Ehhmbp45 is a novel hemoglobin-binding protein identified in Entamoeba histolytica

FEBS Lett. 2008 Aug 6;582(18):2806-10. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.06.057. Epub 2008 Jul 14.

Abstract

Hemoglobin-binding proteins are necessary for pathogens to obtain iron from Hb. Entamoeba histolytica can grow using Hb as source of iron, but the underlying mechanism has not previously been established. In this work, we identified a 45 kDa Hb-binding protein of E. histolytica, which we named Ehhmbp45. In silico analysis showed that Ehhmbp45 contains the conserved domains needed for Hb-binding, while overlay assays demonstrated that Ehhmbp45 is able to bind Hb. In addition, we found that Ehhmbp45 mRNA levels were up-regulated under iron starvation conditions and were subsequently restored to basal levels when Hb was added to the cell cultures. These findings provide the first insights on the role of Ehhmbp45 in iron acquisition from Hb.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Computational Biology
  • Entamoeba histolytica / genetics
  • Entamoeba histolytica / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genome, Protozoan
  • Hemoglobins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Hemoglobins
  • Protozoan Proteins