Leviserpin: A Serine Peptidase Inhibitor (Serpin) from the Sugarcane Weevil Sphenophorus levis

Autor(es)

Fonseca, Fernando P. P. ^[1] ; Ike, Priscila T. L. ^[1] ; Assis, Diego M. ^[2] ; Icimoto, Marcelo Y. ^[1] ; Juliano, Maria A. ^[2] ; Juliano, Luiz ^{[2, 1]} ; Puzer, Luciano ^[3] ; Henrique-Silva, Flavio ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Mol Biol Lab, Dept Genet & Evolut, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biophys, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ ABC, Ctr Nat & Human Sci, Biol Chem Lab, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: The Protein Journal; v. 30, n. 6, p. 404-412, AUG 2011.
• Citações Web of Science: 4

Resumo

Serine peptidase inhibitors (serpins) form a superfamily of proteins covering abroad spectrum of different biological functions. Here we describe the inhibitory characterization of leviserpin, the first serpin from the sugar cane weevil Sphenophorus levis. Leviserpin was able to inhibit bovine trypsin by the formation of the covalent complex serpin-peptidase, demonstrated by SDS-PAGE and mass spectroscopy analysis. We also have determined the cleavage site at the reactive center loop, by the analysis of the polypeptides released from de C-terminus of leviserpin. Moreover we investigated the mRNA expression of leviserpin in different stages of S. levis development. Thus the specificity of leviserpin, in addition with its mRNA coding being transcribed through all lifecycle of the insect, can suggest a possible role in defense mechanism by regulating the action of prophenoloxidase (proPO) activating enzyme. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 06/53607-6 - Clonagem, expressão e estudo de especificidade das calicreínas teciduais humanas hK5 e hK7
• Beneficiário: Luciano Puzer
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores
• Processo FAPESP: 98/14138-2 - Center for Structural Molecular Biotechnology
• Beneficiário: Glaucius Oliva
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Centros de Pesquisa, Inovação e Difusão - CEPIDs