Pretense activity of 80 kDa protein secreted from the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii

This study describes the characterization of 80 kDa pretense showing gelationlytic property among three pretenses in the excretory/secretory proteins (ESP) from Toxoplasma gondii. The pretense activity was detected in the ESP but not in the somatic extract of RH tachyzoites. This pretense was active only in the presence of calcium ion but not other divalent cationic ions such as $Cu^{2+},{\;}Zn^{2+},{\;}Mg^{2+},{\;}and{\;}$Mn^{2+}$, implying that $Ca^{2+}$ is critical factor for the activation of the protease. The 80 kDa pretense was optimally active at pH 7.5. Its gelatinolytic activity was maximal at $37^{\circ}C$, and significant level of enzyme activity of the pretense remained after heat treatment at $56^{\circ}C$ for 30 min or $100^{\circ}C$ for 10 min, This thermostable enzyme was strongly inhibited by metal chelators, i.e., EDTA, EGTA, and 11 10-phenanthroline. Thus, the 80 kDa pretense in the ESP secreted by T. gondii was classified as a calcium dependent neutral metalloprotease.