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Genomics at the Museum
The Lamprey Gives New Heart
Claude Renaud and his colleagues are studying the
characteristics of lamphredin, an anticoagulant protein secreted
by the sea lamprey.
Claude Renaud, and two biochemist colleagues, professor Thomas
W. Moon of the University of Ottawa and Edward L. G. Pryzdial,
of the Canadian Blood Services, have been studying the saliva
of a blood-sucking underwater dweller: the sea lamprey. Their
goal is to identify the amino
acids that serve in the production of lamphredin, an anticoagulant
protein secreted by the buccal glands of the lamprey. By studying
the mode of action and chemical characterization of the anticoagulant,
they are hoping to discover possible pharmaceutical uses of
the protein, for the treatment of heart disease.
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Young sea lampreys.
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Detailed sketch of the structure of the sea lamprey's
mouth. |
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Sketch of sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus. |
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The sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, is an
external parasite that feeds on various freshwater fish.
The lamprey attaches itself using an adhesive sucker,
its ring of pointy teeth.
Once attached to its host, the lamprey rasps at the
skin, draining its victim's blood and other liquids.
In order to continue feeding, which may last anywhere
between 38 and 220 hours, the lamprey's buccal glands
secrete an anticoagulant. |
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Claude Renaud.
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Claude Renaud, Ph.D., is a researcher in ichthyology,
the study of fish, with the Research Services branch
of the Canadian Museum of Nature. His special interests
include the systematics, evolution, functional morphology
and ecology of lampreys (Petromyzontidae) and
codfishes (Gadidae).
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