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Wanandy T, Handley SA, Mulcahy E, Wiese M. Comparative study of the commonly used protein quantitation assays on different Hymenoptera venoms: A fundamental aspect of Hymenoptera venom proteome analysis. Toxicon 2024; 241:107685. [PMID: 38503352 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107685] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Determination of protein concentration in Hymenoptera venoms requires an accurate and reproducible assay as the results will be used to support subsequent proteomic techniques employed in their analyses. However, all protein assay techniques have inherent strengths and weaknesses, demanding their assessment before selecting the most suitable platform for sample analysis. In this study, protein profiles of ant, honeybee, and wasp venoms, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) and hyaluronidase standards were qualitatively assessed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Their amino acid and protein concentration were quantitatively determined via Amino Acid Analysis (AAA). Amino acid concentration was determined via hydrolysis, derivatization, and chromatographic quantification. Protein concentration was estimated using four different protein concentration assays. The ratios of protein concentration in venom samples to protein standards were calculated, and the accuracy of the protein concentration assays was analysed relative to the concentration determined from AAA. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that BSA contained several protein bands, while hyaluronidase contained a mixture of peptide and protein bands. Ant and honeybee venoms contained a higher proportion of peptide bands, while wasp venom contained more protein bands. As determined by AAA, the ratio of protein concentration in Hymenoptera venoms varied between 1.01 and 1.11 to BSA, and between 0.96 and 1.06 to hyaluronidase. Overall, the Bradford assay was found to be the least accurate and the BCA assay was the most accurate in estimating protein concentration in Hymenoptera venoms. There was no significant advantage in using hyaluronidase as a standard or increasing incubation temperature of BCA assay when analysing Hymenoptera venoms. Diluent solutions containing phenol and human serum albumin interfered with Lowry-based assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy Wanandy
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Incorporating the Jack Jumper Allergy Program, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
| | - Simon A Handley
- College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; Department of Pathology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Emily Mulcahy
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Incorporating the Jack Jumper Allergy Program, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Michael Wiese
- Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Cavalcanti BC, Soares BM, Barreto FS, Magalhães HIF, Ferreira JRDO, Almeida ATAD, Araújo Beserra Filho JI, Silva J, Dos Santos HS, Marinho ES, Furtado CLM, Moraes Filho MOD, Pessoa C, Ferreira PMP. Hellebrigenin triggers death of promyelocytic leukemia cells by non-genotoxic ways. Toxicon 2024; 238:107591. [PMID: 38160738 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107591] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Bufadienolides are digitalis-like aglycones mainly found in skin secretions of toads. Among their biological properties, the mechanisms of antiproliferative action on tumor cells remain unclear for many compounds, including against leukemia cells. Herein, it was evaluated the mechanisms involved in the antiproliferative and genotoxic actions of hellebrigenin on tumor cell lines and in silico capacity to inhibit the human topoisomerase IIa enzyme. Firstly, its cytotoxic action was investigated by colorimetric assays in human tumor and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Next, biochemical and morphological studies were detailed by light microscopy (trypan blue dye exclusion), immunocytochemistry (BrdU uptake), flow cytometry and DNA/chromosomal damages (Cometa and aberrations). Finally, computational modelling was used to search for topoisomerase inhibition. Hellebrigenin reduced proliferation, BrdU incorporation, viability, and membrane integrity of HL-60 leukemia cells. Additionally, it increased G2/M arrest, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial depolarization, and phosphatidylserine externalization in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast to doxorubicin, hellebrigenin did not cause DNA strand breaks in HL-60 cell line and lymphocytes, and it interacts with ATPase domain residues of human topoisomerase IIa, generating a complex of hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonds. So, hellebrigenin presented potent anti-leukemic activity at concentrations as low as 0.06 μM, a value comparable to the clinical anticancer agent doxorubicin, and caused biochemical changes suggestive of apoptosis without genotoxic/clastogenic-related action, but it probably triggers catalytic inhibition of topoisomerase II. These findings also emphasize toad steroid toxins as promising lead antineoplasic compounds with relatively low cytotoxic action on human normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Coêlho Cavalcanti
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology (LOE), Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Bruno Marques Soares
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology (LOE), Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Francisco Stefânio Barreto
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology (LOE), Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ana Tárcila Alves de Almeida
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancerology (LabCancer), Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil
| | - José Ivo Araújo Beserra Filho
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancerology (LabCancer), Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Jacilene Silva
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, Brazil
| | | | - Emmanuel Silva Marinho
- Group of Theoretical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, State University of Ceará, Limoeiro do Norte, Brazil
| | - Cristiana Libardi Miranda Furtado
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology (LOE), Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil; Experimental Biology Center, University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Manoel Odorico de Moraes Filho
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology (LOE), Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Pessoa
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology (LOE), Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.
| | - Paulo Michel Pinheiro Ferreira
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancerology (LabCancer), Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil.
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Ferreira PMP, Sousa LQD, Sousa RWRD, Rodrigues DDJ, Monção Filho EDS, Chaves MH, Vieira Júnior GM, Rizzo MDS, Filgueiras LA, Mendes AN, Lima DJB, Pessoa C, Sousa JMDCE, Rodrigues ACBDC, Soares MBP, Bezerra DP. Toxic profile of marinobufagin from poisonous Amazon toads and antitumoral effects on human colorectal carcinomas. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 310:116406. [PMID: 36965547 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE South Americans natives have extensively used the toad "kururu" to reduce/treat skin infections, cutaneous lesions and sores. They release secretions rich in bufadienolides, polyhydroxy steroids with well-documented cardiotonic and antiproliferative actions, but in vivo antitumoral evaluations in mammals are rare, and toxicological safety has been left in second place. AIMS OF THE STUDY This investigation used in silico, in vitro and in vivo tools to evaluate acute and subacute toxic effects of marinobufagin and the anticancer action in tumor-bearing mice models. MATERIALS AND METHODS Initially, in silico toxic predictions were performed, followed by in vitro assays using human and murine normal and tumor lines. Next, acute and subacute studies on mice investigated the behavior, hematological and intestinal transit profile and antitumoral activity of marinobufagin in sarcoma 180- and HCT-116 colorectal carcinoma-transplanted mice for 7 and 15 days, respectively. Ex vivo and in vivo cytogenetic assays in Sarcoma 180 and bone marrow cells and histopathological examinations were also executed. RESULTS In silico studies revealed ecotoxicological effects on crustaceans (Daphnia sp.), fishes (Pimephales promelas and Oryzias latipes), and algae. A 24-h marinobufagin-induced acute toxicity included signals of central activity, mainly (vocal frenzy, absence of body tonus, increased ventilation, ataxia, and equilibrium loss), and convulsions and death at 10 mg/kg. The bufadienolide presented effective in vitro cytotoxic action on human lines of colorectal carcinomas in a similar way to ouabain and tumor reduction in marinobufagin-treated SCID-bearing HCT-116 heterotopic xenografts. Animals under subacute nonlethal doses exhibited a decrease in creatinine clearance with normal levels of blood urea, probably as a result of a marinobufagin-induced renal perfusion fall. Nevertheless, only minor morphological side effects were identified in kidneys, livers, hearts and lungs. CONCLUSIONS Marinobufagin has in vitro and in vivo anticancer action on colorectal carcinoma and mild and reversible alterations in key metabolic organs without direct chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal effects at subacute exposure, but it causes acute ataxia, equilibrium loss, convulsions and death at higher acute exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Michel Pinheiro Ferreira
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancerology (LabCancer), Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piauí, 64049-550, Teresina, Brazil.
| | - Lívia Queiroz de Sousa
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancerology (LabCancer), Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piauí, 64049-550, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Rayran Walter Ramos de Sousa
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancerology (LabCancer), Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piauí, 64049-550, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Domingos de Jesus Rodrigues
- Institute of Natural, Humanities and Social Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, 78550-728, Sinop, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Helena Chaves
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí, 64049-550, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Gerardo Magela Vieira Júnior
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí, 64049-550, Teresina, Brazil
| | | | - Lívia Alves Filgueiras
- Laboratory of Innovation in Science and Technology (Lacitec), Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piauí, 64049-550, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Anderson Nogueira Mendes
- Laboratory of Innovation in Science and Technology (Lacitec), Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piauí, 64049-550, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Daisy Jereissati Barbosa Lima
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology (LOE), Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, 60430-270, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Pessoa
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology (LOE), Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, 60430-270, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - João Marcelo de Castro E Sousa
- Laboraroty of Toxicological Genetics (Lapgenic), Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Federal University of Piauí, 64049-550, Teresina, Brazil
| | | | | | - Daniel Pereira Bezerra
- Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 40296-710, Salvador, Brazil
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Kowalski K, Marciniak P, Rychlik L. Proteins from toad's parotoid macroglands: do they play a role in gland functioning and chemical defence? Front Zool 2023; 20:21. [PMID: 37328749 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-023-00499-8] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parotoid gland secretion of bufonid toads is a rich source of toxic molecules that are used against predators, parasites and pathogens. Bufadienolides and biogenic amines are the principal compounds responsible for toxicity of parotoid secretion. Many toxicological and pharmacological analyses of parotoid secretions have been performed, but little is known about the processes related to poison production and secretion. Therefore, our aim was to investigate protein content in parotoids of the common toad, Bufo bufo, to understand the processes that regulate synthesis and excretion of toxins as well as functioning of parotoid macroglands. RESULTS Applying a proteomic approach we identified 162 proteins in the extract from toad's parotoids that were classified into 11 categories of biological functions. One-third (34.6%) of the identified molecules, including acyl-CoA-binding protein, actin, catalase, calmodulin, and enolases, were involved in cell metabolism. We found many proteins related to cell division and cell cycle regulation (12.0%; e.g. histone and tubulin), cell structure maintenance (8.4%; e.g. thymosin beta-4, tubulin), intra- and extracellular transport (8.4%), cell aging and apoptosis (7.3%; e.g. catalase and pyruvate kinase) as well as immune (7.0%; e.g. interleukin-24 and UV excision repair protein) and stress (6.3%; including heat shock proteins, peroxiredoxin-6 and superoxide dismutase) response. We also identified two proteins, phosphomevalonate kinase and isopentenyl-diphosphate delta-isomerase 1, that are involved in synthesis of cholesterol which is a precursor for bufadienolides biosynthesis. STRING protein-protein interaction network predicted for identified proteins showed that most proteins are related to metabolic processes, particularly glycolysis, stress response and DNA repair and replication. The results of GO enrichment and KEGG analyses are also consistent with these findings. CONCLUSION This finding indicates that cholesterol may be synthesized in parotoids, and not only in the liver from which is then transferred through the bloodstream to the parotoid macroglands. Presence of proteins that regulate cell cycle, cell division, aging and apoptosis may indicate a high epithelial cell turnover in parotoids. Proteins protecting skin cells from DNA damage may help to minimize the harmful effects of UV radiation. Thus, our work extends our knowledge with new and important functions of parotoids, major glands involved in the bufonid chemical defence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kowalski
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Institute of Biology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100, Toruń, Poland.
| | - Paweł Marciniak
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Leszek Rychlik
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
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Oliveira CBDS, Barros EDS, de Oliveira SR, Barbosa Júnior F, Vieira Júnior GM, Lopes Júnior CA. Preliminary ionome of the parotoid gland secretion from Rhinella jimi toad. Toxicon 2023; 225:107059. [PMID: 36822515 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107059] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
The cururu toad (Rhinella jimi) is an anuran belonging to the fauna of the Brazilian northeast region, which releases a secretion with toxins from your parotoid glands. Although it has some information about secondary metabolites and proteins, the elemental composition of the released secretion is unknown. Therefore, this is the first report on the ionome of the secretion of the parotoid glands from R. jimi, investigating the influences of abiotic factors such as biome, seasonality, and gender. ICP-MS was used for measurements combined with principal component analysis (PCA). A screening of the secretion sample detected 68 elements which the total concentration of 18 elements was determined. PCA revealed that biome and seasonality factors have a greater influence on the ionomic profile of parotoid secretion. The presence of toxic metals in the secretion samples indicates that the R. jimi toad can be considered a potential bioindicator. These findings may contribute to understanding the metabolism, lifestyle, and interaction of the R. jimi toad with environmental factors as well as open new perspectives to investigate the relationships of the ionome with other biomolecules, for example, metalloproteins and their physiological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elcio Daniel Sousa Barros
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí - UFPI, CEP: 64049-550, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Silvana Ruella de Oliveira
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo - USP, Avenida do Café s/n, Monte Alegre, CEP: 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando Barbosa Júnior
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo - USP, Avenida do Café s/n, Monte Alegre, CEP: 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Cícero Alves Lopes Júnior
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí - UFPI, CEP: 64049-550, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.
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Sousa Barros ED, Santos Monção Filho ED, Fonseca Pio YP, Amorim MRD, Berlinck RGS, Cássia Moura RD, Fonseca MG, Dantas C, Coelho RC, Silva GRD, Chaves MH, Vieira Júnior GM. Comparative study of composition of methanolic extracts of the paratoid gland secretions (PGS) of Rhinella jimi (cururu toad) from northeastern Brazil: Gender, seasonality and geographic occurrence. Toxicon 2022; 214:37-46. [PMID: 35562061 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.04.020] [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: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Toads belonging to the Bufonidae family have a pair of paratoid glands that store highly toxic a biological secretion with varied chemical composition, that act as a chemical defense against microbial infections and predators. The paratoid gland secretion (PGS) of bufonids is rich in bioactive steroids, alkaloids, proteins, bufadienolides and bufotoxins. In the present investigation we performed a systematic analysis of the chemical profile of PGS obtained from the Bufonidae toad Rhinella jimi ("Cururu" toad) collected at three different regions of Piauí state, Northeastern Brazil. Our aim was to investigate the PGS variation related to the season of animals collection, geographic distribution and gender of the animals. The methanolic extracts of PGS were analyzed by UPLC-QToF-MS/MS. Principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to the data set obtained by the UPLC-QToF-MS/MS analyses. Among 23 compounds identified, dehydrobufotenine, suberoyl arginine, 3-(N-suberoyl-argininyl) telocinobufagin, 3-(N-suberoyl-argininyl) marinobufagin, telocinobufagin, marinobufagin and 3-(N-suberoyl-argininyl) bufalin were detected in all PGS. Minimal variations in the composition of paratoid secretions of R. jimi were observed related to distinct geographical and seasonal parameters. R. jimi female animals presented the most diverse chemical composition in its PGS. With this comparative study, unprecedented for the species, it was possible to observe that the secretions of the paratoid glands produced by R. jimi from different regions of the state of Piauí, at different times of the year, presented consistent chemical composition, with discrete particularities in the number and nature chemistry of its constituents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elcio Daniel Sousa Barros
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí, Cep: 64049-550, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil; Department of Teaching, Research and Extension, Federal Institute of Maranhão, Cep 65620-000, Coelho Neto, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Evaldo Dos Santos Monção Filho
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí, Cep: 64049-550, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Yara Polianna Fonseca Pio
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí, Cep: 64049-550, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Rodrigues de Amorim
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 780, Cep.13560-970, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberto G S Berlinck
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 780, Cep.13560-970, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rita de Cássia Moura
- Biology Coordination, Federal University of Piauí, Cep: 64607-670, Picos, Piauí, Brazil
| | | | - Clécio Dantas
- Laboratório de Química Computacional Inorgânica e Quimiometria - LQCINMETRIA, State University of Maranhão, Cep: 65604-380, Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Cunha Coelho
- Teacher Training Department, Federal Institute of Piauí, Cep: 64000-040, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Helena Chaves
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí, Cep: 64049-550, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Gerardo Magela Vieira Júnior
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí, Cep: 64049-550, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.
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