[Characterization of secondary vitellin in the crustacean Brachyura Carcinus maenas]. / Caractérisation de la vitelline secondaire chez le Crustacé Brachyoure Carcinus maenas.

The secondary vitellin was chromatographically purified and characterized in the crab, Carcinus maenas. It was a lipoglycoprotein of molecular weight 500,000. After dissociation, we observed two major sub units (82,000 and 72,000, respectively), and many lighter minor fractions. These results are compared with those described for some other Crustacea.

Extracellular Hemoglobins of Hydrothermal Vent Annelids: Structural and Functional Characteristics in Three Alvinellid Species.

The polychaete annelids Alvinella pompejana, Alvinella caudata, and Paralvinella grasslei are strictly associated with deep sea hydrothermal vents. Each species possesses an extracellular hemoglobin, Hb, which has been studied and compared to that of a common intertidal polychaete, the lugworm Arenicola marina. The four Hbs exhibit very similar quaternary structures and spectral properties, and only small differences appeared in the gross polypeptide compositions after reduction and sodium dodecyl sulfate denaturation of the native molecules. Conversely, by a comparison of the effects of pH (6.6-7.6) and temperature (10-40{deg}C) on their intrinsic O affinities, Bohr factors, cooperativities, and apparent heats of oxygenation, lugworm Hb can be differentiated from that of the alvinellids, and the Hb of A. pompejana from that of A. caudata. The known biology of the lugworm and a further analysis of the data suggest several hypotheses concerning the in vivo O2 transport function of the alvinellid Hbs, the in vivo blood pH value in the two alvinellid species, their respective range of optimal temperature, and their ability to create a differentiated and stable external microenvironment.

[Protein composition of the hemolymph of Biomphalaria glabrata (Mollusca, Gastropoda). Influence of the method of sampling and relation to the protein composition of different organs]. / Composition protéique de l'hémolymphe de Biomphalaria glabrata (Mollusque Gastéropode). Influence de la méthode de prélèvement et relation avec la composition protéique des différents organes.

The blood composition of B. glabrata is analyzed by electrophoresis. Its proteic composition differs in relation with the blood sampling method. Most of the supplementary fractions also have been found in the gut, some proteins possibly come from the hepatopancreas, whereas others could have their origin in the albumen gland. The sampling method must be selected according to these observations.

[The relationship between host and parasite in the Crustacean Carcinus parasitized by Sacculina carcini: effect of crude extracts of Sacculina and haemolymph of parasitized Crab upon the proteinogramm of experimented healthy crabs (author's transl)]. / Relations hote-parasite entre les crustacés Carcinus et Sacculina carcini: effet d'extraits de parasite et de l'hémolymphe de crabe infesté sur le protéinogramme de crabes sains.

The injection of crude extracts of Sacculina to healthy crabs induces, after a variable lapse of time, qualitative and quantitative changes in their proteinogramm and a delay in their moulting cycle. These changes are the same as those observed in infested specimens. The injection of haemolymph from parasitized crabs gives similar effects. So, the Sacculina could be able to produce effect from afar upon organs not invaded by the roots of the parasite.