Stage-specific expression of protease genes in the apicomplexan parasite, Eimeria tenella.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Proteases regulate pathogenesis in apicomplexan parasites but investigations of proteases have been largely confined to the asexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii. Thus, little is known about proteases in other Apicomplexa, particularly in the sexual stages. We screened the Eimeria tenella genome database for proteases, classified these into families and determined their stage specific expression.

Results

Over forty protease genes were identified in the E. tenella genome. These were distributed across aspartic (three genes), cysteine (sixteen), metallo (fourteen) and serine (twelve) proteases. Expression of at least fifteen protease genes was upregulated in merozoites including homologs of genes known to be important in host cell invasion, r

SUBMITTER: Katrib M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3770453 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature