Leishmania metacaspase: an arginine-specific peptidase

Methods Mol Biol. 2014:1133:189-202. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0357-3_12.

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to give insights into metacaspase of Leishmania protozoan parasites as arginine-specific cysteine peptidase. The physiological role of metacaspase in Leishmania is still a matter of debate, whereas its peptidase enzymatic activity has been well characterized. Among the different possible expression systems, metacaspase-deficient yeast cells (Δyca1) have been instrumental in studying the activity of Leishmania major metacaspase (LmjMCA). Here, we describe techniques for purification of LmjMCA and its activity measurement, providing a platform for further identification of LmjMCA substrates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Arginine / metabolism
  • Caspases / genetics
  • Caspases / isolation & purification*
  • Cysteine Proteases / genetics
  • Cysteine Proteases / isolation & purification*
  • Leishmania major / enzymology
  • Molecular Biology / methods*
  • Peptide Hydrolases / genetics
  • Peptide Hydrolases / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Arginine
  • Cysteine Proteases
  • Peptide Hydrolases
  • Caspases