Entamoeba present unique sulfur metabolism

What is it about?

Sulfur metabolism is essential in all organisms and typically produces a variety of sulfur-containing molecules. A parasitic protozoa, Entamoeba histolytica is atypically limited to the synthesis of sulfolipids in this metabolism. We have shown an overall scheme of sulfur metabolism and also identified a novel sulfolipid in this parasite. This metabolite together with another sulfolipid previously demonstrated play important roles in maintenance of this parasitic life cycle, which is alternating two distinct stages: proliferative trophozoite and dormant cyst.

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Why is it important?

We demonstrate distinct lines of evidence to substantiate the unique features of Entamoeba sulfur metabolism, which is conferred by lateral gene transfer to the parasitic Entamoeba lineage, and not to the non-parasitic Mastigamoeba lineage. Thus, it makes conceivable that Entamoeba sulfur metabolism is not only important in the physiology but also contributes parasitism.

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