Extraction, Characterization and Osteogenic Activity of a Type I Collagen from Starfish (Asterias amurensis)

Abstract

Outbreaks of starfish (Asterias amurensis) pose a major threat to aquaculture and marine ecosystems in Qingdao, China, and no effective methods have been found to control them. A comprehensive study of collagen in starfish could be an alternative to high efficient utilization. Based on this, collagen was firstly extracted from Qingdao A. amurensis. Then, its protein pattern, amino acid composition, secondary structure, microstructure and thermal stability were investigated. The results showed that the A. amurensis collagen (AAC) is a type I collagen composed of α1, α2, and β chains. Glycine, hydroxyproline, and alanine were the major amino acids. The melting temperature was 57.7 °C. From FTIR, UV spectra and CD chromatography, the AAC had an intact triple helix and secondary structure, and microstructural analysis showed that the AAC had a loose, fibrous porous structure. Next, the osteogenic differentiation effect of AAC on Mouse bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) was investigated, and the results showed that AAC induced osteogenic differentiation of cells by promoting the proliferation of BMSCs, enhancing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, promoting cell mineralization nodules and upregulating the expression of mRNA of relevant osteogenic genes. These results suggest that AAC might have the potential application to bone health-related functional foods.

Stem-Cell-Regenerative and Protective Effects of Squid (Symplectoteuthis oualaniensis) Skin Collagen Peptides against H2O2-Induced Fibroblast Injury

“…Next to glycine, the major amino acids found in collagen were hydroxyproline, proline, alanine, and glutamic acid. This result was consistent with the amino acid composition of collagens from other fish skin sources, such as shark skin and cartilage, tilapia scales and skin, and starfish [ 56 , 57 , 58 ]. The proline and hydroxyproline residues within collagen collectively contributed imino acid contents of 21.34% and 20.77% for PSC and ASC exhibiting iminic acid, respectively.…”

High-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of the Northern Pacific sea star Asterias amurensis

“…Starfish are voracious predators with multiple arms that feed on commercial shellfish such as oysters, scallops, clams, and other bivalves, as well as live corals. 1–3 The characteristics and dietary habits of starfish ensure their rapid proliferation when environmental conditions are favourable, leading to massive outbreaks known as starfish disasters, which can cause significant damage to shellfish farming and coral ecosystems. 4–6 The outbreak of starfish along coastal areas will result in severe economic losses and ecological damage to the aquaculture industry.…”

“…bivalves including oysters, scallops, and clams) that may dramatically alter community structure. 10 Adult A. amurensis has few natural enemies and exhibits strong reproductive ability, 1 ensuring its sudden population proliferate when environmental conditions are favourable. 11 Over the past decades, outbreaks of this starfish had been reported in coastal areas of China, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, 12–14 which had caused significant losses to local shellfish fisheries and coastal ecosystems.…”