Entamoeba histolytica contains a beta 1 integrin-like molecule similar to fibronectin receptors from eukaryotic cells.
Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites do interact with extracellular matrix components in order to invade and finally destroy tissue. An important step in this interaction involves the binding of a 140-kDa membrane protein that binds to fibronectin. The similarity of this amoebic receptor to fibronectin receptors from higher eukaryotic cells was defined by indirect immunofluorescence, western blot and immunohistochemistry, using polyclonal monospecific antibodies raised against the amoebic protein. These results suggest that lower eukaryotic cells have and use a beta 1 integrin-like molecule as well as mechanisms similar to those present in higher eukaryotic cells during interaction with extracellular matrix components.