Structural and functional analysis of cathepsin S of Heterodera spp: a promising candidate for its control.

Cysteine proteinases are required for a wide range of physiological processes in all living organisms. In parasitic nematodes, they are particularly crucial for the digestion of host tissues and evasion of host immune responses. Therefore, in general, these are identified as primary targets for the control of parasitic nematodes. Herein, cathepsin S-like cysteine proteinase of Heterodera avenae (Hacp-s) has been cloned and analysed for the first time. The predicted protein is 298 amino acids long and showed significant similarity with cathepsin S of Heterodera glycines (Hgcp-s). The sequence of cathepsin S contains a signal peptide of 30 amino acids which suggests its role in extracellular functions. Multiple sequence alignment revealed the presence of ERFNIN motif and conserved catalytic residues. Three dimensional structure (3D) of Hgcp-s was modelled using homology modelling. In order to illustrate the plausible mode of interaction of cathepsin S (Hgcp-s), docking analysis was performed with E-64 cysteine proteinase inhibitor. Docking studies revealed the hydrogen bonding of E-64 with Gln(153), His(299) and Gly(203) as well as close interaction with catalytic residues Cys(159) and Asn(329). Expression analysis of Hacp-s using qRT-PCR showed high expression of cathepsin S in pre parasitic J2s and female stages suggesting its significant role in both pre-parasitic and parasitic stages of the nematode life cycle.