Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is an invasive, pathogenic parasite causing amoebiasis. Given that proteins involved in transmembrane (TM) transport are crucial for the adherence, invasion, and nutrition of the parasite, we conducted a genome-wide bioinformatics analysis of encoding proteins to functionally classify and characterize all the TM proteins in E. histolytica. In the present study, 692 TM proteins have been identified, of which 546 are TM transporters. For the first time, we report a set of 141 uncharacterized proteins predicted as TM transporters. The percentage of TM proteins was found to be lower in comparison to the free-living eukaryotes, due to the extracellular nature and functional diversification of the TM proteins. The number of multi-pass proteins is larger than the single-pass proteins; though both have their own significance in parasitism, multi-pass proteins are more extensively required as these are involved in acquiring nutrition and for ion transport, while single-pass proteins are only required at the time of inciting infection. Overall, this intestinal parasite implements multiple mechanisms for establishing infection, obtaining nutrition, and adapting itself to the new host environment. A classification of the repertoire of TM transporters in the present study augments several hints on potential methods of targeting the parasite for therapeutic benefits.
Highlights
Entamoeba histolytica is an important human parasite
We have observed a large set of TM proteins, a subset of which were identified as TM transporters
The TM protein repertoire of E. histolytica is smaller compared to other eukaryotes, which is justified by the functional diversification of the TM proteins in the parasite; E. histolytica regularly performs a high rate of phagocytosis and pinocytosis to obtain nutrients and to kill/eat host cells
Summary
Entamoeba histolytica is an important human parasite. It is an enteric protozoan parasite that is responsible for amoebic dysentery and invasive extraintestinal amoebiasis. Developing countries show higher prevalence of amoebiasis, as there is an inadequate barrier between human feces and drinking water. It is responsible for around 100,000 deaths each year, being the second most common cause of deaths due to parasitic disease [1,2]. TM proteins perform numerous integral functions in the cells such as adhesion, signaling, transport of membrane-impermeable molecules, cell recognition, cell–cell communication, etc. Communication is one of the most important functions of the TM protein, which helps in signaling the cell regarding the external environment. Transmembrane proteins help in regulating the interchange of molecules across the membrane; functioning as regulators of the cell. TM proteins can be divided into three domains: (i) the domain in the bilayer,
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