Can mutagenicity information be useful in an Integrated Testing Strategy (ITS) for skin sensitization?

Our previous work has investigated the utility of mutagenicity data in the development and application of Integrated Testing Strategies (ITS) for skin sensitization by focusing on the chemical mechanisms at play and substantiating these with experimental data where available. The hybrid expert system TIMES (Tissue Metabolism Simulator) was applied in the identification of the chemical mechanisms since it encodes a comprehensive set of established structure-activity relationships for both skin sensitization and mutagenicity. Based on the evaluation, the experimental determination of mutagenicity was thought to be potentially helpful in the evaluation of skin sensitization potential. This study has evaluated the dataset reported by Wolfreys and Basketter (Cutan. Ocul. Toxicol. 23 (2004), pp. 197-205). Upon an update of the experimental data, the original reported concordance of 68% was found to increase to 88%. There were several compounds that were 'outliers' in the two experimental evaluations which are discussed from a mechanistic basis. The discrepancies were found to be mainly associated with the differences between skin and liver metabolism. Mutagenicity information can play a significant role in evaluating sensitization potential as part of an ITS though careful attention needs to be made to ensure that any information is interpreted in the appropriate context.

Effect of bone sialoprotein and collagen coating on cell attachment to TICER and pure titanium implant surfaces.

To improve integration between implants and biological tissues, this study compared bone sialoprotein (BSP) as a surface-coating material against the major organic and inorganic components of bone, collagen type I and hydroxyapatite (TICER). The expression of osteocalcin, osteonectin and transforming growth factor ss was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining procedures. The distribution patterns of osteoblasts on the surface of pure titanium with a smooth machined surface and a rough surface (TICER) were determined by image processing using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results compared to uncoated control materials showed that, at all times investigated, the number of cells on the surface of the TICER and pure titanium samples differed significantly (P<0.1), demonstrating the superiority of TICER over pure titanium in this respect. For pure titanium implants, collagen-precoated surfaces were not beneficial for the attachment of bone-derived cells with the exception of day 3 in vitro (P<0.01). BSP-precoated implant surfaces displayed non-significantly higher numbers of settled cells. BSP-precoated implant surfaces were beneficial for osteoinduction as revealed by osteocalcin and osteonectin expression. BSP precoating of the rough TICER implant surface enhanced the osteoinductive effect much more than did collagen precoating. These results contribute to the consideration of at least two distinct pathways of osseointegration.

Demonstration of antibodies to the chitin-binding mistletoe lectin (cbML) in tumor patients before and during therapy with an aqueous mistletoe extract.

Mistletoe extracts exert immunomodulatory properties in vivo and in vitro, and these effects have been related mainly to mistletoe lectin 1 (ML-1). Recently, a new chitin-binding mistletoe lectin (cbML) has been isolated and structurally characterized in these extracts. Aim of the present study was, therefore, to evaluate whether this cbML also affects immunocompetent cells and can for instance activate B-cells to produce anti-cbML-specific antibodies. Sera from patients with different tumors who were treated with the mistletoe extract ABNOBAviscum Mali (AM) 4 for at least 18 weeks were analysed before therapy and after 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 weeks. Sera were tested by ELISA against ML-1, -3, and cbML, isolated from a single mistletoe plant collected from an apple tree (Malus domestica). Eight of the 26 patients (31%) had IgG anti-cbML antibodies already before therapy, while only four had anti-ML-1 and -3 antibodies. Of the 18 anti-cbML negative patients before therapy 54% developed these antibodies during therapy, and there was a significant increase in anti-cbML antibody titers. In contrast, anti-ML-1 or -3-antibodies developed in almost 100% of the 25 patients being negative before therapy. These data indicate that cbML can induce immunological responses in patients treated with mistletoe extracts, although it seems to have lower antigenicity. Interestingly, anti-cbML antibodies can be observed in a low incidence also in individuals, not having yet received mistletoe therapy.

Rapana thomasiana hemocyanin (RtH): dissociation and reassociation behavior of two isoforms, RtH1 and RtH2.

Rapana thomasiana hemocyanin (RtH) is a mixture of two hemocyanin isoforms, termed RtH1 and RtH2. The two subunit types, purified by ion exchange chromatography, were used for macromolecular reassociation studies. In vitro reassociation was achieved with Tris-saline stabilizing buffer at pH 7.4, containing 100mM calcium and magnesium chloride at 4 degrees C. The relatively slow progress of reassociation was monitored, and the different oligomeric forms of RtH1 and RtH2 were studied by transmission electron microscopy, using samples negatively stained with 1% (w/v) uranyl acetate or 5% (w/v) ammonium molybdate containing 1% (w/v) trehalose at pH 7.0. The two subunits reassociate to produce characteristic didecamers, oligomeric and polymeric forms depending on the dissociated material and the reassociation conditions (i.e. divalent ion concentration, duration). In contrast to the didecamers of the freshly isolated RtH preparations, RtH1 and RtH2 show after 2 weeks' reassociation a clear tendency to generate multidecameric structures. The behavior of the native RtH1 and RtH2 during reassociation in the presence of 100mM calcium and magnesium chloride corresponds to the reported common oligomerization characteristics of KLH1/HtH1 and KLH2/HtH2, respectively. It is important to note that during the reassociation of the RtH isoforms: (I) no smaller diameter tubular polymers (ca. 25-27nm) were formed from the subunits as well as from the decamers; (II) multidecamers with one or more 'nucleating' didecamers were detected in addition to the multidecamers, composed of didecamers with associated decamers at one or both ends.

Viviparus ater hemocyanin: investigation of the dioxygen-binding site and stability of the oxy- and apo-forms.

The active site of Viviparus ater (mollusc) hemocyanin was investigated using the fact that the binding of dioxygen to the binuclear copper-containing sites of hemocyanins is connected with the appearance of specific dichroic bands which are very sensitive to changes in the structrure and polarity of the environment. Oxy-Viviparus ater hemocyanin exhibits near UV and visible circular dichroism spectra different from those of other molluscan and arthropodan hemocyanins. These differences are due probably to variations in the geometry or charge distribution in the dioxygen binding sites of the compared proteins. The thermostability of Viviparus ater hemocyanin and the significance of the copper-dioxygen system for the stability were also investigated. "Melting" temperatures, Tm, of 77 degrees C for the oxy-hemocyanin and 57 degrees C for the apo-protein were calculated from the denaturation curves which demonstrates the considerable role of the binuclear active site for the thermostability. Viviparus ater hemocyanin is more thermostable than other hemocyanins for which data are published.

[Protein analysis of enzyme tablets]. / Proteinanalytische Untersuchungen an Enzymtabletten.

Enzyme tablets with butyrylcholine esterase (CHE) and peroxidase (POD) partly lose enzymatic activity during compaction at a pressure of 495 MPa. Compared to solutions of the original enzyme, no changes of ultraviolet absorbance and fluorescence intensity in the tablet solutions were found. Only small changes were observed in the far ultraviolet circular dichroism spectra. Neither missing nor additional bands were detected with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Heated (150 degrees C) solid starting material with CHE and POD showed still part of its original enzymatic activity. The ultraviolet absorbance increased with continued heating until precipitation occurred. The circular dichroism spectra are changed clearly.

Human cofilin forms oligomers exhibiting actin bundling activity.

Human cofilin possesses the tendency for self-association, as indicated by the rapid formation of dimers and oligomers when reacted with water-soluble carbodiimide, Ellman's reagent, or glutathione disulfide. Intermolecular disulfide bonds involve Cys(39) and probably Cys(147) of two adjacent cofilin units. The disulfide-linked dimers and oligomers exhibit a biological activity distinct from the monomer. While monomeric cofilin decreased viscosity and light-scattering of F-actin solutions, dimers and oligomers caused an increase in viscosity and light scattering. Electron microscopy revealed that cofilin oligomers induce the formation of highly ordered actin bundles with occasionally blunt ends similar to actin-cofilin rods observed in cells under oxidative stress. Bundling activity of the disulfide-linked oligomers could be completely reversed into severing activity by dithiothreitol. Formation of cofilin oligomers occurred also in the presence of actin at pH 8, but not at pH 6.6, and was significantly enhanced in the presence of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Our data are consistent with the idea that cofilin exists in two forms in vivo also: as monomers exhibiting the known severing activity and as oligomers exhibiting actin bundling activity. However, stabilization of cofilin oligomers in cytoplasm is probably achieved not by disulfide bonds but by a local increase in cofilin concentration and/or binding of regulatory proteins.

Preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the external functional unit RtH2-e from the Rapana thomasiana.

The 'external' oxygenated functional unit RtH2-e of the Rapana hemocyanin subunit RHSS2 was isolated and crystallized. X-ray intensity data to 3.3 A resolution have been collected at 100 K and the structure has been solved using the molecular-replacement method. The space group is assigned to be the tetragonal P4(3)2(1)2, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 105.5, c = 375.0 A.

Purification, characterization, and primary structure of four depressant insect-selective neurotoxin analogs from scorpion (Buthus sindicus) venom.

Four depressant insect-selective neurotoxin analogs (termed Bs-dprIT1 to 4) from the venom of the scorpion Buthus sindicus were purified to homogeneity in a single step using reverse-phase HPLC. The molecular masses of the purified toxins were 6820.9, 6892.4, 6714.7, and 6657.1 Da, respectively, as determined by mass spectrometry. These long-chain neurotoxins were potent against insects with half lethal dose values of 67, 81, 103, and 78 ng/100 mg larva and 138, 160, 163, and 142 ng/100 mg cockroach, respectively, but were not lethal to mice even at the highest applied dose of 10 microg/20 g mouse. When injected into blowfly larvae (Sarcophaga falculata), Bs-dprIT1 to 4 induced classical manifestations of depressant toxins, i.e., a slow depressant flaccid paralysis. The primary structures of Bs-dprIT 1 to 4 revealed high sequence homology (60-75%) with other depressant insect toxins isolated from scorpion venoms. Despite the high sequence conservation, Bs-dprIT1 to 4 showed some remarkable features such as (i) the presence of methionine (Met(6) in Bs-dprIT1 and Met(24) in Bs-dprIT2 to 4) and histidine (His(53) and His(57) in Bs-dprIT1) residues, i.e., amino acid residues that are uncommon to this type of toxin; (ii) the substitution of two highly conserved tryptophan residues (Trp43 --> Ala and Trp53 --> His) in the sequence of Bs-dprIT1; and (iii) the occurrence of more positively charged amino acid residues at the C-terminal end than in other depressant insect toxins. Multiple sequence alignment, sequence analysis, sequence-based structure prediction, and 3D homology modeling studies revealed a protein fold and secondary structural elements similar to those of other scorpion toxins affecting sodium channel activation. The electrostatic potential calculated on the surface of the predicted 3D model of Bs-dprIT1 revealed a significant positive patch in the region of the toxin that is supposed to bind to the sodium channel.

Primary structure, isoforms, and molecular modeling of a chitin-binding mistletoe lectin.

From mistletoe Viscum album L. extracts three chitin-binding lectin isoforms, cbML1, cbML2, and cbML3, were isolated and their primary structure determined. All three cbML isoforms are composed of two protein chains of 48 or 49 amino acid residues, linked by an intermolecular disulfide bond. The sequence of each single cbML chain is characterized by a relatively high number of cysteine and glycine residues, 9 and 6, respectively, and contains four intramolecular disulfide bridges. On the basis of the combined interpretation of sequencing and MALDI MS data, the following results for the three cbML isoforms were obtained: the first one consists of two identical truncated polypeptide chains (1--48), the second is a heterodimer, containing one truncated (1--48) and one full-length chain (1--49), and the third is composed of two full length chains (1--49). The cbML sequence shows 55% identity to hevein, a single-chain chitin-binding protein of 43 amino acids, one of the most predominant proteins in natural rubber latex. On the basis of the NMR data on hevein from Hevea brasiliensis the three-dimensional structure of cbML3 was modelled. The 26 sequence changes between cbML3 and hevein were accommodated with only little perturbation in the main chain folding. A comparison of the primary structures of cbML3 and hevein is shown and the effects of the sequence changes are discussed. Differences have been identified in the loop region of the molecule and the potential interface region of cbML3 supporting the dimer formation. The high-affinity chitin-binding site seems to be highly conserved.

Substrate specificity of the highly alkalophilic bacterial proteinase esperase: relation to the x-ray structure.

Esperase is a highly alkalophilic bacterial proteinase produced by Bacillus lentus. The enzyme hydrolyzes peptide bonds comprising the carboxylic groups of hydrophobic as well as hydrophilic residues in the oxidized insulin B chain. Some of these bonds are not attacked by other alkaline microbial proteinases. P1-P4 specificity was determined by a series of peptide nitroanilides. The S1 recognition loop exhibits a preference for Phe. The "cleft" of the smallest subsite S2 prefers Ala and exhibits low affinity for the larger chain of Leu. S3 is more open than the other subsites and can accept a variety of residues. Hydrophobic interactions predominate in the S4-P4 interactions because S4 can accommodate Phe very well. The results characterize Esperase as an endopeptidase with a broader specificity in comparison with other microbial serine proteinases. This is probably owing to a more flexible substrate binding site.

Penaeus monodon (tiger shrimp) hemocyanin: subunit composition and thermostability.

Penaeus monodon (class Crustacea, order Decapoda) is one of the largest shrimps of the Penaeidea family from the Indo-West Pacific region. The dioxygen-transporting protein hemocyanin, isolated from the hemolymph of this invertebrate, is composed of three 75-76 kDa structural/functional subunits designated as Pm1, Pm2 and Pm3. The N-terminal sequences of the chains were determined and compared with those of other decapodan hemocyanin subunits. Pm2 and Pm3 are highly homologous and electrophoretically undistinguishable polypeptides. In comparison to Pml, they have an extension of six residues. Pm1 is closely related to the subunit Pv2 of the Penaeus vannamei hemocyanin. Probably, subunits like Pm1 and Pv2 are family-specific for the Penaeidea hemocyanins and the other subunits are species-specific. Comparison of N-terminal sequences of respiratory proteins from the sub-orders Natantia and Reptantia demonstrated family- and sub-order-specific sequences. A melting point of 69 degrees C, lower than those for the di-hexameric decapodan hemocyanins, was determined from the temperature dependence of ellipticity of the mono-hexameric Penaeus monodon hemocyanin. Thermostability of decapodan hemocyanins depends on their aggregation state.

Differences in the specificities of the highly alkalophilic proteinases Savinase and Esperase imposed by changes in the rigidity and geometry of the substrate binding sites.

Savinase and Esperase are closely related highly alkalophilic proteinases produced by Bacillus lentus. They are suitable couple for investigating the structural basis of proteinase specificity due to the identity of the catalytic and the differences in the substrate binding sites. Two of the substitutions in these sites are very important: T129P and G131P. The two prolines provide an extra rigidity of the Savinase-binding site. The substitutions S166N and Q191T in the S1 recognition loop change the binding geometry of the substrate P1 residue. The geometry of S1 in Esperase is more favorable for binding and catalysis in comparison to that in Savinase. Differences in P3 specificity are probably created by the substitution V104L, which influences the conformation of S3. Leu in position 104 is more favorable for the binding of Phe to S4 than Val. The lower affinity and catalytic efficiency as well as more narrow proteolytic specificity of Savinase in comparison to those of Esperase are explained with the extra rigidity and unfavorable changes in geometry of the substrate binding site of the first enzyme.

Isolation and characterization of a xylose-glucose isomerase from a new strain Streptomyces thermovulgaris 127, var. 7-86.

A thermostable D-xylose-glucose isomerase was isolated from the thermophilic strain Streptomyces thermovulgaris 127, var. 7-86, as a result of mutagenic treatment by gamma-irradiation of the parent strain, by precipitation and sequential chromatographies on DEAE-Sephadex A50, TSK-gel, FPLC-Mono Q/HR, and Superose 12 columns. The N-terminal amino acid sequence and amino acid analysis shows 73-92% homology with xylose-glucose isomerases from other sources. The native molecular mass, determined by gel filtration on a Superose 12 column, is 180 kDa, and 44.6 and 45 kDa were calculated, based on amino acid analysis and 10% SDS-PAGE, respectively. Both, the activity and stability of the enzyme were investigated toward pH, temperature, and denaturation with guanidine hydrochloride. The enzyme activity showed a clear pH optimum between pH 7.2 and 9.0 with D-glucose and 7.4 and 8.3 with D-xylose as substrates, respectively. The enzyme is active up to 60-85 degrees C at pH 7.0, using D-glucose, and up to 50-60 degrees C at pH 7.6, using D-xylose as substrates. The activation energy (Ea = 46 kJ x mol(-1)) and the critical temperature (Tc = 60 degrees C) were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy. Tc is in close coincidence with the melting temperature of denaturation (Tm = 59 degrees C), determined by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The free energy of stabilization in water after denaturation with Gdn.HCl was calculated to be 12 k x mol(-1). The specific activity (km values) for D-xylose-glucose isomerase at 70 degrees C toward different substrates, D-xylose, D-glucose, and D-ribose, were determined to be 4.4, 55.5, and 13.3 mM, respectively.

Quick fuzzy backpropagation algorithm.

A modification of the fuzzy backpropagation (FBP) algorithm called QuickFBP algorithm is proposed, where the computation of the net function is significantly quicker. It is proved that the FBP algorithm is of exponential time complexity, while the QuickFBP algorithm is of polynomial time complexity. Convergence conditions of the QuickFBP, resp. the FBP algorithm are defined and proved for: (1) single output neural networks in case of training patterns with different targets; and (2) multiple output neural networks in case of training patterns with equivalued target vector. They support the automation of the weights training process (quasi-unsupervised learning) establishing the target value(s) depending on the network's input values. In these cases the simulation results confirm the convergence of both algorithms. An example with a large-sized neural network illustrates the significantly greater training speed of the QuickFBP rather than the FBP algorithm. The adaptation of an interactive web system to users on the basis of the QuickFBP algorithm is presented. Since the QuickFBP algorithm ensures quasi-unsupervised learning, this implies its broad applicability in areas of adaptive and adaptable interactive systems, data mining, etc. applications.

A sensitive homologous radioimmunoassay for human relaxin-2 (h-RLX-2) based on antibodies characterized by epitope mapping studies.

We present a sensitive homologous radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the quantitative determination of human relaxin (hRLX) in human serum, plasma, seminal plasma, and urine. This assay is based on a rabbit antiserum which was generated using recombinant hRLX-2 as immunogen. Using 125I-hRLX-2 as tracer and a total incubation time of 20 - 24 hours the radioimmunoassay showed linearity in a range of 60 - 4000 ng/l, a lower detection limit of 38 ng/l and a mean recovery rate of 98.5%. Intraassay variation was 4.0% (mean = 526 ng/l) and 11.9% (mean = 2368 ng/l), and interassay variation 10.7% (mean = 256 ng/l) and 13.1% (mean = 2368 ng/l). Using hRLX-2 hexapeptides on polystyrene pins, epitopes recognized by the hRLX-2 specific rabbit antiserum were determined experimentally, and compared to predicted epitopes. Both methods led to comparable results. The antiserum, recognizing different epitopes, showed no cross-reactivity with human insulin, hZn-insulin, hIGF-I, hIGF-II, human inhibin alpha-subunit, two different forms of seminal plasma inhibin like peptide, spermolaxin, ubiquitin, prolactin, LH, FSH and hCG.

Characterization and sequence elucidation of a novel peptide with molt-inhibiting activity from the South African spiny lobster, Jasus lalandii.

We have isolated a peptide from extracts of sinus glands from a South African spiny lobster species, Jasus lalandii, by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and identified it as a putative molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) by (i) an in vitro assay with J. lalandii Y-organs to measure the inhibition of ecdysteroid synthesis and (ii) an immunoassay using antiserum raised against MIH of the edible crab. The MIH of J. lalandii has 74 amino acid residues, a molecular mass of 9006 Da, a free N-terminus and an amidated C-terminus. The full primary sequence has been obtained from sequencing various digest fragments (tryptic, endoproteinase Asp-N, cyanogen bromide) of the unreduced (native) peptide: RFTFDCPGMMGQRYLYEQVEQVCDDCYNLYREEKIAVNCRENCFLNSWFTVCLQATMREHETPRFDIWR SIILKA-NH(2). Structural comparisons with other peptides show that the J. lalandii MIH belongs to the peptide family which includes the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone, molt-inhibiting hormone and vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone (cHH/MIH/VIH). This novel peptide has 36-43% sequence identity to putative MIHs from other decapod crustaceans and 32-34% identity to the two cHH peptides previously identified in this spiny lobster species. This is the first report of a peptide with MIH activity in the Palinuridae infraorder.

Identification of macrophage migration inhibitory factor isoforms in bovine brain.

In the course of the study of the primary structures and molecular mechanisms of action of immunologically active compounds of the nervous system we have isolated from the soluble fraction of total bovine brain two heat-stable proteins. The purification procedure was mainly based on DEAE-Servacel ion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase HPLC. The proteins were identified by the N-terminal Edman microsequence analysis and database searching as macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). The N-terminal sequences for MIF1 and MIF2 were found to be identical. According to mass spectral analysis, the molecular masses for MIF1 and MIF2 were determined respectively as 12,369.21 and 12,299.7 Da. In addition, we have also isolated a third peptide having the same N-terminal sequence and Mr 9,496.2 that seems to be a proteolytic fragment of MIF. Using p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate as a substrate, we have not revealed tautomerase activity of either MIF1 or MIF2. As both the immunologic and enzymatic activities were reported to be expressed by the oligomeric structure of MIF, we suggest that the present study may give additional information on MIF in terms of structural properties of this protein. A comparatively simple purification procedure is presented that may be widely used for simultaneous isolation in one run of MIF isoforms.

Arrangement of functional units within the Rapana thomasiana hemocyanin subunit RtH2.

For the determination of the number and linear sequential arrangement of functional units (FUs) within the polypeptide chain of the Rapana hemocyanin subunit RtH2, a panel of mono-, di-, tri- and penta-FU fragments was generated by limited proteolysis of the purified subunit with four different enzymes. The individual cleavage products were isolated, characterized by SDS-PAGE and N-terminally sequenced. Most of the information about the FU sequential arrangement within RtH2 was obtained after limited proteolysis of the subunit with plasmin. Overall correlation of the data revealed the sequential order of the eight FUs within the polypeptide chain of RtH2, termed RtH2-a to RtH2-h. The sites, most sensitive to proteolytic cleavage with plasmin, are located at the C-terminus, between the FUs ef, fg and gh. A second main cleavage site was observed between the FUs cd. Endoproteinase GluC hydrolyzes these sites, too, but produces exclusively a mixture of mono-, di- and tri-FU fragments. The most stable fragments, the trimer abc and the dimer gh, are found in all cleavage mixtures of RtH2 studied. RtH2-h is compared with the corresponding h-FUs of the gastropodan hemocyanins of Pila leopoldvillensis, Helix pomatia, Megathura crenulata and Haliotis tuberculata, and a remarkable similarity is observed between them: an increased M(r) of approximately 65000 instead of approximately 50000, estimated for an average FU, suggesting that the sequence of RtH2-h is elongated by about 95 amino acid residues at the C-terminal part of the molecule, as found for beta(c)-HpH, HtH1 and HtH2.

Oxygen transport proteins: III. Structural studies of the scorpion (Buthus sindicus) hemocyanin, partial primary structure of its subunit Bsin1.

The hemocyanin (Hc) from Buthus sindicus, studied in the native state, demonstrated to be an aggregate of eight different types of subunits arranged in four cubic hexamers. Both, the 'top' and the 'side' views of the native molecule have been identified from the negatively stained specimens using transmission electron microscopy. Out of these, eight different polypeptide chains, the partial primary structure (68%) of a subunit Bsin1 (Mr = 72422.7 Da) was established using a combination of automated Edman degradation and mass spectrometry. A multiple sequence alignment with other closely related cheliceratan Hc subunits revealed average identities of ca. 60%. Most of the structurally important residues, i.e. copper and calcium-binding ligands, as well as the residues involved in the presumed oxygen entrance pathway, proved to be strictly conserved in Bsin1. Sequence variations have been observed around the functionally important chloride-binding site, not only for the B. sindicus subunit Bsin1, but also for the subunit Aaus-6 of the scorpion A. australis and the subunit Ecal-a from the spider Eurypelma californicum Hcs. Deviation in the primary structure related to the chloride-binding site suggest that the effect of chloride ions may vary in different hemocyanins. Furthermore, the secondary structural contents of the Hc subunit Bsin1 were determined by circular dichroism revealing ca. 33% alpha-helix, 18%, beta-sheet, 19% beta-turn, and 30% random coil composition. These values are in good agreement with the crystal structure of the closely related Hc subunit Lpol-II from horseshoe crab L. polyphemus. Electron microscopic studies of the purified Hc subunit under native conditions revealed that Bsin1 has self aggregation properties. Results of these studies are discussed.