Purification and identification of novel cytotoxic oligopeptides from soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Globally, peptide-based anticancer therapies have drawn much attention. Marine organisms are a reservoir of anticancer peptides that await discovery. In this study, we aimed to identify cytotoxic oligopeptides from Sarcophyton glaucum. Peptides were purified from among the S. glaucum hydrolysates produced by alcalase, chymotrypsin, papain, and trypsin, guided by a methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on the human cervical cancer (HeLa) cell line for cytotoxicity evaluation. Purification techniques adopted were membrane ultrafiltration, gel filtration chromatography, solid phase extraction (SPE), and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Purified peptides were identified by de novo peptide sequencing. From papain hydrolysate, three peptide sequences were identified: AGAPGG, AERQ, and RDTQ (428.45, 502.53, and 518.53 Da, respectively). Peptides synthesized from these sequences exhibited cytotoxicity on HeLa cells with median effect concentration (EC50) values of 8.6, 4.9, and 5.6 mmol/L, respectively, up to 5.8-fold stronger than the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil. When tested at their respective EC50, AGAPGG, AERQ, and RDTQ showed only 16%, 25%, and 11% cytotoxicity to non-cancerous Hek293 cells, respectively. In conclusion, AERQ, AGAPGG, and RDTQ are promising candidates for future development as peptide-based anticancer drugs.

Human intoxication with paralytic shellfish toxins: clinical parameters and toxin analysis in plasma and urine

This study reports the data recorded from four patients intoxicated with shellfish during the summer 2002, after consuming ribbed mussels (Aulacomya ater) with paralytic shellfish toxin contents of 8,066 n 61.37 mg/100 gr of tissue. Data associated with clinical variables and paralytic shellfish toxins analysis in plasma and urine of the intoxicated patients are shown. For this purpose, the evolution of respiratory frequency, arterial blood pressure and heart rate of the poisoned patients were followed and recorded. The clinical treatment to reach a clinically stable condition and return to normal physiological parameters was a combination of hydration with saline solution supplemented with Dobutamine (vasoactive drug), Furosemide (diuretic) and Ranitidine (inhibitor of acid secretion). The physiological condition of patients began to improve after four hours of clinical treatment, and a stable condition was reached between 12 to 24 hours. The HPLC-FLD analysis showed only the GTX3/GTX2 epimers in the blood and urine samples. Also, these epimers were the only paralytic shellfish toxins found in the shellfish extract sample.

Calcium modulatory properties of O,O-diphenyl O-N-cyclooctyl phosphoramidate [corrected] isolated from Ptychodiscus brevis in rat atria and smooth muscle.

Calcium modulatory activity of a marine toxin has been studied employing in vitro preparations. The toxin induced contracture in rat diaphragm was not modified by denervation, d-tubocurarine and tetrodotoxin (TTX). In contrast, varying concentrations of calcium, EGTA and ryanodine inhibited the contracture significantly. The toxin produced a series of repeating contractions in vas deferens. Experiments with TTX, adrenoceptor blockers and other agents exclude a release of neuromediators or direct stimulation of post synaptic receptors to account for the rhythmic effect in vas deferens. The dependence of rhythmicity on external Ca2+ concentration and inhibiting effect of Mn2+, ryanodine and nifedipine indicate a direct activation of voltage-sensitive calcium channel. The toxin also evoked a similar pattern of response in paced atria mediated through Ca2+ influx.