A noncanonical GATA transcription factor of Entamoeba histolytica modulates genes involved in phagocytosis. Issue 6 (10th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huerta, Miriam; Reyes, Luz; García‐Rivera, Guillermina; Bañuelos, Cecilia; Betanzos, Abigail; Díaz‐Hernández, Mitzi; Galindo, Ausencio; Bolaños, Jeni; Cárdenas, Helios; Azuara‐Liceaga, Elisa; Chávez‐Munguía, Bibiana; Orozco, Esther
• Is Part Of: Molecular microbiology. Volume 114:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 1019
• Page End: 1037
• Publication Date: 2020-09-10
• Subjects: erythrophagocytosis -- GATA transcription factor -- gene expression -- proliferation -- promoter; Molecular microbiology -- Periodicals; 572.829
• DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14592
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-382X

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, we explored the presence of GATA in Entamoeba histolytica and their function as regulators of phagocytosis‐related genes. Bioinformatics analyses evidenced a single 579 bp sequence encoding for a protein (EhGATA), smaller than GATA factors of other organisms. EhGATA appeared phylogenetically close to Dictyostelium discoideum and Schistosoma mansoni GATA proteins. Its sequence predicts the presence of a zinc‐finger DNA binding domain and an AT‐Hook motif; it also has two nuclear localization signals. By transmission electron and confocal microscopy, anti‐EhGATA antibodies revealed the protein in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and 65% of nuclear signal was in the heterochromatin. EhGATA recombinant protein and trophozoites nuclear extracts bound to GATA‐DNA consensus sequence. By in silico scrutiny, 1, 610 gene promoters containing GATA‐binding sequences appeared, including Ehadh and Ehvps32 promoters, whose genes participate in phagocytosis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that EhGATA interact with Ehadh and Ehvps32 promoters. In EhGATA‐overexpressing trophozoites (NeoGATA), the Ehadh and Ehvps32 mRNAs amount was modified, strongly supporting that EhGATA could regulate their transcription. NeoGATA trophozoites exhibited rounded shapes, high proliferation rates, and diminished erythrophagocytosis. Our results provide new insights into the role of EhGATA as a noncanonical transcription factor, regulating genes associated with phagocytosis. Abstract : EhGATA is a noncanonical GATA protein family member. It contains a GATA domain and an AT‐hook motif. This protein localizes at trophozoites cytoplasm and chromatin regions. EhGATA binds to DNA, acting as a transcription factor, probably regulating the expression of genes involved proliferation, adhesion, and phagocytosis. EhGATA regulates the transcription of the Ehadh and Ehvps32 genes and possibly others involved in phagocytosis.