Alpha 2-macroglobulin-mediated clearance of proteases from the plasma of the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
R MelchiorP B Armstrong

Abstract

Because proteases free in the body are damaging to the tissues, animals have evolved various agents for their inactivation and clearance. Mammals, for instance, have a diverse array of active site protease inhibitors in the plasma. In addition, mammals have alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M), which binds active proteases, and the alpha 2M-protease complex is then cleared from the plasma by a receptor-mediated endocytotic process. alpha 2M is also present in the plasma of many invertebrates, and in the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, it is the only protease inhibitor in the plasma. To search for a clearance process for proteases in Limulus, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled proteins were injected into the blood, and the fluorescence in the plasma and associated with the blood cells was determined. FITC-labeled trypsin was cleared with an initial mixing period (0-10 min) and a rapid clearance period (10-30 min), followed by the reappearance of FITC in the plasma (45-90 min). Before and during the clearance process, the labeled trypsin was associated with a complex having a molecular mass identical to that of Limulus alpha 2M, and that was precipitated by antibodies directed against Limulus alpha 2M. The fluores...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 20, 2007·Immunogenetics·Francisco Ramírez-GómezJosé E García-Arrarás
Jul 30, 1999·Developmental and Comparative Immunology·P B Armstrong, J P Quigley
Apr 5, 2001·Trends in Immunology·P B Armstrong
May 3, 2003·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Toxicology & Pharmacology : CBP·Teresa Gollas-GalvánFrancisco Vargas-Albores
Aug 31, 2014·Fish & Shellfish Immunology·Phattara-Orn HavanapanChartchai Krittanai
Aug 2, 2005·Journal of Biotechnology·Moltira TonganuntKenichi Fujise
Jun 12, 2010·Bioconjugate Chemistry·Mariusz Tasior, Donal F O'Shea
Jul 31, 2007·Developmental and Comparative Immunology·Dalia F OnaraGeert F Wiegertjes

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