Transcriptome overview of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis proteases

Abstract

Proteases perform a wide variety of functions inside and outside cells, regulating many biological processes. Infectious mi- croorganisms use proteases, either secreted or attached to their cell sur- face to weaken and invade their hosts. Therefore, proteases are targets for drugs against a diverse set of diseases. Paracoccidioides brasili- ensis is the most prevalent fungal pathogen causing systemic mycosis in Latin America. The development of paracoccidioidomycosis depends on interactions between fungal and host components and proteases have been described as important factors implicated in the mechanism of host colonization by fungi. The primary goal for this study is to present an overview of the transcriptome sequences - identified cDNAs that en- code proteases. We obtained a total of 53 cDNAs encoding proteases; 15 were classified as ATP-independent, 12 as ATP-dependent, 22 as proteasome subunits, and 4 as deubiquitinating proteases. The mechan- isms and biological activity of these proteases differ in substrate speci- ficity and in catalytic mechanisms.