Studies on proteinases of Echinococcus multilocularis larva for their survival in the host and search for inhibitors

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K08440
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Parasitology (including sanitary zoology)
• Research Institution: Asahikawa Medical College
• Principal Investigator: Sako Yasuhito 旭川医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (40312459)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): OKAMOTO Munehiro 京都大学, 霊長類研究所, 教授 (70177096) ; SASAKI Mizuki 旭川医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (00632126)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: エキノコックス幼虫 / システインプロテアーゼ / マトリックスメタロプロテアーゼ / 宿主分子 / 分解活性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We analyzed proteinases of Echinococcus multilocularis larva as key molecules on their persistent infection. Large scale preparation of active recombinant enzymes of four cathepsin-like cystein proteinases reported previously by us was not succeeded. However, we identified novel cathepsin L-like cystein proteinase (EmCLP3) and matrix metalloproteinase (EmMMP). We confirmed that both enzyme was expressed at protein level in larval stage. Furthermore, we demonstrated that EmCLP3 had an activity to digest host protein molecules such as IgG, albumin, collagen and fibrobnectin. These results indicated that EmCLP3 involved in the persistent infection of parasite.

Free Research Field

分子寄生虫学