Cathepsin B-like and hemoglobin-type cysteine proteases: stage-specific gene expression in Angiostrongy cantonensis.
Three cysteine protease genes, cathepsin B-like enzyme gene 1, 2 (AC-cathB-1, AC-cathB-2) and hemoglobin-type cysteine protease gene (AC-hem) were isolated and described from Angiostrongylus cantonensis adult. The deduced amino acid sequence of Ac-cathB-1 and AC-cathB-2 contain all of the conserved regions of cathepsin B. AC-cathB-2 is similar to a host intrusion-related cysteine protease B from Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, and the AC-hem shares high similarity to legumain from Haemonchus contortus. AC-cathB-1 was expressed significantly higher in L1 as compared with AC-hem, the AC-cathB-2 followed; AC-cathB-2 transcripts in L3 were found increased rapidly and obviously abundant, suggesting that AC-cathB-1 and AC-cathB-2 may play an important role in intermediate and final host invasion, separately. The cysteine protease genes were more or less expressed in adult stage excepted for AC-cathB-2. As the AC-cathB-1 and AC-hem highly expressed in adult worms, suggesting AC-hem may activate AC-cathB-1 which involved in the host invasion and feeding process.
School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China.
Fang
F
Ni
Yinan
Y
Wang
Jing
J
Zhang
Liang
L
Yu
Wenzhen
W
Fang
Damin
D
Luo
D024509:3' Flanking Region / Q000235:genetics; D024506:5' Flanking Region / Q000235:genetics; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D017185:Angiostrongylus cantonensis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002401:Cathepsin B / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D057056:Cysteine Proteases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D008018:Life Cycle Stages / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018510:RNA, Helminth / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D012908:Snails; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D018510:RNA, Helminth; D057056:Cysteine Proteases; D002401:Cathepsin B