Antibacterial activity in Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (Echinoidea), Cucumaria frondosa (Holothuroidea), and Asterias rubens (Asteroidea)

A search for antibacterial activity in different body parts of the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, the common starfish Asterias rubens, and the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa was conducted. Antibacterial activity was detected in extracts from several tissues in all species tested, but mainly in the coelomocyte and body wall extracts. Relatively high antibacterial activity could also be detected in gastrointestinal organs and eggs from A. rubens and in eggs from C. frondosa. Differences between active extracts regarding hydrophobicity and sensitivity to heat and proteinase K treatment indicated that several different compounds were responsible for the antibacterial activities detected. Lysozyme-like activity could be detected in several tissues from A. rubens. Haemolytic activity could be detected in all species tested, especially in the body wall extracts. Results from the current study suggest that marine echinoderms are a potential source for the discovery of novel antibiotics.     

Antibacterial activities in various tissues of the horse mussel, Modiolus modiolus

A search for antibacterial activity in different organs/tissues of the horse mussel, Modiolus modiolus, was conducted. Dried samples were extracted with 60% (v/v) acetonitrile, containing 0.1% (v/v) trifluoroacetic acid. Due to high salt content, two liquid phases were obtained; an acetonitrile-rich phase (ACN extract) and an aqueous phase. The aqueous phase was further subjected to solid phase extraction (SPE). Eluates from SPE and ACN extracts were tested for antibacterial, lysozyme, and toxic activity. Antibacterial activity was demonstrated in extracts from several tissues, including plasma, haemocytes, labial palps, byssus, mantle, and gills. Some of the extracts were sensitive to proteinase K treatment, indicating antibacterial peptides and/or proteins. Lysozyme-like activity and toxic activity against Artemia salina nauplii was detected in fractions from the gills, mantle, muscle, and haemocytes. Results from this study indicate that M. modiolus is a promising source for identifying novel drug lead compounds.     

The effect of different acclimation temperatures on the prophenoloxidase system and other defence parameters in Litopenaeus vannamei

Water temperature changes (higher and lower than 24 degrees C) were shown to have a significant effect on dopamine (DA) concentration, haemocyte count and the proPO system in the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. No significant difference in any of the parameters was observed in the control group. DA concentration in haemolymph in the experimental groups increased to a peak value at 0.5 days; meanwhile serine protease (SP) activity and proteinase inhibitor (PI) activity decreased. Total haemocyte count (THC), differential haemocyte count (DHC) and PO activity were lowest at 1 day. All defence parameters became stable after 1-3 days, while the total haemocyte and large granular cell count stabilized after 6 days. After these stabilized, there was no significant difference in DA concentration and PI activity between the control and experimental groups, as was the case for the THC, DHC, PO and SP activities of shrimp held at higher temperatures. However these latter four parameters in the lower temperature groups were distinctly lower than the control group. alpha(2)-Macroglobulin activity in the experimental groups increased to a peak value after 1 day compared with the control and then stabilized after 6 days when the activity levels in higher temperature groups were higher than the control, while the lower temperature groups had no significant difference from the control. It was therefore concluded that water temperature changes modulated the immune system of L. vannamei.     

The role of haemocytes from the crab Carcinus aestuarii (Crustacea,Decapoda) in immune responses: A first survey

For the first time, a functional study of haemocytes from the crab Carcinus aestuarii was performed in order to evaluate their involvement in immune responses. Total haemocyte count (THC), phagocytosis, haemolymph opsonisation properties, hydrolytic and oxidative enzyme activities, and production of intracellular superoxide anion were evaluated. A great variability in THC was recorded among individuals, and haemocyte mean number was 6.4 (×10⁶) cells/ml haemolymph. Although only hyalinocytes were able to phagocytose yeast cells or Zymosan, phagocytic index was low (3%) and did not increase significantly (4%) after pre-incubation of yeast and Zymosan in cell-free haemolymph, suggesting that haemolymph did not have opsonising properties. All haemocyte types produced superoxide anion, whereas only granulocytes were positive to the hydrolytic enzymes assayed. In addition, only granulocytes were positive to phenoloxidase activity. Both Petri dish and spectrophotometric assays revealed a very low lysozyme-like activity in cell-free haemolymph (CFH) and haemocyte lysate (HL), although enzyme activity was higher in CFH than in HL. Interestingly, normalisation of data as to total protein content in CFH and HL resulted in an opposite situation, lysozyme-like activity being higher in HL than in CFH. This demonstrated that haemolymph of C. aestuarii has a high quantity of total proteins, functional properties of which need to be better investigated in future studies. Overall, the results obtained in the present study indicated that C. aestuarii haemocytes are not very active phagocytic cells, but they are more active in terms of both hydrolytic and oxidative enzyme activities and superoxide anion production.     

In vitro efficacy of bioactive extracts of 15 medicinal plants against ESbetaL-producing multidrug-resistant enteric bacteria

Alcoholic crude extracts and some fractions from 15 traditionally used Indian medicinal plants were investigated for their ability to inhibit the growth of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESbetaL)-producing multidrug-resistant enteric bacteria. The test bacteria Eschrichia coli and Shigella were resistant to 16-23 antibiotics with intermediate or resistance to beta-lactams (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value range 16-1024 microg/ml). The crude plant extracts demonstrated zone of inhibition in the range of 11-29 mm against one or more test bacteria. On the basis of promising activity, 12 plants were selected to determine their efficacy in terms of MIC, which ranged from 0.64 mg/ml to 10.24 mg/ml. The extracts of Acorus calamus, Hemidesmus indicus, Holarrhena antidysenterica and Plumbago zeylanica demonstrated relatively high activity as compared to other plant extracts and were fractionated into acetone, ethyl acetate and methanol. Acetone fraction in most of the cases exhibited higher potency (low MIC value) as compared to ethyl acetate and methanol fraction. However, in Plumbago zeylanica, ethyl acetate fraction was most active. Synergistic interactions among crude extracts were demonstrated in the 12 different combinations against ESbetaL-producing E. coli (ESbetaL-02). Certain combinations exhibited significant synergy with enlargement of combined inhibition zone size by 5 mm. Interaction of crude extracts with five antibiotics (Tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, chloramphenicol and streptomycin) demonstrated synergistic interaction with tetracycline and ciprofloxacin by 10 and 3 plant extracts respectively. Phytochemical analysis and thin layer chromatography (TLC) bioautography of crude extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols and flavonoids as active phytoconstituents. Most active fractions of four plants were subjected to Infrared spectroscopy and the major groups of compounds were detected. The plant extracts were further tested for their in vitro haemolytic activity to sheep erythrocytes and demonstrated no haemolysis at recommended doses. Further activity-guided fractionation of active fractions is needed to isolate and characterize the active principle in order to establish the mode of action against the ESbetaL-producing multidrug-resistant enteric bacteria and the mechanism of synergy.     

大肠杆菌及聚肌胞核苷酸对柞蚕、家蚕蛹诱导产生溶菌酶、抗菌肽及凝集素的动力学

大肠杆菌D₃₁诱导柞蚕蛹产生抗菌多肽。同时,溶菌酶和凝集素活性都比诱导前有明显增高.其活力高峰、抗菌多肽在第7天左右、溶菌酶在第5天,而凝集素在第3天即达最高水平。不同品种的柞蚕蛹,经诱导产生的三种活性物质其活力差异不明显,但741、河四和小混品种中的抗菌多肽P_9A及P_9B组成比例较高。上述三种活性物质的诱导变化与性别有关,雄性高于雌性。比较了柞蚕蛹和家蚕经细菌诱导后上述三种活性物质的变化,家蚕凝集素活力很低,诱导后活力增高不明显。抗菌活力及溶菌酶活力的提高程度柞蚕也高于家蚕。聚肌胞核苷酸(Poly I:C)也能诱导两种蚕产生抗菌多肽及溶菌酶,但活力提高的显著程度都不及大肠杆菌诱导,凝集素活力变化也不显著。     

Isolation and structural characterisation of two antibacterial free fatty acids from the marine diatom, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaeodactylum tricornutum</Emphasis>

One solution to the global crisis of antibiotic resistance is the discovery of novel antimicrobial compounds for clinical application. Marine organisms are an attractive and, as yet, relatively untapped resource of new natural products. Cell extracts from the marine diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, have antibacterial activity and the fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), has been identified as one compound responsible for this activity. During the isolation of EPA, it became apparent that the extracts contained further antibacterial compounds. The present study was undertaken to isolate these additional antibacterial factors using silica column chromatography and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Two antibacterial fractions, each containing a pure compound, were isolated and their chemical structures were investigated by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The antibacterial compounds were identified as the monounsaturated fatty acid (9Z)-hexadecenoic acid (palmitoleic acid; C16:1 n-7) and the relatively unusual polyunsaturated fatty acid (6Z, 9Z, 12Z)-hexadecatrienoic acid (HTA; C16:3 n-4). Both are active against Gram-positive bacteria with HTA further inhibitory to the growth of the Gram-negative marine pathogen, Listonella anguillarum. Palmitoleic acid is active at micro-molar concentrations, kills bacteria rapidly, and is highly active against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. These free fatty acids warrant further investigation as a new potential therapy for drug-resistant infections.     

Variability of haemocyte and haemolymph parameters in European flat oyster Ostrea edulis families obtained from brood stocks of different geographical origins and relation with infection by the protozoan Bonamia ostreae

A research project to compare productive traits (growth and mortality), disease susceptibility and immune capability between Ostrea edulis stocks was performed. This article reports the results on the immune capability and its relation with infection by the intrahaemocytic protozoan Bonamia ostreae. Four to five oyster spat families were produced from each of four European flat oyster populations (one from Ireland, one from Greece and two from Galicia, Spain) in a hatchery. The spat were transferred to a raft in the Ría de Arousa (Galicia) for on growing for 2 years. Total haemocyte count (THC) and differential haemocyte count (DHC) were estimated monthly through the second year of growing-out. Three types of haemocytes were distinguished: granulocytes (GH), large hyalinocytes (LHH) and small hyalinocytes (SHH). Significant correlations between the mean relative abundance of GH and SHH of the families and the mean prevalence of B. ostreae, the overall incidence of pathological conditions and the cumulative mortality of the families were found; these correlations supported the hypothesis that high %GH and low %SHH would enhance oyster immune ability and, consequently, would contribute to lower susceptibility to disease and longer lifespan. Infection by B. ostreae involved a significant increase of circulating haemocytes, which affected more markedly the LHH type. The higher the infection intensity the higher the %LHH. This illustrates the ability of B. ostreae to modulate the immune responses of the O. edulis to favour its own multiplication. A significant reduction of the phenoloxidase activity in the haemolymph of oysters O. edulis infected by B. ostreae was observed. Nineteen enzymatic activities in the haemolymph of O. edulis and Crassostrea gigas (used as a B. ostreae resistant reference) were measured using the kit api ZYM^®, Biomerieux. Qualitative and quantitative differences in enzyme activities in both haemocyte and plasma fractions between B. ostreae noninfected O. edulis from different origins were recorded. However, no clear positive association between enzyme activity and susceptibility to bonamiosis was found. The only enzyme detected in the resistant species C. gigas that was not found in the susceptible one O. edulis was β-glucosidase (in plasma). B. ostreae infected O. edulis showed significant increase of some enzyme activities and the occurrence of enzymes that were not detected in noninfected oysters. These changes could be due to infection-induced enzyme synthesis by the host or to enzyme synthesis by the parasite.     

23种中草药的体外抗菌活性筛选研究

为考察中草药抗菌物质基础筛选出活性提取物,该研究通过80%乙醇冷浸和95%乙醇回流提取制备23种中草药的提取物,采用琼脂扩散法测量抑菌圈直径,用微量液体培养基倍比稀释法测定最低抑菌浓度(minimum inhibitory concentration,MIC)和最低杀菌浓度(minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration,MBC/MFC),并测定了提取物对临床4种常见病原菌体外抗菌活性。结果表明:紫珠草、千斤拔、黄龙尾等9种中草药对金黄色葡萄球菌有较强的抑菌活性,其MIC/MBC值除个别菌是12.5 mg·mL~(-1)外,其他都在0.09～3.12 mg·mL~(-1)之间;千斤拔、大红袍、过江龙等5种中草药对铜绿假单胞菌有较强抑菌活性,其MIC/MBC值在3.12～12.5 mg·mL~(-1)之间;紫珠草、千里光、石楠等13种中草药对大肠埃希菌有较强的抑菌活性,其MIC/MBC值在0.09～6.25 mg·mL~(-1)之间;八角对白色念珠菌有较强抑菌活性,其MIC/MFC值在0.78～12.5 mg·mL~(-1)之间。23种中草药的抗细菌活性较好,尤其是千斤拔、大红袍、过江龙、八角、黄药子对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌都具有较好的抑菌活性,具有广谱抗菌活性;但对真菌抑菌效果不明显,仅有八角对白色念珠菌有抑菌活性。此外,提取溶剂浓度、提取温度和提取时间对中草药的提取率和活性均有影响,冷提稍优于热提。     

36种中药材体外抗菌活性筛选研究

该文研究36种常用中药材80%乙醇提取物在体外抗临床常见致病菌的抗菌活性。采用药敏纸片法测耐药菌的耐药谱,中药粗粉用80%乙醇浸泡提取,提取液减压浓缩得浸膏,通过琼脂打孔法测定提取物抑菌圈,再通过微量倍比稀释法测定最低抑菌浓度(MIC)和最低杀菌浓度(MBC)。结果表明:36种中药材醇提物中,有15种具有广谱抗菌活性,对实验中各标准菌表现出不同程度的抑制作用,对MRSA抗菌活性也较强。其中,岩陀、卷柏、首乌藤、苏木、乌药、夏枯草6种药材的抗菌活性比较突出,抑菌圈均大于11 mm,细菌对其表现为中高度敏感;它们对7株标准菌的MIC/MBC值除个别为12.5 mg·m L~(-1)以外,均小于1.563 mg·m L~(-1),对16株MRSA的MIC/MBC值均小于1.563 mg·m L~(-1),它们的萃取层活性均小于1 mg·m L~(-1)。所筛选出的15种抗菌活性较强的中药材,可为后续研究其活性单体化合物和作用机制,研发有效的抗多重耐药菌的中药制剂以及解决细菌耐药性问题提供一定的参考。     

蒜头果内生真菌次生代谢产物抑制人类致病菌活性的研究

蒜头果是我国特有的单种属稀有树种,为了进一步开发利用蒜头果树皮内生真菌的抗菌活性化合物,该研究对来自蒜头果的植物内生真菌(白黄笋顶孢霉、哈茨木霉、大棘黑团孢、枝状枝孢菌、斑污拟盘多毛孢、赭绿青霉、淡紫紫孢菌、朱黄青霉、Xenoacremonium recifei、Xylaria feejeensis)进行液体培养,10 d后回收培养液并用乙酸乙酯萃取获得初提物,采用抑菌圈法检测蒜头果内生真菌初提物抑菌活性,同时测定了最低抑菌浓度(MIC)。结果表明:白黄笋顶孢霉、大棘黑团孢、枝状枝孢菌、斑污拟盘多毛孢、赭绿青霉、淡紫紫孢菌均有抑菌活性,大棘黑团孢、斑污拟盘多毛孢、淡紫紫孢菌的初提物均对缓慢芽孢杆菌、无乳链球菌和藤黄微球菌有明显抗菌活性,最低抑菌浓度在1.562 5~6.25 mg·m L~(-1)之间。这说明蒜头果树皮内生真菌的次生代谢产物具有抗菌活性,各内生真菌次生代谢产物的抗菌效果不同。     

Partial purification of antibacterial proteinaceous factors from erythrocytes of Oncorhynchus mykiss

Antimicrobial peptides are natural antibiotics known to be present in both myeloid cells and epithelial surfaces of vertebrates. Nevertheless, the reports of antimicrobial peptides isolated from blood cells of teleosts are scarce. In this paper we show that acid-soluble erythrocyte extracts from rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, display antibacterial activity against Planococcus citreus on a radial diffusion assay. Following tC18 solid phase extraction, cationic exchange chromatography and C18 reversed phase HPLC, two groups of fractions with antibacterial properties were obtained. This antibacterial activity is thermostable and susceptible to digestion by proteinase K, thus showing that the antibacterial agents have a proteinaceous nature. The factors eluted from a C18 column with circa 33% acetonitrile are active against P. citreus and Escherichia coli, with minimal inhibitory concentrations in the range 7-14 microg ml(-1) and 14-28 microg ml(-1), respectively; the ones eluted with approximately 44% acetonitrile on the same column only displayed activity against P. citreus, with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 1-2 microg ml(-1). These results raise the possibility that trout erythrocytes may contain antimicrobial factors not previously considered to be part of the innate immune system.     

Effects of Leucine-enkephalin on Catalase Activity and Glutathione Level in Haemolymph of the Scallop <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamys farreri</Emphasis>

The study was designed to determine whether leucine-enkephalin (L-ENK) and delta receptor were present on the haemocytes of the scallop Chlamys farreri, and investigate the effects of L-ENK on the activity of catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) level in haemolymph of the scallop. Lots of haemocytes immunoreactive to anti-L-ENK and -delta receptor sera were observed. The CAT activity and GSH level were investigated after 1, 5, and 50 μg/ml of L-ENK were added into the haemolymph of the scallop C. farreri. The CAT activity in haemocyte lysate supernatant (HLS) and supernatant were enhanced with increasing concentration of L-ENK. It was also found that the resultant HLS and supernatant GSH content was induced by L-ENK. Both the resultant HLS and supernatant CAT activity and GSH content was highest when the concentration of L-ENK was 50 μg/ml. By binding with opioid neuropeptide receptors, the opioid neuropeptides can regulate the intracellular and extracellular CAT activity and GSH content. Overall, the data strongly suggests an involvement of opioid peptides in the regulation and improvement of the antioxidant defence systems of the scallop C. farreri.     

Steinernema carpocapsae DD136: metabolites limit the non-self adhesion responses of haemocytes of two lepidopteran larvae, Galleria mellonella (F. Pyralidae) and Malacosoma disstria (F. Lasiocampidae)

Live adult and juvenile entomopathogenic Steinernema carpocapsae DD136 (P. Nematoda) were not subjected to adhesion by haemocytes of lepidopteran insect larvae of Galleria mellonella or Malacosoma disstriain vitro or in vivo. In vitro freeze-killed nematodes exhibited haemocyte attachment, the intensity increasing with time. Accumulation of haemocytes on the dead nematodes was associated with host phenoloxidase activity; live nematodes and their exudates did not activate the enzyme whereas dead nematodes but not their exudate did activate phenoloxidase. Live-nematode exudate inhibited granular cell and some plasmatocyte adhesion to slides, increased granular cell but not plasmatocyte dissociation from preformed haemocyte monolayers and in vivo elevated total haemocyte counts and changed the floating haemocyte types while impairing bacterial removal from the haemolymph. Dead-nematode exudate did not affect these parameters thus immunosuppressant activity by live nematodes may represent the release of inhibitors not associated with their cuticle. The third stage juveniles released the inhibitors.     

Immune defence under extreme ambient temperature

Owing to global climate change, the extreme weather conditions are predicted to become more frequent, which is suggested to have an even greater impact on ecological interactions than the gradual increase in average temperatures. Here, we examined whether exposure to high ambient temperature affects immune function of the great pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis). We quantified the levels of several immune traits from snails maintained in a non-stressful temperature (15°C) and in an extreme temperature (30°C) that occurs in small ponds during hot summers. We found that snails exposed to high temperature had weaker immune defence, which potentially predisposes them to infections. However, while phenoloxidase and antibacterial activity of snail haemolymph were reduced at high temperature, haemocyte concentration was not affected. This suggests that the effect of high temperature on snail susceptibility to infections may vary across different pathogens because different components of invertebrate immune defence have different roles in resistance.     

Kunitz-type protease inhibitors from acrorhagi of three species of sea anemones

Sea anemones are rich in biologically active polypeptides such as toxins and protease inhibitors. These polypeptides have so far been isolated from whole bodies, tentacles or secreted mucus. Recently, two novel peptide toxins with crab lethality have been isolated from acrorhagi (specialized aggressive organs elaborated by only certain species of sea anemones belonging to the family Actiniidae) of Actinia equina. This prompted us to survey biologically active polypeptides in the acrorhagi of two species of sea anemones, Anthopleura aff. xanthogrammica and Anthopleura fuscoviridis. No potent crab lethality was displayed by the acrorhagial extracts of both species. However, significantly high protease inhibitory activity was instead detected in the acrorhagial extracts of the two species and also in that of A. equina. From the acrorhagi of A. equina, A. aff. xanthogrammica and A. fuscoviridis, one (AEAPI), one (AXAPI) and two (AFAPI-I and AFAPI-III) protease inhibitors were isolated, respectively. The complete amino acid sequences of the four inhibitors were elucidated by N-terminal sequencing and sequencing of the C-terminal peptide fragment produced upon asparaginylendopeptidase digestion. The determined amino acid sequences revealed that all the four inhibitors are new members of the Kunitz-type protease inhibitor family.     

广西夹竹桃内生真菌的多样性和抑制几种水产病原菌活性筛选

为研究夹竹桃(Nerium oleander)内生真菌的多样性并评价其次生代谢产物的活性，该研究对广西夹竹桃(Nerium oleander)的内生真菌进行分离纯化，采用形态学和ITS序列分析结合的方法进行鉴定，以5种指示菌(其中有3种弧菌)对内生真菌提取物进行抑菌活性筛选。结果表明：(1)从广西夹竹桃中共得到19株内生真菌，这19株内生真菌都属于子囊菌门，涵盖5个目7个属，包括炭疽菌属(Colletotrichum)、球座菌属(Guignardia)、叶点霉属(Phyllosticta)、新壳梭孢属(Neofusicoccum)、曲霉属(Aspergillus)、隔孢壳科新属(Nothophoma)和间座壳属(Diaporthe),优势属为炭疽菌属(分离率为36.85%)和球座菌属(分离率为21.05%),其中炭疽菌属主要分布于茎，球座菌属全部来源于叶。(2)jing-117(Neofusicoccum sp.)和ye-130(Guignardia sp.)对坎氏弧菌有较为特异的抑菌效果，ye-136(Aspergillus sp.)能同时抑制蜡样芽孢杆菌和坎氏弧菌，ye-135(A...     

In vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity and cytotoxicity of extracts,fractions and a substance isolated from the Amazonian plant Tachia grandiflora (Gentianaceae)

Tachia sp. are used as antimalarials in the Amazon Region and in vivo antimalarial activity of a Tachia sp. has been previously reported. Tachia grandiflora Maguire and Weaver is an Amazonian antimalarial plant and herein its cytotoxicity and antimalarial activity were investigated. Spectral analysis of the tetraoxygenated xanthone decussatin and the iridoid aglyone amplexine isolated, respectively, from the chloroform fractions of root methanol and leaf ethanol extracts was performed. In vitro inhibition of the growth of Plasmodium falciparum Welch was evaluated using optical microscopy on blood smears. Crude extracts of leaves and roots were inactive in vitro. However, chloroform fractions of the root and leaf extracts [half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 10.5 and 35.8 µg/mL, respectively] and amplexine (IC50= 7.1 µg/mL) were active in vitro. Extracts and fractions were not toxic to type MRC-5 human fibroblasts (IC50> 50 µg/mL). Water extracts of the roots of T. grandiflora administered by mouth were the most active extracts in the Peters 4-day suppression test in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. At 500 mg/kg/day, these extracts exhibited 45-59% inhibition five to seven days after infection. T. grandiflora infusions, fractions and isolated substance have potential as antimalarials.     

Detection of haemocyte proteins in the integument of the developing Mediterranean fruit flyCeratitis capitata

Summary Studies of the synthesis of integumental proteins during the feeding and non-feeding stages ofCeratitis capitata demonstrated stage specificity. The synthetic profile changed dramatically, showing a maximum of protein synthesis just before the larval wandering stage, followed by an abrupt decline. The comparison between synthetic and accumulation profiles indicated that some polypeptides must be internalized into the integument from the haemolymph. The major haemolymph proteins or arylphorins have already been documented to be incorporated into the integument. In the present work, we demonstrated the interalization of some haemocyte proteins into the integument. For that purpose, polyclonal antibodies were raised against total haemocyte proteins. Immunoblot analysis of haemocyte salt extractable proteins revealed that the protein bands at 36, 54, 58, 84, 110 and 130 kDa were immunoreactive with the total haemocyte antibodies. Cell-free protein synthesis, organ culture experiments and immunoblot analysis indicated that the 36-, 54- and 58-kDa polypeptides were synthesized only in the haemocytes and were probably internalized into the integument from the serum. The 36-kDa polypeptide was also demonstrated to be internalized into the fat body of white puparia. The immunofluorescence experiments suggested that the internalization of haemocyte proteins first occurs into the epidermal cells and then into the cuticle. The presence of haemocyte proteins in the integument was also demonstrated by immunofluorescence experiments in twoC. capitata mutants. These mutations affect the darkening and stiffening of the cuticle. The demonstration of 36-, 54- and 58-kDa haemocyte polypeptides in the integument reveals a hitherto unknown function of this cell type. Moreover, the demonstration of tyrosine binding to the 54- and 58-kDa polypeptides points to their potential involvement in the sclerotization process in the cuticle.