title: Detection of peptidoglycan and beta-glucan with silkworm larvae plasma test.
abstract: A method to detect peptidoglycan and (1-->3) beta-D-glucan with silkworm larvae plasma (SLP) derived from the hemolymph of the silkworm, Bombyx mori was developed. SLP contains all of the factors of the pro-phenol oxidase cascade, an important self-defense mechanism of insects. Peptidoglycan or (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan initiates the cascade, in which pro-phenol oxidase is finally activated to phenol oxidase. The phenol oxidase activity was colorimetrically or visually detected with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine as a substrate. SLP displayed high reactivity with peptidoglycan and polysaccharides containing 1,3-beta-glucosidic linkages, but not with endotoxins. SLP is useful for the detection of microbial contamination because peptidoglycan and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan are cell wall components of bacteria and fungi, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Osaka Research Laboratories, Wako Pure Chemical Industries Ltd., Hyogo, Japan. QZD04057@niftyserve.or.jp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsuchiya
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Asahi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Suzuoki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ashida
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsuura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D012831:Bombyx; D004156:Catechol Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry; D004792:Enzyme Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005936:Glucans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000201:enzymology*; D007814:Larva; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D047071:beta-Glucans
chemical_list: D004792:Enzyme Precursors; D005936:Glucans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D047071:beta-Glucans; C038459:curdlan; C033363:beta-1,3-glucan; C038451:pro-phenoloxidase; D004156:Catechol Oxidase; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase