Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases (Jan 2007)

A glycoprotein with anti-inflammatory properties secreted by an Aspergillus nidulans modified strain

  • J. C. F. Queiroz,
  • C. F. P. Teixeira,
  • I. Lebrun,
  • P. J. Spencer,
  • T. M. A. D. Zucchi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992007000200010
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 2
pp. 527 – 543

Abstract

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Total RNA from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated rat macrophages used to treat protoplasts from an Aspergillus nidulans strain originated the RT2 regenerated strain, whose culture supernatant showed anti-inflammatory activity in Wistar rats. The protein fraction presenting such anti-inflammatory activity was purified and biochemically identified. The screening of the fraction responsible for such anti-inflammatory property was performed by evaluating the inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema in male Swiss mice. Biochemical analyses of the anti-inflammatory protein used chromatography, carbohydrates quantification of the protein sample, amino acids content analysis and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Total sugar quantification revealed 32% glycosylation of the protein fraction. Amino acid analysis of such fraction showed a peculiar pattern presenting 29% valine. SDS-PAGE revealed that the protein sample is pure and its molecular weight is about 40kDa. Intravenous injection of the isolated substance into mice significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema. The isolated glycoprotein decreased carrageenan-induced paw edema in a prostaglandin-dependent phase, suggesting an inhibitory effect of the isolated glycoprotein on prostaglandin synthesis.

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