Acetylcholinesterase in Biofouling Species: Characterization and Mode of Action of Cyanobacteria-Derived Antifouling Agents

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Joana R Almeida (Author) Other; Micaela Freitas (Author) Other; Susana Cruz (Author) Other; Pedro N Leao (Author) Other; Vitor Vasconcelos (Author) FCUP; Isabel Cunha (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Toxins

Vol. 7

Pages: 2739-2756

ISSN: 2072-6651

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 18 Citations

Scopus - 23 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Basic medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-E5E

DOI: 10.3390/toxins7082739

Abstract (EN): Effective and ecofriendly antifouling (AF) compounds have been arising from naturally produced chemicals. The objective of this study is to use cyanobacteria-derived agents to investigate the role of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity as an effect and/or mode of action of promising AF compounds, since AChE inhibitors were found to inhibit invertebrate larval settlement. To pursue this objective, in vitro quantification of AChE activity under the effect of several cyanobacterial strain extracts as potential AF agents was performed along with in vivo AF (anti-settlement) screening tests. Pre-characterization of different cholinesterases (ChEs) forms present in selected tissues of important biofouling species was performed to confirm the predominance of AChE, and an in vitro AF test using pure AChE activity was developed. Eighteen cyanobacteria strains were tested as source of potential AF and AChE inhibitor agents. Results showed effectiveness in selecting promising eco-friendly AF agents, allowing the understanding of the AF biochemical mode of action induced by different compounds. This study also highlights the potential of cyanobacteria as source of AF agents towards invertebrate macrofouling species.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 18