Isolation of a subtilisin-like serine protease gene (MyxSubtSP) from spores of Myxobolus cerebralis, the causative agent of whirling disease

Dis Aquat Organ. 2007 Jan 18;73(3):245-51. doi: 10.3354/dao073245.

Abstract

Proteases play important roles in parasite life cycles and host-parasite interactions. They are pathogenesis factors of many pathogenic organisms and are hence potential targets for chemotherapeutic treatment of disease. We identified a subtilisin-like serine protease gene, MyxSubtSP, expressed by Myxobolus cerebralis. After PCR with subtilisin-like serine protease primers, the gene was cloned, sequenced and aligned against the NCBI database. Its corresponding amino acid sequence included the putative conserved domains of Peptidase_S8, subtilase family and AprE, subtilisin-like serine proteases. Rapid amplification of 5' and 3' cDNA ends (RACE) was used to generate the full length (1385 bp) gene, with a 429 bp open reading frame. The gene encompasses coding regions for a catalytic triad formed by Asp-74, His-100 and Ser-110.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Primers / chemistry
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • Eukaryota / enzymology*
  • Eukaryota / genetics*
  • Eukaryota / pathogenicity
  • Fish Diseases / parasitology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal / parasitology*
  • Spores, Protozoan / genetics
  • Subtilisin / drug effects
  • Subtilisin / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Protozoan
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Subtilisin