Apple Snail Perivitellin Precursor Properties Help Explain Predators’ Feeding Behavior

In contrast with vitellogenin maturation, it is unknown whether gastropod perivitellin precursors are subject to large structural changes. The gastropod reproductive tract includes an accessory organ, the albumen gland (AG), that produces and secretes perivitelline fluid. In the apple snail Pomacea...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Cadierno, María Pilar, Dreon, Marcos Sebastián, Heras, Horacio
Formato: Articulo
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2017
Materias:
Biología
Perivitellin precursor
Structure-function
Defensive protein
Snail kite
Acceso en línea:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/99304
https://ri.conicet.gov.ar/11336/48720
Aporte de:
SEDICI (UNLP) de Universidad Nacional de La Plata
id I19-R120-10915-99304
record_format dspace
institution Universidad Nacional de La Plata
institution_str I-19
repository_str R-120
collection SEDICI (UNLP)
language Inglés
topic Biología
Perivitellin precursor
Structure-function
Defensive protein
Snail kite
spellingShingle Biología
Perivitellin precursor
Structure-function
Defensive protein
Snail kite
Cadierno, María Pilar
Dreon, Marcos Sebastián
Heras, Horacio
Apple Snail Perivitellin Precursor Properties Help Explain Predators’ Feeding Behavior
topic_facet Biología
Perivitellin precursor
Structure-function
Defensive protein
Snail kite
description In contrast with vitellogenin maturation, it is unknown whether gastropod perivitellin precursors are subject to large structural changes. The gastropod reproductive tract includes an accessory organ, the albumen gland (AG), that produces and secretes perivitelline fluid. In the apple snail Pomacea canaliculata, the large, reddish-pink AG provides eggs with perivitellins that are defensive against predators. Although the AG makes a considerable contribution to apple snail biomass, field observations indicate that it is rejected by avian and mammalian predators, although the underlying reason remains unknown. By analyzing the structure-function properties of P. canaliculata perivitellin precursors, we provide insight into perivitellin maturation and its relationship with apple snail predator feeding behavior. Structural analysis using small-angle X-ray scattering, absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, electrophoresis, chromatography, and partial proteolysis showed that the size, shape, and structure of perivitellin precursors resemble those of egg mature forms. Functional analysis indicates that the precursors of the defensive perivitellins ovorubin (PcOvo) and perivitellin-2 (PcPV2) are highly stable and antinutritive, withstanding proteinase digestion and displaying structural stability of their quaternary structure under a wide pH range (4.0–10.0). Furthermore, AG extracts limit a predator’s ability to digest nutrients and are toxic to mice (median lethal concentration 96 h after administration: 5.9 mg/kg). Treated mice displayed neurologic signs similar to those produced by egg PcPV2. Results indicate that apple snails store active precursors of egg proteins inside the AG, providing evidence that gastropod perivitellin precursors do not experience the large structural processing of invertebrate vitellogenin maturation. These defensive proteins provide the apple snail AG with neurotoxic, antinutritive, and antidigestive activity, a likely explanation for the predators’ feeding behavior.
format Articulo
Articulo
author Cadierno, María Pilar
Dreon, Marcos Sebastián
Heras, Horacio
author_facet Cadierno, María Pilar
Dreon, Marcos Sebastián
Heras, Horacio
author_sort Cadierno, María Pilar
title Apple Snail Perivitellin Precursor Properties Help Explain Predators’ Feeding Behavior
title_short Apple Snail Perivitellin Precursor Properties Help Explain Predators’ Feeding Behavior
title_full Apple Snail Perivitellin Precursor Properties Help Explain Predators’ Feeding Behavior
title_fullStr Apple Snail Perivitellin Precursor Properties Help Explain Predators’ Feeding Behavior
title_full_unstemmed Apple Snail Perivitellin Precursor Properties Help Explain Predators’ Feeding Behavior
title_sort apple snail perivitellin precursor properties help explain predators’ feeding behavior
publishDate 2017
url http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/99304
https://ri.conicet.gov.ar/11336/48720
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