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Biomedical subjects

Akira Ito

Publications and source records attributed to Akira Ito.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Discoordinate regulation of expression of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 in bovine endometrial stromal cells on type-I collagen gel.

To clarify the mechanism of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in bovine endometrium, we investigated the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) in bovine endometrial stromal cells (BESCs) on type-I collagen gel. When BESCs were seeded onto the center of collagen gel placed in culture dishes, the cells proliferated and formed multiple cell layers after 2 weeks. Under this culture condition, the production of progelatinase B/promatrix metalloproteinase (proMMP)-9 was augmented, which was not occurred with monolayered BESCs on plastic dishes. The mRNA expression of progelatinase A/proMMP-2 was not changed, but proMMP-2 activation was augmented. Furthermore, the level of prostromelysin-1/proMMP-3 mRNA was decreased, whereas the gene expression of TIMP-3 tended to increase in BESCs cultured on collagen gel. When BESCs cultured on collagen gel were treated with transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), the levels of proMMP-9 in the medium and TIMP-3 mRNA were augmented, but the mRNA expression of proMMP-3 was further suppressed. However, the expression and activation of proMMP-2 were not changed by TGF-beta1 in BESCs cultured on either plastic or collagen-gel dishes. These results suggest that the expression of MMPs-2, 3 and 9 and TIMP-3 is likely to be discoordinately regulated due to interaction with collagen and/or TGF-beta1 in bovine endometrium, and thereby different sets of MMPs may be associated with ECM remodeling during implantation and placentation in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Matrix-metalloproteinases-2 and -9 production in bovine endometrial cell culture.

In vitro cell culture is a convenient tool for studying cellular mechanisms. In the present study, production of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) in bovine endometrial (containing both epithelial and stromal cells) monolayer cells was examined. Blastocysts attached to the endometrial cells in a monolayer culture were examined for their effects on MMP-2 production. Initial attachment of blastocysts to the monolayer inhibited MMP-2 production by endometrial cells. But once trophoblast cells began to migrate into the endometrial cell layer, MMP-2 production increased, and at the same time MMP-9 production also became evident in the medium. In order to understand how blastocysts affected MMP-2 production, we examined the effect of progesterone, estradiol, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), tumor necrosis factors (TNFs), and interferon-tau (IFN-tau) supplementation. It was IFN-tau that inhibited the production of MMP-2. In addition, progesterone at a lower dose appeared to inhibit MMP-2 production. Both TNF-alpha and TNF-beta strongly stimulated the production of MMP-2 and MMP-9, whereas IGFs had no effect. Based on these findings, it appears that conceptus has the capacity to inhibit MMP activity.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Cellular immune responses in chickens induced by recombinant R7 Leucocytozoon caulleryi vaccine.

We have recently developed recombinant subunit vaccine consisting of second-generation schizont (2GS) membrane protein (rR7) of Leucocytozoon caulleryi. Chickens immunized with rR7 antigen acquired clear resistance to challenge by Leucocytozoon sporozoites. We examined the induction of cellular immune responses in vaccinated chickens. Spleen adherent cells from vaccinated chickens showed significantly higher phagocytic activity against 2GS-coated latex particles than did cells from adjuvant-inoculated or untreated control birds. Anti-R7 chicken IgG significantly increased the phagocytic rate of adherent cells from these 3 groups. These results show that specific cellular immune responses are induced by recombinant R7 subunit vaccine consisting of L. caulleryi 2GS protein, which suppresses the growth of parasites in the host in association with antiparasite antibodies to 2GS antigen.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The mitochondrial genome of the tapeworm Taenia solium: a finding of the abbreviated stop codon U.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the tapeworm Taenia solium mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been determined. The sequence is 13,709 base pairs in length and contains 36 genes (12 for proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation, 2 for ribosomal RNAs, and 22 for transfer RNAs). The gene content and organization of the T. solium mtDNA are identical to those of other taeniid mtDNAs. All genes are transcribed in the same direction, and all protein-coding genes appear to initiate with the AUG or GUG codon. In a gene for NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1, the abbreviated stop codon U was confirmed for the first time in flatworm mtDNAs.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Percutaneous ablation therapy guided by contrast-enhanced sonography for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The newly developed contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography technique enables us to improve the real-time detectability of viable tumor tissue in hepatocellular carcinoma lesions. We evaluated the usefulness of real-time percutaneous ablation therapy under guidance with this method for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma that is not depicted on conventional sonography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We examined 30 patients with 56 hepatocellular carcinomas using real-time contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography after injection of a galactose-palmitic acid contrast agent and compared the results with the findings of contrast-enhanced helical CT. We performed percutaneous ablation therapy guided by this modality for treatment of viable hepatocellular carcinoma lesions that could not be detected using conventional sonography. RESULTS: High detection rates of viable hepatocellular carcinoma lesions were obtained using real-time contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography (52/56 lesions, 93%); these rates were comparable to those of helical CT (54/56 lesions, 96%). Nine (90%) of the 10 lesions that were not detected on conventional sonography but were depicted on real-time contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography (incomplete local treatment, n = 4; small new lesion, n = 6) were successfully treated with percutaneous ablation therapy guided by this method. CONCLUSION: Real-time contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography improved the sensitivity for the detection of viable hepatocellular carcinoma lesions. Percutaneous ablation therapy guided by this modality may be useful in patients with hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma lesions that cannot be detected using conventional sonography.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Short report: Identification of Echinococcus species from a yak in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau region of China.

The species identification of an echinococcal lesion in the liver of a yak in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau region of China, where both Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis are present, was difficult to determine because of the atypical appearance of the lesion. Polymerase chain reaction-based mitochondrial genotyping allowed us to discriminate the Echinococcus species. Nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes amplified from the echinococcal lesion demonstrated that the yak was infected with the E. granulosus G1 genotype (sheep strain).

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with lower respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (2001)].

From October 2001 to September 2002, we collected the specimen from 370 patients with lower respiratory tract infections in 16 institutions in Japan, and investigated the susceptibilities of the isolated bacteria to various antibacterial agents and antibiotics and patients' characteristics. Of 458 strains that were isolated from specimen (mainly from sputum) and assumed to be bacteria causing in inflammation, 456 strains were investigated. The breakdown of the isolated bacteria were: Staphylococcus aureus 69, Streptococcus pneumoniae 72, Haemophilus influenzae 85, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (non-mucoid) 44, P. aeruginosa (mucoid) 13, Klebsiella pneumoniae 32, Moraxella subgenus Branhamella catarrhalis 32, and others. Of 69 S. aureus strains, those with 4 micrograms/mL or more of MIC of oxacillin (methicillin-resistant S. aureus: MRSA) occupied 43.5%. Vancomycin and arbekacin showed the most potent activities against MRSA as observed in 2000. The frequency of S. pneumoniae exhibiting low sensitivity to penicillin (penicillin-intermediate S. pneumoniae: PISP + penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae: PRSP) was 59.7% and both rates of PISP and PRSP were the highest after 1992. Carbapenems had strong activities against S. pneumoniae. Especially, panipenem and imipenem inhibited the growth of all 72 strains at 0.125 and 0.5 microgram/mL, respectively. Generally, all drugs had strong activities against H. influenzae with MIC90s of 16 micrograms/mL or less. The drug that had the strongest activity against H. influenzae was levofloxacin, which inhibited the growth of 80 of the 85 strains at 0.063 microgram/mL. Against P. aeruginosa mucoid strain, meropenem had a strong activity with MIC90 of 0.5 microgram/mL while, against non-mucoid strain, tobramycin had a strong activity with MIC90 of 2 micrograms/mL. K. pneumoniae showed good susceptibilities to all drugs except ampicillin and minocycline, and the MIC90s were 4 micrograms/mL or less. Particularly, cefmenoxime, cefpirome, and imipenem had the strongest activity (MIC90: 0.125 microgram/mL), and cefozopran had a strong activity, inhibiting the growth of all strains at 0.25 microgram/mL. Also, all drugs generally had strong activities against M. (B.) catarrhalis. MIC90s of all drugs were 4 micrograms/mL or less. The drug that had the strongest activity was minocycline and levofloxacin inhibiting all 32 strains at 0.063 microgram/mL. Most of the patients with respiratory infection were aged 70 years or older, accounting for approximately a half of the total (40.5%). As for the incidence by the diseases, bacterial pneumonia and chronic bronchitis were the highest, being noted in 39.2% and 37.3% of all the patients, respectively. The bacteria frequently isolated from the patients with bacterial pneumonia were S. aureus (19.3%) and S. pneumoniae (19.9%). In contrast, H. influenzae (22.0%) were frequently isolated from the patients with chronic bronchitis. Before the drug administration, the bacteria frequently isolated from the patients were S. pneumoniae (20.8%) and H. influenzae (21.5%). S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae decreased after the initiation of drug administration while S. aureus increased. The isolation frequency of P. aeruginosa was higher after than before the initiation of drug administration. The bacteria were frequently isolated from the patients who had already treated with cephems were S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. From the patients who had already treated with macrolides, S. pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated while S. aureus was the most frequently isolated from the patients pre-treated with quinolones.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Cystic hydatidosis--its occurrence and prevention in Japan].

The history of cystic hydatidosis (CH) in Japan is reviewed on the basis of case reports and other references during the period from 1881 to 2003. A total of 76 cases were identified as CH patients in Japan of which 47 were reported prior to 1945 and 29 thereafter. The occurrence was divided into 2 stages before and after the Slaughterhouse Act that was brought into force in 1906. The presence of endemic foci of CH was suggested before the Act was introduced in Japan, especially in southwestern prefectures, and the development of cattle breeding and unsanitary small slaughterhouses in the areas were thought to be cause. Japan emphasized cattle as a dietary protein source and also for various military accouterments such as shoes and rucksacks for soldiers. China was a transit port to Japan from Europe and also a big endemic area of CH. Japan had sent a huge number of soldiers and citizens to China in the Japanese-Sino and Japanese-Russian War and a number of cattle, pet dogs and people have also came to Japan from China. After enforcement of the Slaughterhouse Act in 1906, the number of CH cases decreased dramatically, and only 2 cases were reported for the 30 years between 1920 and 1950 in Japan. The situation regarding CH in Japan thus suggested the existence of endemic foci in southwestern prefectures, although direct evidence was lacking because no one had found E. granulosus in dogs of the area. Almost all of the patients recently presenting with CH appear to have been infected in overseas endemic countries. The available information strongly suggest that sanitary control of slaughterhouses is essential for preventing CH in endemic areas. Diagnostic laboratory examinations and appropriate medical intervention are clearly important. An animal quarantine system against echinococcal infestation of pet dogs should also be established urgently in Japan, because hundreds of pet dogs are being imported annually from endemic countries in Europe and Asia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Magnetic resonance imaging and immunoblot analyses in rats with experimentally induced cerebral alveolar echinococcosis.

The early stage of experimentally induced secondary cerebral alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in rats was investigated by use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and immunoblot (western blot) analyses. Thirty-six female Wistar rats (6 to 8 weeks old) were injected intracranially with a 10% homogenate of echinococcal larval tissues in which the concentrations of microvesicles and protoscolices were estimated to be 3.8 and 1.5 x 10(4)/ml, respectively. To observe the fine structure of the rat brain, MRI was performed under a high magnetic field of 7.05 T. Histologic examination also was performed. The T2-weighted MR images revealed a hyperintense region in the cerebral cortex at two weeks after injection of the homogenate. At three weeks after injection, this region was found to have cysts on the basis of results of histologic examination. Signal-void regions corresponding to hyperplasia and the subsequent calcification of the cuticle layer at six and 13 weeks after injection, respectively, were observed in T2-weighted and proton density MR images. On the other hand, at nine weeks after injection, AE was discernible by use of western blot analysis of sera with antibodies of two epitopes (Em18 and Em16) of E. multilocularis. Using this secondary cerebral AE animal model, it was concluded that the MRI method was suitable for early detection of secondary cerebral AE.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Transglutaminase-mediated gelatin matrices incorporating cell adhesion factors as a biomaterial for tissue engineering.

The goal of this work was to develop a novel biomaterial to be used for either wound dressing or as a scaffold for tissue engineering. The biodegradable hydrogels were prepared through cross-linking of gelatin with transglutaminase (TGase) in an aqueous solution. We found that the concentrations of 5 wt% gelatin and 1 unit/ml TGase were optimum for the proliferation of NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. Then, we investigated whether the cell proliferation was enhanced by incorporation of cell adhesion factors into the gelatin hydrogels. Since vitronectin and fibronectin can bind with gelatin by the action of TGase, we added these cell adhesion proteins into the gelatin hydrogels. The hydrogels incorporating these cell adhesion proteins significantly enhanced cell proliferation compared with the gelatin hydrogels without these proteins (p<0.05). Two types of synthetic Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides, RGDLLQ and RGDLLG were also added to the gelatin solution where RGDLLQ is a substrate of TGase by virtue of a glutamine (Q) residue with an epsilon-amino group and RGDLLG is not. These two RGD peptides enhanced cell proliferation, but RGDLLQ significantly enhanced the proliferation compared with RGDLLG (p<0.05). These results suggest that T-Gase-mediated incorporation of cell adhesion factors into gelatin matrices enhanced cell proliferation and this novel biomaterial is a potent tool for wound dressing or tissue engineering.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Differential regulation of the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases by cytokines and growth factors in bovine endometrial stromal cells and trophoblast cell line BT-1 in vitro.

Degradation and reconstitution of extracellular matrix in uterine endometrium is a crucial event for embryonic implantation and is regulated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). In the present study, we investigated the regulation of MMP and TIMP expression in cultured bovine endometrial stromal cells (BESCs) and a bovine trophoblast cell line BT-1 (BT-1 cells). The production of proMMP-9 was induced by transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in the stromal cells. The treatment of BESCs with TGFbeta, insulin-like growth factor-I, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) resulted in a significant increase in the level of TIMP-1 in the culture medium. In addition, a significant increase of TIMP-2 production was observed in interleukin (IL)-1alpha and HGF-treated BESCs. However, the expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA was not augmented by these factors. The treatment of BESCs with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate resulted in a significant increase in the level of TIMP-1 but a significant decrease in the level of TIMP-2 in the stromal cells. Membrane type-1 MMP mRNA expression in the stromal cells was augmented by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), IL-6, HGF, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. On the other hand, BT-1 cells constitutively produced proMMP-9 and proMMP-2, and the treatment of BT-1 cells with TNFalpha, HGF, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate resulted in a significant increase in the level of proMMP-9 but not in the level of proMMP-2. The production of TIMP-1 in BT-1 cells was also augmented by IL-1alpha, TNFalpha, and HGF at the level of translation and was transcriptionally increased by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. However, the level of TIMP-2 mRNA in BT-1 cells was not affected by any of the treatments. These results suggest that the expression of MMPs and TIMPs is differentially regulated by cytokines and growth factors and that the production of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 may not be accompanied by changes in their mRNA expression in bovine endometrium and trophoblasts. Furthermore, as in humans and rodents, MMPs and TIMPs may contribute to the control of degradation and reconstitution of extracellular matrix in bovine endometrium during embryonic implantation and early placentation.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Rapid and sensitive detection of urinary 4-hydroxybutyric acid and its related compounds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in a patient with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency.

We describe the rapid and sensitive detection of 4-hydroxybutyric acid, which is a marker compound for succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) deficiency. Urinary 4-hydroxybutyric acid and 3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid were targeted, quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after simplified urease digestion in which lactone formation from gamma-hydroxy acids is minimized. The recovery of 4-hydroxybutyric acid using this method was over 93%. 2,2-Dimethylsuccinic acid was used as an internal standard. The detection limit of this method was 1 nmol ml(-1) for both 4-hydroxybutyric acid and 3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid. The urinary concentrations of 4-hydroxybutyric acid and of 3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid from the patient with an SSADH deficiency were 880-3628 mmol mol(-1) creatinine (control; 3.3+/-3.3 mmol mol(-1) creatinine) and 810-1366 mmol mol(-1) creatinine (control; 67.4+/-56.2 mmol mol(-1) creatinine), respectively. The simplified urease digestion of urine is very useful for quantifying 4-hydroxybutyric acid and its related compounds in patients with 4-hydroxybutyric aciduria.

Aldehyde Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed2002

Impaired nitric oxide synthase pathway in diabetes mellitus: role of asymmetric dimethylarginine and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase.

BACKGROUND: An endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), is elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). This study explored the mechanisms by which ADMA becomes elevated in DM. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed normal chow or high-fat diet (n=5 in each) with moderate streptozotocin injection to induce type 2 DM. Plasma ADMA was elevated in diabetic rats (1.33+/-0.31 versus 0.48+/-0.08 micromol/L; P<0.05). The activity, but not the expression, of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) was reduced in diabetic rats and negatively correlated with their plasma ADMA levels (P<0.05). DDAH activity was significantly reduced in vascular smooth muscle cells and human endothelial cells (HMEC-1) exposed to high glucose (25.5 mmol/L). The impairment of DDAH activity in vascular cells was associated with an accumulation of ADMA and a reduction in generation of cGMP. In human endothelial cells, coincubation with the antioxidant polyethylene glycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase (22 U/mL) reversed the effects of the high-glucose condition on DDAH activity, ADMA accumulation, and cGMP synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: A glucose-induced impairment of DDAH causes ADMA accumulation and may contribute to endothelial vasodilator dysfunction in DM.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMed2002

In vitro and in vivo antagonistic activities of SM-31900 for the NMDA receptor glycine-binding site.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the in vitro pharmacological profile and the in vivo activity of (3S)-7-chloro-3-[2-((1R)-1-carboxyethoxy)-4-aminomethylphenyl]aminocarbonylmethyl-1,3,4,5-tetrahydrobenz[c,d]indole-2-carboxylic acid hydrochloride (SM-31900). SM-31900 inhibited the binding of [3H]glycine and [3H]5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid, radioligands for the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor glycine-binding site, to rat brain membranes in a competitive manner, with K(i) values of 11+/-2 and 1.0+/-0.1 nM, respectively, and completely prevented the binding of [3H]dizocilpine (MK-801), a radioligand for the NMDA receptor channel site. In cultures of rat cortical neurons, SM-31900 markedly prevented the neuronal cell death induced by transient exposure to glutamate, in a concentration-dependent manner. Its neuroprotective potency was much stronger than those of other glycine-binding site antagonists (4-trans-2-carboxy-5,7-dichloro-4-phenylaminocarbonylamino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (L-689,560), 5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid, and 7-chlorokynurenic acid). Furthermore, SM-31900 showed anticonvulsant activity when administered systemically, unlike other antagonists. These data indicate that SM-31900 is a systemically active antagonist with high affinity for the NMDA receptor glycine-binding site.

Aminoquinolines↗
PubMed2002

Inhibition of activator protein-1 binding activity and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway by nobiletin, a polymethoxy flavonoid, results in augmentation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 production and suppression of production of matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -9 in human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells.

Medicinal plants contain pharmacological substances including flavonoids, and their extracts have been therapeutically administered for cancer therapy in vitro and in vivo. We investigated the efficacy of a polymethoxy flavonoid, nobiletin, from Citrus depressa on tumor invasion in vitro. Nobiletin inhibited the tumor-invasive activity of human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells in the Matrigel model, whereas a similar inhibition was observed upon exogenously adding tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)-1 and -2. The gene expression and production of pro-matrix metalloproteinase 9 (proMMP-9)/progelatinase B and proMMP-1/interstitial procollagenase were specifically suppressed by nobiletin in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate-stimulated HT-1080 cells. In contrast, the gene expression and production of TIMP-1, but not TIMP-2, were enhanced by nobiletin. We also demonstrated that nobiletin suppressed the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate-induced binding activity of activator protein-1. Furthermore, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, LY-294002, was found to mimic the different actions of nobiletin on the production of proMMP-9 and TIMP-1. These results suggest that nobiletin inhibits tumor cell invasive activity not only by suppressing the expression of MMPs but also augmenting TIMP-1 production in tumor cells, and that the nobiletin-mediated inhibition of activator protein-1 binding activity is at least partly involved in the suppression of MMP expression. Furthermore, we suggest a possible mechanism by which nobiletin may interfere in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway, which divergently regulates the production of MMP and TIMP-1.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗
PubMed2002

Characterisation and expression of the Fasciola gigantica cathepsin L gene.

The gene structure of a cathepsin L from Fasciola gigantica was characterised. The gene spans approximately 2.0 kb and comprises four exons and three introns and is a compact gene as in the cases of crustaceous and platyhelminth cathepsins L. Southern blot analysis suggested that a few copies of the genes are sparsely organised in the genome. Of the three intron insertion positions, two of which are in the same position as in the mammalian cathepsin L gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that F. gigantica cathepsin L forms a clade with those from Fasciola hepatica, but not with those from Spirometra erinacei and schistosomes. Putative TATA-boxes were found upstream of a transcription initiation site. The sequence analysis of the 5'-upstream of the transcript revealed that the cathepsin L gene is transcribed by cis-splicing fashion. Furthermore, the experiments using recombinant F. gigantica procathepsin L showed that it was processed to an enzymatically active cathepsin L by pH-dependent autocatalysis. However, the pro-peptide deleted cathepsin L showed no enzyme activity, indicating that the pro-region of F. gigantica procathepsin L is essential for the folding and/or refolding of functional cathepsin L. These results are consistent with the observations in mammalian cathepsin L and papain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗