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Potent cellulase activity in the hepatopancreas of mangrove crabs

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  • Chemistry and Biochemistry
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Abstract

Mangrove crabs play a crucial role in the carbon cycle in forests by consuming large amounts of mangrove litter, which is mainly composed of cellulose. However, the detailed mechanism of cellulose digestion remains to be elucidated. We tested endogenous hepatopancreatic cellulase activity in eight species of crabs, including three mangrove sesarmid crabs (Episesarma versicolor, Perisesarma indiarum, and Episesarma palawanense) native to Thailand. Endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity was significantly higher in the enzyme extract from mangrove crabs than in that from Japanese marsh crabs. A β-glucosidase assay revealed particularly high endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity for E. versicolor, whereas little activity was observed for the Japanese marsh crabs. In a zymogram analysis for endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity, endo-β-1,4-glucanase had a similar molecular mass (30.7–33.1 kDa) among the mangrove crabs, whereas various sizes (44.3–84.8 kDa) were found in Japanese crabs depending on the species. These results suggest that mangrove crabs efficiently digest cellulose endogenously.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Aquatic Product Utilization, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kochi University, Monobeotsu 200, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8502, Japan

    Kohsuke Adachi, Kentaro Toriyama, Tamaki Azekura, Katsuji Morioka & Kou Ikejima

  2. Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Amphur Sikao, Trang, 92150, Thailand

    Prasert Tongnunui

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  1. Kohsuke Adachi
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  2. Kentaro Toriyama
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  3. Tamaki Azekura
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  4. Katsuji Morioka
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  5. Prasert Tongnunui
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  6. Kou Ikejima
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Correspondence to Kohsuke Adachi.

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Adachi, K., Toriyama, K., Azekura, T. et al. Potent cellulase activity in the hepatopancreas of mangrove crabs. Fish Sci 78, 1309–1314 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-012-0547-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-012-0547-8

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