title: Kinetoplastid papain-like cysteine peptidases.
abstract: Cysteine peptidases are important for growth and survival of kinetoplastid parasites. The best characterised are those homologous to mammalian cathepsins B and L. To address a somewhat confusing terminology, we introduce a unifying nomenclature for kinetoplastid CATB and CATL peptidases. We review their evolutionary relatedness, genomic organisation, developmental expression, subcellular location and physiological functions. In addition, the applications of kinetoplastid CATB and CATL enzymes as vaccine candidates, diagnostic markers and drug targets are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, Byers Hall, University of California San Francisco, 1700 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
authors.forename: Conor R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Caffrey
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steverding
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016830:Kinetoplastida / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D009626:Terminology as Topic
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases