Review
Oncology
Gilles Lalmanach, Mariana Kasabova-Arjomand, Fabien Lecaille, Ahlame Saidi
Summary: Cystatin M/E, a low molecular mass protein, exhibits both tumor-suppressing and tumor-promoting effects in various cancers. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of Cystatin M/E and its expression and activity in tumorigenesis is crucial in maintaining proteolytic balance and addressing its imbalance in cancer.
Article
Parasitology
Muhammad Ehsan, Rui-Si Hu, Jun-Ling Hou, Hany M. Elsheikha, Xiao-Dong Li, Pan-Hong Liang, Xing-Quan Zhu
Summary: The study demonstrates the immunomodulatory effects of a recombinant tegumental calcium-binding EF-hand protein 4 of F. gigantica (rFg-CaBP4) on goat monocytes through various experiments, showing an increase in cytokine transcription levels and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-II molecule expression. This sheds light on the roles of calcium-binding EF-hand proteins in host-parasite interaction and the strategies used by F. gigantica to evade host immune responses.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anastasiia I. Petushkova, Lyudmila V. Savvateeva, Andrey A. Zamyatnin
Summary: Papain-like cysteine proteases are widely expressed enzymes that regulate protein turnover in lysosomes. Recent discoveries have shown that these proteases also have specific functions in different organelles and extracellular environments. Human cysteine cathepsins are the most studied proteases in this family and are involved in both physiological and pathological processes. The specificity of each protease to its substrates is determined by the structure of the binding cleft and the amino acid motifs in this region.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Narin Changklungmoa, Werachon Cheukamud, Wipaphorn Jaikua, Krai Meemon, Prasert Sobhon, Pornanan Kueakhai
Summary: The combined rFgSAP-2 and rFgLAP vaccine showed a higher vaccine potential than a single vaccine in preventing Fasciola gigantica infection. The levels of IgG1 and IgG2a in the sera were significantly increased in vaccinated mice compared with control groups, indicating the efficacy of the vaccine. Furthermore, vaccinated mice exhibited reduced liver damage.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Denise M. T. Yu, Stephanie Dauth, Michael B. Margineanu, Valentina Snetkova, Maren Rehders, Silvia Jordans, Klaudia Brix
Summary: This study found that cathepsin expression and activity in the brains of aging mice varies, which may be related to aging processes and diseases. The results provide insight into the potential impact of cathepsin inhibitor therapy for osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases in aging individuals.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jonathan M. Plett, Jerica Sabotic, Eva Vogt, Fridtjof Snijders, Annegret Kohler, Uffe N. Nielsen, Markus Kuenzler, Francis Martin, Claire Veneault-Fourrey
Summary: Fungivory of mycorrhizal hyphae has a significant impact on fungal fitness and nutrient transfer. Mycorrhizal fungi have evolved mycocypins to protect their hyphal tissues from being eaten. The ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor has a high number of mycocypin-encoding genes. This study characterizes the evolution and properties of L. bicolor mycocypins, showing their differential expression during symbiosis and their toxic effects on nematodes and collembolans.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kanhu Charan Das, Ruchishree Konhar, Devendra Kumar Biswal
Summary: Continuous efforts have been made to develop candidate vaccines for tropical fascioliasis in livestock. The study aimed to create a multi-epitope subunit vaccine using calcium-binding proteins from F. gigantica. The vaccine construct was tested for its antigenicity, allergenicity, and physiochemical properties, and docked with toll-like receptor 2 for stability and interaction analysis. The research has implications for F. hepatica as well.
Article
Immunology
Gema Alama-Bermejo, Pavla Bartosova-Sojkova, Stephen D. Atkinson, Astrid S. Holzer, Jerri L. Bartholomew
Summary: Proteases and their inhibitors play critical roles in host-parasite interactions and infection outcomes. In this study, the researchers analyzed the genome and transcriptome of Ceratonova shasta, a pathogen that causes enteronecrosis in salmonids. They identified various proteases and inhibitors, and investigated their expression and functions in different genotypes during infection and parasite development. This research provides insights into virulence mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for aquaculture.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Manasi Mishra, Vigyasa Singh, Meenakshi B. Tellis, Rakesh S. Joshi, Shailja Singh
Summary: The study presents a novel re-engineered chimera inhibitor Mco-cysteine protease inhibitor (CPI) designed to inhibit the activity of C1A cysteine proteases by grafting conserved motifs onto a cyclic peptide scaffold. The inhibitor showed significant thermostability and binding affinity to papain, and computational modeling validated its mechanism of inhibition against papain and cathepsin L. The study demonstrates the potential of ultrastable peptide-based scaffolds for developing novel inhibitors through grafting.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarita Puri, Shang-Te Danny Hsu
Summary: This study demonstrates that the ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH) domain of BAP1 is highly sensitive to moderate oxidative stress. Partial oxidation of BAP1-UCH destabilizes its structure and increases aggregation propensity, and unlike other DUBs, the oxidative structural and functional loss of BAP1-UCH cannot be fully reversed by reducing agents. The oligomerization of oxidized BAP1-UCH is attributed to inter-molecular disulfide bond formation. Increased fluctuations of the central β sheet upon oxidation are revealed by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). These findings may contribute to understanding the oncogenesis associated with BAP1.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Krishnamanikumar Premachandran, Thanga Suja Srinivasan, Carlton Ranjith Wilson Alphonse
Summary: Phytoprotease inhibitors are vital defense compounds produced by plants against microbes and insect herbivory, with Oryzacystatins being a group of protease inhibitors specific to cysteine protease enzymes. This study explored the evolutionary relationship of different oryzacystatins from rice and their interaction with cysteine protease enzymes, revealing the importance of key residues in mediating efficient interactions. The findings suggest the potential for oryzacystatins to interact with cysteine protease enzymes in insects.
Article
Biology
Pavla Bartosova-Sojkova, Jiri Kyslik, Gema Alama-Bermejo, Ashlie Hartigan, Stephen D. Atkinson, Jerri L. Bartholomew, Amparo Picard-Sanchez, Oswaldo Palenzuela, Marc Nicolas Faber, Jason W. Holland, Astrid S. Holzer
Summary: Cysteine protease inhibitors known as cystatins play important roles in protein degradation and host immunity to parasites. This study identified diverse cystatins in early-emerging animal groups, including the discovery of a new subtype in parasitic cnidarians, the Myxozoa. The research explored the evolutionary history and lineage-specific adaptations of cystatins in early metazoans, shedding light on their potential roles in host-parasite interactions.
Article
Virology
Jeffrey J. Hodgson, Peter J. Krell, A. Lorena Passarelli
Summary: The protease activity of cathepsin in Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus is crucial for efficient release of chitinase and cathepsin enzymes, as well as for the release of progeny OBs. This study suggests an important relationship between baculovirus-induced cell lysis, maturation of cathepsin, and the cellular release of enzymes and OBs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Subhoja Chakraborty, Sampa Biswas
Summary: The emergence of resistance to malaria drugs has raised concerns and highlighted the need for new drug targets. This study identifies human stefin-A (STFA) as an effective inhibitor of the malarial enzyme falcipain-2 (FP2), and demonstrates that a mutation in STFA enhances selectivity. The findings provide insights for the design of host-based protein inhibitors against FP2.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anastasia S. Frolova, Natalia K. Tikhomirova, Igor I. Kireev, Evgeni Yu. Zernii, Alessandro Parodi, Konstantin I. Ivanov, Andrey A. Zamyatnin Jr
Summary: Cysteine cathepsins are important in tumor development and metastasis, and their expression is often increased in tumor cells. This study assessed and compared the expression, localization, and maturation of all eleven cysteine cathepsins in kidney cells and kidney cancer cell lines. The results showed higher expression levels of certain cathepsins in tumor cells, as well as their presence in the nucleus and higher maturation levels compared to embryonic cells. These findings can be used for diagnostic development and investigating cysteine cathepsins as potential therapeutic targets.
BIOCHEMISTRY-MOSCOW
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Sattrachai Prasopdee, Jutharat Kulsantiwong, Supawadee Piratae, Panita Khampoosa, Chalida Thammasiri, Apiporn Suwannatrai, Thewarach Laha, Rudi Grams, Alex Loukas, Smarn Tesana
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sinee Siricoon, Suksiri Vichasri Grams, Kittisak Lertwongvisarn, Muntana Abdullohfakeeyah, Peter M. Smooker, Rudi Grams
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amornrat Geadkaew, Julia von Buelow, Eric Beitz, Smarn Tesana, Suksiri Vichasri Grams, Rudi Grams
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Sattrachai Prasopdee, Smarn Tesana, Cinzia Cantacessi, Thewarach Laha, Jason Mulvenna, Rudi Grams, Alex Loukas, Javier Sotillo
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2015)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wansika Phadungsil, Peter M. Smooker, Suksiri Vichasri-Grams, Rudi Grams
MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL PARASITOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nipawan Labbunruang, Wansika Phadungsil, Smarn Tesana, Peter M. Smooker, Rudi Grams
MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL PARASITOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Parasitology
Sitthichon Rattanachan, Rudi Grams, Smarn Tesana, Peter M. Smooker, Suksiri Vichasri Grams
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shyam P. Dumre, Geeta Shakya, Kesara Na-Bangchang, Veerachai Eursitthichai, Hans Rudi Grams, Senendra R. Upreti, Prakash Ghimire, K. C. Khagendra, Ananda Nisalak, Robert V. Gibbons, Stefan Fernandez
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2013)
Article
Parasitology
Pornpimol Subpipattana, Rudi Grams, Suksiri Vichasri-Grams
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2012)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Kamphon Intharanut, Rudi Grams, Sasitorn Bejrachandra, Pramote Sriwanitchrak, Oytip Nathalang
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS
(2013)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amornrat Geadkaew, Nanthawat Kosa, Sinee Siricoon, Suksiri Vichasri Grams, Rudi Grams
MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL PARASITOLOGY
(2014)
Article
Parasitology
Pichanee Watthanasiri, Amornrat Geadkaew-Krenc, Rudi Grams
Summary: The rumen fluke Fischoederius elongatus may actually consist of genetically distinct species rather than a single species. This study describes the morphology and full mitochondrial genome sequence of one of these species, which may have arisen from unique recombination events between genes.
KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pichanee Watthanasiri, Amornrat Geadkaew-Krenc, Peter M. Smooker, Rudi Grams
Summary: Rumen flukes in the genus Fischoederius, collected from cattle in Thailand, were found to represent several species through DNA analysis. Molecular and transcriptome analysis confirmed the presence of undescribed species within the genus Fischoederius.
MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wansika Phadungsil, Supaporn Pumpa, Kridsada Sirisabhabhorn, Amornrat Geadkaew-Krenc, Rudi Grams, Mathirut Mungthin, Toon Ruang-Areerate, Poom Adisakwattana, Nipawan Labbunruang, Pongsakorn Martviset
Summary: Opisthorchis viverrini infection is a major parasitic infection issue in Southeast Asian countries, leading to bile duct cancer. Molecular diagnosis using OvNad subunits, particularly OvNad5, shows high efficiency in detecting low numbers of parasite eggs and may serve as a potential diagnostic target for routine diagnosis.
JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sattrachai Prasopdee, Smarn Tesana, Cinzia Cantacessi, Thewarach Laha, Jason Mulvenna, Rudi Grams, Alex Loukas, Javier Sotillo