Induction of autophagy increases the proteolytic activity of reservosomes during metacyclogenesis.

Cruzipain, the major cysteine protease of the pathogenic protozoa , is an important virulence factor that plays a key role in the parasite nutrition, differentiation and host cell infection. Cruzipain is synthesized as a zymogen, matured, and delivered to reservosomes. These organelles that store proteins and lipids ingested by endocytosis undergo a dramatic decrease in number during the metacyclogenesis of .