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Galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine lectin: The coordinator of host cell killing

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Abstract

Entamoeba histolytica is an enteric parasite that can kill host cells via a contact-dependent mechanism. This killing involves the amoebic surface protein referred to as the Gal/GalNAc lectin. The Gal/GalNAc lectin binds galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine allowing the adherence of amoebas to host cells. Involvement of the lectin in the pathogenesis ofE. histolytica infection will be reviewed in this paper. The lectin has been shown to have very specific and substantial effects on adherence, cytotoxicity, and encystation. There is also possible involvement of the lectin in phagocytosis and caspase activation in host cells.

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Abbreviations

CRD:

carbohydrate recognition domain

Gal/GalNAc:

galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, 22908, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

    Douglas R. Boettner, Christopher Huston & William A. Petri

  2. Department of Infectious Disease, University of Virginia, 22908, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

    Christopher Huston

Authors
  1. Douglas R. Boettner
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  2. Christopher Huston
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  3. William A. Petri
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Correspondence to William A. Petri.

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Boettner, D.R., Huston, C. & Petri, W.A. Galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine lectin: The coordinator of host cell killing. J Biosci 27, 553–557 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02704847

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