9GEH

Entamoeba histolytica Gal/GalNAc lectin heavy chain residues 808-992 in the presence of LacNAc

Summary for 9GEH

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb9geh/pdb
• Descriptor: Galactose/N-acetyl-D-galactosamine lectin heavy subunit 1, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranose (3 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: entamoeba histolytica, lectin, gal/galnac, trogocytosis, cell adhesion
• Biological source: Entamoeba histolytica
• Total number of polymer chains: 3
• Total formula weight: 65969.53

Authors

Gerard, S.F.,Higgins, M.K. (deposition date: 2024-08-07, release date: 2026-02-11, Last modification date: 2026-04-01)

Primary citation

Gerard, S.F.,Redfield, C.,Higgins, M.K.
Structural basis for carbohydrate recognition by the Gal/GalNAc lectin of Entamoeba histolytica involved in host cell adhesion.
Plos Pathog., 22:e1013948-e1013948, 2026

PubMed Abstract: Intestinal amoebiasis is caused by Entamoeba histolytica, one of the deadliest human-infective parasites. Central to its pathogenicity is its binding to mucosal carbohydrates, which precedes tissue damage by trogocytosis. Carbohydrate binding is mediated by a single adhesin, the galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine (Gal/GalNAc) lectin, which is the leading vaccine candidate for amoebiasis. We present the structure of the native heterodimeric lectin, revealing an ordered core containing the light chain and the N-terminal region of the heavy chain. Structures obtained in the presence of ligand show that the Gal/GalNAc binding site is in the light chain, which adopts a β-trefoil fold found in other lectins. An elongated arm emerges from the heavy chain, which adopts multiple positions and may be modulated by sugar binding. This study reveals the molecular basis for sugar binding by the Entamoeba histolytica Gal/GalNAc lectin, a prerequisite for parasite invasion and development of intestinal disease.

PubMed: 41734235
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013948

Experimental method

X-RAY DIFFRACTION (2.319 Å)