![]() ![]() Metal ion interaction studies using NMR spectroscopy showed that acrorhagin I bound zinc and nickel, suggesting that its function might be modulated by metal ions or that it may be involved in regulating metal ion levels and their transport. Acrorhagin I was not active against any of the ion channels tested and showed no activity in functional assays, indicating that this peptide may possess a different biological function. The recombinant peptide was tested in patch–clamp electrophysiology assays against voltage-gated potassium and sodium channels, and in bacterial and fungal growth inhibitory assays and haemolytic assays. Structurally, acrorhagin I is similar to B–IV toxin from the marine worm Cerebratulus lacteus (PDB id 1VIB), with a well–defined helical hairpin structure stabilised by four intramolecular disulfide bonds. In this work, an Escherichia coli (BL21 strain) expression system was established for the preparation of ¹☼,¹⁵N–labelled acrorhagin I, and the solution structure was determined using NMR spectroscopy. Previous studies (Toxicon 2005, 46:768-74) found that the peptide is toxic in crabs, although the structural and functional properties of acrorhagin I have not been reported. The suggested polyploid nature of this species coupled with the deficiency in meiotic toolkit genes, indicates that further field and laboratory studies of this species is warranted to understand how this species reproduces and what role ploidy may play in speciation within this speciose genus.Īcrorhagin I (U-AITX-Aeq5a) is a disulfide–rich peptide identified in the aggressive organs (acrorhagi) of the sea anemone Actinia equina. Additionally, Smudgeplot analysis, coupled with high haplotype diversity, indicates this genome assembly to be of ambiguous ploidy, suggesting that A. equina genome appears not to have this full complement. ![]() To gain further insight, we examined the genome for evidence of a ‘meiotic toolkit’ – genes believed to be found consistently in sexually reproducing organisms – and demonstrate that the A. equina reproduces solely asexually, since no reliable, consistent evidence of sexual reproduction has been found. High-quality genome assembly (contig N50 = 492,607 bp, 1485 contigs, number of protein coding genes = 47,671, 97% BUSCO completeness). equina population genetics and systematics, we sequenced (PacBio Sequel) the genome of a single A. equina may hide still unrecognised species diversity. Previous studies of distribution, aggression, allozymes and mitochondrial DNA suggest that the diversity in form and colour within A. Once considered a single, morphologically variable species across northern Europe, it is now recognised as one member of a variable species complex. The beadlet anemone Actinia equina (L.) (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Actiniaria: Actiniidae) is one of the most familiar organisms of the North European intertidal zone.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |