Mammalian and insect metalloproteases

Abstract

Metalloproteases (metalloproteinases, MMP) digest extracellular matrix proteins. They have zinc ions (Zn2+) in their active site. They are synthesized within cells as proenzymes, to be subsequently activated in the extracellular environment. MMP are active in a neutral or slightly alkaline pH in the presence of Ca2+ ions. Cells that synthesize metalloproteases also produce metalloprotease inhibitors. Until now, 4 of MMP inhibitors as well as 28 endometalloproteases have been discovered, out of which 22 occur in humans. On the other hand, these enzymes have not been well explored in insects, in which only 2 metalloproteases were identified (Ance and ECE). Their optimal activity ranges between pH 7.0 and 9.4. MMP inhibitors control the concentration of metalloproteases in physiological conditions. They fall within two types: specific tissue MMP inhibitors and non-specific plasma MMP inhibitors. Metalloproteases and their inhibitors play an important role in both physiological and pathological processes in the organism. Metalloproteases are cell growth promotors. They inhibit/induce apoptosis, stimulate the development of healthy cells and control the activity of neoplastic cells both in people and in insects. Their activity is increased in skin and periodontal diseases, in arthritis, arteriosclerosis or in the period following myocardial infarction. In insects the activity of MMPs is also increased by environmental pollution, by the use of antibiotics and varroacides. The insect MMPs participate in digestion, biosynthesis of peptide hormones and neurotransmitters, and melanisation. They also affect the development of the reproductive system and the development of larvae and pupae, as well as prevent pathogen invasions. Worthy of special attention is the insect cuticle defensive barrier associated with MMP. Activation of metalloproteases is dependent on the physiological state of the organism, as well as on environmental pressure. Analyzing activities of metalloproteases and their inhibitors enables better monitoring of the pathological conditions in both insects and mammals.

Fast and Cost-Effective Biochemical Spectrophotometric Analysis of Solution of Insect “Blood” and Body Surface Elution

“…At this point, it is worth noting that all of the hemolymph collection methods violate the body surface and disqualify the insect from an analysis of body surface elution (due to the contamination of the body surface with substances from the interior). The immune system of some insects covers the surface of the body; the production of immune proteins on the outside keeps microorganisms from penetrating inwards [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. The body surface samples of some insect species could be affected by the metobolic products of surface-residing microorganisms, and results obtained from their analysis are not apropiate for interpretation.…”

Honey bee as an alternative model invertebrate organism

“…W badaniach prowadzonych na pszczołach miodnych testując naturalne substancje stosowane jako składniki suplementów diety u ludzi wykazano, iż wydłużają życie i powodują ogólną poprawę kondycji. Substancje takie jak kurkumina (126) czy koenzym Q10 (127), powodują zwiększenie odporności immunologicznej oraz poprawę wybranych wskaźników biochemicznych (16,43,64,90,118,119,(122)(123)(124)137). Ponadto alternatywne zwierzęta modelowe sprawdzają się w badaniu nielegalnie stosowanych leków weterynaryjnych i hormonów wzrostu -Neomysis integer reaguje w taki sam sposób, jak zwierzęta wyższe na leki zawierające stanozolol lub norclostebol (sterydy będące pochodnymi testosteronu), potwierdzając analogię metabolizmu kręgowców i bezkręgowców (32).…”

Quantitative Study on Anti-Pest Activity of Natural Products Based on Visualization Framework of Knowledge Graph

“…In general, as insects continue to grow, the activity of AST and ALT gradually increases [11] . Once insects are disturbed by pesticides, the activity of enzymes such as AST and ALT will decrease [22] . Some studies have used aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) EO and NE to kill the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum and to investigate their insecticidal strength by molecular docking and three-dimensional structure simulation.…”

“…Natural products mainly act by interfering with the growth and development of pests, thereby affecting their digestive system, respiratory system and nervous system. In addition, natural products can affect the enzyme activity in insects through amphotericin B [22] , Na + /K + -ATPase [23,24] , P450 enzyme [25,26] , carboxylesterase [27,28] , glutamic acid decarboxylase [29][30][31] , chitinase [32] and other factors, which finally achieves the aim of killing pests [33] . These special natural products are non-polluting, relatively safe to humans and animals, and do not easily confer drug resistance to target organisms; therefore, they have been widely used in crop protection.…”