Abstract

Achacin is an antibacterial glycoprotein purified from the mucus of the giant snail, Achatina fulica Férussac, as a humoral defense factor. We showed that achacin has L-amino acid oxidase activity and can generate cytotoxic H 2O 2; however, the concentration of H 2O 2 was not sufficient to kill bacteria. The antibacterial activity of achacin was inhibited by various H 2O 2 scavengers. Immunochemical analysis revealed that achacin was preferentially bound to growth-phase bacteria, accounting for the important role in growth-phase-dependent antibacterial activity of achacin. Achacin may act as an important defense molecule against invading bacteria.

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