Collagen-induced STAT family members activation in Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites

The interaction of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites with collagen type I and calcium induces a membrane to nuclei signaling. The transduction pathways involved in such phenomena are still poorly understood. Using a combination of immunoprecipitation assays, Western immunoblot analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift assays and immunocytochemistry we demonstrate here the expression, tyrosine phosphorylation, nuclear translocation and DNA binding of two members of the signal transducers and activators of transcription family of inducible transcription factors in the protozoan parasite E histolytica. These results support the notion that the interaction of the extracellular matrix components with the parasite turns on a genetic program that facilitates the invasion of the host. (C) 2003 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.