| yolk protein in leech. identification, purification and characterization of vitellin and vitellogenin. | theromyzon tessulatum vitellin was identified as a lipoglycoprotein of 490 kda. the insolubility of this molecule in low-ionic-strength media was used to extract it from the ovaries. antiserum prepared against vitellin was shown to react with a coelomic fluid component of 520 kda. this vitellin precursor, or vitellogenin, was purified by gel permeation and ion-exchange column chromatography. these two lipoglycoproteins were characterized by amino acid, carbohydrate and lipid analysis and subunit ... | 1991 | 1915363 |
| the cleavage pattern in the leech theromyzon tessulatum (hirudinea, glossiphoniidae). | in order to evaluate the differences in the cleavage patterns of the glossiphoniid leeches glossiphonia complanata and theromyzon tessulatum, previously studied by müller ('32) and schmidt ('17, '41), the cleavage of theromyzon tessulatum was reexamined. for the period of the first 29 hours of development embryos were observed, photographed, and serially sectioned for light microscopy at each developmental stage. the exact cell lineage until completion of teloblast formation is reported. besides ... | 1988 | 3385778 |
| letters to the editor: toxoplasma infection in leeches (theromyzon tessulatum). | | 1974 | 4439471 |
| biochemical evidence of angiotensin ii-like peptides and proteins in the brain of the rhynchobdellid leech theromyzon tessulatum. | the peptides contained in neurons localized in the brain of the leech theromyzon tessulatum (hirudinae, rhynchobdellida) and showing an immunopositive reaction with an antibody directed against angiotensin ii (aii), were purified by reversed-phase hplc. three aii-like peptides (p1, p2 and p3) which exhibited the same retention times and chromatographic behaviors as synthetic avii (fragment 6-8 of aii), aiv (fragment 3-8 of aii) and aii, respectively, were resolved in brain extracts. an identific ... | 1993 | 7510576 |
| isolation of a neuropeptide-degrading endopeptidase from the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | extracts of head parts prepared from the leech theromyzon tessulatum hydrolyse the gly3-phe4 bond of synthetic [d-ala2, leu5]enkephalin and the gly-his bond of benzoyl-gly-his-leu. the metabolism of benzoyl-gly-his-leu was completely inhibited by captopril, consistent with an angiotensin-converting enzyme activity. such an enzyme has recently been isolated from t. tessulatum. however, the enkephalin hydrolysis by captopril (100 microm) was inhibited to a maximum of 70%. the residual activity hyd ... | 1995 | 7588745 |
| isolation and structural characterization of enkephalins in the brain of the rhynchobdellid leech theromyzon tessulatum. | this paper reports the purification of four peptides related to enkephalins from the brain of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. after reverse-phase hplc purification, the sequence of the enkephalins (yggfm, yggfl, fm, fl) was established by a combination of automated edman degradation, electrospray mass spectrometry measurement, and co-elution experiments in reverse-phase hplc with synthetic peptides. elisa titrations performed on each purified peptide indicated that the major amount was borne by ... | 1995 | 7805888 |
| isolation and structural characterization of a novel peptide related to gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone from the brain of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | this paper reports the purification of a novel pro-opiomelanocortin derivative peptide (a gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone-like (gamma-msh-like) molecule) from the brain of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. after reverse-phase hplc purification, the sequence of the gamma-msh-like peptide (yvmghfrwdkfamide) was established by a combination of automated edman degradation, electrospray mass spectrometry measurement, enzymatic treatment and co-elution experiments in reverse-phase hplc with synthe ... | 1994 | 8026574 |
| a comparison of the n-terminal sequence of the leech theromyzon tessulatum angiotensin converting-like enzyme with forms of vertebrate angiotensin converting enzymes. | this paper reports the purification of an angiotensing-converting like enzyme (ace) of ca. 120 kda from extracts of head membranes of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. after solubilization with triton x-114, the ace-like enzyme contained in the detergent-poor fraction was separated using five steps of purification including gel permeation and anion exchange chromatographies followed by reverse-phase hplc. the first 23 amino acid residues of the n-terminal part (gldpelspgcfsadeagaqlfae) of the pur ... | 1995 | 8570098 |
| isolation of a renin-like enzyme from the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | this article reports the purification of a renin-like enzyme (an aspartyl protease) from head parts of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. after four steps of purification including gel permeation and anion exchange chromatographies followed by reversed-phase hplc, this enzyme was purified to homogeneity. the renin-like enzyme (of 32 kda) hydrolyses at neutral ph and at 37 degrees c, the leu10-leu11 bond of synthetic porcine angiotensinogen tetradecapeptide yielding the angiotensin i and the leu11- ... | 1995 | 8745043 |
| biochemical properties of the angiotensin-converting-like enzyme from the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | this article reports the evidence and the biochemical properties of an angiotensin-converting (ace)-like enzyme from head parts of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. after solubilization from membranes with triton x-114, the ace-like enzyme was purified from the detergent-poor fraction. four steps of purification including gel permeation and anion exchange chromatographies followed by a reversed-phase hplc were needed. this poor glycosylated peptidyl dipeptidase (of ca. 120 kda) hydrolyzes, at ph ... | 1996 | 8844761 |
| prodynorphin in invertebrates. | we have characterized a prodynorphin-like molecule in an invertebrate, specifically in the rhynchobdellid leech theromyzon tessulatum. the 14270 da protein was purified by gel permeation chromatography, anti-leucine-enkephalin-affinity column separation followed by reverse-phase hplc. its complete characterization was performed by edman degradation, enzymatic treatments, and matrix assisted laser-desorption time of flight mass spectrometry. this 119 amino-acid protein exhibits 28.8% sequence ide ... | 1997 | 9450676 |
| amino acid sequence determination and biological activity of therin, a naturally occuring specific trypsin inhibitor from the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | we purified a trypsin inhibitor, designated therin, from the rhynchobdellid leech theromyzon tessulatum. therin was purified to apparent homogeneity by gel-permeation and anion-exchange chromatography followed by reverse-phase hplc. by a combination of reduction and s-beta-pyridylethylation, edman degradation and electrospray mass spectrometry measurement, the complete sequence of therin (48 amino acid residues; m/z, 5376.35 +/- 0.22 da) was determined. therin exhibits an approximately 30% seque ... | 1998 | 9688267 |
| plgamide characterization and role in osmoregulation in leech brain. | neurons immunoreactive to an antiserum specifically directed against the prolyl-leucyl-glycinamide peptide (plgamide: melanocyte inhibiting factor: mif) were detected in the brain of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. radioimmunoassay titrations of the plgamide-like material at different physiological stages of the life cycle indicated a maximal amount at stage 3b, which is correlated to phase of both maximal water uptake and coelomic vitellogenin accumulation. in vivo experiments demonstrate that ... | 2000 | 10719226 |
| leech immunocytes contain proopiomelanocortin: nitric oxide mediates hemolymph proopiomelanocortin processing. | this report establishes the presence of mammalian-like proopiomelanocotropic hormone (pomc), and six of its peptides, including adrenocorticotropic hormone (acth) and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (msh), in the immune tissues of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. the 25.4-kda protein was purified by high pressure gel permeation chromatography, anti-acth-affinity column, and reverse-phase hplc. its characterization was performed by edman degradation, enzymatic treatments, and electrospray mass spe ... | 1997 | 9548480 |
| amino-acid-sequence determination and biological activity of cytin, a naturally occurring specific chymotrypsin inhibitor from the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | we purified a chymotrypsin inhibitor, designated cytin, from the rhynchobdellid leech theromyzon tessulatum. this 7.4-kda peptide was purified to apparent homogeneity by gel-permeation and anion-exchange chromatographies, followed by reverse-phase hplc. the structure of cytin was determined by reduction, s-beta-pyridilethylation, automated edman degradation, and electrospray mass spectrometry. cytin is formed by the association of two protein chains, which are linked by a disulfide bridge. chain ... | 1997 | 9395320 |
| biochemical identification and ganglionic localization of leech angiotensin-converting enzymes. | we demonstrate the presence of a membrane and soluble form of leech theromyzon tessulatum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ace). four steps in the purification of this enzyme include gel-permeation, captopril-sepharose affinity and anion-exchange chromatography followed by a reverse-phase hplc. the peptidyl dipeptidases (of approximately 120 and approximately 100 kda) are glycosylated enzymes hydrolysing the phe8-his9 bond of angiotensin i, exhibiting the same specific activity and km whereas the ... | 1997 | 9387882 |
| leech egg-laying-like hormone: structure, neuronal distribution and phylogeny. | cells immunoreactive to antisera specifically directed against lymnaea stagnalis caudo dorsal cells egg-laying hormone (cdch) or against alpha- and beta-peptides (cdcp), encoded on the egg-laying hormone precursor, were detected in central nervous system (cns) of the rhynchobdellid leech theromyzon tessulatum. a co-localization of the cdc-like hormone and cdc-like peptides was found in t. tessulatum as in l. stagnalis cns. approximately 45 immunoreactive cells to the anti-cdch were detected in l ... | 1997 | 9387880 |
| invertebrate proenkephalin: delta opioid binding sites in leech ganglia and immunocytes. | the leech theromyzon tessulatum and the marine mussel mytilus edulis immunocytes contain a mammalian-like proenkephalin molecule. the opioid precursor was purified by gel permeation chromatography, anti-met- and leu-enkephalin-affinity column separation and then by reversed-phase hplc. the amino acid sequence analysis, determined by edman degradation, enzymatic treatments and matrix assisted laser desorption time of flight. the structure of the leech proenkephalin material demonstrates considera ... | 1997 | 9369319 |
| a renin-like enzyme in the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | we report on the biochemical isolation and characterization of a 32 kda aspartyl protease from the leech theromyzon tessulatum. following a three step purification (gel permeation chromatography, pepstatin a-sepharose affinity column separation followed by reversed-phase hplc) a renin-like enzyme was purified to homogeneity. the first 124 amino acid residues of the n-terminal part of the purified s-pyridylethylated leech renin exhibits a 26.5-35.5% sequence identity with that of mammals. the 20- ... | 1997 | 9256358 |
| identification and characterization of the leech cns cannabinoid receptor: coupling to nitric oxide release. | the present study demonstrates that stereoselective binding sites for anandamide, a naturally occurring cannabinoid substance, can be found in leech (theromyzon tessulatum and hirudo medicinalis) central nervous system. the anandamide binding site is monophasic and of high affinity exhibiting a kd of approximately 32 nm with a bmax of 550 fmol/mg protein in both animals. these sites are highly select as demonstrated by the inability of other types of signaling molecules to displace [3h]anandamid ... | 1997 | 9125406 |
| structural characterization of osmoregulator peptides from the brain of the leech theromyzon tessulatum: ipepyvwd and ipepyvwd-amide. | neurons immunoreactive to an antiserum (a-ot) directed specifically against the c-terminal part (prolyl-leucyl-glycinamide) of vertebrate oxytocin (ot) were detected in the brain of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. with high pressure gel permeation chromatography followed by reversed-phase hplc on brain extracts, evidence was given of the presence of three peptides (p1, p2, p3) immunoreactive to a-ot. results of injection experiments in t. tessulatum and of titrations of each peptide at the diff ... | 1996 | 9037546 |
| transcriptomic analysis in the leech theromyzon tessulatum: involvement of cystatin b in innate immunity. | at the present time, there is little information on mechanisms of innate immunity in invertebrate groups other than insects, especially annelids. in the present study, we have performed a transcriptomic study of the immune response in the leech theromyzon tessulatum after bacterial challenge, by a combination of differential display rt (reverse transcriptase)-pcr and cdna microarrays. the results show relevant modulations concerning several known and unknown genes. indeed, threonine deaminase, m ... | 2004 | 15089746 |
| metabolism of enkephalins in head membranes of the leech theromyzon tessulatum by peptidases: isolation of an enkephalin-degrading aminopeptidase. | metabolism of leucine and methionine enkephalins by enzyme preparations from head parts of the leech theromyzon tessulatum was investigated. leech homogenate degraded enkephalins by cleavage of the tyr1-gly2 and gly3-phe4 bonds. the tyr1-gly2-gly3 was detected as a major metabolite when amastatin (aminopeptidase inhibitor) was present to prevent tyr1-gly2 breakdown. around 50% of enkephalin-degrading activity was isolated in a 20000 x g membrane fraction and was shown to be almost entirely due t ... | 1996 | 8884979 |
| characterization of the first non-insect invertebrate functional angiotensin-converting enzyme (ace): leech ttace resembles the n-domain of mammalian ace. | angiotensin-converting enzyme (ace) is a zinc metallopeptidase that plays a major role in blood homoeostasis and reproduction in mammals. in vertebrates, both transmembrane and soluble ace, containing one or two homologous active sites, have been characterized. so far, several aces from invertebrates have been cloned, but only in insects. they are soluble and display a single active site. using biochemical procedures, an ace-like activity was detected in our model, the leech, theromyzon tessulat ... | 2004 | 15175004 |
| cloning, expression and pharmacological characterization of a vasopressin-related receptor in an annelid, the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | in annelids, it has been established that arginine-vasopressin (avp)/oxytocin (ot) superfamily peptides are involved in the maintenance of water and electrolyte homeostasis as well as reproduction. at present, there is little information on their receptors. in this study, we report the characterization of a 1.7 kb cdna for an avp-related receptor from the leech theromyzon tessulatum. the open reading frame encodes a 435-aminoacid transmembrane protein that displays seven segments of hydrophobic ... | 2005 | 15642804 |
| biochemical evidence of the sodium influx stimulating related peptide in the brain of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | this paper reports the immunocytochemical and biochemical evidence of a sodium influx stimulating related peptide (sis-like peptide) in the brain of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. cells immunoreactive to both polyclonal antisera raised against the n-terminal (fragment 10-19) or the c-terminal (fragment 67-76) sequences of the purified freshwater snail lymnaea stagnalis sodium influx stimulating peptide (sisp) was detected in the brain of this leech. these immunocytochemical data were strengthe ... | 1996 | 8873139 |
| purification, sequence analysis, and cellular localization of a prodynorphin-derived peptide related to the alpha-neo-endorphin in the rhynchobdellid leech theromyzon tessulatum. | cells immunoreactive to an antiserum specifically directed against vertebrate alpha-neo-endorphin (alpha-ne) were detected in the internal wall of anterior and posterior suckers of the rhynchobdellid leech theromyzon tessulatum. these cells have morphological and ultrastructural characteristics close to the "releasing gland cells" of adhesive organs. the epitope recognized by anti-alpha-ne was contained in granules having a diameter of 0.2-0.3 microm. previous works involving the brain of this l ... | 1996 | 8662671 |
| metabolism of angiotensins by head membranes of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | angiotensins (angiotensin i, angiotensin ii, angiotensin ii-amide) have been isolated in leeches and such peptides are involved in diuresis in these animals. to explore possible inactivation mechanisms of these peptides, angiotensins were incubated with head membranes of the leech t. tessulatum. membranes derived from head parts of this leech are very rich in peptidases. they contain endopeptidase-24.11-like enzyme (nep-like) associated with a battery of exopeptidase. the way that angiotensins a ... | 1996 | 8612806 |
| oxytocin-like peptide: a novel epitope colocalized with the fmrfamide-like peptide in the supernumerary neurons of the sex segmental ganglia of leeches--morphological and biochemical characterization; putative anti-diuretic function. | a large number of oxytocin (ot)-like neurons were detected in the sex segmental ganglia (sg5, sg6) of three species of leeches belonging to different orders: theromyzon tessulatum, hirudo medicinalis and erpobdella octoculata. in this latter species, an epitope close to the vertebrate ot by its c-terminal part (msh release inhibiting factor: mif), localized in granules of a size diameter of ca 120 nm and colocalized with fmrfamide(fmrfa)-like material was demonstrated. with reverse phase-high pe ... | 1993 | 7679306 |
| a comparison of the leech theromyzon tessulatum angiotensin i-like molecule with forms of vertebrate angiotensinogens: a hormonal system conserved in the course of evolution. | after five steps of purification including gel permeation, anti-angiotensin i affinity column chromatography followed by reverse-phase hplc, a peptide immunoreactive to two different antisera (anti-angiotensin ii and anti-angiotensin i) was purified to homogeneity from extracts of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. the first 14 amino acid residues of the purified peptide (drvyihpfhllxwg) established by automated edman degradation, reveal the existence in leeches of an angiotensin i-like molecule c ... | 1995 | 7637887 |
| [osmoregulation in hirudinea rhynchobdellida theromyzon tessulatum (o.f.m.). experimental localization of the secretory zone of a regulation factor of water balance]. | the body water content of theromyzon tessulatum changes considerably during the life cycle. water content is low and undergoes little change during the first stages, but it strongly and regularly increases during the last stage prior to reproduction. it is controlled by a water balance factor (frbh) released by the brain. with selective removals of nervous follicles, the site of production of this hormone has been localized in the posterior paramedial follicles (follicles 4). | 1983 | 6840528 |
| [evidence of apparent vasopressin and oxytocin peptides in the brain of the leech rhynchobdelle theromyzon tessulatum (o.f.m.)]. | vasopressin- and oxytocin-immunoreactive cells have been demonstrated in the brain of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. a mapping of their localization in the different compartments of the brain has been undertaken. the cells immunohistochemically identified have been compared to previously described cell types defined by classical staining methods for neurosecretory material. preliminary results obtained with high performance liquid chromatography confirm the presence in brain homogenates of sub ... | 1986 | 3557074 |
| leech-derived thrombin inhibitors: from structures to mechanisms to clinical applications. | | 2010 | 20155915 |
| cloning and expression of cdna encoding a cysteine protease inhibitor from clamworm and its possible use in managing anoplophora glabripennis motschulsky (coleoptera: cerambycidae). | a cdna encoding cysteine protease inhibitor (cpi) was isolated from the cdna library of clamworm perinereis aibuhitensis grube. the deduced amino acid sequence analysis showed that the protein had 51%, 48%, and 48% identity with zgc:153129 from danio rerio, cystatin b from theromyzon tessulatum and chaina, stefin b tetramer from homo sapiens, respectively. the gene was cloned into the intracellular expression vector pet-15b and expressed in escherichia coli. the recombinant cpi (pa-cpi) was puri ... | 2010 | 20798590 |
| [characterization of immunoreactive neurons in the central nervous system of the leech theromyzon tessulatum using monoclonal antibodies]. | two mouse hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies tt9 and tt 159 directed against antigens of supraesophageal ganglia of the leech t. tessulatum were selected to study the neuroendocrine control of osmoregulation in this species. one, tt 159 reacted with an antigenic determinant of cells recognized by an anti-angiotensin antibody, the other, tt 9, with neurons immunoreactive to the anti-vasopressin. | 1987 | 3119164 |
| experimental observations on the specificity of apatemon (australapatemon) minor (yamaguti 1933) (digenea: strigeidae) toward leech (hirudinea) second intermediate hosts. | the infectivity of apatemon (australapatemon) minor cercariae to 7 species of freshwater leech was examined under laboratory conditions. the leech species exposed to infection were; erpobdella octoculata, helobdella stagnalis, glossiphonia heteroclita, glossiphonia complanata, hemiclepsis marginata, piscicola geometra, and theromyzon tessulatum. five species were capable of acting as second intermediate hosts. despite this broad specificity only erpobdella octoculata and helobdella stagnalis cou ... | 1990 | 2387976 |
| ovohemerythrin, a major 14-kda yolk protein distinct from vitellogenin in leech. | a 14-kda protein was identified as a major component of mature oocytes of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. this protein was, like vitellin, detected in the content of yolk granules and was purified by gel-permeation and ion-exchange chromatography. the yolk protein corresponded to an iron-binding protein which exists in a monomeric unglycosylated form and had no similarities to vitellin. however, a strong resemblance between this protein and sipunculid hemerythrin, a non-heme iron-binding protei ... | 1992 | 1425663 |
| evidence for angiotensin-like molecules in the central nervous system of the leech theromyzon tessulatum (o.f.m.). a possible diuretic effect. | 1. cells in the central nervous system of the leech theromyzon tessulatum were revealed with an antiserum against angiotensin ii. among these cells, a group of 4-5 pairs of neurons, called beta giant cells, and located in the posterior compartments of the supraesophageal ganglion was particularly investigated. 2. the amount of angiotensin ii-like substance(s) in the brain increased notably in the days immediately following the third meal. 3. injections of angiotensin ii, fragments 1-4 or 5-8 or ... | 1992 | 1347734 |
| proenkephalin a-derived peptides in invertebrate innate immune processes. | lipopolysaccharides (lps) injection into the coelomic fluid of the leech theromyzon tessulatum stimulates release of proenkephalin a (pea)-derived peptides as determined by immunoprecipitation and western blot analyses. this release occurs in the first 15 min after lps exposure and yields a 5.3-kda peptide fragment corresponding to the c-terminal part of the precursor. this fragment is then cleaved to free an antibacterial peptide related to mammals arginine phenylalanine extended enkelytin: the ... | 2000 | 10762699 |
| morphine-like substance in leech ganglia. evidence and immune modulation. | binding experiments followed by measurement of nitric oxide release revealed an opiate alkaloid high affinity receptor with no affinity to opioids, representing a new mu-subtype receptor in the brain of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. in addition, evidence of morphine-like substances was found in immunocytochemical studies and hplc coupled to electrochemical detection (500 mv and 0.02 hz). based on previous evidence of the involvement of morphine as an immune response inhibitor, we demonstrate ... | 2000 | 10759861 |
| conjunctival infestation of a child with theromyzon tessulatum. | | 1998 | 9893608 |
| amino-acid-sequence determination and biological activity of tessulin, a naturally occurring trypsin-chymotrypsin inhibitor isolated from the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | we purified a new trypsin-chymotrypsin inhibitor, designated tessulin, from the rhynchobdellid leech theromyzon tessulatum. this 9-kda peptide was purified to apparent homogeneity by gel-permeation and anion-exchange chromatographies followed by reverse-phase hplc. the structure of tessulin was determined by reduction, s-beta-pyridylethylation, trypsin digestion, automated edman degradation and matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry (m/z 8985 da). the 81-amino-acid peptide possesses ... | 1998 | 9874232 |
| putative leech dopamine1-like receptor molecular characterization: sequence homologies between dopamine and serotonin leech cns receptors explain pharmacological cross-reactivities. | the biochemical characterization of a serotonin (5ht) receptor and the cloning of a dopamine (da) receptor in the central nervous system (cns) of the leech, theromyzon tessulatum, is presented. additionally, da and 5ht binding sites were examined in the cns by scatchard analysis which showed a single, relatively high-affinity binding site with a kd 1.1 nm and a bmax 126+18 fmol/mg protein for [3h]da and a kd 2.1 nm and a bmax 225 fmol/mg protein for [3h]5ht. the first 88 amino acids of the 5ht r ... | 1998 | 9685582 |
| theromin, a novel leech thrombin inhibitor. | we purified the most potent thrombin inhibitor described to date from the rhynchobdellid leech theromyzon tessulatum. designated theromin, it was purified to apparent homogeneity by gel permeation and anion exchange chromatography followed by two reverse-phase steps of high performance liquid chromatography. the primary sequence of theromin (a homodimer of 67 amino acid residues including 16 cysteine residues) was determined by a combination of reduction and s-beta-pyridylethylation, edman degra ... | 2000 | 10837466 |
| therostasin, a novel clotting factor xa inhibitor from the rhynchobdellid leech, theromyzon tessulatum. | therostasin is a potent naturally occurring tight-binding inhibitor of mammalian factor xa (k(i), 34 pm), isolated from the rhynchobdellid leech theromyzon tessulatum. therostasin is a cysteine-rich protein (8991 da) consisting of 82 amino acid residues with 16 cysteine residues. its amino acid sequence has been determined by a combination of techniques, including edman degradation, enzymatic cleavage, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (maldi-tof ms ... | 2000 | 10852926 |
| biochemical evidence of specific trypsin-chymotrypsin inhibitors in the rhynchobdellid leech, theromyzon tessulatum. | the presence of two specific trypsin-chymotrypsin inhibitors from head parts of the rhynchobdellid leech theromyzon tessulatum is reported. two proteins, anti-trypsin chymotrypsin a (atca; 14636.6 +/- 131 da) and anti-trypsin-chymotrypsin b (atcb; 14368 +/- 95 da) were purified by size exclusion and anion-exchange chromatography followed by reversed-phase hplc. based on amino-acid composition, n-terminal sequence determination (melcelgqscsrd-npqpsnm), matrix assisted laser desorption-time of fli ... | 2000 | 10995068 |
| evidence of opiates and opioid neuropeptides and their immune effects in parasitic invertebrates representing three different phyla: schistosoma mansoni, theromyzon tessulatum, trichinella spiralis. | studies done in our laboratories have demonstrated that the parasitic trematode, schistosoma mansoni is capable of producing several proopiomelanocortin (pomc) peptides including beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotropin (acth), melanocyte stimulating hormone (alphamsh) and enkephalin as well as morphine. some of these opioids have been demonstrated to be immunosuppressive and may play an important part in immune evasion by these parasites. the parasitic nematode trichinella spiralis also produces imm ... | 2000 | 11034157 |
| cloning and expression analysis of a cdna that encodes a leech hemerythrin. | we report the cdna sequence of a leech hemerythrin. a cdna was isolated from a theromyzon tessulatum cdna library and encodes a 120 amino acid protein of about 14 kda. the predicted protein contains the hemerythrin signature sequence and the iron ligand residues previously identified in crystal structures of hemerythrin and myohemerythrin. the protein displayed the highest identity to myohemerythrin, a non-heme iron-binding protein described in sipunculids. expression analysis indicated that the ... | 2001 | 11311941 |
| elements of angiotensin system are involved in leeches and mollusks immune response modulation. | we present immunocytochemical, biochemical and cellular evidences for the presence of a renin-angiotensin system (ras) in coelomocytes of invertebrates (leech, theromyzon tessulatum and mollusk mytilus edulis). leech coelomocytes are immunoreactive to polyclonal antisera raised against the t. tessulatum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ace) and leech brain angiotensin ii (aii) and a commercial anti-at1 receptor. biochemically, renin, ace- and at1-like receptor were identified in the leech immune c ... | 2001 | 11597774 |
| cellular localization of a chromogranin b-like derived peptides in leeches. | using immunocytochemistry techniques, we demonstrated specific immunostaining with antibodies rose against fragment (547-560) and (614-626) of bovine chromogranin b (cgb) at the level of brain and the tegument of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. the used of these antibodies on leech sections revealed immunopositive labeling in neurons and glial cells of the central nervous system (cns), and epidermal glandular cells of the tegument. co-localization between two antibodies rose against different f ... | 2002 | 12080280 |
| molecular characterization of two novel antibacterial peptides inducible upon bacterial challenge in an annelid, the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | two novel antimicrobial peptides named theromacin and theromyzin were isolated and characterized from the coelomic liquid of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. theromacin is a 75-amino acid cationic peptide containing 10 cysteine residues arranged in a disulfide array showing no similarities with other known antimicrobial peptides. theromyzin is an 86-amino acid linear peptide and constitutes the first anionic antimicrobial peptide observed in invertebrates. both peptides exhibit activity directed ... | 2004 | 15102860 |
| two-dimensional ultrastructural elements lead to three-dimensional reconstruction of protuberances on the cocoon membrane of the leech, theromyzon tessulatum. | protuberances on the cocoon surface of the leech, theromyzon tessulatum, are roughly parallel rows of triangular prisms arranged equidistantly to each other on the outer surface of the cocoon membrane. the distance between neighboring protuberances is approximately 1.6 microm, the height approximately 0.5 microm and the semi-width approximately 0.3 microm. the fibrillar arrangement within the protuberance maintains some elements of the helicoids found within the cocoon membrane but a high propor ... | 2006 | 16337251 |
| structural model of an antistasin/notch-like fusion protein from the cocoon wall of the aquatic leech, theromyzon tessulatum. | the aquatic leech, theromyzon tessulatum, secretes a proteinaceous cocoon with extraordinary physical properties (e.g., proteolytic, thermal resiliency). the deduced amino acid sequence of a major protein (tcp-theromyzon cocoon protein) from the t. tessulatum cocoon wall has been used to model the endogenous structure of the tcp protein. the tcp protein sequence comprises six internal repeats, each containing 12 ordered cys residues. amino acid alignments suggest that the region cys1-->6 is homo ... | 2006 | 16523290 |
| rare living hypopharyngeal foreign body. | this is a case report about a rare hypopharyngeal foreign body causing dysphagia, dyspnea, and hemoptysis as well as melena: an ingested leech. the patient was in this condition for more than 1 week. | 2006 | 16933314 |
| irregular helicoids in leech cocoon membranes. | helicoids in the cocoon membrane of leeches theromyzon tessulatum and erpobdella punctata comprise a twisted superposition of layers, each containing a variable number of planes formed by unidirectional fibrils. straight fibrils intersecting at different angles were displayed in tangential sections through the cocoon wall of each species. when the sectioning angle was below a certain value (i.e., the critical angle), bow-shaped lines apparent in oblique sections were replaced by a succession of ... | 2007 | 17336091 |
| cathepsin l and cystatin b gene expression discriminates immune coelomic cells in the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | previous studies evidenced that cystatin b-like gene is specifically expressed and induced in large circulating coelomic cells following bacterial challenge in the leech theromyzon tessulatum. in order to understand the role of that cysteine proteinase inhibitor during immune response, we investigated the existence of members of cathepsin family. we cloned a cathepsin l-like gene and studied its tissue distribution. immunohistochemical studies using anti-cathepsin l and anti-cystatin b antibodie ... | 2008 | 18177937 |
| surface topology and structural integrity of the theromyzon tessulatum (annelida: hirudinea: glossiphoniidae) cocoon. | cocoons secreted by the aquatic leech theromyzon tessulatum comprise a tubular, membranous ovoid, sealed at each end by a glue-like substance, called an operculum. scanning electron microscopy showed surface features of the t. tessulatum cocoon that included a circuitous bulge, cups that conformed to the shape of embryos, relief folds that radiated from opercula, and asymmetric distributions of protuberances on the upper aspect of the cocoon surface. the structural integrity of the t. tessulatum ... | 2008 | 18431807 |
| cell dynamics during cocoon secretion in the aquatic leech, theromyzon tessulatum (annelida: clitellata: glossiphoniidae). | one distinguishing feature of clitellate annelids is the presence of specialized segments comprising the clitellum, whose primary function is to secrete a cocoon. using histological analyses, we have documented cell types (i-v) and cellular processes associated with cocoon secretion in the aquatic leech, theromyzon tessulatum. our data indicate that the bulk of the cocoon's biomass arises from precursor cells of a single type that hypertrophy and proliferate approximately 1 week prior to egg lay ... | 2009 | 18775546 |
| a glutamine-rich factor affects stem cell genesis in leech. | leech embryogenesis is a model for investigating cellular and molecular processes of development. due to the unusually large size of embryonic stem cells (teloblasts; 50 - 300 μm) in the glossiphoniid leech, theromyzon tessulatum, and the presence of identifiable stem cell precursors (proteloblasts), we previously isolated a group of genes up-regulated upon stem cell birth. in the current study, we show that one of these genes, designated tpr (theromyzon proliferation), is required for normal st ... | 2010 | 20890392 |
| immunohistochemical localization of opioid peptides in the brain of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. | by use of antisera directed against met-enkephalin, leu-enkephalin, dynorphin or α-neoendorphin, immunoreactive structures were visualized in the central nervous system and proboscis of the leech theromyzon tessulatum. their distribution in the various compartments of the supra- and subesophageal ganglia was mapped. no correspondence could be established between the neurons containing met- or leu-enkephalin-like substances and the different types of neurosecretory cells classically described in ... | 1987 | 21253763 |
| leech immunity: from brain to peripheral responses. | in the present chapter, we will emphasize the immune response in two compartments (central nervous system and peripheral system) in two blood sucking leeches i.e., the medicinal leech and the bird leech theromyzon tessulatum. in the medicinal leech, the neuroimmune response has been described in the context of septic trauma at the cellular and humoral levels through microglia, toll-like, cannabinoids and chemoattractant factors activation and modulation. in the bird leech, the antimicrobial resp ... | 2010 | 21528694 |