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Kalita B, Utkin YN, Mukherjee AK. Current Insights in the Mechanisms of Cobra Venom Cytotoxins and Their Complexes in Inducing Toxicity: Implications in Antivenom Therapy. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120839. [PMID: 36548736 PMCID: PMC9780984 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxins (CTXs), an essential class of the non-enzymatic three-finger toxin family, are ubiquitously present in cobra venoms. These low-molecular-mass toxins, contributing to about 40 to 60% of the cobra venom proteome, play a significant role in cobra venom-induced toxicity, more prominently in dermonecrosis. Structurally, CTXs contain the conserved three-finger hydrophobic loops; however, they also exhibit a certain degree of structural diversity that dictates their biological activities. In their mechanism, CTXs mediate toxicity by affecting cell membrane structures and membrane-bound proteins and activating apoptotic and necrotic cell death pathways. Notably, some CTXs are also responsible for depolarizing neurons and heart muscle membranes, thereby contributing to the cardiac failure frequently observed in cobra-envenomed victims. Consequently, they are also known as cardiotoxins (CdTx). Studies have shown that cobra venom CTXs form cognate complexes with other components that potentiate the toxic effects of the venom's individual component. This review focuses on the pharmacological mechanism of cobra venom CTXs and their complexes, highlighting their significance in cobra venom-induced pathophysiology and toxicity. Furthermore, the potency of commercial antivenoms in reversing the adverse effects of cobra venom CTXs and their complexes in envenomed victims has also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhargab Kalita
- Amrita School of Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi 682041, India
| | - Yuri N. Utkin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Ashis K. Mukherjee
- Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati 781035, India
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur 784028, India
- Correspondence:
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Dubovskii PV, Dubova KM, Bourenkov G, Starkov VG, Konshina AG, Efremov RG, Utkin YN, Samygina VR. Variability in the Spatial Structure of the Central Loop in Cobra Cytotoxins Revealed by X-ray Analysis and Molecular Modeling. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14020149. [PMID: 35202176 PMCID: PMC8880459 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14020149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cobra cytotoxins (CTs) belong to the three-fingered protein family and possess membrane activity. Here, we studied cytotoxin 13 from Naja naja cobra venom (CT13Nn). For the first time, a spatial model of CT13Nn with both “water” and “membrane” conformations of the central loop (loop-2) were determined by X-ray crystallography. The “water” conformation of the loop was frequently observed. It was similar to the structure of loop-2 of numerous CTs, determined by either NMR spectroscopy in aqueous solution, or the X-ray method. The “membrane” conformation is rare one and, to date has only been observed by NMR for a single cytotoxin 1 from N. oxiana (CT1No) in detergent micelle. Both CT13Nn and CT1No are S-type CTs. Membrane-binding of these CTs probably involves an additional step—the conformational transformation of the loop-2. To confirm this suggestion, we conducted molecular dynamics simulations of both CT1No and CT13Nn in the Highly Mimetic Membrane Model of palmitoiloleoylphosphatidylglycerol, starting with their “water” NMR models. We found that the both toxins transform their “water” conformation of loop-2 into the “membrane” one during the insertion process. This supports the hypothesis that the S-type CTs, unlike their P-type counterparts, require conformational adaptation of loop-2 during interaction with lipid membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter V. Dubovskii
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., 117997 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.S.); (A.G.K.); (R.G.E.); (Y.N.U.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Kira M. Dubova
- FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics”, Russian Academy of Sciences, 111933 Moscow, Russia; (K.M.D.); (V.R.S.)
- NRC “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Gleb Bourenkov
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, c/o DESY, 22607 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Vladislav G. Starkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., 117997 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.S.); (A.G.K.); (R.G.E.); (Y.N.U.)
| | - Anastasia G. Konshina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., 117997 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.S.); (A.G.K.); (R.G.E.); (Y.N.U.)
| | - Roman G. Efremov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., 117997 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.S.); (A.G.K.); (R.G.E.); (Y.N.U.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 9 Institutskiy per., 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Higher School of Economics, National Research University, 20 Myasnitskaya str., 101000 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yuri N. Utkin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., 117997 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.S.); (A.G.K.); (R.G.E.); (Y.N.U.)
| | - Valeriya R. Samygina
- FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics”, Russian Academy of Sciences, 111933 Moscow, Russia; (K.M.D.); (V.R.S.)
- NRC “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia
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Konshina AG, Dubovskii PV, Efremov RG. Stepwise Insertion of Cobra Cardiotoxin CT2 into a Lipid Bilayer Occurs as an Interplay of Protein and Membrane "Dynamic Molecular Portraits". J Chem Inf Model 2020; 61:385-399. [PMID: 33382618 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c01137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
For many peripheral membrane-binding polypeptides(MBPs), especially β-structural ones, the precise molecular mechanisms of membrane insertion remain unclear. In most cases, only the terminal water-soluble and membrane-bound states have been elucidated, whereas potential functionally important intermediate stages are still not understood in sufficient detail. In this study, we present one of the first successful attempts to describe step-by-step embedding of the MBP cardiotoxin 2 (CT2) from cobra Naja oxiana venom into a lipid bilayer at the atomistic level. CT2 possesses a highly conservative and rigid β-structured three-finger fold shared by many other exogenous and endogenous proteins performing a wide variety of functions. The incorporation of CT2 into the lipid bilayer was analyzed via a 2 μs all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulation without restraints. This process was shown to occur over a number of distinct steps, while the geometry of initial membrane attachment drastically differs from that of the final equilibrated state. In the latter one, the hydrophobic platform ("bottom") formed by the tips of the three loops is deeply buried into the lipid bilayer. This agrees well with the NMR data obtained earlier for CT2 in detergent micelles. However, the bottom is too bulky to insert itself into the membrane at once. Instead, the gradual immersion of CT2 initiated by the loop-1 was observed. This initial binding stage was also demonstrated in a series of MD runs with varying starting orientations of the toxin with respect to the bilayer surface. Apart from the nonspecific long-range electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic match/mismatch factor, several specific lipid-binding sites were identified in CT2. They were shown to promote membrane insertion by engaging in strong interactions with lipid head groups, fine-tuning the toxin-membrane accommodation. We therefore propose that the toxin insertion relies on the interplay of nonspecific and specific interactions, which are determined by the "dynamic molecular portraits" of the two players, the protein and the membrane. The proposed model does not require protein oligomerization for membrane insertion and can be further employed to design MBPs with predetermined properties with regard to particular membrane targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia G Konshina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Peter V Dubovskii
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Roman G Efremov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow 117997, Russia.,National Research University Higher School of Economics, 20 Myasnitskaya str., Moscow 101000, Russia.,Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 9 Institutskiy per., Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russia
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Talandashti R, Mahdiuni H, Jafari M, Mehrnejad F. Molecular Basis for Membrane Selectivity of Antimicrobial Peptide Pleurocidin in the Presence of Different Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Model Membranes. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 59:3262-3276. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Reza Talandashti
- Department of Life Science Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395-1561, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Mahdiuni
- Bioinformatics Lab., Department of Biology, School of Sciences, Razi University, P.O. Box 67149-67346, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Majid Jafari
- Department of Life Science Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395-1561, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faramarz Mehrnejad
- Department of Life Science Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395-1561, Tehran, Iran
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Munawar A, Ali SA, Akrem A, Betzel C. Snake Venom Peptides: Tools of Biodiscovery. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10110474. [PMID: 30441876 PMCID: PMC6266942 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10110474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Nature endowed snakes with a lethal secretion known as venom, which has been fine-tuned over millions of years of evolution. Snakes utilize venom to subdue their prey and to survive in their natural habitat. Venom is known to be a very poisonous mixture, consisting of a variety of molecules, such as carbohydrates, nucleosides, amino acids, lipids, proteins and peptides. Proteins and peptides are the major constituents of the dry weight of snake venoms and are of main interest for scientific investigations as well as for various pharmacological applications. Snake venoms contain enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins and peptides, which are grouped into different families based on their structure and function. Members of a single family display significant similarities in their primary, secondary and tertiary structures, but in many cases have distinct pharmacological functions and different bioactivities. The functional specificity of peptides belonging to the same family can be attributed to subtle variations in their amino acid sequences. Currently, complementary tools and techniques are utilized to isolate and characterize the peptides, and study their potential applications as molecular probes, and possible templates for drug discovery and design investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha Munawar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore 54890, Pakistan.
| | - Syed Abid Ali
- H.E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan.
| | - Ahmed Akrem
- Botany Division, Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.
| | - Christian Betzel
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, 22607 Hamburg, Germany.
- Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, DESY, Build. 22a, Notkestr. 85, 22603 Hamburg, Germany.
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Dubovskii PV, Dubinnyi MA, Volynsky PE, Pustovalova YE, Konshina AG, Utkin YN, Arseniev AS, Efremov RG. Impact of membrane partitioning on the spatial structure of an S-type cobra cytotoxin. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2017; 36:3463-3478. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2017.1389662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter V. Dubovskii
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Maxim A. Dubinnyi
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Pavel E. Volynsky
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Yulia E. Pustovalova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Anastasia G. Konshina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Yuri N. Utkin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Alexander S. Arseniev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow 117997, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 9 Institutskiy per., Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russia
| | - Roman G. Efremov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow 117997, Russia
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Konshina AG, Krylov NA, Efremov RG. Cardiotoxins: Functional Role of Local Conformational Changes. J Chem Inf Model 2017; 57:2799-2810. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.7b00395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia G. Konshina
- Shemyakin−Ovchinnikov
Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., 117997 GSP, Moscow V-437, Russia
| | - Nikolay A. Krylov
- Shemyakin−Ovchinnikov
Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., 117997 GSP, Moscow V-437, Russia
- Joint
Supercomputer Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prospect,
32a, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Roman G. Efremov
- Shemyakin−Ovchinnikov
Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., 117997 GSP, Moscow V-437, Russia
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