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Peigneur S, Tibery D, Tytgat J. The Helix Ring Peptide U 11 from the Venom of the Ant, Tetramorium bicarinatum, Acts as a Putative Pore-Forming Toxin. MEMBRANES 2024; 14:114. [PMID: 38786948 PMCID: PMC11123039 DOI: 10.3390/membranes14050114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
An insect neuroactive helix ring peptide called U11-MYRTX-Tb1a (abbreviated as U11) from the venom of the ant, Tetramorium bicarinatum. U11 is a 34-amino-acid peptide that is claimed to be one of the most paralytic peptides ever reported from ant venoms acting against blowflies and honeybees. The peptide features a compact triangular ring helix structure stabilized by a single disulfide bond, which is a unique three-dimensional scaffold among animal venoms. Pharmacological assays using Drosophila S2 cells have demonstrated that U11 is not cytotoxic but instead suggest that it may modulate potassium channels via the presence of a functional dyad. In our work described here, we have tested this hypothesis by investigating the action of synthetically made U11 on a wide array of voltage-gated K and Na channels since it is well known that these channels play a crucial role in the phenomenon of paralysis. Using the Xenopus laevis oocyte heterologous expression system and voltage clamp, our results have not shown any modulatory effect of 1 μM U11 on the activity of Kv1.1, Kv1.3, Kv1.4, Kv1.5, Shaker IR, Kv4.2, Kv7.1, Kv10.1, Kv11.1 and KQT1, nor on DmNav and BgNav. Instead, 10 μM U11 caused a quick and irreversible cytolytic effect, identical to the cytotoxic effect caused by Apis mellifera venom, which indicates that U11 can act as a pore-forming peptide. Interestingly, the paralytic dose (PD50) on blowflies and honeybees corresponds with the concentration at which U11 displays clear pore-forming activity. In conclusion, our results indicate that the insecticidal and paralytic effects caused by U11 may be explained by the putative pore formation of the peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), P.O. Box 922, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.P.); (D.T.)
| | - Diogo Tibery
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), P.O. Box 922, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.P.); (D.T.)
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), P.O. Box 922, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.P.); (D.T.)
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2
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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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3
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Favrel P, Dubos MP, Bernay B, Pasquier J, Schwartz J, Lefranc B, Mouret L, Rivière G, Leprince J, Bondon A. Structural and functional characterization of an egg-laying hormone signaling system in a lophotrochozoan - The pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 346:114417. [PMID: 38030018 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The egg-laying hormones (ELHs) of gastropod mollusks were characterized more than forty years ago. Yet, they have remained little explored in other mollusks. To gain insights into the functionality of the ELH signaling system in a bivalve mollusk - the oyster Crassostrea gigas, this study investigates the processing of its ELH precursor (Cragi-ELH) by mass spectrometry. Some of the ELH mature peptides identified in this study were subsequently investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance and shown to adopt an extended alpha-helix structure in a micellar medium mimicking the plasma membrane. To further characterize the ELH signaling system in C. gigas, a G protein-coupled receptor phylogenetically related to ecdysozoan diuretic hormone DH44 and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptors named Cragi-ELHR was also characterized functionally and shown to be specifically activated by the two predicted mature ELH peptides and their N-terminal fragments. Both Cragi-ELH and Cragi-ELHR encoding genes were mostly expressed in the visceral ganglia (VG). Cragi-ELH expression was significantly increased in the VG of both fully mature male and female oysters at the spawning stage. When the oysters were submitted to a nutritional or hyposaline stress, no change in the expression of the ligand or receptor genes was recorded, except for Cragi-ELHR only during a mild acclimation episode to brackish water. These results suggest a role of Cragi-ELH signaling in the regulation of reproduction but not in mediating the stress response in our experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Favrel
- Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Sorbonne Universités, MNHN, UPMC, UA, CNRS 7208, IRD 207, Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), CS14032, Esplanade de la Paix, 14032 Caen, Cedex 5, France.
| | - M P Dubos
- Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Sorbonne Universités, MNHN, UPMC, UA, CNRS 7208, IRD 207, Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), CS14032, Esplanade de la Paix, 14032 Caen, Cedex 5, France
| | - B Bernay
- Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, US EMERODE, PROTEOGEN Core Facility, Esplanade de la Paix, 14032 Caen, cedex 05, France
| | - J Pasquier
- Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Sorbonne Universités, MNHN, UPMC, UA, CNRS 7208, IRD 207, Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), CS14032, Esplanade de la Paix, 14032 Caen, Cedex 5, France
| | - J Schwartz
- Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Sorbonne Universités, MNHN, UPMC, UA, CNRS 7208, IRD 207, Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), CS14032, Esplanade de la Paix, 14032 Caen, Cedex 5, France
| | - B Lefranc
- Université Rouen Normandie, INSERM, Normandie Univ, NorDic UMR1239, Laboratoire de Différenciation et Communication Neuroendocrine, Endocrine et Germinale, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - L Mouret
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - G Rivière
- Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Sorbonne Universités, MNHN, UPMC, UA, CNRS 7208, IRD 207, Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), CS14032, Esplanade de la Paix, 14032 Caen, Cedex 5, France
| | - J Leprince
- Université Rouen Normandie, INSERM, Normandie Univ, NorDic UMR1239, Laboratoire de Différenciation et Communication Neuroendocrine, Endocrine et Germinale, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - A Bondon
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France
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4
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Robinson SD, Deuis JR, Niu P, Touchard A, Mueller A, Schendel V, Brinkwirth N, King GF, Vetter I, Schmidt JO. Peptide toxins that target vertebrate voltage-gated sodium channels underly the painful stings of harvester ants. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105577. [PMID: 38110035 PMCID: PMC10821600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105577] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Harvester ants (genus Pogonomyrmex) are renowned for their stings which cause intense, long-lasting pain, and other neurotoxic symptoms in vertebrates. Here, we show that harvester ant venoms are relatively simple and composed largely of peptide toxins. One class of peptides is primarily responsible for the long-lasting local pain of envenomation via activation of peripheral sensory neurons. These hydrophobic, cysteine-free peptides potently modulate mammalian voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels, reducing the voltage threshold for activation and inhibiting channel inactivation. These toxins appear to have evolved specifically to deter vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel D Robinson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Pancong Niu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des forêts de Guyane - EcoFoG (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRAE, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Kourou, France
| | - Alexander Mueller
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia; Centro de Investigación Biomédica CENBIO, Universidad UTE, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Vanessa Schendel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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5
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Louis M, Tahrioui A, Tremlett CJ, Clamens T, Leprince J, Lefranc B, Kipnis E, Grandjean T, Bouffartigues E, Barreau M, Defontaine F, Cornelis P, Feuilloley MG, Harmer NJ, Chevalier S, Lesouhaitier O. The natriuretic peptide receptor agonist osteocrin disperses Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm. Biofilm 2023; 5:100131. [PMID: 37252226 PMCID: PMC10220261 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2023.100131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are highly tolerant to antimicrobials and host immune defense, enabling pathogens to thrive in hostile environments. The diversity of microbial biofilm infections requires alternative and complex treatment strategies. In a previous work we demonstrated that the human Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (hANP) displays a strong anti-biofilm activity toward Pseudomonas aeruginosa and that the binding of hANP by the AmiC protein supports this effect. This AmiC sensor has been identified as an analog of the human natriuretic peptide receptor subtype C (h-NPRC). In the present study, we evaluated the anti-biofilm activity of the h-NPRC agonist, osteocrin (OSTN), a hormone that displays a strong affinity for the AmiC sensor at least in vitro. Using molecular docking, we identified a pocket in the AmiC sensor that OSTN reproducibly docks into, suggesting that OSTN might possess an anti-biofilm activity as well as hANP. This hypothesis was validated since we observed that OSTN dispersed established biofilm of P. aeruginosa PA14 strain at the same concentrations as hANP. However, the OSTN dispersal effect is less marked than that observed for the hANP (-61% versus -73%). We demonstrated that the co-exposure of P. aeruginosa preformed biofilm to hANP and OSTN induced a biofilm dispersion with a similar effect to that observed with hANP alone suggesting a similar mechanism of action of these two peptides. This was confirmed by the observation that OSTN anti-biofilm activity requires the activation of the complex composed by the sensor AmiC and the regulator AmiR of the ami pathway. Using a panel of both P. aeruginosa laboratory reference strains and clinical isolates, we observed that the OSTN capacity to disperse established biofilms is highly variable from one strain to another. Taken together, these results show that similarly to the hANP hormone, OSTN has a strong potential to be used as a tool to disperse P. aeruginosa biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissande Louis
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Unité de Recherche Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, 27000, Evreux, France
| | - Ali Tahrioui
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Unité de Recherche Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, 27000, Evreux, France
| | - Courtney J. Tremlett
- Living Systems Institute, Stocker Road, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Thomas Clamens
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Unité de Recherche Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, 27000, Evreux, France
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- PRIMACEN, University of Rouen Normandy, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- PRIMACEN, University of Rouen Normandy, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Eric Kipnis
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017-CIIL-Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, University Lille, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Teddy Grandjean
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017-CIIL-Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, University Lille, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Emeline Bouffartigues
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Unité de Recherche Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, 27000, Evreux, France
| | - Magalie Barreau
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Unité de Recherche Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, 27000, Evreux, France
| | - Florian Defontaine
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Unité de Recherche Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, 27000, Evreux, France
| | - Pierre Cornelis
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Unité de Recherche Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, 27000, Evreux, France
| | - Marc G.J. Feuilloley
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Unité de Recherche Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, 27000, Evreux, France
| | - Nicholas J. Harmer
- Living Systems Institute, Stocker Road, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Sylvie Chevalier
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Unité de Recherche Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, 27000, Evreux, France
| | - Olivier Lesouhaitier
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Unité de Recherche Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses, CBSA UR4312, 27000, Evreux, France
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6
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Karami Y, Murail S, Giribaldi J, Lefranc B, Defontaine F, Lesouhaitier O, Leprince J, de Vries S, Tufféry P. Exploring a Structural Data Mining Approach to Design Linkers for Head-to-Tail Peptide Cyclization. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:6436-6450. [PMID: 37827517 PMCID: PMC10599322 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00865] [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: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Peptides have recently regained interest as therapeutic candidates, but their development remains confronted with several limitations including low bioavailability. Backbone head-to-tail cyclization, i.e., setting a covalent peptide bond linking the last amino acid with the first one, is one effective strategy of peptide-based drug design to stabilize the conformation of bioactive peptides while preserving peptide properties in terms of low toxicity, binding affinity, target selectivity, and preventing enzymatic degradation. Starting from an active peptide, it usually requires the design of a linker of a few amino acids to make it possible to cyclize the peptide, possibly preserving the conformation of the initial peptide and not affecting its activity. However, very little is known about the sequence-structure relationship requirements of designing linkers for peptide cyclization in a rational manner. Recently, we have shown that large-scale data-mining of available protein structures can lead to the precise identification of protein loop conformations, even from remote structural classes. Here, we transpose this approach to linkers, allowing head-to-tail peptide cyclization. First we show that given a linker sequence and the conformation of the linear peptide, it is possible to accurately predict the cyclized peptide conformation. Second, and more importantly, we show that it seems possible to elaborate on the information inferred from protein structures to propose effective candidate linker sequences constrained by length and amino acid composition, providing the first framework for the rational design of head-to-tail cyclization linkers. Finally, we illustrate this for two peptides using a limited set of amino-acids likely not to interfere with peptide function. For a linear peptide derived from Nrf2, the peptide cyclized starting from the experimental structure showed a 26-fold increase in the binding affinity. For urotensin II, a peptide already cyclized by a disulfide bond that exerts a broad array of biological activities, we were able, starting from models of the structure, to design a head-to-tail cyclized peptide, the first synthesized bicyclic 14-residue long urotensin II analogue, showing a retention of in vitro activity. Although preliminary, our results strongly suggest that such an approach has strong potential for cyclic peptide-based drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Karami
- Université
Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8251,
INSERM ERL U1133, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Samuel Murail
- Université
Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8251,
INSERM ERL U1133, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Julien Giribaldi
- Institut
des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, Université de Montpellier-CNRS, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- Université
de Rouen Normandie, INSERM U1239 NorDiC, Neuroendocrine, Endocrine and Germinal Differentiation and Communication,
INSERM US51 HeRacLeS, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Florian Defontaine
- Université
de Rouen Normandie, UR CBSA, Research Unit
Bacterial Communication and Anti-infectious Strategies, 27000 Evreux, France
| | - Olivier Lesouhaitier
- Université
de Rouen Normandie, UR CBSA, Research Unit
Bacterial Communication and Anti-infectious Strategies, 27000 Evreux, France
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- Université
de Rouen Normandie, INSERM U1239 NorDiC, Neuroendocrine, Endocrine and Germinal Differentiation and Communication,
INSERM US51 HeRacLeS, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Sjoerd de Vries
- Université
Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8251,
INSERM ERL U1133, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Pierre Tufféry
- Université
Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8251,
INSERM ERL U1133, 75013 Paris, France
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7
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Barassé V, Jouvensal L, Boy G, Billet A, Ascoët S, Lefranc B, Leprince J, Dejean A, Lacotte V, Rahioui I, Sivignon C, Gaget K, Ribeiro Lopes M, Calevro F, Da Silva P, Loth K, Paquet F, Treilhou M, Bonnafé E, Touchard A. Discovery of an Insect Neuroactive Helix Ring Peptide from Ant Venom. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:600. [PMID: 37888631 PMCID: PMC10610885 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15100600] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ants are among the most abundant terrestrial invertebrate predators on Earth. To overwhelm their prey, they employ several remarkable behavioral, physiological, and biochemical innovations, including an effective paralytic venom. Ant venoms are thus cocktails of toxins finely tuned to disrupt the physiological systems of insect prey. They have received little attention yet hold great promise for the discovery of novel insecticidal molecules. To identify insect-neurotoxins from ant venoms, we screened the paralytic activity on blowflies of nine synthetic peptides previously characterized in the venom of Tetramorium bicarinatum. We selected peptide U11, a 34-amino acid peptide, for further insecticidal, structural, and pharmacological experiments. Insecticidal assays revealed that U11 is one of the most paralytic peptides ever reported from ant venoms against blowflies and is also capable of paralyzing honeybees. An NMR spectroscopy of U11 uncovered a unique scaffold, featuring a compact triangular ring helix structure stabilized by a single disulfide bond. Pharmacological assays using Drosophila S2 cells demonstrated that U11 is not cytotoxic, but suggest that it may modulate potassium conductance, which structural data seem to corroborate and will be confirmed in a future extended pharmacological investigation. The results described in this paper demonstrate that ant venom is a promising reservoir for the discovery of neuroactive insecticidal peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentine Barassé
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Laurence Jouvensal
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Propre de Recherche (UPR) 4301, 45071 Orléans, France
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche (UFR) Sciences et Techniques, Université d’Orléans, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Guillaume Boy
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Arnaud Billet
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Steven Ascoët
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- Inserm, Univ Rouen Normandie, NorDiC Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 1239, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- Inserm, Univ Rouen Normandie, NorDiC Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 1239, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Alain Dejean
- Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3-Paul Sabatier (UPS), 31062 Toulouse, France
- Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech, Centre de Cooperation Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, 97379 Kourou, France
| | - Virginie Lacotte
- Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) de Lyon, Biologie Fonctionnelle, Insectes et Interactions (BF2i), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 203, Université de Lyon, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Isabelle Rahioui
- Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) de Lyon, Biologie Fonctionnelle, Insectes et Interactions (BF2i), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 203, Université de Lyon, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Catherine Sivignon
- Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) de Lyon, Biologie Fonctionnelle, Insectes et Interactions (BF2i), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 203, Université de Lyon, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Karen Gaget
- Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) de Lyon, Biologie Fonctionnelle, Insectes et Interactions (BF2i), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 203, Université de Lyon, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Mélanie Ribeiro Lopes
- Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) de Lyon, Biologie Fonctionnelle, Insectes et Interactions (BF2i), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 203, Université de Lyon, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Federica Calevro
- Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) de Lyon, Biologie Fonctionnelle, Insectes et Interactions (BF2i), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 203, Université de Lyon, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Pedro Da Silva
- Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) de Lyon, Biologie Fonctionnelle, Insectes et Interactions (BF2i), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 203, Université de Lyon, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Karine Loth
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Propre de Recherche (UPR) 4301, 45071 Orléans, France
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche (UFR) Sciences et Techniques, Université d’Orléans, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Françoise Paquet
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Propre de Recherche (UPR) 4301, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Michel Treilhou
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Axel Touchard
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
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8
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Regalado L, Sario S, Mendes RJ, Valle J, Harvey PJ, Teixeira C, Gomes P, Andreu D, Santos C. Towards a Sustainable Management of the Spotted-Wing Drosophila: Disclosing the Effects of Two Spider Venom Peptides on Drosophila suzukii. INSECTS 2023; 14:533. [PMID: 37367349 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is a polyphagous pest that causes severe damage and economic losses to soft-skinned fruit production. Current control methods are dominated by inefficient cultural practices and broad-spectrum insecticides that, in addition to having toxic effects on non-target organisms, are becoming less effective due to acquired resistance. The increasing awareness of the real impact of insecticides on health and the environment has promoted the exploration of new insecticidal compounds, addressing novel molecular targets. This study explores the efficacy of two orally delivered spider venom peptides (SVPs), J-atracotoxin-Hv1c (Hv1c) and µ-theraphotoxin-Hhn2b (TRTX), to manage D. suzukii, through survival assays and the evaluation of gene expression associated with detoxification pathways. Treatment with TRTX at 111.5 µM for 48 h enhanced fly longevity compared with the control group. Gene expression analysis suggests that detoxification and stress-related mechanisms, such as expression of P450 proteins and apoptotic stimuli signaling, are triggered in D. suzukii flies in response to these treatments. Our results highlight the potential interest of SVPs to control this pest, shedding light on how to ultimately develop improved target-specific formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Regalado
- iB2, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Sario
- iB2, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rafael J Mendes
- iB2, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
| | - Javier Valle
- Proteomics and Protein Chemistry Unit, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
| | - David Andreu
- Proteomics and Protein Chemistry Unit, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Conceição Santos
- iB2, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
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9
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Robinson SD, Deuis JR, Touchard A, Keramidas A, Mueller A, Schroeder CI, Barassé V, Walker AA, Brinkwirth N, Jami S, Bonnafé E, Treilhou M, Undheim EAB, Schmidt JO, King GF, Vetter I. Ant venoms contain vertebrate-selective pain-causing sodium channel toxins. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2977. [PMID: 37221205 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38839-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Stings of certain ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) can cause intense, long-lasting nociception. Here we show that the major contributors to these symptoms are venom peptides that modulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels, reducing their voltage threshold for activation and inhibiting channel inactivation. These peptide toxins are likely vertebrate-selective, consistent with a primarily defensive function. They emerged early in the Formicidae lineage and may have been a pivotal factor in the expansion of ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel D Robinson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique; BP 316, 97379, Kourou, Cedex, France
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France
| | - Angelo Keramidas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander Mueller
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, 94080, CA, USA
| | - Valentine Barassé
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Sina Jami
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France
| | - Michel Treilhou
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, The University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Justin O Schmidt
- Southwestern Biological Institute, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
- School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Wooloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia.
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10
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Ho TNT, Turner A, Pham SH, Nguyen HT, Nguyen LTT, Nguyen LT, Dang TT. Cysteine-rich peptides: From bioactivity to bioinsecticide applications. Toxicon 2023; 230:107173. [PMID: 37211058 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107173] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Greater levels of insect resistance and constraints on the use of current pesticides have recently led to increased crop losses in agricultural production. Further, the health and environmental impacts of pesticides now restrict their application. Biologics based on peptides are gaining popularity as efficient crop protection agents with low environmental toxicity. Cysteine-rich peptides (whether originated from venoms or plant defense substances) are chemically stable and effective as insecticides in agricultural applications. Cysteine-rich peptides fulfill the stability and efficacy requirements for commercial uses and provide an environmentally benign alternative to small-molecule insecticides. In this article, cysteine-rich insecticidal peptide classes identified from plants and venoms will be highlighted, focusing on their structural stability, bioactivity and production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thao N T Ho
- Institute of Applied Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - A Turner
- Molecular Biology Department, University of Texas, 100 E 24th St. Austin, USA
| | - Son H Pham
- Institute of Applied Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Ha T Nguyen
- National Key Laboratory of Polymer and Composite Materials, Department of Energy Materials, Faculty of Materials Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Linh T T Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, 280 an Duong Vuong Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Luan T Nguyen
- National Key Laboratory of Polymer and Composite Materials, Department of Energy Materials, Faculty of Materials Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Tien T Dang
- Institute of Applied Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
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11
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Ascoët S, Touchard A, Téné N, Lefranc B, Leprince J, Paquet F, Jouvensal L, Barassé V, Treilhou M, Billet A, Bonnafé E. The mechanism underlying toxicity of a venom peptide against insects reveals how ants are master at disrupting membranes. iScience 2023; 26:106157. [PMID: 36879819 PMCID: PMC9985030 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hymenopterans represent one of the most abundant groups of venomous organisms but remain little explored due to the difficult access to their venom. The development of proteo-transcriptomic allowed us to explore diversity of their toxins offering interesting perspectives to identify new biological active peptides. This study focuses on U9 function, a linear, amphiphilic and polycationic peptide isolated from ant Tetramorium bicarinatum venom. It shares physicochemical properties with M-Tb1a, exhibiting cytotoxic effects through membrane permeabilization. In the present study, we conducted a comparative functional investigation of U9 and M-Tb1a and explored the mechanisms underlying their cytotoxicity against insect cells. After showing that both peptides induced the formation of pores in cell membrane, we demonstrated that U9 induced mitochondrial damage and, at high concentrations, localized into cells and induced caspase activation. This functional investigation highlighted an original mechanism of U9 questioning on potential valorization and endogen activity in T. bicarinatum venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Ascoët
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, Campus Agronomique, BP316 97310 Kourou, France
| | - Nathan Téné
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- Inserm U1239, NorDiC, Laboratoire de Différenciation et Communication Neuroendocrine, Endocrine et Germinale, Université de Rouen-Normandie, 76000 Rouen, France
- Inserm US51, HeRacLeS, Université de Rouen-Normandie, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- Inserm U1239, NorDiC, Laboratoire de Différenciation et Communication Neuroendocrine, Endocrine et Germinale, Université de Rouen-Normandie, 76000 Rouen, France
- Inserm US51, HeRacLeS, Université de Rouen-Normandie, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Françoise Paquet
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, Rue Charles Sadron CS-80054, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Laurence Jouvensal
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, Rue Charles Sadron CS-80054, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Valentine Barassé
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Michel Treilhou
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Arnaud Billet
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
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12
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Robinson SD, Schendel V, Schroeder CI, Moen S, Mueller A, Walker AA, McKinnon N, Neely GG, Vetter I, King GF, Undheim EAB. Intra-colony venom diversity contributes to maintaining eusociality in a cooperatively breeding ant. BMC Biol 2023; 21:5. [PMID: 36617555 PMCID: PMC9827630 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01507-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eusociality is widely considered to evolve through kin selection, where the reproductive success of an individual's close relative is favored at the expense of its own. High genetic relatedness is thus considered a prerequisite for eusociality. While ants are textbook examples of eusocial animals, not all ants form colonies of closely related individuals. One such example is the ectatommine ant Rhytidoponera metallica, which predominantly forms queen-less colonies that have such a low intra-colony relatedness that they have been proposed to represent a transient, unstable form of eusociality. However, R. metallica is among the most abundant and widespread ants on the Australian continent. This apparent contradiction provides an example of how inclusive fitness may not by itself explain the maintenance of eusociality and raises the question of what other selective advantages maintain the eusocial lifestyle of this species. RESULTS We provide a comprehensive portrait of the venom of R. metallica and show that the colony-wide venom consists of an exceptionally high diversity of functionally distinct toxins for an ant. These toxins have evolved under strong positive selection, which is normally expected to reduce genetic variance. Yet, R. metallica exhibits remarkable intra-colony variation, with workers sharing only a relatively small proportion of toxins in their venoms. This variation is not due to the presence of chemical castes, but has a genetic foundation that is at least in part explained by toxin allelic diversity. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results suggest that the toxin diversity contained in R. metallica colonies may be maintained by a form of group selection that selects for colonies that can exploit more resources and defend against a wider range of predators. We propose that increased intra-colony genetic variance resulting from low kinship may itself provide a selective advantage in the form of an expanded pharmacological venom repertoire. These findings provide an example of how group selection on adaptive phenotypes may contribute to maintaining eusociality where a prerequisite for kin selection is diminished.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel D. Robinson
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia ,grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Vanessa Schendel
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia ,grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Christina I. Schroeder
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia ,Present Address: Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080 USA
| | - Sarah Moen
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Alexander Mueller
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Andrew A. Walker
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Naomi McKinnon
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, Charles Perkins Centre, Centenary Institute, and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - G. Gregory Neely
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, Charles Perkins Centre, Centenary Institute, and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia ,grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Eivind A. B. Undheim
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia ,grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia ,grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
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13
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Hurka S, Lüddecke T, Paas A, Dersch L, Schulte L, Eichberg J, Hardes K, Brinkrolf K, Vilcinskas A. Bioactivity Profiling of In Silico Predicted Linear Toxins from the Ants Myrmica rubra and Myrmica ruginodis. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120846. [PMID: 36548743 PMCID: PMC9784689 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The venoms of ants (Formicidae) are a promising source of novel bioactive molecules with potential for clinical and agricultural applications. However, despite the rich diversity of ant species, only a fraction of this vast resource has been thoroughly examined in bioprospecting programs. Previous studies focusing on the venom of Central European ants (subfamily Myrmicinae) identified a number of short linear decapeptides and nonapeptides resembling antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Here, we describe the in silico approach and bioactivity profiling of 10 novel AMP-like peptides from the fellow Central European myrmicine ants Myrmica rubra and Myrmica ruginodis. Using the sequences of known ant venom peptides as queries, we screened the venom gland transcriptomes of both species. We found transcripts of nine novel decapeptides and one novel nonapeptide. The corresponding peptides were synthesized for bioactivity profiling in a broad panel of assays consisting of tests for cytotoxicity as well as antiviral, insecticidal, and antimicrobial activity. U-MYRTX-Mrug5a showed moderately potent antimicrobial effects against several bacteria, including clinically relevant pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, but high concentrations showed negligible cytotoxicity. U-MYRTX-Mrug5a is, therefore, a probable lead for the development of novel peptide-based antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Hurka
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (T.L.)
| | - Tim Lüddecke
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (T.L.)
| | - Anne Paas
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ludwig Dersch
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Lennart Schulte
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Johanna Eichberg
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- BMBF Junior Research Group in Infection Research “ASCRIBE”, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- BMBF Junior Research Group in Infection Research “ASCRIBE”, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Karina Brinkrolf
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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14
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Barassé V, Téné N, Klopp C, Paquet F, Tysklind N, Troispoux V, Lalägue H, Orivel J, Lefranc B, Leprince J, Kenne M, Tindo M, Treilhou M, Touchard A, Bonnafé E. Venomics survey of six myrmicine ants provides insights into the molecular and structural diversity of their peptide toxins. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 151:103876. [PMID: 36410579 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Among ants, Myrmicinae represents the most speciose subfamily. The venom composition previously described for these social insects is extremely variable, with alkaloids predominant in some genera while, conversely, proteomics studies have revealed that some myrmicine ant venoms are peptide-rich. Using integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, we characterized the venom peptidomes of six ants belonging to the different tribes of Myrmicinae. We identified a total of 79 myrmicitoxins precursors which can be classified into 38 peptide families according to their mature sequences. Myrmicine ant venom peptidomes showed heterogeneous compositions, with linear and disulfide-bonded monomers as well as dimeric toxins. Several peptide families were exclusive to a single venom whereas some were retrieved in multiple species. A hierarchical clustering analysis of precursor signal sequences led us to divide the myrmicitoxins precursors into eight families, including some that have already been described in other aculeate hymenoptera such as secapin-like peptides and voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV) toxins. Evolutionary and structural analyses of two representatives of these families highlighted variation and conserved patterns that might be crucial to explain myrmicine venom peptide functional adaptations to biological targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentine Barassé
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France.
| | - Nathan Téné
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France.
| | - Christophe Klopp
- Unité de Mathématique et Informatique Appliquées de Toulouse, UR0875, Genotoul Bioinfo, INRAE Toulouse, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan, France.
| | - Françoise Paquet
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire - CNRS - UPR 4301, 45071, Orléans, France.
| | - Niklas Tysklind
- INRAE, UMR EcoFoG (Agroparistech, CNRS, Cirad, Université des Antilles, Université de la Guyane), Campus Agronomique, 97310, Kourou, French Guiana.
| | - Valérie Troispoux
- INRAE, UMR EcoFoG (Agroparistech, CNRS, Cirad, Université des Antilles, Université de la Guyane), Campus Agronomique, 97310, Kourou, French Guiana.
| | - Hadrien Lalägue
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG (AgroParisTech, CNRS, CIRAD, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane), 97310, Kourou, France.
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG (AgroParisTech, CNRS, CIRAD, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane), 97310, Kourou, France.
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- Inserm U 1239, Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Plate-forme de Recherche en Imagerie Cellulaire Normandie (PRIMACEN), 76000, Rouen, France.
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- Inserm U 1239, Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Plate-forme de Recherche en Imagerie Cellulaire Normandie (PRIMACEN), 76000, Rouen, France.
| | - Martin Kenne
- Laboratory of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, P.O.Box. 24157, Douala, Cameroon.
| | - Maurice Tindo
- Laboratory of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, P.O.Box. 24157, Douala, Cameroon.
| | - Michel Treilhou
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France.
| | - Axel Touchard
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France; CNRS, UMR EcoFoG (AgroParisTech, CNRS, CIRAD, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane), 97310, Kourou, France.
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France.
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15
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Pothion H, Lihrmann I, Duclos C, Riou G, Cartier D, Boukhzar L, Lefranc B, Leprince J, Guérout N, Marie JP, Anouar Y. The SELENOT mimetic PSELT promotes nerve regeneration by increasing axonal myelination in a facial nerve injury model in female rats. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:1721-1731. [PMID: 35730417 PMCID: PMC9545325 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is frequent and many patients suffer lifelong disabilities in severe cases. Although the peripheral nervous system is able to regenerate, its potential is limited. In this study, we tested in a nerve regeneration model in rat the potential beneficial effect of a short mimetic peptide, named PSELT, which derives from SELENOT, an essential thioredoxin-like selenoprotein endowed with neuroprotective and antioxidant activities. For this purpose, the right facial nerve of female Long-Evans rats was axotomized then bridged with a free femoral vein interposition graft. PSELT (1 μM) was injected into the vein immediately and 48 h after the injury, and the effects observed were compared to those found after an end-to-end suture used as a gold standard treatment. Whisking behavior, electrophysiological potential, and histological analyses were performed 3 months after injury to determine the effects of these treatments. These analyses revealed that PSELT-treated animals exhibit a better motor recovery in terms of protraction amplitude and velocity of vibrissae compared to control and end-sutured nerve animal groups. Moreover, administration of PSELT following injury enhanced muscle innervation, axonal elongation, and myelination of newly formed nerve fibers. Altogether, these results indicate that a PSELT-based treatment is sufficient to enhance facial nerve myelination and regeneration and could represent a new therapeutic tool to treat PNI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Pothion
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM U1239, Neuroendocrine, Endocrine and Germinal Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, UR 3830, Groupe de Recherche sur l'Handicap Ventilatoire et Neurologique, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France.,Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) Surface, Rouen, France
| | - Isabelle Lihrmann
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM U1239, Neuroendocrine, Endocrine and Germinal Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
| | - Celia Duclos
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, UR 3830, Groupe de Recherche sur l'Handicap Ventilatoire et Neurologique, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
| | - Gaëtan Riou
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM U1234, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
| | - Dorthe Cartier
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM U1239, Neuroendocrine, Endocrine and Germinal Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
| | - Loubna Boukhzar
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM U1239, Neuroendocrine, Endocrine and Germinal Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM U1239, Neuroendocrine, Endocrine and Germinal Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, UMS-UAR HERACLES, PRIMACEN, Cell Imaging Platform of Normandy, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM U1239, Neuroendocrine, Endocrine and Germinal Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, UMS-UAR HERACLES, PRIMACEN, Cell Imaging Platform of Normandy, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France
| | - Nicolas Guérout
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, UR 3830, Groupe de Recherche sur l'Handicap Ventilatoire et Neurologique, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France.,Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) Surface, Rouen, France
| | - Jean-Paul Marie
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, UR 3830, Groupe de Recherche sur l'Handicap Ventilatoire et Neurologique, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France.,Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) Surface, Rouen, France.,Otorhinolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery Department, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Youssef Anouar
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM U1239, Neuroendocrine, Endocrine and Germinal Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen, France.,Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) Surface, Rouen, France
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16
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Venomics of the Central European Myrmicine Ants Myrmica rubra and Myrmica ruginodis. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14050358. [PMID: 35622604 PMCID: PMC9147725 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14050358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are a rich source of novel biomolecules with potential applications in medicine and agriculture. Ants are one of the most species-rich lineages of venomous animals. However, only a fraction of their biodiversity has been studied so far. Here, we investigated the venom components of two myrmicine (subfamily Myrmicinae) ants: Myrmica rubra and Myrmica ruginodis. We applied a venomics workflow based on proteotranscriptomics and found that the venoms of both species are composed of several protein classes, including venom serine proteases, cysteine-rich secretory protein, antigen 5 and pathogenesis-related 1 (CAP) superfamily proteins, Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors and venom acid phosphatases. Several of these protein classes are known venom allergens, and for the first time we detected phospholipase A1 in the venom of M. ruginodis. We also identified two novel epidermal growth factor (EGF) family toxins in the M. ruginodis venom proteome and an array of additional EGF-like toxins in the venom gland transcriptomes of both species. These are similar to known toxins from the related myrmicine ant, Manica rubida, and the myrmecine (subfamily Myrmeciinae) Australian red bulldog ant Myrmecia gullosa, and are possibly deployed as weapons in defensive scenarios or to subdue prey. Our work suggests that M.rubra and M. ruginodis venoms contain many enzymes and other high-molecular-weight proteins that cause cell damage. Nevertheless, the presence of EGF-like toxins suggests that myrmicine ants have also recruited smaller peptide components into their venom arsenal. Although little is known about the bioactivity and function of EGF-like toxins, their presence in myrmicine and myrmecine ants suggests they play a key role in the venom systems of the superfamily Formicoidea. Our work adds to the emerging picture of ant venoms as a source of novel bioactive molecules and highlights the need to incorporate such taxa in future venom bioprospecting programs.
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17
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A peptide toxin in ant venom mimics vertebrate EGF-like hormones to cause long-lasting hypersensitivity in mammals. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2112630119. [PMID: 35131940 PMCID: PMC8851504 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112630119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The targeting of mammalian ErbB receptor signaling by a venom toxin to cause hypersensitivity is a mode of action that has not previously been described. Natural selection of a defensive toxin to target ErbB signaling provides compelling independent evidence for a fundamental role of this receptor and its ligands in mammalian pain. The evolution of a toxin in ant venom to mimic a vertebrate nociceptive hormone serves as an example of both convergent evolution and molecular mimicry, illustrating how natural selection can shape the gene product of one organism to resemble that of another. Venoms are excellent model systems for studying evolutionary processes associated with predator–prey interactions. Here, we present the discovery of a peptide toxin, MIITX2-Mg1a, which is a major component of the venom of the Australian giant red bull ant Myrmecia gulosa and has evolved to mimic, both structurally and functionally, vertebrate epidermal growth factor (EGF) peptide hormones. We show that Mg1a is a potent agonist of the mammalian EGF receptor ErbB1, and that intraplantar injection in mice causes long-lasting hypersensitivity of the injected paw. These data reveal a previously undescribed venom mode of action, highlight a role for ErbB receptors in mammalian pain signaling, and provide an example of molecular mimicry driven by defensive selection pressure.
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18
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Shedding Lights on Crude Venom from Solitary Foraging Predatory Ant Ectatomma opaciventre: Initial Toxinological Investigation. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14010037. [PMID: 35051015 PMCID: PMC8781531 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Some species of primitive predatory ants, despite living in a colony, exercise their hunting collection strategy individually; their venom is painful, paralyzing, digestive, and lethal for their prey, yet the toxins responsible for these effects are poorly known. Ectatomma opaciventre is a previously unrecorded solitary hunting ant from the Brazilian Cerrado. To overcome this hindrance, the present study performed the in vitro enzymatic, biochemical, and biological activities of E. opaciventre to better understand the properties of this venom. Its venom showed several proteins with masses ranging from 1-116 kDa, highlighting the complexity of this venom. Compounds with high enzymatic activity were described, elucidating different enzyme classes present in the venom, with the presence of the first L-amino acid oxidase in Hymenoptera venoms being reported. Its crude venom contributes to a state of blood incoagulability, acting on primary hemostasis, inhibiting collagen-induced platelet aggregation, and operating on the fibrinolysis of loose red clots. Furthermore, the E. opaciventre venom preferentially induced cytotoxic effects on lung cancer cell lines and three different species of Leishmania. These data shed a comprehensive portrait of enzymatic components, biochemical and biological effects in vitro, opening perspectives for bio-pharmacological application of E. opaciventre venom molecules.
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19
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Duraisamy K, Singh K, Kumar M, Lefranc B, Bonnafé E, Treilhou M, Leprince J, Chow BKC. P17 induces chemotaxis and differentiation of monocytes via MRGPRX2-mediated mast cell-line activation. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 149:275-291. [PMID: 34111449 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND P17, a peptide isolated from Tetramorium bicarinatum ant venom, is known to induce an alternative phenotype of human monocyte-derived macrophages via activation of an unknown G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate the mechanism of action and the immunomodulatory effects of P17 mediated through MRGPRX2 (Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2). METHODS To identify the GPCR for P17, we screened 314 GPCRs. Upon identification of MRGPRX2, a battery of in silico, in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo assays along with the receptor mutation studies were performed. In particular, to investigate the immunomodulatory actions, we used β-hexosaminidase release assay, cytokine releases, quantification of mRNA expression, cell migration and differentiation assays, immunohistochemical labeling, hematoxylin and eosin, and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS P17 activated MRGPRX2 in a dose-dependent manner in β-arrestin recruitment assay. In LAD2 cells, P17 induced calcium and β-hexosaminidase release. Quercetin- and short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of MRGPRX2 reduced P17-evoked β-hexosaminidase release. In silico and in vitro mutagenesis studies showed that residue Lys8 of P17 formed a cation-π interaction with the Phe172 of MRGPRX2 and [Ala8]P17 lost its activity partially. P17 activated LAD2 cells to recruit THP-1 and human monocytes in Transwell migration assay, whereas MRGPRX2-impaired LAD2 cells cannot. In addition, P17-treated LAD2 cells stimulated differentiation of THP-1 and human monocytes, as indicated by the enhanced expression of macrophage markers cluster of differentiation 11b and TNF-α by quantitative RT-PCR. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining suggested monocyte recruitment in mice ears injected with P17. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide novel structural information regarding the interaction of P17 with MRGPRX2 and intracellular pathways for its immunomodulatory action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthi Duraisamy
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kailash Singh
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mukesh Kumar
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- INSERM U1239, PRIMACEN, IRIB, Normandy University, Rouen, France
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- EA7417 BTSB, Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, INU Champollion, Albi, France
| | - Michel Treilhou
- EA7417 BTSB, Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, INU Champollion, Albi, France
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- INSERM U1239, PRIMACEN, IRIB, Normandy University, Rouen, France.
| | - Billy K C Chow
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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20
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Robinson SD, Kambanis L, Clayton D, Hinneburg H, Corcilius L, Mueller A, Walker AA, Keramidas A, Kulkarni SS, Jones A, Vetter I, Thaysen-Andersen M, Payne RJ, King GF, Undheim EAB. A pain-causing and paralytic ant venom glycopeptide. iScience 2021; 24:103175. [PMID: 34693225 PMCID: PMC8517206 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are familiar inhabitants of most terrestrial environments. Although we are aware of the ability of many species to sting, knowledge of ant venom chemistry remains limited. Herein, we describe the discovery and characterization of an O-linked glycopeptide (Mg7a) as a major component of the venom of the ant Myrmecia gulosa. Electron transfer dissociation and higher-energy collisional dissociation tandem mass spectrometry were used to localize three α-N-acetylgalactosaminyl residues (α-GalNAc) present on the 63-residue peptide. To allow for functional studies, we synthesized the full-length glycosylated peptide via solid-phase peptide synthesis, combined with diselenide-selenoester ligation-deselenization chemistry. We show that Mg7a is paralytic and lethal to insects, and triggers pain behavior and inflammation in mammals, which it achieves through a membrane-targeting mode of action. Deglycosylation of Mg7a renders it insoluble in aqueous solution, suggesting a key solubilizing role of the O-glycans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel D Robinson
- 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
| | - Lucas Kambanis
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Daniel Clayton
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Hannes Hinneburg
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Leo Corcilius
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alexander Mueller
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Angelo Keramidas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sameer S Kulkarni
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alun Jones
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Richard J Payne
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- 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.,Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.,Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, The University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
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21
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Multipurpose peptides: The venoms of Amazonian stinging ants contain anthelmintic ponericins with diverse predatory and defensive activities. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 192:114693. [PMID: 34302796 PMCID: PMC10167921 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In the face of increasing drug resistance, the development of new anthelmintics is critical for controlling nematodes that parasitise livestock. Although hymenopteran venom toxins have attracted attention for applications in agriculture and medicine, few studies have explored their potential as anthelmintics. Here we assessed hymenopteran venoms as a possible source of new anthelmintic compounds by screening a panel of ten hymenopteran venoms against Haemonchus contortus, a major pathogenic nematode of ruminants. Using bioassay-guided fractionation coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we identified four novel anthelmintic peptides (ponericins) from the venom of the neotropical ant Neoponera commutata and the previously described ponericin M-PONTX-Na1b from Neoponera apicalis venom. These peptides inhibit H. contortus development with IC50 values of 2.8-5.6 μM. Circular dichroism spectropolarimetry indicated that the ponericins are unstructured in aqueous solution but adopt α-helical conformations in lipid mimetic environments. We show that the ponericins induce non-specific membrane perturbation, which confers broad-spectrum antimicrobial, insecticidal, cytotoxic, hemolytic, and algogenic activities, with activity across all assays typically correlated. We also show for the first time that ponericins induce spontaneous pain behaviour when injected in mice. We propose that the broad-spectrum activity of the ponericins enables them to play both a predatory and defensive role in neoponeran ants, consistent with their high abundance in venom. This study reveals a broader functionality for ponericins than previously assumed, and highlights both the opportunities and challenges in pursuing ant venom peptides as potential therapeutics.
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22
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Point-Substitution of Phenylalanine Residues of 26RFa Neuropeptide: A Structure-Activity Relationship Study. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26144312. [PMID: 34299587 PMCID: PMC8307317 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
26RFa is a neuropeptide that activates the rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor QRFPR/GPR103. This peptidergic system is involved in the regulation of a wide array of physiological processes including feeding behavior and glucose homeostasis. Herein, the pharmacological profile of a homogenous library of QRFPR-targeting peptide derivatives was investigated in vitro on human QRFPR-transfected cells with the aim to provide possible insights into the structural determinants of the Phe residues to govern receptor activation. Our work advocates to include in next generations of 26RFa(20–26)-based QRFPR agonists effective substitutions for each Phe unit, i.e., replacement of the Phe22 residue by a constrained 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid moiety, and substitution of both Phe24 and Phe26 by their para-chloro counterpart. Taken as a whole, this study emphasizes that optimized modifications in the C-terminal part of 26RFa are mandatory to design selective and potent peptide agonists for human QRFPR.
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23
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Alsharif I, Boukhzar L, Lefranc B, Godefroy D, Aury-Landas J, Rego JLD, Rego JCD, Naudet F, Arabo A, Chagraoui A, Maltête D, Benazzouz A, Baugé C, Leprince J, Elkahloun AG, Eiden LE, Anouar Y. Cell-penetrating, antioxidant SELENOT mimetic protects dopaminergic neurons and ameliorates motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease animal models. Redox Biol 2021; 40:101839. [PMID: 33486153 PMCID: PMC7823055 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2020.101839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor dysfunction for which there is an unmet need for better treatment options. Although oxidative stress is a common feature of neurodegenerative diseases, notably PD, there is currently no efficient therapeutic strategy able to tackle this multi-target pathophysiological process. Based on our previous observations of the potent antioxidant and neuroprotective activity of SELENOT, a vital thioredoxin-like selenoprotein, we designed the small peptide PSELT from its redox active site to evaluate its antioxidant properties in vivo, and its potential polyfunctional activity in PD models. PSELT protects neurotoxin-treated dopaminergic neurons against oxidative stress and cell death, and their fibers against neurotoxic degeneration. PSELT is cell-permeable and acts in multiple subcellular compartments of dopaminergic neurons that are vulnerable to oxidative stress. In rodent models of PD, this protective activity prevented neurodegeneration, restored phosphorylated tyrosine hydroxylase levels, and led to improved motor skills. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that gene regulation by PSELT after MPP+ treatment negatively correlates with that occurring in PD, and positively correlates with that occurring after resveratrol treatment. Mechanistically, a major impact of PSELT is via nuclear stimulation of the transcription factor EZH2, leading to neuroprotection. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of PSELT as a therapeutic candidate for treatment of PD, targeting oxidative stress at multiple intracellular levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifat Alsharif
- UNIROUEN, Inserm U1239, Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Rouen Normandie University, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France; Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, 76000, Rouen, France; Biology department, Jamoum University College, Umm Alqura University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Loubna Boukhzar
- UNIROUEN, Inserm U1239, Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Rouen Normandie University, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France; Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, 76000, Rouen, France
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- UNIROUEN, Inserm U1239, Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Rouen Normandie University, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France; Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, 76000, Rouen, France; PRIMACEN, Cell Imaging Platform of Normandie, UNIROUEN, 76000, Rouen, France
| | - David Godefroy
- UNIROUEN, Inserm U1239, Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Rouen Normandie University, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France; Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, 76000, Rouen, France
| | | | - Jean-Luc do Rego
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, 76000, Rouen, France; Behavioral Analysis Platform SCAC, Rouen Medical School, Rouen Normandie University, 76183, Rouen, France
| | - Jean-Claude do Rego
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, 76000, Rouen, France; Behavioral Analysis Platform SCAC, Rouen Medical School, Rouen Normandie University, 76183, Rouen, France
| | - Frédéric Naudet
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, CNRS, UMR 5293, Bordeaux University, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Arnaud Arabo
- Biological Resource Service (SRB), Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Rouen Normandie University, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Abdeslam Chagraoui
- UNIROUEN, Inserm U1239, Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Rouen Normandie University, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France; Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, 76000, Rouen, France
| | - David Maltête
- UNIROUEN, Inserm U1239, Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Rouen Normandie University, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France; Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, 76000, Rouen, France
| | - Abdelhamid Benazzouz
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, CNRS, UMR 5293, Bordeaux University, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Jérôme Leprince
- UNIROUEN, Inserm U1239, Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Rouen Normandie University, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France; Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, 76000, Rouen, France; PRIMACEN, Cell Imaging Platform of Normandie, UNIROUEN, 76000, Rouen, France
| | - Abdel G Elkahloun
- Comparative Genomics and Cancer, Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lee E Eiden
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Youssef Anouar
- UNIROUEN, Inserm U1239, Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Rouen Normandie University, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France; Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, 76000, Rouen, France.
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24
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Balty C, Guillot A, Fradale L, Brewee C, Lefranc B, Herrero C, Sandström C, Leprince J, Berteau O, Benjdia A. Biosynthesis of the sactipeptide Ruminococcin C by the human microbiome: Mechanistic insights into thioether bond formation by radical SAM enzymes. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:16665-16677. [PMID: 32972973 PMCID: PMC8188230 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.015371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite its major importance in human health, the metabolic potential of the human gut microbiota is still poorly understood. We have recently shown that biosynthesis of Ruminococcin C (RumC), a novel ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptide (RiPP) produced by the commensal bacterium Ruminococcus gnavus, requires two radical SAM enzymes (RumMC1 and RumMC2) catalyzing the formation of four Cα-thioether bridges. These bridges, which are essential for RumC's antibiotic properties against human pathogens such as Clostridium perfringens, define two hairpin domains giving this sactipeptide (sulfur-to-α-carbon thioether-containing peptide) an unusual architecture among natural products. We report here the biochemical and spectroscopic characterizations of RumMC2. EPR spectroscopy and mutagenesis data support that RumMC2 is a member of the large family of SPASM domain radical SAM enzymes characterized by the presence of three [4Fe-4S] clusters. We also demonstrate that this enzyme initiates its reaction by Cα H-atom abstraction and is able to catalyze the formation of nonnatural thioether bonds in engineered peptide substrates. Unexpectedly, our data support the formation of a ketoimine rather than an α,β-dehydro-amino acid intermediate during Cα-thioether bridge LC-MS/MS fragmentation. Finally, we explored the roles of the leader peptide and of the RiPP precursor peptide recognition element, present in myriad RiPP-modifying enzymes. Collectively, our data support a more complex role for the peptide recognition element and the core peptide for the installation of posttranslational modifications in RiPPs than previously anticipated and suggest a possible reaction intermediate for thioether bond formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Balty
- Micalis Institute, ChemSyBio, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Alain Guillot
- Micalis Institute, ChemSyBio, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Laura Fradale
- Micalis Institute, ChemSyBio, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Clémence Brewee
- Micalis Institute, ChemSyBio, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- INSERM U1239, PRIMACEN, Université de Normandie-Rouen, Rouen, France
| | | | - Corine Sandström
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- INSERM U1239, PRIMACEN, Université de Normandie-Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Olivier Berteau
- Micalis Institute, ChemSyBio, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
| | - Alhosna Benjdia
- Micalis Institute, ChemSyBio, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
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25
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Herzig V, Cristofori-Armstrong B, Israel MR, Nixon SA, Vetter I, King GF. Animal toxins - Nature's evolutionary-refined toolkit for basic research and drug discovery. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 181:114096. [PMID: 32535105 PMCID: PMC7290223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Venomous animals have evolved toxins that interfere with specific components of their victim's core physiological systems, thereby causing biological dysfunction that aids in prey capture, defense against predators, or other roles such as intraspecific competition. Many animal lineages evolved venom systems independently, highlighting the success of this strategy. Over the course of evolution, toxins with exceptional specificity and high potency for their intended molecular targets have prevailed, making venoms an invaluable and almost inexhaustible source of bioactive molecules, some of which have found use as pharmacological tools, human therapeutics, and bioinsecticides. Current biomedically-focused research on venoms is directed towards their use in delineating the physiological role of toxin molecular targets such as ion channels and receptors, studying or treating human diseases, targeting vectors of human diseases, and treating microbial and parasitic infections. We provide examples of each of these areas of venom research, highlighting the potential that venom molecules hold for basic research and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Herzig
- School of Science & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.
| | | | - Mathilde R Israel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Samantha A Nixon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.
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26
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Touchard A, Mendel HC, Boulogne I, Herzig V, Braga Emidio N, King GF, Triquigneaux M, Jaquillard L, Beroud R, De Waard M, Delalande O, Dejean A, Muttenthaler M, Duplais C. Heterodimeric Insecticidal Peptide Provides New Insights into the Molecular and Functional Diversity of Ant Venoms. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:1211-1224. [PMID: 33344898 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ants use venom for predation, defense, and communication; however, the molecular diversity, function, and potential applications of ant venom remains understudied compared to other venomous lineages such as arachnids, snakes and cone snails. In this work, we used a multidisciplinary approach that encompassed field work, proteomics, sequencing, chemical synthesis, structural analysis, molecular modeling, stability studies, and in vitro and in vivo bioassays to investigate the molecular diversity of the venom of the Amazonian Pseudomyrmex penetrator ants. We isolated a potent insecticidal heterodimeric peptide Δ-pseudomyrmecitoxin-Pp1a (Δ-PSDTX-Pp1a) composed of a 27-residue long A-chain and a 33-residue long B-chain cross-linked by two disulfide bonds in an antiparallel orientation. We chemically synthesized Δ-PSDTX-Pp1a, its corresponding parallel AA and BB homodimers, and its monomeric chains and demonstrated that Δ-PSDTX-Pp1a had the most potent insecticidal effects in blowfly assays (LD50 = 3 nmol/g). Molecular modeling and circular dichroism studies revealed strong α-helical features, indicating its cytotoxic effects could derive from cell membrane pore formation or disruption. The native heterodimer was substantially more stable against proteolytic degradation (t 1/2 = 13 h) than its homodimers or monomers (t 1/2 < 20 min), indicating an evolutionary advantage of the more complex structure. The proteomic analysis of Pseudomyrmex penetrator venom and in-depth characterization of Δ-PSDTX-Pp1a provide novel insights in the structural complexity of ant venom and further exemplifies how nature exploits disulfide-bond formation and dimerization to gain an evolutionary advantage via improved stability, a concept that is highly relevant for the design and development of peptide therapeutics, molecular probes, and bioinsecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecofog, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Kourou 97310, France
| | - Helen C Mendel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Isabelle Boulogne
- Université de ROUEN, UFR des Sciences et Techniques, Laboratoire Glycobiologie et Matrice Extracellulaire Végétale, UPRES-EA 4358, Fédération de Recherche Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan 76821, France
| | - Volker Herzig
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.,GeneCology Research Centre, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia
| | - Nayara Braga Emidio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | | | - Lucie Jaquillard
- Smartox Biotechnology, 6 rue des Platanes, Saint Egrève 38120, France
| | - Rémy Beroud
- Smartox Biotechnology, 6 rue des Platanes, Saint Egrève 38120, France
| | - Michel De Waard
- Smartox Biotechnology, 6 rue des Platanes, Saint Egrève 38120, France.,Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, L'institut du thorax, Nantes 44000, France.,LabEx, Ion Channels, Science & Therapeutics, Valbonne 06560, France
| | - Olivier Delalande
- Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes (IGDR), CNRS UMR 6290, Université de Rennes Faculté de Pharmacie, 2 avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard, Rennes 35043, France
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Ecofog, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Kourou 97310, France.,Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse 31058, France
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Christophe Duplais
- CNRS, UMR Ecofog, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Kourou 97310, France
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