The endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) is formed by ESCRT-0, ESCRT-I, ESCRT-II, ESCRT-III complexes, and accessory proteins. It conducts vesicular trafficking in eukaryotes through the formation of vesicles and membrane fission and fusion events. The trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan responsible for human amoebiasis, presents an active membrane movement in basal state that increases during phagocytosis and tissue invasion. ESCRT-III complex has a pivotal role during these events, but ESCRT-0, ESCRT-I and ESCRT-II have been poorly studied. Here, we unveiled the E. histolytica ESCRT-I complex and its implication in vesicular trafficking and phagocytosis, as well as the molecular relationships with other phagocytosis-involved molecules. We found a gene encoding for a putative EhVps23 protein with the ubiquitin-binding and Vps23 core domains. In basal state, it was in the plasma membrane, cytoplasmic vesicles and multivesicular bodies, whereas during phagocytosis it was extensively ubiquitinated and detected in phagosomes and connected vesicles. Docking analysis, immunoprecipitation assays and microscopy studies evidenced its interaction with EhUbiquitin, EhADH, EhVps32 proteins, and the lysobisphosphatidic acid phospholipid. The knocking down of the Ehvps23 gene resulted in lower rates of phagocytosis. Our results disclosed the concert of finely regulated molecules and vesicular structures participating in vesicular trafficking-related events with a pivotal role of EhVps23.

The EhVps23 protein, an orthologue of the yeast Vps23 and the mammalian TSG101 proteins, is the single member of the ESCRT-I complex of Entamoeba histolytica identified and characterized until now. EhVps23 actively participates in vesicular trafficking and phagocytosis, which influence several cellular events. In this paper, we investigated the role of EhVps23 in virulence-related functions, including the invasive capacity of trophozoites, using transfected trophozoites. Trophozoites overexpressing the EhVps23 protein (Neo-EhVps23) presented helical arrangements in the cytoplasm, similar to the ones formed by EhVps32 for scission of vesicles. By confocal and transmission electron microscopy, EhVps23 was detected in multivesicular bodies, vesicles, and the extracellular space. It was secreted in vesicles together with other proteins, including the EhADH adhesin. Probably, these vesicles carry molecules that participate in the prey capture or in cell-cell communication. Mass spectrometry of precipitates obtained using α-EhVps23 antibodies, evidenced the presence of proteins involved in motility, phagocytosis, vesicular trafficking and secretion. The study of cellular functions, revealed that Neo-EhVps23 trophozoites exhibit characteristics similar to those described for mammalian transformed cells: they grew 50% faster than the control; presented a significant higher rate of phagocytosis, and migrated five-fold faster than the control, in concordance with the low rate of migration exhibited by Ehvps23-knocked down trophozoites. In addition, Neo-EhVps23 trophozoites produced dramatic liver abscesses in experimental animals. In conclusion, our results showed that EhVps23 overexpression gave to the trophozoites characteristics that resemble cancer cells, such as increased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The mutant that overexpresses EhVps23 can be a good study model to explore different events related to the transformation of malignant cells.

Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of human amoebiasis, exhibits a continuous membrane remodelling to exert its virulence properties. During this dynamic process, the Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport (ESCRT) machinery is a key player, particularly in phagocytosis, a virulence hallmark of this parasite. In addition to ESCRT, other molecules contribute to membrane remodelling, including the EhADH adhesin, EhRabs, actin, and the lysobisphosphatidic acid (LBPA). The endocytosis of a prey or molecules induces membrane invaginations, resulting in endosome and multivesicular bodies (MVBs) formation for cargo delivery into lysosomes. Alternatively, some proteins are recycled or secreted. Most of these pathways have been broadly characterized in other biological systems, but poorly described in protozoan parasites. Here, we encompass 10 years of ESCRT research in E. histolytica, highlighting the role of the ESCRT-I and ESCRT-III components and the EhADH and EhVps4-ATPase accessory proteins during phagocytosis. In particular, EhADH exhibits a multifunctional role along the endocytic pathway, from cargo recognition to endosome maturation and lysosomal degradation. Interestingly, the interaction of EhADH with EhVps32 seems to shape a concurrent route to the conventional one for MVBs biogenesis, that could optimize their formation. Furthermore, this adhesin is secreted, but its role in this event remains under study. Other components from the endosomal pathway, such as EhVps23 and LBPA, are also secreted. A proteomic approach performed here, using an anti-LBPA antibody, revealed that some proteins related to membrane trafficking, cellular transport, cytoskeleton dynamics, and transcriptional and translational functions are secreted and associated to LBPA. Altogether, the accumulated knowledge around the ESCRT machinery in E. histolytica, points it out as a dynamic platform facilitating the interaction of molecules participating in different cellular events. Seen as an integrated system, ESCRTs lead to a better understanding of E. histolytica phagocytosis.

Entamoeba histolytica is the etiological agent of human amebiasis, which is the third cause of death produced by parasites worldwide (Mortimer and Chadee, 2010). The cysts, found in contaminated food and water, are the infective form of this protozoan, whereas trophozoites invade tissues and destroy cells. Phagocytosis, as well as the active movement of trophozoites, are key aspects of their vir