Astakine1 forms protein complex in plasma

• Astakine 1 is a small cytokine-like peptide which is directly involved in hematopoiesis in crustaceans. Astakines are present in many different invertebrate groups primarily in arthropods. In this study we found that astakine1 was present as a high molecular weight (HMW) complex in plasma. It is known that calcium concentration are fluctuating in several crustaceans especially during the molting process. This HMW-complex was formed under low calcium concentrations in plasma and could be partially reversed provided calcium was added. The biological function of the naïve astakine1 and that in the HMW complex was about the same, but if the protein is to be isolated or studied for its function it is important to know about this property of astakine1 which may previously have hampered isolation and functional studies in other animals than freshwater crayfish.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Immunologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Immunology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Cytokine

Hematopoiesis

Pacifastacus leniusculus

Plasma protein

Biology with specialization in Comparative Physiology

Biologi med inriktning mot jämförande fysiologi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)