EhNPC1 and EhNPC2 Proteins Participate in Trafficking of Exogenous Cholesterol in Entamoeba histolytica Trophozoites: Relevance for Phagocytosis
Fig 13
Working model of the EhNPC1 and EhNPC2 participation in cholesterol trafficking in E. histolytica.
(A) Cholesterol uptake: EhNPC1 and EhNPC2 capture the cholesterol in the extracellular space and in the plasma membrane probably following the “hand-off” model (EhNPC1-cholesterol-EhNPC2-cholesterol-EhNPC1) and with the TMK39 participation. (B) Network-like structures formation: EhNPC1 and cholesterol form networks from cholesterol-containing membrane protrusions to ER, endosomes and nucleus that possibly facilitate cholesterol trafficking through EhNPC2 in a “hand-off” model. (C) Cholesterol influx: EhNPC1 and EhNPC2 associate with cholesterol and are internalized in EhRab-7A containing endosomes under basal conditions and during erythrophagocytosis. (D) EhNPC1 and EhNPC2 associate with phagolysosomal and MBVs molecules, particularly with LBPA and EhADH, which probably regulate cholesterol trafficking. (E) EhNPC1 and EhNPC2 accumulate in nucleus (n) and ER and may be distributed from there to other organelles.