Molecular mechanisms of invasion by Entamoeba histolytica.

Amebiasis is the third leading cause of death due to parasitic disease. Adherence to and contact-dependent killing of host cells requires the galactose-inhibitable lectin, a heterodimeric glycoprotein composed of heavy and light subunits. The cysteine-rich extracellular domain of the heavy subunit has identity with beta 1 integrins, complement receptor CD59, and complement components C8 and C9; the light subunit sequence is unlike any other sequenced protein. Monoclonal antibodies to the cysteine-rich domain identify pathogenic-specific domains, have adherence-inhibitory and -enhancing properties, block contact-dependent cytotoxicity, and abrogate complement C5b-9 resistance. The purified lectin has galactose-binding activity and confers C5b-9 resistance to susceptible amebae. The accumulated evidence points to the same cell surface galactose-inhibitable lectin as a mediator of two activities required for invasion: adherence and complement resistance.