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Affinity purification of Hydra glutathione binding proteins
S L Bellis1, D C Laux, D E Rhoads
1Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Rhode Island, Kingston 02881.
FEBS Letters
|November 14, 1994
Summary
Researchers identified key proteins involved in feeding behavior in Hydra. These glutathione-binding peptides are crucial for chemoreception, significantly impacting feeding responses.
Area of Science:
- * Molecular Biology
- * Animal Behavior
- * Biochemistry
Background:
- * Glutathione (GSH) is known to trigger feeding behavior in Hydra.
- * External chemoreceptors are hypothesized to mediate this response.
- * Identifying these chemoreceptors is key to understanding Hydra's feeding mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To isolate and identify proteins in Hydra that bind to glutathione (GSH).
- * To determine if these GSH-binding proteins are involved in chemoreception and feeding behavior.
Main Methods:
- * Solubilized membrane proteins from Hydra were purified using affinity chromatography with immobilized GSH.
- * Protein identification involved analyzing molecular weight and generating specific antisera.
- * The effect of antisera on GSH-stimulated feeding behavior was quantified.
Main Results:
- * A triplet of peptides (24.5-26 kDa) was identified as the most abundant GSH-binding proteins.
- * Antiserum against these peptides inhibited GSH-stimulated feeding behavior by 47%.
- * This suggests a significant role for these peptides in Hydra's chemosensory system.
Conclusions:
- * The 24.5-26 kDa peptide triplet represents candidate molecules for the Hydra GSH chemoreceptor.
- * These findings provide direct evidence for the involvement of specific peptides in mediating feeding behavior via chemoreception.