Phospholipase A2 activity of crocodile serum

Abstract

The catalytic activity of phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) was measured in serum samples from 32 crocodiles in Thailand and Australia by a method using 14 C-oleic acid-labelled autoclaved Escherichia coli membranes as a substrate. The highest PLA 2 activity was measured in the serum of Crocodylus siamensis (n = 9, mean ± SD), 13.3 ± 3.1 U/l followed by hybrid C. siamensis × C. porosus (n = 6), 10.4 ± 8.7 U/l and Crocodylus porosus (n = 17), 4.3 ± 3.0 U/l. The difference between C. siamensis and C. porosus was highly significant (P < 0.001). The gender of the animals and the geographical location of the crocodile farms were not significant variables affecting serum PLA 2 levels. It was concluded that PLA 2 is present in crocodilian serum and may have an antimicrobial role.

Characterization of Phospholipase A2 Enzyme Activity in Serum of the Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)Soluble phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) is an enzyme found in the peripheral circulation of vertebrates which has significant immunological activity. This en

“…More recently, circulating PLA2 has been identified in a variety of crocodilian species. Nevalainen et al [18] detected PLA2 in the serum of both saltwater (Crocodylus porosus) and Siamese crocodiles (C. siamensis) using radiolabeled fatty…”

Characterization of phospholipase A2 activity in serum of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

“…PLA 2 has been identified in reptiles, but primarily in snake (reviewed in Fraenkel-Conrat, '82) and lizard (Fry et al, 2005) venoms. However, recently Nevalainen et al (2008) showed that PLA 2 enzyme activity could be detected in both Siamese (Crocodylus siamensis) and saltwater (Crocodylus porosus) crocodiles. This study employed radiolabeled fatty acids to probe PLA 2 activities in crocodiles.…”

Potential of crocodile blood as a medication and dietary supplement: A systemic review

“…The physical barriers, such as the skin and gut mucosa, prevent the entry of pathogens, whereas chemokines refer to a category of small proteins involved in cell signalling. The documented cytokines in crocodilians include lysozymes, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) (defensins and cathelicidin), complement proteins, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) 20,29,31,57,59‐61 …”

“…The organs of crocodiles, including the bile, liver, lung, gall bladder, heart, lungs, intestine, and brain, have been suggested to have antimicrobial and antitumour effects 16‐19 . As a primary transport medium supporting all the body parts, it is believed that crocodile blood holds the key for the maintenance of health and metabolic balance, leading to a lot of studies on its effects on microbial infection, 16,20‐36 viral infection, 37 inflammation, 26,38‐44 oxidation, 25,27,38,39,41,43‐47 tumors, 16,23,48‐55 wound healing, 22,25 and iron‐deficiency anaemia 56…”