Molecular characterization of cystatins of Trichinella spp.
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| Year of publication | 2015 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Nematodes of the genus Trichinella are intracellular parasites which invade the cells of small intestine and skeletal muscles. Their global distribution is corresponding to the wide range of their hosts involving mammals, birds and reptiles. Six (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T7) of twelve genotypes (T1-T12) of Trichinella are causative agents of human trichinellosis, a serious disease which has been documented in 55 countries. Our work is focused on cystatins - inhibitors of C1 cysteine peptidases. Their ancestor gene have undergone a complex and dynamic evolution implicating the current high variability of the cystatin group. Despite this fact, three amino acid conserved motifs of cystatin active site remain preserved. Cystatins are involved in many essential biological processes of helminths, including Trichinella spp., like development, growth, migration, digestion, reproduction and also in manipulation of the host immunne system. The presence of some cystatins was confirmed in excretory-secretory products of Trichinella muscle larvae and “multi cystatin-like domain” protein was recognized as a one of the most dominant components. |
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