Search results for "Elephas"
showing 9 items of 9 documents
Identification of proteolytic enzymes from Eriphia verrucosa and Palinurus elephas capable to degrade gliadin
2009
In small intestinal disease, coeliac sprue, proline-rich gluten peptides from wheat, rye and barley are relatively resistant to gastrointestinal digestion, and therefore remain in the intestinal lumen to elicit immunopathology in genetically susceptible individuals. Since most serine endopeptidases are unable to hydrolyse proline residues, proline specific proteases may be therapeutic keys in digestive diseases. Partial hydrolysis reduces the risk of allergenic sensitization while total hydrolysis ensures the elimination of the allergenicity of whey protein (Villad´oniga and others 2007). Kimoto and others (1998) reported that 18-, 31-, 37- and 58-kDa wheat allergens were recognized by the …
Tyrosinases from crustaceans form hexamers
2002
Tyrosinases, which are widely distributed among animals, plants and fungi, are involved in many biologically essential functions, including pigmentation, sclerotization, primary immune response and host defence. In the present study, we present a structural and physicochemical characterization of two new tyrosinases from the crustaceans Palinurus elephas (European spiny lobster) and Astacus leptodactylus (freshwater crayfish). In vivo, the purified crustacean tyrosinases occur as hexamers composed of one subunit type with a molecular mass of approx. 71kDa. The tyrosinase hexamers appear to be similar to the haemocyanins, based on electron microscopy. Thus a careful purification protocol was…
Molecular characterisation and evolution of the hemocyanin from the European spiny lobster, Palinurus elephas.
2003
The hemocyanin of the European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas (synonym: Palinurus vulgaris) is a hexamer composed by four closely related but distinct subunits. We have obtained the full cDNA sequences of all four subunits, which cover 2275-2298 bp and encode for native polypeptides of 656 and 657 amino acids. The P. elephas hemocyanin subunits belong to the alpha-type of crustacean hemocyanins, whereas beta- and gamma-subunits are absent in this species. An unusual high ratio of non-synonymous versus synonymous nucleotide substitutions was observed, suggesting positive selection among subunits. Assuming a constant evolution rate, the P. elephas hemocyanin subunits emerged from a single he…
Behavioural and biochemical stress responses of Palinurus elephas after exposure to boat noise pollution in tank
2014
This study examined the effects of boat noise on the behavioural and biochemical parameters of the Mediterranean spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas).The experiment was conducted in a tank equipped with a video and audio recording system. 18 experimental trials, assigned to boat noise and control conditions, were performed using lobsters in single and group of 4 specimens. After a 1. h habituation period, we audio- and video-recorded the lobsters for 1. h. During the experimental phase, the animals assigned to the boat groups were exposed to boat noise pollution (a random sequence of boat noises). Exposure to the noise produced significant variations in locomotor behaviours and haemolymphatic …
Ontogenetic trophic segregation between two threatened smooth-hound sharks in the Central Mediterranean Sea
2020
AbstractElasmobranchs are among the species most threatened by overfishing and a large body of evidence reports their decline around the world. As they are large predators occupying the highest levels of marine food webs, their removal can alter the trophic web dynamic through predatory release effects and trophic cascade. Suitable management of threatened shark species requires a good understanding of their behaviour and feeding ecology. In this study we provide one of the first assessments of the trophic ecology of the “vulnerable” smooth-hounds Mustelus mustelus and M. punctulatus in the Central Mediterranean Sea, based on stomach contents and stable isotope analyses. Ontogenetic diet ch…
Quaternary structure of the European spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas) 1x6-mer hemocyanin from cryoEM and amino acid sequence data.
2002
Abstract Arthropod hemocyanins are large respiratory proteins that are composed of up to 48 subunits (8×6-mer) in the 75 kDa range. A 3D reconstruction of the 1×6-mer hemocyanin from the European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas has been performed from 9970 single particles using cryoelectron microscopy. An 8 A resolution of the hemocyanin 3D reconstruction has been obtained from about 600 final class averages. Visualisation of structural elements such as α-helices has been achieved. An amino acid sequence alignment shows the high sequence identity (>80%) of the hemocyanin subunits from the European spiny lobster P. elephas and the American spiny lobster Panulirus interruptus . Comparison of…
Pleistocene Calabrian and Sicilian bioprovinces
2002
During the Pleistocene, southern Calabria was the area through which several mammalian taxa dispersed into the Sicilian island via the Straits of Messina. The rich fossil record of Sicily allowed for the construction of a fairly detailed bio-chronological frame that is dated by correlation of vertebrate bearing deposits with marine deposits. At present five Faunal Complexes (F.C.), characterised by the occurrence of different taxa, have been recognised. The two older Faunal Complexes (Monte Pellegrino F.C.'xes Elephas falconeri F.C.) include taxa with differently marked endemic features denoting the occurrence of an insular system made up of geographically isolated small islands, with very …
Shipping noise affecting immune responses of European spiny lobster (Palinuruselephas)
2015
Marine crustaceans are influenced by numerous environmental factors. Environmental stress from pollutants seems to affect their metabolism, growth, moulting, survival, and immune defence. Recently, it has become clear that there is an impact of the global increase in sea noise levels due to shipping traffic on crustacean welfare. Considering the ecological and commercial importance of the European spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787)) in most parts of the Mediterranean coastal area, in the present study we investigated whether shipping noise pollution contribute to changing the immune parameters of stress in the European spiny lobster. The animals were exposed to a mix of nois…
<strong>Pamphagidae (Orthoptera: Caelifera) of North Africa: key to genera and the annotated check-list of species</strong>
2013
At least 95 species of Pamphagidae belonging to 17 genera are known in North Africa. Taxonomic status is fairly known, with some exception, mainly due to scarcity of available specimens of some genera in museums and collections. In this paper, the author proposes a new key to genera and reports the annotated list of all the known species, based on specimens examined in different European museums. Concerning the subfamily Thrinchinae, he proposes to consider only the following species of the genus Tmethis: T. cisti, T. harterti new status, T. maroccanus and T. pulchripennis. He also considers Neotmethis bidentatus synonym of T. harterti, and the three newly described species of the genus Tua…