Friends and relations of the cystatin superfamily--new members and their evolution

Associations of epigenetic aging and COVID- 19: A 3-year longitudinal study

Aging and COVID- 19 are known to influence DNA methylation, potentially affecting the rate of aging and the risk of disease. The physiological functions of 54 volunteers-including maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max), grip strength, and vertical jump-were assessed just before the COVID- 19 pandemic and again 3 years later. Of these volunteers, 27 had contracted COVID- 19. Eight epigenetic clocks were used to assess the rate of aging during the 3-year period: DNAmAge showed accelerated aging, and five clocks showed slowed aging (DNAmAgeSkinBlood, DNAmAgeHannum, DNAmFitAge, PhenoAge, and DNAmTL). When we considered only females, we observed a stronger effect in the increase of DNAmAge acceleration, while we observed slowed aging in the case of SkinBloodClock, and DNAmTL. The methylation of the promoter region of the H1 FNT genes, which encodes testis-specific histone H1 family member N (H1fnt) and plays a crucial role in spermatogenesis decreased the most significantly. In contrast, the promoter of CSTL1, which encodes Cystatin-like 1, showed the most significant increase. We found that having COVID- 19 during the 3-year study period significantly increased the progress of aging assessed by DNAmGrimAge, DNAmGrimAge2, and DNAmFitAge (p = 0.024, 0.047, 0.032, respectively, after we adjusted the analysis for baseline variables). The data suggest that COVID- 19 may have a mild long-term effect on epigenetic aging.

A novel cystatin in Psoroptes ovis var. cuniculi: molecular characterization, serodiagnostic potential, and its anti-inflammatory property on rabbit peripheral blood mononuclear cells

BACKGROUND

The ectoparasite Psoroptes ovis var. cuniculi causes substantial economic losses to the global rabbit industry. Currently, microscopy for identifying Psoroptes mite in skin scrapings, as the "diagnosis gold standard," remains a challenge owing to its poor sensitivity in detecting low-level and/or early stage mite infestations. Additionally, Psoroptes infestations rapidly trigger cutaneous inflammation, thus the mites might produce some molecules to deal with the harmful effects of inflammation for their long-time survival on the host skin, but these molecules are still mostly unknown.

METHODS

To seek a sensitive diagnostic method and illuminate the new antiinflammatory molecules, we characterized a novel cystatin of P. ovis var. cuniculi (PsoCys) using bioinformatics and molecular biology methods.

RESULTS

The results showed that PsoCys comprised the classical features of the type II cystatin superfamily including an N-terminal glycine residue, a central QXVXG motif, and a C-terminal LW motif. In mixed stages of mites, the transcription level of PsoCys was significantly higher in "fed" mites than in "starved" mites (P < 0.001), and among the different life-cycle stages of "fed" mites, the expression of PsoCys was higher in adult males than in larva, nymph, and adult females (P < 0.001). The established indirect ELISA based on recombinant PsoCys (rPsoCys-iELISA) presented 95.4% sensitivity and 95.7% specificity. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for this method was 0.991, indicating its excellent diagnostic performance. Moreover, rPsoCys-iELISA had advantages over microscopy for detecting low-level and/or early stage mite infestations (90% versus 40% in artificial infestation cases at 3 weeks post-infestation; 61.9% versus 22.6% in clinical cases). In addition, rPsoCys could inhibit the activity of papain and cathepsin B in vitro, and significantly suppressed mRNA levels of toll-like receptors (TLR 1, 2, 4, and 6) and downstream molecules (NF-κB, p38, MyD88, IL-10, and IFN-γ) in LPS-stimulated rabbit PBMCs, indicating its anti-inflammatory property.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated that PsoCys was a novel type II cystatin of Psoroptes mites, and it served as a potential serological diagnostic antigen for detecting low-level and/or early stage mite infestations, as well as a novel anti-inflammatory molecule of Psoroptes mites.

Tick salivary protein Cystatin: structure, anti-inflammation and molecular mechanism

Ticks are blood-sucking ectoparasites that secrete immunomodulatory substances in saliva to hosts during engorging. Cystatins, a tick salivary protein and natural inhibitor of Cathepsins, are attracting growing interest globally because of the immunosuppressive activities and the feasibility as an antigen for developing anti-tick vaccines. This review outlines the classification and the structure of tick Cystatins, and focuses on the anti-inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms. Tick Cystatins can be divided into four families based on structures and cystatin 1 and cystatin 2 are the most abundant. They are injected into hosts during blood feeding and effectively mitigate the host inflammatory response. Mechanically, tick Cystatins exert anti-inflammatory properties through the inhibition of TLR-NF-κb, JAK-STAT and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Further investigations are crucial to confirm the reduction of inflammation in other cell types like neutrophils and mast cells, and fully elucidate the underlying mechanism (like the structural mechanism) to make Cystatin a potential candidate for the development of novel anti-inflammation agents.

Advances in new target molecules against schistosomiasis: A comprehensive discussion of physiological structure and nutrient intake

Schistosomiasis, a severe parasitic disease, is primarily caused by Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum, or Schistosoma haematobium. Currently, praziquantel is the only recommended drug for human schistosome infection. However, the lack of efficacy of praziquantel against juvenile worms and concerns about the emergence of drug resistance are driving forces behind the research for an alternative medication. Schistosomes are obligatory parasites that survive on nutrients obtained from their host. The ability of nutrient uptake depends on their physiological structure. In short, the formation and maintenance of the structure and nutrient supply are mutually reinforcing and interdependent. In this review, we focus on the structural features of the tegument, esophagus, and intestine of schistosomes and their roles in nutrient acquisition. Moreover, we introduce the significance and modes of glucose, lipids, proteins, and amino acids intake in schistosomes. We linked the schistosome structure and nutrient supply, introduced the currently emerging targets, and analyzed the current bottlenecks in the research and development of drugs and vaccines, in the hope of providing new strategies for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis.

Epithelial CST1 Promotes Airway Eosinophilic Inflammation in Asthma via the AKT Signaling Pathway

PURPOSE

Epithelial cystatin SN (CST1), a type 2 cysteine protease inhibitor, was significantly upregulated in asthma. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential role and mechanism of CST1 in eosinophilic inflammation in asthma.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analysis on Gene Expression Omnibus datasets were used to explore the expression of CST1 in asthma. Sputum samples were collected from 76 asthmatics and 22 control subjects. CST1 mRNA and protein expression in the induced sputum were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and western blotting. The possible function of CST1 was explored in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced eosinophilic asthma. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to predict the possible regulated mechanism of CST1 in bronchial epithelial cells. Overexpression or knockdown of CST1 was further used to verify potential mechanisms in bronchial epithelial cells.

RESULTS

CST1 expression was significantly increased in the epithelial cells and induced sputum of asthma. Increased CST1 was significantly associated with eosinophilic indicators and T helper cytokines. CST1 aggravated airway eosinophilic inflammation in the OVA-induced asthma model. In addition, overexpression of CST1 significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of AKT and the expression of serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade B, member 2 (SERPINB2), while knockdown using anti-CST1 siRNA reversed the trend. Furthermore, AKT had a positive effect on SERPINB2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased sputum CST1 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of asthma through involvement in eosinophilic and type 2 inflammation through activation of the AKT signaling pathway, further promoting SERPINB2 expression. Therefore, targeting CST1 might be of therapeutic value in treating asthma with severe and eosinophilic phenotypes.

The structure, biosynthesis, and biological roles of fetuin-A: A review

Fetuin-A is a heterodimeric plasma glycoprotein containing an A-chain of 282 amino acids and a B-chain of 27 amino acid residues linked by a single inter-disulfide bond. It is predominantly expressed in embryonic cells and adult hepatocytes, and to a lesser extent in adipocytes and monocytes. Fetuin-A binds with a plethora of receptors and exhibits multifaceted physiological and pathological functions. It is involved in the regulation of calcium metabolism, osteogenesis, and the insulin signaling pathway. It also acts as an ectopic calcification inhibitor, protease inhibitor, inflammatory mediator, anti-inflammatory partner, atherogenic factor, and adipogenic factor, among other several moonlighting functions. Fetuin-A has also been demonstrated to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of several disorders. This review mainly focuses on the structure, synthesis, and biological roles of fetuin-A. Information was gathered manually from various journals via electronic searches using PubMed, Google Scholar, HINARI, and Cochrane Library from inception to 2022. Studies written in English and cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, or experimental studies were considered in the review, otherwise excluded.

Identification of Proteins Responsible for High Activity of Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitor in the Blood of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

Cysteine proteinase inhibitors (CPIs) protect tissues and organs against cysteine proteinases in animal blood and have attracted much attention for use in food processing and medical sciences for humans and animals. Several CPI proteins, which include stefins, cystatins, kininogens, histidine-rich glycoproteins (HRG) and fetuins, have been identified and characterized in mammals. Fish blood also contains high CPI activity, but the identity of the major protein responsible for this activity has not been clarified. This study was conducted to screen CPI activity by examining papain inhibitory activity from various different tissues in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and to identify major proteins for the activity in the blood. CPI activity was highest in the serum among the tissues screened in this study (at least fourfold higher than in other tissues)(P < 0.05). Major proteins for CPI activity in serum were purified using a CNBr-activated sepharose 4B column, gel filtration and an ion exchange FPLC column. From these purifications, two proteins with strong CPI activity were isolated and partially sequenced. Based on their molecular weights and partial amino sequences, the two major proteins with CPI activity from the blood in this species were found to be fetuin B (60 kDa) and kininogen (54 kDa).

Vaccines as a Strategy to Control Trichinellosis

Trichinellosis caused by Trichinella spiralis is a worldwide food-borne parasitic zoonosis. Several approaches have been performed to control T. spiralis infection, including veterinary vaccines, which contribute to improving animal health and increasing public health by preventing the transmission of trichinellosis from animals to humans. In the past several decades, many vaccine studies have been performed in effort to control T. spiralis infection by reducing the muscle larvae and adult worms burden. Various candidate antigens, selected from excretory-secretory (ES) products and different functional proteins involved in the process of establishing infection have been investigated in rodent or swine models to explore their protective effect against T. spiralis infection. Moreover, different types of vaccines have been developed to improve the protective effect against T. spiralis infection in rodent or swine models, such as live attenuated vaccines, natural antigen vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines, DNA vaccines, and synthesized epitope vaccines. However, few studies of T. spiralis vaccines have been performed in pigs, and future research should focus on exploring the protective effect of different types of vaccines in swine models. Here, we present an overview of the strategies for the development of effective T. spiralis vaccines and summarize the factors of influencing the effectiveness of vaccines. We also discuss several propositions in improving the effectiveness of vaccines and may provide a route map for future T. spiralis vaccines development.

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the Cystatin Gene Family in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Cystatins, as reversible inhibitors of papain-like and legumain proteases, have been identified in several plant species. Although the cystatin family plays crucial roles in plant development and defense responses to various stresses, this family in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is still poorly understood. In this study, 55 wheat cystatins (TaCystatins) were identified. All TaCystatins were divided into three groups and both the conserved gene structures and peptide motifs were relatively conserved within each group. Homoeolog analysis suggested that both homoeolog retention percentage and gene duplications contributed to the abundance of the TaCystatin family. Analysis of duplication events confirmed that segmental duplications played an important role in the duplication patterns. The results of codon usage pattern analysis showed that TaCystatins had evident codon usage bias, which was mainly affected by mutation pressure. TaCystatins may be regulated by cis-acting elements, especially abscisic acid and methyl jasmonate responsive elements. In addition, the expression of all selected TaCystatins was significantly changed following viral infection and cold stress, suggesting potential roles in response to biotic and abiotic challenges. Overall, our work provides new insights into TaCystatins during wheat evolution and will help further research to decipher the roles of TaCystatins under diverse stress conditions.

Evolutionary Analysis of Cystatins of Early-Emerging Metazoans Reveals a Novel Subtype in Parasitic Cnidarians

The evolutionary aspects of cystatins are greatly underexplored in early-emerging metazoans. Thus, we surveyed the gene organization, protein architecture, and phylogeny of cystatin homologues mined from 110 genomes and the transcriptomes of 58 basal metazoan species, encompassing free-living and parasite taxa of Porifera, Placozoa, Cnidaria (including Myxozoa), and Ctenophora. We found that the cystatin gene repertoire significantly differs among phyla, with stefins present in most of the investigated lineages but with type 2 cystatins missing in several basal metazoan groups. Similar to liver and intestinal flukes, myxozoan parasites possess atypical stefins with chimeric structure that combine motifs of classical stefins and type 2 cystatins. Other early metazoan taxa regardless of lifestyle have only the classical representation of cystatins and lack multi-domain ones. Our comprehensive phylogenetic analyses revealed that stefins and type 2 cystatins clustered into taxonomically defined clades with multiple independent paralogous groups, which probably arose due to gene duplications. The stefin clade split between the subclades of classical stefins and the atypical stefins of myxozoans and flukes. Atypical stefins represent key evolutionary innovations of the two parasite groups for which their origin might have been linked with ancestral gene chimerization, obligate parasitism, life cycle complexity, genome reduction, and host immunity.

Sugarcane cystatins: From discovery to biotechnological applications

Phytocystatins are tight-binding cysteine protease inhibitors produced by plants. The first phytocystatin described was isolated from Oryza sativa and, since then, cystatins from several plant species were reported, including from sugarcane. Sugarcane cystatins were unraveled in Sugarcane EST project database, after sequencing of cDNA libraries from various sugarcane tissues at different developmental stages and six sugarcane cystatins were cloned, expressed and characterized (CaneCPI-1 to CaneCPI-6). These recombinant proteins were produced in different expression systems and inhibited several cysteine proteases, including human cathepsins B and L, which can be involved in pathologies, such as cancer. In this review, we summarize a comprehensive history of all sugarcane cystatins, presenting an updated phylogenetic analysis; chromosomal localization, and genomic organization. We also present protein docking of CaneCPI-5 in the active site of human cathepsin B, insights about canecystatins structures; recombinant expression in different systems, comparison of their inhibitory activities against human cysteine cathepsins B, K, L, S, V, falcipains from Plasmodium falciparum and a cathepsin L-like from the sugarcane weevil Sphenophorus levis; and enlighten their potential and current applications in agriculture and health.

Identification and characterization of cystatin B from black rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii, indicating its potent immunological importance

Cystatins represent a large superfamily of proteins involved in the competitive reversible inhibition of C1 class cysteine proteases. Plant-derived papain proteases and cysteine cathepsins are the major cysteine proteases that interact with cystatins. The cystatin superfamily can be further classified into three groups: stefins, cystatins, and kininogens. Among these, cystatin B is categorized under stefins. Cystatin B lacks a signal sequence, disulfide bonds, and carbohydrate groups. However, it contains the conserved cystatin family signature, including a single cystatin-like domain, cysteine protease inhibitory signature concealing pentapeptide (QXVXG) consensus sequence, and two conserved neighboring glycine (⁸GG⁹) residues at the N-terminal. In the current study, a member of cystatin B was identified from Korean black rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) using a cDNA database and designated as RfCytB. The full-length cDNA of RfCytB was 573 bp long, with a coding region of 294 bp. The 5'-untranslated region (UTR) comprised 55 bp, and the 263-bp-long 3'-UTR included a polyadenylation signal sequence and a poly-A tail. The coding sequence encodes a polypeptide comprising 97 amino acids, with a predicted molecular weight of 11 kDa and theoretical isoelectric point of 6.3. RfCytB shared homology features with similar molecules from other teleost and vertebrate species, and was clustered with Cystatin family 1 in our phylogenetic reconstruction. RfCytB was ubiquitously expressed in all tissue types of healthy animals, with the highest levels of expression observed in gill and spleen. Temporal expression of RfCytB displayed significant up-regulation upon infection with Aeromonas salmonicida. Recombinantly expressed RfCytB showed a concentration-dependent inhibitory activity towards papain, with a high thermal stability. Transient expression of RfCytB in LPS activated murine macrophages, thereby inducing the expression of genes related to pro-inflammatory conditions, such as iNOS and TNF α. These results provide evidence for its protease inhibitory and immunity relevant roles in hosts.

The interaction between the natural metalloendopeptidase inhibitor BJ46a and its target toxin jararhagin analyzed by structural mass spectrometry and molecular modeling

Snakebite envenoming affects millions of people worldwide, being officially considered a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization. The antivenom is effective in neutralizing the systemic effects of envenomation, but local effects are poorly neutralized, often leading to permanent disability. The natural resistance of the South American pit viper Bothrops jararaca to its venom is partly attributed to BJ46a, a natural snake venom metalloendopeptidase inhibitor. Upon complex formation, BJ46a binds non-covalently to the metalloendopeptidase, rendering it unable to exert its proteolytic activity. However, the structural features that govern this interaction are largely unknown. In this work, we applied structural mass spectrometry techniques (cross-linking-MS and hydrogen-deuterium exchange MS) and in silico analyses (molecular modeling, docking, and dynamics simulations) to understand the interaction between BJ46a and jararhagin, a metalloendopeptidase from B. jararaca venom. We explored the distance restraints generated from XL-MS experiments to guide the modeling of BJ46a and jararhagin, as well as the protein-protein docking simulations. HDX-MS data pinpointed regions of protection/deprotection at the interface of the BJ46a-jararhagin complex which, in addition to the molecular dynamics simulation data, reinforced our proposed interaction model. Ultimately, the structural understanding of snake venom metalloendopeptidases inhibition by BJ46a could lead to the rational design of drugs to improve anti-snake venom therapeutics, alleviating the high morbidity rates currently observed.

Identification, characterization and benefits of an exclusion system in an integrative and conjugative element of Bacillus subtilis

Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are mobile genetic elements that transfer from cell to cell by conjugation (like plasmids) and integrate into the chromosomes of bacterial hosts (like lysogenic phages or transposons). ICEs are prevalent in bacterial chromosomes and play a major role in bacterial evolution by promoting horizontal gene transfer. Exclusion prevents the redundant transfer of conjugative elements into host cells that already contain a copy of the element. Exclusion has been characterized mostly for conjugative elements of Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we report the identification and characterization of an exclusion mechanism in ICEBs1 from the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. We found that cells containing ICEBs1 inhibit the activity of the ICEBs1-encoded conjugation machinery in other cells. This inhibition (exclusion) was specific to the cognate conjugation machinery and the ICEBs1 gene yddJ was both necessary and sufficient to mediate exclusion by recipient cells. Through a mutagenesis and enrichment screen, we identified exclusion-resistant mutations in the ICEBs1 gene conG. Using genes from a heterologous but related ICE, we found that the exclusion specificity was determined by ConG and YddJ. Finally, we found that under conditions that support conjugation, exclusion provides a selective advantage to the element and its host cells.

Effect of recombinant Trichinella spiralis cysteine proteinase inhibitor on TNBS-induced experimental inflammatory bowel disease in mice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a high recurrence rate. Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are two types of IBD. At present, parasite-derived cysteine protease inhibitors have received extensive attention from researchers, and experiments have confirmed that these protease have an effect on certain autoimmune diseases. So we conducted experiments to investigate the effect of Trichinella spiralis cysteine protease inhibitors on TNBS-induced mouse CD models. In this experiment, 72 male BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into two groups: prevention group and therapy group. The mice were sacrificed and harvested on the 7th day after the model was established to measure the changes of various indicators of colitis. The comparison of the TsCystatin + TNBS group with the PBS + TNBS group showed that the DAI score, MPO activity, and colonic macroscopic and microscopic damage significantly reduced, IFN-γ significantly decreased, IL-4 expression increased, and NF-κB expression decreased. The percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg and CD8+CD28- Treg in spleen, and the proportion of CD4+/CD8+ Treg cells decreased. In the therapy group, we found no significant difference between the TNBS+PBS group and TNBS + TsCystatin group. Treatment with TsCystatin exerted a good intervention effect on the TNBS-induced mouse CD model. TsCystatin possibly induced a Th2-type immune response in the body, which balanced the Th1-type immune response induced by TNBS administration, thereby relieving colitis.

In-Depth Venome of the Brazilian Rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus: An Integrative Approach Combining Its Venom Gland Transcriptome and Venom Proteome

Snake venoms are complex mixtures mainly composed of proteins and small peptides. Crotoxin is one of the most studied components from Crotalus venoms, but many other components are less known due to their low abundance. The venome of Crotalus durissus terrificus, the most lethal Brazilian snake, was investigated by combining its venom gland transcriptome and proteome to create a holistic database of venom compounds unraveling novel toxins. We constructed a cDNA library from C. d. terrificus venom gland using the Illumina platform and investigated its venom proteome through high resolution liquid chromotography-tandem mass spectrometry. After integrating data from both data sets, more than 30 venom components classes were identified by the transcriptomic analysis and 15 of them were detected in the venom proteome. However, few of them (PLA₂, SVMP, SVSP, and VEGF) were relatively abundant. Furthermore, only seven expressed transcripts contributed to ∼82% and ∼73% of the abundance in the transcriptome and proteome, respectively. Additionally, novel venom proteins are reported, and we highlight the importance of using different databases to perform the data integration and discuss the structure of the venom components-related transcripts identified. Concluding, this research paves the way for novel investigations and discovery of future pharmacological agents or targets in the antivenom therapy.

Fetuin-A – Alpha2-Heremans-Schmid Glycoprotein: From Structure to a Novel Marker of Chronic Diseases Part 1. Fetuin-A as a Calcium Chaperone and Inflammatory Marker

Fetuin-A is a major plasma glycoprotein released mainly by the liver. Its functions include inhibition of the activity of insulin receptor, regulation of response to inflammation, inhibition of calcified matrix metabolism and ectopic mineralization, etc. Three major functional domains of fetuin-A have been identified: one similar to the Ca-binding domains, one inhibiting cysteine protease, and a domain with high affinity to insulin receptor. The fetuin-A molecule may be considered as a highly pleomorphic protein with an important impact in a variety of clinically expressed metabolic and pathological processes. It could be used as a marker in clinical practice in the future.

Implication of the Kallikrein-Kinin system in neurological disorders: Quest for potential biomarkers and mechanisms

Neurological disorders represent major health concerns in terms of comorbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite a tremendous increase in our understanding of the pathophysiological processes involved in disease progression and prevention, the accumulated knowledge so far resulted in relatively moderate translational benefits in terms of therapeutic interventions and enhanced clinical outcomes. Aiming at specific neural molecular pathways, different strategies have been geared to target the development and progression of such disorders. The kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) is among the most delineated candidate systems due to its ubiquitous roles mediating several of the pathophysiological features of these neurological disorders as well as being implicated in regulating various brain functions. Several experimental KKS models revealed that the inhibition or stimulation of the two receptors of the KKS system (B1R and B2R) can exhibit neuroprotective and/or adverse pathological outcomes. This updated review provides background details of the KKS components and their functions in different neurological disorders including temporal lobe epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and glioma. Finally, this work will highlight the putative roles of the KKS components as potential neurotherapeutic targets and provide future perspectives on the possibility of translating these findings into potential clinical biomarkers in neurological disease.

Cloning and characterization of ApCystatin, a plant cystatin gene from Agapanthus praecox ssp. orientalis responds to abiotic stress

Plant cystatins are involved in the regulation of protein turnover and play important roles in defense mechanisms. We cloned the ApCystatin gene from Agapanthus praecox ssp. orientalis, a famous ornamental and medical plant. The complete cDNA sequence of ApCystatin is comprised of 1439 nucleotides with a 423 bp ORF encoding 140 amino acids. The mRNA level of ApCystatin was significantly up-regulated under various abiotic stress, such as salt, osmosis, oxidative and cold stresses, which suggested that ApCystatin participated in the plant's resistance to stress. The recombinant ApCystatin fusion protein expressed in E. coli transetta (DE3) cells was approximate 18 kDa. 25 μg of ApCystatin inhibited more than 95% activity of papain, suggesting ApCystatin as a papain-like protease inhibitor. As an exogenous substance, 1.60 μg/mL ApCystatin protein improved the regrowth percentage of Arabidopsis 60-h seedlings after cryopreservation from 30% to 47%. In addition, the relative survival rate of A. praecox embryogenic callus after cryopreservation also increased for 30% with addition of 1.20 μg/mL ApCystatin protein. This indicated that ApCystatin performed protective property against cryoinjury to Arabidopsis 60-h seedlings and A. praecox embryogenic callus during cryopreservation. Under various abiotic stress conditions, the recombinant ApCystatin protein showed significant advantage in growth rates at NaCl, mannitol, PEG6000, cold, acidic and alkaline conditions, compared to control. In conclusion, ApCystatin as a new member of plant cystatins exhibited protective property against cryoinjury in plant cryopreservation and abiotic stress in E. coli.

Clinicopathological significance of cystatin A expression in progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

We previously conducted transcriptome analysis of a paired specimen of normal and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues and found that mRNA expression of cystatin A (CSTA), a member of the cystatin superfamily, was perturbed in tumors compared with that in the background mucosa. However, little is known about the significance of CSTA expression in ESCC.The mRNA expression of CSTA was evaluated by qRT-PCR using 28 paired frozen samples of tumor and nontumor mucosae. The protein expression of CSTA was evaluated by the immunostaining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of ESCC samples from 59 patients who underwent surgery, and its relationship with clinical features was analyzed.The mRNA expression of CSTA was significantly decreased in ESCC compared with that in matched normal mucosa (P < .0001). The protein expression of CSTA was limited in stratum granulosum and stratum spinosum but not in stratum basal in normal esophageal mucosa. It was reduced in all ESCC tissue samples compared with normal tissues; however, CSTA expression levels in tumors showed considerable variation. Of the 59 samples, 20 did not express CSTA, whereas 39 clearly expressed it. The expression of CSTA in tumors was significantly associated with pT classification (deeper tumor invasions) (P = .0118) and advanced TNM stages (P = .0497). In CSTA-positive tumor samples, CSTA-expressing cancer cells often expressed Ki67, a proliferation marker, which was in sharp contrast to normal mucosa, where Ki67-expressing cells were limited to the basal layer and did not express CSTA. Furthermore, CSTA expression was observed in all 22 lymph node metastases analyzed.Relatively high levels of CSTA expression in tumors were correlated with tumor progression and advanced cancer stage, including lymph node metastasis.

Journey of cystatins from being mere thiol protease inhibitors to at heart of many pathological conditions

Cystatins are thiol proteinase inhibitors (TPI), present ubiquitously in animals, plants and micro-organisms. These are not merely inhibitors rather they are at heart of many pathological conditions ranging from diabetes to renal failure. These are essential for maintenance of protein balance of the cell; once this balance gets disturbed, it may lead to cell death. Thus, cystatins cannot be merely regarded as TPI's as these have been found to play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and neurodegenerative diseases. Many studies have reported the variation in cystatin level in incidences of different types of cancer; highlighting an important role played by these inhibitors in cancer development and progression. Cystatin C is increasingly replacing creatinine as a biomarker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) thereby highlighting the importance of this important inhibitor. Some recent studies have also reported the interaction pattern of various anti-cancer drugs with cystatins in a bid to find how these drugs affect this important inhibitors and whether these drugs have any side effect on cystatins. Thus, in this growing disease era it can be said that cystatins are no more just inhibitors blocking the activity of thiol proteases rather they play a pivotal role in variety of pathological conditions.

Identification and expression analysis of fetuin B (FETUB) in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) mucosal barriers following bacterial challenge

Fetuin B (FETUB), a recently described cysteine proteinase inhibitor, has numerous conserved N-glycosylation sites, species-specific O-glycosylation sites, and two cystatin (CY) domains. FETUB is likely to play regulatory roles in acute inflammation, female infertility, fish organogenesis and tumor suppression. In the present study, transcript of turbot FETUB gene was captured, its protein structure and expression patterns in different tissues with emphasis on mucosal barriers following different bacterial infection were characterized. Turbot FETUB gene showed the closest relationship with Takifugu rubripes in phylogenetic analysis. In addition, FETUB was ubiquitously expressed in all examined tissues with the highest expression level in skin. Finally, FETUB gene showed different expression patterns following both bacterial challenge. The rapidly and significantly differential expression patterns of FETUB in mucosal surfaces against bacterial infections might indicate its key roles to prevent pathogen attachment and entry in turbot mucosal immunity. Functional studies should be carried out to further characterize the FETUB and avail utilization of its function to increase the disease resistance of turbot in maintaining the integrity of the mucosal barriers against infections and to facilitate selection of the fine family/varieties of disease resistance in turbot.

Physico-chemical and in-silico analysis of a phytocystatin purified from Brassica juncea cultivar RoAgro 5444

This study describes the isolation and purification of a phytocystatin from seeds of Brassica juncea (Indian mustard; cultivar RoAgro 5444), which is an important oilseed crop both agriculturally and economically. The protein was purified by gel filtration chromatography with 24.3% yield and 204-fold purification, and visualised by 2D gel electrophoresis. The 18.1 kDa mustard cystatin was highly specific for cysteine proteinases. The plant cystatin inhibited cathepsin B, confirming its role in conferring pest resistance. The inhibitor was highly stable over a pH range of 3-10 and retained significant inhibitory potential up to 70 °C. The stoichiometry of its interaction with papain, determined by isothermal calorimetry, suggests a 1:1 complex. Secondary structural elements calculated by far-UV circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy show an 18.8% α-helical and 21% β-sheet structure. The protein was a non-competitive inhibitor of thiol proteinases. The Stokes radius and frictional co-efficient were used to describe the shape and size of the protein. Homology modelling and docking studies proposed a prototype illustrating the Brassica phytocystatin mediated papain inhibition. Molecular dynamics (MD) study revealed the excellent stability of the papain-phytocystatin complex during a simulation for 100 ns. Detailed results identify the mustard cystatin as an important member of the phytocystatin family.

Structure-function relationships in mammalian histidine-proline-rich glycoprotein

Histidine-proline-rich glycoprotein (HPRG), or histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG), is a serum protein that is synthesized in the liver and is actively internalised by different cells, including skeletal muscle. The multidomain arrangement of HPRG comprises two modules at the N-terminus that are homologous to cystatin but void of cysteine proteinase inhibitor function, and a second half consisting of a histidine-proline-rich region (HPRR) located between two proline-rich regions (PRR1 and PRR2), and a C-terminus domain. HPRG has been reported to bind various ligands and to modulate angiogenesis via the histidine residues of the HPRR. However, the secondary structure prediction of the HPRR reveals that more than 98% is disordered and the structural basis of the hypothesized functions remains unclear. Comparison of the PRR1 of several mammalian species indicates the presence of a conserved binding site that might coordinate the Zn(2+) ion with an amino acid arrangement compatible with the cysteine-containing site that has been identified experimentally for rabbit HPRG. This observation provides a structural basis to the function of HPRG as an intracellular zinc chaperone which has been suggested by the involvement of the protein in the maintenance of the quaternary structure of skeletal muscle AMP deaminase (AMPD). During Anthropoidea evolution, a change of the primary structure of the PRR1 Zn(2+) binding site took place, giving rise to the sequence M-S-C-S/L-S/R-C that resembles the MxCxxC motif characteristic of metal transporters and metallochaperones.

Cystatins: a versatile family

Cystatins are small proteins, typically composed of 100-120 amino acids, which together with similar proteins devoid of inhibitory properties, belong to a cystatin 'superfamily'. Cystatins can do more than just inhibit proteases: two important aspects described here are aggregation properties linked to misfolding diseases and the unique ability of monellin, a plant cystatin, to elicit sweet taste. The explanation of the puzzling phenomenon of 'sweet proteins' required an in-depth structural study of monellin, also regarding the causes of the high thermal stability of its single chain structure. The detailed mechanisms by which cystatins aggregate could be relevant in the study of misfolding diseases involving cystatins. They are reviewed here with emphasis on 3D domain swapping, typical of aggregating cystatins. While studying monellin, we noticed that it aggregates in a conventional way, probably through the cross-β spine mechanism. However, several cystatins derived from oryzacystatin_I to emulate the taste behavior of monellin aggregate via different mechanisms.

Cell cycle- and cancer-associated gene networks activated by Dsg2: evidence of cystatin A deregulation and a potential role in cell-cell adhesion

Cell-cell adhesion is paramount in providing and maintaining multicellular structure and signal transmission between cells. In the skin, disruption to desmosomal regulated intercellular connectivity may lead to disorders of keratinization and hyperproliferative disease including cancer. Recently we showed transgenic mice overexpressing desmoglein 2 (Dsg2) in the epidermis develop hyperplasia. Following microarray and gene network analysis, we demonstrate that Dsg2 caused a profound change in the transcriptome of keratinocytes in vivo and altered a number of genes important in epithelial dysplasia including: calcium-binding proteins (S100A8 and S100A9), members of the cyclin protein family, and the cysteine protease inhibitor cystatin A (CSTA). CSTA is deregulated in several skin cancers, including squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and loss of function mutations lead to recessive skin fragility disorders. The microarray results were confirmed by qPCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. CSTA was detected at high level throughout the newborn mouse epidermis but dramatically decreased with development and was detected predominantly in the differentiated layers. In human keratinocytes, knockdown of Dsg2 by siRNA or shRNA reduced CSTA expression. Furthermore, siRNA knockdown of CSTA resulted in cytoplasmic localization of Dsg2, perturbed cytokeratin 14 staining and reduced levels of desmoplakin in response to mechanical stretching. Both knockdown of either Dsg2 or CSTA induced loss of cell adhesion in a dispase-based assay and the effect was synergistic. Our findings here offer a novel pathway of CSTA regulation involving Dsg2 and a potential crosstalk between Dsg2 and CSTA that modulates cell adhesion. These results further support the recent human genetic findings that loss of function mutations in the CSTA gene result in skin fragility due to impaired cell-cell adhesion: autosomal-recessive exfoliative ichthyosis or acral peeling skin syndrome.

Functional characterization of the N-terminal and C-terminal domains of a sesame group II phytocystatin

BACKGROUND

Phytocystatins are natural inhibitors of cysteine protease, and may regulate endo- or exo-genous proteolytic activities in plants. They are classified into Group I and II differing by the presence of C-terminal extension of Group II. A cDNA fragment encoding a Group II phytosystatin, SiCYS was previously obtained from sesame seeds.

RESULTS

SiCYS as well as its two structural domains, N-terminal and C-terminal domains (SiCYS-N and SiCYS-C), was expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant SiCYS and SiCYS-N showed inhibitory activity against papain. The K i values of SiCYS and SiCYS-N were ~1.9 ×10^-8 M and ~7.9 ×10^-8 M, respectively. All the three recombinants possessed comparable ability to inhibit spore germination of Trichoderma reesei, Aspergillus sydowii, and Helminthosporium sesamum. Similar protein profile including proteases in germinating seeds was found in proteins purified by the SiCYS, SiCYS-N or SiCYS-C coupling affinity column.

CONCLUSION

SiCYS exhibited more effective papain-inhibitory activity than SiCYS-N; while SiCYS-C had almost no inhibitory activity. All displayed similar antifungal activities indicating that there is no correlation between antifungal and papain-inhibitory activities. Structural and sequence analyses suggest that the C-terminal domain of SiCYS may be originated from gene duplication to enhance its inhibitory activity.

Evolutionary analysis of the cystatin family in three Schistosoma species

The cystatin family comprises cysteine protease inhibitors distributed in 3 subfamilies (I25A–C). Family members lacking cystatin activity are currently unclassified. Little is known about the evolution of Schistosoma cystatins, their physiological roles, and expression patterns in the parasite life cycle. The present study aimed to identify cystatin homologs in the predicted proteome of three Schistosoma species and other Platyhelminthes. We analyzed the amino acid sequence diversity focused in the identification of protein signatures and to establish evolutionary relationships among Schistosoma and experimentally validated human cystatins. Gene expression patterns were obtained from different developmental stages in Schistosoma mansoni using microarray data. In Schistosoma, only I25A and I25B proteins were identified, reflecting little functional diversification. I25C and unclassified subfamily members were not identified in platyhelminth species here analyzed. The resulting phylogeny placed cystatins in different clades, reflecting their molecular diversity. Our findings suggest that Schistosoma cystatins are very divergent from their human homologs, especially regarding the I25B subfamily. Schistosoma cystatins also differ significantly from other platyhelminth homologs. Finally, transcriptome data publicly available indicated that I25A and I25B genes are constitutively expressed thus could be essential for schistosome life cycle progression. In summary, this study provides insights into the evolution, classification, and functional diversification of cystatins in Schistosoma and other Platyhelminthes, improving our understanding of parasite biology and opening new frontiers in the identification of novel therapeutic targets against helminthiases.

The current stage of cathepsin B inhibitors as potential anticancer agents

Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine peptidase, with an important role in the development and progression of cancer. It is involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins, a process promoting invasion and metastasis of tumor cells and tumor angiogenesis. Cathepsin B is unique among cathepsins in possessing both carboxypeptidase and endopeptidase activities. While the former is associated with its physiological role, the latter is involved in pathological degradation of the extracellular matrix. Its activities are regulated by different means, the most important being its endogenous inhibitors, the cystatins. In cancer this peptidase/inhibitor balance is altered, leading to harmful cathepsin B activity. The latter can be prevented by exogenous inhibitors. They differ in modes of inhibition, size, structure, binding affinity, selectivity, toxicity and bioavailability. In this article, we review the properties and function of endogenous and exogenous cathepsin B inhibitors and indicate their application as possible anticancer agents.

Association of a cystatin C gene variant with cystatin C levels, CKD, and risk of incident cardiovascular disease and mortality

BACKGROUND

Carriers of the T allele of the single-nucleotide polymorphism rs13038305 tend to have lower cystatin C levels and higher cystatin C-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcys). Adjusting for this genetic effect on cystatin C concentrations may improve GFR estimation, reclassify cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and strengthen risk estimates for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational.

SETTING & POPULATION

4 population-based cohorts: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC), Cardiovascular Health (CHS), Framingham Heart (FHS), and Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) studies.

PREDICTORS

We estimated the association of rs13038305 with eGFRcys and serum creatinine-based eGFR (eGFRcr) and performed longitudinal analyses of the associations of eGFRcys with mortality and cardiovascular events following adjustment for rs13038305.

OUTCOMES

We assessed reclassification by genotype-adjusted eGFRcys across CKD categories: <45, 45-59, 60-89, and ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m(2). We compared mortality and CVD outcomes in those reclassified to a worse eGFRcys category with those unaffected. Results were combined using fixed-effect inverse-variance meta-analysis.

RESULTS

In 14,645 participants, each copy of the T allele of rs13038305 (frequency, 21%) was associated with a 6.4% lower cystatin C concentration, 5.5-mL/min/1.73 m(2) higher eGFRcys, and 36% [95% CI, 29%-41%] lower odds of CKD. Associations with CVD (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.14-1.20) and mortality (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.19-1.24) per 10-mL/min/1.73 m(2) lower eGFRcys were similar with or without rs13038305 adjustment. 1,134 (7.7%) participants were reclassified to a worse CKD category following rs13038305 adjustment, and rates of CVD and mortality were higher in individuals who were reclassified. However, the overall net reclassification index was not significant for either outcome, at 0.009 (95% CI, -0.003 to 0.022) for mortality and 0.014 (95% CI, 0.0 to 0.028) for CVD.

LIMITATIONS

rs13038305 explains only a small proportion of cystatin C variation.

CONCLUSIONS

Statistical adjustment can correct a genetic bias in GFR estimates based on cystatin C in carriers of the T allele of rs13038305 and result in changes in disease classification. However, on a population level, the effects on overall reclassification of CKD status are modest.

Cysteine cathepsins in neurological disorders

Increased proteolytic activity is a hallmark of several pathological processes, including neurodegeneration. Increased expression and activity of cathepsins, lysosomal cysteine proteases, during degeneration of the central nervous system is frequently reported. Recent studies reveal that a disturbed balance of their enzymatic activities is the first insult in brain aging and age-related diseases. Leakage of cathepsins from lysosomes, due to their membrane permeability, and activation of pro-apoptotic factors additionally contribute to neurodegeneration. Furthermore, in inflammation-induced neurodegeneration the cathepsins expressed in activated microglia play a pivotal role in neuronal death. The proteolytic activity of cysteine cathepsins is controlled by endogenous protein inhibitors-the cystatins-which evidently fail to perform their function in neurodegenerative processes. Exogenous synthetic inhibitors, which may augment their inhibitory potential, are considered as possible therapeutic tools for the treatment of neurological disorders.

An evolutionary perspective of mammal salivary peptide families: cystatins, histatins, statherin and PRPs

Saliva's role in the oral cavity, such as lubrication, protection of tissues and antimicrobial action is a reflex of its composition, among which are several peptide families like statherin, histatins, proline rich proteins (PRPs) and some members of the cystatin family. These peptides present different evolutionary pathways being in the case of histatin, statherin and PRP families restricted to few millions and comprising few species when compared with cystatins, where duplication occurred at more than 650 mya. Though the recognized relevance of phylogenetic approaches to disclose relationships among different species, information on the salivary proteins that allow the association between peptide families-related structure and function in the oral cavity is scarce. In the present study, the four major salivary peptides classes are reviewed considering the few known phylogenetic studies focusing on their evolution among mammals. New perspectives and challenges for future and multidisciplinary experimental works are drawn.

Modelling family 2 cystatins and their interaction with papain

Cystatins are extensively studied cysteine protease inhibitors, found in wide range of organisms with highly conserved structural folds. S-type of cystatins is well known for their abundance in saliva, high selectivity and poorer activity towards host cysteine proteases in comparison to their immediate ancestor cystatin C. Despite more than 90% sequence similarity, the members of this group show highly dissimilar binding affinity towards papain. Cystatin M/E is a potent inhibitor of legumain and papain like cysteine proteases and recognized for its involvement in skin barrier formation and potential role as a tumor suppressor gene. However, the structures of these proteins and their complexes with papain or legumain are still unknown. In the present study, we have employed computational methods to get insight into the interactions between papain and cystatins. Three-dimensional structures of the cystatins are generated by homology modelling, refined with molecular dynamics simulation, validated through numerous web servers and finally complexed with papain using ZDOCK algorithm in Discovery Studio. A high degree of shape complementarity is observed within the complexes, stabilized by numerous hydrogen bonds (HB) and hydrophobic interactions. Using interaction energy, HB and solvent accessible surface area analyses, we have identified a series of key residues that may be involved in papain-cystatin interaction. Differential approaches of cystatins towards papain are also noticed which are possibly responsible for diverse inhibitory activity within the group. These findings will improve our understanding of fundamental inhibitory mechanisms of cystatin and provide clues for further research.

The role of cystatins in tick physiology and blood feeding

Ticks, as obligate hematophagous ectoparasites, impact greatly on animal and human health because they transmit various pathogens worldwide. Over the last decade, several cystatins from different hard and soft ticks were identified and biochemically analyzed for their role in the physiology and blood feeding lifestyle of ticks. All these cystatins are potent inhibitors of papain-like cysteine proteases, but not of legumain. Tick cystatins were either detected in the salivary glands and/or the midgut, key tick organs responsible for blood digestion and the expression of pharmacologically potent salivary proteins for blood feeding. For example, the transcription of two cystatins named HlSC-1 and Sialostatin L2 was highly upregulated in these tick tissues during feeding. Vaccinating hosts against Sialostatin L2 and Om-cystatin 2 as well as silencing of a cystatin gene from Amblyomma americanum significantly inhibited the feeding ability of ticks. Additionally, Om-cystatin 2 and Sialostatin L possessed strong host immunosuppressive properties by inhibiting dendritic cell maturation due to their interaction with cathepsin S. These two cystatins, together with Sialostatin L2 are the first tick cystatins with resolved three-dimensional structure. Sialostatin L, furthermore, showed preventive properties against autoimmune diseases. In the case of the cystatin Hlcyst-2, experimental evidence showed its role in tick innate immunity, since increased Hlcyst-2 transcript levels were detected in Babesia gibsoni-infected larval ticks and the protein inhibited Babesia growth. Other cystatins, such as Hlcyst-1 or Om-cystatin 2 are assumed to be involved in regulating blood digestion. Only for Bmcystatin was a role in tick embryogenesis suggested. Finally, all the biochemically analyzed tick cystatins are powerful protease inhibitors, and some may be novel antigens for developing anti-tick vaccines and drugs of medical importance due to their stringent target specificity.

Shark class II invariant chain reveals ancient conserved relationships with cathepsins and MHC class II

The invariant chain (Ii) is the critical third chain required for the MHC class II heterodimer to be properly guided through the cell, loaded with peptide, and expressed on the surface of antigen presenting cells. Here, we report the isolation of the nurse shark Ii gene, and the comparative analysis of Ii splice variants, expression, genomic organization, predicted structure, and function throughout vertebrate evolution. Alternative splicing to yield Ii with and without the putative protease-protective, thyroglobulin-like domain is as ancient as the MHC-based adaptive immune system, as our analyses in shark and lizard further show conservation of this mechanism in all vertebrate classes except bony fish. Remarkable coordinate expression of Ii and class II was found in shark tissues. Conserved Ii residues and cathepsin L orthologs suggest their long co-evolution in the antigen presentation pathway, and genomic analyses suggest 450 million years of conserved Ii exon/intron structure. Other than an extended linker preceding the thyroglobulin-like domain in cartilaginous fish, the Ii gene and protein are predicted to have largely similar physiology from shark to man. Duplicated Ii genes found only in teleosts appear to have become sub-functionalized, as one form is predicted to play the same role as that mediated by Ii mRNA alternative splicing in all other vertebrate classes. No Ii homologs or potential ancestors of any of the functional Ii domains were found in the jawless fish or lower chordates.

Cysteine cathepsins: from structure, function and regulation to new frontiers

It is more than 50 years since the lysosome was discovered. Since then its hydrolytic machinery, including proteases and other hydrolases, has been fairly well identified and characterized. Among these are the cysteine cathepsins, members of the family of papain-like cysteine proteases. They have unique reactive-site properties and an uneven tissue-specific expression pattern. In living organisms their activity is a delicate balance of expression, targeting, zymogen activation, inhibition by protein inhibitors and degradation. The specificity of their substrate binding sites, small-molecule inhibitor repertoire and crystal structures are providing new tools for research and development. Their unique reactive-site properties have made it possible to confine the targets simply by the use of appropriate reactive groups. The epoxysuccinyls still dominate the field, but now nitriles seem to be the most appropriate “warhead”. The view of cysteine cathepsins as lysosomal proteases is changing as there is now clear evidence of their localization in other cellular compartments. Besides being involved in protein turnover, they build an important part of the endosomal antigen presentation. Together with the growing number of non-endosomal roles of cysteine cathepsins is growing also the knowledge of their involvement in diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, among others. Finally, cysteine cathepsins are important regulators and signaling molecules of an unimaginable number of biological processes. The current challenge is to identify their endogenous substrates, in order to gain an insight into the mechanisms of substrate degradation and processing. In this review, some of the remarkable advances that have taken place in the past decade are presented. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis 50 years after the discovery of lysosome.

Preclinical efficacy of cystatin C to target the oncogenic activity of transforming growth factor Beta in breast cancer

We previously identified cystatin C (CystC) as a novel antagonist of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling in normal and malignant cells. However, whether the anti-TGF-beta activities of CystC can be translated to preclinical animal models of breast cancer growth and metastasis remains unproven. Assessing the preclinical efficacy of CystC was accomplished using metastatic 4T1 breast cancer cells, whose oncogenic responses to TGF-beta were inhibited both in vitro and in vivo. Indeed, we observed CystC to prevent TGF-beta from stimulating the growth and pulmonary metastasis of 4T1 tumors in mice in part by reducing the extent of Smad2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation present in 4T1 tumors. We also found CystC to significantly antagonize angiogenesis in developing 4T1 tumors, suggesting a novel role for CystC in uncoupling TGF-beta signaling in endothelial cells (ECs). Accordingly, CystC dramatically reduced murine and human EC responsiveness to TGF-beta, including their ability to regulate the expression of 1) TGF-beta signaling components, 2) inhibitor of differentiation (ID) family members, and 3) matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors (TIMPs) and to undergo cell invasion and angiogenic sprouting stimulated by TGF-beta. Importantly, CystC prevented TGF-beta from stimulating vessel development in Matrigel plugs implanted into genetically normal mice. Collectively, our findings provide the first preclinical evidence that CystC is efficacious in preventing breast cancer progression and angiogenesis stimulated by the oncogenic TGF-beta signaling system and suggest that CystC-based chemotherapeutics possesses translational efficacy to one day treat and improve the clinical course of late-stage breast cancers.

Evolution and human tissue expression of the Cres/Testatin subgroup genes, a reproductive tissue specific subgroup of the type 2 cystatins

The cystatin family comprises a group of generally broadly expressed protease inhibitors. The Cres/Testatin subgroup (CTES) genes within the type 2 cystatins differs from the classical type 2 cystatins in having a strikingly reproductive tissue-specific expression, and putative functions in reproduction have therefore been discussed. We have performed evolutionary studies of the CTES genes based on gene searches in genomes from 11 species. Ancestors of the cystatin family can be traced back to plants. We have localized the evolutionary origin of the CTES genes to the split of marsupial and placental mammals. A model for the evolution of these genes illustrates that they constitute a dynamic group of genes, which has undergone several gene expansions and we find indications of a high degree of positive selection, in striking contrast to what is seen for the classical cystatin C. We show with phylogenetic relations that the CTES genes are clustered into three original groups, a testatin, a Cres, and a CstL1 group. We have further characterized the expression patterns of all human members of the subfamily. Of a total of nine identified human genes, four express putative functional transcripts with a predominant expression in the male reproductive system. Our results are compatible with a function of this gene family in reproduction.

In silico analysis of sequential, structural and functional diversity of wheat cystatins and its implication in plant defense

Phytocystatins constitute a multigene family that regulates the activity of endogenous and/or exogenous cysteine proteinases. Cereal crops like wheat are continuously threatened by a multitude of pathogens, therefore cystatins offer to play a pivotal role in deciding the plant response. In order to study the need of having diverse specificities and activities of various cystatins, we conducted comparative analysis of six wheat cystatins (WCs) with twelve rice, seven barley, one sorghum and ten corn cystatin sequences employing different bioinformatics tools. The obtained results identified highly conserved signature sequences in all the cystatins considered. Several other motifs were also identified, based on which the sequences could be categorized into groups in congruence with the phylogenetic clustering. Homology modeling of WCs revealed 3D structural topology so well shared by other cystatins. Protein-protein interaction of WCs with papain supported the notion that functional diversity is a consequence of existing differences in amino acid residues in highly conserved as well as relatively less conserved motifs. Thus there is a significant conservation at the sequential and structural levels; however, concomitant variations maintain the functional diversity in this protein family, which constantly modulates itself to reciprocate the diversity while counteracting the cysteine proteinases.

Characterization of Hlcyst-3 as a member of cystatins from the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis

The gene encoding cystatin from the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis has been reported previously. In the study reported here, we characterized a member of cystatins and designated it as Hlcyst-3 (H. longicornis cystatin-3). Its full-length cDNA is 602 bp, and it encodes a putative 129 amino acid protein with an obvious signal peptide. Sequence analysis revealed that it has significant homology with the known secreted cystatin. The recombinant protein was expressed in a GST-fused soluble form in Escherichia coli and was purified by affinity chromatography. The inhibitory activity of the recombinant protein against papain and cathepsin L was identified by fluorogenic substrate analysis. Real-time PCR revealed that Hlcyst-3 was mostly expressed in the tick midgut.

Plant cystatins

Plant cystatins have been the object of intense research since the publication of a first paper reporting their existence more than 20 years ago. These ubiquitous inhibitors of Cys proteases play several important roles in plants, from the control of various physiological and cellular processes in planta to the inhibition of exogenous Cys proteases secreted by herbivorous arthropods and pathogens to digest or colonize plant tissues. After an overview of current knowledge about the evolution, structure and inhibitory mechanism of plant cystatins, we review the different roles attributed to these proteins in plants. The potential of recombinant plant cystatins as effective pesticidal proteins in crop protection is also considered, as well as protein engineering approaches adopted over the years to improve their inhibitory potency and specificity towards Cys proteases of biotechnological interest.

Cystatin superfamily

Cystatins, the classical inhibitors of C1 cysteine proteinases, have been extensively studied and reviewed in the literature. Over the last 20 years, however, proteins containing cystatin domains but lacking protease inhibitory activities have been identified, and most likely more will be described in the near future. These proteins together with family 1, 2, and 3 cystatins constitute the cystatin superfamily. Mounting evidence points to the new roles that some members of the superfamily have acquired over the course of their evolution. This review is focused on the roles of cystatins in: 1) tumorigenesis, 2) stabilization of matrix metalloproteinases, 3) glomerular filtration rate, 4) immunomodulation, and 5) neurodegenerative diseases. It is the goal of this review to get as many investigators as possible to take a second look at the cystatin superfamily regarding their potential involvement in serious human ailments.

The embryo's cystatin C and F expression functions as a protective mechanism against the maternal proteinase cathepsin S in mice

A successful implantation of a mammalian embryo into the maternal endometrium depends on a highly synchronized fetal–maternal dialogue involving chemokines, growth factors, and matrix-modifying enzymes. A growing body of evidence suggests an important role for proteinases playing a role in matrix degeneration and enhancing the embryo's invasive capacity and influencing the mother's immunological status in favor of the conceptus. This study focused on the expression of cathepsin S (CTSS) and its inhibitors in the murine fetal–maternal interface as well as the detection of the cellular sources of either proteinase and inhibitors. Nested RT-PCR for detection of embryonic mRNAs, immunohistochemistry of maternal and fetal tissues in B6C3F1 mice, and FACS analysis for determination of immunocompetent cell population were applied. This study shows that the cysteine proteinase CTSS is upregulated in the stroma of the implantation site, and that pregnancy induces an influx of CTSS-positive uterine natural killer cells. Compared to maternal tissues, the CTSS inhibitors cystatin F and C, but not the proteinase itself, are expressed in blastocysts. In conclusion, CTSS underlies a hormonal regulation in the maternal tissue and therewith most likely supports the embryonic implantation. The invading embryo regulates the depth of its own invasion through the expression of the cathepsin inhibitors and furthermore, interleukin-6 to activate CTSS in maternal tissues. Additionally, the observed decrease in CD3+ cells leads to the hypothesis that cells of the cytotoxic T-cell group are down-regulated in the decidua to support the implantation and ensure the survival of the embryo.

Phylogenomic analysis of the cystatin superfamily in eukaryotes and prokaryotes

BACKGROUND

The cystatin superfamily comprises cysteine protease inhibitors that play key regulatory roles in protein degradation processes. Although they have been the subject of many studies, little is known about their genesis, evolution and functional diversification. Our aim has been to obtain a comprehensive insight into their origin, distribution, diversity, evolution and classification in Eukaryota, Bacteria and Archaea.

RESULTS

We have identified in silico the full complement of the cystatin superfamily in more than 2100 prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. The analysis of numerous eukaryotic genomes has provided strong evidence for the emergence of this superfamily in the ancestor of eukaryotes. The progenitor of this superfamily was most probably intracellular and lacked a signal peptide and disulfide bridges, much like the extant Giardia cystatin. A primordial gene duplication produced two ancestral eukaryotic lineages, cystatins and stefins. While stefins remain encoded by a single or a small number of genes throughout the eukaryotes, the cystatins have undergone a more complex and dynamic evolution through numerous gene and domain duplications. In the cystatin superfamily we discovered twenty vertebrate-specific and three angiosperm-specific orthologous families, indicating that functional diversification has occurred only in multicellular eukaryotes. In vertebrate orthologous families, the prevailing trends were loss of the ancestral inhibitory activity and acquisition of novel functions in innate immunity. Bacterial cystatins and stefins may be emergency inhibitors that enable survival of bacteria in the host, defending them from the host's proteolytic activity.

CONCLUSION

This study challenges the current view on the classification, origin and evolution of the cystatin superfamily and provides valuable insights into their functional diversification. The findings of this comprehensive study provide guides for future structural and evolutionary studies of the cystatin superfamily as well as of other protease inhibitors and proteases.

Molecular cloning and characterization of novel cystatin gene in leaves Cakile maritima halophyte

Cakile maritima (Brassicaceae) is a halophyte that thrives on dunes along Mediterranean seashores, with high tolerance to salty and dry environments. We have previously shown that there is great morphological and physiological diversity between ecotypes. We investigated the expression of cysteine protease inhibitor (cystatin) genes in the response to hydric and saline constraints, as cystatins are known to participate in the response to environmental constraints in plants. We isolated, from C. maritime, a new cystatin cDNA (CmC) that encodes a 221 amino acid protein with a calculated molecular mass of 25 kDa. It displays a moderate-to-high amino acid sequence similarity with previously reported phytocystatin genes. The predicted protein is hydrophilic, with only one hydrophobic region, just at its N-terminus, and a calculated isoelectric point of 6.7. Sequence analysis revealed a monocystatin structure with one cystatin-like domain. The predicted protein CmC contains the main conserved motifs characteristic of the plant cystatins, and a putative site of phosphorylation by casein kinase II (TPSD). As some cystatins, it contains a C-terminal extension of 106 amino acid residues, with several conserved cystatin motifs. The expression was constitutive in non-stressed plants, with different levels between the ecotypes, and without apparent relation to the climatic area of origin. Augmented expression was observed under severe salinity except in the ecotype from the arid region. Water deficit also increased CmC expression in two ecotypes, with the highest value observed in the ecotype from the humid region. These results indicate that C. maritima responds to high salinity and water deficit by expressing a cystatin gene that is a known component of defense against abiotic constraints or biotic aggression and survival machinery.