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Pharmacological effects of two cytolysins isolated from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus

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Abstract

Sticholysins I and II (St I/II) are cytolysins purified from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. In this study, we show their pharmacological action on guinea-pig and snail models in native and pH-denatured conditions in order to correlate the pharmacological findings with the pore-forming activity of both isoforms. In guinea-pig erythrocytes (N = 3), St II possessed higher haemolytic activity in comparison with St I and this activity was lost at an alkaline pH. In molluscan central neurons (N = 30), they irreversibly decreased the amplitude of the cholinergic response; St I (EC 50 0.6 µmolL−1) was more potent than St II (EC50 >6.6 µmolL−1) and they both increased the duration of the action potential; these effects were absent at an alkaline pH. In guinea-pig isolated atrium (N = 25), both increased the amplitude of the contraction force, but St II was more potent than St I (EC50 0.03 µmolL−1 and 0.3 µmolL−1, respectively) and this effect persisted at an alkaline pH. In summary, both cytolysins have neuroactive and cardioactive properties. The main mechanism in molluscan neurons seems to be associated with the cytolytic activity of these molecules, whereas in guinea-pig atrium, the existence of an additional pharmacological mechanism might be contributing to the observed effect.

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Abbreviations

AA:

arachidonic acid

Ach:

acetylcholine

AP:

action potential

EqTx:

equinatoxin

GABA:

gamma aminobutyric acid

HMg:

heteractis magnificalysin

PBS:

phosphate buffered saline

RBC:

red blood cell

RMP:

resting membrane potential

St I/II:

sticholysins I and II

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Bioproductos Marinos, Loma y 37, Plaza, CP, 10600, La Habana, Cuba

    T. García, A. Palmero, R. Menéndez & A. Garateix

  2. Centro de Estudios de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, 25 y J, Plaza, La Habana, Cuba

    D. Martinez, C. Soto, M. Tejuca, F. Pazos & C. Alvarez

Authors
  1. T. García
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  2. D. Martinez
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  3. A. Palmero
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  4. C. Soto
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  5. M. Tejuca
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  6. F. Pazos
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  7. R. Menéndez
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  8. C. Alvarez
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  9. A. Garateix
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Correspondence to T. García.

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García, T., Martinez, D., Palmero, A. et al. Pharmacological effects of two cytolysins isolated from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus . J Biosci 34, 891–898 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12038-009-0103-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12038-009-0103-6

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