Abstract
A high anti-leishmanial activity was observed in an aqueous extract from the marine sponge Pachymatisma johnstonii, Bowerbank 1842 (Demospongiae, Geodiidae). Pachymatismin, a glycoprotein, was purified and shown to be a cytotoxic agent, which acts on promastigote and clinical-like amastigote stages with IC50 about 1 microg protein/ml and induces changes in the cell shape, phospholipase A2 activity and invasion capacity of the parasite. We believe pachymatismin is the first reported substance from a marine organism with anti-leishmanial activity.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antiprotozoal Agents / isolation & purification
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Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology*
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Glycoproteins / isolation & purification
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Glycoproteins / pharmacology*
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In Vitro Techniques
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Inhibitory Concentration 50
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Leishmania / cytology
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Leishmania / drug effects*
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Leishmania / growth & development
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Macrophages, Peritoneal / parasitology
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
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Phospholipases A / metabolism
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Phospholipases A2
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Porifera / chemistry*
Substances
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Antiprotozoal Agents
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Glycoproteins
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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pachymatismin protein, Pachymatisma johnstonii
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Phospholipases A
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Phospholipases A2