Inhibitory effects of ammonia and urea on gill carbonic anhydrase enzyme activity of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The effects of ammonia and urea on branchial carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme which plays a key role in ionoregulation, osmoregulation and acid-base balance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were investigated. CA activity of the control group for ammonia and urea was determined as 1285.7 ± 67.9 and 1261.7 ± 60.8 EU/mg protein, respectively. The CA enzyme activities of the other groups were measured at 1, 2 and 3 h after ammonia and urea applications. The corresponding activities of ammonia were 774.9 ± 68.8, 732.1 ± 48.6 and 768.1 ± 59.5 EU/mg protein, respectively and that of urea were 769.3 ± 58.9, 638.2 ± 47.7 and 1108.1 ± 61.1 EU/mg protein, respectively. The differences between the initial CA activities for the controls was not significantly (P > 0.01). The CA activities were significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited both in ammonia and urea group. However, the ammonia inhibited more than urea since there was significant differences between final values of gill CA activities.     

The behavior of some chalcones on acetylcholinesterase and carbonic anhydrase activity

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) has a key role in respiration, carbon dioxide and bicarbonate transport. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a serine hydrolase and mostly abundant at neuromuscular junctions and cholinergic brain synapses. Inhibitors of these enzymes could aid in illuminating the role in disease processes. In this study, we separately purified CA I and CA II from human erythrocytes. The purity of the enzymes was showed by SDS-PAGE analysis. We also investigated the inhibition of seven chalcones toward hCA I, hCA II, and AChE. The chalcones were effective inhibitors of the cytosolic CA isoforms (hCA I and hCA II) and AChE with K_i values in the range of 1.83–7.05?μM for hCA I, 0.59–5.50?μM for hCA II, and 0.61–86.11?μM for AChE. All compounds were showed competitive inhibition aganist both enzymes. These compounds can be a potent inhibitor of AChE enzyme and both cytosolic CA isoenzymes which are commonly used in the pharmaceutical and medical industries.     

Radioactivity and heavy metal levels in hazelnut growing in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey

The Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey is one of the main hazelnut producers in Turkey and in the world. Since this region was contaminated by the Chernobyl accident in 1986, a comprehensive study was planned and carried out to determine the radioactivity level in hazelnut growing region. The dose due to consumption of hazelnut by the public was estimated and it was shown that this dose imposes no threat to human health. In addition, heavy metal analysis was performed in the samples and the amount of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb were also detected. The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metal are below the daily intake recommended by the international organizations.     

Purification and characterization of carbonic anhydrase from the teleost fish Dicentrarchus labrax (European seabass) liver and toxicological effects of metals on enzyme activity

Carbonic anhydrase (EC 4.2.1.1; CA) was purified and characterized from the liver of the teleost fish Dicentrarchus labrax (European seabass) for the first time. The purification procedure consisted of a single step affinity chromatography on Sepharose 4B-tyrosine-sulfanilamide. The enzyme was purified 78.8-fold with a yield of 46%, and a specific activity of 751.72U/mg proteins. It has an optimum pH at 7.5; an optimum temperature at 25°C; an optimum ionic strength at 10mM and a stable pH at 8.5. The kinetic parameters of this enzyme were determined for its esterase activity, with 4-nitrophenyl acetate (NPA) as substrate and the purified enzyme had an apparent K(M) and V(max) values of 0.44 mM and 0.249 μmolxmin(-1), respectively. The following metals, Al(+3), Cu(+2), Pb(+2), Co(+3), Ag(+1), Zn(+2) and Hg(+2) showed inhibitory effects on the enzyme. Al(+3) and Cu(+2) exhibited the strongest inhibitory action. Pb(+2) was moderate inhibitor, whereas other metals showed weaker actions. All tested metals inhibited the enzyme in a competitive manner. Our findings indicate that these metals inhibit the fish enzyme in a similar manner to other α-CAs from mammals investigated earlier, but the susceptibility to various metals differ between the fish and mammalian enzymes. Our results also demonstrate that these metals might be dangerous at low micromolar concentrations for fish CA enzymes.     

海洋链霉菌发酵纤溶酶的分离纯化和酶学性质研究

目的 从筛选的1株海洋链霉菌MY0504发酵液中,分离得到1种新型纤溶酶并对其部分酶学性质进行初步研究。方法 采用高速离心、盐析、Sephadex G-75 凝胶过滤层析对纤溶酶进行分离纯化;采用纤维蛋白平板法测定纤溶活性, SDS－PAGE 电泳测定分子量,小鼠急毒实验检测安全性,并考察温度、pH、金属离子和抑制剂对酶活性的影响。结果 从发酵液提取纤溶酶的纯化倍数为7.15倍,酶活力回收率为32%,其分子量约为14kD,安全无毒。该酶在47℃以下稳定,适宜pH为7.0~9.0,最适pH值为8.0,Cu₂₊对该纤溶酶抑制作用显著,Ca₂₊有一定的促进作用。Aprotinin 强烈抑制纤溶酶活性,PMSF(苯甲基磺酰氟)可以完全抑制该纤溶酶活性,初步推测该酶是1种丝氨酸蛋白酶。结论 从海洋链霉菌MY0504发酵液中获得1种小分子量纤溶酶,为开发新的溶栓剂提供了新的选择和理论依据。     

Toxicokinetics of tetrabromoethylcyclohexane (TBECH) in juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) and effects on plasma sex hormones

Technical 1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2 dibromoethyl)cyclohexane or tetrabromoethylcyclohexane (TBECH) used primarily as an additive flame retardant in polystyrene foams, contains two diastereoisomers, α- and β- present in equimolar amounts. At temperatures in excess of 125 °C, isomerization to two other isoforms, δ- and γ- is possible. The recent detection of TBECH in the environment and studies suggesting that isomers are androgenic prompted us to examine the toxicokinetics and biochemical effects of one of the isomers, β-, in a controlled laboratory environment. Juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) were exposed to three different amounts of the β-isomer (low, medium and high) via the food followed by a period in which they were exposed to unfortified food. A fourth group of fish was exposed to unfortified food for the duration of the experiment. On days 0, 7, 14, 21, 35, 49, 56, 63, 77, 91, 105, and 133, eight fish from each treatment group were euthanized and liver, plasma, lower jaw (i.e., thyroid tissue) and gonad were collected and the remaining tissue (‘whole-fish’) was retained. β-Isomer content was measured in whole-fish and in liver while estradiol (E2), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) and testosterone (T) were measured in plasma. Based on liver and gonad somatic indices, no apparent effects on liver or gonad development in fish from any of the treatment groups were observed. The bioaccumulation of β-isomer was similar in fish from all treatment groups with steady-state occurring before the end of the uptake phase. Depuration of the β-isomer from fish obeyed first order kinetics and there were no statistically significant differences in the depuration half life (t_1/2) among the treatment groups: 22.5 ± 10.4 (low), 13.5 ± 5.9 (med) and 13.8 ± 2.2 (high) days. Steady-state biomagnification factors were much smaller than 1 for fish in all treatment groups. Debrominated metabolites were not detected in composite liver or whole-fish extracts and there was no evidence of isomerization of the β-isomer to other isoforms in vivo. While there were occasional differences among treatment groups in circulating plasma E2, T and 11-KT levels there was no clear, temporal trend or dose-response.     

Antibacterial,antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activity capacities of Doronicum macrolepis (FREYN&SINT): An endemic plant from Turkey

In the present study, the antioxidant, enzyme inhibition (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and cholinesterase) and antimicrobial (MIC) activities of three different solvent (ethanol, methanol, or ethyl acetate) extracts of stem, root, and flower of Doronicum macrolepis plant were investigated. In addition to this, the chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil were determined. Antioxidant activity was detected using ABTS and DPPH assays. Antimicrobial activity evaluated by microdilution method against to nineteen microorganisms. Also, enzyme inhibition activities were determined by colorimetric methods. Essential oil of the plant extracted by hydrodistilation and characterized using GC/MS. The antioxidant properties of the flower were determined to be higher than those of the other segments of this plant. Moreover, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also found to be higher in the flower parts. The highest enzyme inhibition activity was observed to be α-amylase (221.54 mmol ACAE/g extract) in flower ethylacetate extract, α-glucosidase (15.32 mmol ACAE/g extract) in flower ethanol extract, and cholinesterase (AChE: 2.4 and BChE: 22.35 mg GALE/g extract) in stem ethylacetate extract. Besides them, the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was found to be higher than the extracts. It showed a high level of inhibition especially on E. coli at 4 µg/ml concentration. Moreover, remarkable inhibition was observed for two candida strains tested. In conclusion, the results suggest that, because of its bioactivity including the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme inhibition properties, the D. macrolepis can be accepted as a promising and natural source for the industrial applications. The present study is the first study, in which the bioactive components and the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme inhibition properties of endemic D. macrolepis plant were determined.     

The effects of cadmium on prolactin cell activity and plasma cortisol levels in the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Treatment of rainbow trout with cadmium by intraperitoneal injection (4.4 and 7.7 mg·kg⁻¹), exposure in tank water (0.5, 1 and 10 mg·l⁻¹) or incubation of trout pituitary glands in medium containing cadmium (50 mg·l⁻¹) had no consistent effect on prolactin cell activity. Exposure of trout to 0.05 and 0.1 mg·l⁻¹ of cadmium in the tank water produced time-dependent changes in plasma cortisol levels which may reflect the alarm, resistance and exhaustion stages in the response of the fish to the cadmium.     

白唇竹叶青蛇(Trimeresurus albolabris)毒降纤酶的分离纯化以及性质

目的从白唇竹叶青蛇(T.albolabris)毒中分离纯化无出血作用的降纤活性组分,探讨其理化性质及部分生物功能。方法用DEAE-SephadexA-25,SephadexG-100和CM-SephadexC-50三步色谱法进行分离纯化。SDS-PAGE和HPLC鉴定其纯度和相对分子质量,平板法测定其降纤活性。结果从白唇竹叶青蛇毒中分离纯化获得单一的降纤组分,能迅速水解纤维蛋白原或纤维蛋白原Aα链,缓慢水解Bβ链,而对γ链无作用,SDS-PAGE鉴定其相对分子质量为56000。EDTA能抑制其纤维蛋白原水解活性,而PMSF、β-巯基乙醇对其活性无影响,提示该组分为单链α金属蛋白酶。结论从白唇竹叶青蛇毒中分离纯化得到1种无出血作用且降纤活性强的新蛇毒降纤酶。     

Nitrite binding to cytochrome P-450 from liver microsomes of trout (Salmo gairdneri Rich.) and effects on two microsomal enzymes

Addition of nitrite to dithionite-reduced trout liver microsomes leads to the conversion of cytochrome P-450 into a cytochrome P-420-NO complex, as it does in mammalian microsomes. A loss in cytochrome P-450 and an inhibition of aminopyrine demethylase (AP) activity were observed in vitro at nitrite-concentrations found in the liver of trout exposed in vivo to this toxin. Nitrite had no effect on dimethylaniline monooxygenase (DMA), a cytochrome P-450-independent enzyme.     

广东眼镜蛇毒低分子量多肽的分离纯化与性质鉴定

目的从广东眼镜蛇粗毒中分离纯化出色谱纯的低分子量多肽并对其部分性质进行鉴定。方法采用化学沉淀法对蛇粗毒进行预处理,经Sephadex G-50凝胶过滤和UND Sphere S阳离子交换层析得到高纯度低分子量多肽,用SDS-PAGE及HPLC对产物纯度进行鉴定,并用SDS-PAGE和质谱法测定分子量,采用蛙心灌流法考察产物是否具有心脏毒性。结果结果表明,经分离纯化后得到两种低分子量多肽GI2和GI3,均为单一组分,可达到色谱纯,SDS-PAGE法测得GI2分子量为14 300 Da,质谱法测得GI3分子量为6 725.8 Da,仅GI2具有心脏毒性,收率分别为9.5%和10.1%。结论通过化学沉淀预处理,并经2次柱色谱可从广东眼镜蛇毒中分离得到两种色谱纯的低分子量多肽,且收率较高。     

The use of primary hepatocytes from brown trout (Salmo trutta lacustris) and the fish cell lines RTH-149 and ZF-L for in vitro screening of (anti)estrogenic activity of wood extractives.

Wood extractives are constituents of wood present in pulp and paper mill effluents, which may cause reproductive disturbances in fish. In the present study, we examined three cellular in vitro bioassays in order to assess (anti)estrogenic potencies of the wood extractives dehydroabietic acid (DHAA), isopimaric acid (IPA), betulinol (BET), hydroxymatairesinol (HMR), a phytosterol preparation (ULT), an oxidized phytosterol preparation (OX) and the model estrogen 17beta-estradiol (E2). The test systems used were primary hepatocyte cultures from brown trout and two piscine liver cell lines, RTH-149 and ZF-L. Estrogenicity was measured as vitellogenin (Vtg) secretion in cell culture medium. The primary hepatocytes cultures responded to E2 in a dose-dependent way. Vtg induction was inhibited with a simultaneous exposure to 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-HT) indicating an estrogen receptor mediated response. DHAA and ULT induced a weak statistically non-significant Vtg production, and weak additive effects were found in some combination treatments of wood extractives and E2. Additionally, a pulp mill effluent tested on primary hepatocytes induced Vtg production when exposed at a 1% dilution. The cell lines secreted negligible amounts of Vtg upon E2 stimulation, which was neither dose-dependent nor inhibited by 4-HT. In conclusion, trout primary hepatocytes could be useful for assessing (anti)estrogenic potencies of compounds, and the wood extractives and a pulp mill effluent showed only weak or no estrogenic activity in this model system.     

The adverse effects of selenomethionine on skeletal muscle,liver, and brain in the steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss (average weight: 22.3 g) were fed one of five selenomethionine diets (1.09, 8.79, 15.37, 30.79, or 61.58 mg Se/kg diet). After 4 weeks, hepatic catalase activity over 15.37 mg Se/kg diets was significantly decreased, and the glutathione peroxidase activity over 30.79 mg Se/kg diets was elevated compared to the controls. In the brain, the dopamine levels at 61.58 mg Se/kg diet and the serotonin levels over 15.37 mg Se/kg diets were significantly increased, whereas the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, and dopamine turnover, and the 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and serotonin turnover over 30.79 mg Se/kg diets were decreased. In muscle, the 3-nitrotyrosine level over 15.37 mg Se/kg diets, acetylcholine esterase activity over 30.79 mg Se/kg diets, and histological alterations over 8.79 mg Se/kg diets were increased. Our current results showed that selenomethionine disrupted dopamine and serotonin metabolism in the brain and damaged the neuromuscular system in skeletal muscle.     

Purification and characterization of a serine protease (CPM-2) with fibrinolytic activity from the dung beetles

Catharsius protease-2 (CPM-2) was isolated from the body of dung beetles, Catharsius molossus, using a three step purification process (ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-60, and affinity chromatography on DEAE Affi-Gel blue). The purified CPM-2, having a molecular weight of 24 kDa, was assessed homogeneously by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of CPM-2 was composed of X Val Gln Asp Phe Val Glu Glu Ile Leu. CPM-2 was inactivated by Cu2+ and Zn2+ and strongly inhibited by typical serine proteinase inhibitors such as TLCK, soybean trypsin inhibitor, aprotinin, benzamidine, and alpha1-antitrypsin. However, EDTA, EGTA, cysteine, beta-mercaptoethanol, E64, and elastatinal had little effect on enzyme activity. In addition, antiplasmin and antithrombin III were not sensitive to CPM-2. Based on the results of a fibrinolytic activity test, CPM-2 readily cleaved Aalpha- and Bbeta-chains of fibrinogen and fibrin, and gamma-chain of fibrinogen more slowly. The nonspecific action of the enzyme resulted in extensive hydrolysis, releasing a variety of fibrinopeptides of fibrinogen and fibrin. Polyclonal antibodies of CPM-2 were reactive to the native form of antigen. The ELISA was applied to detect quantities, in nanograms, of the antigen in CPM-2 protein.     

The influence of some complexing agents (EDTA and citrate) on the uptake of cadmium in perfused rainbow trout gills

The cadmium transfer through and the retention of metal in perfused gills from rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) has been studied in the presence of two Cd-complexing agents, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and citrate.The transfer and retention of Cd in the presence of EDTA was almost a function of the ambient free Cd²⁺ activity. The transfer of the free Cd ion was about 1000 times higher than of the Cd-EDTA complex. The Cd-EDTA complex was to some extent retained in perfused tissue.The transfer of Cd in the presence of citrate was markedly greater than expected on the basis of the free Cd²⁺ activity. The tissue retention of Cd was not affected by the presence of citrate.It is concluded that Cd uptake in fish gills in the presence of complexing agents is not simply a function of complexed versus free metal. The uptake is also profoundly dependent on the type of complexing agent present.     

Purification and partial characterization of the phospholipase A2 and co-lytic factor from sea anemone (Aiptasia pallida) nematocyst venom.

Functional nematocysts of one specific morphological class, the penetrant microbasic mastigophores, were isolated from the sea anemone, Aiptasia pallida. These nematocysts contain a multicomponent venom composed of several proteins, including those with neurotoxic, hemolytic, and lethal activities. Hemolytic activity is produced by at least three synergistic venom proteins. One of these proteins is identified as a phospholipase A₂ (EC 3.1.1.4) which exists in two isozymic forms, and β, with molecular weights of 45,000 and 43,000, respectively. The β isozyme has been purified to homogeneity. It is a single-chained glycoprotein with an isoelectric point (pI) of 8.8 and represents 70% of the phospholipase activity of the venom. The activity of the β isozyme is relatively labile and is inactivated by 3.5 M urea or by heating at 45°C. It is most stable at pH 4.0 and loses 50% of its activity at pH values below 3.5 and above 8.0. A second venom protein has also been purified. It is essential for the hemolytic activity of the venom and is termed co-lytic factor (CLF). It is a monomeric glycoprotein having a pI of 4.5. CLF has a molecular weight of approximately 98,000, a sedimentation coefficient of 4.8 S, and is prolate in shape, having a frictional ratio of about 1.6. CLF constitutes about 1.25% of the total venom protein and is assayed by reversing fatty acid inhibition of the venom hemolysis activity.     

Purification and characterization of a thrombin like enzyme, elegaxobin II, with lys-bradykinin releasing activity from the venom of Trimeresurus elegans (Sakishima-Habu).

A thrombin like enzyme, named elegaxobin II, with Lys-bradykinin releasing activity was purified from the venom of Trimeresurus elegans (Sakishima-habu) by gel-filtration on Sephadex G-100, and ion-exchange chromatography on the Q-Sepharose Fast Flow. By this procedure, about 9mg of purified enzyme was obtained from 1.1g of the venom. The purified enzyme showed a single protein band, the molecular weight of which was estimated to be about 35,000Da by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE) under reducing condition, and this enzyme was found to contain a carbohydrate moiety. The specific activity of this enzyme toward tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME) was 250 TAME units/mg of protein. This enzyme clotted only rabbit fibrinogen, whereas human and bovine fibrinogens were unaffected. In the fibrinogen-fibrin conversion, this enzyme released only fibrinopeptide A from rabbit fibrinogen, whereas it did not release fibrinopeptide B. Furthermore, elegaxobin II released Lys-bradykinin when the enzyme was incubated with bovine plasma. The esterase activity was inhibited by p-amidinophenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride (p-APMSF), suggesting that this enzyme is a serine protease. The N-terminal sequence (Val-Ile-Gly-Gly) of this enzyme was identical to the typical sequence of serine proteinases.     

The effects of elutriates from PAH and heavy metal polluted sediments on Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg) embryogenesis,larval growth and bio-accumulation by the larvae of pollutants from sedimentary origin

The release, bio-availability and toxicity of contaminants, when sediments are resuspended have been examined, studying concurrently their effects on the embryogenesis and on the larval growth of the Crassostrea gigas larvae and their bio-accumulation in those organisms. Three characteristic sediments have been selected (one contaminated by PAHs, a second by heavy metals and the last by the both pollutants). The organisms were directly exposed to elutriates obtained from each sediment or fed on algae (Isochrysis galbana) contaminated with the same elutriates. The elutriates used in this study show contamination levels similar to those observed in some polluted coastal and estuary environments. The larval growth test has appeared to be more sensitive that the embryotoxicity test. The biological effects and the contaminant bio-accumulation were more pronounced when larvae were directly exposed to different elutriates. In the case of PAHs, the contamination of algae was sufficient to lead to effect on the larval growth of the Crassostrea gigas. In all cases, a fraction of contaminants adsorbed on suspended particles was bio-available and accumulated by the larvae. This study has shown that resuspending polluted sediments constitutes a threat to pelagic organisms and than the C. gigas larval growth may be proposed as a test to protect the most sensitive areas.     

Purification and partial characterization of the phospholipase A2 and co-lytic factor from sea anemone (Aiptasia pallida) nematocyst venom

Functional nematocysts of one specific morphological class, the penetrant microbasic mastigophores, were isolated from the sea anemone, Aiptasia pallida. These nematocysts contain a multicomponent venom composed of several proteins, including those with neurotoxic, hemolytic, and lethal activities. Hemolytic activity is produced by at least three synergistic venom proteins. One of these proteins is identified as a phospholipase A₂ (EC 3.1.1.4) which exists in two isozymic forms, α and β, with molecular weights of 45,000 and 43,000, respectively. The β isozyme has been purified to homogeneity. It is a single-chained glycoprotein with an isoelectric point (pI) of 8.8 and represents 70% of the phospholipase activity of the venom. The activity of the β isozyme is relatively labile and is inactivated by 3.5 M urea or by heating at 45°C. It is most stable at pH 4.0 and loses 50% of its activity at pH values below 3.5 and above 8.0. A second venom protein has also been purified. It is essential for the hemolytic activity of the venom and is termed co-lytic factor (CLF). It is a monomeric glycoprotein having a pI of 4.5. CLF has a molecular weight of approximately 98,000, a sedimentation coefficient of 4.8 S, and is prolate in shape, having a frictional ratio of about 1.6. CLF constitutes about 1.25% of the total venom protein and is assayed by reversing fatty acid inhibition of the venom hemolysis activity.