Immunolocalization and functional analysis of -M60-like-1 metallopeptidase in animal models.

Host mucins have crucial physical roles in preventing the parasitic establishment and maturation, and also in expelling the invading parasites. However, some parasites utilize mucinase enzymes to facilitate the infection. Recently, we have identified a mucinase enzyme of the liver fluke , -M60-like-1, which exhibits metallopeptidase activity against bovine submaxillary mucin substrate.