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  • Title: Activity and sequence characterization of two cysteine proteases in the digestive tract of the reduviid bug Triatoma infestans.
    Author: Kollien AH, Waniek PJ, Nisbet AJ, Billingsley PF, Schaub GA.
    Journal: Insect Mol Biol; 2004 Dec; 13(6):569-79. PubMed ID: 15606805.
    Abstract:
    Cathepsin B- and cathepsin L-like activities were identified in gut extracts of the blood-sucking bug Triatoma infestans using specific substrates and inhibitors. Activities decreased during the first 2 days after feeding but increased to a maximum value at 5 and 10 days post feeding. The deduced 332 and 328 amino acid sequences showed high levels of identity (50-60%) to other insect cathepsin B- and L-like proteases, respectively. The three amino acid residues of the catalytic domain, CHN, and the GCNGG motif were conserved in both cathepsins, but the occluding loop, characterizing B-like cathepsins, was present only in one. ERFNIN and GNFD motifs occurred in the other sequence, defining it as cathepsin L-like. The cathepsin B-like gene was expressed at low, constitutive levels in unfed and fed T. infestans.
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