Excretory bladder: the source of cysteine proteases in Paragonimus westermani metacercariae.
The cysteine proteases of Paragonimus westermani metacercariae are involved in metacercarial excystment, host immune modulation, and possibly in tissue penetration. In order to clarify the origin of the enzymes, 28 and 27 kDa cysteine proteases in metacercarial excretory-secretory products were purified through the FPLC system using Mono Q column chromatography. The polyclonal antibodies to the enzymes were produced in BALB/c mice. Immunolocalization studies revealed that both cysteine proteases were distributed at the linings of excretory bladder and excretory concretions of the metacercariae. It was suggested that the excretory epithelium of P. westermani undertake the secretory function of metacercarial cysteine proteases, in addition to its role as a route for eliminating waste products.
Yang
Hyun-Jong
HJ
Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea.
Chung
Young-Bae
YB
Kang
Shin-Yong
SY
Kong
Yoon
Y
Cho
Seung-Yull
SY
D000818:Animals; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D019295:Computational Biology; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010238:Paragonimus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000201:enzymology*
D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases