A factor from the venom of the Central Asiatic cobra Naja naja oxiana, which inactivates component C4 of human complement

An acid glycoprotein (mol. m. 60 kDa) containing 6 sialic acid residues and N-terminal Thr was isolated from the venom of the central asian cobra Naja naja oxiana. The protein has an anticomplementary activity selectively inactivating of the C4 component of the human complement. This factor (CFA-Ib) binds C4 with Ki = 0.27 +/- 0.13 microM and then irreversible inactivates it with a rate constant k = 0.75 +/- 0.25 min-1. Membrane bound C4b restores its ability of CFA-Ib binding. This binding hinders component C2 sorption on C4b and C3 convertase formation.     

Molecular dissection of interactions between components of the alternative pathway of complement and decay accelerating factor (CD55)

The complement regulatory protein decay accelerating factor (DAF; CD55), inhibits the alternative complement pathway by accelerating decay of the convertase enzymes formed by C3b and factor B. We show, using surface plasmon resonance, that in the absence of Mg(2+), DAF binds C3b, factor B, and the Bb subunit with low affinity (K(D), 14 +/- 0.1, 44 +/- 10, and 20 +/- 7 microm, respectively). In the presence of Mg(2+), DAF bound Bb or the von Willebrand factor type A subunit of Bb with higher affinities (K(D), 1.3 +/- 0.5 and 2.2 +/- 0.1 microm, respectively). Interaction with the proenzyme C3bB was investigated by flowing factor B across a C3b-coated surface in the absence of factor D. The dissociation rate was dependent on the time of incubation, suggesting that a time-dependent conformational transition stabilized the C3b-factor B interaction. Activation by factor D (forming C3bBb) increased the complex half-life; however, the enzyme became susceptible to rapid decay by DAF, unlike the proenzyme, which was unaffected. A convertase assembled with cobra venom factor and Bb was decayed by DAF, albeit far less efficiently than C3bBb. DAF did not bind cobra venom factor, implying that Bb decay is accelerated, at least in part, through DAF binding of this subunit. It is likely that DAF binds the complex with higher affinity/avidity, promoting a conformational change in either or both subunits accelerating decay. Such analysis of component and regulator interactions will inform our understanding of inhibitory mechanisms and the ways in which regulatory proteins cooperate to control the complement cascade.     

Long-term infusions of p-boronophenylalanine for boron neutron capture therapy: evaluation using rat brain tumor and spinal cord models

Rat 9L gliosarcoma cells infiltrating the normal brain have been shown previously to accumulate only approximately 30% as much boron as the intact tumor after administration of the boronated amino acid p-boronophenylalanine (BPA). Long-term i.v. infusions of BPA were shown previously to increase the boron content of these infiltrating tumor cells significantly. Experiments to determine whether this improved BPA distribution into infiltrating tumor cells after a long-term i.v. infusion improves tumor control after BNCT in this brain tumor model and whether it has any deleterious effects in the response of the rat spinal cord to BNCT are the subjects of the present report. BPA was administered in a fructose solution at a dose of 650 mg BPA/kg by single i.p. injection or by i.v. infusion for 2 h or 6 h, at 330 mg BPA/kg h(-1). At 1 h after the end of either the 2-h or the 6-h infusion, the CNS:blood (10)B partition ratio was 0.9:1. At 3 h after the single i.p. injection, the ratio was 0.6:1. After spinal cord irradiations, the ED(50) for myeloparesis was 14.7 +/- 0.4 Gy after i.p. administration of BPA and 12.9 +/- 0.3 Gy in rats irradiated after a 6-h i.v. infusion of BPA; these values were significantly different (P < 0.001). After irradiation with 100 kVp X rays, the ED(50) was 18.6 +/- 0.1 Gy. The boron compound biological effectiveness (CBE) factors calculated for the boron neutron capture dose component were 1.2 +/- 0.1 for the i.p. BPA administration protocol and 1.5 +/- 0.1 after irradiation using the 6-h i.v. BPA infusion protocol (P < 0.05). In the rat 9L gliosarcoma brain tumor model, the blood boron concentrations at 1 h after the end of the 2-h infusion (330 mg BPA/kg h(-1); n = 15) or after the 6-h infusion (190 mg BPA/kg h(-1); n = 13) were 18.9 +/- 2.2 microg 10B/g and 20.7 +/- 1.8 microg 10B/g, respectively. The irradiation times were adjusted individually, based on the preirradiation blood sample, to deliver a predicted 50% tumor control dose of 8.2 Gy ( approximately 30 photon-equivalent Gy) to all tumors. In the present study, the long-term survival was approximately 50% and was not significantly different between the 2-h and the 6-h infusion groups. The mode of BPA administration and the time between administration and irradiation influence the 10B partition ratio between the CNS and the blood, which in turn influences the measured CBE factor. These findings underline the need for clinical biodistribution studies to be carried out to establish 10B partition ratios as a key component in the evaluation of modified administration protocols involving BPA.     

Comparison of the biodistribution of free or liposome-entrapped Crotalus durissus terrificus (South American rattlesnake) venom in mice

The local absorption rate, clearance and tissue distribution of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, (Cdt) were examined using a two-antibody sandwich ELISA assay. We compared the biodistribution of both free or encapsulated Cdt in mice. Following subcutaneous injection of 10 microg/mouse of free Cdt (0.8 LD50), venom was detected in serum after 15 min, showed its highest level at 30 min (45+/-5 ng/ml) and was cleared from the circulation after 6 h. After 2 h of inoculation, venom was detected in the kidney (57+/-9 ng/g of tissue), spleen (18+/-4 ng/g of tissue) and brain (14+/-6 ng/g of tissue). For both subcutaneous or intravenous injection of free Cdt, venom was firstly detected in the kidney. No Cdt appeared either in the kidney, spleen, brain, or other tissues after subcutaneous inoculation of encapsulated venom even though a higher dose was used, 25 microg/mouse (2 LD50). Venom remained at the site of injection for a period of 1 week. Following intravenous injection of encapsulated venom (5 microg/mouse, 2 LD50), venom was detected in liver and spleen tissues. The biodistribution of encapsulated venom is discussed in relation to the effects of reduction of toxicity and increase of adjuvanticity.     

Human thrombins. Production, evaluation, and properties of alpha-thrombin.

Human alpha-thrombin, the thromboplastin activation product of prothrombin with high clotting and esterase activity, was produced from Cohn Fraction III paste. The procedure started with 0.4 to 3.2 kg of frozen paste and was completed in 2 or 3 days. Some 23 g of thrombin were recorded for 65 quantitated preparations made from 11 lots of Fraction III paste. These preparations were obtained at protein concentrations of 3.9 +/- 1.3 mg/ml with a yield of 340 +/- 110 mg/kg of paste, which represented 48 +/- 14% of the clotting potential extracted as prothrombin. They had specific clotting activities of 2.8 +/- 0.4 U.S. (NIH) units/microng of protein and titrated to 88 +/- 8% active with p-nitrophenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate (NPGB). Those (N - 29) examined by labeling with [14C]diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (iPr2P-F) and electrophoresing in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gels were found to contain only (N = 4) or predominantly alpha-thrombin (97 +/- 3%) and corresponding amounts of ists degradation product, beta-thrombin (2.6 +/- 3.1%). No plasmin(ogen), prothrombin complex factors (II, VII, IX, IXalpha, X, Xalpha), or prothrombin fragments were detected in representative preparations. As produced in 0.75 M NaCl, pH approximately 6, thrombin was stable for approximately 1 week at 4 degrees and for greater than 1 year at less than or equal to 50 degrees; freeze-dried thrombin stored at 4 degrees for greater than 1 year displayed stable clotting activity and no vial to vial variation, permitting its use for reference purposes. Human thrombin generated by Taipan snake venom activation was compared with that produced by rapid thromboplastin activation: after treatment with [14C]iPr2P-F, greater than 95% of the label in both thrombins migrated at the same rate during electrophoresis in SDS; identical pairs of NH2-terminal residues were released in three consecutive Edman degradation cycles.     

Major complement inhibiting factors from the venom of the Central Asian cobra Naja naja oxiana

The properties of two anticomplementic factors isolated by CM-Sepharose chromatography from the basic non-adsorbed on DEAE-Sepharose fraction of the Central Asian cobra Naja naja oxiana venom, were studied. Of these three factors (CFB-I, CFB-II and CFB-III) the latter had been characterized earlier. CFB-I was shown to be a protein with an N-terminal Asp and a molecular mass of about 39 kDa (data from gel chromatography); its content in the venom is 3.6 mg/g of dry venom. The protein inhibits mainly the classical pathway of the complement activation, being bound to component C4 (Ki = 9 nM). CFB-I seems to be analogous to the CI inhibitor from the venom of the Naja haje cobra. An analysis of the N-terminal sequence of CFB-II showed it to be identical to the earlier characterized cytotoxin I. CFB-I inhibits the formation of C3 convertase with Ki = 2.2-2.8 microM by way of binding to C4b and thus interfering with the component C2 sorption.     

Ohanin, a novel protein from king cobra venom, induces hypolocomotion and hyperalgesia in mice

We have identified, purified, and determined the complete amino acid sequence of a novel protein, ohanin from Ophiophagus hannah (king cobra) venom. It is a small protein containing 107 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 11951.47 +/- 0.67 Da as assessed by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. It does not show similarity to any known families of snake venom proteins and hence is the first member of a new family of snake venom proteins. It shows similarity to PRY and SPRY domain proteins. It is nontoxic up to 10 mg/kg when injected intraperitoneally in mice. Ohanin produced statistically significant and dose-dependent hypolocomotion in mice. In a pain threshold assay, it showed dose-dependent hyperalgesic effect. The ability of the protein to elicit a response at greatly reduced doses when injected intracerebroventricularly as compared with intraperitoneal administration in both the locomotion and hot plate experiments strongly suggests that ohanin acts on the central nervous system. Since the natural abundance of the protein in the venom is low (approximately 1 mg/g), a synthetic gene was constructed and expressed. The recombinant protein, which was obtained in the insoluble fraction in Escherichia coli, was purified under denaturing condition and was refolded. Recombinant ohanin is structurally and functionally similar to native protein as determined by circular dichroism and hot plate assay, suggesting that it will be useful in future structure-function relationship studies.     

Accretion of visceral fat and hepatic insulin resistance in pregnant rats

Insulin resistance (IR) is a hallmark of pregnancy. Because increased visceral fat (VF) is associated with IR in nonpregnant states, we reasoned that fat accretion might be important in the development of IR during pregnancy. To determine whether VF depots increase in pregnancy and whether VF contributes to IR, we studied three groups of 6-mo-old female Sprague-Dawley rats: 1) nonpregnant sham-operated rats (Nonpreg; n = 6), 2) pregnant sham-operated rats (Preg; n = 6), and 3) pregnant rats in which VF was surgically removed 1 mo before mating (PVF-; n = 6). VF doubled by day 19 of pregnancy (Nonpreg 5.1 +/- 0.3, Preg 10.0 +/- 1.0 g, P < 0.01), and PVF- had similar amounts of VF compared with Nonpreg (PVF- 4.6 +/- 0.8 g). Insulin sensitivity was measured by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in late gestation in chronically catheterized unstressed rats. Glucose IR (mg.kg(-1).min(-1)) was highest in Nonpreg (19.4 +/- 2.0), lowest in Preg (11.1 +/- 1.4), and intermediate in PVF- (14.7 +/- 0.6; P < 0.001 between all groups). During the clamp, Nonpreg had greater hepatic insulin sensitivity than Preg [hepatic glucose production (HGP): Nonpreg 4.5 +/- 1.3, Preg 9.3 +/- 0.5 mg.kg(-1).min(-1); P < 0.001]. With decreased VF, hepatic insulin sensitivity was similar to nonpregnant levels in PVF- (HGP 4.9 +/- 0.8 mg.kg(-1).min(-1)). Both pregnant groups had lower peripheral glucose uptake compared with Nonpreg. In parallel with hepatic insulin sensitivity, hepatic triglyceride content was increased in pregnancy (Nonpreg 1.9 +/- 0.4 vs. Preg 3.2 +/- 0.3 mg/g) and decreased with removal of VF (PVF- 1.3 +/- 0.4 mg/g; P < 0.05). Accretion of visceral fat is an important component in the development of hepatic IR in pregnancy, and accumulation of hepatic triglycerides is a mechanism by which visceral fat may modulate insulin action in pregnancy.     

Isolation and characteristics of a nerve growth factor from the venom of the Central Asiatic viper Echis multisquamatus

The nerve growth factor (NGF) was isolated from the Echis multisquamatus venom by ultrafiltration on PM-10 filter, chromatography on TSK-55 gel, ion-exchange chromatography on CM-cellulose and gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. The protein exhibited a marked nerve growth activity within the concentration range of 10-15 ng/ml in cultures of chicken embryo spinal ganglia. The molecular mass of NGF is equal to 33,000-37,000 Da according to Sephadex G-75 gel filtration data; however, according to SDS electrophoresis data its Mr is 13,000 Da. Isoelectrofocusing data suggest that the pI of the isolated factor lies in the region of 7.0-7.2; sugar content is 1-2%.     

Purification and characterization of heparin from the Italian clam Callista chione

An unusual heparin (approximately 1.9 mg/g of dry tissue) was isolated from the marine italian bivalve mollusk Callista chione. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed a high content of the fast-moving heparin component (85 +/- 7.6%) and 15 +/- 1.3% of the slow-moving species. An average molecular mass of 10 950 was calculated by PAGE analysis. The anticoagulant properties were measured as APTT (97 +/- 12.1 IU/mg) and anti-Xa activity (52 +/- 7.4 IU/mg). Structural analysis of clam heparin, performed by depolymerizing heparin samples with heparinase (EC 4.2.2.7) and then separating the resulting unsaturated oligosaccharides by SAX-HPLC, revealed the presence of low amounts of the trisulfated disaccharide [DeltaUA2S(1-->4)-alpha-d-GlcN2S6S] and a significant increase of the disaccharides bearing nonsulfated iduronic and glucuronic acids, [-->4)-alpha-l-IdoA(1-->4)-alpha-d-GlcNAc6S(1-->] and [-->4)-alpha-l-IdoA(1-->4)-alpha-d-GlcN2S6S(1-->], and [-->4)-beta-d-GlcA(1-->4)-alpha-d-GlcN2S6S(1-->]. As a consequence, Callista chione heparin is a low-sulfated polysaccharide showing a specific decrease of the sulfatation in position 2 of the uronic acid units.     

Physiological characterization of Dunaliella sp. (Chlorophyta, Volvocales) from Yucatan, Mexico

Physiological responses of Dunaliella salina and Dunaliella viridis, isolated from solar saltworks on the Yucatan Peninsula, were studied. Optimal growth temperature for D. salina was 22 degrees C (3.06 x 10(6) cells mL(-1)) and 26 degrees C for D. viridis (4.04 x 10(6)cells mL(-1)). Total carotenoid content in D. salina increased with temperature to a maximum of 35.14 pg cell(-1) at 38 degrees C. Dunaliella salina alpha-carotene and beta-carotene content was 0.083+/-0.003 and 0.598+/-0.020 mg 100g dry wt(-1) respectively, whereas lower values were found in D. viridis cultured under same experimental conditions (0.018+/-0.002 and 0.136+/-0.012 mg 100g dry wt(-1) respectively). The highest specific growth rate in D. salina was obtained at 10% NaCl (0.28 d(-1)), while its cell volume increased from 524 to 2066.93 microm(3) when cultured from 10% to 35% NaCl. Maximum photosynthetic rates were attained when increasing from optimal growing temperature to 30 degrees C for D. viridis (108 n mol O(2)microg chl alpha h(-1)) and D. salina (139 n mol O(2)microg chl alpha h(-1)). Photosynthetic responses to temperature variations indicated physiological adjustments in both species, with higher acclimation in D. salina. Evaluation of physiological attributes of these species will be used for to carry out mass cultivation.     

Local inflammation,lethality and cytokine release in mice injected with Bothrops atrox venom.

We have provided evidence that: (a) lethality of mice to crude Bothrops venom varies according the isogenic strain (A/J > C57Bl/6 > A/Sn > BALB/c > C3H/HePas > DBA/2 > C3H/He); (b)BALB/c mice (LD50=100.0 microg) were injected i.p. with 50 microg of venom produced IL-6, IL-10, INF-gamma, TNF-alpha and NO in the serum. In vitro the cells from the mice injected and challenged with the venom only released IL-10 while peritoneal macrophages released IL-10, INF-gamma and less amounts of IL-6; (c) establishment of local inflammation and necrosis induced by the venom, coincides with the peaks of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and NO and the damage was neutralized when the venom was incubated with a monoclonal antibody against a 60 kDa haemorrhagic factor. These results suggest that susceptibility to Bothrops atrox venom is genetically dependent but MHC independent; that IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and NO can be involved in the mediation of tissue damage; and that the major venom component inducers of the lesions are haemorrhagins.     

Oxylepitoxin-1, a reversible neurotoxin from the venom of the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)

This study describes the characterization of oxylepitoxin-1 (MW 6789), the first postsynaptic neurotoxin isolated from the venom of the Inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), which is the most venomous snake in the world. Oxylepitoxin-1, purified using successive steps of size-exclusion and reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography, produced concentration-dependent (0.3-1.0 microM) inhibition of nerve-mediated (0.1 Hz, 0.2 ms, supramaximal V) twitches of the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparation. Taipan antivenom (5units/ml) prevented the neurotoxic activity of whole venom (10 microg/ml), but had no significant effect on oxylepitoxin-1 (1 microM). The toxin-induced inhibition of nerve-mediated twitches was significantly reversed upon washing the tissue at 5 min intervals. Oxylepitoxin-1 (30-300 nM) displayed competitive antagonism at the skeletal muscle nicotinic receptor with a pA(2) value of 7.16+/-0.28 (i.e. approximately 10-fold more potent than tubocurarine). The venom had a high level of PLA(2) activity (765+/-73 micromol/min/mg) while oxylepitoxin-1 displayed no PLA(2) activity. Partial N-terminal sequencing of oxylepitoxin-1 shows high sequence identity (i.e. 93%) to postsynaptic toxins isolated from the venom of the closely related coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus).     

Effect of sucrose diet on insulin secretion in vivo and in vitro and on triglyceride storage and mobilisation of the heart of rats

Basal heart triacylglycerol (TG) (mumole triacylglycerol/g of dry weight) (- before "in vitro" Langendorff perfusion -) was significantly higher in animals rendered chronically hypertriglyceridaemic (H) by a 63% sucrose-rich diet than in controls (C, standard diet); 28 +/- 2.6 means + SEM vs. 19.3 +/- 1.2; respectively (p less than 0.01). After 40' perfusion with Krebs-Henseleit buffer + 5.5 mM glucose, 2.5 mM Ca++, TG content fell to 14.2 +/- 0.6 in C and 14.9 +/- 1.9 in H (n.S.). Administration of 1 n mol x min-1 of glucagon (Gn) from min 20 to 40 reduced TG to 9.0 +/- 0.5 in C (p less than 0.05). In contrast no effect of Gn was observed in H (TG at min 40: 16.7 +/- 2.5). Glycogen (Gly) content (mumol/g of dry weight) after Gn perfusion fell from 30 +/- 1.9 to 17 +/- 2.1 (p less than 0.01) in C, while again no effect was recorded in H. "In vivo" plasma glucose fractional coefficient disappearance rate was lower (p less than 0.001) in H: 1.01 x 10(-2) +/- 0.09 x 10(-2) vs 2.61 x 10(-2) +/- 0.14 x 10(-2) in C, in spite of H showing hyperinsulin secretion. Hyperinsulinism was further documented by "in vitro" Iri release studies from incubated pancreas pieces. In the absence of glucose (G) from the incubation medium H produced 541 +/- 19.8 mU/mg weight Tissue/20', while C produced 91.2 +/- 12.7 (p less than 0.001). With 100 mg% G, H released 1058 +/- 259 and C 377 +/- 82.5 (p less than 0.001). It is suggested that hyperinsulin secretion plus insulin resistance may account for the above findings.     

Purification and Characterization of a New Weak Hemorrhagic Metalloproteinase BmHF-1 from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bothrops marajoensis</Emphasis> Snake Venom

BmHF-1, from the venom of Bothrops marajoensis, was purified by Sephadex G-75 and HPLC-RP on μ-Bondapak C-18 column chromatography. It presented a molecular mass of 27162.36 Da determined by MALDI-TOF MS. BmHF-1 had a sequence of 238 residues of amino acids. The multiple alignment of its amino acid sequence and those of other snake venom metalloproteinases showed high structural similarity, mainly among P–I class. The enzyme initially cleaves the Aα-chain of fibrinogen, followed by the Bβ-chain, and shows no effects on the γ-chain. BmHF-1 had, caseinolytic and weakly hemorrhagic activities, which were inhibited by EDTA. In contrast, PMSF did not affect these activities. The caseinolytic activity of BmHF-1 had a pH optimum of 8.0 and was stable in solution up to 40 °C; activity was completely lost at ≥70 °C. The proteolytic activity was also inhibited by sDa (opossum sera) and Da2-1, Da2-II, antihemorrhagic factors isolated from the opossum sera of Didelphis albiventris. BmHF-1 presents weak hemorrhagic activity, with a MHD of 41.14 μg and it induces dose-dependent edema. We could concluded that, despite its weak hemorrhagic activity, BmHF-1 contributes to local tissue damage by inducing edema, releasing pharmacologically active mediators from protein precursors due to its enzymatic action.     

Primary structure of cobra complement component C3.

Complement component C3 is a multifunctional protein known to interact specifically with more than 10 different plasma proteins or cell surface receptors. Cobra venom contains cobra venom factor, a structural analogue of C3 that shares some properties with C3 (e.g., formation of a C3/C5 convertase) but differs in others (e.g., susceptibility to regulation by factors H and I). The elucidation of structural differences between C3 and cobra venom factor can be expected to help identify functionally important regions of C3 molecules. To that end we have undertaken the molecular cloning of both cobra C3 and cobra venom factor to take advantage of the unique biologic system where both proteins are produced by the same species. We report the primary structure of cobra C3 mRNA and the derived protein structure. Cobra C3 mRNA is 5211 bp in length. It contains an open reading frame of 4953 bp coding for a single pre-pro-C3 molecule, consisting of a 22-amino acid signal sequence, a 633-amino acid beta-chain (70 kDa), and a 992-amino acid alpha-chain (112 kDa) which is separated from the beta-chain by four arginine residues. There are no N-glycosylation sites in cobra C3. Cobra C3 exhibits approximately 58% nucleotide sequence identity with C3 from mammalian species. At the protein level, sequence identity is approximately 52% and sequence similarity approximately 71%. All 27 cysteine residues are highly conserved as are the C3 convertase cleavage site, the thioester site, and the factor B binding site. Cobra C3 also seems to have homologous binding sites for factor H and properdin, as well as a conserved sequence in the functionally important region of the C3a anaphylatoxin. The sequence homology at the CR2 and CR3 binding sites does not exceed the overall sequence homology. Accordingly, the existence of CR2 and CR3 binding sites can neither be deduced nor excluded.     

Effect of dietary protein level and source on bone mineralization in rats

Bone mineralization was studied in rats. Animals were divided into three feeding groups: LCP - diet with 13.5% crude protein in DM (5% of gluten, 10% of casein), HCP - diet with 21.2% CP in DM (8% of gluten, 10% of casein), and LSM - diet based on grain meals and meat-bone meal (21% CP in DM). After 28 days feeding, animals were euthanased by cervical dislocation and femur bones were collected, weighed and kept frozen until analyses. Diets with 21% protein (HCP, LSM) significantly increased weight of femur bones. Despite of the substantially higher ash level (7.1%) in the LSM diet than in the LCP diet (3.4%), rats of both groups had the similar bone concentration of Ca (15.7 +/- 1.1 vs. 17.4 +/- 1.1 g/kg) and Zn (178.7 +/- 7.9 vs. 173.0 +/- 8.5 mg/kg). However bone density in LSM rats was significantly higher than in LCP ones. Although rats fed HCP diet had intermediate bone density, the bone concentration of Ca (11.4 +/- 0.5 g/kg) and Zn (145.1 +/- 2.9 mg/kg) was significantly lower, than in animals fed LCP and LSM diets. This was related to the very wide protein/calcium (37:1 g/g) and protein/zinc (5.3:1 g/mg) ratios in HCP diet. Those ratios were narrowest in the LSM diet: 16.2:1 (CP/Ca) and 2.6:1 (CP/Zn). It can be conluded that protein/mineral ratio in a diet is a very important factor in bone development, besides dietary protein and ash contents itselves.     

Characterization of clotting factors from Agkistrodon acutus venom

1. Four clotting factors, Cf-1(C), Cf-2(C), Cf-1(T) and Cf-2(T) were isolated from Agkistrodon acutus (collected on mainland China and Taiwan) venom by Komori et al. (1987). It was reported that all factors possessed coagulant activity in the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, although they showed different chemical properties and antigenicities. 2. Their role in the clot formation system was clarified and compared with that of thrombin. Clotting factors from A. acutus venom released only fibrinopeptide A from the A alpha chain of fibrinogen, while thrombin released fibrinopeptide A and B from the A alpha and B beta chains. 3. Cf-1(C) and Cf-2(T), like thrombin, rapidly activated factor XIII in the presence of calcium ions, whereas Cf-2(C) and Cf-1(T) had little effect on factor XIII. These effects are shown by Cf-1(C) and Cf-2(T) forming a clot that remained insoluble in 8 M urea or 0.44 M monochloroacetic acid, whereas Cf-2(C) and Cf-1(T) formed a soluble clot in these agents.     

Identification of second lipolysis activating protein from scorpion Buthus occitanus tunetanus

Besides the previously described LVP1, a second protein, LVP2, inducing a lipolytic response in adipose cells, was purified from scorpion Buthus occitanus tunetanus venom. It represented 2% of crude venom proteins, with pHi = 6 and molecular mass of 16889 Da. The reduction and the alkylation of LVP2 revealed an heterodimeric structure. Isolated alpha and beta chains of LVP2 have a molecular weight (MW) of 8822 Da and 8902, respectively. This protein was not toxic to mice and stimulated lipolysis on freshly dissociated rat adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner with EC50 = 2 +/- 0.75 microg/ml. LVP2 subunits did not display any lipolytic activity. As previously described for venom and LVP1, beta adrenergic receptor (beta AR) antagonists interfere with LVP2 activity. Furthermore, it is shown that LVP2 competes with [3H] CGP 12177 (beta1/beta2 AR antagonist) for binding to adipocyte plasma membrane with an IC50 of about 10(-7)M. Thus, these results bring original information on the existence of proteins that are present in scorpion venoms and can exert a distinct biological activity on adipocyte lipolysis through a beta-type adreno-receptor pathway.     

Fatty acid and carotenoid production by Sporobolomyces ruberrimus when using technical glycerol and ammonium sulfate

The production of carotenoids, lipid content, and fatty acid composition were all studied in a strain of Sporobolomyces ruberrimus when using different concentrations of technical glycerol as the carbon source and ammonium sulfate as the nitrogen source. The total lipids represented an average of 13% of the dry weight, and the maximum lipids were obtained when using 65.5 g/l technical glycerol (133.63 mg/ g). The optimal conditions for fatty acid production were at 27 degrees C using 20 g of ammonium sulfate and a pH range from 6 to 7, which produced a fatty acid yield of 32.5+/-1 mg/g, including 1.27+/- 0.15 mg of linolenic acid (LNA), 7.50+/-0.45 mg of linoleic acid (LLA), 5.50+/-0.35 mg of palmitic acid (PA), 0.60+/-0.03 mg of palmitoleic acid (PAL), 1.28+/-0.11 mg of stearic acid (SA), 9.09+/-0.22 mg of oleic acid, 2.50+/-0.10 mg of erucic acid (EA), and 4.25+/-0.20 mg of lignoceric acid (LCA), where the palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids combined formed about 37% of the total fatty acids. The concentration of total carotenoids was 2.80 mg/g when using 20 g of ammonium sulfate, and consisted of torularhodin (2.70 mg/g) and beta-carotene (0.10 mg/ g), at 23 degrees C and pH 6. However, the highest amount with the maximum specific growth rate was obtained (micromax=0.096 h(-1)) with an ammonium sulfate concentration of 30 g/l.