Cysteine and serine protease inhibitors block intracellular development and disrupt the secretory pathway of Toxoplasma gondii

2002 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael K. Shaw ◽  
David S. Roos ◽  
Lewis G. Tilney
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Serine Protease ◽  
Protease Inhibitors ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Serine Protease Inhibitors

scholarly journals Serine Protease Inhibitors Block Invasion of Host Cells by Toxoplasma gondii

1999 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 1358-1361 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Conseil ◽  
M. Soête ◽  
J. F. Dubremetz
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Serine Protease ◽  
Protease Inhibitors ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Gliding Motility ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Serine Protease Inhibitors ◽  
Experimental Conditions

ABSTRACT We investigated the effect of protease inhibitors on the asexual development of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Among the inhibitors tested only two irreversible serine protease inhibitors, 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin and 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonyl fluoride, clearly prevented invasion of the host cells by specifically affecting parasite targets in a dose-dependent manner, with 50% inhibitory concentrations between 1 and 5 and 50 and 100 μM, respectively. Neither compound significantly affected parasite morphology, basic metabolism, or gliding motility within the range of the experimental conditions in which inhibition of invasion was demonstrated. No partial invasion was observed, meaning that inhibition occurred at an early stage of the interaction. These results suggest that at least one serine protease of the parasite is involved in the invasive process of T. gondii.

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