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PubMed1994

Positively charged amino acid residues located similarly in sea anemone and scorpion toxins.

Specific groups of sea anemone and scorpion toxins compete on the same pharmacological site, on the voltage-gated sodium channel of mammal excitable membranes. However, these scorpion and sea anemone toxins are two distinct protein families. Here we purified and sequenced a new sea anemone toxin, Bg II, highly toxic to mammals and also a less toxic mutant, Bg III. Two Bg II models were determined from sequence homologies with two sea anemone toxin two-dimensional NMR structures. Only one model conformed to circular dichroism data obtained from Bg II and was compared with an x-ray structure of a scorpion toxin. The comparison of the two structures shows that 5 amino acid residues are located similarly in the sea anemone toxin and the scorpion toxin. From these 5 residues, 4 are basic residues, constituting two distinct positively charged poles on the surface of these toxins. In the sea anemone mutant isolated, a negative charge beside one of the positive poles decreases the toxicity. These results show that positively charged amino acid residues could be essential for the activity of these toxins and outline the role of electrostatic bonds in the interaction of sea anemone and scorpion toxins with their receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1980

Binding of sea anemone toxin to receptor sites associated with gating system of sodium channel in synaptic nerve endings in vitro.

Iodination of toxin II from the sea anemone Anemonia sulcata gives a labeled monoiododerivative that retains 80% of the original neurotoxicity. This derivative binds specifically to rat brain synaptosomes at 20 degrees C and pH 7.4 with a second-order rate constant of association ka = 4.6 x 10(4) M-1 sec-1 and a first-order rate constant of dissociation kd = 1.1 x 10(-2) sec-1. The binding occurs on the Na+ channel at a binding site distinct from that of other gating system toxins like batrachotoxin, veratridine, grayanotoxin, aconitine, and pyrethroids. The maximal binding capacity Bmax is 3.2 pmol/mg of protein (i.e., about two sea anemone toxin binding sites per tetrodotoxin binding site) and the Kd is 240 nM for the monoiododerivative and 150 nM for the native toxin. Corresponding binding parameters for the association of a 125I-labeled derivative of toxin II from the scorpion Androctonus australis Hector are Bmax = 0.3 pmol/mg of protein and Kd = 1 nM, whereas the Kd of the unmodified scorpion toxin is 0.6 nM. Competition experiments involving scorpion toxins, sea anemone toxins, and synaptosomes demonstrate that, although the sea anemone toxin is able to displace the scorpion toxin bound to synaptosomes, the scorpion toxin does not displace the sea anemone toxin. The sea anemone toxin but not the scorpion toxin binds to depolarized synaptosomes. Differences between binding properties of the two polypeptide toxins are analyzed in the discussion.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Impact of symbiotic algae on sea anemone metabolism: analysis by in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

High-field pulsed Fourier-transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was used to quantify the adenylate levels of sea anemones (Aiptasia pulchella) with and without symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium sp.). Animals were fed to repletion, then starved in darkness for up to six days before collection of in vivo NMR spectra. The host adenylate ratio of ATP: (ATP + ADP) declined significantly with increasing periods of starvation in both symbiotic and aposymbiotic hosts (P less than 0.05). However, the decline in the animal adenylate ratio was significantly more rapid in animals bearing symbiotic algae (P less than 0.05). This suggests that symbiotic algae in darkness cause more rapid depletion of host energy reserves, possibly by drawing on host pools of organic substrates. In vivo NMR spectroscopy was also used to evaluate the effect on A. pulchella of photosynthesis by zooxanthellae. Symbiotic anemones were fed to repletion, then starved under high irradiance (300 to 320 mu Ein m-2 s-1) or low irradiance (70 to 80 mu Ein m-2 s-1) conditions for up to five days. The host adenylate ratio declined significantly (P less than 0.01) with starvation under both treatments, but no significant difference was detected between treatments (P greater than 0.35). Blotted wet weight of anemones under high and low irradiance declined by 50% over eight days of starvation, but there was no significant difference in the rate of weight loss by anemones in the two treatments. There results suggest that translocation of photosynthate from symbiotic zooxanthellae does not significantly affect host adenylate ratio or have a sparing effect on host biomass during starvation in this symbiotic sea anemone.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

PubMed2006

Immunohistochemical targeting of sea anemone cytolysins on tentacles, mesenteric filaments and isolated nematocysts of Stichodactyla helianthus.

The toxicity of biomolecules obtained from sea anemones in vitro does not necessarily justify their function as toxins in the physiology of the anemone. That is why anatomical and physiological considerations must be taken into account in order to define their physiological role in the organism. In this work, antibodies generated to Sticholysin II, a cytolysin produced by the Caribbean Sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus, are used as specific markers to explore the sites of production and storage of the cytolysin in the sea anemone. The immunoperoxidase staining developed gave specific dark-brown staining in tentacles and mesenteric filaments as well as in basitrichous nematocysts isolated from tentacles of S. helianthus. These results support the role of these proteins as toxins in the physiology of the anemone, especially in functions such as in predation, defense and digestion.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Effect of high ionic strength and inhibitors of H,K-ATPase on the ouabain-sensitive K-p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity in the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus.

The ouabain-sensitive, K-stimulated p-nitrophenyl phosphatase (K-pNPPase) activity, an associated activity of the Na,K-ATPase, was assayed in tentacles of the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus to investigate the possibility that the sea anemone Na,K-ATPase activity is an associated activity of an H,K-ATPase. Activity was maximal at pH 6.5-7.0, decreasing only slightly in acidic medium but falling abruptly in alkaline medium to 60% of maximum at pH 7.4. The pH of maximum activity was not remarkably altered in high ionic strength medium (560 mM choline chloride), but ouabain-sensitive K-pNPPase activity of both rat and sea anemone was strongly inhibited. Inhibitors of the gastric H,K-ATPase, 100 microM omeprazole and 10 microM SCH 28080, did not inhibit the ouabain-sensitive K-pNPPase activity. Activity of the sea anemone enzyme was inhibited by 10 microM ammonium vanadate, an inhibitor of P-type ATPase, and not by 2.5 mM sodium azide, an inhibitor of both F-type and V-type ATPase. Because the sea anemone K-pNPPase activity was previously found to be more sensitive to ouabain than the Na,K-ATPase activity, K(+)-ouabain antagonism was investigated and found to be relatively muted, whereas K(+)-Na+ competition was stronger than in the rat kidney.

4-Nitrophenylphosphatase↗

PubMed1997

Mechanotransduction of hair bundles arising from multicellular complexes in anemones.

Sea anemones are among the simplest animals to use hair bundles to detect vibrations. Although we previously found anemone bundles to be morphologically similar to vertebrate hair bundles, only indirect evidence implicated anemone bundles in mechanotransduction. Here, we test mechanotransduction of these bundles using loose-patch current recording from apical membranes of cells at the base of deflected bundles. Step bundle deflection results in graded membrane currents that are inward in some cells (positive) and outward in other cells (negative). Positive responses range from 5 to 30 pA, abruptly saturate with stronger stimuli, and increase in duration with prolonged deflections. Negative responses range from 10 to 150 pA, show a logarithmic relation to stimulus strength, and attenuate with prolonged deflections. Additionally, responses are reversibly inhibited by streptomycin. We present a model for anemone bundle mechanotransduction modified from the gating spring model for vertebrate mechanotransduction. Because anemone bundles comprise stereocilia arising from a multicellular complex, we propose that supporting cells on opposite sides of a bundle function as oppositely polarized hair cells. Thus, deflection induces ion channels to open in cells on one side of the complex, while allowing channels to close in cells on the opposite side of the complex.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1977

Effects of neurotoxins (veratridine, sea anemone toxin, tetrodotoxin) on transmitter accumulation and release by nerve terminals in vitro.

Two of the tree toxic compounds used in this work, veratridine and the sea anemone toxin, provoke neurotransmitter release from synaptosomes; the third one, tetrodotoxin, prevents the action of both veratridine and the sea anemone toxin. The half-maximum effects of veratridine and sea anemone toxin actions on synaptosomes are K0.5 = 10 and 0.02 micronM, respectively. Although veratridine and the sea anemone toxin similarly provoke neurotransmitter release, they act on different receptor structures in the membrane. Tetrodotoxin antagonizes the effects of both veratridine and the sea anemone toxin. The half-maximum inhibitory concentration of tetrodotoxin is K0.5 = 4 nM for veratridine and 7.9 nM for ATXII. It is very similar to the dissociation constant measured from direct binding experiments with the radioactive toxin. The analysis of this antagonistic action offers an easy in vitro assay for tetrodotoxin interaction with its receptor.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Expression and mutagenesis of the sea anemone toxin Av2 reveals key amino acid residues important for activity on voltage-gated sodium channels.

Type I sea anemone toxins are highly potent modulators of voltage-gated Na-channels (Na(v)s) and compete with the structurally dissimilar scorpion alpha-toxins on binding to receptor site-3. Although these features provide two structurally different probes for studying receptor site-3 and channel fast inactivation, the bioactive surface of sea anemone toxins has not been fully resolved. We established an efficient expression system for Av2 (known as ATX II), a highly insecticidal sea anemone toxin from Anemonia viridis (previously named A. sulcata), and mutagenized it throughout. Each toxin mutant was analyzed in toxicity and binding assays as well as by circular dichroism spectroscopy to discern the effects derived from structural perturbation from those related to bioactivity. Six residues were found to constitute the anti-insect bioactive surface of Av2 (Val-2, Leu-5, Asn-16, Leu-18, and Ile-41). Further analysis of nine Av2 mutants on the human heart channel Na(v)1.5 expressed in Xenopus oocytes indicated that the bioactive surfaces toward insects and mammals practically coincide but differ from the bioactive surface of a structurally similar sea anemone toxin, Anthopleurin B, from Anthopleura xanthogrammica. Hence, our results not only demonstrate clear differences in the bioactive surfaces of Av2 and scorpion alpha-toxins but also indicate that despite the general conservation in structure and importance of the Arg-14 loop and its flanking residues Gly-10 and Gly-20 for function, the surface of interaction between different sea anemone toxins and Na(v)s varies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1976

Sea anemone toxin:a tool to study molecular mechanisms of nerve conduction and excitation-secretion coupling.

The effects of polypeptide neurotoxin from Anemonia sulcata on nerve conduction in crayfish giant axons and on frog myelinated fibers have been analyzed. The main features of toxin action are the following: (i) the toxin acts at very low doses and its action is apparently irreversible. (ii) The toxin selectively affects the closing (inactivation) of the Na+ channel by slowing it down considerably; it does not alter the opening mechanism of the Na+ channel or the steady-state potassium conductance. (iii) The tetrodotoxin-receptor association is unaffected by previous treatment of the axonal membrane with the sea anemone toxin. (iv) Conversely, the sea anemone toxin can only associate with the membrane when the Na+ channel is open for Na+; it does not bind when the channel is previously blocked by tetrodotoxin. (v) Besides its effect on the action potential, the sea anemone toxin displays a veratridine-type depolarizing action at low Ca2+ concentration which can be suppressed by tetrodotoxin. The sea anemone toxin greatly stimulates the release of gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid from neurotransmitter-loaded rat brain synaptosomes. The apparent dissociation constant of the neurotoxin-receptor complex in this system is 20 nM. The sea anemone toxin effect is antagonized by tetrodotoxin.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2001

N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) stimulates in situ cyclic AMP production in tentacles of sea anemone (Aiptasia pallida): possible role in chemosensitization of nematocyst discharge.

Cnidocytes, the stinging cells of cnidarians, optimally discharge nematocysts in response to combined physical contact and stimulation of specific chemoreceptors. In the tentacles of certain sea anemones, the primary chemoreceptors bind N-acetylated sugars, such as N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA). Sensitization with NANA predisposes contact-sensitive mechanoreceptors (CSMs) to trigger discharge in response to physical contact. In the ectoderm of sea anemone tentacles, cnidocyte/supporting cell complexes (CSCCs) control and trigger nematocyst discharge. Previous findings have implicated cyclic AMP (cAMP) as a second messenger in NANA-sensitized nematocyst discharge. However, no reports have directly demonstrated that the cAMP content of tentacles changes in response to NANA stimulation. We now show that NANA elevates in situ cAMP levels in a dose-dependent manner in the ectoderm of tentacles from the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida. However, the endoderm of tentacles shows no detectable cAMP response to NANA. The effect of NANA on the cAMP content of the ectoderm is biphasic. Micromolar NANA increases the in situ cAMP level, with a maximal response occurring at 1.8x10(-5)mol x l(-1) NANA. At higher NANA concentrations, the cAMP content decreases to that of controls. Because the cAMP dose/response curve to NANA coincides precisely with the dose/response curves of NANA-sensitized nematocyst discharge and nematocyst-mediated adhesive force, a second-messenger role for cAMP in NANA-sensitized nematocyst discharge is strongly suggested. The addition of isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) to the medium with sea anemones increases tissue cAMP levels both in the absence and in the presence of NANA. However, anesthetizing anemones in sea water containing high levels of Mg(2+) blocks the NANA-stimulated cAMP response of the ectoderm. In addition, our results suggest that NANA-stimulated cAMP may activate endogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in broken cell preparations of tentacles. Thus, NANA-stimulated cAMP may function as a second messenger in the NANA chemosensory signaling pathway controlling nematocyst discharge.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

PubMed1994

Structural rearrangements, including parallel inversions, within the chloroplast genome of Anemone and related genera.

Chloroplast DNA cleavage sites for 10 restriction enzymes were mapped for 46 species representing all sections of Anemone, four closely related genera (Clematis, Pulsatilla, Hepatica, and Knowltonia), and three more distantly related outgroups (Caltha, Ranunculus, and Adonis). Comparison of the maps revealed that the chloroplast genomes of Anemone and related genera have sustained an unusual number and variety of rearrangements. A single inversion of a 42-kb segment was found in the large single-copy region of Adonis aestivalis. Two types of rearrangements were found in the chloroplast genome of Clematis, Anemone, Pulsatilla, Hepatica, and Knowltonia: An approximately 4-kb expansion of the inverted repeat and four inversions within the large single-copy region. These rearrangements support the monophyletic status of these genera, clearly separating them from Caltha, Ranunculus, and Adonis. Two further inversions were found in two Clematis species and three Anemone species. While appearing to support a monophyletic grouping for these taxa, these two inversions conflict with data from both chloroplast restriction sites and morphology and are better interpreted as having occurred twice independently. These are the first two documented cases of homoplastic inversions in chloroplast DNA. Finally, the second intron of the chloroplast rps 12 gene was shown to have been lost in the common ancestor of the same three Anemone species that feature the two homoplastic inversions.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Genomic organization of a receptor from sea anemones, structurally and evolutionarily related to glycoprotein hormone receptors from mammals.

Cnidarians (e.g., sea anemones and corals) are the lowest animal group having a nervous system. Previously, we cloned a receptor from sea anemones that showed a strong structural similarity to the glycoprotein hormone (TSH, FSH, LH/CG) receptors from mammals. Here, we determine the genomic organization of this sea anemone receptor. The receptor gene contains eight introns that are all localized within a region coding for the large extracellular N terminus. These introns occur at the same positions and have the same intron phasing as eight introns in the genes coding for the mammalian glycoprotein hormone receptors, indicating that the cnidarian and mammalian receptor genes are evolutionarily related. As with the mammalian receptor genes, the sea anemone receptor gene does not contain introns in the region coding for the transmembrane and intracellular domains. Southern blot analyses show that the cnidarian receptor is coded for by a single gene.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Anemonefish symbiosis: vulnerability and resistance of fish to the toxin of the sea anemone.

Protein toxins (20 kD molecular mass) causing lysis of human erythrocytes were isolated from sea anemones (Heteractis magnifica, Madang, Papua New Guinea, and Entacmaea quadricolor, Red Sea), which host anemonefish (Amphiprion sp.). These toxins are also ichthyotoxic. Freshwater and marine fish exposed to toxin concentrations of 0.5 micrograms/ml water were killed within 2 hr and exhibited extensive pathological alterations of the gill filaments. Amphiprion species, e.g. clarkii and percula, which live in the sea anemones Heteractis crispa and Stichodactyla mertensii, were highly vulnerable to the Heteractis magnifica toxin, whereas A. percula from the sea anemone H. magnifica proved to be toxin resistant. However, another species, A. perideraion also living in H. magnifica, was highly sensitive to the toxin. The two toxins exhibited cross-reactivity: Amphiprion, resistant to H. magnifica toxin, was also resistant to Entacmaea quadricolor toxin; but all fish were killed by other membrane-active substances such as gramicidin, saponin and latrunculin. The results of the study indicate that resistance to toxins secreted by the sea anemone has evolved in some Amphiprion species, but it is not an essential or a major factor in the anemonefish symbiosis. The skin's mucus layer seems to provide protection from nematocyst discharge.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Isolation of two novel neuropeptides from sea anemones: the unusual, biologically active L-3-phenyllactyl-Tyr-Arg-Ile-NH2 and its des-phenyllactyl fragment Tyr-Arg-Ile-NH2.

Using a radioimmunoassay for the carboxyl-terminal sequence Arg-Val-NH2, two novel peptides were purified from extracts of the sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima. These peptides were L-3-phenyllactyl-Tyr-Arg-Ile-NH2 (name: Antho-RIamide I) and its des-phenyllactyl fragment Tyr-Arg-Ile-NH2 (Antho-RIamide II). Immunocytochemical staining showed that these peptides were localized in neurons of sea anemones. Application of low concentrations (10(-8) M) of Antho-RIamide I inhibited spontaneous contractions in several muscle groups of sea anemones, whereas Antho-RIamide II was inactive. Antho-RIamide I is the second neuropeptide from sea anemones that bears the unusual, amino-terminal L-3-phenyllactyl blocking group. We suggest that this group renders the peptide resistant agaist degradation by nonspecific aminopeptidases. In addition, the L-3-phenyllactyl residue might also play a role in receptor binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Isolation of Leu-Pro-Pro-Gly-Pro-Leu-Pro-Arg-Pro-NH2 (Antho-RPamide), an N-terminally protected, biologically active neuropeptide from sea anemones.

Using a radioimmunoassay against the C-terminal sequence Arg-Pro-NH2 (RPamide), we have isolated the peptide Leu-Pro-Pro-Gly-Pro-Leu-Pro-Arg-Pro-NH2 (Antho-RPamide) from an extract of the sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima. Antho-RPamide is located in neurons of sea anemones. Application of low concentrations of Antho-RPamide to tentacle preparations of sea anemones strongly increased the frequency and duration of spontaneous contractions, suggesting that this peptide is involved in neurotransmission. Antho-RPamide has a free N-terminus, yet its X-Pro-Pro sequence makes it relatively resistant to degradation by nonspecific aminopeptidases. Thus, we have discovered another strategy by which sea anemones protect the N-termini of their bioactive neuropeptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Evidence for several types of biologically active substances in north Pacific sea anemones.

1. Twenty-two sea anemone samples from seven species were collected in Aleutian and Comandorskiye Islands from sub-littoral region (> 50m depth). 2. Water-ethanol extracts of sea anemones were tested using various test-systems after ethanol evaporation. 3. All sea anemones extracts inhibited DNA and most of them inhibited RNA synthesis in Ehrlich carcinoma tumor cells. 4. Extracts of most sea anemones species showed high hemolytic activity. 5. The extracts proved to be nontoxic or display low toxicity being i.p. injected into mice. 6. Some extracts precipitated virus of aleutian disease of mink. 7. None of the extracts showed activity toward Gram +ve, Gram -ve bacteria or yeast.

Aleutian Mink Disease Virus↗

PubMed2003

Changes in zooxanthellae density, morphology, and mitotic index in hermatypic corals and anemones exposed to cyanide.

Sodium cyanide (NaCN) is widely used for the capture of reef fish throughout Southeast Asia and causes extensive fish mortality, but the effect of NaCN on reef corals remains debated. To document the impact of cyanide exposure on corals, the species Acropora millepora, Goniopora sp., Favites abdita, Trachyphyllia geoffrio, Plerogyra sp., Heliofungia actinformis, Euphyllia divisa, and Scarophyton sp., and the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida were exposed to varying concentrations of cyanide for varying time periods. Corals were exposed to 50, 100, 300, and 600 mg/l of cyanide ion (CN(-)) for 1-2 min (in seawater, the CN(-) forms hydrocyanic acid). These concentrations are much lower than those reportedly used by fish collectors. Exposed corals and anemones immediately retracted their tentacles and mesenterial filaments, and discharged copious amounts of mucus containing zooxanthellae. Gel electrophoreses techniques found changes in protein expression in both zooxanthellae and host tissue. Corals and anemones exposed to cyanide showed an immediate increase in mitotic cell division of their zooxenthellae, and a decrease in zooxanthellae density. In contrast, zooxanthellae cell division and density remained constant in controls. Histopathological changes included gastrodermal disruption, mesogleal degradation, and increased mucus in coral tissues. Zooxanthellae showed pigment loss, swelling, and deformation. Mortality occurred at all exposure levels. Exposed specimens experienced an increase in the ratio of gram-negative to gram-positive bacteria on the coral surface. The results demonstrate that exposure cyanide causes mortality to corals and anemones, even when applied at lower levels than that used by fish collectors. Even brief exposure to cyanide caused slow-acting and long-term damage to corals and their zooxanthellae.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Distribution of microsomal CO-binding chromophores and EROD activity in sea anemone tissues.

Our previous studies indicated that sea anemone microsomes contain cytochrome P450 (CYP) and have ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylation (EROD) activity. Other marine invertebrates have discrete organs which concentrate cytochromes P450, whereas cnidarians have evolved only to the tissue level of development. To examine the distribution of CYP in sea anemones, microsomes were prepared from the following tissue regions of two sea anemones, Anthopleura xanthogrammica: outer (heavy muscular wall), inner (imperfect and perfect mesentery, and retractor muscle), soft (digestive sac, gonads, and mesentery filaments), and tentacular (including algal/diatom symbiont). The cytochrome P450 content was distributed relatively evenly among the tissue regions. In contrast, the 418-nm CO-binding chromophore was approximately 10 times greater in the outer region than in any other region. Further, the 490-nm peak (which interferes with quantification of CYP in sea anemones) was greater in the outer region. In general, the EROD activity was comparable in the inner and soft regions and highest in the tentacles. However, the EROD results may have been complicated by the presence of the algal/diatom symbiont.

Animals↗