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Paas A, Dresler J, Talmann L, Vilcinskas A, Lüddecke T. Venom Ex Machina? Exploring the Potential of Cell-Free Protein Production for Venom Biodiscovery. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8286. [PMID: 39125859 PMCID: PMC11311792 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Venoms are a complex cocktail of potent biomolecules and are present in many animal lineages. Owed to their translational potential in biomedicine, agriculture and industrial applications, they have been targeted by several biodiscovery programs in the past. That said, many venomous animals are relatively small and deliver minuscule venom yields. Thus, the most commonly employed activity-guided biodiscovery pipeline cannot be applied effectively. Cell-free protein production may represent an attractive tool to produce selected venom components at high speed and without the creation of genetically modified organisms, promising rapid and highly efficient access to biomolecules for bioactivity studies. However, these methods have only sporadically been used in venom research and their potential remains to be established. Here, we explore the ability of a prokaryote-based cell-free system to produce a range of venom toxins of different types and from various source organisms. We show that only a very limited number of toxins could be expressed in small amounts. Paired with known problems to facilitate correct folding, our preliminary investigation underpins that venom-tailored cell-free systems probably need to be developed before this technology can be employed effectively in venom biodiscovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Paas
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Gießen, Germany; (J.D.); (A.V.)
- LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Josephine Dresler
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Gießen, Germany; (J.D.); (A.V.)
- LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lea Talmann
- Syngenta Crop Protection, Werk Stein, Schaffhauserstrasse, CH4332 Stein, Switzerland;
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Gießen, Germany; (J.D.); (A.V.)
- LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Gießen, Heinrich-Buff Ring 26-32, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Tim Lüddecke
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Gießen, Germany; (J.D.); (A.V.)
- LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
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Chen J, Zhang X, Lin C, Gao B. Synthesis and insecticidal activity of cysteine-free conopeptides from Conus betulinus. Toxicon 2023; 233:107253. [PMID: 37586612 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
The cone snail Conus betulinus is a vermivorous species that is widely distributed in the South China Sea. Its crude venom contains various peptides used to prey on marine worms. In previous studies, a systematic analysis of the peptide toxin sequences from C. betulinus was carried out using a multiomics technique. In this study, 10 cysteine-free peptides that may possess insecticidal activity were selected from a previously constructed conopeptide library of C. betulinus using the CPY-Fe conopeptide as a template. These conopeptides were prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), then characterized by the reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry. Insect cytotoxicity and injection experiments revealed that these cysteine-free peptides exerted favorable insecticidal effects, and two of them (Bt010 and Bt016) exhibited high insecticidal efficacy with LD50 of 9.07 nM and 10.93 nM, respectively. In addition, the 3D structures of these peptides were predicted by homology modeling, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the nucleotide data of conopeptides to analyze the relationships among structures, functions, and evolution. A preliminary mechanism for the insecticidal activity of the cysteine-free conopeptides was predicted by molecular docking. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the insecticidal activity of cysteine-free conopeptides derived from Conus betulinus, signaling that they could potentially be developed into bioinsecticides with desirable properties such as easy preparation, low cost, and high potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Tropical Herbs, School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xueying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Tropical Herbs, School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Chengzhang Lin
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Tropical Herbs, School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Bingmiao Gao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Tropical Herbs, School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
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Titaux-Delgado G, Lopez-Giraldo AE, Carrillo E, Cofas-Vargas LF, Carranza LE, López-Vera E, García-Hernández E, Del Rio-Portilla F. Beta-KTx14.3, a scorpion toxin, blocks the human potassium channel KCNQ1. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2023; 1871:140906. [PMID: 36918120 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2023.140906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Potassium channels play a key role in regulating many physiological processes, thus, alterations in their proper functioning can lead to the development of several diseases. Hence, the search for compounds capable of regulating the activity of these channels constitutes an intense field of investigation. Potassium scorpion toxins are grouped into six subfamilies (α, β, γ, κ, δ, and λ). However, experimental structures and functional analyses of the long chain β-KTx subfamily are lacking. In this study, we recombinantly produced the toxins TcoKIK and beta-KTx14.3 present in the venom of Tityus costatus and Lychas mucronatus scorpions, respectively. The 3D structures of these β-KTx toxins were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance. In both toxins, the N-terminal region is unstructured, while the C-terminal possesses the classic CSα/β motif. TcoKIK did not show any clear activity against frog Shaker and human KCNQ1 potassium channels; however, beta-KTx14.3 was able to block the KCNQ1 channel. The toxin-channel interaction mode was investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that this toxin could form a stable network of polar-to-polar and hydrophobic interactions with KCNQ1, involving key conserved residues in both molecular partners. The discovery and characterization of a toxin capable of inhibiting KCNQ1 pave the way for the future development of novel drugs for the treatment of human diseases caused by the malfunction of this potassium channel. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Scorpion toxins have been shown to rarely block human KCNQ1 channels, which participate in the regulation of cardiac processes. In this study, we obtained recombinant beta-KTx14.3 and TcoKIK toxins and determined their 3D structures by nuclear magnetic resonance. Electrophysiological studies and molecular dynamics models were employed to examine the interactions between these two toxins and the human KCNQ1, which is the major driver channel of cardiac repolarization; beta-KTx14.3 was found to block effectively this channel. Our findings provide insights for the development of novel toxin-based drugs for the treatment of cardiac channelopathies involving KCNQ1-like channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Titaux-Delgado
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Andrea Estefanía Lopez-Giraldo
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Elisa Carrillo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Luis Fernando Cofas-Vargas
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Luis Enrique Carranza
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Estuardo López-Vera
- Laboratorio de Toxinología Marina, Unidad Académica de Ecología y Biodiversidad Acuática, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Enrique García-Hernández
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico.
| | - Federico Del Rio-Portilla
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico.
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Bioinformation Systems with Detectors and Signal Coding Capabilities. SCIENCE AND INNOVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.15407/scine18.02.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. The integration of computer technologies into various fields of science allows the development of new methodologies, hybrid information systems with advanced capabilities, such as EcoIS bioinformation system for monitoring the environment with the use of biological data detectors.Problem Statement. The development of innovation bioinformation systems with biological data detectors is a very important task, as they have numerous advantages: allow rapid diagnostics and testing of chemicals in thefirst moments of their action, may be incorporated easily into electronic registration systems, may serve as elementary analytical units with data coding capabilities, etc.Purpose. The purpose of this research is to make a comprehensive analysis of different types of biological data detectors to develop a physical model of a biosensor capable of encoding signals and a bioinformation system with such detectors.Materials and Methods. The comparative analysis of information systems with functions of ecomonitoring and different types of biosensors have been used; the data are taken from electrophysiological experiments on registration of chemosensitive transmembrane electric currents in voltage clamp and patch clamp modes.Results. The physical model of biosensor has been developed and tested. The integration of the developed biosensors into the electronic bioinformation system by the example of EcoIS authors’ system has been demonstrated. Neuron-like biosensor has been considered an abstraction in the unity of its functions: signal receiver — filter — analyzer — encoder/decoder, where the input information is obtained in the form of chemical structures or electrical signals, after the conversion (recoding) of information it is registered as electrical signals with changed characteristics. The prospects for developing the cutting-edge methods for information protection in systems with biosensors have been shown.
Conclusions. This development may be used for creating a bioinformation system for environmental moni toring with integrated biosensor system and data protection based on the principles and achievements of contemporary biophysics.
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Van Baelen AC, Robin P, Kessler P, Maïga A, Gilles N, Servent D. Structural and Functional Diversity of Animal Toxins Interacting With GPCRs. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:811365. [PMID: 35198603 PMCID: PMC8859281 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.811365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide toxins from venoms have undergone a long evolutionary process allowing host defense or prey capture and making them highly selective and potent for their target. This has resulted in the emergence of a large panel of toxins from a wide diversity of species, with varied structures and multiple associated biological functions. In this way, animal toxins constitute an inexhaustible reservoir of druggable molecules due to their interesting pharmacological properties. One of the most interesting classes of therapeutic targets is the G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs represent the largest family of membrane receptors in mammals with approximately 800 different members. They are involved in almost all biological functions and are the target of almost 30% of drugs currently on the market. Given the interest of GPCRs in the therapeutic field, the study of toxins that can interact with and modulate their activity with the purpose of drug development is of particular importance. The present review focuses on toxins targeting GPCRs, including peptide-interacting receptors or aminergic receptors, with a particular focus on structural aspects and, when relevant, on potential medical applications. The toxins described here exhibit a great diversity in size, from 10 to 80 amino acids long, in disulfide bridges, from none to five, and belong to a large panel of structural scaffolds. Particular toxin structures developed here include inhibitory cystine knot (ICK), three-finger fold, and Kunitz-type toxins. We summarize current knowledge on the structural and functional diversity of toxins interacting with GPCRs, concerning first the agonist-mimicking toxins that act as endogenous agonists targeting the corresponding receptor, and second the toxins that differ structurally from natural agonists and which display agonist, antagonist, or allosteric properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Cécile Van Baelen
- CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour La Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Philippe Robin
- CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour La Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Pascal Kessler
- CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour La Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Arhamatoulaye Maïga
- CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour La Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- CHU Sainte Justine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nicolas Gilles
- CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour La Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Denis Servent
- CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour La Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- *Correspondence: Denis Servent,
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Tibery DV, de Souza ACB, Mourão CBF, do Nascimento JM, Schwartz EF. Purification and characterization of peptides Ap2, Ap3 and Ap5 (ω-toxins) from the venom of the Brazilian tarantula Acanthoscurria paulensis. Peptides 2021; 145:170622. [PMID: 34363923 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Peptides isolated from spider venoms are of pharmacological interest due to their neurotoxic activity, acting on voltage-dependent ion channels present in different types of human body tissues. Three peptide toxins titled as Ap2, Ap3 and Ap5 were purified by RP-HPLC from Acanthoscurria paulensis venom. They were partially sequenced by MALDI In-source Decay method and their sequences were completed and confirmed by transcriptome analysis of the venom gland. The Ap2, Ap3 and Ap5 peptides have, respectively, 42, 41 and 46 amino acid residues, and experimental molecular masses of 4886.3, 4883.7 and 5454.7 Da, with the Ap2 peptide presenting an amidated C-terminus. Amongst the assayed channels - NaV1.1, NaV1.5, NaV1.7, CaV1.2, CaV2.1 and CaV2.2 - Ap2, Ap3 and Ap5 inhibited 20-30 % of CaV2.1 current at 1 μM concentration. Ap3 also inhibited sodium current in NaV1.1, Nav1.5 and Nav1.7 channels by 6.6 ± 1.91 % (p = 0.0276), 4.2 ± 1.09 % (p = 0.0185) and 16.05 ± 2.75 % (p = 0.0282), respectively. Considering that Ap2, Ap3 and Ap5 belong to the 'U'-unknown family of spider toxins, which has few descriptions of biological activity, the present work contributes to the knowledge of these peptides and demonstrates this potential as channel modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Vieira Tibery
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Caroline Barbosa Farias Mourão
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Brasília, Campus Ceilândia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Elisabeth Ferroni Schwartz
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.
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Dashevsky D, Rodriguez J. A Short Review of the Venoms and Toxins of Spider Wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13110744. [PMID: 34822528 PMCID: PMC8622703 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitoid wasps represent the plurality of venomous animals, but have received extremely little research in proportion to this taxonomic diversity. The lion’s share of investigation into insect venoms has focused on eusocial hymenopterans, but even this small sampling shows great promise for the development of new active substances. The family Pompilidae is known as the spider wasps because of their reproductive habits which include hunting for spiders, delivering a paralyzing sting, and entombing them in burrows with one of the wasp’s eggs to serve as food for the developing larva. The largest members of this family, especially the tarantula hawks of the genus Pepsis, have attained notoriety for their large size, dramatic coloration, long-term paralysis of their prey, and incredibly painful defensive stings. In this paper we review the existing research regarding the composition and function of pompilid venoms, discuss parallels from other venom literatures, identify possible avenues for the adaptation of pompilid toxins towards human purposes, and future directions of inquiry for the field.
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Hull JJ, Gross RJ, Brent CS, Christie AE. Filling in the gaps: A reevaluation of the Lygus hesperus peptidome using an expanded de novo assembled transcriptome and molecular cloning. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 303:113708. [PMID: 33388363 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Peptides are the largest and most diverse class of molecules modulating physiology and behavior. Previously, we predicted a peptidome for the western tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus, using transcriptomic data produced from whole individuals. A potential limitation of that analysis was the masking of underrepresented genes, in particular tissue-specific transcripts. Here, we reassessed the L. hesperus peptidome using a more comprehensive dataset comprised of the previous transcriptomic data as well as tissue-specific reads produced from heads and accessory glands. This augmented assembly significantly improves coverage depth providing confirmatory transcripts for essentially all of the previously identified families and new transcripts encoding a number of new peptide precursors corresponding to 14 peptide families. Several families not targeted in our initial study were identified in the expanded assembly, including agatoxin-like peptide, CNMamide, neuropeptide-like precursor 1, and periviscerokinin. To increase confidence in the in silico data, open reading frames of a subset of the newly identified transcripts were amplified using RT-PCR and sequence validated. Further PCR-based profiling of the putative L. hesperus agatoxin-like peptide precursor revealed evidence of alternative splicing with near ubiquitous expression across L. hesperus development, suggesting the peptide serves functional roles beyond that of a toxin. The peptides predicted here, in combination with those identified in our earlier study, expand the L. hesperus peptidome to 42 family members and provide an improved platform for initiating molecular and physiological investigations into peptidergic functionality in this non-model agricultural pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Joe Hull
- Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA.
| | - Roni J Gross
- Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA
| | - Colin S Brent
- Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA
| | - Andrew E Christie
- Békésy Laboratory of Neurobiology, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1993 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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Muller JAI, Lawrence N, Chan LY, Harvey PJ, Elliott AG, Blaskovich MAT, Gonçalves JC, Galante P, Mortari MR, Toffoli-Kadri MC, Koehbach J, Craik DJ. Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties of Synthetic Peptides Derived from the Wasp Parachartergus fraternus. Chembiochem 2021; 22:1415-1423. [PMID: 33244888 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Agelaia-MPI and protonectin are antimicrobial peptides isolated from the wasp Parachartergus fraternus that show antimicrobial and neuroactive activities. Previously, two analogues of these peptides, neuroVAL and protonectin-F, were designed to reduce nonspecific toxicity and improve potency. Here, the three-dimensional structures of neuroVAL, protonectin and protonectin-F were determined by using circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopy. Antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic and hemolytic activities were tested for the parent peptides and analogues. All peptides showed moderate antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, with agelaia-MPI being the most active. Protonectin and protonectin-F were found to be toxic to cancerous and noncancerous cell lines. Internalization experiments revealed that these peptides accumulate inside both cell types. By contrast, neuroVAL was nontoxic to all tested cells and was able to enter cells without accumulating. In summary, neuroVAL has potential as a nontoxic cell-penetrating peptide, while protonectin-F needs further modification to realize its potential as an antitumor peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A I Muller
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia.,Laboratory of Pharmacology and Inflammation, FACFAN/Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Lai Yue Chan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Alysha G Elliott
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Centre for Superbug Solutions, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Mark A T Blaskovich
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Centre for Superbug Solutions, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Jacqueline C Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, IB/University of Brasilia, Federal District, Brasilia, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Priscilla Galante
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, IB/University of Brasilia, Federal District, Brasilia, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Marcia R Mortari
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, IB/University of Brasilia, Federal District, Brasilia, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Mônica C Toffoli-Kadri
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Inflammation, FACFAN/Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Johannes Koehbach
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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Evans ERJ, McIntyre L, Northfield TD, Daly NL, Wilson DT. Small Molecules in the Venom of the Scorpion Hormurus waigiensis. Biomedicines 2020; 8:E259. [PMID: 32751897 PMCID: PMC7459668 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8080259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite scorpion stings posing a significant public health issue in particular regions of the world, certain aspects of scorpion venom chemistry remain poorly described. Although there has been extensive research into the identity and activity of scorpion venom peptides, non-peptide small molecules present in the venom have received comparatively little attention. Small molecules can have important functions within venoms; for example, in some spider species the main toxic components of the venom are acylpolyamines. Other molecules can have auxiliary effects that facilitate envenomation, such as purines with hypotensive properties utilised by snakes. In this study, we investigated some non-peptide small molecule constituents of Hormurus waigiensis venom using LC/MS, reversed-phase HPLC, and NMR spectroscopy. We identified adenosine, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), and citric acid within the venom, with low quantities of the amino acids glutamic acid and aspartic acid also being present. Purine nucleosides such as adenosine play important auxiliary functions in snake venoms when injected alongside other venom toxins, and they may have a similar role within H. waigiensis venom. Further research on these and other small molecules in scorpion venoms may elucidate their roles in prey capture and predator defence, and gaining a greater understanding of how scorpion venom components act in combination could allow for the development of improved first aid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward R. J. Evans
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, AITHM, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (E.R.J.E.); (N.L.D.)
| | - Lachlan McIntyre
- Independent Researcher, P.O. Box 78, Bamaga, QLD 4876, Australia;
| | - Tobin D. Northfield
- Department of Entomology, Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA 98801, USA;
| | - Norelle L. Daly
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, AITHM, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (E.R.J.E.); (N.L.D.)
| | - David T. Wilson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, AITHM, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (E.R.J.E.); (N.L.D.)
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11
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Zou X, Wang Y, Yu Y, He J, Zhao F, Xi C, Zhang C, Cao Z. BmK NSP, a new sodium channel activator from Buthus martensii Karsch, promotes neurite outgrowth in primary cultured spinal cord neurons. Toxicon 2020; 182:13-20. [PMID: 32353571 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.04.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Scorpion venom is a rich source of bioactive compounds that affect neuronal excitability by modulating the activities of various channels/receptors. In the current study, guided by a Ca2+ mobilization assay, we purified a new neuroactive peptide designated as BmK NSP (Buthus martensii Karsch neurite-stimulating peptide, MW: 7064.30 Da). The primary structure of BmK NSP was determined by Edman degradation. BmK NSP concentration-dependently elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) with an EC50 value of 4.18 μM in primary cultured spinal cord neurons (SCNs). Depletion of extracellular Ca2+ abolished BmK NSP-triggered Ca2+ response. Moreover, we demonstrated that BmK NSP-induced Ca2+ response was partially suppressed by the inhibitors of L-type Ca2+ channels, Na+-Ca2+ exchangers and NMDA receptors and was abolished by voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) blocker, tetrodotoxin. Whole-cell patch clamp recording demonstrated that BmK NSP delayed VGSC inactivation (EC50 = 1.10 μM) in SCNs. BmK NSP enhanced neurite outgrowth in a non-monotonic manner that peaked at ~30 nM in SCNs. BmK NSP-promoted neurite outgrowth was suppressed by the inhibitors of L-type Ca2+ channels, NMDA receptors, and VGSCs. Considered together, these data demonstrate that BmK NSP is a new α-scorpion toxin that enhances neurite outgrowth through main routes of Ca2+ influx. Modulation of VGSC activity by α-scorpion toxin might represent a novel strategy to regulate the neurogenesis in SCNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Zou
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Yujing Wang
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Yiyi Yu
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Jing He
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Fang Zhao
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China.
| | - Chuchu Xi
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Jiangsu Provincial Supervision & Inspection Center of Green & Degradable Materials, Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 3 E. Jialingjiang Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210019, China
| | - Zhengyu Cao
- Department of TCM Pharmacology, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China.
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Klyuchko OM. AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS OF Arthropodae SPECIES: MECHANISMS OF ACTION ON BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES AND PERSPECTIVES OF BIOMEDICAL APPLICATION. BIOTECHNOLOGIA ACTA 2020. [DOI: 10.15407/biotech13.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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The Peptide Venom Composition of the Fierce Stinging Ant Tetraponera aethiops (Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecinae). Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11120732. [PMID: 31847368 PMCID: PMC6950161 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11120732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mutualisms involving certain pseudomyrmicine ants and different myrmecophytes (i.e., plants sheltering colonies of specialized “plant-ant” species in hollow structures), the ant venom contributes to the host plant biotic defenses by inducing the rapid paralysis of defoliating insects and causing intense pain to browsing mammals. Using integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, we identified the venom peptidome of the plant-ant Tetraponera aethiops (Pseudomyrmecinae). The transcriptomic analysis of its venom glands revealed that 40% of the expressed contigs encoded only seven peptide precursors related to the ant venom peptides from the A-superfamily. Among the 12 peptide masses detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS), nine mature peptide sequences were characterized and confirmed through proteomic analysis. These venom peptides, called pseudomyrmecitoxins (PSDTX), share amino acid sequence identities with myrmeciitoxins known for their dual offensive and defensive functions on both insects and mammals. Furthermore, we demonstrated through reduction/alkylation of the crude venom that four PSDTXs were homo- and heterodimeric. Thus, we provide the first insights into the defensive venom composition of the ant genus Tetraponera indicative of a streamlined peptidome.
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Sabiá Júnior EF, Menezes LFS, de Araújo IFS, Schwartz EF. Natural Occurrence in Venomous Arthropods of Antimicrobial Peptides Active against Protozoan Parasites. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E563. [PMID: 31557900 PMCID: PMC6832604 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11100563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Arthropoda is a phylum of invertebrates that has undergone remarkable evolutionary radiation, with a wide range of venomous animals. Arthropod venom is a complex mixture of molecules and a source of new compounds, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Most AMPs affect membrane integrity and produce lethal pores in microorganisms, including protozoan pathogens, whereas others act on internal targets or by modulation of the host immune system. Protozoan parasites cause some serious life-threatening diseases among millions of people worldwide, mostly affecting the poorest in developing tropical regions. Humans can be infected with protozoan parasites belonging to the genera Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Plasmodium, and Toxoplasma, responsible for Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria, and toxoplasmosis. There is not yet any cure or vaccine for these illnesses, and the current antiprotozoal chemotherapeutic compounds are inefficient and toxic and have been in clinical use for decades, which increases drug resistance. In this review, we will present an overview of AMPs, the diverse modes of action of AMPs on protozoan targets, and the prospection of novel AMPs isolated from venomous arthropods with the potential to become novel clinical agents to treat protozoan-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Ferreira Sabiá Júnior
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Luis Felipe Santos Menezes
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Israel Flor Silva de Araújo
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Elisabeth Ferroni Schwartz
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil.
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Identification of Aethina tumida Kir Channels as Putative Targets of the Bee Venom Peptide Tertiapin Using Structure-Based Virtual Screening Methods. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11090546. [PMID: 31546848 PMCID: PMC6784217 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11090546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Venoms are comprised of diverse mixtures of proteins, peptides, and small molecules. Identifying individual venom components and their target(s) with mechanism of action is now attainable to understand comprehensively the effectiveness of venom cocktails and how they collectively function in the defense and predation of an organism. Here, structure-based computational methods were used with bioinformatics tools to screen and identify potential biological targets of tertiapin (TPN), a venom peptide from Apis mellifera (European honey bee). The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida (A. tumida)) is a natural predator of the honey bee colony and was found to possess multiple inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) channel subunit genes from a genomic BLAST search analysis. Structure-based virtual screening of homology modelled A. tumida Kir (atKir) channels found TPN to interact with a docking profile and interface “footprint” equivalent to known TPN-sensitive mammalian Kir channels. The results support the hypothesis that atKir channels, and perhaps other insect Kir channels, are natural biological targets of TPN that help defend the bee colony from infestations by blocking K+ transport via atKir channels. From these in silico findings, this hypothesis can now be subsequently tested in vitro by validating atKir channel block as well as in vivo TPN toxicity towards A. tumida. This study highlights the utility and potential benefits of screening in virtual space for venom peptide interactions and their biological targets, which otherwise would not be feasible.
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Zhang F, Wu Y, Zou X, Tang Q, Zhao F, Cao Z. BmK AEP, an Anti-Epileptic Peptide Distinctly Affects the Gating of Brain Subtypes of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030729. [PMID: 30744067 PMCID: PMC6387193 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BmK AEP, a scorpion peptide purified form the venom of Buthus martensii Karsch, has been reported to display anti-epileptic activity. Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are responsible for the rising phase of action potentials (APs) in neurons and, therefore, controlling neuronal excitability. To elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms responsible for its anti-epileptic activity, we examined the influence of BmK AEP on AP firing in cortical neurons and how BmK AEP influences brain subtypes of VGSCs (Nav1.1–1.3 and Nav1.6). BmK AEP concentration-dependently suppresses neuronal excitability (AP firing) in primary cultured cortical neurons. Consistent with its inhibitory effect on AP generation, BmK AEP inhibits Na+ peak current in cortical neurons with an IC50 value of 2.12 µM by shifting the half-maximal voltage of activation of VGSC to hyperpolarized direction by ~7.83 mV without affecting the steady-state inactivation. Similar to its action on Na+ currents in cortical neurons, BmK AEP concentration-dependently suppresses the Na+ currents of Nav1.1, Nav1.3, and Nav1.6, which were heterologously expressed in HEK-293 cells, with IC50 values of 3.20, 1.46, and 0.39 µM with maximum inhibition of 82%, 56%, and 93%, respectively. BmK AEP shifts the voltage-dependent activation in the hyperpolarized direction by ~15.60 mV, ~9.97 mV, and ~6.73 mV in Nav1.1, Nav1.3, and Nav1.6, respectively, with minimal effect on steady-state inactivation. In contrast, BmK AEP minimally suppresses Nav1.2 currents (~15%) but delays the inactivation of the channel with an IC50 value of 1.69 µM. Considered together, these data demonstrate that BmK AEP is a relatively selective Nav1.6 gating modifier which distinctly affects the gating of brain subtypes of VGSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Ying Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Xiaohan Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Qinglian Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Fang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Zhengyu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
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17
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Abstract
The millions of extant arthropod species are testament to their evolutionary success that can at least partially be attributed to venom usage, which evolved independently in at least 19 arthropod lineages. While some arthropods primarily use venom for predation (e.g., spiders and centipedes) or defense (e.g., bees and caterpillars), it can also have more specialised functions (e.g. in parasitoid wasps to paralyse arthropods for their brood to feed on) or even a combination of functions (e.g. the scorpion Parabuthus transvaalicus can deliver a prevenom for predator deterrence and a venom for predation). Most arthropod venoms are complex cocktails of water, salts, small bioactive molecules, peptides, enzymes and larger proteins, with peptides usually comprising the majority of toxins. Some spider venoms have been reported to contain >1000 peptide toxins, which function as combinatorial libraries to provide an evolutionary advantage. The astounding diversity of venomous arthropods multiplied by their enormous toxin arsenals results in an almost infinite resource for novel bioactive molecules. The main challenge for exploiting this resource is the small size of most arthropods, which can be a limitation for current venom extraction techniques. Fortunately, recent decades have seen an incredible improvement in transcriptomic and proteomic techniques that have provided increasing sensitivity while reducing sample requirements. In turn, this has provided a much larger variety of arthropod venom compounds for potential applications such as therapeutics, molecular probes for basic research, bioinsecticides or anti-parasitic drugs. This special issue of Toxicon aims to cover the breadth of arthropod venom research, including toxin evolution, pharmacology, toxin discovery and characterisation, toxin structures, clinical aspects, and potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Herzig
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia.
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