Cryptosporidium parvum infection requires host cell actin polymerization

Elliott, D. A., Coleman, D. J., Lane, M. A., May, R. C., Machesky, L. M. and Clark, D. P. (2001) Cryptosporidium parvum infection requires host cell actin polymerization. Infection and Immunity, 69(9), pp. 5940-5942. (doi: 10.1128/iai.69.9.5940-5942.2001) (PMID:11500478) (PMCID:PMC98718)

Abstract

The intracellular protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum accumulates host cell actin at the interface between the parasite and the host cell cytoplasm. Here we show that the actin polymerizing proteins Arp2/3, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), and neural Wiskott Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) are present at this interface and that host cell actin polymerization is necessary for parasite infection. The obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum causes a diarrheal illness in infected hosts (2, 6). The severity of the illness depends largely on the immune status of the host. Consequently, immunosuppressed individuals, such as people with AIDS and malnourished children in developing countries, can develop a life-threatening illness (14). Unfortunately, the pathogenesis is poorly understood and there is no curative therapy (3). One possible explanation for the apparent drug resistance manifested byCryptosporidium lies in the unique nature of the host-parasite interface (15). As the parasite invades the host intestinal epithelial cell, a junctional complex is formed at the host-parasite interface that separates the parasite from the host cell cytoplasm. This junctional complex appears as an electron-dense band with an adjacent filamentous network in transmission electron micrographs (18, 23, 31). We and others have recently shown that actin and the actin-binding protein, α-actinin, are associated with this junctional complex (Fig.1F and I) (9, 13), but other components remain unknown.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Machesky, Professor Laura
• Authors: Elliott, D. A., Coleman, D. J., Lane, M. A., May, R. C., Machesky, L. M., and Clark, D. P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Infection and Immunity
• Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
• ISSN: 0019-9567
• ISSN (Online): 1098-5522