Heparin interacts with elongation factor 1α of Cryptosporidium parvum and inhibits invasion

• DOI: 10.1038/srep11599
• Publication Date: 2015-07-01T09:09:03Z
• Authors: Atsuko Inomata; Fumi Murakoshi; Akiko Ishiwa; Ryo Takano; Hitoshi Takemae; Tatsuki Sugi; Frances Cagayat R...; Taisuke Horimoto; Kentaro Kato
• Keywords: Cryptosporidium parvum

Abstract Cryptosporidium parvum is an apicomplexan parasite that can cause serious watery diarrhea, cryptosporidiosis, in human and other mammals. C. invades gastrointestinal epithelial cells, which have abundant glycosaminoglycans on their cell surface. However, little known about the interaction between glycosaminoglycans. In this study, we assessed inhibitory effect of sulfated polysaccharides invasion host cells identified ligands interact with polysaccharides. Among five tested, heparin had highest, dose-dependent invasion. Heparan sulfate-deficient were less susceptible to infection. We further 31 proteins potentially heparin. Of these, confirmed elongation factor 1α (CpEF1α), plays a role invasion, binds surface HCT-8 cells. Our results our understanding molecular basis infection will facilitate development anti-cryptosporidial agents.