Glycogen Metabolism and Its Role in Growth and Encystation in Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba histolytica is a parasitic protozoan that causes diarrheal disease in approximately 100 million people worldwide every year. E. has two forms, the growing trophozoite and infectious cyst. Trophozoites colonizing large intestine form cysts are released into environment. The ingestion of contaminated food water continues cycle. Here, we investigated role glycogen growth encystation. Glycogen thought to provide precursors for synthesis chitin, major component protective cyst wall. We propose also serves as an energy source during metabolic adaptation different nutrient environments. examined by analyzing encystation RNAi strains with reduced expression single gene-encoding synthase (GYS) or three genes encoding phosphorylase (PYG). GYS strain had greatly accumulation, both PYG exhibited glucose-poor medium. Both showed production. Our results suggest degradation vital low-glucose environment such encountered intestine.