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Cathepsin Proteases in Toxoplasma gondii

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Cysteine Proteases of Pathogenic Organisms

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 712))

Abstract

Cysteine proteases are important for the growth and survival of apicomplexan parasites that infect humans. The apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii expresses five members of the C1 family of cysteine proteases, including one cathepsin L-like (TgCPL), one cathepsin B-like (TgCPB) and three cathepsin C-like (TgCPC1, 2 and 3) proteases. Recent genetic, biochemical and structural studies reveal that cathepsins function in microneme and rhoptry protein maturation, host cell invasion, replication and nutrient acquisition. here, we review the key features and roles of T. gondii cathepsins and discuss the therapeutic potential for specific inhibitor development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Zhicheng Dou & Vern B. Carruthers

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  1. Zhicheng Dou
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  2. Vern B. Carruthers
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Infection, Immunity and Innovation (i3) Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Sydney, Australia

    Mark W. Robinson PhD

  2. Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, McDonald Campus, St. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada

    John P. Dalton PhD

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Dou, Z., Carruthers, V.B. (2011). Cathepsin Proteases in Toxoplasma gondii . In: Robinson, M.W., Dalton, J.P. (eds) Cysteine Proteases of Pathogenic Organisms. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 712. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8414-2_4

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