Proteolytic enzymes and blood digestion in the mosquito,Culex nigripalpus

The synthesis of proteolytic enzymes in the fat body and midgut of female Culex nigripalpus was followed. The effects of brain factor(s) and RNA levels in the fat body were correlated with the synthesis of proteolytic enzymes. Trypsinlike activity in the midgut of C. nigripalpus accounted for 80% of total proteolytic activity, whereas chymotrypsinlike activity accounted for 5–7% of total proteolytic activity. Synthesis of porteases in the midgut and fat body reached a peak at 35 h and 22 h after the blood meal, respectively. In the fat body, proteolytic enzyme activity fell to a low level 30 h after the blood meal, but activity in the midgut reached a low level 58 h after the blood meal. The presence of low protease activity in the fat body at the time of peak vitellogenin synthesis indicated that processing of vitellogenin was not done in this tissue. Fat bodies incubated in vitro in the presence of [¹⁴C]valine synthesized a [¹⁴C]labeled trypsinlike molecule identified as such with antitrypsin antibodies and specific substrate p-toluene-sulphonyl-L-arginine methylester (TAME) and on disc gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecyl sulfate. The sizes of the proteins found inside and outside the peritrophic membrane were determined by gel-chromatography and disc gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecyl sulfate. The molecular weight (± SEM) of the largest polypeptide that migrated through the peritrophic membrane into the ectoperitrophic space was found to be 23,000 ± 2,000 daltons. Based on these results, a model is proposed to account for blood digestion in the mosquito midgut, along with the role of the peritrophic membrane.     

Cathepsin A activity of a parietal thrombus of an abdominal aortic aneurysm

We evaluated the cathepsin A activity of a parietal thrombus of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. We compared this activity to that of a retracted blood clot homogenate. Cathepsin A of aneurysm parietal thrombus homogenate and blood clot homogenate showed the highest activity on Z-Phe-Ala. It was lower on Z-Phe-Phe, Z-Glu-Tyr, Z-Glu-Phe, Z-Gly-Phe, and the lowest activity was on Z-Gly-Ala. We conclude that cathepsin A's activity on a parietal thrombus of an aneurysm is much higher than blood clot cathepsin A activity.     

The human plasma fibrinolytic system: Regulation and control

Summary The factors involved in the regulation and control of the human plasma fibrinolytic system at the cellular level are unknown at this time. The physiological regulation of plasmin formation in plasma depends primarily on the nature of the circulating zymogen, plasminogen, the physiological activators formed both in the blood and in the vascular endothelium, and the specific plasmin inhibitors found both in plasma and in certain of the cellular elements of the blood. The biosynthesis of the zymogen must be under genetic control, and the activators are probably released, after thrombus and clot formation, from components involved in the surface-mediated initiation of the coagulation system, and from the vascular endothelium. Activation of plasminogen can occur both in the fluid phase surrounding the thrombus and probably at thrombus surfaces, involving both the fibrin clot and the platelet membrane. The plasmin inhibitors act to control the system in order to prevent proteolytic degradation of important physiological trace proteins of the coagulation, complement and kallikrein-kinin systems by the enzyme.     

Flow-induced permeation of non-occlusive blood clots: an MRI study and modelling

The success of clot thrombolysis very much depends on efficient clot permeation with blood plasma carrying the thrombolytic agent. In this paper clot permeation was studied by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on artificial non-occlusive blood clots inserted in an artificial circulation system filled with blood plasma to which an MRI contrast agent was added. The MRI results revealed that clot permeation is much faster and more efficient at the entrance of the flow channel across the clot. Clot permeation with fluid was simulated numerically as well. The simulation was based on numerical solution of Navier-Stokes equations for the flow in the channel and within the clot. The clot was considered as a porous material with known permeability and porosity. Based on the calculated velocity profiles, concentration profiles of fluid in the clot were modelled. These agreed well with the MRI results. The presented model of clot permeation with fluid may also serve as a useful extension to numerical modelling of dissolution of non-occlusive blood clots during thrombolytic therapy.     

Integration of Acoustic Radiation Force and Optical Imaging for Blood Plasma Clot Stiffness Measurement

Despite the life-preserving function blood clotting serves in the body, inadequate or excessive blood clot stiffness has been associated with life-threatening diseases such as stroke, hemorrhage, and heart attack. The relationship between blood clot stiffness and vascular diseases underscores the importance of quantifying the magnitude and kinetics of blood’s transformation from a fluid to a viscoelastic solid. To measure blood plasma clot stiffness, we have developed a method that uses ultrasound acoustic radiation force (ARF) to induce micron-scaled displacements (1-500 μm) on microbeads suspended in blood plasma. The displacements were detected by optical microscopy and took place within a micro-liter sized clot region formed within a larger volume (2 mL sample) to minimize container surface effects. Modulation of the ultrasound generated acoustic radiation force allowed stiffness measurements to be made in blood plasma from before its gel point to the stage where it was a fully developed viscoelastic solid. A 0.5 wt % agarose hydrogel was 9.8-fold stiffer than the plasma (platelet-rich) clot at 1 h post-kaolin stimulus. The acoustic radiation force microbead method was sensitive to the presence of platelets and strength of coagulation stimulus. Platelet depletion reduced clot stiffness 6.9 fold relative to platelet rich plasma. The sensitivity of acoustic radiation force based stiffness assessment may allow for studying platelet regulation of both incipient and mature clot mechanical properties.     

The relationship of membrane lipids to species specific hemolysis by hemolytic factors from Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae)

Posterior-midgut homogenate from female stable flies prepared at 12 h after feeding hemolyzed erythrocytes from 6 different mammalian species more readily than homogenate prepared at 22 h. A significant correlation was obtained between the per cent sphingomyelin content of the erythrocyte membrane and the time required for lysis by the 12 h homogenate. Erythrocytes with low sphingomyelin content were more sensitive to lysis than cells with high sphingomyelin. No such correlation exists for hemolysis by 22 h homogenate. Mean corpuscular volume and osmotic fragilities of erythrocytes were not related to hemolysis either by 12 or 22 h homogenate. Determination of phospholipase C and sphingomyelinase activities showed that the hydrolysis rate of phospholipase C in homogenates prepared at 12–14 h was almost twice as much as sphingomyelinase activity. Whereas hydrolysis rates in 22–24 h homogenate were not different and markedly reduced compared to the 12–14 h homogenate. The times required for erythrocyte hemolysis related to the phospholipase C and sphingomyelinase activity profiles suggests that these enzyme activities participate in the in vitro hemolysis of red blood cells. Bovine and human erythrocytes change their biconcave contour into a spiculated spherical shape when they are exposed to midgut homogenate. This shape change is interpreted as a detergent induced modification of the red cell membrane which renders the erythrocytes more vulnerable to hemolysis.     

Peritrophic membrane role in enhancing digestive efficiency. Theoretical and experimental models

The peritrophic membrane (PM) is an anatomical structure surrounding the food bolus in most insects. Rejecting the idea that PM has evolved from coating mucus to play the same protective role as it, novel functions were proposed and experimentally tested. The theoretical principles underlying the digestive enzyme recycling mechanism were described and used to develop an algorithm to calculate enzyme distributions along the midgut and to infer secretory and absorptive sites. The activity of a Spodoptera frugiperda microvillar aminopeptidase decreases by 50% if placed in the presence of midgut contents. S. frugiperda trypsin preparations placed into dialysis bags in stirred and unstirred media have activities of 210 and 160%, respectively, over the activities of samples in a test tube. The ectoperitrophic fluid (EF) present in the midgut caeca of Rhynchosciara americana may be collected. If the enzymes restricted to this fluid are assayed in the presence of PM contents (PMC) their activities decrease by at least 58%. The lack of PM caused by calcofluor feeding impairs growth due to an increase in the metabolic cost associated with the conversion of food into body mass. This probably results from an increase in digestive enzyme excretion and useless homeostatic attempt to reestablish destroyed midgut gradients. The experimental models support the view that PM enhances digestive efficiency by: (a) prevention of non-specific binding of undigested material onto cell surface; (b) prevention of excretion by allowing enzyme recycling powered by an ectoperitrophic counterflux of fluid; (c) removal from inside PM of the oligomeric molecules that may inhibit the enzymes involved in initial digestion; (d) restriction of oligomer hydrolases to ectoperitrophic space (ECS) to avoid probable partial inhibition by non-dispersed undigested food. Finally, PM functions are discussed regarding insects feeding on any diet.     

Proteolytic Activity of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) towards Protein Substrates and Effect of Peptides Stimulating PSA Activity

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA or kallikrein-related peptidase-3, KLK3) exerts chymotrypsin-like proteolytic activity. The main biological function of PSA is the liquefaction of the clot formed after ejaculation by cleavage of semenogelins I and II in seminal fluid. PSA also cleaves several other substrates, which may explain its putative functions in prostate cancer and its antiangiogenic activity. We compared the proteolytic efficiency of PSA towards several protein and peptide substrates and studied the effect of peptides stimulating the activity of PSA with these substrates. An endothelial cell tube formation model was used to analyze the effect of PSA-degraded protein fragments on angiogenesis. We showed that PSA degrades semenogelins I and II much more efficiently than other previously identified protein substrates, e.g., fibronectin, galectin-3 and IGFBP-3. We identified nidogen-1 as a new substrate for PSA. Peptides B2 and C4 that stimulate the activity of PSA towards small peptide substrates also enhanced the proteolytic activity of PSA towards protein substrates. Nidogen-1, galectin-3 or their fragments produced by PSA did not have any effect on endothelial cell tube formation. Although PSA cleaves several other protein substrates, in addition to semenogelins, the physiological importance of this activity remains speculative. The PSA levels in prostate are very high, but several other highly active proteases, such as hK2 and trypsin, are also expressed in the prostate and may cleave protein substrates that are weakly cleaved by PSA.     

Distribution of digestive proteinases in the alimentary tract of the european corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The distribution of digestive proteinases in either the anterior and posterior midgut or between the midgut epithelium and ectoperitrophic and endo-peritrophic spaces in the midgut were examined in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis. Trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, and aminopeptidase activities were the same in the anterior and posterior halves of the midgut. Of the total aminopeptidase activity, 95% was located in the midgut epithelium, and 90% of the trypsin, 97% of chymotrypsin, and 93% of the elastase activity were found in the midgut lumen. Trypsin, measured by hydrolysis of benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester, and chymotrypsin levels were significantly higher in the ectoperitrophic space compared to the endoperitrophic space. Digestion in the midgut is proposed to be sequential with tryptic digestion occurring in the endoperitrophic space. Ingested protein is digested further in the ectoperitrophic space by the action of elastase, chymotrypsin, and a second trypsin. Final digestion occurs by an intracellular aminopeptidase. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Coagulation Factor XIIIa Substrates in Human Plasma: IDENTIFICATION AND INCORPORATION INTO THE CLOT

Coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) is a transglutaminase with a well defined role in the final stages of blood coagulation. Active FXIII (FXIIIa) catalyzes the formation of ϵ-(γ-glutamyl)lysine isopeptide bonds between specific Gln and Lys residues. The primary physiological outcome of this catalytic activity is stabilization of the fibrin clot during coagulation. The stabilization is achieved through the introduction of cross-links between fibrin monomers and through cross-linking of proteins with anti-fibrinolytic activity to fibrin. FXIIIa additionally cross-links several proteins with other functionalities to the clot. Cross-linking of proteins to the clot is generally believed to modify clot characteristics such as proteolytic susceptibility and hereby affect the outcome of tissue damage. In the present study, we use a proteomic approach in combination with transglutaminase-specific labeling to identify FXIIIa plasma protein substrates and their reactive residues. The results revealed a total of 147 FXIIIa substrates, of which 132 have not previously been described. We confirm that 48 of the FXIIIa substrates were indeed incorporated into the insoluble fibrin clot during the coagulation of plasma. The identified substrates are involved in, among other activities, complement activation, coagulation, inflammatory and immune responses, and extracellular matrix organization.     

Intramitochondrial proteolytic activity of rat liver]

Highly purified mitochondria and lysosomes are isolated from rat liver homogenate. pH optimum of proteolytic activity with respect to proteins of own structures and to mitochondrial structural protein is investigated. The purification of mitochondria from lysosomes is found to be accompanied by the change of proteolytic activity pH optimum from 5.0 to 6.0 in coarse and purified mitochondria respectively. Comparative study of structural protein hydrolysis products with enzyme preparations from purified mitochondria and lysosomes has revealed differences in the spectrum of the reaction products. The data obtained suggest a presence of a proteolytic enzyme in rat liver mitochondria.     

Characterization of a novel bifunctional mutant of staphylokinase with platelet-targeted thrombolysis and antiplatelet aggregation activities

Background  

Although staphylokianse (SAK) is among the most promising blood dissolving agents, it is far from ideal. It is interesting to hypothesize that the clot lysis efficacy of SAK can be enhanced with direct active platelet binding ability, and at the same time the rethrombosis complication after successful recanalization can be minimized with an antiplatelet aggregation activity. The present study was performed to characterize the functional properties of RGD-SAK, a novel mutant of staphylokinase (SAK).     

Influence of protein nutrition on calpain activity of mouse kidney: Modulation by calpastatin

The effect of protein depletion and refeeding with a normal diet on calpain activity was examined in mouse kidney soluble homogenate. In terms of units per gram of protein, it increased 2.9 times with depletion and decreased upon refeeding. After a DEAE-Sephacel chromatography, the homogenate yielded three enzymatic activities. Their sum, assessed as total calpain activity, was higher than the activity measured before fractionation and did not appreciably change during protein depletion and refeeding. Because the proportion of total activity displayed by the complete homogenate increased with depletion and decreased with refeeding, a low calpastatin content in depleted kidney was envisaged. This was confirmed by direct estimations: depleted kidney had 6 times less calpastatin compared to both normal and 16 h refed tissue. We concluded that a decrease in calpastatin content contributes to an increased calpain activity related to degradable protein in protein depleted kidney. In view of this, it seems not unlikely that the in vivo rate of protein breakdown depicted by kidney during protein depletion and refeeding is in part effected through modulation of the calpain proteolytic system. (Mol Cell Biochem 166: 95-99, 1997)     

Numerical modelling of blood clot extraction by aspiration thrombectomy. Evaluation of aspiration catheter geometry

Aspiration thrombectomy is one of the most effective systems for blood clot removal and vessel recanalization. We present the results of a study involving the modelling and extraction of blood clots in the arteries of the human body using the following computer tools: Bond-Graph methodology for the fluid domain and Multi-Body Simulation for the mechanical domain. The modelling for the mechanical domain focuses on the clot and the distal end section of an aspiration device. Our final model considers an elastic characterization of the blood clot with progressive detachment from the vessel wall. We conclude that the results of such modelling could potentially improve the effectiveness of blood clot removal by reducing the risk of clot fragmentation. Such modelling could also potentially provide an adjunct technique in improving recanalization of arteries over a range of given parameters (mechanical properties of the vessel, mechanical properties of the blood clot, blood clot length, suction pressure, catheter – clot distance, catheter shape, catheter diameter and vessel occlusion).     

Proteolysis in quaking mouse brain and spinal cord

Six proteolytic enzymes were assayed for activity in quaking CNS in examining the hypothesis that increased proteolytic activity contributes to the hypomyelination characteristic of this mutant. Cathepsin B-like enzyme, cathepsin D, neutral proteinase, calcium-activated neutral proteinase, prolyl endopeptidase, and diaminopeptidase II were assayed in whole homogenate of brain or spinal cord and each was found to have activity similar to that in normal mice. These results do not support a relationship between proteolysis and the genetic defect and suggest that other factors should be investigated to delineate the pathogenesis of this mutant.     

The Drosophila melanogaster seminal fluid protease "seminase" regulates proteolytic and post-mating reproductive processes

Proteases and protease inhibitors have been identified in the ejaculates of animal taxa ranging from invertebrates to mammals and form a major protein class among Drosophila melanogaster seminal fluid proteins (SFPs). Other than a single protease cascade in mammals that regulates seminal clot liquefaction, no proteolytic cascades (i.e. pathways with at least two proteases acting in sequence) have been identified in seminal fluids. In Drosophila, SFPs are transferred to females during mating and, together with sperm, are necessary for the many post-mating responses elicited in females. Though several SFPs are proteolytically cleaved either during or after mating, virtually nothing is known about the proteases involved in these cleavage events or the physiological consequences of proteolytic activity in the seminal fluid on the female. Here, we present evidence that a protease cascade acts in the seminal fluid of Drosophila during and after mating. Using RNAi to knock down expression of the SFP CG10586, a predicted serine protease, we show that it acts upstream of the SFP CG11864, a predicted astacin protease, to process SFPs involved in ovulation and sperm entry into storage. We also show that knockdown of CG10586 leads to lower levels of egg laying, higher rates of sexual receptivity to subsequent males, and abnormal sperm usage patterns, processes that are independent of CG11864. The long-term phenotypes of females mated to CG10586 knockdown males are similar to those of females that fail to store sex peptide, an important elicitor of long-term post-mating responses, and indicate a role for CG10586 in regulating sex peptide. These results point to an important role for proteolysis among insect SFPs and suggest that protease cascades may be a mechanism for precise temporal regulation of multiple post-mating responses in females.     

Characterization of proteolytic enzymes of the midgut and excreta of the biting fly Stomoxys calcitrans

Proteolytic enzymes were characterized in the midgut and the excreta of the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans (L) with proteins, synthetic substrates, and inhibitors. Inhibition studies suggested trypsinlike activity in sugar-fed fly midguts, whereas excreta and blood-fed fly guts exhibited other proteases. Trypsinlike activity in midguts removed 20 and 30 h after a blood meal increased from 20% to 50% of the total proteolytic enzymes present. Trypsinlike activity was inhibited with human sera, trypsin-specific inhibitors, and a protein isolated from the stable fly thorax. When human albumin and globulin fractions were incubated with trypsinlike enzymes isolated from the midgut and excreta, the albumin fraction was less inhibitory than the globulin fractions and was readily hydrolyzed by the proteolytic enzymes. These results may indicate that the proteolytic enzymes produce an abortive complex with the globulin fractions of the sera. Such a complex may explain the temporary inhibition of proteolysis by the blood meal. Soybean trypsin inhibitor fed to stable flies caused 50% inhibition in proteolytic activity in the midguts of sugar-fed stable flies and 25% inhibition in the midguts of blood-fed stable flies. Complete inhibition of proteolytic enzyme activity was achieved only in vitro. pH profiles of proteolytic enzyme activity isolated from the excreta of blood-fed stable flies indicated that several proteolytic enzymes were excreted.     

Characterization and distribution of digestive proteases of the stalk corn borer,Sesamia nonagrioides Lef. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Larval midgut extracts from the noctuid Sesamia nonagrioides Lef. were assayed for protease activity. Total proteolytic activity, as measured by azocasein hydrolysis, showed a pH optimum in the range 10.0 to 11.5, suggesting a digestive system based largely on serine-like proteases. The ability of midgut extracts to hydrolyze specific synthetic substrates, the elucidation of the pH at which maximal hydrolysis occurs, and their sensitivity to protease inhibitors confirmed the presence of the serine endoproteases: trypsin, chymotrypsin, and elastase; and the exopeptidases: carboxypeptidase A, carboxypeptidase B, and leucine aminopeptidase. The distribution of these digestive proteases along the gut sections and among the different midgut regions was examined. All types of endoproteases and exopeptidases were mainly located in the midgut, with less than 5% of the activity in the foregut and hindgut. When the two halves of the midgut were compared, all proteolytic activities were higher in the anterior portion of the midgut. Trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, and carboxypeptidase B activities were mainly located in the endoperitrophic space of the midgut, with some activity in the ectoperitrophic space, whereas aminopeptidase and carboxypeptidase A activities were preferentially located in the midgut epithelium. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Blood digestion in the mosquito, Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae): partial characterization and post-feeding activity of midgut aminopeptidases

Aminopeptidase activity was partially characterized from midguts of Anopheles stephensi Liston which had been dissected 30 h after blood feeding. In crude midgut homogenate supernatants the aminopeptidases showed optimum activity at pH 8.0 and preferentially hydrolyzed alanine- and leucine-terminal amino acid substrates. Methionine, proline, lysine, and arginine terminal substrates were hydrolysed, but not glutamic acid. Activity was stimulated by Mg2+, EDTA, and low Ca2+ concentrations, while Mn2+, Tris, 1,10 phenanthroline, and higher Ca2+ concentrations were inhibitory. Supernatants from midguts homogenized in 1% Triton X-100 showed a two-fold increase in activity. Differential centrifugation of midgut homogenates demonstrated 45% of the total activity in a putative microvillar pellet and 32% in a soluble fraction. More than 92% of the total activity was solubilized after homogenization in Triton X-100. Activity in homogenate supernatants was restricted to one major peak (Mr = 552,000) with a higher molecular weight shoulder. Three distinct peaks of aminopeptidase activity were observed following Triton X-100 treatment: a minor high molecular weight peak (Mr = 552,000), and two major peaks at Mr = 123,000 and Mr = 32,000 respectively. The activity of aminopeptidase increased after a blood meal, in parallel to the post-feeding changes in trypsin activity, indicating its important role in secondary digestion of blood meal proteins.