Associate Provost for Research Boston University Medical Campus
NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases	Research Resources

Abstract

Abstract: DESCRIPTION (Adapted from the Applicant's Abstract): The proposed experiments will test a three lectin model of amebic encystations and excystation. A constitutive plasma membrane Gal/GalNAc lectin bound sugars in a unique, abundant, encystations-specific glycoprotein (Jacob), which was first identified here. Jacob was named for a ladder-like series of five Cys-rich, chitin-binding domains (CBD) which resemble CBD of chitinases and peritophin-44, an insect gut wall protein. Anti-Jacob antibodies bound to cyst isolated from patient stools. Galactose inhibited cyst wall formation by blocking binding of Jacob and subsequently chitin to the amebic surface. An encystations-specific chitinase had a Cys-richlectin domain, which resembles those of wheat germ agglutinin and plant chitinases. GlucNAc inhibited binding of Jacob and chitinase to chitin in SDS-treated cyst walls.

Thesaurus Terms:
Entamoeba histolytica, binding protein, galactose, lectin, life cycle, protein structure function, protozoal cyst
cell membrane, cell wall, chitin, cysteine endopeptidase, enzyme activity, enzyme inhibitor, gene expression, membrane protein, membrane reconstitution /synthesis, microorganism genetics, protein biosynthesis, protein degradation
immunofluorescence technique, molecular cloning, monoclonal antibody, transfection, western blotting, yeast

Institution:	BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS
	715 ALBANY ST, 560
	BOSTON, MA 021182394
Fiscal Year:	2004
Department:	MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY
Project Start:	01-MAR-2000
Project End:	28-FEB-2006
ICD:	NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
IRG:	TMP