, Suchitra et al. (2016) Characterization of the recombination activities of the Entamoeba histolytica Rad51 recombinase. Mol Biochem Parasitol 210:71-84
Hendrick, Holland M; Welter, Brenda H; Hapstack, Matthew A et al. (2016) Phosphorylation of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2? during Stress and Encystation in Entamoeba Species. PLoS Pathog 12:e1006085
Kelso, Andrew A; Say, Amanda F; Sharma, Deepti et al. (2015) Entamoeba histolytica Dmc1 Catalyzes Homologous DNA Pairing and Strand Exchange That Is Stimulated by Calcium and Hop2-Mnd1. PLoS One 10:e0139399