Proteinase and gelatinolytic properties of a bat feces extract.
It was previously demonstrated that a bat feces extract (BAT) was able to produce a specific IgG in animals, a specific IgE in respiratory atopic humans and a hypersensitivity pneumonitis in guinea pigs. As numerous allergens (such as house-dust mite, cockroaches and pollens) revealed a enzymatic activity measured by different assays we decided to study the proteinase and the gelatinolytic activities of the BAT. Several protease inhibitors such as E-64, TLCK, TPCK, PMSF, leupeptin, o-phenantroline and pepstatin-A were applied to establish the chemical properties of the enzymatic activity. These assays revealed a serine-trypsin-like proteolytic and gelatinolytic activities specially at pH 8,5. On the other hand, two bands of 21 and 40 kDa reacted with the human atopic sera suggesting a possible correlation between allergenicity and proteinase activity. Their role in the etiology of perennial rhinitis and asthma requires further investigations.
Centro de Alergia, Hospital de Clínicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina. alehclin@fmed.uba.ar
A
A
Alonso
M
M
Potenza
K
K
Mouchián
J F
JF
Albónico
C H
CH
Pionetti
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000209:etiology
D000485:Allergens; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D010450:Endopeptidases; D018093:Gelatinases