0000000000850238
AUTHOR
M. G. Parisi
Gender-related variations in hemolymph parameters of Carabus lefebvrei (Coleoptera: Carabidae): HPLC analysis and phenoloxidase activity
We characterized the enzymatic activity of basal and total phenoloxidase and HLPC and SDS- PAGE profiles in hemolymph of Carabus lefebvrei males and females at different reproductive status. The phenoloxidase activity was activated by trypsin and inhibited by phenoloxidase activity specific inhibitor phenylthiourea. Our results demonstrated that both in males and females, there were no significant differences in the basal phenoloxidase activity between reproductive and virgin beetles, while the total phenoloxidase activity increased significantly in virgin specimens. Thus, resources seem to be invested to increase the humoral response in pre-reproductive phase forming a barrier against path…
Identification, cloning and environmental factors modulation of a αβ defensin from the lessepsian invasive mussel Brachidontes pharaonis (Bivalvia: Mytilidae)
International audience; Immunological effectors of invasive species playing a role in addressing new colonization are still poorly studied. In the present study the cDNA sequence of the defensin from a Lessepsian invasive species, the Red Sea mussel Brachidontes pharaonis, was cloned using RACE method. Defensins are a class of widely known antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), oligopeptides with a broad spectrum of targeted organisms ranging from viruses to parasites. Analysis of BpDef sequence (262 bp) revealed the presence of an ORF coding for 81 amino acids. The full-length amino acid sequence showed the highest similarity to antimicrobial peptides MGD1 and MGD2 sequence from Mytilus galloprovi…
Sabella spallanzanii mucus bacterial agglutinating activity after arsenic exposure. The equilibrium between predation safety and immune response stability
We report the Sabella spallanzanii mucus bacterial agglutination response after inorganic arsenic (As) exposure. As is actively adsorbed from the surrounding environment and accumulated at high concentrations in tissues as an anti-predatory strategy. Here we investigated the effect of high As concentrations on its immunobiological response. It may act on mucus lectins and on its ability to agglutinate bacteria. We concluded that As at high concentrations leads to the inhibition of pathogen recognition. Nevertheless, although its biological activity is significant reduced in winter, responses to As concentrations are very similar, and below a certain threshold do not induce alterations, supp…
Sabella spallanzanii mucus contain a galactose-binding lectin able to agglutinate bacteria. Purification and characterization
Lectins are present in almost all living organisms and are involved in several biological processes, including immune responses. In the present study, a calcium dependent galactose-binding lectin exhibiting an apparent MW of 43 kDa has been characterized and purified from the mucus of the polychaete Sabella spallanzanii by using both affinity chromatography and high-pressure liquid chromatographic methods. Its agglutinating activity towards rabbit erythrocytes was significantly modified by the addition of calcium or EDTA. The activity was optimal at temperature values comprised between 4 and 18 °C, maintain a 50% of activity between 20 and 37 °C, was significant deleted after exposure at 50…