Glycogen Metabolism and Its Role in Growth and Encystation in <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i>
<i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> is a parasitic protozoan that causes diarrheal disease in approximately 100 million people worldwide every year. <i>E. histolytica</i> has two forms, the growing trophozoite and the infectious cyst. Trophozoites colonizing the large intestine form...
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Life |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/7/1529 |
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| author | Jordan Wesel Cheryl Ingram-Smith |
| author_facet | Jordan Wesel Cheryl Ingram-Smith |
| author_sort | Jordan Wesel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> is a parasitic protozoan that causes diarrheal disease in approximately 100 million people worldwide every year. <i>E. histolytica</i> has two forms, the growing trophozoite and the infectious cyst. Trophozoites colonizing the large intestine form cysts that are released into the environment. The ingestion of the cysts in contaminated food and water continues the disease cycle. Here, we investigated the role of glycogen in trophozoite growth and encystation. Glycogen is thought to provide precursors for the synthesis of chitin, a major component of the protective cyst wall. We propose that glycogen also serves as an energy source during metabolic adaptation to different nutrient environments. We examined the role of glycogen in <i>E. histolytica</i> by analyzing the growth and encystation of RNAi strains with reduced expression of the single gene-encoding glycogen synthase (<i>GYS</i>) or two of three genes encoding glycogen phosphorylase (<i>PYG</i>). The <i>GYS</i> RNAi strain had a greatly reduced glycogen accumulation, and both the <i>GYS</i> and <i>PYG</i> RNAi strains exhibited reduced growth in the glucose-poor medium. Both RNAi strains also showed reduced cyst production. Our results suggest glycogen synthesis and degradation are vital to the growth and adaptation of <i>E. histolytica</i> to a low-glucose environment such as that encountered in the large intestine. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:53:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-70e4a8f946d1458096715e9a70796c21 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:53:52Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj.art-70e4a8f946d1458096715e9a70796c212023-11-18T20:09:46ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292023-07-01137152910.3390/life13071529Glycogen Metabolism and Its Role in Growth and Encystation in <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i>Jordan Wesel0Cheryl Ingram-Smith1Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USADepartment of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA<i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> is a parasitic protozoan that causes diarrheal disease in approximately 100 million people worldwide every year. <i>E. histolytica</i> has two forms, the growing trophozoite and the infectious cyst. Trophozoites colonizing the large intestine form cysts that are released into the environment. The ingestion of the cysts in contaminated food and water continues the disease cycle. Here, we investigated the role of glycogen in trophozoite growth and encystation. Glycogen is thought to provide precursors for the synthesis of chitin, a major component of the protective cyst wall. We propose that glycogen also serves as an energy source during metabolic adaptation to different nutrient environments. We examined the role of glycogen in <i>E. histolytica</i> by analyzing the growth and encystation of RNAi strains with reduced expression of the single gene-encoding glycogen synthase (<i>GYS</i>) or two of three genes encoding glycogen phosphorylase (<i>PYG</i>). The <i>GYS</i> RNAi strain had a greatly reduced glycogen accumulation, and both the <i>GYS</i> and <i>PYG</i> RNAi strains exhibited reduced growth in the glucose-poor medium. Both RNAi strains also showed reduced cyst production. Our results suggest glycogen synthesis and degradation are vital to the growth and adaptation of <i>E. histolytica</i> to a low-glucose environment such as that encountered in the large intestine.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/7/1529glycogen<i>Entamoeba</i>glycogen synthaseglycogen phosphorylaseencystation |
| spellingShingle | Jordan Wesel Cheryl Ingram-Smith Glycogen Metabolism and Its Role in Growth and Encystation in <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> Life glycogen <i>Entamoeba</i> glycogen synthase glycogen phosphorylase encystation |
| title | Glycogen Metabolism and Its Role in Growth and Encystation in <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> |
| title_full | Glycogen Metabolism and Its Role in Growth and Encystation in <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> |
| title_fullStr | Glycogen Metabolism and Its Role in Growth and Encystation in <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Glycogen Metabolism and Its Role in Growth and Encystation in <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> |
| title_short | Glycogen Metabolism and Its Role in Growth and Encystation in <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> |
| title_sort | glycogen metabolism and its role in growth and encystation in i entamoeba histolytica i |
| topic | glycogen <i>Entamoeba</i> glycogen synthase glycogen phosphorylase encystation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/7/1529 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jordanwesel glycogenmetabolismanditsroleingrowthandencystationinientamoebahistolyticai AT cherylingramsmith glycogenmetabolismanditsroleingrowthandencystationinientamoebahistolyticai |