Molecular cloning of a multidomain cysteine protease and protease inhibitor precursor gene from the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) and functional expression of the cathepsin F-like cysteine protease domain

►cDNA and genomic cloning of M. sexta cysteine protease inhibitor (MsCPI) was performed. ►MsCPI cDNA consist of a 9273 nucleotides that encode a polypeptide of 2676 amino acids. ►MsCPI precursor included nine MsCPI domains and one procathepsin F-like (Mscat F) domain. Activated Mscat F was inhibited by MsCPI effectively.