Fig 1.
E. histolytica infection and spread of amebiasis; behavior of the causative agent and the parasite life cycle.
Schematic of E. histolytica infection and spread of amebiasis. The Entamoeba life cycle is essentially composed of the proliferating trophozoite and dormant cyst stages. Encystation and excystation are transition steps from trophozoites to cysts and vice versa. Transmission of amebiasis is solely mediated by cysts, and thus blocking encystation halts the spread of this infectious disease.
Fig 2.
Schematic of proposed Entamoeba cyst formation.
Depiction of the processes involved in Entamoeba cyst formation and their potential causal links. Entamoeba trophozoite self-aggregation via cell–cell interaction is an essential prerequisite process for encystation and is mediated by the binding of receptors to Gal-terminated ligands (left). Diverse pathways are implicated in the regulation of encystation (left and center). Numerous components are involved in forming intact cysts (right); some may be exclusive components in the cyst wall, and others may play versatile roles throughout the processes of cyst formation. Abbreviations used: AR, adrenergic receptor; B4F2, a monoclonal antibody; CP, cysteine protease; CS, cholesteryl sulfate; Gal, galactose; GalNAc, N-acetyl-galactosamine; Hsp90, heat shock protein 90; and UPS, ubiquitin proteasome system.
Table 1.
Relevant information on proteins described in this review.