title: Molecular interactions of Leishmania promastigote surface protease with human alpha 2-macroglobulin.
abstract: The interaction of Leishmania promastigote surface protease (PSP) with the plasmatic protease inhibitor alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) was investigated. In plasma, solubilized PSP forms covalent complexes only with alpha 2M, at the exclusion of other protease inhibitors. The formation of complexes is accompanied by the proteolytic cleavage of the alpha 2M subunit and by the transition from the 'slow' to the 'fast' form of alpha 2M. The proteolytic activity of solubilized PSP on azocasein is inhibited by alpha 2M. In contrast, we found no evidence for a specific interaction of alpha 2M with the surface of promastigotes and PSP proteolytic activity on intact cells was not inhibited by alpha 2M.
authors: Division de Rhumatologie, HCU Genève, Switzerland.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Heumann
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Burger
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Vischer
authors: M
authors: M
authors: de Colmenares
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Bouvier
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Bordier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006801:Humans; D007895:Leishmania tropica / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C055146:glycoprotein gp63, Leishmania