Myriapod haemocyanin: the first three-dimensional reconstruction of Scolopendra subspinipes and preliminary structural analysis of S. viridicornis

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2020
Authors:K. C. T. Riciluca, Borges, A. C., Mello, J. F. R., de Oliveira, U. C., Serdan, D. C., Florez-Ariza, A., Chaparro, E., Nishiyama, M. Y., Cassago, A., Junqueira-de-Azevedo, I. L. M., van Heel, M., Silva, P. I., Portugal, R. V.
Journal:Open Biology
Volume:10
Issue:4
Pagination:1-17
Date Published:01/04/2020
ISSN:2046-2441
Keywords:centipedes, haemocyanin, myriapods, negative stain, phenoloxidase, Scolopendra
Abstract:

Haemocyanins (Hcs) are copper-containing, respiratory proteins that occur in the haemolymph of many arthropod species. Here, we report the presence of Hcs in the chilopode Myriapoda, demonstrating that these proteins are more widespread among the Arthropoda than previously thought. The analysis of transcriptome of S. subspinipes subpinipes reveals the presence of two distinct subunits of Hc, where the signal peptide is present, and six of prophenoloxidase (PPO), where the signal peptide is absent, in the 75 kDa range. Size exclusion chromatography profiles indicate different quaternary organization for Hc of both species, which was corroborated by TEM analysis: S. viridicornis Hc is a 6 × 6-mer and S. subspinipes Hc is a 3 × 6-mer, which resembles the half-structure of the 6 × 6-mer but also includes the presence of phenoloxidases, since the 1 × 6-mer quaternary organization is commonly associated with hexamers of PPO. Studies with Chelicerata showed that PPO activity are exclusively associated with the Hcs. This study indicates that Scolopendra may have different proteins playing oxygen transport (Hc) and PO function, both following the hexameric oligomerization observed in Hcs.

URL:https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsob.190258
DOI:10.1098/rsob.190258
Short Title:Open Biol.
Citation Key:971
Refereed Designation:Refereed
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith