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NIGERLYSINTM, HEMOLYSIN PRODUCED BY ASPERGILLUS NIGER, CAUSES LETHALITY OF PRIMARY RAT CORTICAL NEURONAL CELLS IN VITRO
Citation:
DONOHUE, M. J., W. WEI, J. WU, N. H. ZAWIA, N. HUD, V. DE JESUS, D. SCHMECHEL, J. M. HETTICK, D. H. BEEZHOLD, AND S. J. VESPER. NIGERLYSINTM, HEMOLYSIN PRODUCED BY ASPERGILLUS NIGER, CAUSES LETHALITY OF PRIMARY RAT CORTICAL NEURONAL CELLS IN VITRO. TOXICOLOGY. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 219:150-155, (2006).
Impact/Purpose:
1. Develop and publish a standard method or guidance document for QPCR analysis of microorganisms in environmental samples (air and water filtrates and dust).a standard method or guidance document for QPCR analysis of microorganisms in environmental samples (air and water filtrates and dust). Publication will involve a consensus standards organization. 2. Use QPCR methods to monitor childhood exposures to mold as a part of field studies, in order to establish whether a relationship exists between molds encountered in indoor environments and asthma-related health problems.
Description:
Aspergillus niger produced a proteinaceous hemolysin, nigerlysinTM when incubated on sheep's blood agar at both 23° C and 37°C. Nigerlysin was purified from tryptic soy broth culture filtrate. Purified nigerlysin has a molecular weight of approximately 72 kDa, with an isoelectric point of 3.45. Nigerlysin is heat stable up to 65° C but unstable at 75° C when incubated for 10 min. Circular dichroic analysis revealed that nigerlysin has an alpha helical structure. Exposure of primary rat cortical neuronal cells showed a threshold of toxicity between 2 and 5 ng. Exposure to 10 ng of nigerlysin resulted in the rapid loss of their viability, approximately 50% in 24 h.