DNA sequences corresponding to the ariel gene family of Entamoeba histolytica are not present in E. dispar.

For the identification of quantitative genetic differences between pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica and the closely related but nonpathogenic species E. dispar, a set of 68 independent probes that had previously been isolated from an E. histolytica cDNA library were hybridized to total genomic DNA of both amoeba species. Besides ehcp5, the sequence that codes for cysteine proteinase 5 and has recently been shown to be missing in E. dispar, only one of the probes exclusively reacted with E. histolytica DNA, whereas the remainder hybridized to DNA of both species. Sequence analysis revealed that the specific probe represents a copy of the multicopy ariel gene family, which has 80% sequence identity to srehp, the gene encoding a serine-rich E. histolytica membrane protein. In contrast to ariel, srehp is present in both amoeba species, suggesting that the ariel gene product might have a particular function in E. histolytica.