Functional analysis of the cathepsin-like cysteine protease genes in adult Brugia malayi using RNA interference.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cathepsin-like enzymes have been identified as potential targets for drug or vaccine development in many parasites, as their functions appear to be essential in a variety of important biological processes within the host, such as molting, cuticle remodeling, embryogenesis, feeding and immune evasion. Functional analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans cathepsin L (Ce-cpl-1) and cathepsin Z (Ce-cpz-1) has established that both genes are required for early embryogenesis, with Ce-cpl-1 having a role in regulating in part the processing of yolk proteins. Ce-cpz-1 also has an important role during molting.

Methods and findings

RNA interference assays have allowed us to verify whether the functions of the orthologous filarial genes in Brugia malayi adult female worms are simi

SUBMITTER: Ford L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2634747 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature