The limulus clotting reaction.

S Iwanaga

doi:10.1016/0952-7915(93)90084-6

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The limulus clotting reaction.

S Iwanaga

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Abstract

Our biochemical studies on the hemolymph coagulation-complement system using limulus indicate that the circulating hemocytes contain at least four serine protease zymogens and one clottable protein, coagulogen, which constitute a cascade triggered by bacterial endotoxins and (1,3)-beta-D-glucan. We also found several antimicrobial substances, tachyplesin peptides and anti-lipopolysaccharide factor, in the hemocytes. These clotting factors and antimicrobial substances are released into the hemolymph in response to lipopolysaccharide, where they cooperate in immobilization and killing of invading microorganisms as a host defense.

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Amino Acid Sequence Animals Anti-Bacterial Agents Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides Blood Coagulation Factors DNA-Binding Proteins Endotoxins Enzyme Precursors Gram-Negative Bacteria Hemocytes Hemolymph Horseshoe Crabs Limulus Test Molecular Sequence Data Peptides Peptides, Cyclic Serine Endopeptidases Journal Article Review

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S Iwanaga. 1993. The limulus clotting reaction.. https://doi.org/10.1016/0952-7915(93)90084-6

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