Proteases from Entamoeba spp. and Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae as Virulence Factors.

ABSTRACT: The standard reference for pathogenic and nonpathogenic amoebae is the human parasite Entamoeba histolytica; a direct correlation between virulence and protease expression has been demonstrated for this amoeba. Traditionally, proteases are considered virulence factors, including those that produce cytopathic effects in the host or that have been implicated in manipulating the immune response. Here, we expand the scope to other amoebae, including less-pathogenic Entamoeba species and highly pathogenic free-living amoebae. In this paper, proteases that affect mucin, extracellular matrix, immune system components, and diverse tissues and cells are included, based on studies in amoebic cultures and animal models. We also include proteases used by amoebae to degrade iron-containing proteins bec

SUBMITTER: Serrano-Luna J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3582061 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature