Characterization of subtilisin-like serine proteases in trichomonas vaginalis

<p><em>Trichomonas vaginalis</em> is the etiologic agent causing human trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection found worldwide. In this study, subtilisin-like serine proteases (subtilases) were examined for their putative role in cell viability. Published data of other eukaryotic protozoan parasites confirm the importance of subtilases for adhesion and invasion. Serine protease inhibitor assays show that 3,4 DIC and TPCK inhibited cell growth from 79.6 to 98.4% respectively. To examine subtilases in more detail, a number of putative subtilases were cloned from <em>T vaginalis</em>. Two proteases were expressed recombinantly for antiserum production. TvSUB-12 (SP12) was localized to the posterior cell surface as using immunofluorescence and a kexin homolog called TvSUB-6 (SP6), revealed perinuclear staining. This study illustrated an essential role for subtilases in trichomonad cell viability and preliminary examination of two specific serine proteases revealing two different locations in the cell. To date, both of these proteases have never been characterized in this important human parasite. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2011

Author dc:creator

• Sugino, Raquel K.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kirkwood Land

• Subtilisins
• Trichomonas vaginalis
• Life Sciences

Licence

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/777

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarlycommons.pacific.edu:uop_etds-1776