RESUMO
As other spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus is supposed to use preferentially proteins and lipids in energy metabolism, while carbohydrates are well digested but poorly utilized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary carbohydrate level on digestion and metabolism in the spiny lobster P. argus. We used complementary methodologies such as post-feeding flux of nutrients and metabolites, as well as measurements of α-amylase expression and activity in the digestive tract. Lobsters readily digested and absorbed carbohydrates with a time-course that is dependent on their content in diet. Lobster showed higher levels of free glucose and stored glycogen in different tissues as the inclusion of wheat flour increased. Modifications in intermediary metabolism revealed a decrease in amino acids catabolism coupled with a higher use of free glucose as carbohydrates rise up to 20%. However, this effect seems to be limited by the metabolic capacity of lobsters to use more than 20% of carbohydrates in diets. Lobsters were not able to tightly regulate α-amylase expression according to dietary carbohydrate level but exhibited a marked difference in secretion of this enzyme into the gut. Results are discussed to highlight the limitations to increasing carbohydrate utilization by lobsters. Further growout trials are needed to link the presented metabolic profiles with phenotypic outcomes.
RESUMO
Alpha-amylases are ubiquitously distributed throughout microbials, plants and animals. It is widely accepted that omnivorous crustaceans have higher α-amylase activity and number of isoforms than carnivorous, but contradictory results have been obtained in some species, and carnivorous crustaceans have been less studied. In addition, the physiological meaning of α-amylase polymorphism in crustaceans is not well understood. In this work we studied α-amylase in a carnivorous lobster at the gene, transcript, and protein levels. It was showed that α-amylase isoenzyme composition (i.e., phenotype) in lobster determines carbohydrate digestion efficiency. Most frequent α-amylase phenotype has the lowest digestion efficiency, suggesting this is a favoured trait. We revealed that gene and intron loss have occurred in lobster α-amylase, thus lobsters express a single 1830 bp cDNA encoding a highly conserved protein with 513 amino acids. This protein gives rise to two isoenzymes in some individuals by glycosylation but not by limited proteolysis. Only the glycosylated isoenzyme could be purified by chromatography, with biochemical features similar to other animal amylases. High carbohydrate content in diet down-regulates α-amylase gene expression in lobster. However, high α-amylase activity occurs in lobster gastric juice irrespective of diet and was proposed to function as an early sensor of the carbohydrate content of diet to regulate further gene expression. We concluded that gene/isoenzyme simplicity, post-translational modifications and low Km, coupled with a tight regulation of gene expression, have arose during evolution of α-amylase in the carnivorous lobster to control excessive carbohydrate digestion in the presence of an active α-amylase.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Artrópodes , Carnivoridade/fisiologia , Regulação Enzimológica da Expressão Gênica/fisiologia , Palinuridae , alfa-Amilases , Animais , Proteínas de Artrópodes/biossíntese , Proteínas de Artrópodes/genética , DNA Complementar/genética , DNA Complementar/metabolismo , Glicosilação , Isoenzimas/biossíntese , Isoenzimas/genética , Palinuridae/genética , Palinuridae/metabolismo , Proteólise , alfa-Amilases/biossíntese , alfa-Amilases/genéticaRESUMO
In the present study, we aimed to determine the influence of ß-(1,3)-d-glucans on the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine response in the Monocyte Activation Test (MAT) for pyrogens, and on the LPS-induced febrile response in the Rabbit Pyrogen Test (RPT), thus evaluating the resulting effect in the outcome of each test. It was found that ß-(1,3)-d-glucans elicited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α, also known as endogenous pyrogens, but not enough to classify them as pyrogenic according to MAT. The same ß-(1,3)-d-glucans samples were non-pyrogenic by RPT. However, ß-(1,3)-d-glucans significantly enhanced the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines response in MAT, insomuch that samples containing non-pyrogenic concentrations of LPS become pyrogenic. On the other hand, ß-(1,3)-d-glucans had no effect on sub-pyrogenic LPS doses in the RPT, but surprisingly, inhibited the LPS-induced febrile response of pyrogenic LPS concentrations. Thus, while ß-(1,3)-d-glucans could mask the LPS pyrogenic activity in the RPT, they exerted an overstimulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the MAT. Hence, MAT provides higher safety since it evidences an unwanted biological response, which is not completely controlled and is overlooked by the RPT.
Assuntos
Febre/induzido quimicamente , Lipopolissacarídeos/farmacologia , Monócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Pirogênios/farmacologia , beta-Glucanas/farmacologia , Animais , Febre/imunologia , Humanos , Interleucina-1beta/imunologia , Interleucina-6/imunologia , Masculino , Monócitos/imunologia , Proteoglicanas , Coelhos , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/imunologiaRESUMO
The melanization reaction promoted by the prophenoloxidase-activating system is an essential defense response in invertebrates subjected to regulatory mechanisms that are still not fully understood. We report here the finding and characterization of a novel trypsin inhibitor, named panulirin, isolated from the hemocytes of the spiny lobster Panulirus argus with regulatory functions on the melanization cascade. Panulirin is a cationic peptide (pI 9.5) composed of 48 amino acid residues (5.3 kDa), with six cysteine residues forming disulfide bridges. Its primary sequence was determined by combining Edman degradation/N-terminal sequencing and electrospray ionization-MS/MS spectrometry. The low amino acid sequence similarity with known proteins indicates that it represents a new family of peptidase inhibitors. Panulirin is a competitive and reversible tight-binding inhibitor of trypsin (Ki = 8.6 nm) with a notable specificity because it does not inhibit serine peptidases such as subtilisin, elastase, chymotrypsin, thrombin, and plasmin. The removal of panulirin from the lobster hemocyte lysate leads to an increase in phenoloxidase response to LPS. Likewise, the addition of increasing concentrations of panulirin to a lobster hemocyte lysate, previously depleted of trypsin-inhibitory activity, decreased the phenoloxidase response to LPS in a concentration-dependent fashion. These results indicate that panulirin is implicated in the regulation of the melanization cascade in P. argus by inhibiting peptidase(s) in the pathway toward the activation of the prophenoloxidase enzyme.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Artrópodes/metabolismo , Catecol Oxidase/metabolismo , Precursores Enzimáticos/metabolismo , Palinuridae/metabolismo , Inibidores da Tripsina/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Proteínas de Artrópodes/química , Proteínas de Artrópodes/genética , Catecol Oxidase/química , Catecol Oxidase/genética , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Ativação Enzimática/efeitos dos fármacos , Ativação Enzimática/fisiologia , Precursores Enzimáticos/química , Precursores Enzimáticos/genética , Hemócitos/química , Hemócitos/citologia , Hemócitos/metabolismo , Lipopolissacarídeos/farmacologia , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Palinuridae/química , Palinuridae/genética , Tripsina/química , Inibidores da Tripsina/química , Inibidores da Tripsina/genéticaRESUMO
It is well known that crustaceans exhibit several isoforms of trypsin in their digestive system. Although the number of known crustacean trypsin isoforms continues increasing, especially those derived from cDNA sequences, the role of particular isoenzymes in digestion remains unknown. Among invertebrates, significant advances in the understanding of the role of multiple trypsins have been made only in insects. Since it has been demonstrated that trypsin isoenzyme patterns (phenotypes) in lobster differ in digestion efficiency, we used this crustacean as a model for assessing the biochemical basis of such differences. We demonstrated that the trypsin isoform known to be present in all individuals of Panulirus argus has a high catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m) ) and is the most reactive toward native proteinaceous substrates, whereas one of the isoforms present in less efficient individuals has a lower k(cat) and a lower k(cat)/K(m), and it is less competent at digesting native proteins. A fundamental question in biology is how genetic differences produce different physiological performances. This work is the first to demonstrate that trypsin phenotypic variation in crustacean protein digestion relies on the biochemical properties of the different isoforms. Results are relevant for understanding trypsin polymorphism and protein digestion in lobster.
Assuntos
Hepatopâncreas/enzimologia , Palinuridae/enzimologia , Isoformas de Proteínas/isolamento & purificação , Tripsina/química , Animais , Fenômenos Fisiológicos do Sistema Digestório/fisiologia , Proteólise , Relação Estrutura-AtividadeRESUMO
Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica utilizando la base de datos Pubmed con énfasis en los artículos publicados en la última década. Como descriptores se utilizaron los siguientes: glucans, glucans recognition, glucans biological activitiy, glucans pharmaceuticals. Con la información disponible se realizó un análisis de los principales aspectos relacionados con el tema, que se exponen en el presente trabajo. Las b-(1®3)-glucanas son polímeros de glucosa que se encuentran mayoritariamente en la pared celular de hongos, levaduras y plantas. Se consideran patrones moleculares asociados a patógenos y son reconocidas por varios receptores, siendo la dectina-1 el principal receptor de reconocimiento de estas estructuras. Sus propiedades inmunomoduladoras han sido informadas por varios autores. Se ha demostrado que potencian y sinergizan la acción de ligandos de Toll like receptors sobre la liberación de citoquinas proinflamatorias, aunque también han mostrado un perfil antiinflamatorio, cuestión que depende en gran medida de sus características estructurales. Las b-(1®3)-glucanas son contaminantes importantes provenientes de los filtros de acetato de celulosa que se utilizan en la clarificación de parenterales hemoderivados, por tanto, es necesario estudiar las consecuencias de la presencia de estas moléculas inmunomoduladoras en inyectables. En esta revisión se resumen aspectos relacionados con el reconocimiento y actividad biológica de las b-(1®3)-glucanas y se profundiza en estudios relacionados con su presencia en hemoderivados como principal contaminante. Finalmente se destaca la utilidad de la Prueba de Activación de Monocitos en la detección de las b-(1®3)-glucanas en parenterales.
A literature review was made in Pubmed database, making emphasis on papers published in the last decade. The subject headings for this search were glucans, glucans recognition, glucans biological activitiy, glucans pharmaceuticals. On the basis of the available information, the main aspects related to this topic were analyzed and shown in this paper. b-(1®3)-glucans are glucose-derived polymers found mainly in the cellular wall of fungi, yeasts and plants. They are considered pathogens-associated molecular patterns that are ecognized by several receptors, being dectin-1 the key recognition receptor of these structures. Some authors have underlined their Immunomodulating properties. It has been demonstrated that they synergize and potentate the actions of Toll-like receptor ligands on the release of proinflammatory cytokines, though b-(1®3)-glucans have shown an antinflamatory profile which greatly depends on their structural characteristics. b-(1®3)-glucans are important pollutants stemming from cellulose depth filters used in clarification process of parenteral blood derivatives. For this reason, it is necessary to study the consequences of their presence in parenterals. This review summarized the main aspects related with the recognition and biological activities of b-(1®3)-glucans as well as it delved into studies on their presence in blood derivatives as main pollutant. Finally, the paper underlined the role of Monnocyte Activation Test to detect b-(1®3)-glucans in parenterals.
Assuntos
Cuba , HistóriaRESUMO
Disadvantages of the regulatory pyrogen test to assure safety of the end-product Human Serum Albumin (HSA) for parenteral use call for the implementation of an alternative test. In the current study, 16 HSA batches were assayed for pyrogens in parallel with the Rabbit Pyrogen Test, conventional and endotoxin-specific LAL assay and monocyte activation test (MAT). It was found that all HSA batches were contaminated with (1,3)-beta-glucans, which interfere with the conventional LAL. Endotoxin-specific LAL was not suitable to test HSA due to unacceptable endotoxin recovery. Experiments combining polymyxin B and MAT demonstrated that pyrogenic batches were mainly contaminated with endotoxins. However, endotoxin-specific LAL failed to detect one of them. The contaminating (1,3)-beta-glucans enhanced the MAT/IL-6 response to endotoxin, but not that of MAT/IL-1beta. The endotoxin equivalent concentrations obtained using the IL-6 readout were usually higher than those using IL-1beta, probably owing to the direct induction of IL-6 release from monocytes by (1,3)-beta-glucans. The MAT correlates with the rabbit pyrogen test, providing a higher safety level for pyrogenicity testing of HSA and probably other therapeutic proteins.
Assuntos
Endotoxinas/toxicidade , Monócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Pirogênios/toxicidade , Albumina Sérica/química , Animais , Contaminação de Medicamentos , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática/métodos , Humanos , Infusões Parenterais , Interleucina-1beta , Interleucina-6 , Teste do Limulus , Coelhos , SoluçõesRESUMO
Hemocyanin and phenoloxidase belong to the type-3 copper protein family, sharing a similar active center whereas performing different roles. In this study, we demonstrated that purified hemocyanin (450 kDa) from the spiny lobster Panulirus argus shows phenoloxidase activity in vitro after treatment with trypsin, chymotrypsin and SDS (0.1% optimal concentration), but it is not activated by sodium perchlorate or isopropanol. The optimal pHs of the SDS-activated hemocyanin were 5.5 and 7.0. Hemocyanin from spiny lobster behaves as a catecholoxidase. Kinetic characterization using dopamine, L-DOPA and catechol shows that dopamine is the most specific substrate. Catechol and dopamine produced substrate inhibition above 16 and 2 mM respectively. Mechanism-based inhibition was also evidenced for the three substrates, being less significant for L-DOPA. SDS-activated phenoloxidase activity is produced by the hexameric hemocyanin. Zymographic analysis demonstrated that incubation of native hemocyanin with trypsin and chymotrypsin, produced bands of 170 and 190 kDa respectively, with intense phenoloxidase activity. Three polypeptide chains of 77, 80 and 89 kDa of hemocyanin monomers were identified by SDS-PAGE. Monomers did not show phenoloxidase activity induced by SDS or partial proteolysis.
Assuntos
Hemocianinas/metabolismo , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismo , Palinuridae/enzimologia , 2-Propanol/farmacologia , Animais , Catecol Oxidase/química , Catecol Oxidase/metabolismo , Catecóis/metabolismo , Quimotripsina/metabolismo , Dopamina/metabolismo , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Ativação Enzimática , Hemocianinas/química , Hemocianinas/isolamento & purificação , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Cinética , Levodopa/metabolismo , Peso Molecular , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/química , Palinuridae/química , Percloratos/farmacologia , Compostos de Sódio/farmacologia , Dodecilsulfato de Sódio/química , Especificidade por Substrato , Tripsina/metabolismoRESUMO
En los últimos años, los principales organismos reguladores de productos farmacéuticos (Farmacopeas) exigen cada vez más en sus monografías la aplicación del método del lisado de amebocitos de Limulus (LAL) para la liberación de pirógenos en productos terminados parenterales. El análisis de pirógenos constituye uno de los principales ensayos en el control de calidad de la fabricación de inyectables por su repercusión en la salud humana, puesto que la presencia y administración de los mismos, es capaz de provocar una serie de respuestas fisiológicas, en su mayoría de carácter perjudicial y en casos extremos, la muerte del paciente. Por las razones anteriores, existe un creciente interés en el conocimiento y dominio de estos métodos. El presente trabajo muestra una revisión bibliográfica del método del LAL, se tratan aspectos como su descubrimiento y estandarización, aparición en la industria farmacéutica y razones para su triunfo, y los basamentos de los principales métodos o variaciones comerciales del LAL (gelificación, turbidimétricos y cromogénicos) que se describen en las Farmacopeas
Assuntos
Endotoxinas , Teste do Limulus , Qualidade dos Medicamentos HomeopáticosRESUMO
Para el cumplimiento de las buenas prácticas de laboratorio y de fabricación de parenterales, una de las exigencias es la validación de los ciclos de despirogenización que se emplean. En el presente trabajo se describe la validación de un ciclo de despirogenización por calor seco en un horno de convección. En la primera etapa se estudiaron características físicas del equipo como el tiempo requerido para alcanzar la temperatura establecida, su distribución, estabilidad, y la influencia de la carga en el patrón de calentamiento. Considerando los resultados de esta fase se estableció un proceso total de 7 h a 180 ºC. La segunda etapa consistió en la determinación del grado de despirogenización retando el proceso con bioindicadores de endotoxinas. La concentración de endotoxinas en los bioindicadores control y sometidos al proceso de despirogenización se cuantificó con el empleo del ensayo del lisado de amebocitos de limulus método de gelificación. La diferencia entre el contenido de endotoxinas en el control y los tratamientos fue de 2 400 U de endotoxinas, por lo que el proceso rindió una reducción logarítmica mínima de 4,6 log, la cual es mayor que el límite de 3 log establecido por la Farmacopea de los Estados Unidos