The effects of Onchocerca lienalis infection on vitellogenesis in the British blackfly, Simulium ornatum

Parasitology ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Renshaw ◽  
H. Hurd
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Reproductive Physiology ◽  
Filarial Nematode ◽  
Natural Vector ◽  
Approximate Molecular Weight

SummaryWe have previously described the major yolk protein, vitellin, in the British blackfly Simulium ornatum Meigen. Here we demonstrate that vitellogenin, synthesized in the fat body and secreted into the haemolymph, is composed of subunits with the same approximate molecular weight as vitellin, namely 200 and 68 kDa. Simulium ornatum is the natural vector for the cattle filarial nematode Onchocerca lienalis Stiles, which induces host fecundity depletion. A significant reduction in ovarian vitellin content was associated with infection by intrathoracic injection of 20 O. lienalis microfilariae immediately after blood-feeding. Fat body synthesis of vitellogenin was significantly reduced as early as 8 h post-infection in comparison with sham-injected flies. When total haemolymph protein from infected and sham injected flies was compared, titres were significantly depressed 6 h post-infection. However, later in the infection, titres were elevated by 30%, the major component being vitellogenin. The injection of dead microfilariae had no effect. An infection burden of a single parasite caused a significant reduction in ovarian protein content in comparison with shams, but no further significant decrease was observed as the parasite burden was increased from 5 to 20. Possible mechanisms underlying the disturbance of Simulium reproductive physiology are proposed.

Effect of metacestodes of Hymenolepis diminuta on storage and circulating carbohydrates in the intermediate host, Tenebrio molitor

Parasitology ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 108 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Y. Kearns ◽  
H. Hurd ◽  
A. S. Pullin
Keyword(s):  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Reproductive Physiology ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Carbohydrate Reserves ◽  
Biochemical Studies

SUMMARYThe metamorphosis of oncospheres of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, to mature metacestodes induces several pathophysiological effects in the intermediate host, Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera). Previous investigations have failed to elucidate the mechanism responsible for changes in the host reproductive physiology and behaviour. This work forms part of an assessment of the degree to which nutrient resource management may be involved in these interactions. We report that developing metacestodes exert a pronounced effect upon host carbohydrate reserves and also alter circulating carbohydrate titres at some stages post-infection. Biochemical studies of fat body glycogen demonstrated a significant depletion of reserves as early as 3 days post-infection in males and 5 days post-infection in females. Gas chromatography revealed trehalose to be the predominant haemolymph carbohydrate, titres being significantly elevated in male beetles 5 and 9 days post-infection and in females 12 days post-infection. Metacestodes had no effect on glucose concentrations in male or female beetles.

Antithrombin III Binding to Surface Immobilized Heparin and Its Relation to F Xa Inhibition

1987 ◽  
Vol 58 (04) ◽  
pp. 1064-1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Kodama ◽  
B Pasche ◽  
P Olsson ◽  
J Swedenborg ◽  
L Adolfsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Ionic Strength ◽  
Surface Coating ◽  
Antithrombin Iii ◽  
Lower Class ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Heparin Coating ◽  
Continuous Surface ◽  
Approximate Molecular Weight

SummaryThe mode of F Xa inhibition was investigated on a thromboresistant surface with end-point attached partially depoly-merized heparin of an approximate molecular weight of 8000. Affinity chromatography revealed that one fourth of the heparin used in surface coating had high affinity for antithrombin III (AT). The heparin surface adsorbed AT from both human plasma and solutions of purified AT. By increasing the ionic strength in the AT solution the existence of high and low affinity sites could be shown. The uptake of AT was measured and the density of available high and low affinity sites was found to be in the range of 5 HTid 11 pic.omoles/cmf, respectively Thus the estimated density of biologically active high and low ailmity heparm respectively would be 40 and 90 ng/cm2 The heparin coating did not take up or exert F Xa inhibition by itself. With AT adsorbed on both high and low affinity heparin the surface had the capacity to inhibit several consecutive aliquots of F Xa exposed to the surface. When mainly high affinity sites were saturated with AT the inhibition capacity was considerably lower. Tt was demonstrated that the density of AT on both high and low affinity heparin determines the F Xa inhibition capacity whereas the amount of AT on high affinity sites limits the rate of the reaction. This implies that during the inhibition of F Xa there is a continuous surface-diffusion of AT from sites of a lower class to the high affinity sites where the F Xa/AT complex is formed and leaves the surface. The ability of the immobilized heparin to catalyze inhibition of F Xa is likely to be an important component for the thromboresistant properties of a heparin coating with non-compromized AT binding sequences.

Extraction and Partial Purification of Protease from Bilimbi (Averrhoa bilimbi L.)

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Normah Ismail ◽  
Nur' Ain Mohamad Kharoe
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Ammonium Sulfate ◽  
Molecular Weight Distribution ◽  
Weight Distribution ◽  
Protease Activity ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Temperature Stability ◽  
Partial Purification ◽  
Ammonium Sulfate Precipitation

Unripe and ripe bilimbi (Averrhoa bilimbi L.) were ground and the extracted juices were partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation at the concentrations of 40 and 60% (w/v). The collected proteases were analysed for pH, temperature stability, storage stability, molecular weight distribution, protein concentration and protein content. Protein content of bilimbi fruit was 0.89 g. Protease activity of both the unripe and ripe fruit were optimum at pH 4 and 40°C when the juice were purified at 40 and 60% ammonium sulfate precipitation. A decreased in protease activity was observed during the seven days of storage at 4°C. Molecular weight distribution indicated that the proteases protein bands fall between IO to 220 kDa. Protein bands were observed at 25, 50 and 160 kDa in both the unripe and ripe bilimbi proteases purified with 40% ammonium sulfate, however, the bands were more intense in those from unripe bilimbi. No protein bands were seen in proteases purified with 60% ammonium sulfate. Protein concentration was higher for proteases extracted with 40% ammonium sulfate at both ripening stages. Thus, purification using 40% ammonium sulfate precipitation could be a successful method to partially purify proteases from bilimbi especially from the unripe stage. 

Hymenolepis diminuta: metacestode-induced reduction in the synthesis of the yolk protein, vitellogenin, in the fat body of Tenebrio molitor

Parasitology ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Webb ◽  
H. Hurd
Keyword(s):  
Post Infection ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Potent Inhibitor ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Vitellogenin Synthesis ◽  
Specific Stage ◽  
Fat Bodies ◽  
Do So

SUMMARYVitellogenin synthesis by the fat body has been monitored using in vitro culture and immunoprecipitation. This system was found to be efficient for measuring vitellogenin production in both non-infected Tenebrio molitor and those infected with Hymenolepis diminuta. In fat bodies from infected beetles, vitellogenin production was decreased by up to 75% (day 24 post-infection) and, at all times investigated, vitellogenin synthesis was significantly below control levels (days 3–30 post-infection). Incubating fat bodies from control insects with isolated metacestodes indicated that this may be a direct effect by the parasite which is developmental stage-specific. Stage II, but not stage III–IV, nor heat-killed parasites could bring about this decrease in vitellogenin. In addition, these effects may be density dependent within the range of 2–20 parasites per fat body; only 2 metacestodes were necessary to cause a significant decrease. Since metacestodes do not take up vitellogenin, nor limit the amount of [14C] leucine available to the fat body for vitellogenin production, it is conceivable that the parasite produces a potent inhibitor of vitellogenin synthesis, or a molecule which induces cells within the fat body to do so.

scholarly journals THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT MOLECULAR WEIGHT SEMINAL PLASMA PROTEIN CONTENT ON SOME FERTILITY PARAMETERS IN BOAR'S EJACULATES

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Blagoje Stančić ◽  
Igor Zdraveski ◽  
Saša Dragin ◽  
Jelena Blagoje Apić ◽  
Slobodanka Vakanjac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Plasma Protein ◽  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Different Molecular Weight

scholarly journals Infection of highly insecticide-resistant malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii with entomopathogenic bacteria Chromobacterium violaceum reduces its survival, blood feeding propensity and fecundity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edounou Jacques Gnambani ◽  
Etienne Bilgo ◽  
Adama Sanou ◽  
Roch K. Dabire ◽  
Abdoulaye Diabate
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Chromobacterium Violaceum ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Mosquito Survival ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background This is now a concern that malaria eradication will not be achieved without the introduction of novel control tools. Microbiological control might be able to make a greater contribution to vector control in the future. The interactions between bacteria and mosquito make mosquito microbiota really promising from a disease control perspective. Here, we studied the impact of Chromobacterium violaceum infections isolated from both larvae and adult of wild caught Anopheles gambiae s.l. mosquitoes in Burkina Faso on mosquito survival, blood feeding and fecundity propensy. Methods To assess entomopathogenic effects of C. violaceum infection on mosquitoes, three different types of bioassays were performed in laboratory. These bioassays aimed to evaluate the impact of C.violaceum infection on mosquito survival, blood feeding and fecundity, respectively. During bioassays mosquitoes were infected through the well-established system of cotton ball soaked with 6% glucose containing C.violaceum . Results C. violaceum kills pyrethroid resistant mosquitoes An. coluzzii (LT80 of 8.78 days ± 0.18 at 10 8 bacteria cell/ml of sugar meal). Interestingly, this bacterium had other negative effects on mosquito lifespan by significantly reducing (~59%, P<0.001) the mosquito feeding willingness from day 4-post infection (~81% would seek a host to blood feed) to 9- day post infection (22 ± 4.62% would seek a host to blood feed). Moreover, C. violaceum considerably jeopardized the egg laying (~16 eggs laid /mosquitoes with C. violaceum infected mosquitoes vs ~129 eggs laid / mosquitoes with control mosquitoes) and hatching of mosquitoes (A reduction of ~22 % of hatching rate with C. violaceum infected mosquitoes). Compared to the bacterial uninfected mosquitoes, mosquitoes infected with C. violaceum showed indeed significantly higher retention rates of immature eggs and follicles. Conclusion These data showed important properties of Burkina Faso C. violaceum strains , which are highly virulent against insecticide resistant Anopheles coluzzii , and reduce both mosquito blood feeding and fecundity propensities. However, additional studies as the sequencing of C. violaceum genome and the potential toxins secreted will certainly provide useful information render it a potential candidate for the biological control strategies of malaria and other disease vectors.

scholarly journals Difference in Thrombolytic Effect between Higher and Lower Molecular Weight Forms of Urokinase

1977 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Suyama ◽  
M. Nishida ◽  
Y. Iga ◽  
R. Naito
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Lower Molecular Weight ◽  
Dissolution Time ◽  
Thrombolytic Activity ◽  
Lysis Time ◽  
Thrombolytic Effect ◽  
Approximate Molecular Weight ◽  
Made In

Urokinase (UK) from human urine has been widely used for thrombolytic therapy in Japan. However, commercially available preparations are not identical but consist of mainly two forms of UK with higher and lower molecular weight (H-UK and L-UK) . An attempt was made in this report to compare thrombolytic activity of H-UK with that of L-UK on artificial thrombi produced from human blood by a modification of Chandler’s loop method, which was somehow comparable to the situation in vivo. Two active forms of UK were purified from crude preparation by gel filtration. The approximate molecular weight of the H-UK was 54,000 and of the L-UK 34,000. The potency of UK was determined by “two-stage lysis time method” and expressed by International unit(lU). Thrombolytic activity measured by Chandler’s method was calculated as % lysis of the control thrombus that was formed in the abscence of UK.As a result, thrombus-dissolution time of H-UK was much shorter than that of L-UK. Furthermore, concentration of H-UK (IU/ml blood) necessary to induce 50% lysis was approximately one half lower than that of L-UK. The similiar results were obtained on artificial thrombi from the blood of dog, rat and rabbit. The data suggest that H-UK seems to be more effective on treatment of thromboembolicdisorders as compared to L-UK in terms of the same IU basis.

Immunocharacterization ofTaenia soliumoncosphere and metacestode antigens

1996 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Garcia-Allan ◽  
N. Martínez ◽  
A. Flisser ◽  
A. Aluja ◽  
J.C. Allan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Experimental Infection ◽  
Blot Analysis ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Western Blot Analysis ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
Specific Antigens ◽  
Related Increase

AbstractA partial immunocharacterization of oncosphere and metacestode antigens ofTaenia soliumwas carried out and compared to antigens from other taeniid species. The results indicated thatT. soliummetacestode antigen contained epitopes cross reactive with rabbit anti-sera to adult and oncospheral stages of the parasite. Oncospheres, however, consisted largely of stage specific antigens. Western blot analysis indicated thatT. soliumandT. pisiformisshared several oncospheral antigens; however, this was not the case withT. soliumandT. hydatigena. Western blot analysis showed a time-related increase in the number of molecules recognized by antibodies toT. soliumoncosphere and metacestode antigens in pigs experimentally infected withT. soliumeggs. Oncosphere specific antibodies were detected in pig sera one month after experimental infection whereas antibodies to cystic stage antigens were not present until the 3rd to 5th month post infection. Sera from neurocysticercotic patients as well as naturally infected cysticercotic pigs recognized high molecular weight antigens in the oncospheres.

Hymenolepis diminuta: influence of metacestodes on synthesis and secretion of fat body protein and its ovarian sequestration in the intermediate host, Tenebrio molitor

Parasitology ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Hurd ◽  
C. Arme
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Body Protein ◽  
Concomitant Reduction ◽  
Fat Bodies

SUMMARYFemale Tenebrio molitor infected with metacestodes of Hymenolepis diminuta exhibit elevated concentrations of female-specific proteins in their haemolymph and the origin of these has been investigated. Following a 4 h in vitro incubation with [14C]leucine, fat bodies from non-infected females secreted 13 times more protein than those from females 12 days post-infection. A comparison of the uptake in vivo of radio-isotope labelled amino acids by ovaries from non-infected and infected beetles of various ages revealed no differences; however, a 51·5% decrease in protein sequestration was detected in females 12 days post-infection. Electrophoresis of homogenates of radio-isotope labelled ovaries demonstrated that the majority of label was associated with vitellin sub-units. It is suggested that the decrease in vitellogenin sequestration associated with infection results in an increase in the haemolymph concentration of these proteins despite a concomitant reduction in their secretion by fat bodies. Both fat body synthesis and ovarian sequestration are under juvenile hormone control and it is proposed that metacestodes of H. diminuta may cause a reduction in the concentration of this hormone in the intermediate host.

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