A Type IIa crustin from the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis (crusFpau) is constitutively synthesized and stored by specific granule-containing hemocyte subpopulations.

Crustins are cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) widely distributed across crustaceans. From the four described crustin Types (I to IV), crustins from the subtype IIa are the most abundant and diverse members found in penaeid shrimp. Despite the critical role of Type IIa crustins in shrimp antimicrobial defenses, there is still limited information about their synthesis and antimicrobial properties.

Morphological and functional characterization of the hemocytes from the pearl oyster Pteria hirundo and their immune responses against Vibrio infections.

Hemocyte populations of the pearl oyster Pteria hirundo were characterized at morphological, ultrastructural and functional levels. Three main hemocyte populations were identified: hyalinocytes, granulocytes and blast-like cells. Hyalinocytes were the most abundant population (88.

Parasitological survey of mangrove oyster, Crassostrea rhizophorae, in the Pacoti River Estuary, Ceará State, Brazil.

The mangrove oyster, Crassostrea rhizophorae (Bivalvia, Ostreidae) is commonly collected by fisherwomen in the estuaries of the Ceará State (CE), Northeastern Brazil. Despite the socioeconomic importance of this natural resource, there are few studies on the health of the oysters in this region. This study aimed to survey pathological changes in the mangrove oyster C.

Cellular and transcriptional responses of Crassostrea gigas hemocytes exposed in vitro to brevetoxin (PbTx-2).

Hemocytes mediate a series of immune reactions essential for bivalve survival in the environment, however, the impact of harmful algal species and their associated phycotoxins upon bivalve immune system is under debate. To better understand the possible toxic effects of these toxins, Crassostrea gigas hemocytes were exposed to brevetoxin (PbTx-2). Hemocyte viability, monitored through the neutral red retention and MTT reduction assays, and apoptosis (Hoechst staining) remained unchanged during 12 h of exposure to PbTx-2 in concentrations up to 1000 µg/L.

Evidence for a novel biological role for the multifunctional β-1,3-glucan binding protein in shrimp.

β-1,3-Glucan binding proteins (βGBPs) are soluble pattern recognition proteins/receptors that bind to β-1,3-glucans from fungi cell walls. In crustaceans, βGBPs are abundant plasmatic proteins produced by the hepatopancreas, and have been proved to play multiple biological functions. Here, we purified and characterized novel members of the βGBP family from the hemolymph of two Brazilian shrimps, Farfantepenaeus paulensis (FpβGBP) and Litopenaeus schmitti (LsβGBP).