Successive digestion of tilapia collagen by serine proteinase and proline specific endopeptidase to produce novel angiotensin l-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides

Serine proteinase,purified from the hepatopancreas of Pacific white shrimp(Litopenaeus vannamei), was used to hydrolyze acid solubilized collagen(ASC)isolated from Nile tilapia(Oreochromis sp.)skin to produce angiotensin I-converting enzyme(ACE)inhibitory peptides(ACEIPs).A series of column chromatography assays were used to separate the ACEIPs.A peptide,NPARTCR,was isolated as it exhibited high ACE inhibition potential.Further digestion of this peptide by a proline specific endopeptidase(PSEP),produced a pentapeptide ARTCR with ACE inhibitory activity(IC_(50))of 77.0 pmol/L.Both NPARTCR and ARTCR inhibited ACE in a non-competitive manner.An in vivo study in rats demonstrated that ARTCR has ACE inhibitory activity via lowering systolic blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs).These results suggest that processing by-products from shrimp and tilapia are ideal raw materials for the production of serine proteinase and collagen,respectively.Serine proteinase and collagen are both ideal raw materials that can be used to derive ACE inhibitory active peptides against hypertension.

The biochemical basis of antimicrobial responses in Manduca sexta

Innate immunity is essential for the wellbeing of vertebrates and invertebrates. Key components of this defense system include pattern recognition receptors that bind to infectious agents, extra-and intra-cellular proteins that relay signals, as well as molecules and cells that eliminate pathogens. We have been studying the defense mechanisms in a biochemical model insect, Manduca sexta. In this insect, hemolin, peptidoglycan recognition proteins, β-1,3-glucan recognition proteins and C-type lectins detect microbial surface molecules and induce immune responses such as phagocytosis, nodulation, encapsulation, melanization and production of antimicrobial peptides. Some of these responses are mediated by extracellular serine proteinase pathways. The proteolytic activation of prophenoloxidase （proPO） yields active phenoloxidase （PO） which catalyzes the formation of quinones and melanin for wound healing and microbe killing. M. sexta hemolymph proteinase 14 （HP 14） precursor interacts with peptidoglycan or β-1,3-glucan, autoactivates, and leads to the activation of other HPs including HP21 and proPO-activating proteinases （PAPs）. PAP-1, -2 and -3 cut proPO to generate active PO in the presence of two serine proteinase homologs. Inhibition of the proteinases by serpins and association of the proteinase homologs with bacteria ensure a localized defense reaction. M. sexta HP1, HP6, HP8, HP17 and other proteinases may also participate in proPO activation or processing of spatzle and plasmatocyte spreading peptide.