Fig. 7. Schematic representation of the functions of ADI during growth and encystation. (A) During growth, the trophozoites acquire free arginine from the extracellular medium. Inside the cell, cytoplasmic ADI converts arginine into citrulline, with ATP production occurring at the final enzymatic step of the ADH pathway. (B) ADI is released to the extracellular space when the trophozoites are in contact with human colon epithelial cells and compete with the host NOS for the free arginine, thereby reducing the production of NO. (C) Under low exposure to specific antibodies, ADI acts as a PAD on the cytoplasmic tail of VSP, inducing VSP switching. (D) During the last step of encystation, ADI is translocated from the cytoplasm to the nuclei, turning encystation-specific genes off and ending the process.