Giant extracellular hemoglobins, also known as erythrocruorins, have been investigated as a model of extreme complexity in oxygen-binding heme proteins [1,2]. They are characterized by a very high molecular mass (MM) of several megadalton (MDa), and their oligomeric structure together with the crowded and protected heme environment are two of the main factors responsible for the high redox stab...

Abstract Background and aim Plant pathogenic mycotoxin-producing Fusarium species are globally widespread lead to large annual yield losses in maize production (ecosystem disservice). Systems with reduced tillage mulching particularly under threat. In the present study, bioregulatory performance service) of common earthworm Lumbricus terrestris was analysed regarding suppression three economica...

The earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme-3 (EFE-3, GenBank accession No: AY438622), from the earthworm Eisenia foetida, is a component of earthworm fibrinolytic enzymes. In this study, cDNA encoding the EFE-3 was cloned by RT-PCR. The cDNA contained an open reading frame of 741 nucleotides, which encoded a deduced protein of 247 amino acid residues, including signal sequences. EFE-3 showed a high degr...

Encapsulation is an essential process of the invertebrate immune system and includes the prophenoloxidase (proPO) cascade. We present an assay for evaluating this immune response, now newly adapted to earthworms. Coelomic fluid is withdrawn and coelomocytes are stained with l-Dopa. We studied assay repeatability and the correlation between number of PO-active cells and infection level of the pa...

AUSTIlACT: Lumbricus lerres/ris, Alloloboplloro collginosa. and Eisen;o /ocada are \'ectors in tJle transmission of Heterakis gllilinarum nnd Histomonas to chickens and turkeys. The infective stage for Heterak is was found to be tJ1C second-stage ( fi rst post-hatching stage) larvae. Eurthwomls from infected premises thut were maintained 2 to 3 days in cach of tJlTOO or morc chunges of clean so...

Immunocompetent cells of earthworms, coelomocytes, comprise adherent amoebocytes and granular eleocytes (chloragocytes). Both cell populations can be expelled via dorsal pores of adult earthworms by exposure to an electric current (4.5 V) for 1 min. Analysis by phase contrast/fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry demonstrated that eleocyte population of several species exhibits a strong au...