Effect of zinc on lysozyme-like activity of the seastar Marthasterias glacialis (Echinodermata, Asteroidea) mucus

• Published in: Journal of invertebrate pathology Vol. 100; no. 3; pp. 189 - 192
• Main Authors: Stabili, L., Pagliara, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.03.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Asteroidea; Biological and medical sciences; Chlorides - toxicity; Echinodermata; Echinodermata - enzymology; Environmental Pollutants - toxicity; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Invertebrates; Lysozyme; Marine; Marthasterias glacialis; Micrococcus lysodeikticus; Mucus; Mucus - drug effects; Mucus - enzymology; Muramidase - drug effects; Seastar; Zinc Compounds - toxicity; Marthasterias glacialis; Seastar; Mucus; Lysozyme; Asteroidea; Echinodermata; Enzyme; Biological marker; Organism defense; Zinc; Glycosylases; Marine environment; Infection; Enzymatic activity; Glycosidases; Hydrolases; Bacteria; Water pollution; Invertebrata
• ISSN: 0022-2011; 1096-0805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2009.01.005

Lysozyme represents the best characterized enzyme involved in the self-defense from bacteria. In this study we analysed the effects of zinc on the lysozyme-like activity of the seastar Marthasterias glacialis mucus. This activity, detected by measuring the cleared lysis area of dried Micrococcus lysodeikticus cell walls on Petri dishes, was significantly reduced in presence of zinc. The results are discussed in the light of elucidating the possible relationship between environmental contaminants and increased disease susceptibility in seastars due to the decrease of antibacterial protection. The benefits of using the test of lysozyme activity to monitoring environmental pollution are highlighted.