Open AccessThe calcium binding protein EhCaBP6 is a microtubular‐end binding protein in E ntamoeba histolytica
Author(s) -
Grewal Jaspreet Singh,
Padhan Narendra,
Aslam Saima,
Bhattacharya Alok,
Lohia Anuradha
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
cellular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.542
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1462-5822
pISSN - 1462-5814
DOI - 10.1111/cmi.12167
Subject(s) - entamoeba histolytica , cytokinesis , biology , cytoplasm , microbiology and biotechnology , microtubule , calcium binding protein , endocytosis , entamoeba , plasma protein binding , binding protein , calcium , biochemistry , receptor , cell , genetics , cell division , chemistry , gene , organic chemistry
Summary The genome of E ntamoeba histolytica encodes several calcium binding proteins and those characterized thus far have been shown to participate predominantly in phagocytosis and endocytosis. Our study showed that EhCaBP6 has two EF ‐hand domains EFI and EFIII ; it can bind Ca 2+ in vitro and undergoes conformational transition on binding Ca 2+ suggesting that it can serve as a calcium signal sensor. EhCaBP6 is localized in the nucleus, cytoplasm and plasma membrane and is sensitive to heat stress. Unlike other Ca 2+ binding proteins that have been studied in E . histolytica , EhCaBP6 is found at microtubule ends and at the intercellular bridge with the microtubules during cytokinesis. Furthermore, increased expression of EhCaBP6 was correlated with a significant increase in the number of microtubular structures suggesting that this protein may regulate chromosome segregation and cytokinesis in E . histolytica .