CONTACT-DEPENDENT DISRUPTION OF THE HOST-CELL MEMBRANE SKELETON INDUCED BY TRICHOMONAS-VAGINALIS

This report presents evidence showing that the pathogenetic process of the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis involves degradation of the target cell membrane skeleton; spectrin, the most representative p rotein within this structure, has been identified as the main molecula r target. Degradation of the target cell spectrin is accomplished only upon contact with the parasite, and immunochemical and immunofluoresc ence studies performed with the erythrocyte as a model demonstrate tha t degradation of the protein takes place before target cell lysis. A p reliminary characterization of the effecters involved has led to the i dentification of a nonsecreted 30-kDa proteinase which is characterize d by a high specificity for spectrin, This molecule is suggested as th e main effector responsible for cytoskeletal disruption.