Biological-driven biochemical characterization of peptides and proteins isolated from Echinometra lucunter.

Abstract

Sea urchins are marine animals present in all oceans. In Brazil, Echinometra lucunter is ubiquitous and responsible for the majority of the sea-animals accidents. These accidents are mostly traumatic, that is, the spikes penetrate the victim s skin. The animals shelter contains the pedicellaria, which are structures responsible for the nourishment and cleaning of the animal. In some sea urchin species, like E lucunter, there may be venom glands associated to the pedicellaria; however, these toxins are not known for they are not relevant to the human accidents. A few peptides have already been isolated from other sea urchin species pedicellaria and some bradykinin-like and histamine-like activities have been reported. This work aim is to obtain the toxin from E lucunter collected at the shores of São Paulo, isolate and biochemically characterize peptides and proteins present in this toxins and test for pharmacological activities. In this way, it is our understanding that this project would collaborate to a better comprehension of the toxins present in the sea urchin pedicellaria. Moreover, new biologically active relevant molecules can be described presenting not only bioactivity but also biotechnological interest.