Cathepsin F cysteine protease of the human liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini is classified as a class I carcinogen due to the association between cholangiocarcinoma and chronic O. viverrini infection. During its feeding activity within the bile duct, the parasite secretes several cathepsin F cysteine proteases that may induce or contribute to the pathologies associated with hepatobiliary abnormalities.

Methodology/principal findings

Here, we describe the cDNA, gene organization, phylogenetic relationships, immunolocalization, and functional characterization of the cathepsin F cysteine protease gene, here termed Ov-cf-1, from O. viverrini. The full length mRNA of 1020 nucleotides (nt) encoded a 326 amino acid zymogen consisting of a predicted signal peptide (18 amino acids, aa), prosegment (95 aa), and

SUBMITTER: Pinlaor P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2654340 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature