Trypanosoma cruzi: isolation and characterization of aspartyl proteases

Two aspartyl proteases activities were identified and isolated from Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes: cruzipsin-I (CZP-I) and cruzipsin-II (CZP-II). One was isolated from a soluble fraction (CZP-II) and the other was solubilized with 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CZP-I). The molecular mass of both proteases was estimated to be 120 kDa by HPLC gel filtration and the activity of the enzymes was detected in a doublet of bands (56 and 48 kDa) by substrate-sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide-gelatin gel electrophoresis. Substrate specificity studies indicated that the enzymes consistently hydrolyze the cathepsin D substrate Phe-Ala-Ala-Phe (4-NO2)-Phe-Val-Leu-O4MP but failed to hydrolyze serine and other protease substrates. Both proteases activities were strongly inhibited by the classic inhibitor pepstatin-A (> or =68%) and the aspartic active site labeling agent, 1,2-epoxy-3-(phenyl-nitrophenoxy) propane (> or =80%). These findings show that both proteases are novel T. cruzi acidic proteases. The physiological function of these enzymes in T. cruzi has under investigation.