scholarly journals A highly stable, non-digestible lectin from Pomacea diffusa unveils clade-related protection systems in apple snail eggs

2020 ◽  
Vol 223 (19) ◽  
pp. jeb231878
Author(s):  
Tabata R. Brola ◽  
Marcos S. Dreon ◽  
Jian-Wen Qiu ◽  
Horacio Heras
Keyword(s):  
Structural Stability ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Apple Snail ◽  
Glycosylation Pattern ◽  
Defensive Strategies ◽  
Species Survival ◽  
Protection Systems ◽  
Egg Protection ◽  
High Structural Stability

ABSTRACTThe acquisition of egg protection is vital for species survival. Poisonous eggs from Pomacea apple snails have defensive macromolecules for protection. Here we isolated and characterized a novel lectin called PdPV1 that is massively accumulated in the eggs of Pomacea diffusa and seems part of its protective cocktail. The native protein, an oligomer of ca 256 kDa, has high structural stability, withstanding 15 min boiling and denaturing by SDS. It resists in vitro proteinase digestion and displays structural stability between pH 2.0 and pH 12.0, and up to 85°C. These properties, as well as its subunit sequences, glycosylation pattern, presence of carotenoids, size and global shape resemble those of its orthologs from other Pomacea. Furthermore, like members of the canaliculata clade, PdPV1 is recovered unchanged in feces of mice ingesting it, supporting an anti-nutritive defensive function. PdPV1 also displays a strong hemagglutinating activity, specifically recognizing selected ganglioside motifs with high affinity. This activity is only shared with PsSC, a perivitelline from the same clade (bridgesii clade). As a whole, these results indicate that species in the genus Pomacea have diversified their egg defenses: those from the bridgesii clade are protected mostly by non-digestible lectins that lower the nutritional value of eggs, in contrast with protection by neurotoxins of other Pomacea clades, indicating that apple snail egg defensive strategies are clade specific. The harsh gastrointestinal environment of predators would have favored their appearance, extending by convergent evolution the presence of plant-like highly stable lectins, a strategy not reported in other animals.

scholarly journals A highly stable, nondigestible lectin from Pomacea diffusa unveils clade-related protection systems in apple snail eggs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
TR Brola ◽  
MS Dreon ◽  
JW Qiu ◽  
H Heras
Keyword(s):  
Structural Stability ◽  
Convergent Evolution ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Apple Snail ◽  
Glycosylation Pattern ◽  
Defensive Strategies ◽  
Species Survival ◽  
Egg Protection

AbstractThe acquisition of egg protection is vital for species survival. Poisonous eggs from Pomacea apple snails have defensive macromolecules for protection. Here we isolated and characterized a novel lectin called PdPV1 that is massively accumulated in the eggs of Pomacea diffusa and seems part of its protective cocktail. The native protein, an oligomer of ca. 256 kDa, has high structural stability, withstanding 15 min boiling and denaturing by sodium dodecyl sulphate. It resists in vitro proteinase digestion and displays structural stability between pH 2.0–12.0 and up to 85 °C. These properties, as well as its subunit sequences, glycosylation pattern, presence of carotenoids, size, and global shape resemble those of its orthologs from other Pomacea. Further, like members of the canaliculata clade, PdPV1 is recovered unchanged in faeces of mice ingesting it, supporting an antinutritive defensive function. PdPV1 also displays a strong hemagglutinating activity specifically recognizing selected ganglioside motifs with high affinity. This activity is only shared with PsSC, a perivitelline from the same clade (bridgesii clade). As a whole, these results indicate that species in the genus Pomacea have diversified their eggs defences: Those from the bridgesii clade are protected mostly by non-digestible lectins that lower the nutritional value of eggs, in contrast with protection by neurotoxins of other Pomacea clades, indicating apple snail egg defensive strategies are clade-specific. The harsh gastrointestinal environment of predators would have favoured their appearance, extending by convergent evolution the presence of plant-like highly stable lectins, a strategy not reported in other animals.Summary statementAnalysis of key snail egg proteins shows evolutionary defensive trends associated with the phylogenetic position, extending by convergent evolution the presence of plant-like defensive strategies not reported in other animals

scholarly journals Fermentation as a Tool to Revitalise Brewers’ Spent Grain and Elevate Techno-Functional Properties and Nutritional Value in High Fibre Bread

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1639
Author(s):  
Emma Neylon ◽  
Elke K. Arendt ◽  
Emanuele Zannini ◽  
Aylin W. Sahin
Keyword(s):  
Functional Properties ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Bread Quality ◽  
Wheat Bread ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Additional Processing ◽  
Spent Grain ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Recycling of by-products from the food industry has become a central part of research to help create a more sustainable future. Brewers’ spent grain is one of the main side-streams of the brewing industry, rich in protein and fibre. Its inclusion in bread, however, has been challenging and requires additional processing. Fermentation represents a promising tool to elevate ingredient functionality and improve bread quality. Wheat bread was fortified with spray-dried brewers’ spent grain (BSG) and fermented brewers’ spent grain (FBSG) at two addition levels to achieve “source of fibre” and “high in fibre” claims according to EU regulations. The impact of BSG and FBSG on bread dough, final bread quality and nutritional value was investigated and compared to baker’s flour (BF) and wholemeal flour (WMF) breads. The inclusion of BSG and FBSG resulted in a stronger and faster gluten development; reduced starch pasting capacity; and increased dough resistance/stiffness. However, fermentation improved bread characteristics resulting in increased specific volume, reduced crumb hardness and restricted microbial growth rate over time. Additionally, the inclusion of FBSG slowed the release in reducing sugars over time during in vitro starch digestion. Thus, fermentation of BSG can ameliorate bread techno-functional properties and improve nutritional quality of breads.

scholarly journals Buffalo sperm surface proteome profiling reveals an intricate relationship between innate immunity and reproduction

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vipul Batra ◽  
Vanya Bhushan ◽  
Syed Azmal Ali ◽  
Parul Sarwalia ◽  
Ankit Pal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Glycosylation Pattern ◽  
Sperm Surface ◽  
Beta Defensins ◽  
Surface Proteome ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Sperm Surface Proteins

Abstract Background Low conception rate (CR) despite insemination with morphologically normal spermatozoa is a common reproductive restraint that limits buffalo productivity. This accounts for a significant loss to the farmers and the dairy industry, especially in agriculture-based economies. The immune-related proteins on the sperm surface are known to regulate fertility by assisting the spermatozoa in their survival and performance in the female reproductive tract (FRT). Regardless of their importance, very few studies have specifically catalogued the buffalo sperm surface proteome. The study was designed to determine the identity of sperm surface proteins and to ascertain if the epididymal expressed beta-defensins (BDs), implicated in male fertility, are translated and applied onto buffalo sperm surface along with other immune-related proteins. Results The raw mass spectra data searched against an in-house generated proteome database from UniProt using Comet search engine identified more than 300 proteins on the ejaculated buffalo sperm surface which were bound either by non-covalent (ionic) interactions or by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. The singular enrichment analysis (SEA) revealed that most of these proteins were extracellular with varied binding activities and were involved in either immune or reproductive processes. Flow cytometry using six FITC-labelled lectins confirmed the prediction of glycosylation of these proteins. Several beta-defensins (BDs), the anti-microbial peptides including the BuBD-129 and 126 were also identified amongst other buffalo sperm surface proteins. The presence of these proteins was subsequently confirmed by RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence and in vitro fertilization (IVF) experiments. Conclusions The surface of the buffalo spermatozoa is heavily glycosylated because of the epididymal secreted (glyco) proteins like BDs and the GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs). The glycosylation pattern of buffalo sperm-surface, however, could be perturbed in the presence of elevated salt concentration or incubation with PI-PLC. The identification of numerous BDs on the sperm surface strengthens our hypothesis that the buffalo BDs (BuBDs) assist the spermatozoa either in their survival or in performance in the FRT. Our results suggest that BuBD-129 is a sperm-surface BD that could have a role in buffalo sperm function. Further studies elucidating its exact physiological function are required to better understand its role in the regulation of male fertility.

scholarly journals Preserving Porphyra umbilicalis and Saccharina latissima as Silages for Ruminant Feeding

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1957
Author(s):  
Margarita Novoa-Garrido ◽  
Carlos Navarro Marcos ◽  
María Dolores Carro Travieso ◽  
Eduarda Molina Alcaide ◽  
Mogens Larsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Saccharina Latissima ◽  
Porphyra Umbilicalis ◽  
In Vitro Gas Production ◽  
Ruminal Degradability ◽  
Kinetics Of

The study analyzed the characteristics, chemical composition, and in vitro gas production kinetics of Porphyra umbilicalis and Saccharina latissima silages. Each seaweed was ensiled in vacuum bags (three bags/silage) following a 2 × 3 factorial design, with two pre-treatments (unwilted or pre-wilted) and three silage types: unwashed seaweed ensiled without additive; seaweed washed and ensiled without additive; and seaweed washed and ensiled with 4 g of formic acid (FAC) per kg seaweed. Silages were kept for 3 months in darkness at 20 °C. Pre-wilting prevented (p < 0.001) effluent formation and reduced (p ≤ 0.038) the production of NH3-N and volatile fatty acids for both seaweeds. Both pre-wilting and washing increased (p < 0.05) the ruminal degradability of P. umbilicalis silages but not of S. latissima silages. The pH of the FAC-treated silages was below 4.0, but ranged from 4.54 to 6.23 in non FAC-treated silages. DL-lactate concentrations were low (≤23.0 g/kg dry matter) and acetate was the predominant fermentation product, indicating a non-lactic fermentation. The estimated ruminal degradability of the P. umbilicalis and S. latissima silages was as average, 59.9 and 86.1% of that for high-quality rye-grass silages, respectively, indicating a medium-low nutritional value of these seaweed silages for ruminants.

scholarly journals The Designer Antimicrobial Peptide A-hBD-2 Facilitates Skin Wound Healing by Stimulating Keratinocyte Migration and Proliferation

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 647-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bobin Mi ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
Yi Liu ◽  
Liangcong Hu ◽  
Yukun Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Wound Healing ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Structural Stability ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Skin Wound Healing ◽  
High Sodium

Background/Aims: Antimicrobial peptides are effective promoters of wound healing but are susceptible to degradation. In this study, we replaced the GIGDP unit on the N-terminal of the endogenous human antimicrobial peptide hBD-2 with APKAM to produce A-hBD-2 and analyzed the effect on wound healing both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The effects of A-hBD-2 and hBD-2 on cytotoxicity and proliferation in keratinocytes were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The structural stability and antimicrobial activity of hBD-2 and A-hBD-2 were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus. RNA and proteins levels were evaluated by real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. Cell migration was evaluated using a transwell assay. Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry. Wound healing was assessed in Sprague-Dawley rats. Epidermal thickness was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: We found that hBD-2 exhibited cytotoxicity at high concentrations and decreased the structural stability in the presence of high sodium chloride concentrations. A-hBD-2 exhibited increased structural stability and antimicrobial activity, and had lower cytotoxicity in keratinocytes. A-hBD-2 increased the migration and proliferation of keratinocytes via phosphorylation of EGFR and STAT3 and suppressed terminal differentiation of keratinocytes. We also found that A-hBD-2 elicited mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and stimulated keratinocytes to produce pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines via phospholipase C activation. Furthermore, A-hBD-2 promoted wound healing in vivo. Conclusion: Our data suggest that A-hBD-2 may be a promising candidate therapy for wound healing.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF FISH FLOUR: III. FURTHER STUDIES ON AVAILABILITY OF AMINO ACIDS

1963 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 1589-1594 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Chloride Content ◽  
In Vitro Digestion ◽  
Amino Acid Mixture ◽  
Acid Mixture ◽  
Deficient Diet ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Flour Sample

Weight gains of male weanling rats given fish flour sample X were significantly increased by addition to the diet of methionine, histidine, threonine, and tryptophan. When histidine or methionine were omitted from the amino acid mixture, weight gains were similar to those found with the unsupplemented flour, and the combination of methionine and histidine was as effective as the four amino acids. Supplements of histidine and methionine had no effect on weight gains of rats given fish flour sample CFF, which was of high nutritional value. Sample X contained methionine in an amount similar to that of sample CFF, and somewhat less histidine. The amounts of methionine and histidine released during in vitro digestion with pancreatin were much less for sample X than for sample CFF. Steaming sample X for 30 minutes significantly increased its gross protein value determined in a methionine-deficient diet, but had no effect on the total or organic chloride content. It was concluded that sample X contained unavailable methionine and histidine.

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