Comprehensive Analysis of Cathepsin Genes in Hemiptera: Functional Characterization of the Venomous Cathepsin B from Sycanus bifidus.

ABSTRACT: Cathepsins represent a crucial group of protein enzymes involved in insect metabolism. Within the Hemiptera order, comprising a diverse array of predatory, blood-feeding, and herbivorous species, the understanding of cathepsin types and their roles as venom components in predatory bugs remains limited. This investigation systematically identified cathepsin genes present in Hemiptera genomes, highlighting a prevalence of cathepsin B and L, with cathepsin D exhibiting a higher gene count in the Heteroptera suborder. Examining the predatory assassin bug Sycanus bifidus, eight cathepsin genes were notably expressed in its venom glands, with the SbCAB2 gene from the cathepsin B subfamily demonstrating the highest expression in the posterior main gland, indicating its significance as a ve

SUBMITTER: Liang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12653315 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature