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Damages at the nanoscale on red blood cells promoted by fire corals
Ana R Díaz-Marrero1, Miriam C Rodríguez González2, Alberto Hernández Creus2
1Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Canarias (CIBICAN), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda, Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
Abstract:
The hydrocoral Millepora alcicornis, known as fire coral, biosynthesize protein toxins with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity as a main defense mechanism; proteins that rapidly catalyse the hydrolysis at the sn-2 position of phosphatidylcholine-type phospholipids of cellular membranes. This hydrolysis mechanism triggers a structural damage in the outer leaflet of the red blood cells (RBC) membrane, by generating pores in the lipid bilayer that leads to a depletion of the cellular content of the damaged cell. A secondary mechanism, tentatively caused by pore-forming proteins toxins (PFTs), has been observed. The use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) has allowed to visualize the evolution of damages produced on the surface of the cells at the nanoscale level along the time.
Insights
Fire coral toxins damage red blood cells by breaking down cell membranes. Atomic force microscopy visualized these nanoscale damages over time.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
Background:
- Millepora alcicornis, or fire coral, uses protein toxins with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity for defense.
- PLA2 enzymes hydrolyze phospholipids in cell membranes, causing damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the defense mechanisms of Millepora alcicornis.
- To characterize the effects of fire coral toxins on red blood cells (RBCs).
- To visualize the nanoscale damage to cell membranes using atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Main Methods:
- Biochemical analysis of toxins from Millepora alcicornis.
- Incubation of red blood cells (RBCs) with fire coral toxins.
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) to observe cellular damage over time.
Main Results:
- Fire coral toxins, specifically PLA2, induce pore formation in RBC membranes.
- Hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids leads to cellular content depletion.
- AFM revealed nanoscale structural damage evolution on the RBC surface.
Conclusions:
- Millepora alcicornis employs PLA2 toxins to disrupt cell membranes as a primary defense.
- Pore-forming proteins may contribute to secondary damage mechanisms.
- AFM is a valuable tool for studying toxin-induced cellular damage at the nanoscale.
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