The role of alpha 2-macroglobulin in furunculosis: a comparison of rainbow trout and brook trout. |
| |
Authors: | S J Freedman |
| |
Affiliation: | Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Utah State University, Logan 84322. |
| |
Abstract: | 1. The molecular basis for the high survival rate of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, infected with furunculosis was investigated. 2. Alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M), a major serum protease inhibitor, was partially purified from rainbow trout and brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, sera; the latter species shows marked disease susceptibility. 3. It is shown that a 10-fold species-based difference in alpha 2M inhibitory activity exists against a furunculosis associated bacterial protease. 4. A possible basis for the observed disparity is discussed. 5. Results suggest that the high mol. wt form of teleost (trout) albumin is a dimer composed of two 85,000 subunits. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|