Lectins from the cutaneous mucus of the scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri: Biochemical characterization and investigation of biotechnological potential.
Name: PRICILA MEIER SOUZA
Publication date: 08/12/2025
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| FABIANA VASCONCELOS CAMPOS | Examinador Externo |
| JULIANA BARBOSA COITINHO GONCALVES | Coorientador |
| RITA GOMES WANDERLEY PIRES | Examinador Interno |
| SUELY GOMES DE FIGUEIREDO | Presidente |
Summary: Lectins are proteins that recognize carbohydrates, especially those present in glycoconjugates, and participate in essential biological processes such as cell communication, immune response, infections, apoptosis, and metastasis, which makes them molecules of high biotechnological potential. Considering that fish skin mucus is a promising source of these proteins, this study aimed to purify and characterize lectins present in the mucus of Scorpaena plumieri. Two isolectins, designated LecSpM-I and LecSpM-II, were purified by gel filtration chromatography (Sephacryl S-200). Analyses by MALDI-TOF MS and LC-MS/MS revealed that both lectins form homodimers, whose monomers exhibit molecular masses of 15,858 Da (LecSpM-I) and 13,022 Da (LecSpM-II), and indicated that they are isoforms homologous to plumieribetin, a type B lectin previously described in the venom of this fish species. SDS-PAGE/PAS and immunoblot assays confirmed the glycoprotein nature and oligomeric state of the purified proteins. The LecSpMs exhibited moderate cytotoxicity, promoting a reduction in metabolic cell viability (MCV) in tumor (C6 and RKO) and non-tumor (HEK293 and RAW) cell lines, as demonstrated in resazurin assays. In addition, they displayed antithrombotic activity by inhibiting collagen-induced platelet aggregation, suggesting a possible functional interaction with key mediators of hemostasis. The purification and initial characterization of these lectins represent an essential step toward understanding their chemical and biological properties. The results obtained reinforce the biotechnological potential of fish mucus lectins, with possible applications in oncology, hemostasis, and glycobiology, as well as expanding knowledge on the molecular diversity of skin mucus and highlighting marine organisms as relevant sources of bioactive biomolecules.
