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Microorganisms
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Advances in Molecular Biology of Entamoeba histolytica
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Advances in Molecular Biology of Entamoeba histolytica

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 3850

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Laurence A. Marchat

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, ENMH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 07320, Mexico
Interests: characterization of mRNA polyadenylation factors in E. histolytica; development of aptamers that recognize E. histolytica proteins

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite responsible for human amoebiasis, affects up to 50 million people worldwide, causing about 26,000 deaths annually. This parasitic infection is endemic in developing countries, and it has also been reported in industrialized countries, mainly in returning travelers from endemic regions, men who have sex with men, and individuals living with HIV. Understanding the molecular basis of the biological activities of this pathogen has been a challenging topic for scientists. Knowledge of the parasite genome, application of recombinant DNA technology, use of omics data, development of new microenvironments in vitro, and bioinformatics approaches, among other methods, are providing new valuable information on various components of parasite molecular biology. This includes descriptions of genome organization, as well as the structure, function, and interactions of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Other aspects involve molecular mechanisms regulating gene expression, cellular processes, metabolic systems, host–pathogen interactions, relationships with the intestinal microbiome, pathogenicity, or drug resistance. This Special Issue aims to present the most recent scientific advances in the E. histolytica molecular biology that could contribute to advancements in the diagnosis and control of this human pathogen.

Dr. Laurence A. Marchat
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Entamoeba histolytica
  • genome structure and function
  • protein structure and function
  • pathogenicity and virulence
  • bioinformatics
  • omics
  • relationships with host and microbiome
  • metabolism
  • gene expression
  • drug resistance

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 4605 KB  
Article
Interaction Between Transcription Factor EhPC4 and Polyadenylation Factor EhCFIm25 in Entamoeba histolytica: Molecular Characterization and Functional Implications
by Juan David Ospina-Villa, Alondra Cisneros-Sarabia, Rocío Paulina Leal-Acosta, César Augusto Sandino Reyes-López, Absalom Zamorano-Carrillo, Esther Ramírez-Moreno and Laurence A. Marchat
Microorganisms 2026, 14(4), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14040809 - 2 Apr 2026
Viewed by 303
Abstract
The coordination between transcription and mRNA processing is essential for eukaryotic gene regulation, yet the structural basis of this coupling remains poorly understood in Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite responsible for amoebiasis. In this study, we characterized the interaction between the transcriptional [...] Read more.
The coordination between transcription and mRNA processing is essential for eukaryotic gene regulation, yet the structural basis of this coupling remains poorly understood in Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite responsible for amoebiasis. In this study, we characterized the interaction between the transcriptional coactivator EhPC4 and the polyadenylation factor EhCFIm25 through an integrated in vitro and in silico approach. Far-Western assays confirmed direct physical interaction between both recombinant proteins. To elucidate the molecular mechanism, we performed 500 ns Molecular Dynamics simulations of full-length EhPC4, identifying high flexibility in its N-terminal region. Protein–protein docking analysis revealed a stable EhPC4-EhCFIm25 complex (Cluster C4) with favorable binding energies (∆G = −11.4 kcal/mol). Notably, heatmap analysis of the interaction interface identified a conserved “hotspot” at the C-terminal end of EhCFIm25 (residues 249–255) that mediates the binding with PC4 without occluding DNA-binding domain (K127 in EhPC4) or RNA-recognition motifs in EhCFIm25. Our findings suggest that EhCFIm25 serves as a molecular scaffold that physically couples transcription and polyadenylation, providing a structural framework for the efficient regulation of virulence-related genes in this parasite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Molecular Biology of Entamoeba histolytica)
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19 pages, 3913 KB  
Article
The CRISPR-Cas9 System in Entamoeba histolytica Trophozoites: ehcp112 Gene Knockout and Effects on Other Genes in the V1 Virulence Locus
by Luz Virginia Reyes, Guillermina García-Rivera, Rosario Javier-Reyna, Edgar Morales-Rios, Sergio Tinajero, Cecilia Bañuelos, Daniel Talamás-Lara and Esther Orozco
Microorganisms 2025, 13(9), 2219; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13092219 - 22 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1969
Abstract
Gene editing enables a better understanding of protein functions. The genome of the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica contains a 4500 bp DNA fragment comprising the ehcp112, ehadh, and ehrabb genes, which together form the V1 virulence locus. Studying these genes has [...] Read more.
Gene editing enables a better understanding of protein functions. The genome of the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica contains a 4500 bp DNA fragment comprising the ehcp112, ehadh, and ehrabb genes, which together form the V1 virulence locus. Studying these genes has been challenging due to the lack of suitable methodologies. Here, we report the first in vitro and in vivo knockout in E. histolytica (ehcp112 gene) using a modified CRISPR-Cas9 strategy and explore its effects on the other V1 locus genes. Confocal and transmission electron microscopy were used to detect the RNP pathway formed by the Cas9 enzyme and the crRNA–tracrRNA complex, from their entry into the trophozoites until their arrival at the nucleus and heterochromatin. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the mutant cells (EhCP112-KO) were smaller, with fewer pseudopodia and plasma membrane depressions. DNA sequencing and RT-qPCR assays identified a four-base deletion in the ehcp112 gene in the mutant trophozoites. Western blot assays of EhCP112-KO extracts revealed the absence of the EhCP112 protein. While the EhCP112-KO lysates digested gelatin more efficiently than the HM1:IMSS extracts, their secreted products showed poor enzymatic activity. The ehcp112 knockout also affected the transcription of the ehadh and ehrabb genes, probably due to their genomic position. In conclusion, the implementation of the CRISPR-Cas9 strategy in E. histolytica evidenced the coordinated expression of the ehcp112 gene and the other members of the V1 locus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Molecular Biology of Entamoeba histolytica)
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Review

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19 pages, 527 KB  
Review
The Role of Biofilm-Derived Compounds in Microbial and Protozoan Interactions
by Smruti Mahapatra and Serge Ankri
Microorganisms 2026, 14(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14010064 - 27 Dec 2025
Viewed by 986
Abstract
Biofilms are more than just structural microbial communities. They are dynamic chemical ecosystems that synthesize a range of extracellular compounds involved in functions that extend beyond biofilm architecture. From quorum-sensing molecules like acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), phenazines, indoles, and [...] Read more.
Biofilms are more than just structural microbial communities. They are dynamic chemical ecosystems that synthesize a range of extracellular compounds involved in functions that extend beyond biofilm architecture. From quorum-sensing molecules like acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), phenazines, indoles, and reactive sulfur species (RSS), biofilm-derived metabolites can impact the physiology and behavior of microorganisms living in the same ecosystem, including other bacteria and protozoa. It has recently been demonstrated that such molecules may also modulate competition between microbes, promote cooperation, and impact motility, differentiation, or virulence of free-living and parasitic protozoa. This review aims to discuss biofilm compounds that mediate interspecies or interkingdom interactions and their involvement in regulating gut and environmental microbiomes functions, and host–pathogen relationships with special emphasis on protozoan activity and the infection outcome. This review will also address how this chemical dialog can be explored to identify new therapeutic interventions against microbial infections and parasitic diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Molecular Biology of Entamoeba histolytica)
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