- Email: [email protected]
Properties of the venom of the sculpin Scorpaena guttata
Abstracts of Papers
149
RorxscFm..n, M., Reicxsrenv, T., vox Euw, J. and Artnv, R., Elsfield Manor, Elsfield, Oxford, England; Universität Basel, Institut ßr Organische Chemie, Basel, Switzerland, and 2nd Dyson Perrin Laboratory, Oxford Tozic Lepidoptera There are two broad categories of Lepidoptera, so far investigated by us, which contain poisonous substances and active deterrents in the imago: (a) those which ingest the toxins as larvae with their food plant and store them in their body tissues. Examples : Dames plexippus, D. chrysippus and Papilio antimaches (cardenolides) ; Pachlioptera aristolochlae and Battus philenor (aristolochic acid); (b) those which secrete their own poisons and deterrents . Examples : Zygaena spp. (hydrocyanic acid [HCN], Acetylcholine [ACh]) ; Arctia raja and Utethesla bola (ßß dimethylalcrylylcholine) ; Calllmorpha jacobaeae (histamine). In the case of Arctia caja and Callimorphajacobaeae (and no doubt other species not so far investigated), these two moths both secrete poisonous substances themselves, but can also store toxic alkaloids derived from their food plants . The female of A . caja also contains a toxic protein concentrated in the eggs . All these species are aposematic (warningly-colored) and several of them serve as models for Batesian mimics.
Ruccrn.Ri, G. D., NIGRELId, R. F. and S78I~lEN, M. F., Ja., Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences, New York Aquarium, New York Zoological Society, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A . Some biochemical and physioIIaglcal properties of extracts from several ec>ilnoderms Saponins were isolated from four species of echinoids, Mellita quinquiesperforata, Clypeaster roaacees, Meoma ventricosa and Diadems antillaruor. Diadems spines were removed, extracted and tested separately from the bodies . Saponins were also isolated from the ophiuroid, Ophiocoora echinata, and the crinoid, Neoraster rubiginosa . Chromatographic analyses of sugar components are reported for each saponin mixture. All saponins gave positive reactions for the presence of sulfate. The extracts were tested on human blood for hemolytic potency and the common killifish, Fundalus heteroclitus, was used for ichthyotoxic analyses. The effects elicited by these saponins on sperm motility, unfertilized eggs and early developmental stages of the sea urchin, Arbacia punctulata, are also described. These data are compared with the results obtained from holothuroids and asteroids previously studied in this laboratory . (Supported by a grant from The John A. Hartford Foundation, Inc.)
RosseLt., F. E., Cwxisort, R. D., Sci3nexxax, R. C. and Biaa~s, R D., University of Southern California School of Medicine, Laboratory of Neurological Research, Los Angeles, California, U.S .A . Properties of the venom of the scalpin Scorpacwa grants The venom of the Californian sculpin, Scorpaena guttsta, was studied for its stability and physical properties . Neutralizing and precipitating antibodies were produced and studied. The crude venom was separated by gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, and by paper, cellulose acetate and disc electrophoresis . Fractions were assayed for amino acid composition . A number of physiopharmacological investigaüons, using both the crude venom and the venom fractions, were performed. These studies included the hemodynamio-survey preparation, isolated heart and artery preparations, phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations, complement studies, and others . The results of these various studies will be presented.
R~rvse?., F. E, and
University of Southern California School of Medicine, Laboratory of Neurological Research, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A . Some pharmacological properties of Qrotalrs .irr~ iellerl venom Two toxins of the venom of the rattlesnake Crotales viridis helleri were separated by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. The crude venom, protein and polypeptide could be easily distinguished by their effects on mice following i.v. injection of a lethal dose . DUHNOFF, J.,
149
RorxscFm..n, M., Reicxsrenv, T., vox Euw, J. and Artnv, R., Elsfield Manor, Elsfield, Oxford, England; Universität Basel, Institut ßr Organische Chemie, Basel, Switzerland, and 2nd Dyson Perrin Laboratory, Oxford Tozic Lepidoptera There are two broad categories of Lepidoptera, so far investigated by us, which contain poisonous substances and active deterrents in the imago: (a) those which ingest the toxins as larvae with their food plant and store them in their body tissues. Examples : Dames plexippus, D. chrysippus and Papilio antimaches (cardenolides) ; Pachlioptera aristolochlae and Battus philenor (aristolochic acid); (b) those which secrete their own poisons and deterrents . Examples : Zygaena spp. (hydrocyanic acid [HCN], Acetylcholine [ACh]) ; Arctia raja and Utethesla bola (ßß dimethylalcrylylcholine) ; Calllmorpha jacobaeae (histamine). In the case of Arctia caja and Callimorphajacobaeae (and no doubt other species not so far investigated), these two moths both secrete poisonous substances themselves, but can also store toxic alkaloids derived from their food plants . The female of A . caja also contains a toxic protein concentrated in the eggs . All these species are aposematic (warningly-colored) and several of them serve as models for Batesian mimics.
Ruccrn.Ri, G. D., NIGRELId, R. F. and S78I~lEN, M. F., Ja., Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences, New York Aquarium, New York Zoological Society, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A . Some biochemical and physioIIaglcal properties of extracts from several ec>ilnoderms Saponins were isolated from four species of echinoids, Mellita quinquiesperforata, Clypeaster roaacees, Meoma ventricosa and Diadems antillaruor. Diadems spines were removed, extracted and tested separately from the bodies . Saponins were also isolated from the ophiuroid, Ophiocoora echinata, and the crinoid, Neoraster rubiginosa . Chromatographic analyses of sugar components are reported for each saponin mixture. All saponins gave positive reactions for the presence of sulfate. The extracts were tested on human blood for hemolytic potency and the common killifish, Fundalus heteroclitus, was used for ichthyotoxic analyses. The effects elicited by these saponins on sperm motility, unfertilized eggs and early developmental stages of the sea urchin, Arbacia punctulata, are also described. These data are compared with the results obtained from holothuroids and asteroids previously studied in this laboratory . (Supported by a grant from The John A. Hartford Foundation, Inc.)
RosseLt., F. E., Cwxisort, R. D., Sci3nexxax, R. C. and Biaa~s, R D., University of Southern California School of Medicine, Laboratory of Neurological Research, Los Angeles, California, U.S .A . Properties of the venom of the scalpin Scorpacwa grants The venom of the Californian sculpin, Scorpaena guttsta, was studied for its stability and physical properties . Neutralizing and precipitating antibodies were produced and studied. The crude venom was separated by gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, and by paper, cellulose acetate and disc electrophoresis . Fractions were assayed for amino acid composition . A number of physiopharmacological investigaüons, using both the crude venom and the venom fractions, were performed. These studies included the hemodynamio-survey preparation, isolated heart and artery preparations, phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations, complement studies, and others . The results of these various studies will be presented.
R~rvse?., F. E, and
University of Southern California School of Medicine, Laboratory of Neurological Research, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A . Some pharmacological properties of Qrotalrs .irr~ iellerl venom Two toxins of the venom of the rattlesnake Crotales viridis helleri were separated by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. The crude venom, protein and polypeptide could be easily distinguished by their effects on mice following i.v. injection of a lethal dose . DUHNOFF, J.,