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Tuning Degradation to Achieve Specific and Efficient Protein Depletion
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Should the enzyme name 'rhodesain' be discontinued?
Dietmar Steverding1, Conor R Caffrey2
1Bob Champion Research and Education Centre, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom.
Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology
|July 11, 2021
Summary
The protein rhodesain, a cathepsin L-like peptidase from Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, shares high sequence identity with similar enzymes in T. b. brucei and T. b. gambiense. We propose the formal name TbrCATL for these Trypanosoma brucei cathepsin L-like peptidases.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Rhodesain is the generic name for a cathepsin L-like peptidase found in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense.
- The name 'rhodesain' has historical and ethical concerns due to its origin.
- Scientific evidence suggests rhodesain is highly similar to cathepsin L-like peptidases in other Trypanosoma brucei subspecies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the naming of the cathepsin L-like peptidase in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense.
- To propose a new, formal scientific name for this enzyme based on its genetic similarity to related species.
- To suggest alternative nomenclature for clarity and accuracy in scientific communication.
Main Methods:
- Protein sequence comparisons between rhodesain and cathepsin L-like peptidases from T. b. brucei and T. b. gambiense.
- Frequency-based difference profiling to assess sequence identity.
- Application of a previously proposed terminology for kinetoplastid C1 peptidases.
Main Results:
- Rhodesain is 99.87-98.44% identical to the cathepsin L-like peptidases of T. b. brucei and T. b. gambiense.
- The genetic data supports classifying rhodesain within the broader group of T. brucei cathepsin L-like peptidases.
- The existing name 'rhodesain' is scientifically inaccurate given the high degree of similarity.
Conclusions:
- The formal name TbrCATL is proposed for the cathepsin L-like peptidases of Trypanosoma brucei subspecies.
- The informal name 'brucipain' is also suggested as a potential alternative.
- Renaming rhodesain is recommended due to both ethical concerns and scientific findings.
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