Cathepsin B-like cysteine proteinase-deficient mutants of Leishmania mexicana
Cathepsin B-like cysteine proteinase-deficient mutants of Leishmania mexicana
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DOI:
10.1016/s0166-6851(97)00072-8
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发表时间:
1997-09-01
影响因子:
1.5
通讯作者:
Mottram, JC
中科院分区:
文献类型:
--
作者:
Bart, G;Frame, MJ;Mottram, JC
Mutants null for the cathepsin B-like cysteine proteinase gene (cpc) of Leishmania mexicana have been generated by targeted gene disruption. The gene deletion was confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method with cpc-specific primers and genomic DNA isolated from the mutants. cpc was re-expressed in the null mutants from an episomal vector. Re-expression of the enzyme (CPC) was detected by Western blotting with a specific anti-peptide antiserum. The cpc null mutants grew apparently normally as promastigotes and amastigotes in axenic cultures, but they showed greatly reduced infectivity to macrophages in vitro with only a low percentage of the cells being infected. Re-expression of cpc in the null mutant increased the parasite's infectivity in vitro. The null mutant parasites formed lesions in mice at a similar rate as wild type parasites, although somewhat smaller lesions were produced. The results suggest that although the cysteine proteinase encoded by cpc plays a role in the parasite's interaction with macrophages it alone is not crucial for infectivity or virulence. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.