Received: July 19, 2006.

Accepted: October 5, 2006.

Abstract published online: November 16, 2006.

Full paper published online: May 31, 2007.

A GLYCOPROTEIN WITH ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES SECRETED BY AN Aspergillus nidulans MODIFIED STRAIN

QUEIROZ J. C. F. (1), TEIXEIRA C. F. P. (2), LEBRUN I. (3), SPENCER P. J. (4), ZUCCHI T. M. A. D. (1)

(1) Department of Parasitology and Biotechnology Research Center, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil; (2) Laboratory of Pharmacology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil; (3) Biochemistry and Biophysics Laboratorty, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil; (4) Biotechnology Center, Nuclear Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN/SP), São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Total RNA from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated rat macrophages used to treat protoplasts from an Aspergillus nidulans strain originated the RT2 regenerated strain, whose culture supernatant showed anti-inflammatory activity in Wistar rats. The protein fraction presenting such anti-inflammatory activity was purified and biochemically identified. The screening of the fraction responsible for such anti-inflammatory property was performed by evaluating the inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema in male Swiss mice. Biochemical analyses of the anti-inflammatory protein used chromatography, carbohydrates quantification of the protein sample, amino acids content analysis and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Total sugar quantification revealed 32% glycosylation of the protein fraction. Amino acid analysis of such fraction showed a peculiar pattern presenting 29% valine. SDS-PAGE revealed that the protein sample is pure and its molecular weight is about 40kDa. Intravenous injection of the isolated substance into mice significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema. The isolated glycoprotein decreased carrageenan-induced paw edema in a prostaglandin-dependent phase, suggesting an inhibitory effect of the isolated glycoprotein on prostaglandin synthesis.

KEY WORDS: Aspergillus nidulans, protein purification and characterization, glycoprotein, anti-inflammatory activity.

FINANCIAL SOURCE: CNPq.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

JEAN CÉSAR FARIAS DE QUEIROZ, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, Cidade Universitária, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. Phone: 11 3091 7264. Email: queiroz.jcf@gmail.com.