title: Cathepsin B proteases of flukes: the key to facilitating parasite control?
abstract: Cysteine proteases are important virulence factors for parasites. This review will focus on the cathepsin B proteases of trematodes (also known as flukes) which are abundant in juvenile and immature flukes. Recent research, primarily in Fasciola, using inhibitors, RNA interference (RNAi) and vaccination studies indicates that cathepsin Bs play a key role in the biology of trematodes. As these proteases are largely expressed by infective parasite stages, their inactivation by chemotherapy or vaccination will greatly reduce the damage wrought by flukes as they invade host tissues. This validates cathepsin Bs as key strategic targets for fluke control.
authors.affiliation: RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia. peter.smooker@rmit.edu.au
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Smooker
authors.forename: Rama
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jayaraj
authors.forename: Robert N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Pike
authors.forename: Terry W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Spithill
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002401:Cathepsin B / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D014200:Trematoda / Q000276:immunology*; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary*; D037521:Virulence Factors
chemical_list: D037521:Virulence Factors; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D002401:Cathepsin B