Radouane OUALI (Presenting Author) | Laboratory of vectors-pathogens biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium | Rue des professeurs Jenner et Brachet 12, 6041, Gosselies, Belgium
Marc Dieu | Mass Spectrometry Platform (MaSUN), University of Namur, Belgium | Namur, 5000, Namur, Belgium
Sabrina Bousbata | Laboratory of vectors-pathogens biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium | Rue des professeurs Jenner et Brachet 12, 6041, Gosselies, Belgium
Abstract
Chagas disease is transmitted to humans by obligatory hematophagous insects of Triatominae subfamily, which feeds on various hosts to acquire their nutritional sustenance derived from blood proteins. Hemoglobin digestion is a pivotal metabolic feature of triatomines, representing a key juncture in their competence toward Trypanosoma cruzi; however, it remains poorly understood. To explore the hemoglobin digestion pathway in Rhodnius prolixus, a major Chagas disease vector, we employed an array of approaches for activity profiling of various midgut-associated peptidases using specific substrates and inhibitors. Dissecting the individual contribution of each peptidase family in hemoglobin digestion, has unveiled a predominant role played by aspartic proteases. Determination of peptidase-specific cleavage sites of these key hemoglobinases, in conjunction with mass spectrometry-based identification of in vivo Hb-derived fragments, has revealed the intricate network of peptidases involved in the Hb digestion in the anterior midgut. The comprehensive profiling of midgut-associated aspartic proteases by quantitative proteomics has enabled the accurate revision of gene annotations within the A1 family of the R. prolixus genome. The unveiling of this catabolic pathway holds immense promise for the identification of novel targets aimed at controlling the transmission of Chagas disease.