Deciphering molecular mechanisms of mRNA metabolism in the deep-branching eukaryote Entamoeba histolytica

Although extraordinary rapid advance has been made in the knowledge of mechanisms regulating messenger RNA (mRNA) metabolism in mammals and yeast, little information is known in deep-branching eukaryotes. The complete genome sequence of Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite responsible for human amoebiasis, provided a lot of information for the identification and comparison of regulatory sequences and proteins potentially involved in mRNA synthesis, processing, and degradation. Here, we review the current knowledge of mRNA metabolism in this human pathogen. Several DNA motifs in promoter and nuclear factors involved in transcription, as well as conserved polyadenylation sequences in mRNA 3′-untranslated region and possible cleavage and polyadenylation factors, are described. In addition, we present recent data about proteins involved in mRNA decay with a special focus on the recently reported P-bodies in amoeba. Models for mechanisms of decapping and deadenylation-dependent pathways are discussed. We also review RNA-based gene silencing mechanisms and describe the DEAD/DExH box RNA helicases that are molecular players in all mRNA metabolism reactions. The functional characterization of selected proteins allows us to define a general framework to describe how mRNA synthesis, processing, and decay may occur in E. histolytica. Taken altogether, studies of mRNA metabolism in this single-celled eukaryotic model suggest the conservation of specific gene expression regulatory events through evolution.