Comparative analysis of hemolytic and hemagglutinating activities in the coelomic fluid of Eisenia foetida and Lumbricus terrestris (Annelida, Lumbricidae).

The CF of Lumbricus terrestris and Eisenia foetida was analyzed with regard to the protein patterns by isoelectric focusing. The CF of E. foetida results in a variety of protein bands; after separation: seven of these with isoelectric points at pH 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.6, 5.8, 6.0 and 6.2 cause the hemolysis of red blood cells. The protein pattern of normal CF of L. terrestris is relatively poor. Most of the protein bands are located at the top of the separation (pH less than 5.1) near the anode. However, the number of protein bands is drastically enhanced within 24 hours after an intracoelomic injection of foreign material. Some of the induced proteins show a similar pattern at comparable pH ranges to the CF of E. foetida. The induced proteins with isoelectric points at pH 4.7, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.8, 6.0 and 6.2 effect the hemolysis of vertebrate erythrocytes. After stimulation with rabbit erythrocytes an enhanced bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity against Proteus vulgaris can be proven and seems to be related to the induced hemolytic proteins. The antibacterial activity can be completely adsorbed by incubation of the CF with rabbit erythrocytes, which indicates its binding ability to marker molecules on the erythrocytes surface.