Characterization of two proteases from Babesia bovis parasite: Importance in the host infections.

• Grant number: 15/09268-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2015
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Principal Investigator: Aparecida Sadae Tanaka
• Grantee: Stephen Lu
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/03657-8 - Inhibitor and proteases of ectoparasites: relationship of structure-function and identification of the role of these molecules in the interaction of diseases vector e their etiological agents, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 17/25609-9 - Characterization of two proteases from Babesia bovis parasite and their relevance in host infection., BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Rhipicephalus microplus tick is the major ectoparasite in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the globe. Its hematophagous habit cause severe anemia, reduction in the production of meat and milk and can transmit pathogens such as Anaplasma and Babesia. The complex R. microplus-Babesia has a major impact in livestock production, although little is known about the mechanism of invasion and survival of Babesia genus.In the last few years several groups have been working in the characterization of key molecules to the protozoa life cycle, especially in Plasmodium falciparum, agent of malaria. Several merozoite surface molecules (MSA) were already described taking part in adhesion and invasion of erythrocytes. Protease also takes place in protozoan life cycle, both cysteine and serine proteases display key functions in invasion and degradation of erythrocytes. Similarly in Babesia sp several surface proteins were associated with adhesion of red blood cells (RBC) and as expected, the uses of antibodies against this class of molecules were able to diminish the infection in vitro. A few proteases have also been described in Babesia sp and their correlation to the infection and egress of RBC evaluated. Although the mechanism of action of proteases during infection is still unknown, one cannot deny its key importance to protozoan life cycle.For the last few years our group has been working in the study of proteases and their inhibitors in hematophagous arthropods and revealing its importance in the host-parasite interface. In order to contribute to the knowledge of apicomplexa proteases and its relevance to the parasite life cycle the goals of this projected are the functional characterization of two proteases, one cysteine peptidase and one subtilisin, found in the genome of B. bovis, also we intend to establish knock-out strains for both proteases and evaluate its role during infection of RBC and parasite survival.

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

LU, STEPHEN; DA ROCHA, LETICIA A.; TORQUATO, RICARDO J. S.; VAZ JUNIOR, ITABAJARA DA SILVA; FLORIN-CHRISTENSEN, MONICA; TANAKA, APARECIDA S.. A novel type 1 cystatin involved in the regulation of Rhipicephalus microplus midgut cysteine proteases. TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES, v. 11, n. 3, MAY 2020. (15/09268-1, 12/03657-8, 17/25609-9)

LU, STEPHEN; ASCENCIO, MARIANO E.; TORQUATO, RICARDO J. S.; FLORIN-CHRISTENSEN, MONICA; TANAKA, APARECIDA S.. Kinetic characterization of a novel cysteine peptidase from the protozoan Babesia bovis, a potential target for drug design. Biochimie, v. 179, p. 127-134, DEC 2020. (15/09268-1, 17/25609-9, 12/03657-8)

LU, S.; PARIZI, L. F.; TORQUATO, R. J. S.; VAZ JUNIOR, I. S.; TANAKA, A. S.. Novel pseudo-aspartic peptidase from the midgut of the tick Rhipicephalus microplus. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 9, JAN 24 2019. (15/09268-1, 12/03657-8)

COSTA, GABRIEL C. A.; SILVA, FERNANDO A. A.; MANZATO, VERONICA M.; TORQUATO, RICARDO J. S.; GONZALEZ, YAMILE G.; PARIZI, LUIZ F.; VAZ JUNIOR, ITABAJARA DA SILVA; TANAKA, APARECIDA S.. A multiepitope chimeric antigen from Rhipicephalus microplus-secreted salivary proteins elicits anti-tick protective antibodies in rabbit. Veterinary Parasitology, v. 318, p. 11-pg., 2023-04-13. (20/02433-5, 12/03657-8, 19/03779-5, 12/20597-9, 15/09268-1)