Unveiling the Peptidase Network Orchestrating Hemoglobin Catabolism in Rhodnius prolixus.

ABSTRACT: Chagas disease is transmitted to humans by obligatory hematophagous insects of Triatominae subfamily, which feeds on various hosts to acquire their nutritional sustenance derived from blood proteins. Hemoglobin (Hb) digestion is a pivotal metabolic feature of triatomines, representing a key juncture in their competence toward Trypanosoma cruzi; however, it remains poorly understood. To explore the Hb digestion pathway in Rhodnius prolixus, a major Chagas disease vector, we employed an array of approaches for activity profiling of various midgut-associated peptidases using specific substrates and inhibitors. Dissecting the individual contribution of each peptidase family in Hb digestion has unveiled a predominant role played by aspartic proteases and cathepsin B-like peptidases. Determinati

SUBMITTER: Ouali R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11135036 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature