Cruzipain

Cruzipain is a cysteine protease expressed by Trypanosoma cruzi.

It is classified under .

Cruzipain is a sulfated glycoprotein which plays a role in the parasitic disease known as Chagas disease. It is found to aid the parasite in entering the host cell and in evading an immune response.

Cruzipain can help parasites escape the response from the adaptive immune system by interfering with the functions of immunoglobulins from the immunoglobin G subclasses. These immunoglobulins are bound to receptors and cruzipain interacts with these immunoglobulins by cleaving their hinges.

During smooth muscle cell invasion, cruzipain may mobilize vasoconstricting endothelin receptors, which may interfere with the vasoconstrictor's ability to cause the blood vessels to become narrower.

Cruzipain aids in the process of breaking down host tissue and is prepared to signal the escape mechanism if it detects any response from the host's immune system.

References 

Category:EC 3.4.22