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Published on: August 15, 2020
First egg protein with a neurotoxic effect on mice
Horacio Heras1, M Victoria Frassa, Patricia E Fernández
1Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata, Facultad de Medicina, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calles 60 y 120, 1900 La Plata, Argentina. h-heras@atlas.med.unlp.edu.ar
Summary
Researchers identified a novel protein neurotoxin within apple snail eggs, causing neurological damage in mice. This discovery marks the first identification of such a toxin in mollusk eggs outside of cone snails.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Invertebrates often use chemical defenses in their eggs.
- Proteinaceous toxins are known in some species, but not previously identified within eggs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a potential neurotoxin found in the eggs of the freshwater apple snail Pomacea canaliculata.
- To investigate the toxic effects and neurological impact of this egg-derived toxin in a mammalian model.
Main Methods:
- Egg extracts from Pomacea canaliculata were injected intraperitoneally into mice.
- Toxic fractions were purified, and the neurotoxin was characterized.
- Histopathological and immunocytochemical analyses were performed on mouse spinal cords.
Main Results:
- Apple snail egg extracts exhibited significant neurotoxicity in mice (LD50, 96h 2.3mg/kg).
- A purified glycoprotein (400kDa) from the eggs showed high toxicity (LD50, 96h 0.25mg/kg) and was identified as perivitellin PV2.
- The toxin induced spinal cord damage, chromatolysis, and increased apoptosis in dorsal horn neurons.
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first identification of a proteinaceous neurotoxin within mollusk eggs, distinct from cone snails.
- The toxin targets the mammalian central nervous system, affecting calcium buffering and inducing apoptosis.
- Perivitellin PV2 represents a novel neurotoxin with implications for understanding invertebrate defense mechanisms and neurobiology.
