Trypanosoma cruzi Peptidases: An Overview

摘要

Peptidases are a group of enzymes which have a catalytic function that is to hydrolyze peptide bonds of proteins.The enzymes that hydrolyze peptide bonds at the amino- or carboxy- terminus are classified as exopeptidases, andthose that cleave peptide bonds inside the polypeptide are endopeptidases. Endopeptidases, such as cysteine-, metalo-, serine-and threonine peptidases as well as some exopeptidases, have been characterized in Trypanosoma cruzi. Understandingthe pathogenesis of T. cruzi requires the identification of functional properties of those peptidases, as they are impliedin virulence, are important for host-parasite interactions and are critical for successful survival in their hosts. Here weexamine the main T. cruzi peptidases, focusing on their biological roles, especially concerning the parasite-mammalianhost relations.