AI Article Synopsis
- The nematocyst is an organelle in cnidarians that plays a critical role in defense and prey capture.
- Minicollagens and the glycoprotein NOWA are key components of the nematocyst capsule, which can withstand high osmotic pressure.
- Research shows that NOWA can form macromolecular particles similar to the native structure of the nematocyst wall, indicating a complex assembly of proteins in this unique structure.
Article Abstract
The nematocyst is a unique extrusive organelle involved in the defense and capture of prey in cnidarians. Minicollagens and the glycoprotein NOWA are major components of the nematocyst capsule wall, which resists osmotic pressure of 15 MPa. Here we present the recombinant expression of NOWA, which spontaneously assembles to globular macromolecular particles that are sensitive to reduction as the native wall structure. Ultra-structural analysis showed that the Hydra nematocyst wall is composed of several layers of globular particles, which are interconnected via radiating rodlike protrusions. Evidence is presented that native wall particles contain NOWA and minicollagen, supposed to be linked via disulfide bonds between their homologous cysteine-rich domains. Our data suggest a continuous suprastructure of the nematocyst wall, assembled from wall proteins that share a common oligomerization motif.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M407613200 | DOI Listing |
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