The effects of bee (Apis mellifera) venom phospholipase A2 on Trypanosoma brucei brucei and enterobacteria.
The potential role of phospholipases in trypanosomiasis was investigated using bee venom phospholipase A2 (bvPLA2) as a model. The effects of bvPLA2 on the survival of Trypanosoma brucei brucei, 2h and 12h cultures of Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii were studied. About 1 mg ml(-1) bvPLA2 was trypanocidal after 30 min. Some growth occurred at lower concentrations up to 2h after treatment but viability decreased up to 8h. Even very low concentrations of bvPLA2 (10(-12) mg ml(-1)) had some trypanocidal activity. Bee venom PLA2 was bactericidal to 2h bacterial cultures but bacteriostatic to 12h ones. Minimum bactericidal concentrations were 10(-5)-10(-6) mg ml(-1). The results showed that bvPLA2 had significant trypanocidal and antibacterial effects on Gram-negative bacteria. The relationship to events occurring during infection is discussed. Phospholipases may play a role in increased endotoxin levels in trypanosomiasis.
Boutrin
M-C F
MC
Centre for Parasitology and Infectious Diseases, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, The Crescent Salford, Lancs M5 4WT, United Kingdom.
Foster
H A
HA
Pentreath
V W
VW
D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000201:enzymology*; D001516:Bees; D016971:Citrobacter freundii / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D016972:Enterobacter cloacae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; D054467:Phospholipases A2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
D001514:Bee Venoms; D054467:Phospholipases A2