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Epithelial immunity in a marine invertebrate: a cytolytic activity from a cuticular secretion of the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus
- Source :
- Marine Biology. 153:1165-1171
- Publication Year :
- 2008
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2008.
-
Abstract
- The cuticle of the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, is largely free of the macroscopic epibionts that rapidly colonize most solid surfaces exposed to sea water. Here, we describe a viscous surface secretion that coats the carapace of the horseshoe crab. We report methods for stimulating production of the substance, identify hemolytic and liposome-permeabilizing activities and provide a partial biochemical characterization. We propose that this secretion functions as an anti-fouling agent protecting the chitinized epithelium of the cuticle from colonization by deleterious epibionts.
Details
- ISSN :
- 14321793 and 00253162
- Volume :
- 153
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Marine Biology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........de2761def9c5798f303ad356b6716d19