Molecular Characterization of a Dirofilaria immitis Cysteine Protease Inhibitor (Cystatin) and Its Possible Role in Filarial Immune Evasion.

ABSTRACT: Infection with canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), spread via mosquito vectors, causes coughing, asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis in humans and other animals. The disease is especially severe and often fatal in dogs and represents a serious threat to public health worldwide. Cysteine protease inhibitors (CPIs), also known as cystatins, are major immunomodulators of the host immune response during nematode infections. Herein, we cloned and expressed the cystatin Di-CPI from D. immitis. Sequence analysis revealed two specific cystatin-like domains, a Q-x-V-x-G motif, and a SND motif. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Di-CPI is a member of the second subgroup of nematode type II cystatins. Probing of D. immitis total proteins with anti-rDi-CPI polyclonal antibody revealed a weak signa

SUBMITTER: Dong X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6523577 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature