Project description:Up until now, the existence of Dnmt2-mediated DNA methylation has mostly been supported by focal analyses in organisms that contain Dnmt2, but no Dnmt1 or Dnmt3 DNA methyltransferase. In these organisms, several independent studies have also provided support for a biologically important function of Dnmt2-dependent DNA methylation. For example, Dnmt2-dependent methylation in Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amebic dysentery, has been connected to the parasite s virulence. However, global DNA methylation levels in Entamoeba have been found to be very low. In addition, no specific features, such as CpG-specificity and specificity for certain genetic subcompartments have been described. This distinguishes Dnmt2-dependent methylation patterns from all other known methylomes and has raised questions about the validity of the underlying results. We have used whole-genome bisulfite sequencing for an unbiased characterization of the Entamoeba histolytica methylome at single-base resolution in a E.histolytica strain HM-1:IMSS devoid of significant level of EhDnmt2 (Ehmeth) expression.
Project description:This dataset contains RNA-seq data from Entamoeba histolytica strains, including a KERP2-knockdown strain (psAP-KERP2gs) and a control strain (psAP-mock). To investigate the functional role of KERP2 (EHI_065630), the knockdown strain was generated using small interfering RNAs with the psAP-2-Gunma plasmid. RNA-Seq analysis revealed distinct transcriptional profiles between KERP2gs and psAP-mock strains. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses identified upregulation of genes involved in proteolysis regulation, sulfur amino acid metabolism, and amoebiasis in the KERP2-knockdown strain. Notably, cysteine synthases (EHI_024230, EHI_160930), methionine γ-lyase (EHI_057550), cysteine protease (EHI_010850), and pore-forming peptides (EHI_169350, EHI_194540, EHI_15940) were significantly upregulated. These findings suggest a potential role for KERP2 in regulating parasitic activities, possibly through chromatin binding. This dataset provides a valuable resource for studying KERP2-associated gene expression changes in E. histolytica.
