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Macedo JM, Souza MF, Lima AM, Francisco AF, Kayano AM, Gusmão MEMDL, de Araújo ECS, Salvador GHM, Fontes MRDM, Zuliani JP, Soares AM. Molecular interaction assays in silico of crotapotin from Crotalus durissus terrificus against the molecular target trypanothione reductase from Leishmania braziliensis. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2025; 31:e20240049. [PMID: 40190838 PMCID: PMC11970842 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2024-0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 11/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2025] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease that mainly affects impoverished populations and receives limited attention from governments and research institutions. Current treatments are based on antimonial therapies, which present high toxicity and cause significant side effects, such as cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. This study proposes using crotapotin, isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, as a potential inhibitor of the enzyme trypanothione reductase from Leishmania braziliensis (LbTR). Methods In silico assays were conducted to evaluate the interaction of crotapotin with LbTR using molecular docking and molecular dynamics techniques. Recombinant LbTR was expressed in E. coli, and its enzymatic activity was confirmed. The inhibitory action of crotapotin on LbTR was then tested in enzymatic assays. Results The stability of these interactions was confirmed over 200 ns molecular dynamics simulations, with a clustering analysis using the GROMACS method revealing a total of 12 distinct clusters. The five most representative clusters showed low RMSD values, indicating high structural stability of the LbTR-crotapotin complex. In particular, cluster 1, with 3,398 frames and an average RMSD of 0.189 nm from the centroid, suggests a dominant stable conformation of the complex. Additional clusters maintained average RMSD values between 0.173 nm and 0.193 nm, further reinforcing the robustness of the complex under physiological conditions. Recombinant LbTR expression was successful, yielding 4.8 mg/L with high purity, as verified by SDS-PAGE. In the enzymatic assays, crotapotin partially inhibited LbTR activity, with an IC50 of 223.4 μM. Conclusion The in silico findings suggest a stable and structured interaction between crotapotin and LbTR, with low structural fluctuation, although the inhibition observed in in vitro assays was moderate. These results indicate the potential of crotapotin as a promising basis for developing specific LbTR inhibitors, contributing to the bioprospecting of new antiparasitic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamile Mariano Macedo
- Federal Institute of Rondônia, Porto Velho Calama Campus, Porto
Velho, RO, Brazil
- Laboratory of Protein Biotechnology and Education Applied to One
Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology - BIONORTE
Network (PPGBIONORTE), Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- International Network of Research and Excellence Knowledge of the
Western Amazon (RED-CONEXAO), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Mateus Farias Souza
- Laboratory of Protein Biotechnology and Education Applied to One
Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology - BIONORTE
Network (PPGBIONORTE), Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- International Network of Research and Excellence Knowledge of the
Western Amazon (RED-CONEXAO), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Anderson Maciel Lima
- Laboratory of Protein Biotechnology and Education Applied to One
Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology - BIONORTE
Network (PPGBIONORTE), Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- International Network of Research and Excellence Knowledge of the
Western Amazon (RED-CONEXAO), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Aleff Ferreira Francisco
- Laboratory of Protein Biotechnology and Education Applied to One
Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- International Network of Research and Excellence Knowledge of the
Western Amazon (RED-CONEXAO), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Anderson Makoto Kayano
- Laboratory of Protein Biotechnology and Education Applied to One
Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- International Network of Research and Excellence Knowledge of the
Western Amazon (RED-CONEXAO), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- Tropical Medicine Research Center (CEPEM/SESAU-RO), Porto Velho,
RO, Brazil
| | - Maria Elisabeth Moreira de Lima Gusmão
- Laboratory of Protein Biotechnology and Education Applied to One
Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- International Network of Research and Excellence Knowledge of the
Western Amazon (RED-CONEXAO), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Erika Crhistina Santos de Araújo
- Postgraduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Oswaldo
Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology Applied to Health, Oswaldo Cruz
Foundation, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | | | - Marcos Roberto de Mattos Fontes
- International Network of Research and Excellence Knowledge of the
Western Amazon (RED-CONEXAO), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of
Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
- Institute for Advanced Studies of the Sea (IEAMar), São Paulo State
University (UNESP), São Vicente, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana Pavan Zuliani
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology - BIONORTE
Network (PPGBIONORTE), Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- International Network of Research and Excellence Knowledge of the
Western Amazon (RED-CONEXAO), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology Applied to Health, Oswaldo Cruz
Foundation, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology of Epidemiology of
the Western Amazon (INCT EpiAmO), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Andreimar Martins Soares
- Laboratory of Protein Biotechnology and Education Applied to One
Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology - BIONORTE
Network (PPGBIONORTE), Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- International Network of Research and Excellence Knowledge of the
Western Amazon (RED-CONEXAO), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology of Epidemiology of
the Western Amazon (INCT EpiAmO), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
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Almeida JR, Gomes A, Mendes B, Aguiar L, Ferreira M, Brioschi MBC, Duarte D, Nogueira F, Cortes S, Salazar-Valenzuela D, Miguel DC, Teixeira C, Gameiro P, Gomes P. Unlocking the potential of snake venom-based molecules against the malaria, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis triad. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124745. [PMID: 37150376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Malaria, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are vector-borne protozoal infections with a disproportionately high impact on the most fragile societies in the world, and despite malaria-focused research gained momentum in the past two decades, both trypanosomiases and leishmaniases remain neglected tropical diseases. Affordable effective drugs remain the mainstay of tackling this burden, but toxicicty, inneficiency against later stage disease, and drug resistance issues are serious shortcomings. One strategy to overcome these hurdles is to get new therapeutics or inspiration in nature. Indeed, snake venoms have been recognized as valuable sources of biomacromolecules, like peptides and proteins, with antiprotozoal activity. This review highlights major snake venom components active against at least one of the three aforementioned diseases, which include phospholipases A2, metalloproteases, L-amino acid oxidases, lectins, and oligopeptides. The relevance of this repertoire of biomacromolecules and the bottlenecks in their clinical translation are discussed considering approaches that should increase the success rate in this arduous task. Overall, this review underlines how venom-derived biomacromolecules could lead to pioneering antiprotozoal treatments and how the drug landscape for neglected diseases may be revolutionized by a closer look at venoms. Further investigations on poorly studied venoms is needed and could add new therapeutics to the pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Rafael Almeida
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena 150150, Ecuador.
| | - Ana Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Bruno Mendes
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena 150150, Ecuador
| | - Luísa Aguiar
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Ferreira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | | | - Denise Duarte
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil.
| | - Fátima Nogueira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua Junqueira 100, P-1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Sofia Cortes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua Junqueira 100, P-1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - David Salazar-Valenzuela
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb) e Ingeniería en Biodiversidad y Recursos Genéticos, Facultad de Ciencias de Medio Ambiente, Universidad Indoamérica, Quito 170103, Ecuador.
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb) e Ingeniería en Biodiversidad y Recursos Genéticos, Facultad de Ciencias de Medio Ambiente, Universidad Indoamérica, Quito 170103, Ecuador.
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Gameiro
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
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Gopalan SS, Perry BW, Schield DR, Smith CF, Mackessy SP, Castoe TA. Origins, genomic structure and copy number variation of snake venom myotoxins. Toxicon 2022; 216:92-106. [PMID: 35820472 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Crotamine, myotoxin a and homologs are short peptides that often comprise major fractions of rattlesnake venoms and have been extensively studied for their bioactive properties. These toxins are thought to be important for rapidly immobilizing mammalian prey and are implicated in serious, and sometimes fatal, responses to envenomation in humans. While high quality reference genomes for multiple venomous snakes are available, the loci that encode myotoxins have not been successfully assembled in any existing genome assembly. Here, we integrate new and existing genomic and transcriptomic data from the Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) to reconstruct, characterize, and infer the chromosomal locations of myotoxin-encoding loci. We integrate long-read transcriptomics (Pacific Bioscience's Iso-Seq) and short-read RNA-seq to infer gene sequence diversity and characterize patterns of myotoxin and paralogous β-defensin expression across multiple tissues. We also identify two long non-coding RNA sequences which both encode functional myotoxins, demonstrating a newly discovered source of venom coding sequence diversity. We also integrate long-range mate-pair chromatin contact data and linked-read sequencing to infer the structure and chromosomal locations of the three myotoxin-like loci. Further, we conclude that the venom-associated myotoxin is located on chromosome 1 and is adjacent to non-venom paralogs. Consistent with this locus contributing to venom composition, we find evidence that the promoter of this gene is selectively open in venom gland tissue and contains transcription factor binding sites implicated in broad trans-regulatory pathways that regulate snake venoms. This study provides the best genomic reconstruction of myotoxin loci to date and raises questions about the physiological roles and interplay between myotoxin and related genes, as well as the genomic origins of snake venom variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth S Gopalan
- Department of Biology, 501 S. Nedderman Dr., The University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Blair W Perry
- Department of Biology, 501 S. Nedderman Dr., The University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA; School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Drew R Schield
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Cara F Smith
- School of Biological Sciences, 501 20th Street, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, 80639, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 12801 East 17th Avenue, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Stephen P Mackessy
- School of Biological Sciences, 501 20th Street, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, 80639, USA
| | - Todd A Castoe
- Department of Biology, 501 S. Nedderman Dr., The University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA.
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Roque-Borda CA, Gualque MWDL, da Fonseca FH, Pavan FR, Santos-Filho NA. Nanobiotechnology with Therapeutically Relevant Macromolecules from Animal Venoms: Venoms, Toxins, and Antimicrobial Peptides. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:891. [PMID: 35631477 PMCID: PMC9146920 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Some diseases of uncontrolled proliferation such as cancer, as well as infectious diseases, are the main cause of death in the world, and their causative agents have rapidly developed resistance to the various existing treatments, making them even more dangerous. Thereby, the discovery of new therapeutic agents is a challenge promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO). Biomacromolecules, isolated or synthesized from a natural template, have therapeutic properties which have not yet been fully studied, and represent an unexplored potential in the search for new drugs. These substances, starting from conglomerates of proteins and other substances such as animal venoms, or from minor substances such as bioactive peptides, help fight diseases or counteract harmful effects. The high effectiveness of these biomacromolecules makes them promising substances for obtaining new drugs; however, their low bioavailability or stability in biological systems is a challenge to be overcome in the coming years with the help of nanotechnology. The objective of this review article is to describe the relationship between the structure and function of biomacromolecules of animal origin that have applications already described using nanotechnology and targeted delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Augusto Roque-Borda
- Tuberculosis Research Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (C.A.R.-B.); (F.R.P.)
| | - Marcos William de Lima Gualque
- Proteomics Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil;
| | - Fauller Henrique da Fonseca
- Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil;
| | - Fernando Rogério Pavan
- Tuberculosis Research Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (C.A.R.-B.); (F.R.P.)
| | - Norival Alves Santos-Filho
- Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil;
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Antiprotozoal Effect of Snake Venoms and Their Fractions: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10121632. [PMID: 34959587 PMCID: PMC8707848 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Protozoal infection is a lingering public health issue of great concern, despite efforts to produce drugs and vaccines against it. Recent breakthrough research has discovered alternative antiprotozoal agents encompassing the use of snake venoms and their components to cure these infections. This study collated the existing literature to examine the antiprotozoal effect of snake venoms and their fractions. Methods: We conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed and Embase databases were searched from their inception until 13 October 2021. Articles were screened at the title, abstract and full-text phases. Some additional studies were obtained through the manual search process. Results: We identified 331 studies via the electronic database and manual searches, of which 55 reporting the antiprotozoal effect of snake venoms and their components were included in the review. Around 38% of studies examined the effect of whole crude venoms, and a similar percentage evaluated the effect of a proportion of enzymatic phospholipase A2 (PLA2). In particular, this review reports around 36 PLA2 activities and 29 snake crude venom activities. We also report the notable phenomenon of synergism with PLA2 isoforms of Bothrops asper. Importantly, limited attention has been given so far to the antiprotozoal efficacies of metalloproteinase, serine protease and three-finger toxins, although these venom components have been identified as significant components of the dominant venom families. Conclusion: This study highlights the impact of snake venoms and their fractions on controlling protozoal infections and suggests the need to examine further the effectiveness of other venom components, such as metalloproteinase, serine protease and three-finger toxins. Future research questions in this field must be redirected toward synergism in snake venom components, based on pharmacological usage and in the context of toxicology. Ascertaining the effects of snake venoms and their components on other protozoal species that have not yet been studied is imperative.
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Hajialiani F, Shahbazzadeh D, Maleki F, Elmi T, Tabatabaie F, Zamani Z. The Metabolomic Profiles of Sera of Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei and Treated by Effective Fraction of Naja naja oxiana Using 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:1517-1527. [PMID: 34357584 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00456-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of venom fractions from the Iranian cobra could be useful adjunct treatments of malaria with chloroquine. A metabolomic investigation with 1HNMR spectroscopy was conducted on an effective fraction tested earlier using Plasmodium berghei as an experimental murine model. PURPOSE We sought to ascertain both safety and anti-parasitic effects of experimental therapies. METHODS After purification of the venom fractions, 25 mice were infected, then treated for 4 days with 0.2 ml of 5 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg of the effective fraction, chloroquine, and a drug vehicle. An ED50 was obtained using Giemsa staining and real-time PCR analysis. The toxicity tests inspecting both liver and kidney tissues were performed. RESULTS A clear inhibitory effect on parasitaemia was observed (with 75% inhibition with 5 mg/kg and 50% reduction when 2.5 mg/kg dosage used). ED50 obtained 2.5 mg/kg. The metabolomics were identified as differentiation of aminoacyl-t-RNA biosynthesis, valine, leucine, isoleucine biosynthesis and degradation pathways were observed. CONCLUSION Upon therapeutic effects of cobra venom fraction, further optimization of dose-dependent response of pharmacokinetics would be worthwhile for further exploration in adjunct experimental venom therapies.
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Simões-Silva R, Alfonso JJ, Gómez AF, Sobrinho JC, Kayano AM, de Medeiros DSS, Teles CBG, Quintero A, Fuly AL, Gómez CV, Pereira SS, da Silva SL, Stábeli RG, Soares AM. Synergism of in vitro plasmodicidal activity of phospholipase A2 isoforms isolated from panamanian Bothrops asper venom. Chem Biol Interact 2021; 346:109581. [PMID: 34302801 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Bothrops asper is one of the most important snake species in Central America, mainly because of its medical importance in countries like Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica, where this species causes a high number of snakebite accidents. Several basic phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) have been previously characterized from B. asper venom, but few studies have been carried out with its acidic isoforms. In addition, since snake venom is a rich source of bioactive substances, it is necessary to investigate the biotechnological potential of its components. In this context, this study aimed to carry out the biochemical characterization of PLA2 isoforms isolated from B. asper venom and to evaluate the antiparasitic potential of these toxins. The venom and key fractions were subjected to different chromatographic steps, obtaining nine PLA2s, four acidic ones (BaspAc-I, BaspAc-II, BaspAc-III and BaspAc-IV) and five basic ones (BaspB-I, BaspB-II, BaspB-III, BaspB-IV and BaspB-V). The isoelectric points of the acidic PLA2s were also determined, which presented values ranging between 4.5 and 5. The findings indicated the isolation of five unpublished isoforms, four Asp49-PLA, corresponding to the group of acidic isoforms, and one Lys49-PLA2-like. Acidic PLA2s catalyzed the degradation of all substrates evaluated; however, for the basic PLA2s, there was a preference for phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidic acid. The antiparasitic potential of the toxins was evaluated, and the acidic PLA2s demonstrated action against the epimastigote forms of T. cruzi and promastigote forms of L. infantum, while the basic PLA2s BaspB-II and BaspB-IV showed activity against P. falciparum. The results indicated an increase of up to 10 times in antiplasmodial activity, when the Asp49-PLA2 and Lys49-PLA2 were associated with one another, denoting synergistic action between these PLA2 isoforms. These findings correspond to the first report of synergistic antiplasmodial action for svPLA2s, demonstrating that these molecules may be important targets in the search for new antiparasitic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Simões-Silva
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia Ocidental, LaBioProt, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Rondônia, IFRO, Campus Vilhena, Vilhena, RO, Brazil
| | - Jorge Javier Alfonso
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia Ocidental, LaBioProt, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Centro Para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica (CEDIC), Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Ana F Gómez
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia Ocidental, LaBioProt, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Centro Para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica (CEDIC), Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Juliana C Sobrinho
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia Ocidental, LaBioProt, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Anderson M Kayano
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia Ocidental, LaBioProt, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Centro de Pesquisa em Medicina Tropical, CEPEM-SESAU/RO, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Daniel S S de Medeiros
- Plataforma de Bioensaios em Malária e Leishmanioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Carolina B G Teles
- Plataforma de Bioensaios em Malária e Leishmanioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental (INCT-EpiAmO), Brazil
| | - Aristides Quintero
- Centro de Informaciones e Investigaciones Toxicológicas y Químicas Aplicadas (CEIITOXQUIA) and Departamento de Química, FCNYE, Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí, UNACHI, David, Panama
| | - André L Fuly
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, UFF, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil
| | - Celeste Vega Gómez
- Centro Para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica (CEDIC), Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Soraya S Pereira
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Saulo L da Silva
- Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador; LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo G Stábeli
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Plataforma Bi-institucional de Medicina Translacional. Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Andreimar M Soares
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia Ocidental, LaBioProt, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental (INCT-EpiAmO), Brazil; Centro Universitário São Lucas, UniSL, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.
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Dematei A, Nunes JB, Moreira DC, Jesus JA, Laurenti MD, Mengarda ACA, Vieira MS, do Amaral CP, Domingues MM, de Moraes J, Passero LFD, Brand G, Bessa LJ, Wimmer R, Kuckelhaus SAS, Tomás AM, Santos NC, Plácido A, Eaton P, Leite JRSA. Mechanistic Insights into the Leishmanicidal and Bactericidal Activities of Batroxicidin, a Cathelicidin-Related Peptide from a South American Viper ( Bothrops atrox). JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2021; 84:1787-1798. [PMID: 34077221 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Snake venoms are important sources of bioactive molecules, including those with antiparasitic activity. Cathelicidins form a class of such molecules, which are produced by a variety of organisms. Batroxicidin (BatxC) is a cathelicidin found in the venom of the common lancehead (Bothrops atrox). In the present work, BatxC and two synthetic analogues, BatxC(C-2.15Phe) and BatxC(C-2.14Phe)des-Phe1, were assessed for their microbicidal activity. All three peptides showed a broad-spectrum activity on Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, as well as promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. Circular dichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data indicated that the three peptides changed their structure upon interaction with membranes. Biomimetic membrane model studies demonstrated that the peptides exert a permeabilization effect in prokaryotic membranes, leading to cell morphology distortion, which was confirmed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The molecules considered in this work exhibited bactericidal and leishmanicidal activity at low concentrations, with the AFM data suggesting membrane pore formation as their mechanism of action. These peptides stand as valuable prototype drugs to be further investigated and eventually used to treat bacterial and protozoal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson Dematei
- Center for Tropical Medicine, NMT, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
- Research Center in Morphology and Applied Immunology, NuPMIA, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - João B Nunes
- Research Center in Morphology and Applied Immunology, NuPMIA, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
- Laboratory for the Synthesis and Analysis of Biomolecules, LSAB, Institute of Chemistry, University of Brasilia, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Daniel C Moreira
- Research Center in Morphology and Applied Immunology, NuPMIA, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Jéssica A Jesus
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Márcia D Laurenti
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Pathology of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-060, Brazil
| | - Ana C A Mengarda
- Research Center on Neglected Diseases, NPDN, University of Guarulhos, Guarulhos 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Maria Silva Vieira
- I3S, Institute of Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto 4099-002, Portugal
- IBMC, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Porto, Porto 4099-002, Portugal
| | - Constança Pais do Amaral
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marco M Domingues
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Research Center on Neglected Diseases, NPDN, University of Guarulhos, Guarulhos 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Luiz F D Passero
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Pathology of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-060, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Brand
- Laboratory for the Synthesis and Analysis of Biomolecules, LSAB, Institute of Chemistry, University of Brasilia, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Lucinda J Bessa
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Porto 4099-002, Portugal
| | - Reinhard Wimmer
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg 9220, Denmark
| | - Selma A S Kuckelhaus
- Research Center in Morphology and Applied Immunology, NuPMIA, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Ana M Tomás
- I3S, Institute of Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto 4099-002, Portugal
- IBMC, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Porto, Porto 4099-002, Portugal
- ICBAS, Abel Salazar Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Porto, Porto 4099-002, Portugal
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Plácido
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Porto 4099-002, Portugal
| | - Peter Eaton
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Porto 4099-002, Portugal
- The Bridge, Joseph Banks Laboratories, School of Chemistry, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, U.K
| | - José Roberto S A Leite
- Center for Tropical Medicine, NMT, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
- Research Center in Morphology and Applied Immunology, NuPMIA, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
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9
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Akhtar B, Muhammad F, Sharif A, Anwar MI. Mechanistic insights of snake venom disintegrins in cancer treatment. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 899:174022. [PMID: 33727054 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Snake venoms are a potential source of various enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds with a defensive role for the host. Various peptides with significant medicinal properties have been isolated and characterized from these venoms. Few of these are FDA approved. They inhibit tumor cells adhesion, migration, angiogenesis and metastasis by inhibiting integrins on transmembrane cellular surfaces. This plays important role in delaying tumor growth, neovascularization and development. Tumor targeting and smaller size make them ideal candidates as novel therapeutic agents for cancer treatment. This review is based on sources of these disintegrins, their targeting modality, classification and underlying anti-cancer potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bushra Akhtar
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
| | - Faqir Muhammad
- Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ali Sharif
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical and Allied Health Sciences, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Irfan Anwar
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
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10
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Katz S, Barbiéri CL, Soler FPM, Soares AM, Chavantes MC, Zamuner SR. Effect of Isolated Proteins from Crotalus Durissus Terrificus Venom on Leishmania (Leishmania) Amazonensis-Infected Macrophages. Protein Pept Lett 2021; 27:718-724. [PMID: 31994997 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666200129152954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis are parasitic diseases characterized by skin manifestations. In Brazil, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis is one of the etiological agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The therapeutic arsenal routinely employed to treat infected patients is unsatisfactory, especially for pentavalent antimonials, as they are often highly toxic, poorly tolerated and of variable effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate in vitro the leishmanicidal activity of toxins isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom as a new approach for the treatment of leishmaniasis. METHODS The comparative effects of crotamine, crotoxin, gyrotoxin, convulxin and PLA2 on bone marrow-derived macrophages infected with L. (L.) amazonensis as well as the release of TGF-β from the treated macrophages were studied. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Crotamine had the strongest inhibitory effect on parasite growth rate (IC50: 25.65±0.52 μg/mL), while convulxin showed the weakest inhibitory effect (IC50: 52.7±2.21 μg/mL). In addition, TGF-β was significantly reduced after the treatment with all toxins evaluated. CONCLUSION The Crotalus durissus terrificus toxins used in this study displayed significant activity against L. (L.) amazonensis, indicating that all of them could be a potential alternative for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Katz
- Department of Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Rua Vergueiro, 235, 01504-000, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Clara Lúcia Barbiéri
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Paula Martins Soler
- Department of Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Rua Vergueiro, 235, 01504-000, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Cristina Chavantes
- Department of Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Rua Vergueiro, 235, 01504-000, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Stella Regina Zamuner
- Department of Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Rua Vergueiro, 235, 01504-000, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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11
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Tasima LJ, Serino-Silva C, Hatakeyama DM, Nishiduka ES, Tashima AK, Sant'Anna SS, Grego KF, de Morais-Zani K, Tanaka-Azevedo AM. Crotamine in Crotalus durissus: distribution according to subspecies and geographic origin, in captivity or nature. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2020; 26:e20190053. [PMID: 32362925 PMCID: PMC7187639 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2019-0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Crotalus durissus is considered one of the most important
species of venomous snakes in Brazil, due to the high mortality of its
snakebites. The venom of Crotalus durissus contains four
main toxins: crotoxin, convulxin, gyroxin and crotamine. Venoms can vary in
their crotamine content, being crotamine-negative or -positive. This
heterogeneity is of great importance for producing antivenom, due to their
different mechanisms of action. The possibility that antivenom produced by
Butantan Institute might have a different immunorecognition capacity between
crotamine-negative and crotamine-positive C. durissus
venoms instigated us to investigate the differences between these two venom
groups. Methods: The presence of crotamine was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, western blotting and
ELISA, whereas comparison between the two types of venoms was carried out
through HPLC, mass spectrometry analysis as well as assessment of antivenom
lethality and efficacy. Results: The results showed a variation in the presence of crotamine among the
subspecies and the geographic origin of snakes from nature, but not in
captive snakes. Regarding differences between crotamine-positive and
-negative venoms, some exclusive proteins are found in each pool and the
crotamine-negative pool presented more phospholipase A2 than
crotamine-positive pool. This variation could affect the time to death, but
the lethal and effective dose were not affected. Conclusion: These differences between venom pools indicate the importance of using both,
crotamine-positive and crotamine-negative venoms, to produce the
antivenom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lídia J Tasima
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Interinstitutional Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology (PPIB - IPT, IBU and USP), University of São Paulo(USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Caroline Serino-Silva
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Interinstitutional Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology (PPIB - IPT, IBU and USP), University of São Paulo(USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniela M Hatakeyama
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Interinstitutional Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology (PPIB - IPT, IBU and USP), University of São Paulo(USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Erika S Nishiduka
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandre K Tashima
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sávio S Sant'Anna
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Kathleen F Grego
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Karen de Morais-Zani
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Interinstitutional Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology (PPIB - IPT, IBU and USP), University of São Paulo(USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Anita M Tanaka-Azevedo
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Interinstitutional Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology (PPIB - IPT, IBU and USP), University of São Paulo(USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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12
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Falcao CB, Radis-Baptista G. Crotamine and crotalicidin, membrane active peptides from Crotalus durissus terrificus rattlesnake venom, and their structurally-minimized fragments for applications in medicine and biotechnology. Peptides 2020; 126:170234. [PMID: 31857106 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2019.170234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A global public health crisis has emerged with the extensive dissemination of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from plants and animals have represented promising tools to counteract those resistant pathogens due to their multiple pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, anticancer, immunomodulatory and cell-penetrating activities. In this review, we will focus on crotamine and crotalicidin, which are two interesting examples of membrane active peptides derived from the South America rattlesnake Crotalus durrisus terrificus venom. Their full-sequences and structurally-minimized fragments have potential applications, as anti-infective and anti-proliferative agents and diagnostics in medicine and in pharmaceutical biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Borges Falcao
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Brazil; Peter Pan Association to Fight Childhood Cancer, Fortaleza, CE, 60410-770, Brazil.
| | - Gandhi Radis-Baptista
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Av da Abolição 3207, Fortaleza, CE, 60165-081, Brazil.
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13
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Analysis of snake venom composition and antimicrobial activity. Toxicon 2018; 150:151-167. [PMID: 29800609 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
With the threat of a post-antibiotic era looming, the search for new and effective antibiotics from novel sources is imperative. Not only has crude snake venom been shown to be effective, but specific components within the venoms, such as Phospholipase A2s and l-amino acid oxidases have been isolated and demonstrated to be effective as well. Despite numerous studies being completed on snake venoms, there is a heavy bias towards utilizing the venoms from the highly toxic Elapidae and Viperidae species. Very few studies have been conducted on the less toxic, but taxonomically more diverse, Colubridae. Furthermore, an extensive review of the literature examining the efficacy and potential specificity of these venoms has not been completed. Therefore, the aims of this study were to elucidate any similarities in snake venoms as well as investigate the efficacy of snake venom antimicrobial properties towards morphologically and metabolically diverse microbial classes and the prevalence of snake species with antimicrobial properties within each snake family. The results indicate that snake venoms and their isolated components are powerful antimicrobial agents but vary in efficacy towards different microbial classes. Furthermore, due to similarities in venom composition, and limited preliminary studies, the less toxic Colubridae family may be a fruitful area of research to find novel antimicrobial agents that are less harmful to humans.
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14
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Batista da Cunha D, Pupo Silvestrini AV, Gomes da Silva AC, Maria de Paula Estevam D, Pollettini FL, de Oliveira Navarro J, Alves AA, Remédio Zeni Beretta AL, Annichino Bizzacchi JM, Pereira LC, Mazzi MV. Mechanistic insights into functional characteristics of native crotamine. Toxicon 2018; 146:1-12. [PMID: 29574214 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The chemical composition of snake venoms is a complex mixture of proteins and peptides that can be pharmacologically active. Crotamine, a cell-penetrating peptide, has been described to have antimicrobial properties and it exerts its effects by interacting selectively with different structures, inducing changes in the ion flow pattern and cellular responses. However, its real therapeutic potential is not yet fully known. Bearing in mind that crotamine is a promising molecule in therapeutics, this study investigated the action of purified molecule in three aspects: I) antibacterial action on different species of clinical interest, II) the effect of two different concentrations of the molecule on platelet aggregation, and III) its effects on isolated mitochondria. Crotamine was purified to homogeneity in a single step procedure using Heparin Sepharose. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was 4881.4 Da, as determined by mass spectrometry. To assess antibacterial action, changes in the parameters of bacterial oxidative stress were determined. The peptide showed antibacterial activity on Escherichia coli (MIC: 2.0 μg/μL), Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 8-16 μg/μL) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 4.0-8.0 μg/μL), inducing bacterial death by lipid peroxidation and oxidation of target proteins, determined by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and sulfhydryl groups, respectively. Crotamine induced increased platelet aggregation (IPA) at the two concentrations analyzed (0.1 and 1.4 μg/μL) compared to ADP-induced aggregation of PRP. Mitochondrial respiratory parameters and organelle structure assays were used to elucidate the action of the compound in this organelle. The exposure of mitochondria to crotamine caused a decrease in oxidative phosphorylation and changes in mitochondrial permeability, without causing damage in the mitochondrial redox state. Together, these results support the hypothesis that, besides the antimicrobial potential, crotamine acts on different molecular targets, inducing platelet aggregation and mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Batista da Cunha
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences Hermínio Ometto University Center, UNIARARAS, 7 Av. Dr. Maximiliano Baruto, 500, CEP 13607-339, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Vitória Pupo Silvestrini
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences Hermínio Ometto University Center, UNIARARAS, 7 Av. Dr. Maximiliano Baruto, 500, CEP 13607-339, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Gomes da Silva
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences Hermínio Ometto University Center, UNIARARAS, 7 Av. Dr. Maximiliano Baruto, 500, CEP 13607-339, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Deborah Maria de Paula Estevam
- Graduate Program in Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, State University Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho-UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Flávia Lino Pollettini
- Graduate Program in Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, State University Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho-UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana de Oliveira Navarro
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences Hermínio Ometto University Center, UNIARARAS, 7 Av. Dr. Maximiliano Baruto, 500, CEP 13607-339, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Armindo Antônio Alves
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences Hermínio Ometto University Center, UNIARARAS, 7 Av. Dr. Maximiliano Baruto, 500, CEP 13607-339, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Laura Remédio Zeni Beretta
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences Hermínio Ometto University Center, UNIARARAS, 7 Av. Dr. Maximiliano Baruto, 500, CEP 13607-339, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Joyce M Annichino Bizzacchi
- Blood Hemostasis Laboratory, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Lilian Cristina Pereira
- Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, State University Paulista Júlio Mesquita Filho-UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Maurício Ventura Mazzi
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences Hermínio Ometto University Center, UNIARARAS, 7 Av. Dr. Maximiliano Baruto, 500, CEP 13607-339, Araras, SP, Brazil.
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15
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Allane D, Oussedik-Oumehdi H, Harrat Z, Seve M, Laraba-Djebari F. Isolation and characterization of an anti-leishmanial disintegrin fromCerastes cerastesvenom. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2017; 32. [DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dihia Allane
- USTHB, Faculty of Biological Sciences; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology; Bab Ezzouar Algiers 16111 Algeria
| | - Habiba Oussedik-Oumehdi
- USTHB, Faculty of Biological Sciences; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology; Bab Ezzouar Algiers 16111 Algeria
| | - Zoubir Harrat
- Institut Pasteur d'Algérie; Service d'Eco-Epidémiologie Parasitaire; Dely Ibrahim Algiers 16 047 Algeria
| | - Michel Seve
- CHU Grenoble Alpes, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie; Promethee Proteomic Platform; Grenoble France
| | - Fatima Laraba-Djebari
- USTHB, Faculty of Biological Sciences; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology; Bab Ezzouar Algiers 16111 Algeria
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16
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan M. Akef
- National Organization for Research and Control of Biologicals (NORCB), Giza, Egypt
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17
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Rehman A, Ullah R, Jaiswal N, Khan MAH, Rehman L, Beg MA, Malhotra SK, Abidi SMA. Low virulence potential and in vivo transformation ability in the honey bee venom treated Clinostomum complanatum. Exp Parasitol 2017; 183:33-40. [PMID: 29069571 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The helminth parasites possess great capabilities to adapt themselves within their hosts and also develop strategies to render the commonly used anthelmintics ineffective leading to the development of resistance against these drugs. Besides using anthelmintics the natural products have also been tested for their anti-parasitic effects. Therapeutic efficacy of honey bee venom (HBV) has been tested in various ailments including some protozoal infections but very little is known about its anthelmintic properties. To investigate the anthelmintic effect of HBV the excysted progenetic metacercariae of Clinostomum complanatum, a heamophagic, digenetic trematode with zoonotic potential, infecting a wide variety of hosts, were obtained from Trichogaster fasciatus, a forage fish, which serves as the intermediate host. The metacercarial worms were in vitro incubated in RPMI-1640 medium containing HBV along with the controls which were devoid of HBV for the analysis of worm motility, enzyme activity, polypeptide profile and surface topographical changes. The motility of the worms was significantly reduced in a time dependent manner with an increase in the concentration of HBV. Following incubation of worms the release of cysteine proteases was inhibited in the presence of HBV as revealed by gelatine substrate gel zymography. As well as the polypeptide profile was also significantly influenced, particularly intensity/expression of Mr 19.4 kDa, 24 kDa and 34 kDa was significantly reduced upon HBV treatment. The HBV treatment also inhibited antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) significantly (p < 0.05) in the worms. The scanning electron microscopy of the HBV treated worms revealed tegumental disruptions and erosion of papillae as well as spines showing vacuolation in the tegument. The HBV treated worms also showed a marked decline in the transformation rate when introduced into an experimental host which further reflect the anthelmintic potential of HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Rehman
- Molecular and Immunoparasitology Research Laboratory, Section of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202 002, India.
| | - Rizwan Ullah
- Molecular and Immunoparasitology Research Laboratory, Section of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202 002, India
| | - Neeshma Jaiswal
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211 202, India
| | - M A Hannan Khan
- Molecular and Immunoparasitology Research Laboratory, Section of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202 002, India
| | - Lubna Rehman
- Molecular and Immunoparasitology Research Laboratory, Section of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202 002, India
| | - Mirza Ahmar Beg
- Molecular and Immunoparasitology Research Laboratory, Section of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202 002, India
| | - Sandeep K Malhotra
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211 202, India
| | - S M A Abidi
- Molecular and Immunoparasitology Research Laboratory, Section of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202 002, India
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18
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Grabner AN, Alfonso J, Kayano AM, Moreira-Dill LS, dos Santos APDA, Caldeira CA, Sobrinho JC, Gómez A, Grabner FP, Cardoso FF, Zuliani JP, Fontes MR, Pimenta DC, Gómez CV, Teles CB, Soares AM, Calderon LA. BmajPLA 2 -II, a basic Lys49-phospholipase A 2 homologue from Bothrops marajoensis snake venom with parasiticidal potential. Int J Biol Macromol 2017; 102:571-581. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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19
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Vinhote JFC, Lima DB, Menezes RRPPBD, Mello CP, de Souza BM, Havt A, Palma MS, Santos RPD, Albuquerque ELD, Freire VN, Martins AMC. Trypanocidal activity of mastoparan from Polybia paulista wasp venom by interaction with TcGAPDH. Toxicon 2017; 137:168-172. [PMID: 28826757 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease, considered a neglected disease, is a parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which is endemic throughout the world. Previously, the antimicrobial effect of Mastoparan (MP) from Polybia paulista wasp venom against bacteria was described. To continue the study, we report in this short communication the antimicrobial effect of MP against Trypanosoma cruzi. MP inhibits all T. cruzi developmental forms through the inhibition of TcGAPDH suggested by the molecular docking. In conclusion, we suggest there is an antimicrobial effect also on T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dânya Bandeira Lima
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - Clarissa Perdigão Mello
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre Havt
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Mario Sérgio Palma
- Institute of Biosciences of Rio Claro, São Paulo State University, Brazil
| | | | - Eudenilson Lins de Albuquerque
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | | | - Alice Maria Costa Martins
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
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NO production and potassium channels activation induced by Crotalus durissus cascavella underlie mesenteric artery relaxation. Toxicon 2017; 133:10-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Crotoxin stimulates an M1 activation profile in murine macrophages during Leishmania amazonensis infection. Parasitology 2017. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017000944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYAmerican tegumentary leishmaniasis is caused by different species of Leishmania. This protozoan employs several mechanisms to subvert the microbicidal activity of macrophages and, given the limited efficacy of current therapies, the development of alternative treatments is essential. Animal venoms are known to exhibit a variety of pharmacological activities, including antiparasitic effects. Crotoxin (CTX) is the main component of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, and it has several biological effects. Nevertheless, there is no report of CTX activity during macrophage – Leishmania interactions. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate whether CTX has a role in macrophage M1 polarization during Leishmania infection murine macrophages, Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes and L. amazonensis-infected macrophages were challenged with CTX. MTT [3-(4,5dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrasodium bromide] toxicity assays were performed on murine macrophages, and no damage was observed in these cells. Promastigotes, however, were affected by treatment with CTX (IC50 = 22·86 µg mL−1) as were intracellular amastigotes. Macrophages treated with CTX also demonstrated increased reactive oxygen species production. After they were infected with Leishmania, macrophages exhibited an increase in nitric oxide production that converged into an M1 activation profile, as suggested by their elevated production of the cytokines interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α and changes in their morphology. CTX was able to reverse the L. amazonensis-mediated inhibition of macrophage immune responses and is capable of polarizing macrophages to the M1 profile, which is associated with a better prognosis for cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment.
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Bothrops jararaca and Bothrops erythromelas Snake Venoms Promote Cell Cycle Arrest and Induce Apoptosis via the Mitochondrial Depolarization of Cervical Cancer Cells. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2016; 2016:1574971. [PMID: 28050190 PMCID: PMC5168552 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1574971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Bothrops jararaca (BJ) and Bothrops erythromelas (BE) are viper snakes found in South-Southeast and Northeast regions of Brazil, respectively. Snake venoms are bioactive neurotoxic substances synthesized and stored by venom glands, with different physiological and pharmacological effects, recently suggesting a possible preference for targets in cancer cells; however, mechanisms of snakes have been little studied. Here, we investigated the mechanism responsible for snake crude venoms toxicity in cultured cervical cancer cells SiHa and HeLa. We show that BJ and BE snake crude venoms exert cytotoxic effects to these cells. The percentage of apoptotic cells and cell cycle analysis and cell proliferation were assessed by flow cytometry and MTT assay. Detection of mitochondrial membrane potential (Rhodamine-123), nuclei morphological change, and DNA fragmentation were examined by staining with DAPI. The results showed that both the BJ and BE venoms were capable of inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, promoting cytotoxicity and death by apoptosis of target SiHa and HeLa cells when treated with BJ and BE venoms. Furthermore, data revealed that both BJ venoms in SiHa cell promoted nuclear condensation, fragmentation, and formation of apoptotic bodies by DAPI assay, mitochondrial damage by Rhodamine-123, and cell cycle block in the G1-G0 phase. BJ and BE venoms present anticancer potential, suggesting that both Bothrops venoms could be used as prototypes for the development of new therapies.
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Antiparasitic effect of Dinoponera quadriceps giant ant venom. Toxicon 2016; 120:128-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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El Chamy Maluf S, Dal Mas C, Oliveira EB, Melo PM, Carmona AK, Gazarini ML, Hayashi MAF. Inhibition of malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum development by crotamine, a cell penetrating peptide from the snake venom. Peptides 2016; 78:11-6. [PMID: 26806200 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
We show here that crotamine, a polypeptide from the South American rattlesnake venom with cell penetrating and selective anti-fungal and anti-tumoral properties, presents a potent anti-plasmodial activity in culture. Crotamine inhibits the development of the Plasmodium falciparum parasites in a dose-dependent manner [IC50 value of 1.87 μM], and confocal microscopy analysis showed a selective internalization of fluorescent-labeled crotamine into P. falciparum infected erythrocytes, with no detectable fluorescence in uninfected healthy erythrocytes. In addition, similarly to the crotamine cytotoxic effects, the mechanism underlying the anti-plasmodial activity may involve the disruption of parasite acidic compartments H(+) homeostasis. In fact, crotamine promoted a reduction of parasites organelle fluorescence loaded with the lysosomotropic fluorochrome acridine orange, in the same way as previously observed mammalian tumoral cells. Taken together, we show for the first time crotamine not only compromised the metabolism of the P. falciparum, but this toxin also inhibited the parasite growth. Therefore, we suggest this snake polypeptide as a promising lead molecule for the development of potential new molecules, namely peptidomimetics, with selectivity for infected erythrocytes and ability to inhibit the malaria infection by its natural affinity for acid vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- S El Chamy Maluf
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C Dal Mas
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - E B Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade de São Paulo (USP-RP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - P M Melo
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A K Carmona
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M L Gazarini
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, SP, Brazil.
| | - M A F Hayashi
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
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Barros GAC, Pereira AV, Barros LC, Lourenço A, Calvi SA, Santos LD, Barraviera B, Ferreira RS. In vitro activity of phospholipase A2 and of peptides from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom against amastigote and promastigote forms of Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2015; 21:48. [PMID: 26609302 PMCID: PMC4658749 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-015-0049-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND American visceral leishmaniasis is caused by the intracellular parasite Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi, and transmitted by the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis. Since treatment is based on classical chemotherapeutics with significant side effects, the search for new drugs remains the greatest global challenge. Thus, this in vitro study aimed to evaluate the leishmanicidal effect of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom fractions on promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi. METHODS Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and a pool of peptide fraction (<3 kDa) were purified from Crotalus venom. Furthermore, promastigotes and peritoneal macrophages of mice infected by amastigotes were exposed to serial dilutions of the PLA2 and peptides at intervals varying between 1.5625 μg/mL and 200 μg/mL. Both showed activity against promastigotes that varied according to the tested concentration and the time of incubation (24, 48 and 72 h). RESULTS MTT assay for promastigotes showed IC50 of 52.07 μg/mL for PLA2 and 16.98 μg/mL for the peptide fraction of the venom. The cytotoxicity assessment in peritoneal macrophages showed IC50 of 98 μg/mL and 16.98 μg/mL for PLA2 and peptide by MTT assay, respectively. In peritoneal macrophages infected by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi amastigotes, the PLA2 stimulated growth of parasites, and at higher doses reduced growth by 23 %. The peptide fraction prevented 43 % of the intracellular parasite growth at a dose of 16.98 μg/mL, demonstrating the toxicity of this dose to macrophages. Both fractions stimulated H2O2 production by macrophages but only PLA2 was able to stimulate NO production. CONCLUSION We have demonstrated the in vitro leishmanicidal activity of the PLA2 and peptide fraction of Crotalus venom. The results encourage further studies to describe the metabolic pathways involved in cell death, as well as the prospecting of molecules with antiparasitic activity present in the peptide fraction of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo A C Barros
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil
| | - Andreia V Pereira
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil
| | - Luciana C Barros
- Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil
| | - Airton Lourenço
- Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil
| | - Sueli A Calvi
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil
| | - Lucilene D Santos
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil ; Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil
| | - Benedito Barraviera
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil ; Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil
| | - Rui Seabra Ferreira
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil ; Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, SP Brazil ; CEVAP/UNESP, Caixa Postal 577, Fazenda Experimental Lageado, Rua José Barbosa de Barros, 1780, 18610-307 Botucatu, SP Brasil
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Macedo SRA, de Barros NB, Ferreira AS, Moreira-Dill LS, Calderon LA, Soares AM, Nicolete R. Biodegradable microparticles containing crotamine isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus display antileishmanial activity in vitro. Pharmacology 2015; 95:78-86. [PMID: 25633844 DOI: 10.1159/000371391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS To evaluate antileishmanial activity of crotamine, a toxin isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus, in solution form and encapsulated in biodegradable microparticles in vitro. METHODS Particles were analyzed on-chip by surface plasmon resonance and characterized by testing their diameters, zeta potential and encapsulation rate. The viability of promastigotes as well as murine macrophages was assessed. Furthermore, the phagocytic index was determined for macrophages, and cell supernatants were collected for the determination of TNF-α levels. An infection assay using Leishmania amazonensis-infected macrophages was also conducted. RESULTS The diameters and zeta potential of control particles (1.35 μm; -12.3 mV) and of those containing crotamine (3.09 μm; -20.9 mV) were adequate for the assays conducted. Crotamine-loaded particles were better captured by macrophages than control particles (increase of 12% in the phagocytic index), leading to increased TNF-α levels (196 pg/ml), and they also induced a significant decrease in the numbers of amastigotes compared to infected macrophages only. CONCLUSION The approach presented here opens the possibility of working with safe concentrations of encapsulated toxins to reach antileishmanial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Rose A Macedo
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
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Crovirin, a snake venom cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRISP) with promising activity against Trypanosomes and Leishmania. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3252. [PMID: 25330220 PMCID: PMC4199522 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The neglected human diseases caused by trypanosomatids are currently treated with toxic therapy with limited efficacy. In search for novel anti-trypanosomatid agents, we showed previously that the Crotalus viridis viridis (Cvv) snake venom was active against infective forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Here, we describe the purification of crovirin, a cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRISP) from Cvv venom with promising activity against trypanosomes and Leishmania. Methodology/Principal Findings Crude venom extract was loaded onto a reverse phase analytical (C8) column using a high performance liquid chromatographer. A linear gradient of water/acetonitrile with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid was used. The peak containing the isolated protein (confirmed by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry) was collected and its protein content was measured. T. cruzi trypomastigotes and amastigotes, L. amazonensis promastigotes and amastigotes and T. brucei rhodesiense procyclic and bloodstream trypomastigotes were challenged with crovirin, whose toxicity was tested against LLC-MK2 cells, peritoneal macrophages and isolated murine extensor digitorum longus muscle. We purified a single protein from Cvv venom corresponding, according to Nano-LC MS/MS sequencing, to a CRISP of 24,893.64 Da, henceforth referred to as crovirin. Human infective trypanosomatid forms, including intracellular amastigotes, were sensitive to crovirin, with low IC50 or LD50 values (1.10–2.38 µg/ml). A considerably higher concentration (20 µg/ml) of crovirin was required to elicit only limited toxicity on mammalian cells. Conclusions This is the first report of CRISP anti-protozoal activity, and suggests that other members of this family might have potential as drugs or drug leads for the development of novel agents against trypanosomatid-borne neglected diseases. The pathogenic trypanosomatid parasites of the genera Leishmania and Trypanosoma infect over 20 million people worldwide, with an annual incidence of ∼3 million new infections. An additional 400 million people are at risk of infection by exposure to parasite-infected insects which act as disease vectors. Trypanosomatid-borne diseases predominant in poorer nation and are considered neglected, having failed to attract the attention of the pharmaceutical industry. However, novel therapy is sorely needed for Trypanosoma and Leishmania infections, currently treated with ‘dated’ drugs that are often difficult to administer in resource-limiting conditions, have high toxicity and are by no means always successful, partly due to the emergence of drug resistance. The last few decades have witnessed a growing interest in examining the potential of bioactive toxins and poisons as drugs or drug leads, as well as for diagnostic applications. In this context, we isolated and purified crovirin, a protein from the Crotalus viridis viridis (Cvv) snake venom capable to inhibiting and/or lysing infective forms of trypanosomatid parasites, at concentrations that are not toxic to host cells. This feature makes crovirin a promising candidate protein for the development of novel therapy against neglected diseases caused by trypanosomatid pathogens.
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Identification of two novel cytolysins from the hydrozoan Olindias sambaquiensis (Cnidaria). J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2014; 20:10. [PMID: 24666608 PMCID: PMC3987661 DOI: 10.1186/1678-9199-20-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the hydrozoan Olindias sambaquiensis is the most common jellyfish associated with human envenomation in southeastern and southern Brazil, information about the composition of its venom is rare. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze pharmacological aspects of O. sambaquiensis venom as well as clinical manifestations observed in affected patients. Crude protein extracts were prepared from the tentacles of animals; peptides and proteins were sequenced and submitted to circular dichroism spectroscopy. Creatine kinase, cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity were evaluated by specific methods. RESULTS We identified two novel cytolysins denominated oshem 1 and oshem 2 from the tentacles of this jellyfish. The cytolysins presented the amino acid sequences NEGKAKCGNTAGSKLTFKSADECTKTGQK (oshem 1) and NNSKAKCGDLAGWSKLTFKSADECTKTGQKS (oshem 2) with respective molecular masses of 3.013 kDa and 3.375 kDa. Circular dichroism revealed that oshem 1 has random coils and small α-helix conformation as main secondary structure whereas oshem 2 presents mainly random coils as its main secondary structure probably due to the presence of W (13) in oshem 2. The hemolysis levels induced by oshem 1 and oshem 2 using a peptide concentration of 0.2 mg/mL were, respectively, 51.7 ± 6.5% and 32.9 ± 8.7% (n = 12 and p ≤ 0.05). Oshem 1 and oshem 2 showed significant myonecrotic activity, evaluated by respective CK level measurements of 1890.4 ± 89 and 1212.5 ± 103 (n = 4 and p ≤ 0.05). In addition, myonecrosis was also evaluated by cell survival, which was measured at 72.4 ± 8.6% and 83.5 ± 6.7% (n = 12 and p ≤ 0.05), respectively. The structural analysis showed that both oshem 1 and oshem 2 should be classified as a small basic hemolytic peptide. CONCLUSION The amino acid sequences of two peptides were highly similar while the primary amino acid sequence analysis revealed W (22th) as the most important mutation. Finally oshem 1 and oshem 2 are the first cytolytic peptides isolated from the Olindias sambaquiensis and should probably represent a novel class of cytolytic peptides.
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Calderon LA, Sobrinho JC, Zaqueo KD, de Moura AA, Grabner AN, Mazzi MV, Marcussi S, Nomizo A, Fernandes CFC, Zuliani JP, Carvalho BMA, da Silva SL, Stábeli RG, Soares AM. Antitumoral activity of snake venom proteins: new trends in cancer therapy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:203639. [PMID: 24683541 PMCID: PMC3943284 DOI: 10.1155/2014/203639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2013] [Revised: 12/07/2013] [Accepted: 12/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
For more than half a century, cytotoxic agents have been investigated as a possible treatment for cancer. Research on animal venoms has revealed their high toxicity on tissues and cell cultures, both normal and tumoral. Snake venoms show the highest cytotoxic potential, since ophidian accidents cause a large amount of tissue damage, suggesting a promising utilization of these venoms or their components as antitumoral agents. Over the last few years, we have studied the effects of snake venoms and their isolated enzymes on tumor cell cultures. Some in vivo assays showed antineoplastic activity against induced tumors in mice. In human beings, both the crude venom and isolated enzymes revealed antitumor activities in preliminary assays, with measurable clinical responses in the advanced treatment phase. These enzymes include metalloproteases (MP), disintegrins, L-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs), C-type lectins, and phospholipases A2 (PLA2s). Their mechanisms of action include direct toxic action (PLA2s), free radical generation (LAAOs), apoptosis induction (PLA2s, MP, and LAAOs), and antiangiogenesis (disintegrins and lectins). Higher cytotoxic and cytostatic activities upon tumor cells than normal cells suggest the possibility for clinical applications. Further studies should be conducted to ensure the efficacy and safety of different snake venom compounds for cancer drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo A. Calderon
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Juliana C. Sobrinho
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Kayena D. Zaqueo
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Andrea A. de Moura
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Amy N. Grabner
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Maurício V. Mazzi
- Fundação Hermínio Ometto, UNIARARAS, Núcleo de Ciências da Saúde-NUCISA, 13607-339 Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Silvana Marcussi
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Lavras, UFLA, 37200-000 Lavras, MG, Brazil
| | - Auro Nomizo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carla F. C. Fernandes
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Juliana P. Zuliani
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Bruna M. A. Carvalho
- Departamento de Química, Biotecnologia e Engenharia de Bioprocessos, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, UFSJ, Campus Alto paraopeba, Ouro Branco, MG, Brazil
| | - Saulo L. da Silva
- Departamento de Química, Biotecnologia e Engenharia de Bioprocessos, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, UFSJ, Campus Alto paraopeba, Ouro Branco, MG, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo G. Stábeli
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Andreimar M. Soares
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia e Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
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Bhattacharya S, Ghosh P, De T, Gomes A, Gomes A, Dungdung SR. In vivo and in vitro antileishmanial activity of Bungarus caeruleus snake venom through alteration of immunomodulatory activity. Exp Parasitol 2013; 135:126-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Revised: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Adade CM, Oliveira IRS, Pais JAR, Souto-Padrón T. Melittin peptide kills Trypanosoma cruzi parasites by inducing different cell death pathways. Toxicon 2013; 69:227-39. [PMID: 23562368 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are components of the innate immune response that represent desirable alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals, as they have a fast mode of action, a low likelihood of resistance development and can act in conjunction with existing drug regimens. AMPs exhibit strong inhibitory activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, viruses, metazoans and other parasites, such as the protozoan Leishmania. Melittin is a naturally occurring AMP, which comprises 40-50% of the dry weight of Apis mellifera venom. Our group has recently shown that crude A. mellifera venom is lethal to Trypanosoma cruzi, the Chagas disease etiologic agent, and generates a variety of cell death phenotypes among treated parasites. Here, we demonstrate that the melittin affected all of T. cruzi developmental forms, including the intracellular amastigotes. The ultrastructural changes induced by melittin suggested the occurrence of different programmed cell death pathways, as was observed in A. mellifera-treated parasites. Autophagic cell death appeared to be the main death mechanism in epimastigotes. In contrast, melittin-treated trypomastigotes appeared to be dying via an apoptotic mechanism. Our findings confirm the great potential of AMPs, including melittin, as a potential source of new drugs for the treatment of neglected diseases, such as Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila M Adade
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Ultraestrutura, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, bloco I, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-590, Brazil
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Pires CL, Rodrigues SD, Bristot D, Gaeta HH, de Oliveira Toyama D, Farias WRL, Toyama MH. Evaluation of macroalgae sulfated polysaccharides on the Leishmania (L.) amazonensis promastigote. Mar Drugs 2013; 11:934-43. [PMID: 23519148 PMCID: PMC3705380 DOI: 10.3390/md11030934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Revised: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The sulfated polysaccharides from Solieria filiformis (Sf), Botryocladia occidentalis (Bo), Caulerpa racemosa (Cr) and Gracilaria caudata (Gc) were extracted and extensively purified. These compounds were then subjected to in vitro assays to evaluate the inhibition of these polysaccharides on the growth of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis promastigotes. Under the same assay conditions, only three of the four sulfated polysaccharides were active against L. amazonensis, and the polysaccharide purified from Cr was the most potent (EC50 value: 34.5 μg/mL). The polysaccharides derived from Bo and Sf demonstrated moderate anti-leishmanial activity (EC50 values of 63.7 μg/mL and 137.4 μg/mL). In addition, we also performed in vitro cytotoxic assays toward peritoneal macrophages and J774 macrophages. For the in vitro cytotoxicity assay employing J774 cells, all of the sulfated polysaccharides decreased cell survival, with CC50 values of 27.3 μg/mL, 49.3 μg/mL, 73.2 μg/mL, and 99.8 μg/mL for Bo, Cr, Gc, and Sf, respectively. However, none of the sulfated polysaccharides reduced the cell growth rate of the peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that macroalgae contain compounds with various chemical properties that can control specific pathogens. According to our results, the assayed sulfated polysaccharides were able to modulate the growth rate and cell survival of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis promastigotes in in vitro assays, and these effects involved the interaction of the sulfated polysaccharides on the cell membrane of the parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Lehnhardt Pires
- São Vicente Unit, State University of São Paulo Julio Mesquita Filho, UNESP, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; E-Mails: (S.D.R.); (D.B.); (H.H.G.); (M.H.T.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +55-13-8809-7200; Fax: +55-13-3569-7106
| | - Selma Dzimidas Rodrigues
- São Vicente Unit, State University of São Paulo Julio Mesquita Filho, UNESP, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; E-Mails: (S.D.R.); (D.B.); (H.H.G.); (M.H.T.)
| | - Daniel Bristot
- São Vicente Unit, State University of São Paulo Julio Mesquita Filho, UNESP, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; E-Mails: (S.D.R.); (D.B.); (H.H.G.); (M.H.T.)
| | - Henrique Hessel Gaeta
- São Vicente Unit, State University of São Paulo Julio Mesquita Filho, UNESP, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; E-Mails: (S.D.R.); (D.B.); (H.H.G.); (M.H.T.)
| | - Daniela de Oliveira Toyama
- Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Rua da Consolação, 896, São Paulo 01302-907, SP, Brazil; E-Mail:
| | - Wladimir Ronald Lobo Farias
- Pici Unit, Federal University of Ceará, UFC, Av. Mister Hull, s/n, Bloco 827, Fortaleza, CE, 60356-000, Brazil; E-Mail:
| | - Marcos Hikari Toyama
- São Vicente Unit, State University of São Paulo Julio Mesquita Filho, UNESP, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; E-Mails: (S.D.R.); (D.B.); (H.H.G.); (M.H.T.)
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BnSP-7 toxin, a basic phospholipase A2 from Bothrops pauloensis snake venom, interferes with proliferation, ultrastructure and infectivity of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. Parasitology 2013; 140:844-54. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182013000012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARYThis paper reports the effects of BnSP-7 toxin, a catalytically inactive phospholipase A2 from Bothrops pauloensis snake venom, on Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. BnSP-7 presented activity against promastigote parasite forms both in the MTT assay, with IC50 of 58·7 μg mL−1 of toxin, and a growth curve, inhibiting parasite proliferation 60–70% at concentrations of 50–200 μg mL−1 of toxin 96 h after treatment. Also, the toxin presented effects on amastigotes, reducing parasite viability by 50% at 28·1 μg mL−1 and delaying the amastigote–promastigote differentiation process. Ultrastructural studies showed that BnSP-7 caused severe morphological changes in promastigotes such as mitochondrial swelling, nuclear alteration, vacuolization, acidocalcisomes, multiflagellar aspects and a blebbing effect in the plasma membrane. Finally, BnSP-7 interfered with the infective capacity of promastigotes in murine peritoneal macrophages, causing statistically significant infectivity-index reductions (P < 0·05) of 20–35%. These data suggest that the BnSP-7 toxin is an important tool for the discovery of new parasite targets that can be exploited to develop new drugs for treating leishmaniasis.
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Abstract
Chagas disease chemotherapy is based on drugs that exhibit toxic effects and have limited efficacy, such as Benznidazole. Therefore, research into new chemotherapeutic agents from natural sources needs to be exploited. Apis mellifera venom consists of many biologically active molecules and has been reported to exhibit remarkable anti-cancer effects, often promoting an apoptosis-like death phenotype. This study demonstrates that A. mellifera venom can affect the growth, viability and ultrastructure of all Trypanosoma cruzi developmental forms, including intracellular amastigotes, at concentrations 15- to 100-fold lower than those required to cause toxic effects in mammalian cells. The ultrastructural changes induced by the venom in the different developmental forms led us to hypothesize the occurrence of different programmed cell death pathways. Autophagic cell death, characterized by the presence of autophagosomes-like organelles and a strong monodansyl cadaverine labelling, appears to be the main death mechanism in epimastigotes. In contrast, increased TUNEL staining, abnormal nuclear chromatin condensation and kDNA disorganization was observed in venom-treated trypomastigotes, suggesting cell death by an apoptotic mechanism. On the other hand, intracellular amastigotes presented a heterogeneous cell death phenotype profile, where apoptosis-like death seemed to be predominant. Our findings confirm the great potential of A. mellifera venom as a source for the development of new drugs for the treatment of neglected diseases such as Chagas disease.
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A comparative study of the effects of venoms from five rear-fanged snake species on the growth of Leishmania major: Identification of a protein with inhibitory activity against the parasite. Toxicon 2011; 58:28-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2011.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2010] [Revised: 04/24/2011] [Accepted: 04/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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In vitro antibacterial and hemolytic activities of crotamine, a small basic myotoxin from rattlesnake Crotalus durissus. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2011; 64:327-31. [PMID: 21386851 DOI: 10.1038/ja.2011.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Crotamine, a myotoxin from the venom of South American rattlesnake, is structurally related to β-defensins, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) found in vertebrate animals. Here, we tested the antibacterial properties of crotamine and found that it killed several strains of Escherichia coli, with the MICs ranging from 25 to 100 μg ml⁻¹. Time-kill and bacterial membrane permeabilization assays revealed that killing of bacteria by crotamine occurred within 1 h and reached the maximum by 2 h. Additionally, the anti-E. coli activity of crotamine was completely abolished with 12.5 mM NaCl. Furthermore, the three intramolecular disulfide bonds of crotamine appeared dispensable for its antibacterial activity. The reduced form of crotamine was active against E. coli as well. However, crotamine showed no or weak activity up to 200 μg ml⁻¹ against other species of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Crotamine showed no appreciable hemolytic activity to erythrocytes. Our studies revealed that crotamine is also an AMP that kills bacteria through membrane permeabilization. However, crotamine appears to have a narrow antibacterial spectrum, distinct from many classical β-defensins, reinforcing the notion that crotamine originated from the β-defensin gene lineage, but has undergone significant functional diversification.
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Passero LFD, Bonfim-Melo A, Corbett CEP, Laurenti MD, Toyama MH, de Toyama DO, Romoff P, Fávero OA, dos Grecco SS, Zalewsky CA, Lago JHG. Anti-leishmanial effects of purified compounds from aerial parts of Baccharis uncinella C. DC. (Asteraceae). Parasitol Res 2011; 108:529-36. [PMID: 20886232 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-2091-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2010] [Accepted: 09/16/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Species of Baccharis exhibit antibiotic, antiseptic, wound-healing, and anti-protozoal properties, and have been used in the traditional medicine of South America for the treatment of several diseases. In the present work, the fractionation of EtOH extract from aerial parts of Baccharis uncinella indicated that the isolated compounds caffeic acid and pectolinaringenin showed inhibitory activity against Leishmania (L.) amazonensis and Leishmania (V.) braziliensis promastigotes, respectively. Moreover, amastigote forms of both species were highly sensible to the fraction composed by oleanolic + ursolic acids and pectolinaringenin. Caffeic acid also inhibited amastigote forms of L. (L.) amazonensis, but this effect was weak in L. (V.) braziliensis amastigotes. The treatment of infected macrophages with these compounds did not alter the levels of nitrates, indicating a direct effect of the compounds on amastigote stages. The results presented herein suggest that the active components from B. uncinella can be important to the design of new drugs against American tegumentar leishmaniases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Felipe D Passero
- Laboratório de Patologia de Moléstias Infecciosas, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, 01246-903 São Paulo, Brazil.
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Effect of Crotalus viridis viridis snake venom on the ultrastructure and intracellular survival of Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasitology 2010; 138:46-58. [PMID: 20663246 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182010000958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Chagas' disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects 16-18 million people in Central and South America. Patient treatment is based on drugs that have toxic effects and limited efficacy. Therefore, new chemotherapeutic agents need to be developed. Snake venoms are sources of natural compounds used in various medical treatments. We observed that Crotalus viridis viridis venom was effective against all developmental forms of T. cruzi. Ultrastructural analysis revealed swelling of mitochondria, blebbing and disruption of the plasma membrane, loss of cytoplasm components and morphological changes of the cell. Staining with propidium iodide and rhodamine 123 confirmed the observed alterations in the plasma and mitochondrial membranes, respectively. The effects of the venom on the parasite intracellular cycle were also analysed. Pre-infected LLC-MK2 cells incubated with Cvv venom showed a 76-93% reduction in the number of parasites per infected cell and a 94-97.4% reduction in the number of parasites per 100 cells after 96 h of infection. Free trypomastigotes harvested from the supernatants of Cvv venom-treated cells were incapable of initiating a new infection cycle. Our data demonstrate that Cvv venom can access the host cell cytoplasm at concentrations that cause toxicity only to the amastigote forms of T. cruzi, and yields altered parasites with limited infective capacity, suggesting the potential use of Cvv venom in Chagas' disease chemotherapy.
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Costa Torres AF, Dantas RT, Toyama MH, Diz Filho E, Zara FJ, Rodrigues de Queiroz MG, Pinto Nogueira NA, Rosa de Oliveira M, de Oliveira Toyama D, Monteiro HSA, Martins AMC. Antibacterial and antiparasitic effects of Bothrops marajoensis venom and its fractions: Phospholipase A2 and L-amino acid oxidase. Toxicon 2009; 55:795-804. [PMID: 19944711 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2009.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2009] [Revised: 11/09/2009] [Accepted: 11/12/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Some proteins present in snake venom possess enzymatic activities, such as phospholipase A(2) and l-amino acid oxidase. In this study, we verify the action of the Bothrops marajoensis venom (BmarTV), PLA(2) (BmarPLA(2)) and LAAO (BmarLAAO) on strains of bacteria, yeast, and Leishmania sp. The BmarTV was isolated by Protein Pack 5PW, and several fractions were obtained. Reverse phase HPLC showed that BmarPLA(2) was isolated from the venom, and N-terminal amino acid sequencing of sPLA(2) showed high amino acid identity with other lysine K49 sPLA(2)s isolated from Bothrops snakes. The BmarLAAO was purified to high molecular homogeneity and its N-terminal amino acid sequence demonstrated a high degree of amino acid conservation with others LAAOs. BmarLAAO was able to inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa, C. albicans and S. aureus in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect was more significant on S. aureus, with a MIC=50 microg/mL and MLC=200 microg/mL. However, the BmarTV and BmarPLA(2) did not demonstrate inhibitory capacity. BmarLAAO was able to inhibit the growth of promastigote forms of L. chagasi and L. amazonensis, with an IC(50)=2.55 microg/mL and 2.86 microg/mL for L. amazonensis and L. chagasi, respectively. BmarTV also provided significant inhibition of parasitic growth, with an IC(50) of 86.56 microg/mL for L. amazonensis and 79.02 microg/mL for L. chagasi. BmarPLA(2) did not promote any inhibition of the growth of these parasites. The BmarLAAO and BmarTV presented low toxicity at the concentrations studied. In conclusion, whole venom as well as the l-amino acid oxidase from Bothrops marajoensis was able to inhibit the growth of several microorganisms, including S. aureus, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Leishmania sp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Fabiola Costa Torres
- Post-graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
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Toyama DO, Marangoni S, Diz-Filho EBS, Oliveira SCB, Toyama MH. Effect of umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin, 7-HOC) on the enzymatic, edematogenic and necrotic activities of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) isolated from Crotalus durissus collilineatus venom. Toxicon 2009; 53:417-26. [PMID: 19470355 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2008.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2008] [Revised: 12/11/2008] [Accepted: 12/23/2008] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Flavonoids, coumarins and other polyphenolic compounds are powerful antioxidants both in hydrophilic and lipophylic environments with diverse pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory activity. Despite being widely used as powerful therapeutic agents for blood coagulation disorders, more specifically to control some serine protease enzymes, the mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of coumarins is unknown, unlike that of flavonoids. Although their controlling effect on serine proteases is well acknowledged, their action on secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) remains obscure. The present study describes the interaction between umbelliferone (7-HOC) and the sPLA2 from Crotalus durissus collilineatus venom. In vitro inhibition of sPLA2 enzymatic activity by 7-HOC was estimated using 4N3OBA as substrate, resulting in an irreversible decrease in such activity proportional to 7-HOC concentration. The biophysical interaction between 7-HOC and sPLA2 was examined by fluorescent spectral analysis and circular dichroism studies. Results from both techniques clearly showed that 7-HOC strongly modified the secondary structure of this enzyme and CD spectra revealed that it strongly decreased sPLA2 alpha-helical conformation. In addition, two-dimensional electrophoresis indicated an evident difference between HPLC-purified native and 7-HOC-treated sPLA2s, which were used in pharmacological experiments to compare their biological activities. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by the sPLA2-induced mouse paw edema model, in which 7-HOC presented an effect similar to those of dexamethasone and cyproheptadine against the pro-inflammatory effect induced by native sPLA2 on the mouse paw edema, mast cell degranulation and skin edema. On the other hand, 7-HOC exhibited a more potent inhibitory effect on sPLA2 than that of p-bromophenacyl bromide (p-BPB). Our data suggest that 7-HOC interacts with sPLA2 and causes some structural modifications that lead to a sharp decrease or inhibition of the edematogenic and myotoxic activities of this enzyme, indicating its potential use to suppress inflammation induced by sPLA2 from the snake venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- D O Toyama
- Centro de Cidncias Biológicas e da Saúde, Univesidade Mackenzie, São Paulo, Brazil
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Oguiura N, Collares MA, Furtado MFD, Ferrarezzi H, Suzuki H. Intraspecific variation of the crotamine and crotasin genes in Crotalus durissus rattlesnakes. Gene 2009; 446:35-40. [PMID: 19523505 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2009.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2009] [Revised: 05/12/2009] [Accepted: 05/27/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Crotamine is a small basic myotoxin peptide of Crotalus durissus venom, with beta-defensin scafold and variable concentration in individual venoms. The crotamine gene was mapped to the end of chromosome 2 and the signal intensity differed significantly between the two homologues. In contrast to crotamine, the paralogous crotasin gene is scarcely expressed in the venom glands. In this study, we analyzed the crotamine concentrations in the venoms of a total of 23 rattlesnakes from diverse Brazilian localities by ELISA as well as the copy number of both crotamine and crotasin genes by real-time PCR. Crotamine was found to constitute 5-29% of venom proteins varying greatly among individual animals. The crotamine gene exists from 1 to 32 copies per haploid genome, whereas the crotasin gene is present from 1 to 7 copies. Furthermore, we observed that the crotamine concentration and crotamine gene copy number are positively correlated (r(2)=0.68), implying the variation of crotamine in venom results from the variation of the gene copy number. Sequencing of 50 independent copies of crotamine and crotasin genes from four different rattlesnakes revealed the presence of six crotasin isoforms with a single amino acid difference from the original crotasin sequence, whereas only two additional crotamine isoforms were observed. Taken together, our results suggested that after duplication from a common ancestor gene, crotamine and crotasin may have diverged in such a way that the crotamine gene underwent repetitive duplication to increase its copy number, whereas the crotasin gene diversified its sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Oguiura
- Laboratório Especial de Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto Butantan, Av. Dr. Vital Brasil, 1500, CEP 05503-900, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Diz Filho E, Marangoni S, Toyama D, Fagundes F, Oliveira S, Fonseca F, Calgarotto A, Joazeiro P, Toyama M. Enzymatic and structural characterization of new PLA2 isoform isolated from white venom of Crotalus durissus ruruima. Toxicon 2009; 53:104-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2008.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2008] [Revised: 10/12/2008] [Accepted: 10/22/2008] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Bastos LM, Júnior RJO, Silva DAO, Mineo JR, Vieira CU, Teixeira DNS, Homsi-Brandeburgo MI, Rodrigues VM, Hamaguchi A. Toxoplasma gondii: Effects of neuwiedase, a metalloproteinase from Bothrops neuwiedi snake venom, on the invasion and replication of human fibroblasts in vitro. Exp Parasitol 2008; 120:391-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2008.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2008] [Revised: 09/04/2008] [Accepted: 09/09/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Passero LFD, Laurenti MD, Tomokane TY, Corbett CEP, Toyama MH. The effect of phospholipase A2 from Crotalus durissus collilineatus on Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis infection. Parasitol Res 2008; 102:1025-33. [PMID: 18180953 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-007-0871-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2007] [Accepted: 12/21/2007] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the effect of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) derived from Crotalus durissus collilineatus was evaluated in vitro and in vivo on experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. The promastigote and amastigote forms treated with PLA2 presented increased growth rate. In vivo studies showed that PLA2-treated Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis promastigotes increased the size of lesions in BALB/c mice, and histopathological analysis showed numerous necrotic regions presenting a higher density of polymorphonuclear, mononuclear, and amastigote cells. Additionally, infected macrophages treated with PLA2 were able to generate prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Cytokine quantification showed that the supernatant from infected macrophages presented moderate and high amounts of IL-2 and IL-10, respectively. However, in PLA2-treated infected macrophages, suppression of IL-2 levels occurred, but not of IL-10 levels. Observation also revealed that both the supernatant and lysate of L. (L.) amazonensis promastigotes exhibited PLA2 activity, which, in the presence of dexamethasone, showed no reduction in their activities; while glucocorticoid maintained the ability of promastigote forms to infect macrophages, which presented values similar to controls. In conclusion, the results indicate that PLA2 may be a progression factor for cutaneous leishmaniasis, since the PLA2 effect suppressed IL-2 levels and generated PGE2, an inflammatory lipid mediator.
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