蜱类半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂研究进展

Advancements in the research of tick cysteine protease inhibitors

半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂(Cysteine protease inhibitors)是一类与木瓜蛋白酶样半胱氨酸蛋白酶可逆结合的抑制功能分子,在抑制宿主稳态反应中起到相加或协同作用。蜱作为一种专性吸血的体外寄生虫,分布于世界各地,对人类健康、牲畜业生产和野生动物生存构成了严重威胁。2005年蜱类半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂首次从美洲花蜱Amblyomma americanum中被鉴定,之后其在不同蜱种内所参与的生理过程及功能得到深入研究。本文综述了半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂的分类、结构与功能,总结其在蜱类吸血适应、先天免疫和寄生阶段免疫调节的分子机制以及潜在的应用价值,并分析存在的问题,以期为此领域的研究拓展思路。

Cysteine protease inhibitors are a class of inhibitory functional molecules that reversibly bind to papain-like cysteine proteases and exert additive or synergistic interactions in the inhibition of host homeostatic responses.Ticks are an exclusively hematophagous ectoparasite with a worldwide distribution and pose a serious threat to human health,livestock production,and wildlife survival.Since cystatins were first identified in Amblyomma americanum in 2005,the physiological mechanisms and functions these proteins play in different tick species have been extensively studied.This paper reviews the classification,structure,and function of cystatins and summarizes the molecular mechanisms and potential application value of their immunomodulation in tick blood-sucking adaptation,innate immunity and parasitism stages.It also discusses the challenges with the aim of expanding research ideas in this field.