Amplification and sequencing of genomic DNA fragments encoding cysteine proteases from protozoan parasites

Cysteine protease gene fragments from three protozoan parasites Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, and Entamoeba histolytica were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from genomic DNA using degenerate oligonucleotide primers. The primers used for the amplification were designed based upon amino acid sequences flanking the active site cysteine and asparagine residues that are conserved in the eukaryotic cysteine proteases analyzed to date. The amplified DNA fragments, representing approximately 70% of the coding regions of the cysteine protease genes, were subcloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis and alignment showed significant sequence similarity to other members of the eukaryotic cysteine protease family (45% identical to chicken cathepsin L) and conservation of the cysteine, histidine, and asparagine residues which form the catalytic triad. These gene fragments provide molecular probes for further analysis of the structure and function of these important metabolic enzymes.