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Schendel V, Müller CHG, Kenning M, Maxwell M, Jenner RA, Undheim EAB, Sombke A. The venom and telopodal defence systems of the centipede Lithobius forficatus are functionally convergent serial homologues. BMC Biol 2024; 22:135. [PMID: 38867210 PMCID: PMC11170834 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01925-x] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evolution of novelty is a central theme in evolutionary biology, yet studying the origins of traits with an apparently discontinuous origin remains a major challenge. Venom systems are a well-suited model for the study of this phenomenon because they capture several aspects of novelty across multiple levels of biological complexity. However, while there is some knowledge on the evolution of individual toxins, not much is known about the evolution of venom systems as a whole. One way of shedding light on the evolution of new traits is to investigate less specialised serial homologues, i.e. repeated traits in an organism that share a developmental origin. This approach can be particularly informative in animals with repetitive body segments, such as centipedes. RESULTS Here, we investigate morphological and biochemical aspects of the defensive telopodal glandular organs borne on the posterior legs of venomous stone centipedes (Lithobiomorpha), using a multimethod approach, including behavioural observations, comparative morphology, proteomics, comparative transcriptomics and molecular phylogenetics. We show that the anterior venom system and posterior telopodal defence system are functionally convergent serial homologues, where one (telopodal defence) represents a model for the putative early evolutionary state of the other (venom). Venom glands and telopodal glandular organs appear to have evolved from the same type of epidermal gland (four-cell recto-canal type) and while the telopodal defensive secretion shares a great degree of compositional overlap with centipede venoms in general, these similarities arose predominantly through convergent recruitment of distantly related toxin-like components. Both systems are composed of elements predisposed to functional innovation across levels of biological complexity that range from proteins to glands, demonstrating clear parallels between molecular and morphological traits in the properties that facilitate the evolution of novelty. CONCLUSIONS The evolution of the lithobiomorph telopodal defence system provides indirect empirical support for the plausibility of the hypothesised evolutionary origin of the centipede venom system, which occurred through functional innovation and gradual specialisation of existing epidermal glands. Our results thus exemplify how continuous transformation and functional innovation can drive the apparent discontinuous emergence of novelties on higher levels of biological complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Schendel
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Carsten H G Müller
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Loitzer Strasse 26, Greifswald, 17489, Germany
| | - Matthes Kenning
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Loitzer Strasse 26, Greifswald, 17489, Germany
| | - Michael Maxwell
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | | | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0316, Norway.
| | - Andy Sombke
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030, Austria.
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Entiauspe-Neto OM, Nachtigall PG, Borges-Martins M, Junqueira-de-Azevedo ILM, Grazziotin FG. Highly conserved and extremely variable: The paradoxical pattern of toxin expression revealed by comparative venom-gland transcriptomics of Phalotris (Serpentes: Dipsadidae). Toxicon 2024; 244:107740. [PMID: 38705487 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107740] [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: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Although non-front fanged snakes account for almost two-thirds of snake diversity, most studies on venom composition and evolution focus exclusively on front-fanged species, which comprise most of the clinically relevant accidents. Comprehensive reports on venom composition of non-front fanged snakes are still scarce for several groups. In this study, we address such shortage of knowledge by providing new insights about the venom composition among species of Phalotris, a poorly studied Neotropical dipsadid genus. Phalotris are known for their specialized venom delivery system and toxic venoms, which can cause life-threatening accidents in humans. We evaluate the venom-gland transcriptome of Phalotris, comparing the following three South American species: P. reticulatus for the Araucaria Pine forests, P. lemniscatus for the Pampa grasslands, and P. mertensi for the Brazilian Cerrado. Our results indicate similar venom profiles, in which they share a high expression level of Kunitz-type inhibitors (KUNZ). On the other hand, comparative analyses revealed substantial differences in the expression levels of C-type lectins (CTL) and snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMP). The diverse set of SVMP and CTL isoforms shows signals of positive selection, and we also identified truncated forms of type III SVMPs, which resemble type II and type I SVMPs of viperids. Additionally, we identified a CNP precursor hosting a proline-rich region containing a BPP motif resembling those commonly detected in viperid venoms with hypotensive activity. Altogether, our results suggest an evolutionary history favoring high expression levels of few KUNZ isoforms in Phalotris venoms, contrasting with a highly diverse set of SVMP and CTL isoforms. Such diversity can be comparable with the venom variability observed in some viperids. Our findings highlight the extreme phenotypic diversity of non-front fanged snakes and the importance to allocate greater effort to study neglected groups of Colubroidea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar M Entiauspe-Neto
- Laboratório de Coleções Zoológicas, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Pedro G Nachtigall
- Laboratório de Toxinologia Aplicada, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Márcio Borges-Martins
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe G Grazziotin
- Laboratório de Coleções Zoológicas, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Thakur S, Giri S, Lalremsanga HT, Doley R. Indian green pit vipers: A lesser-known snake group of north-east India. Toxicon 2024; 242:107689. [PMID: 38531479 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107689] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Green pit vipers are one of the most widely distributed group of venomous snakes in south-east Asia. In Indian, green pit vipers are found in the Northern and North-eastern states spreading across eastern and central India and one of the lesser studied venoms. High morphological similarity among them has been a long-established challenge for species identification, however, a total of six species of Indian green pit viper belonging to genus Trimeresurus, Popeia and Viridovipera has been reported from North-east India. Biochemical and biological studies have revealed that venom exhibits substantial variation in protein expression level along with functional variability. The symptoms of envenomation are painful swelling at bite site, bleeding, necrosis along with systemic toxicity such as prolonged coagulopathy. Clinical data of green pit viper envenomated patients from Demow community health centre, Assam advocated against the use of Indian polyvalent antivenom pressing the need for a suitable antivenom for the treatment of green pit viper envenomation. To design effective and specific antivenom for green pit vipers, unveiling the proteome profile of these snakes is needed. In this study, a comparative venomic of green pit vipers of Northern and North-eastern India, their clinical manifestation as well as treatment protocol has been reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susmita Thakur
- Molecular Toxinology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, India
| | - Surajit Giri
- Demow Government Community Health Centre, Raichai, Konwar Dihingia Gaon, Sivasagar, Assam, India
| | - H T Lalremsanga
- Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl 796004, Mizoram, India
| | - Robin Doley
- Molecular Toxinology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, India.
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4
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You Y, Tang Y, Yin W, Liu X, Gao P, Zhang C, Tembrock LR, Zhao Y, Yang Z. From genome to proteome: Comprehensive identification of venom toxins from the Chinese funnel-web spider (Macrothelidae: Macrothele yani). Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 268:131780. [PMID: 38657926 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131780] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Macrothelidae is a family of mygalomorph spiders containing the extant genera Macrothele and Vacrothele. China is an important center of diversity for Macrothele with 65 % of the known species occurring there. Previous work on Macrothele was able to uncover several important toxin compounds including Raventoxin which may have applications in biomedicine and agricultural chemistry. Despite the importance of Macrothele spiders, high-quality reference genomes are still lacking, which hinders our understanding and application of the toxin compounds. In this study, we assembled the genome of the Macrothele yani to help fill gaps in our understanding of toxin biology in this lineage of spiders to encourage the future study and applications of these compounds. The final assembled genome was 6.79 Gb in total length, had a contig N50 of 21.44 Mb, and scaffold N50 of 156.16 Mb. Hi-C scaffolding assigned 98.19 % of the genome to 46 pseudo-chromosomes with a BUSCO score of 95.7 % for the core eukaryotic gene set. The assembled genome was found to contain 75.62 % repetitive DNA and a total of 39,687 protein-coding genes were annotated making it the spider genome with highest number of genes. Through integrated analysis of venom gland transcriptomics and venom proteomics, a total of 194 venom toxins were identified, including 38 disulfide-rich peptide neurotoxins, among which 12 were ICK knottin peptides. In summary, we present the first high-quality genome assembly at the chromosomal level for any Macrothelidae spider, filling an important gap in our knowledge of these spiders. Such high-quality genomic data will be invaluable as a reference in resolving Araneae spider phylogenies and in screening different spider species for novel compounds applicable to numerous medical and agricultural applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongming You
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yani Tang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Palaeobiology, Institute of Palaeontology, Yunnan University, South Waihuan Road, Chenggong District, Kunming 650500, China; MEC International Joint Laboratory for Palaeobiology and Palaeoenvironment, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Wenhao Yin
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xinxin Liu
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Pengfei Gao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Chenggui Zhang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Luke R Tembrock
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA..
| | - Yu Zhao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
| | - Zizhong Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
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Smith CF, Modahl CM, Ceja Galindo D, Larson KY, Maroney SP, Bahrabadi L, Brandehoff NP, Perry BW, McCabe MC, Petras D, Lomonte B, Calvete JJ, Castoe TA, Mackessy SP, Hansen KC, Saviola AJ. Assessing Target Specificity of the Small Molecule Inhibitor MARIMASTAT to Snake Venom Toxins: A Novel Application of Thermal Proteome Profiling. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100779. [PMID: 38679388 PMCID: PMC11154231 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100779] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
New treatments that circumvent the pitfalls of traditional antivenom therapies are critical to address the problem of snakebite globally. Numerous snake venom toxin inhibitors have shown promising cross-species neutralization of medically significant venom toxins in vivo and in vitro. The development of high-throughput approaches for the screening of such inhibitors could accelerate their identification, testing, and implementation and thus holds exciting potential for improving the treatments and outcomes of snakebite envenomation worldwide. Energetics-based proteomic approaches, including thermal proteome profiling and proteome integral solubility alteration (PISA) assays, represent "deep proteomics" methods for high throughput, proteome-wide identification of drug targets and ligands. In the following study, we apply thermal proteome profiling and PISA methods to characterize the interactions between venom toxin proteoforms in Crotalus atrox (Western Diamondback Rattlesnake) and the snake venom metalloprotease (SVMP) inhibitor marimastat. We investigate its venom proteome-wide effects and characterize its interactions with specific SVMP proteoforms, as well as its potential targeting of non-SVMP venom toxin families. We also compare the performance of PISA thermal window and soluble supernatant with insoluble precipitate using two inhibitor concentrations, providing the first demonstration of the utility of a sensitive high-throughput PISA-based approach to assess the direct targets of small molecule inhibitors for snake venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara F Smith
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Cassandra M Modahl
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - David Ceja Galindo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Keira Y Larson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Sean P Maroney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Lilyrose Bahrabadi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Nicklaus P Brandehoff
- Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Blair W Perry
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Maxwell C McCabe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Daniel Petras
- CMFI Cluster of Excellence, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Evolutionary and Translational Venomics Laboratory, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Todd A Castoe
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Stephen P Mackessy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, USA
| | - Kirk C Hansen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Anthony J Saviola
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
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6
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Doupnik CA, Luer CA, Walsh CJ, Restivo J, Brick JX. Bioactive Properties of Venoms Isolated from Whiptail Stingrays and the Search for Molecular Mechanisms and Targets. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:488. [PMID: 38675448 PMCID: PMC11053709 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The venom-containing barb attached to their 'whip-like' tail provides stingrays a defensive mechanism for evading predators such as sharks. From human encounters, dermal stingray envenomation is characterized by intense pain often followed by tissue necrosis occurring over several days to weeks. The bioactive components in stingray venoms (SRVs) and their molecular targets and mechanisms that mediate these complex responses are not well understood. Given the utility of venom-derived proteins from other venomous species for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, we set out to characterize the bioactivity of SRV extracts from three local species that belong to the Dasyatoidea 'whiptail' superfamily. Multiple cell-based assays were used to quantify and compare the in vitro effects of these SRVs on different cell lines. All three SRVs demonstrated concentration-dependent growth-inhibitory effects on three different human cell lines tested. In contrast, a mouse fibrosarcoma cell line was markedly resistant to all three SRVs, indicating the molecular target(s) for mediating the SRV effects are not expressed on these cells. The multifunctional SRV responses were characterized by an acute disruption of cell adhesion leading to apoptosis. These findings aim to guide future investigations of individual SRV proteins and their molecular targets for potential use in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig A. Doupnik
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Carl A. Luer
- Marine Biomedical Research Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA;
| | - Catherine J. Walsh
- Marine Immunology Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA; (C.J.W.); (J.R.)
| | - Jessica Restivo
- Marine Immunology Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA; (C.J.W.); (J.R.)
| | - Jacqueline Xinlan Brick
- Department of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, Oberlin College and Conservatory, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA;
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Alonso LL, van Thiel J, Slagboom J, Dunstan N, Modahl CM, Jackson TNW, Samanipour S, Kool J. Studying Venom Toxin Variation Using Accurate Masses from Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Coupled with Bioinformatic Tools. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:181. [PMID: 38668606 PMCID: PMC11053424 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040181] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
This study provides a new methodology for the rapid analysis of numerous venom samples in an automated fashion. Here, we use LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) for venom separation and toxin analysis at the accurate mass level combined with new in-house written bioinformatic scripts to obtain high-throughput results. This analytical methodology was validated using 31 venoms from all members of a monophyletic clade of Australian elapids: brown snakes (Pseudonaja spp.) and taipans (Oxyuranus spp.). In a previous study, we revealed extensive venom variation within this clade, but the data was manually processed and MS peaks were integrated into a time-consuming and labour-intensive approach. By comparing the manual approach to our new automated approach, we now present a faster and more efficient pipeline for analysing venom variation. Pooled venom separations with post-column toxin fractionations were performed for subsequent high-throughput venomics to obtain toxin IDs correlating to accurate masses for all fractionated toxins. This workflow adds another dimension to the field of venom analysis by providing opportunities to rapidly perform in-depth studies on venom variation. Our pipeline opens new possibilities for studying animal venoms as evolutionary model systems and investigating venom variation to aid in the development of better antivenoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis L. Alonso
- Division of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.L.A.); (J.S.)
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jory van Thiel
- Division of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.L.A.); (J.S.)
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2333 CR Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Julien Slagboom
- Division of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.L.A.); (J.S.)
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Cassandra M. Modahl
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Timothy N. W. Jackson
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Saer Samanipour
- Van‘t Hof Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Jeroen Kool
- Division of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.L.A.); (J.S.)
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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8
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Cañas CA, Erazo-Martinez V, Pérez-Uribe V, Castaño-Valencia S, Castro-Herrera F. Envenomation by Eyelash Viper Bothriechis schlegelii (Berthold, 1846) in Southwestern Colombia. Wilderness Environ Med 2024; 35:30-35. [PMID: 38379478 DOI: 10.1177/10806032231222353] [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] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bothriechis schlegelii is a Crotaline viperid species of Central America and Northern South America. The characteristics of its envenomation have not been well established. We present clinical characteristics of human cases evaluated and treated in a hospital in southwestern Colombia. METHODS We evaluated data from patients who suffered Bothriechis schlegelii envenomation and were seen at Fundación Valle del Lili Hospital, Cali, Colombia between 2011 and 2022. RESULTS Eight patients were included, with a median age of 24 years. Snakebites occurred in rural areas. Six (75%) patients were bitten on the upper extremities in relation to the arboreal habits of this animal. The most common symptoms were pain and edema (N = 8, 100%), ecchymoses (N = 2, 25%), and paresthesia (N = 2, 25%). The most common systemic findings were hypofibrinogenemia (N = 8, 100%) and prolonged prothrombin time in five patients (N = 5, 62.5%). All were treated with polyvalent antivenom for Colombian snakes, with a good response and outcome. CONCLUSIONS Most bite sites from B. schlegelii were on the upper limbs. All patients had both local manifestations, including edema, pain, and systemic effects with hypofibrinogenemia, but none had systemic bleeding. Every patient received antivenom and had favorable outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Cañas
- Universidad Icesi, CIRAT: Centro de Investigación en Reumatología, Autoinmunidad y Medicina Traslacional, Cali, Colombia
- Fundación Valle del Lili, Unidad de Reumatología, Cali, Colombia
| | | | | | - Santiago Castaño-Valencia
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Basic Sciences School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Fernando Castro-Herrera
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Basic Sciences School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
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Hassan H, Mirza MR, Jabeen A, Alam M, Kori JA, Sultan R, Rahman SU, Choudhary MI. Yellow scorpion (Buthus sinidicus) venom peptides induce mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in cervical, prostate and brain tumor cell lines. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296636. [PMID: 38394321 PMCID: PMC10890731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venoms are known to contain over 100,000 biologically active constituents. However, only a few of them have been studied. The major constituents of venom are proteins and peptides, which exhibit various biological and pharmacological properties, including anticancer activities. In the current study, the venom of yellow scorpions (Buthus sindicus) found in Sindh, Pakistan, was extracted and evaluated for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. The crude venom showed a dose dependent inhibition of phagocyte oxidative burst from human whole blood cells (28.3% inhibition at highest tested concentration of 300 μg/mL). In-vitro cytotoxicity of crude venom was evaluated against human prostrate (PC3), cervical (HeLa) and neuroblastoma (U87-MG) cell lines, along with cytotoxicity against normal human fibroblast (BJ) cells. Crude venom was cytotoxic to all cell lines, with prominent inhibitory effect on PC3 cells. Crude venom was fractionated through RP-UPLC, resulted in fifteen fractions, followed by evaluation of their anticancer potential. Among all, the fraction I significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the cell viability of all three cancer cell lines, and exhibited insignificant cytotoxicity against normal cell line. Furthermore, the apoptotic cell death pathway was evaluated for crude venom, and fraction I, in most sensitive cell line PC3, by using flow-cytometry analysis. Both crude venom and its fraction I caused a mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in prostate cancer cells (PC3). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity of venom of Pakistani yellow scorpions. Results indicate their therapeutic potential, and a case for further purification and validation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humaira Hassan
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Munazza Raza Mirza
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Almas Jabeen
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mehtab Alam
- Dr. Zafar H. Zaidi, Center for Proteomics, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Junaid Ahmed Kori
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Rabia Sultan
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Saeed Ur Rahman
- Oral Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - M Iqbal Choudhary
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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10
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Khalek IS, Senji Laxme RR, Nguyen YTK, Khochare S, Patel RN, Woehl J, Smith JM, Saye-Francisco K, Kim Y, Misson Mindrebo L, Tran Q, Kędzior M, Boré E, Limbo O, Verma M, Stanfield RL, Menzies SK, Ainsworth S, Harrison RA, Burton DR, Sok D, Wilson IA, Casewell NR, Sunagar K, Jardine JG. Synthetic development of a broadly neutralizing antibody against snake venom long-chain α-neurotoxins. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadk1867. [PMID: 38381847 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adk1867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a major global public health concern for which improved therapies are urgently needed. The antigenic diversity present in snake venom toxins from various species presents a considerable challenge to the development of a universal antivenom. Here, we used a synthetic human antibody library to find and develop an antibody that neutralizes long-chain three-finger α-neurotoxins produced by numerous medically relevant snakes. Our antibody bound diverse toxin variants with high affinity, blocked toxin binding to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in vitro, and protected mice from lethal venom challenge. Structural analysis of the antibody-toxin complex revealed a binding mode that mimics the receptor-toxin interaction. The overall workflow presented is generalizable for the development of antibodies that target conserved epitopes among antigenically diverse targets, and it offers a promising framework for the creation of a monoclonal antibody-based universal antivenom to treat snakebite envenoming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene S Khalek
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI, New York, NY 10004, USA
| | - R R Senji Laxme
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Evolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India
| | - Yen Thi Kim Nguyen
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Suyog Khochare
- Evolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India
| | - Rohit N Patel
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Jordan Woehl
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI, New York, NY 10004, USA
| | - Jessica M Smith
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI, New York, NY 10004, USA
| | - Karen Saye-Francisco
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yoojin Kim
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI, New York, NY 10004, USA
| | - Laetitia Misson Mindrebo
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI, New York, NY 10004, USA
| | - Quoc Tran
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI, New York, NY 10004, USA
| | - Mateusz Kędzior
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI, New York, NY 10004, USA
| | - Evy Boré
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Oliver Limbo
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI, New York, NY 10004, USA
| | - Megan Verma
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI, New York, NY 10004, USA
| | - Robyn L Stanfield
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Stefanie K Menzies
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Stuart Ainsworth
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Robert A Harrison
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Dennis R Burton
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development (CHAVD), Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Devin Sok
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI, New York, NY 10004, USA
- Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development (CHAVD), Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ian A Wilson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Nicholas R Casewell
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Kartik Sunagar
- Evolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India
| | - Joseph G Jardine
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- IAVI, New York, NY 10004, USA
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11
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Rodrigo AP, Moutinho Cabral I, Alexandre A, Costa PM. Exploration of Toxins from a Marine Annelid: An Analysis of Phyllotoxins and Accompanying Bioactives. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:635. [PMID: 38396603 PMCID: PMC10885894 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteinaceous toxins are peptides or proteins that hold great biotechnological value, evidenced by their ecological role, whether as defense or predation mechanisms. Bioprospecting using bioinformatics and omics may render screening for novel bioactives more expeditious, especially considering the immense diversity of toxin-secreting marine organisms. Eulalia sp. (Annelida: Phyllodocidae), a toxin bearing marine annelid, was recently shown to secrete cysteine-rich protein (Crisp) toxins (hitherto referred to as 'phyllotoxins') that can immobilize its prey. By analyzing and validating transcriptomic data, we narrowed the list of isolated full coding sequences of transcripts of the most abundant toxins or accompanying bioactives secreted by the species (the phyllotoxin Crisp, hyaluronidase, serine protease, and peptidases M12A, M13, and M12B). Through homology matching with human proteins, the biotechnological potential of the marine annelid's toxins and related proteins was tentatively associated with coagulative and anti-inflammatory responses for the peptidases PepM12A, SePr, PepM12B, and PepM13, and with the neurotoxic activity of Crisp, and finally, hyaluronidase was inferred to bear properties of an permeabilizing agent. The in silico analysis succeeded by validation by PCR and Sanger sequencing enabled us to retrieve cDNAs can may be used for the heterologous expression of these toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P. Rodrigo
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (I.M.C.); (A.A.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Inês Moutinho Cabral
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (I.M.C.); (A.A.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - António Alexandre
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (I.M.C.); (A.A.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Pedro M. Costa
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (I.M.C.); (A.A.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
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12
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Uko SO, Malami I, Ibrahim KG, Lawal N, Bello MB, Abubakar MB, Imam MU. Revolutionizing snakebite care with novel antivenoms: Breakthroughs and barriers. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25531. [PMID: 38333815 PMCID: PMC10850593 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a global public health concern, primarily due to the lack of effective antivenom for treating snakebites inflicted by medically significant venomous snakes prevalent across various geographic locations. The rising demand for safe, cost-effective, and potent snakebite treatments highlights the urgent need to develop alternative therapeutics targeting relevant toxins. This development could provide promising discoveries to create novel recombinant solutions, leveraging human monoclonal antibodies, synthetic peptides and nanobodies. Such technologies as recombinant DNA, peptide and epitope mapping phage display etc) have the potential to exceed the traditional use of equine polyclonal antibodies, which have long been used in antivenom production. Recombinant antivenom can be engineered to target certain toxins that play a critical role in snakebite pathology. This approach has the potential to produce antivenom with improved efficacy and safety profiles. However, there are limitations and challenges associated with these emerging technologies. Therefore, identifying the limitations is critical for overcoming the associated challenges and optimizing the development of recombinant antivenoms. This review is aimed at presenting a thorough overview of diverse technologies used in the development of recombinant antivenom, emphasizing their limitations and offering insights into prospects for advancing recombinant antivenoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Odo Uko
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical and Life Sciecnes, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim Malami
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Ethnopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Kasimu Ghandi Ibrahim
- Department of Basic Medical and Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Zarqa University, P. O. Box 2000, Zarqa, 13110, Jordan
| | - Nafiu Lawal
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Muhammad Bashir Bello
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Vaccine Development Unit, Infectious Disease Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Murtala Bello Abubakar
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Baze University, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Mustapha Umar Imam
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
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13
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Ratibou Z, Inguimbert N, Dutertre S. Predatory and Defensive Strategies in Cone Snails. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:94. [PMID: 38393171 PMCID: PMC10892987 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020094] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cone snails are carnivorous marine animals that prey on fish (piscivorous), worms (vermivorous), or other mollusks (molluscivorous). They produce a complex venom mostly made of disulfide-rich conotoxins and conopeptides in a compartmentalized venom gland. The pharmacology of cone snail venom has been increasingly investigated over more than half a century. The rising interest in cone snails was initiated by the surprising high human lethality rate caused by the defensive stings of some species. Although a vast amount of information has been uncovered on their venom composition, pharmacological targets, and mode of action of conotoxins, the venom-ecology relationships are still poorly understood for many lineages. This is especially important given the relatively recent discovery that some species can use different venoms to achieve rapid prey capture and efficient deterrence of aggressors. Indeed, via an unknown mechanism, only a selected subset of conotoxins is injected depending on the intended purpose. Some of these remarkable venom variations have been characterized, often using a combination of mass spectrometry and transcriptomic methods. In this review, we present the current knowledge on such specific predatory and defensive venoms gathered from sixteen different cone snail species that belong to eight subgenera: Pionoconus, Chelyconus, Gastridium, Cylinder, Conus, Stephanoconus, Rhizoconus, and Vituliconus. Further studies are needed to help close the gap in our understanding of the evolved ecological roles of many cone snail venom peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahrmina Ratibou
- CRIOBE, UAR CNRS-EPHE-UPVD 3278, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, 58 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France;
| | - Nicolas Inguimbert
- CRIOBE, UAR CNRS-EPHE-UPVD 3278, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, 58 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France;
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14
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Barroso RA, Ramos L, Moreno H, Antunes A. Evolutionary Analysis of Cnidaria Small Cysteine-Rich Proteins (SCRiPs), an Enigmatic Neurotoxin Family from Stony Corals and Sea Anemones (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia). Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:75. [PMID: 38393153 PMCID: PMC10892658 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020075] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cnidarians (corals, sea anemones, and jellyfish) produce toxins that play central roles in key ecological processes, including predation, defense, and competition, being the oldest extant venomous animal lineage. Cnidaria small cysteine-rich proteins (SCRiPs) were the first family of neurotoxins detected in stony corals, one of the ocean's most crucial foundation species. Yet, their molecular evolution remains poorly understood. Moreover, the lack of a clear classification system has hindered the establishment of an accurate and phylogenetically informed nomenclature. In this study, we extensively surveyed 117 genomes and 103 transcriptomes of cnidarians to identify orthologous SCRiP gene sequences. We annotated a total of 168 novel putative SCRiPs from over 36 species of stony corals and 12 species of sea anemones. Phylogenetic reconstruction identified four distinct SCRiP subfamilies, according to strict discrimination criteria based on well-supported monophyly with a high percentage of nucleotide and amino acids' identity. Although there is a high prevalence of purifying selection for most SCRiP subfamilies, with few positively selected sites detected, a subset of Acroporidae sequences is influenced by diversifying positive selection, suggesting potential neofunctionalizations related to the fine-tuning of toxin potency. We propose a new nomenclature classification system relying on the phylogenetic distribution and evolution of SCRiPs across Anthozoa, which will further assist future proteomic and functional research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Alexandre Barroso
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal; (R.A.B.); (L.R.); (H.M.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Luana Ramos
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal; (R.A.B.); (L.R.); (H.M.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Hugo Moreno
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal; (R.A.B.); (L.R.); (H.M.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal; (R.A.B.); (L.R.); (H.M.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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15
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Kalogeropoulos K, Bohn MF, Jenkins DE, Ledergerber J, Sørensen CV, Hofmann N, Wade J, Fryer T, Thi Tuyet Nguyen G, Auf dem Keller U, Laustsen AH, Jenkins TP. A comparative study of protein structure prediction tools for challenging targets: Snake venom toxins. Toxicon 2024; 238:107559. [PMID: 38113945 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107559] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Protein structure determination is a critical aspect of biological research, enabling us to understand protein function and potential applications. Recent advances in deep learning and artificial intelligence have led to the development of several protein structure prediction tools, such as AlphaFold2 and ColabFold. However, their performance has primarily been evaluated on well-characterised proteins and their ability to predict sturtctures of proteins lacking experimental structures, such as many snake venom toxins, has been less scrutinised. In this study, we evaluated three modelling tools on their prediction of over 1000 snake venom toxin structures for which no experimental structures exist. Our findings show that AlphaFold2 (AF2) performed the best across all assessed parameters. We also observed that ColabFold (CF) only scored slightly worse than AF2, while being computationally less intensive. All tools struggled with regions of intrinsic disorder, such as loops and propeptide regions, and performed well in predicting the structure of functional domains. Overall, our study highlights the importance of exercising caution when working with proteins with no experimental structures available, particularly those that are large and contain flexible regions. Nonetheless, leveraging computational structure prediction tools can provide valuable insights into the modelling of protein interactions with different targets and reveal potential binding sites, active sites, and conformational changes, as well as into the design of potential molecular binders for reagent, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Markus-Frederik Bohn
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Jann Ledergerber
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; Department of Chemistry and Applied Bioscience, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoffer V Sørensen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nils Hofmann
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jack Wade
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas Fryer
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Giang Thi Tuyet Nguyen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ulrich Auf dem Keller
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andreas H Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Timothy P Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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16
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Alvarez-Flores MP, Correia Batista IDF, Villas Boas IM, Bufalo MC, de Souza JG, Oliveira DS, Bonfá G, Fernandes CM, Marques Porto R, Lichtenstein F, Picolo G, Tambourgi DV, Chudzinski-Tavassi AM, Ibañez OCM, Teixeira C. Snake and arthropod venoms: Search for inflammatory activity in human cells involved in joint diseases. Toxicon 2024; 238:107568. [PMID: 38110040 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107568] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Most anti-inflammatory drugs currently adopted to treat chronic inflammatory joint diseases can alleviate symptoms but they do not lead to remission. Therefore, new and more efficient drugs are needed to block the course of joint inflammatory diseases. Animal venoms, rich in bioactive compounds, can contribute as valuable tools in this field of research. In this study, we first demonstrate the direct action of venoms on cells that constitute the articular joints. We established a platform consisting of cell-based assays to evaluate the release of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-10) by human chondrocytes, synoviocytes and THP1 macrophages, as well as the release of neuropeptides (substance-P and β-endorphin) by differentiated sensory neuron-like cells, 24 h after stimulation of cells with 21 animal venoms from snake and arthropod species, sourced from different taxonomic families and geographic origins. Results demonstrated that at non-cytotoxic concentrations, the venoms activate at varying degrees the secretion of inflammatory mediators involved in the pathology of articular diseases, such as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α by chondrocytes, synoviocytes, and macrophages and of substance P by neuron-like cells. Venoms of the Viperidae snake family were more inflammatory than those of the Elapidae family, while venoms of Arthropods were less inflammatory than snake venoms. Notably, some venoms also induced the release of the anti-inflammatory IL-10 by macrophages. However, the scorpion Buthus occitanus venom induced the release of IL-10 without increasing the release of inflammatory cytokines by macrophages. Since the cell types used in the experiments are crucial elements in joint inflammatory processes, the results of this work may guide future research on the activation of receptors and inflammatory signaling pathways by selected venoms in these particular cells, aiming at discovering new targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Isadora Maria Villas Boas
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Immunochemistry, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Jean Gabriel de Souza
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Giuliano Bonfá
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Immunochemistry, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristina Maria Fernandes
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Pharmacology, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Marques Porto
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flavio Lichtenstein
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gisele Picolo
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Olga Célia Martinez Ibañez
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Catarina Teixeira
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Pharmacology, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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17
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de Oliveira ALN, Lacerda MT, Ramos MJ, Fernandes PA. Viper Venom Phospholipase A2 Database: The Structural and Functional Anatomy of a Primary Toxin in Envenomation. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:71. [PMID: 38393149 PMCID: PMC10893444 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020071] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Viper venom phospholipase A2 enzymes (vvPLA2s) and phospholipase A2-like (PLA2-like) proteins are two of the principal toxins in viper venom that are responsible for the severe myotoxic and neurotoxic effects caused by snakebite envenoming, among other pathologies. As snakebite envenoming is the deadliest neglected tropical disease, a complete understanding of these proteins' properties and their mechanisms of action is urgently needed. Therefore, we created a database comprising information on the holo-form, cofactor-bound 3D structure of 217 vvPLA2 and PLA2-like proteins in their physiologic environment, as well as 79 membrane-bound viper species from 24 genera, which we have made available to the scientific community to accelerate the development of new anti-snakebite drugs. In addition, the analysis of the sequenced, 3D structure of the database proteins reveals essential aspects of the anatomy of the proteins, their toxicity mechanisms, and the conserved binding site areas that may anchor universal interspecific inhibitors. Moreover, it pinpoints hypotheses for the molecular origin of the myotoxicity of the PLA2-like proteins. Altogether, this study provides an understanding of the diversity of these toxins and how they are conserved, and it indicates how to develop broad, interspecies, efficient small-molecule inhibitors to target the toxin's many mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pedro A. Fernandes
- Requimte-Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-000 Porto, Portugal; (A.L.N.d.O.); (M.T.L.); (M.J.R.)
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18
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Niu X, Lv Y, Chen J, Feng Y, Cui Y, Lu H, Liu H. The genome assembly and annotation of the white-lipped tree pit viper Trimeresurus albolabris. GIGABYTE 2024; 2024:gigabyte106. [PMID: 38313188 PMCID: PMC10836062 DOI: 10.46471/gigabyte.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Trimeresurus albolabris, also known as the white-lipped pit viper or white-lipped tree viper, is a highly venomous snake distributed across Southeast Asia and the cause of many snakebite cases. In this study, we report the first whole genome assembly of T. albolabris obtained with next-generation sequencing from a specimen collected in Mengzi, Yunnan, China. After genome sequencing and assembly, the genome of this male T. albolabris individual was 1.51 Gb in length and included 38.42% repeat-element content. Using this genome, 21,695 genes were identified, and 99.17% of genes could be annotated using gene functional databases. Our genome assembly and annotation process was validated using a phylogenetic tree, which included six species and focused on single-copy genes of nuclear genomes. This research will contribute to future studies on Trimeresurus biology and the genetic basis of snake venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Niu
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants (Ministry of Education), School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 510275, China
| | - Yakui Lv
- College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Jin Chen
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Yueheng Feng
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants (Ministry of Education), School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Yilin Cui
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants (Ministry of Education), School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Haorong Lu
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants (Ministry of Education), School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
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19
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Touchard A, Barassé V, Malgouyre JM, Treilhou M, Klopp C, Bonnafé E. The genome of the ant Tetramorium bicarinatum reveals a tandem organization of venom peptides genes allowing the prediction of their regulatory and evolutionary profiles. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:84. [PMID: 38245722 PMCID: PMC10800049 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10012-y] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Venoms have evolved independently over a hundred times in the animal kingdom to deter predators and/or subdue prey. Venoms are cocktails of various secreted toxins, whose origin and diversification provide an appealing system for evolutionary researchers. Previous studies of the ant venom of Tetramorium bicarinatum revealed several Myrmicitoxin (MYRTX) peptides that gathered into seven precursor families suggesting different evolutionary origins. Analysis of the T. bicarinatum genome enabling further genomic approaches was necessary to understand the processes underlying the evolution of these myrmicitoxins. RESULTS Here, we sequenced the genome of Tetramorium bicarinatum and reported the organisation of 44 venom peptide genes (vpg). Of the eleven chromosomes that make up the genome of T. bicarinatum, four carry the vpg which are organized in tandem repeats. This organisation together with the ML evolutionary analysis of vpg sequences, is consistent with evolution by local duplication of ancestral genes for each precursor family. The structure of the vpg into two or three exons is conserved after duplication events while the promoter regions are the least conserved parts of the vpg even for genes with highly identical sequences. This suggests that enhancer sequences were not involved in duplication events, but were recruited from surrounding regions. Expression level analysis revealed that most vpg are highly expressed in venom glands, although one gene or group of genes is much more highly expressed in each family. Finally, the examination of the genomic data revealed that several genes encoding transcription factors (TFs) are highly expressed in the venom glands. The search for binding sites (BS) of these TFs in the vpg promoters revealed hot spots of GATA sites in several vpg families. CONCLUSION In this pioneering investigation on ant venom genes, we provide a high-quality assembly genome and the annotation of venom peptide genes that we think can fosters further genomic research to understand the evolutionary history of ant venom biochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Touchard
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Valentine Barassé
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université Fédérale de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000, Albi, France
| | - Jean-Michel Malgouyre
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université Fédérale de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000, Albi, France
| | - Michel Treilhou
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université Fédérale de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000, Albi, France
| | - Christophe Klopp
- INRAE, BioinfOmics, Université Fédérale de Toulouse, GenoToul Bioinformatics Facility, Sigenae, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université Fédérale de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000, Albi, France.
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20
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Albulescu LO, Westhorpe A, Clare RH, Woodley CM, James N, Kool J, Berry NG, O’Neill PM, Casewell NR. Optimizing drug discovery for snakebite envenoming via a high-throughput phospholipase A2 screening platform. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1331224. [PMID: 38273832 PMCID: PMC10808766 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1331224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease that causes as many as 1.8 million envenomings and 140,000 deaths annually. To address treatment limitations that exist with current antivenoms, the search for small molecule drug-based inhibitors that can be administered as early interventions has recently gained traction. Snake venoms are complex mixtures of proteins, peptides and small molecules and their composition varies substantially between and within snake species. The phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are one of the main pathogenic toxin classes found in medically important viper and elapid snake venoms, yet varespladib, a drug originally developed for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome, remains the only PLA2 inhibitor shown to effectively neutralise venom toxicity in vitro and in vivo, resulting in an extremely limited drug portfolio. Here, we describe a high-throughput drug screen to identify novel PLA2 inhibitors for repurposing as snakebite treatments. We present method optimisation of a 384-well plate, colorimetric, high-throughput screening assay that allowed for a throughput of ∼2,800 drugs per day, and report on the screening of a ∼3,500 post-phase I repurposed drug library against the venom of the Russell's viper, Daboia russelii. We further explore the broad-spectrum inhibitory potential and efficacy of the resulting top hits against a range of medically important snake venoms and demonstrate the utility of our method in determining drug EC50s. Collectively, our findings support the future application of this method to fully explore the chemical space to discover novel PLA2-inhibiting drugs of value for preventing severe pathology caused by snakebite envenoming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura-Oana Albulescu
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Westhorpe
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel H. Clare
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Nivya James
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jeroen Kool
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Neil G. Berry
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paul M. O’Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas R. Casewell
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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21
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Nachtigall PG, Durham AM, Rokyta DR, Junqueira-de-Azevedo ILM. ToxCodAn-Genome: an automated pipeline for toxin-gene annotation in genome assembly of venomous lineages. Gigascience 2024; 13:giad116. [PMID: 38241143 PMCID: PMC10797961 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giad116] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rapid development of sequencing technologies resulted in a wide expansion of genomics studies using venomous lineages. This facilitated research focusing on understanding the evolution of adaptive traits and the search for novel compounds that can be applied in agriculture and medicine. However, the toxin annotation of genomes is a laborious and time-consuming task, and no consensus pipeline is currently available. No computational tool currently exists to address the challenges specific to toxin annotation and to ensure the reproducibility of the process. RESULTS Here, we present ToxCodAn-Genome, the first software designed to perform automated toxin annotation in genomes of venomous lineages. This pipeline was designed to retrieve the full-length coding sequences of toxins and to allow the detection of novel truncated paralogs and pseudogenes. We tested ToxCodAn-Genome using 12 genomes of venomous lineages and achieved high performance on recovering their current toxin annotations. This tool can be easily customized to allow improvements in the final toxin annotation set and can be expanded to virtually any venomous lineage. ToxCodAn-Genome is fast, allowing it to run on any personal computer, but it can also be executed in multicore mode, taking advantage of large high-performance servers. In addition, we provide a guide to direct future research in the venomics field to ensure a confident toxin annotation in the genome being studied. As a case study, we sequenced and annotated the toxin repertoire of Bothrops alternatus, which may facilitate future evolutionary and biomedical studies using vipers as models. CONCLUSIONS ToxCodAn-Genome is suitable to perform toxin annotation in the genome of venomous species and may help to improve the reproducibility of further studies. ToxCodAn-Genome and the guide are freely available at https://github.com/pedronachtigall/ToxCodAn-Genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro G Nachtigall
- Laboratório de Toxinologia Aplicada, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, 05503-900 SP, Brazil
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, 32306-4295 FL, USA
| | - Alan M Durham
- Departamento de Ciência da Computação, Instituto de Matemática e Estatística, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, 05508-090 SP, Brazil
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, 32306-4295 FL, USA
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22
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AlShammari AK, Abd El-Aziz TM, Al-Sabi A. Snake Venom: A Promising Source of Neurotoxins Targeting Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 16:12. [PMID: 38251229 PMCID: PMC10820993 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010012] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The venom derived from various sources of snakes represents a vast collection of predominantly protein-based toxins that exhibit a wide range of biological actions, including but not limited to inflammation, pain, cytotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and neurotoxicity. The venom of a particular snake species is composed of several toxins, while the venoms of around 600 venomous snake species collectively encompass a substantial reservoir of pharmacologically intriguing compounds. Despite extensive research efforts, a significant portion of snake venoms remains uncharacterized. Recent findings have demonstrated the potential application of neurotoxins derived from snake venom in selectively targeting voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv). These neurotoxins include BPTI-Kunitz polypeptides, PLA2 neurotoxins, CRISPs, SVSPs, and various others. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature on the significance of Kv channels in various tissues, highlighting their crucial role as proteins susceptible to modulation by diverse snake venoms. These toxins have demonstrated potential as valuable pharmacological resources and research tools for investigating the structural and functional characteristics of Kv channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Altaf K. AlShammari
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, Kuwait;
| | - Tarek Mohamed Abd El-Aziz
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, El-Minia 61519, Egypt
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Ahmed Al-Sabi
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, Kuwait;
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23
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Guo R, Guo G, Wang A, Xu G, Lai R, Jin H. Spider-Venom Peptides: Structure, Bioactivity, Strategy, and Research Applications. Molecules 2023; 29:35. [PMID: 38202621 PMCID: PMC10779620 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010035] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Spiders (Araneae), having thrived for over 300 million years, exhibit remarkable diversity, with 47,000 described species and an estimated 150,000 species in existence. Evolving with intricate venom, spiders are nature's skilled predators. While only a small fraction of spiders pose a threat to humans, their venoms contain complex compounds, holding promise as drug leads. Spider venoms primarily serve to immobilize prey, achieved through neurotoxins targeting ion channels. Peptides constitute a major part of these venoms, displaying diverse pharmacological activities, and making them appealing for drug development. Moreover, spider-venom peptides have emerged as valuable tools for exploring human disease mechanisms. This review focuses on the roles of spider-venom peptides in spider survival strategies and their dual significance as pharmaceutical research tools. By integrating recent discoveries, it provides a comprehensive overview of these peptides, their targets, bioactivities, and their relevance in spider survival and medical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyin Guo
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (R.G.)
| | - Gang Guo
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital), Kunming 650118, China;
| | - Aili Wang
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (R.G.)
| | - Gaochi Xu
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (R.G.)
| | - Ren Lai
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (R.G.)
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming-Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (R.G.)
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24
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Salabi F, Vazirianzadeh B, Baradaran M. Identification, classification, and characterization of alpha and beta subunits of LVP1 protein from the venom gland of four Iranian scorpion species. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22277. [PMID: 38097679 PMCID: PMC10721645 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49556-6] [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: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venoms contain bioactive peptides and proteins. Some, can be used for pharmaceutical purposes. So, identification of venom proteins matters because, in addition to determining the function of the toxins can also be an excellent guide to developing new drugs. Here, we got transcriptome of venom glands from four Iranian scorpion species, including Hemsicorpius lepturus, Mesobuthus eupeus, Andructunus crassicuada, and Hottentotta saulcyi using cDNA library synthesis and high-throughput transcriptomic analysis of the venom glands. In a comparative way, we identified the cDNA encoding isoforms of subunits (alpha and beta) of BotLVP1/BmLVP1-like protein in the venom gland of three species except for H. lepturus. Characterization and structure determination of the LVP1_like proteins combined with gene map analysis provided evidence of the existence of some isoforms of LVP1_like proteins, encoded by genes with two exons and one intron, which can be classified in CSαβ superfamily in the venom gland of three Iranian scorpion species. According to the high similarity with BotLVP1 and BmLVP1, these proteins could also be potent to mediate cholesterol homeostasis. However, further research is needed to prove it, and this study just may lay the foundation lead to light up this way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Salabi
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Babak Vazirianzadeh
- Social Determinant of Health Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Baradaran
- Toxicology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
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25
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Cheatle Jarvela AM, Wexler JR. Advances in genome sequencing reveal changes in gene content that contribute to arthropod macroevolution. Dev Genes Evol 2023; 233:59-76. [PMID: 37982820 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-023-00712-y] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Current sequencing technology allows for the relatively affordable generation of highly contiguous genomes. Technological advances have made it possible for researchers to investigate the consequences of diverse sorts of genomic variants, such as gene gain and loss. With the extraordinary number of high-quality genomes now available, we take stock of how these genomic variants impact phenotypic evolution. We take care to point out that the identification of genomic variants of interest is only the first step in understanding their impact. Painstaking lab or fieldwork is still required to establish causal relationships between genomic variants and phenotypic evolution. We focus mostly on arthropod research, as this phylum has an impressive degree of phenotypic diversity and is also the subject of much evolutionary genetics research. This article is intended to both highlight recent advances in the field and also to be a primer for learning about evolutionary genetics and genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alys M Cheatle Jarvela
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- HHMI Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA, USA.
| | - Judith R Wexler
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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26
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You Y, Yin W, Tembrock LR, Wu Z, Gu X, Yang Z, Zhang C, Zhao Y, Yang Z. Transcriptome sequencing of wolf spider Lycosa sp. (Araneae: Lycosidae) venom glands provides insights into the evolution and diversity of disulfide-rich toxins. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 48:101145. [PMID: 37748227 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2023.101145] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Wolf spiders in the genus Lycosa are important pest predators in agroforestry ecosystems, capable of feeding on a wide range of pests through the use of complex venom which can to quickly immobilize and kill prey. Because of these characteristics the toxins in wolf spiders venom may prove to be natural sources for novel drug development and biopesticides. To better understand the toxins in Lycosa venom we sequenced the transcriptome from venom glands from an undescribed species of Lycosa and comparatively analyzed the data using known protein motifs. A series of 19 disulfide-rich peptide (DRP) toxin sequences were identified and categorized into seven groups based on the number and arrangement of cysteine residues. Notably, we identified three peptide sequences with low identity to any known toxin, which may be toxin peptides specific to this species of Lycosa. In addition, to further understand the evolutionary relationships of disulfide-rich peptide toxins in spider venom, we constructed phylogenetic trees of DRP toxins from three spiders species and found that the Lycosa sp. DRPs are comparatively diverse with previous research results. This study reveals the toxin diversity of wolf spiders (Lycosa sp.) at the transcriptomic level and provides initial insights into the evolution of DRP toxins in spiders, enriching our knowledge of toxin diversity and providing new compounds for functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongming You
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
| | - Wenhao Yin
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Luke R Tembrock
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Wu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Xiaoliang Gu
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Zhibin Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Chenggui Zhang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Zizhong Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
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27
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Chen M, Lu M, Feng X, Wu M, Luo X, Xiang R, Luo R, Wu H, Liu Z, Wang M, Zhou X. LmNaTx15, a novel scorpion toxin, enhances the activity of Nav channels and induces pain in mice. Toxicon 2023; 236:107331. [PMID: 37918718 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107331] [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: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Polypeptide toxins are major bioactive components found in venomous animals. Many polypeptide toxins can specifically act on targets, such as ion channels and voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels, in the nervous, muscle, and cardiovascular systems of the recipient to increase defense and predation efficiency. In this study, a novel polypeptide toxin, LmNaTx15, was isolated from the venom of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus, and its activity was analyzed. LmNaTx15 slowed the fast inactivation of Nav1.2, Nav1.3, Nav1.4, Nav1.5, and Nav1.7 and inhibited the peak current of Nav1.5, but it did not affect Nav1.8. In addition, LmNaTx15 altered the voltage-dependent activation and inactivation of these Nav channel subtypes. Furthermore, like site 3 neurotoxins, LmNaTx15 induced pain in mice. These results show a novel scorpion toxin with a modulatory effect on specific Nav channel subtypes and pain induction in mice. Therefore, LmNaTx15 may be a key bioactive component for scorpion defense and predation. Besides, this study provides a basis for analyzing structure-function relationships of the scorpion toxins affecting Nav channel activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minzhi Chen
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Minjuan Lu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Xujun Feng
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Meijing Wu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoqing Luo
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Ruiqi Xiang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Ren Luo
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Hang Wu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Meichi Wang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China.
| | - Xi Zhou
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China.
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28
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Nystrom GS, Ellsworth SA, Ward MJ, Rokyta DR. Varying Modes of Selection Among Toxin Families in the Venoms of the Giant Desert Hairy Scorpions (Hadrurus). J Mol Evol 2023; 91:935-962. [PMID: 38091038 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-023-10148-7] [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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Venoms are primarily believed to evolve under strong diversifying selection resulting from persistent coevolution between predator and prey. Recent research has challenged this hypothesis, proposing that venoms from younger venomous lineages (e.g., snakes and cone snails) are governed predominantly by diversifying selection, while venoms from older venomous lineages (e.g., centipedes, scorpions, and spiders) are under stronger purifying selection. However, most research in older lineages has tested selection at more diverse phylogenetic scales. Although these tests are important for evaluating broad macroevolutionary trends underlying venom evolution, they are less equipped to detect species-level evolutionary trends, which likely have large impacts on venom variation seen at more diverse phylogenetic scales. To test for selection among closely related species from an older venomous lineage, we generated high-throughput venom-gland transcriptomes and venom proteomes for four populations of Giant Desert Hairy Scorpions (Hadrurus), including three Hadrurus arizonensis populations and one Hadrurus spadix population. We detected significant episodic and pervasive diversifying selection across a highly abundant toxin family that likely has a major role in venom function ([Formula: see text]KTxs), providing a contrast to the stronger purifying selection identified from other studies on scorpion venoms. Conversely, we detected weak episodic diversifying and/or stronger purifying selection in four toxin families (non-disulfide bridged peptides, phospholipase A2s, scorpine-like antimicrobial peptides, and serine proteases), most of which were less abundant and likely have ancillary functional roles. Finally, although we detected several major toxin families at disproportionate transcriptomic and/or proteomic abundances, we did not identify significant sex-based variation in Hadrurus venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar S Nystrom
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4295, USA
| | - Schyler A Ellsworth
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4295, USA
| | - Micaiah J Ward
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4295, USA
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4295, USA.
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Palermo G, Schouten WM, Alonso LL, Ulens C, Kool J, Slagboom J. Acetylcholine-Binding Protein Affinity Profiling of Neurotoxins in Snake Venoms with Parallel Toxin Identification. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16769. [PMID: 38069093 PMCID: PMC10706727 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Snakebite is considered a concerning issue and a neglected tropical disease. Three-finger toxins (3FTxs) in snake venoms primarily cause neurotoxic effects since they have high affinity for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Their small molecular size makes 3FTxs weakly immunogenic and therefore not appropriately targeted by current antivenoms. This study aims at presenting and applying an analytical method for investigating the therapeutic potential of the acetylcholine-binding protein (AChBP), an efficient nAChR mimic that can capture 3FTxs, for alternative treatment of elapid snakebites. In this analytical methodology, snake venom toxins were separated and characterised using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and high-throughput venomics. By subsequent nanofractionation analytics, binding profiling of toxins to the AChBP was achieved with a post-column plate reader-based fluorescence-enhancement ligand displacement bioassay. The integrated method was established and applied to profiling venoms of six elapid snakes (Naja mossambica, Ophiophagus hannah, Dendroaspis polylepis, Naja kaouthia, Naja haje and Bungarus multicinctus). The methodology demonstrated that the AChBP is able to effectively bind long-chain 3FTxs with relatively high affinity, but has low or no binding affinity towards short-chain 3FTxs, and as such provides an efficient analytical platform to investigate binding affinity of 3FTxs to the AChBP and mutants thereof and to rapidly identify bound toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Palermo
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (G.P.); (W.M.S.); (L.L.A.)
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wietse M. Schouten
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (G.P.); (W.M.S.); (L.L.A.)
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Luis Lago Alonso
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (G.P.); (W.M.S.); (L.L.A.)
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chris Ulens
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Jeroen Kool
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (G.P.); (W.M.S.); (L.L.A.)
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Julien Slagboom
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (G.P.); (W.M.S.); (L.L.A.)
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Campos S, Rodrigo AP, Moutinho Cabral I, Mendes VM, Manadas B, D’Ambrosio M, Costa PM. An Exploration of Novel Bioactives from the Venomous Marine Annelid Glycera alba. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:655. [PMID: 37999518 PMCID: PMC10674444 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110655] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The immense biodiversity of marine invertebrates makes them high-value targets for the prospecting of novel bioactives. The present study investigated proteinaceous toxins secreted by the skin and proboscis of Glycera alba (Annelida: Polychaeta), whose congenerics G. tridactyla and G. dibranchiata are known to be venomous. Proteomics and bioinformatics enabled the detection of bioactive proteins that hold potential for biotechnological applications, including toxins like glycerotoxins (GLTx), which can interfere with neuromuscular calcium channels and therefore have value for the development of painkillers, for instance. We also identified proteins involved in the biosynthesis of toxins. Other proteins of interest include venom and toxin-related bioactives like cysteine-rich venom proteins, many of which are known to interfere with the nervous system. Ex vivo toxicity assays with mussel gills exposed to fractionated protein extracts from the skin and proboscis revealed that fractions potentially containing higher-molecular-mass venom proteins can exert negative effects on invertebrate prey. Histopathology, DNA damage and caspase-3 activity suggest significant cytotoxic effects that can be coadjuvated by permeabilizing enzymes such as venom metalloproteinases M12B. Altogether, these encouraging findings show that venomous annelids are important sources of novel bioactives, albeit illustrating the challenges of surveying organisms whose genomes and metabolisms are poorly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Campos
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Ana P. Rodrigo
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Inês Moutinho Cabral
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Vera M. Mendes
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (V.M.M.); (B.M.)
| | - Bruno Manadas
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (V.M.M.); (B.M.)
| | - Mariaelena D’Ambrosio
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Pedro M. Costa
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
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31
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Sonoda GG, Tobaruela EDC, Norenburg J, Fabi JP, Andrade SCS. Venomous Noodles: The Evolution of Toxins in Nemertea through Positive Selection and Gene Duplication. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:650. [PMID: 37999513 PMCID: PMC10674772 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110650] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Some, probably most and perhaps all, members of the phylum Nemertea are poisonous, documented so far from marine and benthic specimens. Although the toxicity of these animals has been long known, systematic studies on the characterization of toxins, mechanisms of toxicity, and toxin evolution for this group are scarce. Here, we present the first investigation of the molecular evolution of toxins in Nemertea. Using a proteo-transcriptomic approach, we described toxins in the body and poisonous mucus of the pilidiophoran Lineus sanguineus and the hoplonemertean Nemertopsis pamelaroeae. Using these new and publicly available transcriptomes, we investigated the molecular evolution of six selected toxin gene families. In addition, we also characterized in silico the toxin genes found in the interstitial hoplonemertean, Ototyphlonemertes erneba, a meiofaunal taxa. We successfully identified over 200 toxin transcripts in each of these species. Evidence of positive selection and gene duplication was observed in all investigated toxin genes. We hypothesized that the increased rates of gene duplications observed for Pilidiophora could be involved with the expansion of toxin genes. Studies concerning the natural history of Nemertea are still needed to understand the evolution of their toxins. Nevertheless, our results show evolutionary mechanisms similar to other venomous groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Gonzalez Sonoda
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, IB-Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil;
- Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Eric de Castro Tobaruela
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Food Research Center (FoRC), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-080, Brazil; (E.d.C.T.); (J.P.F.)
| | | | - João Paulo Fabi
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Food Research Center (FoRC), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-080, Brazil; (E.d.C.T.); (J.P.F.)
| | - Sónia C. S. Andrade
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, IB-Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil;
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Niu X, Lu H, Shi M, Wang S, Zhou Y, Liu H. Genome assembly and annotation of the Brown-Spotted Pit viper Protobothrops mucrosquamatus. GIGABYTE 2023; 2023:gigabyte97. [PMID: 38023064 PMCID: PMC10644238 DOI: 10.46471/gigabyte.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Brown-Spotted Pit viper (Protobothrops mucrosquamatus), also known as the Chinese habu, is a widespread and highly venomous snake distributed from Northeastern India to Eastern China. Genomics research can contribute to our understanding of venom components and natural selection in vipers. Here, we collected, sequenced and assembled the genome of a male P. mucrosquamatus individual from China. We generated a highly continuous reference genome, with a length of 1.53 Gb and 41.18% of repeat elements content. Using this genome, we identified 24,799 genes, 97.97% of which could be annotated. We verified the validity of our genome assembly and annotation process by generating a phylogenetic tree based on the nuclear genome single-copy genes of six other reptile species. The results of our research will contribute to future studies on Protobothrops biology and the genetic basis of snake venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 510275, China
| | - Haorong Lu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Minhui Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shiqing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yajie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Huan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
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Lopes-de-Souza L, Costal-Oliveira F, Rodrigues CR, Stransky S, de Assis TCS, Liberato C, Vivas-Ruiz D, Chocas AY, Guerra-Duarte C, Braga VMM, Chávez-Olortegui C. Bothrops atrox venom: Biochemical properties and cellular phenotypes of three highly toxic classes of toxins. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2023; 1871:140930. [PMID: 37442518 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2023.140930] [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: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Snake venoms have a complex mixture of compounds that are conserved across species and act synergistically, triggering severe local and systemic effects. Identification of the toxin classes that are most damaging to cell homeostasis would be a powerful approach to focus on the main activities that underpin envenomation. Here, we focus on the venom of Bothrops atrox, snake responsible for most of the accidents in Amazon region of South America. We identified the key cytotoxic toxin fractions from B. atrox venom and mapped their biochemical properties, protein composition and cell damage. Five fractions were obtained by mass exclusion chromatography and contained either a single class of enzymatic activity (i.e., L-amino acid oxidases or Hyaluronidases) or different activities co-distributed in two or more protein fractions (e.g., Metalloproteinases, Serine Proteases, or Phospholipases A2). Only three protein fractions reduced cell viability of primary human cells. Strikingly, such activity is accompanied by disruption of cell attachment to substratum and to neighbouring cells. Such strong perturbation of morphological cell features indicates likely defects in tissue integrity in vivo. Mass spectrometry identified the main classes of toxins that contribute to these phenotypes. We provide here a strategy for the selection of key cytotoxic proteins for targeted investigation of their mechanism of action and potential synergism during snakebite envenomation. Our data highlights putative toxins (or combinations of) that may be the focus of future therapeutic interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Lopes-de-Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Costal-Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carolina Rego Rodrigues
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Stephanie Stransky
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Thamyres C S de Assis
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Camila Liberato
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Dan Vivas-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular - Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Peru
| | - Armando Yarleque Chocas
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular - Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Peru
| | - Clara Guerra-Duarte
- Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vania M M Braga
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Carlos Chávez-Olortegui
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Koludarov I, Velasque M, Senoner T, Timm T, Greve C, Hamadou AB, Gupta DK, Lochnit G, Heinzinger M, Vilcinskas A, Gloag R, Harpur BA, Podsiadlowski L, Rost B, Jackson TNW, Dutertre S, Stolle E, von Reumont BM. Prevalent bee venom genes evolved before the aculeate stinger and eusociality. BMC Biol 2023; 21:229. [PMID: 37867198 PMCID: PMC10591384 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01656-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Venoms, which have evolved numerous times in animals, are ideal models of convergent trait evolution. However, detailed genomic studies of toxin-encoding genes exist for only a few animal groups. The hyper-diverse hymenopteran insects are the most speciose venomous clade, but investigation of the origin of their venom genes has been largely neglected. RESULTS Utilizing a combination of genomic and proteo-transcriptomic data, we investigated the origin of 11 toxin genes in 29 published and 3 new hymenopteran genomes and compiled an up-to-date list of prevalent bee venom proteins. Observed patterns indicate that bee venom genes predominantly originate through single gene co-option with gene duplication contributing to subsequent diversification. CONCLUSIONS Most Hymenoptera venom genes are shared by all members of the clade and only melittin and the new venom protein family anthophilin1 appear unique to the bee lineage. Most venom proteins thus predate the mega-radiation of hymenopterans and the evolution of the aculeate stinger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Koludarov
- Justus Liebig University of Gießen, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 58, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
- Department of Informatics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, i12, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 3, Garching, 85748, Munich, Germany.
| | - Mariana Velasque
- Genomics & Regulatory Systems Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology, Tancha, Okinawa, 1919, Japan
| | - Tobias Senoner
- Department of Informatics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, i12, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 3, Garching, 85748, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Timm
- Protein Analytics, Institute of Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carola Greve
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Alexander Ben Hamadou
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Deepak Kumar Gupta
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Günter Lochnit
- Protein Analytics, Institute of Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Michael Heinzinger
- Department of Informatics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, i12, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 3, Garching, 85748, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Justus Liebig University of Gießen, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 58, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rosalyn Gloag
- Rosalyn Gloag - School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Brock A Harpur
- Brock A. Harpur - Department of Entomology, Purdue University, 901 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Lars Podsiadlowski
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Centre of Molecular Biodiversity Research, Adenauerallee 160, 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Burkhard Rost
- Department of Informatics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, i12, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 3, Garching, 85748, Munich, Germany
| | - Timothy N W Jackson
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Viktoria, 3010, Australia
| | | | - Eckart Stolle
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Centre of Molecular Biodiversity Research, Adenauerallee 160, 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Björn M von Reumont
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Group of Applied Bioinformatics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-Von-Laue Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
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35
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Smith CF, Nikolakis ZL, Perry BW, Schield DR, Meik JM, Saviola AJ, Castoe TA, Parker J, Mackessy SP. The best of both worlds? Rattlesnake hybrid zones generate complex combinations of divergent venom phenotypes that retain high toxicity. Biochimie 2023; 213:176-189. [PMID: 37451532 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.07.008] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Studying the consequences of hybridization between closely related species with divergent traits can reveal patterns of evolution that shape and maintain extreme trophic adaptations. Snake venoms are an excellent model system for examining the evolutionary and ecological patterns that underlie highly selected polymorphic traits. Here we investigate hybrid venom phenotypes that result from natural introgression between two rattlesnake species that express highly divergent venom phenotypes: Crotalus o. concolor and C. v. viridis. Though not yet documented, interbreeding between these species may lead to novel venom phenotypes with unique activities that break the typical trends of venom composition in rattlesnakes. The characteristics of these unusual phenotypes could unveil the roles of introgression in maintaining patterns of venom composition and variation, including the near ubiquitous dichotomy between neurotoxic or degradative venoms observed across rattlesnakes. We use RADseq data to infer patterns of gene flow and hybrid ancestry between these diverged lineages and link these genetic data with analyses of venom composition, biological activity, and whole animal model toxicity tests to understand the impacts of introgression on venom composition. We find that introgressed populations express admixed venom phenotypes that do not sacrifice biological activity (lethal toxicity) or overall abundance of dominant toxins compared to parental venoms. These hybridized venoms therefore do not represent a trade-off in functionality between the typical phenotypic extremes but instead represent a unique combination of characters whose expression appears limited to the hybrid zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara F Smith
- School of Biological Sciences, 501 20th Street, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, 80639, USA
| | - Zachary L Nikolakis
- Department of Biology, 501 S. Nedderman Drive, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Blair W Perry
- Department of Biology, 501 S. Nedderman Drive, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Drew R Schield
- Department of Biology, 501 S. Nedderman Drive, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Jesse M Meik
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tarleton State University, 1333 W. Washington Street, Stephenville, TX, 76402, USA
| | - Anthony J Saviola
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, 12801 East 17th Avenue, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Todd A Castoe
- Department of Biology, 501 S. Nedderman Drive, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Joshua Parker
- Fresno City College, 1101 E. University Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93741, USA
| | - Stephen P Mackessy
- School of Biological Sciences, 501 20th Street, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, 80639, USA.
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36
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Yao A, Ma Y, Sun R, Zou W, Chen X, Zhou M, Ma C, Chen T, Shaw C, Wang L. A Designed Analog of an Antimicrobial Peptide, Crabrolin, Exhibits Enhanced Anti-Proliferative and In Vivo Antimicrobial Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14472. [PMID: 37833918 PMCID: PMC10572522 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides have gradually attracted interest as promising alternatives to conventional agents to control the worldwide health threats posed by antibiotic resistance and cancer. Crabrolin is a tridecapeptide extracted from the venom of the European hornet (Vespa crabro). Its antibacterial and anticancer potentials have been underrated compared to other peptides discovered from natural resources. Herein, a series of analogs were designed based on the template sequence of crabrolin to study its structure-activity relationship and enhance the drug's potential by changing the number, type, and distribution of charged residues. The cationicity-enhanced derivatives were shown to have improved antibacterial and anticancer activities with a lower toxicity. Notably, the double-arginine-modified product, crabrolin-TR, possessed a potent capacity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 4 μM), which was around thirty times stronger than the parent peptide (MIC = 128 μM). Furthermore, crabrolin-TR showed an in vivo treatment efficacy in a Klebsiella-pneumoniae-infected waxworm model and was non-toxic under its maximum MBC value (MIC = 8 μM), indicating its therapeutic potency and better selectivity. Overall, we rationally designed functional peptides by progressively increasing the number and distribution of charged residues, demonstrating new insights for developing therapeutic molecules from natural resources with enhanced properties, and proposed crabrolin-TR as an appealing antibacterial and anticancer agent candidate for development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aifang Yao
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.M.); (R.S.); (X.C.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Yingxue Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.M.); (R.S.); (X.C.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Ruize Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.M.); (R.S.); (X.C.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Wanchen Zou
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.M.); (R.S.); (X.C.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.M.); (R.S.); (X.C.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Mei Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.M.); (R.S.); (X.C.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Chengbang Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.M.); (R.S.); (X.C.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Tianbao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.M.); (R.S.); (X.C.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Chris Shaw
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.M.); (R.S.); (X.C.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (Y.M.); (R.S.); (X.C.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
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37
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Thumtecho S, Suteparuk S, Sitprija V. Pulmonary involvement from animal toxins: the cellular mechanisms. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2023; 29:e20230026. [PMID: 37727535 PMCID: PMC10506740 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2023-0026] [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: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Venomous animals and their venom have always been of human interest because, despite species differences, coevolution has made them capable of targeting key physiological components of our bodies. Respiratory failure from lung injury is one of the serious consequences of envenomation, and the underlying mechanisms are rarely discussed. This review aims to demonstrate how toxins affect the pulmonary system through various biological pathways. Herein, we propose the common underlying cellular mechanisms of toxin-induced lung injury: interference with normal cell function and integrity, disruption of normal vascular function, and provocation of excessive inflammation. Viperid snakebites are the leading cause of envenomation-induced lung injury, followed by other terrestrial venomous animals such as scorpions, spiders, and centipedes. Marine species, particularly jellyfish, can also inflict such injury. Common pulmonary manifestations include pulmonary edema, pulmonary hemorrhage, and exudative infiltration. Severe envenomation can result in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Pulmonary involvement suggests severe envenomation, thus recognizing these mechanisms and manifestations can aid physicians in providing appropriate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suthimon Thumtecho
- Division of Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Chulalongkorn
University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society,
Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Suchai Suteparuk
- Division of Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Chulalongkorn
University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society,
Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Visith Sitprija
- Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute and King Chulalongkorn Memorial
Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
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38
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Op den Brouw B, Fernandez-Rojo MA, Charlton T, Fry BG, Ikonomopoulou MP. Malaysian and Chinese King Cobra Venom Cytotoxicity in Melanoma and Neonatal Foreskin Fibroblasts Is Mediated by Age and Geography. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:549. [PMID: 37755975 PMCID: PMC10534572 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090549] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Snake venoms constitute a complex, rapidly evolving trait, whose composition varies between and within populations depending on geographical location, age and preys (diets). These factors have determined the adaptive evolution for predatory success and link venom heterogeneity with prey specificity. Moreover, understanding the evolutionary drivers of animal venoms has streamlined the biodiscovery of venom-derived compounds as drug candidates in biomedicine and biotechnology. The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah; Cantor, 1836) is distributed in diverse habitats, forming independent populations, which confer differing scale markings, including between hatchlings and adults. Furthermore, king cobra venoms possess unique cytotoxic properties that are used as a defensive trait, but their toxins may also have utility as promising anticancer-agent candidates. However, the impact of geographical distribution and age on these potential venom applications has been typically neglected. In this study, we hypothesised that ontogenetic venom variation accompanies the morphological distinction between hatchlings and adults. We used non-transformed neonatal foreskin (NFF) fibroblasts to examine and compare the variability of venom cytotoxicity between adult captive breeding pairs from Malaysian and Chinese lineages, along with that of their progeny upon hatching. In parallel, we assessed the anticancer potential of these venoms in human-melanoma-patient-derived cells (MM96L). We found that in a geographical distribution and gender-independent manner, venoms from hatchlings were significantly less cytotoxic than those from adults (NFF; ~Log EC50: 0.5-0.6 vs. 0.2-0.35 mg/mL). This is consistent with neonates occupying a semifossorial habitat, while adults inhabit more above-ground habitats and are therefore more conspicuous to potential predators. We also observed that Malaysian venoms exhibited a slightly higher cytotoxicity than those from the Chinese cobra cohorts (NFF; Log EC50: 0.1-0.3 vs. 0.3-0.4 mg/mL), which is consistent with Malaysian king cobras being more strongly aposematically marked. These variations are therefore suggestive of differential anti-predator strategies associated with the occupation of distinct niches. However, all cobra venoms were similarly cytotoxic in both melanoma cells and fibroblasts, limiting their potential medical applications in their native forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Op den Brouw
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Manuel A. Fernandez-Rojo
- Hepatic Regenerative Medicine Group, Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies in Food, E28049 Madrid, Spain;
- Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Tom Charlton
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, All Saints Building, Manchester M15 6BH, UK;
| | - Bryan G. Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Maria P. Ikonomopoulou
- Translational Venomics Group, Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies in Food, E28049 Madrid, Spain
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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39
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Yan Z, Fang Q, Song J, Yang L, Xiao S, Wang J, Ye G. A serpin gene from a parasitoid wasp disrupts host immunity and exhibits adaptive alternative splicing. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011649. [PMID: 37695779 PMCID: PMC10513286 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a major source of protein diversity in eukaryotes, but less is known about its evolution compared to gene duplication (GD). How AS and GD interact is also largely understudied. By constructing the evolutionary trajectory of the serpin gene PpSerpin-1 (Pteromalus puparum serpin 1) in parasitoids and other insects, we found that both AS and GD jointly contribute to serpin protein diversity. These two processes are negatively correlated and show divergent features in both protein and regulatory sequences. Parasitoid wasps exhibit higher numbers of serpin protein/domains than nonparasitoids, resulting from more GD but less AS in parasitoids. The potential roles of AS and GD in the evolution of parasitoid host-effector genes are discussed. Furthermore, we find that PpSerpin-1 shows an exon expansion of AS compared to other parasitoids, and that several isoforms are involved in the wasp immune response, have been recruited to both wasp venom and larval saliva, and suppress host immunity. Overall, our study provides an example of how a parasitoid serpin gene adapts to parasitism through AS, and sheds light on the differential features of AS and GD in the evolution of insect serpins and their associations with the parasitic life strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Yan
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiqiang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiale Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gongyin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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40
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Ye X, He C, Yang Y, Sun YH, Xiong S, Chan KC, Si Y, Xiao S, Zhao X, Lin H, Mei Y, Yao Y, Ye G, Wu F, Fang Q. Comprehensive isoform-level analysis reveals the contribution of alternative isoforms to venom evolution and repertoire diversity. Genome Res 2023; 33:1554-1567. [PMID: 37798117 PMCID: PMC10620052 DOI: 10.1101/gr.277707.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Animal venom systems have emerged as valuable models for investigating how novel polygenic phenotypes may arise from gene evolution by varying molecular mechanisms. However, a significant portion of venom genes produce alternative mRNA isoforms that have not been extensively characterized, hindering a comprehensive understanding of venom biology. In this study, we present a full-length isoform-level profiling workflow integrating multiple RNA sequencing technologies, allowing us to reconstruct a high-resolution transcriptome landscape of venom genes in the parasitoid wasp Pteromalus puparum Our findings demonstrate that more than half of the venom genes generate multiple isoforms within the venom gland. Through mass spectrometry analysis, we confirm that alternative splicing contributes to the diversity of venom proteins, acting as a mechanism for expanding the venom repertoire. Notably, we identified seven venom genes that exhibit distinct isoform usages between the venom gland and other tissues. Furthermore, evolutionary analyses of venom serpin3 and orcokinin further reveal that the co-option of an ancient isoform and a newly evolved isoform, respectively, contributes to venom recruitment, providing valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms driving venom evolution in parasitoid wasps. Overall, our study presents a comprehensive investigation of venom genes at the isoform level, significantly advancing our understanding of alternative isoforms in venom diversity and evolution and setting the stage for further in-depth research on venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhai Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study, Zhejiang University, Shanghai 201203, China
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Chun He
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Yi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yu H Sun
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
| | - Shijiao Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Kevin C Chan
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study, Zhejiang University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yuxuan Si
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Shan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xianxin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Haiwei Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yang Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yufeng Yao
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310020, China
| | - Gongyin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fei Wu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study, Zhejiang University, Shanghai 201203, China;
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
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41
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Lane AN, Nash PD, Ellsworth SA, Nystrom GS, Rokyta DR. The arylsulfatase- and phospholipase-rich venom of the plutoniumid centipede Theatops posticus. Toxicon 2023; 233:107231. [PMID: 37517595 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107231] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Research on centipede venoms has led to the discovery of a diverse array of novel proteins and peptides, including those with homology to previously discovered toxin families (e.g., phospholipase A2s and pM12a metalloproteases) and novel toxin families not previously detected in venoms (e.g., β-pore forming toxins and scoloptoxins). Most of this research has focused on centipedes in the order Scolopendromorpha, particularly those in the families Scolopendridae, Cryptopidae, and Scolopocryptopidae. To generate the first high-throughput venom characterization for a centipede in the scolopendromorph family Plutoniumidae, we performed venom-gland transcriptomics and venom proteomics on two Theatops posticus. We identified a total of 64 venom toxins, 60 of which were detected in both the venom-gland transcriptome and venom proteome and four of which were only detected transcriptomically. We detected a single highly abundant arylsulfatase B (ARSB) toxin, the first ARSB toxin identified from centipede venoms. As ARSBs have been detected in other venomous species (e.g., scorpions), ARSBs in T. posticus highlights a new case of convergent evolution across venoms. Theatops posticus venom also contained a much higher abundance and diversity of phospholipase A2 toxins compared to other characterized centipede venoms. Conversely, we detected other common centipedes toxins, such as CAPs and scoloptoxins, at relatively low abundances and diversities. Our observation of a diverse set of toxins from T. posticus venom, including those from novel toxin families, emphasizes the importance of studying unexplored centipede taxonomic groups and the continued potential of centipede venoms for novel toxin discovery and unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying trait evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaliyah N Lane
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Pauline D Nash
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Schyler A Ellsworth
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Gunnar S Nystrom
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
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42
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Yano Y, Fukuoka R, Maturana AD, Ohdachi SD, Kita M. Mammalian neurotoxins, Blarina paralytic peptides, cause hyperpolarization of human T-type Ca channel hCa v3.2 activation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105066. [PMID: 37468103 PMCID: PMC10493266 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105066] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the rare venomous mammals, the short-tailed shrew Blarina brevicauda has been suggested to produce potent neurotoxins in its saliva to effectively capture prey. Several kallikrein-like lethal proteases have been identified, but the active substances of B. brevicauda remained unclear. Here, we report Blarina paralytic peptides (BPPs) 1 and 2 isolated from its submaxillary glands. Synthetic BPP2 showed mealworm paralysis and a hyperpolarization shift (-11 mV) of a human T-type Ca2+ channel (hCav3.2) activation. The amino acid sequences of BPPs were similar to those of synenkephalins, which are precursors of brain opioid peptide hormones that are highly conserved among mammals. However, BPPs rather resembled centipede neurotoxic peptides SLPTXs in terms of disulfide bond connectivity and stereostructure. Our results suggested that the neurotoxin BPPs were the result of convergent evolution as homologs of nontoxic endogenous peptides that are widely conserved in mammals. This finding is of great interest from the viewpoint of the chemical evolution of vertebrate venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Yano
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ryo Fukuoka
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Andres D Maturana
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Satoshi D Ohdachi
- Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masaki Kita
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.
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43
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Schulte L, Damm M, Avella I, Uhrig L, Erkoc P, Schiffmann S, Fürst R, Timm T, Lochnit G, Vilcinskas A, Lüddecke T. Venomics of the milos viper ( Macrovipera schweizeri) unveils patterns of venom composition and exochemistry across blunt-nosed viper venoms. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1254058. [PMID: 37719269 PMCID: PMC10500195 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1254058] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease and a globally important driver of death and morbidity. Vipers of the genus Macrovipera (Viperidae: Viperinae) are among the snakes of higher medical importance in the Old World. Despite the medical relevance of Macrovipera venoms, the knowledge regarding them is heterogeneously distributed with virtually all works conducted so far focusing on subspecies of Macrovipera lebetinus, while other species within the genus are largely overlooked. Here we present the first proteomic evaluation of the venom from the Greek endemic Milos viper (Macrovipera schweizeri). In line with clinical symptoms typically elicited by Macrovipera envenomations, Milos viper venom primarily comprises coagulotoxic and cytotoxic protein families, such as metalloproteinases (svMP) and serine proteases (svSP). Methods: We conducted comparative bioactivity assays on venoms from M. schweizeri and the M. lebetinus subspecies M. lebetinus cernovi, M. lebetinus obtusa, and M. lebetinus turanica, and showed that they all exhibit similarities in levels of cytotoxicity proteolytic activity, and inhibition of prokaryotic growth. Lastly, we compared Macrovipera venom profiles by 1D-SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC, as well as our proteomic data with previously published Macrovipera venom proteomes. Results and discussion: The analyzes performed to reveal that a general venom profile seems to be conserved across blunt-nosed vipers, and that, M. schweizeri envenomations, similarly to those caused by other blunt-nosed vipers, are able to cause significant tissue damage. The present work represents an important starting point for the development of comparative studies across the full taxonomic range of the genus Macrovipera and can potentially help optimize the treatment of envenomations caused by M. schweizeri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennart Schulte
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Maik Damm
- LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ignazio Avella
- CIBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO Associated Laboratory, University Port, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- CIBIO, BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Lilien Uhrig
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Pelin Erkoc
- LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Susanne Schiffmann
- LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Fürst
- LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Timm
- Institute of Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Günter Lochnit
- Institute of Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tim Lüddecke
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Frankfurt, Germany
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Fitzpatrick LLJ, Ligabue-Braun R, Nekaris KAI. Slowly Making Sense: A Review of the Two-Step Venom System within Slow ( Nycticebus spp.) and Pygmy Lorises ( Xanthonycticebus spp.). Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:514. [PMID: 37755940 PMCID: PMC10536643 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090514] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the early 2000s, studies of the evolution of venom within animals have rapidly expanded, offering new revelations on the origins and development of venom within various species. The venomous mammals represent excellent opportunities to study venom evolution due to the varying functional usages, the unusual distribution of venom across unrelated mammals and the diverse variety of delivery systems. A group of mammals that excellently represents a combination of these traits are the slow (Nycticebus spp.) and pygmy lorises (Xanthonycticebus spp.) of south-east Asia, which possess the only confirmed two-step venom system. These taxa also present one of the most intriguing mixes of toxic symptoms (cytotoxicity and immunotoxicity) and functional usages (intraspecific competition and ectoparasitic defence) seen in extant animals. We still lack many pieces of the puzzle in understanding how this venom system works, why it evolved what is involved in the venom system and what triggers the toxic components to work. Here, we review available data building upon a decade of research on this topic, focusing especially on why and how this venom system may have evolved. We discuss that research now suggests that venom in slow lorises has a sophisticated set of multiple uses in both intraspecific competition and the potential to disrupt the immune system of targets; we suggest that an exudate diet reveals several toxic plants consumed by slow and pygmy lorises that could be sequestered into their venom and which may help heal venomous bite wounds; we provide the most up-to-date visual model of the brachial gland exudate secretion protein (BGEsp); and we discuss research on a complement component 1r (C1R) protein in saliva that may solve the mystery of what activates the toxicity of slow and pygmy loris venom. We conclude that the slow and pygmy lorises possess amongst the most complex venom system in extant animals, and while we have still a lot more to understand about their venom system, we are close to a breakthrough, particularly with current technological advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Lucy Joscelyne Fitzpatrick
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, Department of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
- Centre for Functional Genomics, Department of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Department of Pharmacosciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Avenida Sarmento Leite 245, Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil;
| | - K. Anne-Isola Nekaris
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, Department of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
- Centre for Functional Genomics, Department of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
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45
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Farhat S, Modica MV, Puillandre N. Whole Genome Duplication and Gene Evolution in the Hyperdiverse Venomous Gastropods. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad171. [PMID: 37494290 PMCID: PMC10401626 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The diversity of venomous organisms and the toxins they produce have been increasingly investigated, but taxonomic bias remains important. Neogastropods, a group of marine predators representing almost 22% of the known gastropod diversity, evolved a wide range of feeding strategies, including the production of toxins to subdue their preys. However, whether the diversity of these compounds is at the origin of the hyperdiversification of the group and how genome evolution may correlate with both the compounds and species diversities remain understudied. Among the available gastropods genomes, only eight, with uneven quality assemblies, belong to neogastropods. Here, we generated chromosome-level assemblies of two species belonging to the Tonnoidea and Muricoidea superfamilies (Monoplex corrugatus and Stramonita haemastoma). The two obtained high-quality genomes had 3 and 2.2 Gb, respectively, and 92-89% of the total assembly conformed 35 pseudochromosomes in each species. Through the analysis of syntenic blocks, Hox gene cluster duplication, and synonymous substitutions distribution pattern, we inferred the occurrence of a whole genome duplication event in both genomes. As these species are known to release venom, toxins were annotated in both genomes, but few of them were found in homologous chromosomes. A comparison of the expression of ohnolog genes (using transcriptomes from osphradium and salivary glands in S. haemastoma), where both copies were differentially expressed, showed that most of them had similar expression profiles. The high quality of these genomes makes them valuable reference in their respective taxa, facilitating the identification of genome-level processes at the origin of their evolutionary success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Farhat
- Institut Systématique Evolution Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Maria Vittoria Modica
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Roma, Italy
| | - Nicolas Puillandre
- Institut Systématique Evolution Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
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Hackney CM, Flórez Salcedo P, Mueller E, Koch TL, Kjelgaard LD, Watkins M, Zachariassen LG, Tuelung PS, McArthur JR, Adams DJ, Kristensen AS, Olivera B, Finol-Urdaneta RK, Safavi-Hemami H, Morth JP, Ellgaard L. A previously unrecognized superfamily of macro-conotoxins includes an inhibitor of the sensory neuron calcium channel Cav2.3. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002217. [PMID: 37535677 PMCID: PMC10437998 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal venom peptides represent valuable compounds for biomedical exploration. The venoms of marine cone snails constitute a particularly rich source of peptide toxins, known as conotoxins. Here, we identify the sequence of an unusually large conotoxin, Mu8.1, which defines a new class of conotoxins evolutionarily related to the well-known con-ikot-ikots and 2 additional conotoxin classes not previously described. The crystal structure of recombinant Mu8.1 displays a saposin-like fold and shows structural similarity with con-ikot-ikot. Functional studies demonstrate that Mu8.1 curtails calcium influx in defined classes of murine somatosensory dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. When tested on a variety of recombinantly expressed voltage-gated ion channels, Mu8.1 displayed the highest potency against the R-type (Cav2.3) calcium channel. Ca2+ signals from Mu8.1-sensitive DRG neurons were also inhibited by SNX-482, a known spider peptide modulator of Cav2.3 and voltage-gated K+ (Kv4) channels. Our findings highlight the potential of Mu8.1 as a molecular tool to identify and study neuronal subclasses expressing Cav2.3. Importantly, this multidisciplinary study showcases the potential of uncovering novel structures and bioactivities within the largely unexplored group of macro-conotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste M. Hackney
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paula Flórez Salcedo
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Emilie Mueller
- Enzyme and Protein Chemistry, Section for Protein Chemistry and Enzyme Technology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas Lund Koch
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lau D. Kjelgaard
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maren Watkins
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Linda G. Zachariassen
- Department of Drug Design & Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Jeffrey R. McArthur
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - David J. Adams
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Anders S. Kristensen
- Department of Drug Design & Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Baldomero Olivera
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Rocio K. Finol-Urdaneta
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- Electrophysiology Facility for Cell Phenotyping and Drug Discovery, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Helena Safavi-Hemami
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Jens Preben Morth
- Enzyme and Protein Chemistry, Section for Protein Chemistry and Enzyme Technology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lars Ellgaard
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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47
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Rosales-García RA, Rautsaw RM, Hofmann EP, Grünwald CI, Franz-Chavez H, Ahumada-Carrillo IT, Ramirez-Chaparro R, de la Torre-Loranca MA, Strickland JL, Mason AJ, Holding ML, Borja M, Castañeda-Gaytan G, Myers EA, Sasa M, Rokyta DR, Parkinson CL. Sequence Divergence in Venom Genes Within and Between Montane Pitviper (Viperidae: Crotalinae: Cerrophidion) Species is Driven by Mutation-Drift Equilibrium. J Mol Evol 2023; 91:514-535. [PMID: 37269364 PMCID: PMC10995822 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-023-10115-2] [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: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Snake venom can vary both among and within species. While some groups of New World pitvipers-such as rattlesnakes-have been well studied, very little is known about the venom of montane pitvipers (Cerrophidion) found across the Mesoamerican highlands. Compared to most well-studied rattlesnakes, which are widely distributed, the isolated montane populations of Cerrophidion may facilitate unique evolutionary trajectories and venom differentiation. Here, we describe the venom gland transcriptomes for populations of C. petlalcalensis, C. tzotzilorum, and C. godmani from Mexico, and a single individual of C. sasai from Costa Rica. We explore gene expression variation in Cerrophidion and sequence evolution of toxins within C. godmani specifically. Cerrophidion venom gland transcriptomes are composed primarily of snake venom metalloproteinases, phospholipase A[Formula: see text]s (PLA[Formula: see text]s), and snake venom serine proteases. Cerrophidion petlalcalensis shows little intraspecific variation; however, C. godmani and C. tzotzilorum differ significantly between geographically isolated populations. Interestingly, intraspecific variation was mostly attributed to expression variation as we did not detect signals of selection within C. godmani toxins. Additionally, we found PLA[Formula: see text]-like myotoxins in all species except C. petlalcalensis, and crotoxin-like PLA[Formula: see text]s in the southern population of C. godmani. Our results demonstrate significant intraspecific venom variation within C. godmani and C. tzotzilorum. The toxins of C. godmani show little evidence of directional selection where variation in toxin sequence is consistent with evolution under a model of mutation-drift equilibrium. Cerrophidion godmani individuals from the southern population may exhibit neurotoxic venom activity given the presence of crotoxin-like PLA[Formula: see text]s; however, further research is required to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rhett M Rautsaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 190 Collings St., Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Erich P Hofmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 190 Collings St., Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
- Science Department, Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington, NC, 28401, USA
| | | | - Hector Franz-Chavez
- Herp.mx A.C., Colima, Mexico
- Biodiversa A. C., Chapala, Jalisco, 45900, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Jason L Strickland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 190 Collings St., Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
- Department of Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, 36688, USA
| | - Andrew J Mason
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 190 Collings St., Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Matthew L Holding
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 190 Collings St., Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Miguel Borja
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universdad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Gómez Palacio, Durango, 35010, Mexico
| | - Gamaliel Castañeda-Gaytan
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universdad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Gómez Palacio, Durango, 35010, Mexico
| | - Edward A Myers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 190 Collings St., Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Mahmood Sasa
- Centro Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Ecología Tropical and Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Christopher L Parkinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 190 Collings St., Clemson, SC, 29634, USA.
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48
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Xu G, Chen L. Biological Activities and Ecological Significance of Fire Ant Venom Alkaloids. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:439. [PMID: 37505709 PMCID: PMC10467088 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070439] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Venoms produced by arthropods act as chemical weapons to paralyze prey or deter competitors. The utilization of venom is an essential feature in the biology and ecology of venomous arthropods. Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are medically important venomous ants. They have acquired different patterns of venom use to maximize their competitive advantages rendered by the venom when facing different challenges. The major components of fire ant venom are piperidine alkaloids, which have strong insecticidal and antibiotic activities. The alkaloids protect fire ants from pathogens over the course of their lives and can be used to defend them from predators and competitors. They are also utilized by some of the fire ants' natural enemies, such as phorid flies to locate host ants. Collectively, these ants' diverse alkaloid compositions and functions have ecological significance for their survival, successful invasion, and rapid range expansion. The venom alkaloids with powerful biological activities may have played an important role in shaping the assembly of communities in both native and introduced ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxin Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China;
- Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Li Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China;
- Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
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49
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Ramírez DS, Alzate JF, Simone Y, van der Meijden A, Guevara G, Franco Pérez LM, González-Gómez JC, Prada Quiroga CF. Intersexual Differences in the Gene Expression of Phoneutria depilata (Araneae, Ctenidae) Toxins Revealed by Venom Gland Transcriptome Analyses. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:429. [PMID: 37505698 PMCID: PMC10467060 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070429] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The wandering spider, Phoneutria depilata, is one of Colombia's most active nocturnal arthropod predators of vertebrates and invertebrates. Its venom has been a relevant subject of study in the last two decades. However, the scarcity of transcriptomic data for the species limits our knowledge of the distinct components present in its venom for linking the mainly neurotoxic effects of the spider venom to a particular molecular target. The transcriptome of the P. depilata venom gland was analyzed to understand the effect of different diets or sex and the impact of these variables on the composition of the venom. We sequenced venom glands obtained from ten males and ten females from three diet treatments: (i) invertebrate: Tenebrio molitor, (ii) vertebrate: Hemidactylus frenatus, and (iii) mixed (T. molitor + H. frenatus). Of 17,354 assembled transcripts from all samples, 65 transcripts relating to venom production differed between males and females. Among them, 36 were classified as neurotoxins, 14 as serine endopeptidases, 11 as other proteins related to venom production, three as metalloprotease toxins, and one as a venom potentiator. There were no differences in transcripts across the analyzed diets, but when considering the effect of diets on differences between the sexes, 59 transcripts were differentially expressed. Our findings provide essential information on toxins differentially expressed that can be related to sex and the plasticity of the diet of P. depilata and thus can be used as a reference for venomics of other wandering spider species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Sierra Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigación Biología y Ecología de Artrópodos (BEA), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Altos de Santa Helena, Ibagué 730001, Colombia; (D.S.R.); (J.C.G.-G.)
| | - Juan F. Alzate
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica (CNSG), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Yuri Simone
- CIBIO/InBIO/Biopolis, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 7, 4485-661 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (Y.S.); (A.v.d.M.)
| | - Arie van der Meijden
- CIBIO/InBIO/Biopolis, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 7, 4485-661 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (Y.S.); (A.v.d.M.)
| | - Giovany Guevara
- Grupo de Investigación en Zoología (GIZ), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Altos de Santa Helena, Ibagué 730001, Colombia;
| | - Lida Marcela Franco Pérez
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad de Ibagué, Carrera 22 Calle 67, Ibagué 730001, Colombia;
| | - Julio César González-Gómez
- Grupo de Investigación Biología y Ecología de Artrópodos (BEA), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Altos de Santa Helena, Ibagué 730001, Colombia; (D.S.R.); (J.C.G.-G.)
| | - Carlos F. Prada Quiroga
- Grupo de Investigación Biología y Ecología de Artrópodos (BEA), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Altos de Santa Helena, Ibagué 730001, Colombia; (D.S.R.); (J.C.G.-G.)
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50
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Tioyama EC, Bayona-Serrano JD, Portes-Junior JA, Nachtigall PG, de Souza VC, Beraldo-Neto E, Grazziotin FG, Junqueira-de-Azevedo ILM, Moura-da-Silva AM, Freitas-de-Sousa LA. The Venom Composition of the Snake Tribe Philodryadini: 'Omic' Techniques Reveal Intergeneric Variability among South American Racers. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:415. [PMID: 37505684 PMCID: PMC10467154 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070415] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Snakes of the Philodryadini tribe are included in the Dipsadidae family, which is a diverse group of rear-fanged snakes widespread in different ecological conditions, including habitats and diet. However, little is known about the composition and effects of their venoms despite their relevance for understanding the evolution of these snakes or even their impact on the occasional cases of human envenoming. In this study, we integrated venom gland transcriptomics, venom proteomics and functional assays to characterize the venoms from eight species of the Philodryadini tribe, which includes the genus Philodryas, Chlorosoma and Xenoxybelis. The most abundant components identified in the venoms were snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs), cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs), C-type lectins (CTLs), snake endogenous matrix metalloproteinases type 9 (seMMP-9) and snake venom serinoproteinases (SVSPs). These protein families showed a variable expression profile in each genus. SVMPs were the most abundant components in Philodryas, while seMMP-9 and CRISPs were the most expressed in Chlorosoma and Xenoxybelis, respectively. Lineage-specific differences in venom composition were also observed among Philodryas species, whereas P. olfersii presented the highest amount of SVSPs and P. agassizii was the only species to express significant amounts of 3FTx. The variability observed in venom composition was confirmed by the venom functional assays. Philodryas species presented the highest SVMP activity, whereas Chlorosoma species showed higher levels of gelatin activity, which may correlate to the seMMP-9 enzymes. The variability observed in the composition of these venoms may be related to the tribe phylogeny and influenced by their diets. In the presented study, we expanded the set of venomics studies of the Philodryadini tribe, which paves new roads for further studies on the evolution and ecology of Dipsadidae snakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilly Campos Tioyama
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências-Toxinologia, Escola Superior do Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05508-210, Brazil; (E.C.T.); (J.D.B.-S.)
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (J.A.P.-J.); (A.M.M.-d.-S.)
| | - Juan David Bayona-Serrano
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências-Toxinologia, Escola Superior do Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05508-210, Brazil; (E.C.T.); (J.D.B.-S.)
- Laboratório de Toxinologia Aplicada, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (P.G.N.); (V.C.d.S.); (I.L.M.J.-d.-A.)
| | - José A. Portes-Junior
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (J.A.P.-J.); (A.M.M.-d.-S.)
| | - Pedro Gabriel Nachtigall
- Laboratório de Toxinologia Aplicada, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (P.G.N.); (V.C.d.S.); (I.L.M.J.-d.-A.)
| | - Vinicius Carius de Souza
- Laboratório de Toxinologia Aplicada, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (P.G.N.); (V.C.d.S.); (I.L.M.J.-d.-A.)
| | - Emidio Beraldo-Neto
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biofísica, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil;
| | | | | | - Ana Maria Moura-da-Silva
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (J.A.P.-J.); (A.M.M.-d.-S.)
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