Structural organization of gamma-tubulin in the microtubule organizing center (MTOC) during the nuclear division of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites

Detection of beta-tubulin in the cytoplasm of the interphasic Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites

It is known that the microtubules (MT) of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites form an intranuclear mitotic spindle. However, electron microscopy studies and the employment of anti-beta-tubulin (β-tubulin) antibodies have not exhibited these cytoskeletal structures in the cytoplasm of these parasites. The purpose of this work was to detect β-tubulin in the cytoplasm of interphasic E. histolytica trophozoites. Activated or non-activated HMI-IMSS-strain E. histolytica trophozoites were used and cultured for 72 h at 37 °C in TYI-S-33 medium, and then these were incubated with the anti-β-tubulin antibody of E. histolytica. The anti-β-tubulin antibody reacted with the intranuclear mitotic spindle of E. histolytica-activated trophozoites as control. In contrast, in non-activated interphasic parasites, anti-β-tubulin antibody reacted with diverse puntiform structures in the cytoplasm and with ring-shaped structures localized in the cytoplasm, cellular membrane and endocytic stomas. In this work, for the first time, the presence of β-tubulin is shown in the cytoplasm of E. histolytica trophozoites.

The Cytoskeleton of Entamoeba histolytica: Structure, Function, and Regulation by Signaling Pathways

Pathogenesis in the parasite Entamoeba histolytica has been related to motility of the trophozoites. Motility is an important feature in amebas as they perform multiple motile functions during invasion of host tissues. As motility depends on the organization and regulation of the cytoskeleton elements, in particular of the actin cytoskeleton, the study of the molecular components of the machinery responsible for movement has been a key aspect to study in this parasite. Although many of the components have high homology in amino acid sequence and function to those characterized in higher eukaryotic cells, there are important differences to suggest that parasitic organisms may have developed adaptative differences that could be useful as targets to stop invasion. The purpose of this review is to evaluate current knowledge about the cytoskeleton of E. histolytica and the ways in which the parasite controls motility.