Biochemical and biological properties of Trimeresurus jerdonii venom and characterization of a platelet aggregation-inhibiting acidic phospholipase A(2)

Several biochemical and biological activities such as phospholipase A(2), arginine esterase, proteolytic, L-amino acid oxidase, 5'nucleotidase, acetylcholinesterase, thrombin-like, anticoagulant, and hemorrhagic activities were determined for whole desiccated venom of Trimeresurus jerdonii. An acidic phospholipase (named TJ-PLA(2)) was purified by anionic exchange chromatography, gel filtration, and reverse phase HPLC. TJ-PLA(2) had a molecular weight of 16,000 and a pI of 4.8. TJ-PLA(2) was non-lethal to mice up to an i.p. dose of 15 mg/kg body weight and lacked neurotoxicity and myotoxicity. It induced edema in the footpads of mice. The purified enzyme inhibited ADP- and collagen-induced human platelet aggregation in a manner which was both dose- and time-dependent.

N49 phospholipase A(2), a unique subgroup of snake venom group II phospholipase A(2)

A novel phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) with Asn at its site 49 was purified from the snake venom of Protobothrops mucrosquamatus by using SP-Sephadex C25, Superdex 75, Heparin-Sepharose (FF) and HPLC reverse-phage C-18 chromatography and designated as TM-N49

Jerdonase, a novel serine protease with kinin-releasing and fibrinogenolytic activity from Trimeresurus jerdonii venom

A novel kinin-releasing and fibrin (ogen)olytic enzyme termed jerdonase was purified to homogeneity from the venom of Trimeresurus jerdonii by DEAE Sephadex A-50 anion exchange, Sephadex G-100 (superfine) gel filtration and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Jerdonase migrated as a single band with an approximate molecular weight of 55 kD under the reduced conditions and 53 kD under the non-reduced conditions. The enzyme was a glycoprotein containing 35.8% neutral carbohydrate. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of jerdonase was determined to be IIGGDECNINEHPFLVALYDA, which showed high sequence identity to other snake venom serine proteases. Jerdonase catalyzed the hydrolysis of BAEE, S-2238 and S-2302, which was inhibited by phenymethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), but not affected by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Jerdonase preferentially cleaved the Aalpha-chain of human fibrinogen with lower activity towards Bbeta-chain. Moreover, the enzyme hydrolyzed bovine low-molecular-mass kininogen and releasing bradykinin. In conclusion, all results indicated that jerdonase was a multifunctional venom serine protease.

A novel serine protease inhibitor from Bungarus fasciatus venom

By Sephadex G-50 gel filtration, cation-exchange CM-Sephadex C-25 chromatography and reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a novel serine protease inhibitor named bungaruskunin was purified and characterized from venom of Bungarus fasciatus. Its cDNA was also cloned from the cDNA library of B. fasciatus venomous glands. The predicted precursor is composed of 83 amino acid (aa) residues including a 24-aa signal peptide and a 59-aa mature bungaruskunin. Bungaruskunin showed maximal similarity (64%) with the predicted serine protease inhibitor blackelin deduced from the cDNA sequence of the red-bellied black snake Pseudechis porphyriacus. Bungaruskunin is a Kunitz protease inhibitor with a conserved Kunitz domain and could exert inhibitory activity against trypsin, chymotrypsin, and elastase. By screening the cDNA library, two new B chains of beta-bungarotoxin are also identified. The overall structures of bungaruskunin and beta -bungarotoxin B chains are similar; especially they have highly conserved signal peptide sequences. These findings strongly suggest that snake Kunitz/BPTI protease inhibitors and neurotoxic homologs may have originated from a common ancestor. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Extraction, purification and analysis of conotoxin of Conus textile captured from Persian Gulf and the investigation of analgesic effects of conotoxins in an animal model

Identification of venomous species of Persian Gulf cone snails and characterization of venom composition and their features is so important from the point of medical importance. Marine cone snails from the genus Conus are estimated to consist of up to 700 species. The venom of cone snails has yielded a rich source of novel neuroactive peptides or conotoxins. The present study was aimed to study the analgesic effect of Persian Gulf Conus textile and its comparison with morphine in mouse model. The specimens of Conus textile were collected of Larak Island from depth of 7 m. The collected samples were transferred to laboratory alive and were stored at -700 c. he veno s ducts were separated and ho ogenized with deionized water he ixture centrifuged at rp for inutes upernatant was considered as extracted veno and stored at - C after lyophylization. The protein profile of venom determined by using SDS-PAGE and HPLC used to investigate the extracted venom and to evaluate the analgesic activity, formalin test was carried out. SDS-PAGE indicated several bands ranged between 6 and 250 kDa. Chromatogram of the venom demonstrated more than 44 large and small fractions. The amount of 10 ng of Conus crude venom and analgesic peptide showed the best anti-pain activity in formalin test. No death observed up to 100 mg/kg, which is 250,000 times higher than the effective dose.Venom characterization of Persian Gulf Conus textile may be of medical importance and potential for new pharmaceutical drugs as well.

Biogeochemical study of poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and its physiological affection response in mudskipper (Boleophthalmus dussumieri) at coast of Khuzestan

Study on the biomarkers types to assess health status of marine ecosystems in environmental biomonitoring has an important value. Accordingly, accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) in sediment, water and tissues (liver and gill) of mudskipper(i.e. Boleophthalmus dussumieri) and some physiological responses like lysosomal membrane change performed on haemocytes, stability of red blood cell membrane and the Glutathione-S Transferase (GST) activity in the liver were measured in mudskipper. Samples were obtained from five sites along north western coast of the Persian Gulf (Khuzestan coast). Red blood cell membrane changes after different concentration of PAHs at different time was also studied to evaluate impact of PAHs compound on cell membrane. PAHs concentration was measured by HPLC method. The activity of GST enzyme was analysed by spectrophotometric method. Lysosomal membrane change was measured by NRR time method and stability of red blood cell membrane was evaluated by EOF test. Total PAH concentrations in the coastal sea water, the sediments, the liver and the gill tissues ranged between 0.80-18.34 μg/l, 113.50-3384.34 ng g-1 (dry weight), 3.99-46.64 ng g-1 dw and 3.11-17.76 ng g-1 dw, respectively. Highest PAHs pollution was found at Jafari while the lowest was detected at Bahrakan sampling sites. The lowest enzymatic activity was identified at Bahrakan (7.19 ± 1.541 nmol/mg protein/min), while the highest was recorded at Jafari (46.96 ± 7.877 nmol/mg protein/min). Comparative analysis of GST activity in the liver of mudskippers showed significant difference (p < 0.05) between the locations of Jafari and Bahrakan, and with other sites. Moreover, no significant difference was detected between the locations of Arvand, Zangi and Samayeli (p < 0.05). The mean RT was below 90 minutes in all sampling sites. Values of mean RT of the dye ranged from 34 (for the blood samples of mudskipper collected from Jafari site) to 78 minutes (for the blood samples of mudskipper collected from Bahrakan site). Spatial evaluation revealed the longest RT in fish from Bahrakan as compared with those from other sites. Preliminary results showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) among sampling sites except between Arvand and Zangi (p > 0.05). Osmotic fragility curves indicated that erythrocytes collected from mudskippers at Jafari were the most 009 fragile followed by Zangi> Arvand> Samayeli> and Bahrakan. The mean erythrocyte fragility was significantly higher at Jafari site (p < 0.05) when compared to other sites. Significant differences were found between the various sites (p < 0.05).The result indicated no significant differences between the control and treatments of mudskipper RBC exposed to field concentrations of PAHs (P>0.05). The results further indicated significant differences (P<0.05) between the control and treatments of mudskipper RBC exposed to acute. Potency Divisor concentrations. It is clear from the present result that chronic. Potency Divisor concentrations protect red cells against osmotic hemolysis. This study, however, showed that PAH concentrations in this region are not higher than the available standards. The findings showed that Lysosomal membrane destabilization, liver GST activities and fragility of red cell membrane are highly sensitive in the mudskipper, B. dussumieri. Thus, mudskipper perceived to be good sentinel organisms for PAH pollution monitoring. Sediment PAH concentrations were strongly correlated with biomarkers, indicating that PAH type pollutants were biologically available to fish. One of the possible risk assessment implications of this study is that biomarkers can be applied not only to characterize biological effects of pollution exposures, but also to determine the bioavailability of pollution in aquatic systems. The results also indicated that PAHs compound possess anti haemolytic property.

Venomics and biological analysis of Scatophagus argus argus (Spotted scat) venom isolated in Persian Gulf, extraction and purification of hemolytic protein

Green scat namely as Scatophagus argus argus is a venomous aquarium fish belonging to Scatophagidae family. It can induce painful wounds in injured hand with partial paralysis to whom that touch the spines. Dorsal and ventral rough spines contain cells that produce venom with toxic activities. According to unpublished data collected from local hospitals in southern coastal region of Iran, S. argus is reported as a venomous fish. Envenomation induces clinical symptoms such as local pain, partial paralysis, erythema and itching. In the present study green scat (spotted scat) was collected from Persian Gulf coastal waters. SDS-PAGE indicated 12 distinct bands in the venom ranged between 10-250 KDa. The crude venom had hemolytic activity on human erythrocytes (1%) with an LC100 (Lytic Concentration) of about 1.7 μg. The crude venom can release 813 μg proteins from 0.5% casein. Phospholipase C activity was recorded at 3.125 μg of total venom. Our findings showed that the edematic activity remained over 48 h after injection. The purification of the venom was done by HPLC and 30 peaks were obtained within 80 min but only one peak in 68 min retention time showed hemolytic activity at 90% acetonitril was isolated. The area percentage of the hemolytic protein showed that this hemolytic protein consist of 32 percent of total proteins and its molecular weight was 72 KDa in SDS_PAGE. The results demonstrated that crude venom extracted from Iranian coastal border has different toxic and enzymatic activities.

Determination of bioaccumulation and microscopic survey of LAS pollutant effect on the liver, kidney and gill tissues of Rutilus frisii kutum in Caspian sea

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) are widely used in detergent industry. Due to contaminants entering the water, and the effects of their accumulation in fish, LAS, has a great importance in environmental pollution. In the present study, accumulation of LAS and its histological effects on gill tissue, liver and kidney of Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) were studied. Caspian kutum is the most important and most valuable teleosts of the Caspian Sea. Due to releasing Caspian Kutum in rivers and Anzali Lagoon and unlimited entry of wastewater to the aquatic ecosystem, research on the impact of LAS on Caspian kutum is important. In the present study, fish exposed to sublethal concentrations of LAS (0.58, 1.16 and 2.32 mg/l) for 192 hours. Control treatments with three replicates at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 192 hours were done. For assessments of the histological effects of LAS, tissue sections prepared and by using Hematoxylin - Eosin were stained, then the prepared sections, examined by light microscopy. For determination of the bio accumulation of LAS, the soxhlet extraction and solid phase extraction was performed to determine the amount of LAS using HPLC with fluorescence detector. According to results average of bioconcentration factor and LAS concentrations in fish had reached stable levels after approximately 72 h and thus represented steady state BCF values in this species. The value of steady-state bio-concentration factor of total LAS was 33.96 L.Kg- 1 and for each of the homologous C10-n-LAS, C11-n-LAS, C12-n-LAS and C13-n- LAS were 3.84, 6.15, 8.58 and 15.57 L.Kg-1 respectively. According to the results obtained in gills exposed to LAS, histopathological alteration include hypertrophy, lifting of lamella epithelium, edema, clubbing of lamellae hyperplasia, lamellar fusion and aneurysm were seen. In liver tissue exposed to three concentrations of LAS, congestion and dilation of sinusoids, irregular-shaped nuclei and degeneration in the hepatocyte, vacuolar degeneration and necrosis were observed. In kidney exposed to three concentrations of LAS, reduction of the interstitial haematopoietic tissue, degeneration in the epithelial cells of renal tubule, tubular degeneration, necrosis, shrinkage and luminal occlusion were observed. According to the results the most alteration due to exposure to LAS was seen in the gill tissue. None of the control samples showed histological effects of LAS.

The effect of spirulina (fresh and dry) on some biological factors in Penaeus semisulcatus larvae

Spirulina is a filamentous cyanobacteria with many applications in food and drug industries, as a food in human, aquaculture, vet and poultry industries… . Semi and mass culture of Spirulina carries out in different countries. This study was carried out in five phases in order to produce this microalga in Iran. The first phase, Spirulina pure stock was imported from Indonesia. After identification of species, it was cultured in laboratory until we took 20 liters of biomass. The semi-mass culture was carried out in green house. Cell concentration and size of Spirulina were recorded during culture daily and their growth rates were calculated. After two weeks, when the size of Spirulina was suitable, biomass of Spirulina was harvested then accumulated Spirulina weighted and dried in 24 hours in laboratory. In order to microbiological study, the samples of Spirulina (dry and fresh) were cultured on blood agar medium and coliforms were counted. The chemical composition of produced Spirulina was measured by standard methods. Fatty acid and amino acid profiles were acquired by GC and HPLC instruments, respectively. The amount of chlorophyll in Spirulina was determined by spectroscopy method. Also astaxanthin pigment as an important carotenoid was measured by HPLC in Spirulina and Penaeus semisulcatus larvae fed on Spirulina. At final phase of this project, larva fed on produced Spirulina (biomass and dry powder) was compared to Z plus, microencapsulated Spirulina (M.C.F) and Chaetoceros algae as control. This experiment was carried from zoa to early post larvae stage then survival and growth rate of larvae were recorded. The growth rate of larvae was evaluated with ANOVA test and survival rate of treatments was assessed by Log Rank (Mantel –Cox) test. Also during larvae stage, two parameters of water such as nitrate and nitrite were measured in zoa, mysis and post larvae stages. The results of this study were shown that colifom counts were 1.85×106 and 92.3×105 coliform per ml in fresh and dry spirulina, respectively. Protein percent of dry spirulina was 50.93 % (dry weight) and the amount of astaxanthin in spirulina and larvae fed on spirulina were 0.21 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. The most survival rate of larvae were observed in zoa III (88.8%) with Z plus supplement treatment, in mysis III (76.5%) combination of Z plus and dry spirulina in comparative between treatments. Larvae growth (4.5mm) of control in early post larvae was the best.

异硫氰酸苯酯衍生化法测定微透析样品中氨基酸的方法

本发明涉及一种异硫氰酸苯酯衍生化法测定脑内透析样品中氨基酸的方法，属生物医学领域。该方法由样品的采集(即脑内微透析)、样品的衍生和干燥以及HPLC分离等组成。实验前一周，在动物特定部位埋植透析导管。待恢复后，安装透析探针，并以一定流速灌流人工脑脊液，间隔一定时间收集一次透析样品。然后，在样品中加入一定量的内标试剂，经冷冻干燥、异硫氰酸苯酯衍生、再干燥、稀释等步骤处理后，样品经反相HPLC洗脱，紫外检测。本发明具有简便快速、衍生产物稳定、分析时间短、化学选择性和分析灵敏度高(可达1pmol)、一、二级氨基酸均可检测的分析方法，由此可实现微透析与反相高压液色谱紫外检测技术结合对脑内痕量活性物质的动态监测。

Evaluation of indigenous molluscicides in water against schistosomiasis vectors

Seven varieties of indigenous Phytolacca dodecwulra L'Herrit (Phytolaccaceae) were field-tried for molluscicidal potency. Varieties (U96) and (U95) collected from Kabarole and Kabale respectively were the most potent with LD90 equal to 2.54 and 6.46 mg.t-· respectively. Water bodies ranging between 4,770 and 347,510 Iitres in Kibimba rice fields were treated with up to 50mg.t-· Snails kills were monitored every three months and 92 - 100% mortality rates were realized. HPLC fingerprints revealed the two P. dodecandra varieties to contain highest concentration of the active principle, oleanoglycotoxin- A or lemmatoxin - A.

中华眼镜蛇蛇毒神经生长因子生物活性和理化性质测定

目的：控制中华眼镜蛇蛇毒神经生长因子产品质量，研究其理化性质及生物学活性的定性和定量。方法：通过离子交换色谱、凝胶过滤及FPLC色谱分高纯化得到中华眼镜蛇蛇毒神经生长因子，按国家新药审批有关要求对其进行了SDS－PAGE电泳，N端蛋白质序列规定，HPLC色谱分析，UV光谱图谱扫描，并利用PC12细胞培养法和鸡胚背根神经节培养法检测其生物活性。结果：电泳为一条带，亚基分子量为13500，N端蛋白质序列测定后确证为神经生长因子（NGF），HPLC为单峰，相对百分含量为95％以上，279．6nm处呈现出蛋白质样特征吸收峰。生物活性测定为，PC12细胞培养法灵敏度可达1ng／ml，鸡胚背根神经节培养法需30ng／ml的浓度梯度才能在神经节上有所反应。结论：此实验样品为具有较高生物活性的高纯度NGF多肽。

无指盘臭蛙皮肤抗感染多肽组学研究

在过去的一个多世纪里，两栖类动物皮肤分泌液作为它们的第一道防御屏障引起了研究者们极大的兴趣，同时也开展了相关的许对研究，到目前为止，已从中分离鉴定出了百余种的活性物质。无指盘臭蛙是我国的一种特有两栖动物，初步的活性检测发现，无指盘臭蛙皮肤分泌液具有很强的抗菌，溶血以及蛋白酶抑制剂活性。 在本论文中，我们利用多肽组学与基因组学的方法对无指盘臭蛙皮肤的抗感染多肽组进行了研究。 通过三步分离纯化过程：一步Sephadex G-50分子筛和两步反相高压液相（RP-HPLC）的方法，从无指盘臭蛙皮肤分泌液中分离纯化得到了21条新的抗菌肽，它们分别属于17个不同的抗菌肽家族，其中8个分别属于已知的5个抗菌肽家族，它们是：Brevinin-1E(2个)、Brevinin-2E（1个）、Esculentin-1（1个）、Esculentin-2（1个）和Nigrocin（3个）抗菌肽家族。另外的13个抗菌肽与已发现的抗菌肽表现出较低的相似性，我们将它们归类到12种新的抗菌肽家族，它们是：Odorranain-A (1个)、Odorranain-B(1个)、 Odorranain-C(1个)、 Odorranain-G (1个)、Odorranain-H (2个)、 Odorranain-J (1个)、Odorranain-L (1个)、Odorranain-M (1个)、 Odorranain-N (1个)、 Odorranain-O (1个)、Odorranain-Q(1个)、 Odorranain-T(1个)。 从单个无指盘臭蛙皮肤里面，我们克隆得到了372条抗菌肽序列，它们编码107条新的抗菌肽，这一发现使得目前发现的两栖类抗菌肽的数目几乎增加了1倍。这也是目前发现的抗菌肽最为丰富的物种。这107条抗菌肽分别属于30个不同的抗菌肽家族，其中有24个为新的抗菌肽家族。这些抗菌肽的多样性可能是通过点突变、碱基的插入或删除、结构域的穿梭以及拼接等多种机制形成的。这些抗菌肽多样性的形成可能与无指盘臭蛙生活环境中微生物的组成有关。30个家族抗菌肽前体序列的SPD区域（包括信号肽和前导肽序列，Signal and Propiece Domain, SPD）非常保守，表明它们可能起源于同一个祖先基因。对7个抗菌肽家族的非同义碱基替代率Dn与同义碱基替代率Ds进行检测发现，它们可能经受着不同选择压力的作用。无指盘臭蛙皮肤抗菌肽在二级结构和功能上都表现出丰富的多样性。在一个两栖类个体里面发现如此丰富的抗菌肽甚是让人惊讶。这一发现也使得我们不得不重新认识先天性免疫在两栖类动物防御系统中的重要性，对两栖类生态环境的分子基础以及那种认为一种两栖类只需要20-30种抗菌肽就足以抵御环境中的微生物的看法重新审视。我们的研究还显示：无指盘臭蛙抗菌肽之间还存在着协同效用。 我们对无指盘臭蛙皮肤抗菌肽的去极化作用进行了研究，发现所检测的7个抗菌肽都可使金黄色葡萄球菌发生去极化，但是它们使细菌发生去极化的能力不同。对12种抗菌肽的抗菌机制研究发现，它们通过多种不同的机制发挥作用：有些在细菌内形成片层样的囊泡状结构，有些导致细胞质壁的分离，有些在细菌的膜上形成穿孔，有些则导致了细菌染色质的固缩。 总之，这些研究为设计新型的抗菌肽提供了有用的参考资料。

基于光合色素的化学分类法在淡水藻类研究中的应用

采用反相高效液相色谱技术(RP-HPLC)系统研究了我国主要淡水藻类———蓝藻、绿藻、硅藻、甲藻、金藻、裸藻和隐藻等的光合色素,在8种纯培养藻类中共确定类胡萝卜素、叶绿素及其衍生物19种。分离到的主要标志性色素按洗脱时间分别为脱植基叶绿素a、19′-丁酰氧岩藻黄素、叶绿素c、脱镁叶绿素a、多甲藻素、甲基脱植基叶绿素a、岩藻黄素、新黄质、紫黄质、蓝藻叶黄素、硅甲藻黄素、硅藻黄质、叶黄素、玉米黄素、叶绿素b异构体、叶绿素b、叶绿素a异构体、叶绿素a和β-胡萝卜素;其中在纯培养的铜绿微囊藻中首次鉴定到19′-丁

金藻吞噬微囊藻产生的无毒变异株与产毒原始株的比较

分别从喂食三株原始产毒铜绿微囊藻Microcystis aeruginosa(AC、DS和PCC 7820)的金藻Poterioochromonassp.培养物中获得三株藻,以Nest PCR方法(引物对CC/CG和CH/CI)确定此三株藻均为微囊藻属藻株。HPLC测试结果显示这三株藻均不产生微囊藻毒素。显示Poterioochromonassp.具有将产毒微囊藻转化为无毒微囊藻的能力。比较产毒原始株与无毒变异株的生理特性发现,变异株的类胡萝卜素/叶绿素比值高于原始株;而光反应曲线结果表明,变异株的PSⅡ