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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

A comparative infrared spectroscopic study of hydroxide and carbonate absorption bands in spectra of shark enameloid, shark dentin, and a geological apatite.

The purpose of the present work was to investigate the infrared (IR) spectrum of shark enameloid, especially with regard to hydroxide and carbonate bands. With thin sections placed directly in the IR beam it was possible to get high concentrations of ions without interfering effects from a dispersion medium (e.g., alkali halides). For comparison, spectra of shark dentin and a geo-apatite were also recorded. In spectra of shark enameloid and geo-apatite medium strong hydroxide absorption bands were found around 3535 cm(-1), and in shark dentin and geo-apatite spectra weak shoulders were observed at about 3570 cm(-1). Hydroxide libration bands at about 740 cm(-1) were found in shark enameloid and geo-apatite spectra; in the latter, also a band at 680 cm(-1). Carbonate bands were found in shark enameloid spectra at 1480 (weak shoulder), 1453, 1423, and 868 cm(-1). In shark dentin spectra there were carbonate bands at 1452, 1417, and 875 cm(-1), and probably also a carbonate band at about 1530 cm(-1) overlapped by an amide II band. Weak carbonate bands were also found in the spectra of the geo-apatite at 1452 cm(-1), and at about 1425 and 880 cm(-1). The relative intensities of the bands at 1453 cm(-1) (contributed from A and B sites) and around 1420 cm(-1) (B sites) changed from shark enameloid to shark dentin, and also from shark enameloid to the geo-apatite. More A sites seem to be occupied by carbonate in shark dentin than in shark enameloid, supposedly owing to fluoride occupation of A sites in shark enameloid. In geo-apatite and shark enameloid there are hydroxide ions hydrogen bonded to fluoride. Both shark enameloid and the geo-apatite are fluoride rich, and geo-apatite seems to have the highest fluoride concentration. There are, however, indications that the hydroxide concentration is also higher in the geo-apatite than in shark enameloid. This can be explained by the much higher carbonate content, and partly also by the higher water content in shark enameloid. There are A sites in geo-apatite and probably also in shark enameloid which are occupied by carbonate, but the proportion of occupied A sites relative to occupied B sites is greater in geo-apatite than in shark enameloid. This difference can be explained by the preference of A sites when the carbonate concentration is very low. On the other hand, for greater amounts of carbonate such as we have in shark enameloid, B sites are preferred.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Comparative studies of high performance swimming in sharks II. Metabolic biochemistry of locomotor and myocardial muscle in endothermic and ectothermic sharks.

Metabolic enzyme activities in red (RM) and white (WM) myotomal muscle and in the heart ventricle (HV) were compared in two lamnid sharks (shortfin mako and salmon shark), the common thresher shark and several other actively swimming shark species. The metabolic enzymes measured were citrate synthase (CS), an index of aerobic capacity, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an index of anaerobic capacity. WM creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity, an index of rapid ATP production during burst swimming, was also quantified. Enzyme activities in RM, WM and HV were similar in the two lamnid species. Interspecific comparisons of enzyme activities at a common reference temperature (20 degrees C) show no significant differences in RM CS activity but higher CS activity in the WM and HV of the lamnid sharks compared with the other species. For the other enzymes, activities in lamnids overlapped with those of other shark species. Comparison of the HV spongy and compact myocardial layers in mako, salmon and thresher sharks reveals a significantly greater spongy CS activity in all three species but no differences in LDH activity. Adjustment of enzyme activities to in vivo RM and WM temperatures in the endothermic lamnids elevates CS and LDH in both tissues relative to the ectothermic sharks. Thus, through its enhancement of both RM and WM enzyme activity, endothermy may be an important determinant of energy supply for sustained and burst swimming in the lamnids. Although lamnid WM is differentially warmed as a result of RM endothermy, regional differences in WM CS and LDH activities and thermal sensitivities (Q(10) values) were not found. The general pattern of the endothermic myotomal and ectothermic HV muscle metabolic enzyme activities in the endothermic lamnids relative to other active, ectothermic sharks parallels the general pattern demonstrated for the endothermic tunas relative to their ectothermic sister species. However, the activities of all enzymes measured are lower in lamnids than in tunas. Relative to lamnids, the presence of lower WM enzyme activities in the thresher shark (which is in the same order as the lamnids, has an RM morphology similar to that of the mako and salmon sharks and may be endothermic) suggests that other factors, such as behavior and swimming pattern, also affect shark myotomal organization and metabolic function.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed1990

Sequence analysis of homogeneous peptides of shark immunoglobulin light chains by tandem mass spectrometry: correlation with gene sequence and homologies among variable and constant region peptides of sharks and mammals.

Morphologically, sharks are living fossils that are remarkably similar to their Devonian ancestors of ca. 400 million years ago. If a parallel conservation in biochemical properties characterizes shark evolution, knowledge of the properties of shark immunoglobulins should provide information on the structure of primordial immunoglobulins and their genes. The problem of polyclonality of shark immunoglobulins has precluded detailed analysis of shark immunoglobulin light polypeptide chains. Here, we approach the problem of obtaining direct sequence information on polyclonal light chains of shark immunoglobulins by isolating homogeneous peptides from tryptic digests of shark light chains and sequencing these by tandem mass spectrometry. To confirm the location of the peptides, we isolated a complementary DNA (cDNA) clone from a sandbar shark cDNA library in the expression vector lambda gt11, identifying the clone by its ability to produce a peptide serologically detectable using rabbit antibody to purified shark light chain. The correspondence between peptide sequence and that derived from gene sequence provided direct proof that the gene studied was that of a major expressed serum light chain. Using this combined approach, we isolated homogeneous peptides from both constant and variable regions. The variable region peptides showed homology to corresponding sequences of mammalian V lambda and V kappa sequences. The constant region gene sequence we obtained was homologous to mammalian C lambda sequence. The four constant region tryptic peptides we sequenced corresponded exactly to stretches of the C lambda sequence derived from the DNA sequence. The combined approach described here shows that shark light chains exhibit heterogeneity at both the protein and gene level, but that the constant regions of these chains can be identified as homologs of mammalian lambda chains and that evolutionary conservation has occurred in V region sequences ranging from elasmobranchs to man.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Allometric relationships of the dentition of the great White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias, in forensic investigations of shark attacks.

As a result of a systematic morphometric study of shark dentitions, a system of notation for describing the location of shark teeth has been developed and is proposed as a standard to be adopted for use in similar studies in the future. The macroscopic morphology of White Shark teeth has been characterised in order to gain quantitative data which might assist in identification of these sharks from bite marks on victims or objects or from shark carcasses. Using these data, a nomogram has been developed which can be used to estimate the body length of a White Shark from measurements of tooth or bite mark morphology. An example of the forensic application of such allometric data is provided as it applied to a recent fatal attack on a diver by a White Shark.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Temperature-dependencies of various catalytic activities of membrane-bound Na+/K+-ATPase from ox brain, ox kidney and shark rectal gland and of C12E8-solubilized shark Na+/K+-ATPase.

The temperature dependence of ouabain-sensitive ATPase and phosphatase activities of membrane fragments containing the Na+/K+-ATPase were investigated in tissue from ox kidney, ox brain and from shark rectal glands. The shark enzyme was also tested in solubilized form. Arrhenius plots of the Na+/K+-ATPase activity seem to be linear up to about 20 degrees C, and non-linear above this temperature. The Arrhenius plots of mammalian enzyme (ox brain and kidney) were steeper, especially at temperatures below 20-30 degrees C, than that of shark enzyme. The Na+-ATPase activity showed a weaker temperature-dependence than the Na+/K+-ATPase activity. The phosphatase reactions measured, K+-stimulated, Na+/K+-stimulated and Na+/K+/ATP-stimulated, also showed a weaker temperature-dependence than the overall Na+/K+-ATPase activity. Among the phosphatase reactions, the largest change in slope of the Arrhenius plot was observed with the Na+/K+/ATP)-stimulated phosphatase reaction. The Arrhenius plots of the partial reactions were all non-linear. Solubilization of shark enzyme in C12E8 did not change the curvature of Arrhenius plots of the Na+/K+-ATPase activity or the K+-phosphatase activity. Since solubilization involves a disruption of the membrane and an 80% delipidation, the observed curvature of the Arrhenius plot can not be attributed to a property of the membrane as such.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Comparison of the gamma-crystallins isolated from eye lenses of shark and carp. Unique secondary and tertiary structure of shark gamma-crystallin.

gamma-Crystallin isolated from the shark of cartilaginous fishes was compared with the cognate gamma-crystallin from the carp of bony fishes. Distinct differences in amino acid compositions, primary, secondary and tertiary structures were found. The most salient features of shark gamma-crystallin lie in the fact that this crystallin possessed a significant alpha-helical structure in the peptide backbone as revealed by circular dichroism study, in contrast to those orthologous gamma-crystallins from other vertebrate species including bony fishes which all show a predominant beta-sheet secondary structure. The tertiary structure as reflected in the intrinsic microenvironments of various aromatic amino acids in the native crystallins also shows unambiguous differences between these two classes of gamma-crystallins. N-Terminal sequence analysis corroborates the structural differences between shark and carp gamma-crystallins. gamma-Crystallin from the more primitive shark seems to be more in line with the main evolutionary phylogeny leading to the modern mammalian gamma-crystallin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Identification of a second immunoglobulin in the most primitive shark, the frill shark, Chlamydoselachus anguineus.

Three molecular forms of immunoglobulins: pentamer, dimer and monomer, were isolated from serum of the frill shark, Chlamydoselachus anguineus, the most primitive extant shark. A pentamer having an apparent mass of 900 kDa, consisting of 68 kDa heavy (H) chains and 22-24 kDa light (L) chains, was considered to be IgM because of its similarity to mammalian IgM in both molecular form and H chain molecular weight. The dimer and monomer with apparent masses of 300 kDa and 150 kDa, respectively, were composed of the same H chains of 45-50 kDa, a value smaller than that of the H chains from the pentamer, and light chains identical to those of the pentamer. The H chains of 68 kDa and 45-50 kDa represented individual epitopes and were synthesized by different plasma cells. We thus concluded that the frill shark has two distinct classes of immunoglobulins: one a pentameric IgM and the other a second class of immunoglobulin with dimeric and monomeric structure. The presence of the second Ig is of considerable interest with respect to antigen recognition and exclusion.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Characterization of liver flavin-containing monooxygenase of the dogfish shark (Squalus acanthias) and partial purification of liver flavin-containing monooxygenase of the silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis).

Flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) activity as N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) N-oxygenation was characterized in microsomes from the smooth dogfish shark (Squalus acathias). DMA N-oxygenase activity from the liver of the dogfish shark was linear with increasing protein content and over 60 min. The optimal temperature for catalysis was 25 degrees C with a 76 percent reduction in activity when incubated at 15 degrees C and 99 percent loss of activity at 45 degrees C. Optimal pH was approximately 9.6. The maximum velocity for DMA N-oxygenase activity was calculated to be 1.3 nmol min-1 mg-1 with an apparent Michaelis constant of 44 microM. Methimazole oxidase activity was also observed in dogfish liver microsomes which was inhibited by trimethylamine (TMA). Inhibition of DMA N-oxygenase activity by TMA and thiobenzamide was competitive, while inhibition by methimazole was not competitive. Western blot analysis indicated a single liver protein from both Squalus and Carcharhinus of approximately 50 kDa that bound to antibodies raised against FMO 2. An attempt was made to purify FMO as methimazole oxidase from the liver of the silky shark. A single peak of about 10-fold purity was observed following passage through two chromatographic media (CM-Sepharose and HA-Agarose). However, no activity was recoverable after the FMO-containing fractions were applied to a 2'5' ADP-Sepharose column.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Modulation of CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) tumor infiltrating lymphocytes by a fraction isolated from shark cartilage: shark cartilage modulates anti-tumor immunity.

Shark cartilage has proven to have some inhibitory effects on angiogenesis, metastasis, cell adhesion and proteolysis. In this study, we wanted to study some of the effects of shark cartilage on tumor immune response. Firstly, by means of chromatographic methods and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) test, we optimized a procedure for isolation and purification of a shark cartilage protein fraction with most immunostimulatory effects. Then, we examined its effect on the infiltration of CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) lymphocytes into a murine tumor model. Our fraction was composed of two major proteins with molecular weights (MWs) of about 14 and 15 kDa. This fraction highly increases DTH response against sRBC in mice. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of this fraction to tumor-bearing mice could increase T-cell infiltration into the tumor. Also, there was a significant increase in the CD(4)/CD(8) ratio in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, but no such changes were found in the peripheral blood lymphocytes. According to these results, we suppose that this fraction is a good candidate for further studies in cancer therapy. Also, we concluded that this fraction, with previously proven anti-angiogenic effects, can augment cellular immune response and T-cell infiltration into the tumor and thus, there may be a direct relationship between angiogenesis inhibition and T-cell infiltration.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1984

Bacteriology of the teeth from a great white shark: potential medical implications for shark bite victims.

Bacteria were cultured for the first time from the teeth of a great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). Isolates included Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio fluvialis, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and other genera. All are common in the marine environment and some may be associated with wound infections in humans. Shark bite lacerations may serve as a source of these potentially infectious bacteria, particularly Vibrio spp., and should be treated immediately. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns are shown for representatives of Vibrio isolates and indicate that a variety of new agents may be appropriate chemotherapy for shark bite victims.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Shark tooth morphogenesis. An SEM and EDX analysis of enameloid and dentin development in various shark species.

The study provides a survey of shark tooth morphogenesis based on SEM and EDX analyses of whole tooth families in six shark species. The teeth, demonstrating different stages of development, were acid-etched and coated with palladium. Calcium content was determined semi-quantitatively by using the palladium coating as an internal standard. Due to the rapid development of the enameloid, all major events took place in the two or three youngest teeth of a tooth family. Enameloid appeared to develop as a transformation of the peripheral part of the dental papilla. Mineralization started immediately. Based on morphological criteria the middle zone of the enameloid was established at an early stage, excluding the possibility of an unambiguous centrifugal or centripetal direction of growth. Substantial mineral increase first occurred in the middle zone, spreading from the tooth tip toward the base. Dentin formed after the enameloid was completely established. Dentin formation started basally as a direct prolongation of the enameloid cap, then spreading toward the tooth tip, first along the edges. It is concluded that shark enameloid has a mesenchymal background, but a role played by the inner dental epithelium can not be excluded.

Amelogenesis↗
PubMed1989

Branchial blood flow distribution in the blue shark (Prionace glauca) and the leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata).

Electromagnetic flow (EMF) quantification of total cardiac stroke flow is not feasible for most elasmobranchs because the vascular anatomy precludes probe placement adjacent to the heart and proximal to all afferent branchial arteries (aba). Most previous studies report a fractional cardiac flow, made with the EMF probe placed on the ventral aorta between the innominate arteries and aba 3. Estimation of total cardiac stroke flow from such data requires a flow correction factor obtained by sacrificing the fish, and carrying out a two step in situ/in vitro flow calibration procedure which is based on tenuous assumptions. Ventral aortic blood flow measurements using the EMF techniques were carried out on large blue sharks, and radiographic imaging studies of ventral aortic and branchial blood flow were done on leopard sharks to verify previously estimated fractional cardiac stroke flow correction factors. The innominate flow fraction determined for both species in these studies are similar and agree with previous estimates for elasmobranchs. EMF data for Prionace show 38% of cardiac stroke flow goes to the innominate arteries, 23% into aba 3, 12% into aba 4, and 27% into aba 5. Radiographic analyses with Triakis reveal that 32% of its cardiac stroke volume flows into the innominate arteries which is in agreement with the in situ/in vitro fractional flow estimate (33%).

Animals↗
PubMed1962

Partitioning of body fluids in the Lake Nicaragua shark and three marine sharks.

The relative volumes of major body fluids of freshwater and marine sharks are remarkably similar in spite of the differences in external medium and in osmotic pressure of body fluids. The small differences detected are in agreement with differences reported in comparisons of freshwater and marine teleosts: a slightly higher total water content and a smiller ratio of extracellular to intracellular fluids in freshwater forms.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Shark myoglobins I. Isolation and characterization of myoglobins from the sharks, Squalus japonicus and Proscyllium habereri.

Native oxymyoglobins from the sharks, Squalus japonicus and Proscyllium habereri were also isolated directly from red muscle. The essential step was the chromatographic separation of oxymyoglobin from metmyoglobin on a DEAE-cellulose column. The rate of autoxidation of native oxymyoglobin to metmyoglobin was examined over the pH range of 5-12 in 0.1 M buffer at 25 degrees C and the logarithms of the observed first-order rate constants, log (kobs), were plotted as a function of pH. The pH dependence for the autoxidation of Squalus myoglobin showed almost the same profile as those of bovine, sperm whale and yellowfin tuna myoglobins with distal histidines. On the other hand, the pH dependence of Proscyllium myoglobin differed remarkably from those of other myoglobins, especially in the absence of the proton-catalyzed processes in the acidic region of pH. These results suggest that Proscyllium myoglobin lacks distal histidine.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Enzymic sulfation of bile salts. Partial purification and characterization of an enzyme from the liver of the shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni that catalyses the sulfation of the shark bile steroid 5 beta-scymnol.

An enzyme system which catalyses the transfer of the sulfate group from 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate to the bile steroid 5 beta-scymnol has been isolated and characterized from the liver of the shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni (Meyer 1793). The enzyme is present in the cytosol fraction of liver cells. It was partially purified by hydroxylapatite chromatography, molecular sizing by G100-Sephadex and isoelectrofocusing electrophoresis. The apparent Km value for 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate was 4 microM and that for 5 beta-scymnol, 14 microM. The enzyme activity is inhibited by iodoacetate and p-chloromercuribenzoate indicating the possible requirement of a sulfhydryl group for activity. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 40 kDa by gel filtration. This was verified by running the partially purified material on a native gel and electrophoretically separating two major bands corresponding to molecular weights of 40 and 45 kDa, respectively. Isoelectric focusing of the purified material resulted in two major bands with pI values of 5.0 and 5.85. Enzymatic activity was found to be optimal at a pH of 6.5 with little activity recorded at pH 5.0 and 8.0.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Function of the heterocercal tail in sharks: quantitative wake dynamics during steady horizontal swimming and vertical maneuvering.

The function of the heterocercal tail in sharks has long been debated in the literature. Previous kinematic data have supported the classical theory which proposes that the beating of the heterocercal caudal fin during steady horizontal locomotion pushes posteroventrally on the water, generating a reactive force directed anterodorsally and causing rotation around the center of mass. An alternative model suggests that the heterocercal shark tail functions to direct reaction forces through the center of mass. In this paper, we quantify the function of the tail in two species of shark and compare shark tail function with previous hydrodynamic data on the heterocercal tail of sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus. To address the two models of shark heterocercal tail function, we applied the technique of digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) to quantify the wake of two species of shark swimming in a flow tank. Both steady horizontal locomotion and vertical maneuvering were analyzed. We used DPIV with both horizontal and vertical light sheet orientations to quantify patterns of wake velocity and vorticity behind the heterocercal tail of leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) and bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium punctatum) swimming at 1.0Ls(-1), where L is total body length. Two synchronized high-speed video cameras allowed simultaneous measurement of shark body position and wake structure. We measured the orientation of tail vortices shed into the wake and the orientation of the central jet through the core of these vortices relative to body orientation. Analysis of flow geometry indicates that the tail of both leopard and bamboo shark generates strongly tilted vortex rings with a mean jet angle of approximately 30 degrees below horizontal during steady horizontal swimming. The corresponding angle of the reaction force is much greater than body angle (mean 11 degrees ) and the angle of the path of motion of the center of mass (mean approximately 0 degrees ), thus strongly supporting the classical model of heterocercal tail function for steady horizontal locomotion. Vortex jet angle varies significantly with body angle changes during vertical maneuvering, but sharks show no evidence of active reorientation of jet angle relative to body angle, as was seen in a previous study on the function of sturgeon tail. Vortex jet orientation is significantly more inclined than the relatively horizontal jet generated by sturgeon tail vortex rings, demonstrating substantial differences in function in the heterocercal tails of sharks and sturgeon. We present a summary of forces on a swimming shark integrating data obtained here on the tail with previous data on pectoral fin and body function. Body orientation plays a critical role in the overall force balance and compensates for torques generated by the tail. The pectoral fins do not generate lift during steady horizontal locomotion, but play an important hydrodynamic role during vertical maneuvering.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Comparative studies of high performance swimming in sharks I. Red muscle morphometrics, vascularization and ultrastructure.

Tunas (family Scombridae) and sharks in the family Lamnidae are highly convergent for features commonly related to efficient and high-performance (i.e. sustained, aerobic) swimming. High-performance swimming by fishes requires adaptations augmenting the delivery, transfer and utilization of O(2) by the red myotomal muscle (RM), which powers continuous swimming. Tuna swimming performance is enhanced by a unique anterior and centrally positioned RM (i.e. closer to the vertebral column) and by structural features (relatively small fiber diameter, high capillary density and greater myoglobin concentration) increasing O(2) flux from RM capillaries to the mitochondria. A study of the structural and biochemical features of the mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) RM was undertaken to enable performance-capacity comparisons of tuna and lamnid RM. Similar to tunas, mako RM is positioned centrally and more anterior in the body. Another lamnid, the salmon shark (Lamna ditropis), also has this RM distribution, as does the closely related common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus; family Alopiidae). However, in both the leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) and the blue shark (Prionace glauca), RM occupies the position where it is typically found in most fishes; more posterior and along the lateral edge of the body. Comparisons among sharks in this study revealed no differences in the total RM quantity (approximately 2-3% of body mass) and, irrespective of position within the body, RM scaling is isometric in all species. Sharks thus have less RM than do tunas (4-13% of body mass). Relative to published data on other shark species, mako RM appears to have a higher capillary density, a greater capillary-to-fiber ratio and a higher myoglobin concentration. However, mako RM fiber size does not differ from that reported for other shark species and the total volume of mitochondria in mako RM is similar to that reported for other sharks and for tunas. Lamnid RM properties thus suggest a higher O(2) flux capacity than in other sharks; however, lamnid RM aerobic capacity appears to be less than that of tuna RM.

Adaptation, Biological↗