Entamoeba Histolytica: Activation and Release of Membrane Dense Bodies

Abstract

The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is the etiological agent of invasive amebiasis, a common human disease in certain developing countries. The requirement of close contact between the parasite and target cells for cytolysis to occur (Ravdin & Guerrant 1981; Martínez-Palomo, 1982) and the isolation of amebic proteins capable of forming aqueous pores upon their insertion into the plasma membrane of target eukaryotic cells (Lynch et al. 1982; Young et al. 1982) suggest that membrane interactions have an important role in the powerful cytolytic activity of pathogenic amebas. Tissue invasion may be facilitated by the collagenolytic and proteolytic activities described in this protozoan (Muñoz et al. 1982; Gadasi & Kessler 1983; Keene et al. 1986).