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DatoValore
TitleThe mucus of Sabella spallanzanii (Annelida, Polychaeta): Its involvement in chemical defence and fertilization success
AbstractIn several species mucus typically forms a slippery coating that performs many specialised roles including the defence against infection and protection for eggs. In the present study we focused on the mucus of the polychaete Sabella spallanzanii in order to ascertain its involvement in chemical defence and fertilization success. The observations were carried out over an annual cycle according to different phases of the reproductive cycle. Mucus of S. spallanzanii showed a natural lysozyme-like activity with a maximum at pH 6.0 and I=0.175. This activity was present in all the sampling times except for January (T4) which corresponds to the reproductive period of this species. The electrophoretic analysis revealed at least ten major protein bands, with molecular weights ranging from 16 to 90 kDa, and six minor components, with molecular weights ranging from 14 to 116 kDa. This pattern was reported all over the year except for the reproductive period when not only the lysozyme-like activity decreased but the number of protein bands was also reduced. During this period microscopical observations of the mucus indicated that only fertilised eggs enveloped in the mucus were released out of the tubes where the worms live. This supports previous hypothesis that fertilization does not occur in the water column but it takes place in the tube just after egg release (in situ fertilization). This fertilization strategy, not involving egg dispersal in the water column, ensures a high success of fertilization. The mucus of S. spallanzanii therefore represents the ideal mean where eggs are released and fertilized as well as a compartment involved in defending the worms from bacterial attack serving as medium into which the antibacterial substances are exuded. The defensive role of lysozyme is important taking into account that this polychaete lives in eutrophic environments such as harbours where bacteria, including pathogens to man and marine organism, are abundant.
SourceJournal of experimental marine biology and ecology 374, pp. 144–149
KeywordsAntibacterial activityFertilizationlysozymeSabellidae
JournalJournal of experimental marine biology and ecology
EditorElsevier, Amsterdam, Paesi Bassi
Year2009
TypeArticolo in rivista
DOI10.1016/j.jembe.2009.04.016
AuthorsSTABILI LOREDANA , SCHIROSI ROBERTO, LICCIANO MARGHERITA , GIANGRANDE ADRIANA
Text6668 2009 10.1016/j.jembe.2009.04.016 ISI Web of Science WOS 000267182800008 Scopus 2 s2.0 65649142988 Antibacterial activity Fertilization lysozyme Sabellidae The mucus of Sabella spallanzanii Annelida, Polychaeta Its involvement in chemical defence and fertilization success STABILI LOREDANA , SCHIROSI ROBERTO, LICCIANO MARGHERITA , GIANGRANDE ADRIANA IAMC CNR DiSTeBA, Universita del Salento In several species mucus typically forms a slippery coating that performs many specialised roles including the defence against infection and protection for eggs. In the present study we focused on the mucus of the polychaete Sabella spallanzanii in order to ascertain its involvement in chemical defence and fertilization success. The observations were carried out over an annual cycle according to different phases of the reproductive cycle. Mucus of S. spallanzanii showed a natural lysozyme like activity with a maximum at pH 6.0 and I=0.175. This activity was present in all the sampling times except for January T4 which corresponds to the reproductive period of this species. The electrophoretic analysis revealed at least ten major protein bands, with molecular weights ranging from 16 to 90 kDa, and six minor components, with molecular weights ranging from 14 to 116 kDa. This pattern was reported all over the year except for the reproductive period when not only the lysozyme like activity decreased but the number of protein bands was also reduced. During this period microscopical observations of the mucus indicated that only fertilised eggs enveloped in the mucus were released out of the tubes where the worms live. This supports previous hypothesis that fertilization does not occur in the water column but it takes place in the tube just after egg release in situ fertilization . This fertilization strategy, not involving egg dispersal in the water column, ensures a high success of fertilization. The mucus of S. spallanzanii therefore represents the ideal mean where eggs are released and fertilized as well as a compartment involved in defending the worms from bacterial attack serving as medium into which the antibacterial substances are exuded. The defensive role of lysozyme is important taking into account that this polychaete lives in eutrophic environments such as harbours where bacteria, including pathogens to man and marine organism, are abundant. 374 http //www.journals.elsevier.com/journal of experimental marine biology and ecology/ The mucus of Sabella spallanzanii Annelida, Polychaeta Its involvement in chemical defence and fertilization success JEMBE_2009.pdf Articolo in rivista Elsevier 0022 0981 Journal of experimental marine biology and ecology Journal of experimental marine biology and ecology J. exp. mar. biol. ecol. loredana.stabili STABILI LOREDANA TA.P04.002.001 Fascia Costiera e Ambienti di Transizione analisi strutturale e funzionale delle componenti biotiche ed abiotiche degli ecosistemi per lo sviluppo sostenibile delle attivita