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Gach-Janczak K, Biernat M, Kuczer M, Adamska-Bartłomiejczyk A, Kluczyk A. Analgesic Peptides: From Natural Diversity to Rational Design. Molecules 2024; 29:1544. [PMID: 38611824 PMCID: PMC11013236 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain affects one-third of the global population and is a significant public health issue. The use of opioid drugs, which are the strongest painkillers, is associated with several side effects, such as tolerance, addiction, overdose, and even death. An increasing demand for novel, safer analgesic agents is a driving force for exploring natural sources of bioactive peptides with antinociceptive activity. Since the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a crucial role in pain modulation, the discovery of new peptide ligands for GPCRs is a significant challenge for novel drug development. The aim of this review is to present peptides of human and animal origin with antinociceptive potential and to show the possibilities of their modification, as well as the design of novel structures. The study presents the current knowledge on structure-activity relationship in the design of peptide-based biomimetic compounds, the modification strategies directed at increasing the antinociceptive activity, and improvement of metabolic stability and pharmacodynamic profile. The procedures employed in prolonged drug delivery of emerging compounds are also discussed. The work summarizes the conditions leading to the development of potential morphine replacements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Gach-Janczak
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (K.G.-J.); (A.A.-B.)
| | - Monika Biernat
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Mariola Kuczer
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Anna Adamska-Bartłomiejczyk
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (K.G.-J.); (A.A.-B.)
| | - Alicja Kluczyk
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.B.); (M.K.)
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Xu J, Lei X, Li A, Li J, Li S, Chen L. Scalable production of recombinant three-finger proteins: from inclusion bodies to high quality molecular probes. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:48. [PMID: 38347541 PMCID: PMC10860255 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02316-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The three-finger proteins are a collection of disulfide bond rich proteins of great biomedical interests. Scalable recombinant expression and purification of bioactive three-finger proteins is quite difficult. RESULTS We introduce a working pipeline for expression, purification and validation of disulfide-bond rich three-finger proteins using E. coli as the expression host. With this pipeline, we have successfully obtained highly purified and bioactive recombinant α-Βungarotoxin, k-Bungarotoxin, Hannalgesin, Mambalgin-1, α-Cobratoxin, MTα, Slurp1, Pate B etc. Milligrams to hundreds of milligrams of recombinant three finger proteins were obtained within weeks in the lab. The recombinant proteins showed specificity in binding assay and six of them were crystallized and structurally validated using X-ray diffraction protein crystallography. CONCLUSIONS Our pipeline allows refolding and purifying recombinant three finger proteins under optimized conditions and can be scaled up for massive production of three finger proteins. As many three finger proteins have attractive therapeutic or research interests and due to the extremely high quality of the recombinant three finger proteins we obtained, our method provides a competitive alternative to either their native counterparts or chemically synthetic ones and should facilitate related research and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Xu
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
| | - Xiao Lei
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Ao Li
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuxing Li
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Lin Chen
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
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Lyukmanova EN, Zaigraev MM, Kulbatskii DS, Isaev AB, Kukushkin ID, Bychkov ML, Shulepko MA, Chugunov AO, Kirpichnikov MP. Molecular Basis for Mambalgin-2 Interaction with Heterotrimeric α-ENaC/ASIC1a/γ-ENaC Channels in Cancer Cells. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:612. [PMID: 37888643 PMCID: PMC10610865 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15100612] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer progression is characterized by microenvironmental acidification. Tumor cells adapt to low environmental pH by activating acid-sensing trimeric ion channels of the DEG/ENaC family. The α-ENaC/ASIC1a/γ-ENaC heterotrimeric channel is a tumor-specific acid-sensing channel, and its targeting can be considered a new strategy for cancer therapy. Mambalgin-2 from the Dendroaspis polylepis venom inhibits the α-ENaC/ASIC1a/γ-ENaC heterotrimer more effectively than the homotrimeric ASIC1a channel, initially proposed as the target of mambalgin-2. Although the molecular basis of such mambalgin selectivity remained unclear. Here, we built the models of the complexes of mambalgin-2 with the α-ENaC/ASIC1a/γ-ENaC and ASIC1a channels, performed MD and predicted the difference in the binding modes. The importance of the 'head' loop region of mambalgin-2 for the interaction with the hetero-, but not with the homotrimeric channel was confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis and electrophysiology. A new mode of allosteric regulation of the ENaC channels by linking the thumb domain of the ASIC1a subunit with the palm domain of the γ-ENaC subunit was proposed. The data obtained provide new insights into the regulation of various types of acid-sensing ion channels and the development of new strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina N. Lyukmanova
- Faculty of Biology, MSU-BIT Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518172, China;
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.M.Z.); (D.S.K.); (A.B.I.); (I.D.K.); (M.L.B.); (A.O.C.); (M.P.K.)
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Institutsky Lane 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow 141701, Russia
- Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School of Moscow University «Molecular Technologies of the Living Systems and Synthetic Biology», Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Maxim M. Zaigraev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.M.Z.); (D.S.K.); (A.B.I.); (I.D.K.); (M.L.B.); (A.O.C.); (M.P.K.)
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Institutsky Lane 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow 141701, Russia
| | - Dmitrii S. Kulbatskii
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.M.Z.); (D.S.K.); (A.B.I.); (I.D.K.); (M.L.B.); (A.O.C.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Aizek B. Isaev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.M.Z.); (D.S.K.); (A.B.I.); (I.D.K.); (M.L.B.); (A.O.C.); (M.P.K.)
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Institutsky Lane 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow 141701, Russia
| | - Ilya D. Kukushkin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.M.Z.); (D.S.K.); (A.B.I.); (I.D.K.); (M.L.B.); (A.O.C.); (M.P.K.)
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Institutsky Lane 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow 141701, Russia
| | - Maxim L. Bychkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.M.Z.); (D.S.K.); (A.B.I.); (I.D.K.); (M.L.B.); (A.O.C.); (M.P.K.)
| | | | - Anton O. Chugunov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.M.Z.); (D.S.K.); (A.B.I.); (I.D.K.); (M.L.B.); (A.O.C.); (M.P.K.)
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Institutsky Lane 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow 141701, Russia
| | - Mikhail P. Kirpichnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia; (M.M.Z.); (D.S.K.); (A.B.I.); (I.D.K.); (M.L.B.); (A.O.C.); (M.P.K.)
- Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School of Moscow University «Molecular Technologies of the Living Systems and Synthetic Biology», Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, Moscow 119234, Russia
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Hiremath K, Dodakallanavar J, Sampat GH, Patil VS, Harish DR, Chavan R, Hegde HV, Roy S. Three finger toxins of elapids: structure, function, clinical applications and its inhibitors. Mol Divers 2023:10.1007/s11030-023-10734-3. [PMID: 37749455 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10734-3] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The WHO lists snakebite as a "neglected tropical disease". In tropical and subtropical areas, envenoming is an important public health issue. This review article describes the structure, function, chemical composition, natural inhibitors, and clinical applications of Elapids' Three Finger Toxins (3FTX) using scientific research data. The primary venomous substance belonging to Elapidae is 3FTX, that targets nAChR. Three parallel β-sheets combine to create 3FTX, which has four or five disulfide bonds. The three primary types of 3FTX are short-chain, long-chain, and nonconventional 3FTX. The functions of 3FTX depend on the specific toxin subtype and the target receptor or ion channel. The well-known effect of 3FTX is probably neurotoxicity because of the severe consequences of muscular paralysis and respiratory failure in snakebite victims. 3FTX have also been studied for their potential clinical applications. α-bungarotoxin has been used as a molecular probe to study the structure and function of nAChRs (Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors). Acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) isoforms 1a and 1b are inhibited by Mambalgins, derived from Black mamba venom, which hinders their function and provide an analgesic effect. α- Cobra toxin is a neurotoxin purified from Chinese cobra (Naja atra) binds to nAChR at the neuronal junction and causes an analgesic effect for moderate to severe pain. Some of the plants and their compounds have been shown to inhibit the activity of 3FTX, and their mechanisms of action are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kashinath Hiremath
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Jagadeesh Dodakallanavar
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Ganesh H Sampat
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Vishal S Patil
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Darasaguppe R Harish
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India.
| | - Rajashekar Chavan
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India.
| | - Harsha V Hegde
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Subarna Roy
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
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Ősz BE, Jîtcă G, Sălcudean A, Rusz CM, Vari CE. Benzydamine-An Affordable Over-the-Counter Drug with Psychoactive Properties-From Chemical Structure to Possible Pharmacological Properties. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040566. [PMID: 37111323 PMCID: PMC10144213 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040566] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Benzydamine is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with distinct pharmacological properties from other compounds in the same therapeutic class. The differences are structural and pharmacological in nature; the anti-inflammatory mechanism is not strictly explained by the ability to interfere with the synthesis of prostaglandins. The compound is used strictly in local inflammatory diseases (inflammation in the oral and vaginal mucosa). In addition to the therapeutic indications found in the summary of product characteristics (SPC), the compound is used, in high doses, as a psychotropic substance for oral administration, having similar properties to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). As an over-the-counter (OTC) compound, it is easy to obtain, and the consequences of using it for purposes other than those assumed by the manufacturer raise various concerns. The reasons are related to the pharmacodynamic and pharmaco-toxicological properties, since neither the mechanism of action nor the possible side effects that would result from systemic consumption, in high doses, even occasionally, have been fully elucidated. The present review aims to analyze the pharmacodynamic properties of benzydamine, starting from the chemical structure, by comparison with structurally similar compounds registered in therapy (as an anti-inflammatory or analgesic) or used for recreational purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca-Eugenia Ősz
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - George Jîtcă
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Andreea Sălcudean
- Department of Ethics and Social Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Carmen Maria Rusz
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, I.O.S.U.D, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Camil-Eugen Vari
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
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6
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Morais KLP, Ciccone L, Stura E, Alvarez-Flores MP, Mourier G, Driessche MV, Sciani JM, Iqbal A, Kalil SP, Pereira GJ, Marques-Porto R, Cunegundes P, Juliano L, Servent D, Chudzinski-Tavassi AM. Structural and functional properties of the Kunitz-type and C-terminal domains of Amblyomin-X supporting its antitumor activity. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1072751. [PMID: 36845546 PMCID: PMC9948614 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1072751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Amblyomin-X is a Kunitz-type FXa inhibitor identified through the transcriptome analysis of the salivary gland from Amblyomma sculptum tick. This protein consists of two domains of equivalent size, triggers apoptosis in different tumor cell lines, and promotes regression of tumor growth, and reduction of metastasis. To study the structural properties and functional roles of the N-terminal (N-ter) and C-terminal (C-ter) domains of Amblyomin-X, we synthesized them by solid-phase peptide synthesis, solved the X-Ray crystallographic structure of the N-ter domain, confirming its Kunitz-type signature, and studied their biological properties. We show here that the C-ter domain is responsible for the uptake of Amblyomin-X by tumor cells and highlight the ability of this domain to deliver intracellular cargo by the strong enhancement of the intracellular detection of molecules with low cellular-uptake efficiency (p15) after their coupling with the C-ter domain. In contrast, the N-ter Kunitz domain of Amblyomin-X is not capable of crossing through the cell membrane but is associated with tumor cell cytotoxicity when it is microinjected into the cells or fused to TAT cell-penetrating peptide. Additionally, we identify the minimum length C-terminal domain named F2C able to enter in the SK-MEL-28 cells and induces dynein chains gene expression modulation, a molecular motor that plays a role in the uptake and intracellular trafficking of Amblyomin-X.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. L. P. Morais
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Laboratory of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L. Ciccone
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France,Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - E. Stura
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - M. P. Alvarez-Flores
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G. Mourier
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - M. Vanden Driessche
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - J. M. Sciani
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A. Iqbal
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Laboratory of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - S. P. Kalil
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G. J. Pereira
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R. Marques-Porto
- Laboratory of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P. Cunegundes
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L. Juliano
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - D. Servent
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France,*Correspondence: D. Servent, ; A. M. Chudzinski-Tavassi,
| | - A. M. Chudzinski-Tavassi
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Laboratory of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,*Correspondence: D. Servent, ; A. M. Chudzinski-Tavassi,
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Verkest C, Salinas M, Diochot S, Deval E, Lingueglia E, Baron A. Mechanisms of Action of the Peptide Toxins Targeting Human and Rodent Acid-Sensing Ion Channels and Relevance to Their In Vivo Analgesic Effects. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14100709. [PMID: 36287977 PMCID: PMC9612379 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14100709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are voltage-independent H+-gated cation channels largely expressed in the nervous system of rodents and humans. At least six isoforms (ASIC1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3 and 4) associate into homotrimers or heterotrimers to form functional channels with highly pH-dependent gating properties. This review provides an update on the pharmacological profiles of animal peptide toxins targeting ASICs, including PcTx1 from tarantula and related spider toxins, APETx2 and APETx-like peptides from sea anemone, and mambalgin from snake, as well as the dimeric protein snake toxin MitTx that have all been instrumental to understanding the structure and the pH-dependent gating of rodent and human cloned ASICs and to study the physiological and pathological roles of native ASICs in vitro and in vivo. ASICs are expressed all along the pain pathways and the pharmacological data clearly support a role for these channels in pain. ASIC-targeting peptide toxins interfere with ASIC gating by complex and pH-dependent mechanisms sometimes leading to opposite effects. However, these dual pH-dependent effects of ASIC-inhibiting toxins (PcTx1, mambalgin and APETx2) are fully compatible with, and even support, their analgesic effects in vivo, both in the central and the peripheral nervous system, as well as potential effects in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Verkest
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), IPMC (Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire), LabEx ICST (Laboratory of Excellence in Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics), FHU InovPain (Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire “Innovative Solutions in Refractory Chronic Pain”), Université Côte d’Azur, 660 Route des Lucioles, Sophia-Antipolis, 06560 Nice, France
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Miguel Salinas
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), IPMC (Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire), LabEx ICST (Laboratory of Excellence in Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics), FHU InovPain (Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire “Innovative Solutions in Refractory Chronic Pain”), Université Côte d’Azur, 660 Route des Lucioles, Sophia-Antipolis, 06560 Nice, France
| | - Sylvie Diochot
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), IPMC (Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire), LabEx ICST (Laboratory of Excellence in Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics), FHU InovPain (Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire “Innovative Solutions in Refractory Chronic Pain”), Université Côte d’Azur, 660 Route des Lucioles, Sophia-Antipolis, 06560 Nice, France
| | - Emmanuel Deval
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), IPMC (Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire), LabEx ICST (Laboratory of Excellence in Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics), FHU InovPain (Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire “Innovative Solutions in Refractory Chronic Pain”), Université Côte d’Azur, 660 Route des Lucioles, Sophia-Antipolis, 06560 Nice, France
| | - Eric Lingueglia
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), IPMC (Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire), LabEx ICST (Laboratory of Excellence in Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics), FHU InovPain (Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire “Innovative Solutions in Refractory Chronic Pain”), Université Côte d’Azur, 660 Route des Lucioles, Sophia-Antipolis, 06560 Nice, France
| | - Anne Baron
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), IPMC (Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire), LabEx ICST (Laboratory of Excellence in Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics), FHU InovPain (Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire “Innovative Solutions in Refractory Chronic Pain”), Université Côte d’Azur, 660 Route des Lucioles, Sophia-Antipolis, 06560 Nice, France
- Correspondence:
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8
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Oliveira AL, Viegas MF, da Silva SL, Soares AM, Ramos MJ, Fernandes PA. The chemistry of snake venom and its medicinal potential. Nat Rev Chem 2022; 6:451-469. [PMID: 37117308 PMCID: PMC9185726 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-022-00393-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The fascination and fear of snakes dates back to time immemorial, with the first scientific treatise on snakebite envenoming, the Brooklyn Medical Papyrus, dating from ancient Egypt. Owing to their lethality, snakes have often been associated with images of perfidy, treachery and death. However, snakes did not always have such negative connotations. The curative capacity of venom has been known since antiquity, also making the snake a symbol of pharmacy and medicine. Today, there is renewed interest in pursuing snake-venom-based therapies. This Review focuses on the chemistry of snake venom and the potential for venom to be exploited for medicinal purposes in the development of drugs. The mixture of toxins that constitute snake venom is examined, focusing on the molecular structure, chemical reactivity and target recognition of the most bioactive toxins, from which bioactive drugs might be developed. The design and working mechanisms of snake-venom-derived drugs are illustrated, and the strategies by which toxins are transformed into therapeutics are analysed. Finally, the challenges in realizing the immense curative potential of snake venom are discussed, and chemical strategies by which a plethora of new drugs could be derived from snake venom are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana L Oliveira
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Matilde F Viegas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Saulo L da Silva
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreimar M Soares
- Biotechnology Laboratory for Proteins and Bioactive Compounds from the Western Amazon, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, National Institute of Epidemiology in the Western Amazon (INCT-EpiAmO), Porto Velho, Brazil.,Sao Lucas Universitary Center (UniSL), Porto Velho, Brazil
| | - Maria J Ramos
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro A Fernandes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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9
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Bychkov ML, Kirichenko AV, Shulepko MA, Mikhaylova IN, Kirpichnikov MP, Lyukmanova EN. Mambalgin-2 Inhibits Growth, Migration, and Invasion of Metastatic Melanoma Cells by Targeting the Channels Containing an ASIC1a Subunit Whose Up-Regulation Correlates with Poor Survival Prognosis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1324. [PMID: 34680442 PMCID: PMC8533404 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive cancer characterized by the acidification of the extracellular environment. Here, we showed for the first time that extracellular media acidification increases proliferation, migration, and invasion of patient-derived metastatic melanoma cells and up-regulates cell-surface expression of acid-sensitive channels containing the ASIC1a, α-ENaC, and γ-ENaC subunits. No influence of media acidification on these processes was found in normal keratinocytes. To control metastatic melanoma progression associated with the ASIC1a up-regulation, we proposed the ASIC1a inhibitor, -mambalgin-2 from Dendpoaspis polylepis venom. Recombinant analog of mambalgin-2 cancelled acidification-induced proliferation, migration, and invasion of metastatic melanoma cells, promoted apoptosis, and down-regulated cell-surface expression of prooncogenic factors CD44 and Frizzled 4 and phosphorylation of transcription factor SNAI. Confocal microscopy and affinity purification revealed that mambalgin-2 interacts with heterotrimeric ASIC1a/α-ENaC/γ-ENaC channels on the surface of metastatic melanoma cells. Using the mutant variant of mambalgin-2 with reduced activity toward ASIC1a, we confirmed that the principal molecular target of mambalgin-2 in melanoma cells is the ASIC1a subunit. Bioinformatic analysis confirmed up-regulation of the ASIC1 expression as a marker of poor survival prognosis for patients with metastatic melanoma. Thus, targeting ASIC1a by drugs such as mambalgin-2 could be a promising strategy for metastatic melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim L. Bychkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.V.K.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Artem V. Kirichenko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.V.K.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Mikhail A. Shulepko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.V.K.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Irina N. Mikhaylova
- Federal State Budgetary Institution “N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology”, Ministry of Health of Russia, 115548 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Mikhail P. Kirpichnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.V.K.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina N. Lyukmanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.V.K.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
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10
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Mambalgin-3 potentiates human acid-sensing ion channel 1b under mild to moderate acidosis: Implications as an analgesic lead. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2021581118. [PMID: 33602819 PMCID: PMC7923528 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021581118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are expressed in the nervous system, activated by acidosis, and implicated in pain pathways. Mambalgins are peptide inhibitors of ASIC1 and analgesic in rodents via inhibition of centrally expressed ASIC1a and peripheral ASIC1b. This activity has generated interest in mambalgins as potential therapeutics. However, most mechanism and structure–activity relationship work on mambalgins has focused on ASIC1a, and neglected the peripheral analgesic target ASIC1b. Here, we compare mambalgin potency and mechanism of action at heterologously expressed rat and human ASIC1 variants. Unlike the nanomolar inhibition at ASIC1a and rodent ASIC1b, we find mambalgin-3 only weakly inhibits human ASIC1b and ASIC1b/3 under severe acidosis, but potentiates currents under mild/moderate acidosis. Our data highlight the importance of understanding the activity of potential ASIC-targeting pharmaceuticals at human channels.
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11
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Shi AM, Guo R, Wang Q, Zhou JR. Screening and Molecular Modeling Evaluation of Food Peptides to Inhibit Key Targets of COVID-19 Virus. Biomolecules 2021; 11:330. [PMID: 33671652 PMCID: PMC7926797 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide drugs, especially food-derived peptides, have a variety of functional activities including antiviral and may also have a therapeutic effect on COVID-19. In this study, comparing with the reported drugs, 79 peptides were found to bind to the key targets of COVID-19 virus with higher non-covalent interaction, while among them, six peptides showed high non-covalent interactions with the three targets, which may inhibit the COVID-19 virus. In the simulation, peptides of nine to 10 amino acids with a hydrophilic amino acid and acidic amino acid in the middle and aromatic amino acids on the side showed higher binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Peptides of five to six amino acids with a basic amnio acid in the head, acidic amnio acid in the neck, hydrophobicity group in the middle, and basic amino acids in the tail showed higher binding to COVID-19 virus main protease (Mpro), while those with basic amino acids and acidic amino acids in the two sides and aromatic amino acids in the middle might have stronger interaction with COVID-19 virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Min Shi
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agricultural Product Processing and Quality Control, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China; (A.-M.S.); (R.G.)
| | - Rui Guo
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agricultural Product Processing and Quality Control, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China; (A.-M.S.); (R.G.)
| | - Qiang Wang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agricultural Product Processing and Quality Control, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China; (A.-M.S.); (R.G.)
| | - Jin-Rong Zhou
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
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12
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Salinas M, Kessler P, Douguet D, Sarraf D, Tonali N, Thai R, Servent D, Lingueglia E. Mambalgin-1 pain-relieving peptide locks the hinge between α4 and α5 helices to inhibit rat acid-sensing ion channel 1a. Neuropharmacology 2021; 185:108453. [PMID: 33450275 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated cationic channels involved in pain and other processes, underscoring the potential therapeutic value of specific inhibitors such as the three-finger toxin mambalgin-1 (Mamb-1) from snake venom. A low-resolution structure of the human-ASIC1a/Mamb-1 complex obtained by cryo-electron microscopy has been recently reported, implementing the structure of the chicken-ASIC1/Mamb-1 complex previously published. Here we combine structure-activity relationship of both the rat ASIC1a channel and the Mamb-1 toxin with a molecular dynamics simulation to obtain a detailed picture at the level of side-chain interactions of the binding of Mamb-1 on rat ASIC1a channels and of its inhibition mechanism. Fingers I and II of Mamb-1 but not the core of the toxin are required for interaction with the thumb domain of ASIC1a, and Lys-8 of finger I potentially interacts with Tyr-358 in the thumb domain. Mamb-1 does not interfere directly with the pH sensor as previously suggested, but locks by several contacts a key hinge between α4 and α5 helices in the thumb domain of ASIC1a to prevent channel opening. Our results provide an improved model of inhibition of mammalian ASIC1a channels by Mamb-1 and clues for further development of optimized ASIC blockers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Salinas
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, IPMC, LabEx ICST, FHU InovPain, France.
| | - Pascal Kessler
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Dominique Douguet
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, IPMC, LabEx ICST, FHU InovPain, France
| | - Daad Sarraf
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Nicolo Tonali
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France; CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290, Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Robert Thai
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Denis Servent
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Eric Lingueglia
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, IPMC, LabEx ICST, FHU InovPain, France.
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13
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Kulbatskii DS, Shulepko MA, Sluchanko NN, Yablokov EO, Kamyshinsky RA, Chesnokov YM, Kirpichnikov MP, Lyukmanova EN. Efficient screening of ligand-receptor complex formation using fluorescence labeling and size-exclusion chromatography. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 532:127-133. [PMID: 32828540 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Evidence of a complex formation is a crucial step in the structural studies of ligand-receptor interactions. Here we presented a simple and fast approach for qualitative screening of the complex formation between the chimeric extracellular domain of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-ECD) and three-finger proteins. Complex formation of snake toxins α-Bgtx and WTX, as well as of recombinant analogs of human proteins Lynx1 and SLURP-1, with α7-ECD was confirmed using fluorescently labeled ligands and size-exclusion chromatography with simultaneous absorbance and fluorescence detection. WTX/α7-ECD complex formation also was confirmed by cryo-EM. The proposed approach could easily be adopted to study the interaction of other receptors with their ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Kulbatskii
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - M A Shulepko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - N N Sluchanko
- A. N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy Prospect 33, Building 1, Moscow, 119071, Russia
| | - E O Yablokov
- Federal State Budgetary Institution "V.N. Orekhovich Research Institute of Biomedical Chemistry", Pogodinskaya 10k8, Moscow, 119121, Russia
| | - R A Kamyshinsky
- National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Academic Kurchatov Sq. 1, Moscow, 123182, Russia; Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography of Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics" of Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy Prospect 59, Moscow, 119333, Russia
| | - Y M Chesnokov
- National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Academic Kurchatov Sq. 1, Moscow, 123182, Russia; Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography of Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics" of Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy Prospect 59, Moscow, 119333, Russia
| | - M P Kirpichnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia; Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie gory, 1k12, Moscow, 119192, Russia
| | - E N Lyukmanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia; Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie gory, 1k12, Moscow, 119192, Russia.
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14
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Sun D, Liu S, Li S, Zhang M, Yang F, Wen M, Shi P, Wang T, Pan M, Chang S, Zhang X, Zhang L, Tian C, Liu L. Structural insights into human acid-sensing ion channel 1a inhibition by snake toxin mambalgin1. eLife 2020; 9:57096. [PMID: 32915133 PMCID: PMC7553779 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated cation channels that are involved in diverse neuronal processes including pain sensing. The peptide toxin Mambalgin1 (Mamba1) from black mamba snake venom can reversibly inhibit the conductance of ASICs, causing an analgesic effect. However, the detailed mechanism by which Mamba1 inhibits ASIC1s, especially how Mamba1 binding to the extracellular domain affects the conformational changes of the transmembrane domain of ASICs remains elusive. Here, we present single-particle cryo-EM structures of human ASIC1a (hASIC1a) and the hASIC1a-Mamba1 complex at resolutions of 3.56 and 3.90 Å, respectively. The structures revealed the inhibited conformation of hASIC1a upon Mamba1 binding. The combination of the structural and physiological data indicates that Mamba1 preferentially binds hASIC1a in a closed state and reduces the proton sensitivity of the channel, representing a closed-state trapping mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demeng Sun
- Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Sciences at Microscale, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Sanling Liu
- Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Sciences at Microscale, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Siyu Li
- Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Sciences at Microscale, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Mengge Zhang
- Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Sciences at Microscale, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Sciences at Microscale, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ming Wen
- Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Sciences at Microscale, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Pan Shi
- Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Sciences at Microscale, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Tao Wang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Man Pan
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Shenghai Chang
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Longhua Zhang
- Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Sciences at Microscale, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Changlin Tian
- Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Sciences at Microscale, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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15
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Bychkov ML, Shulepko MA, Vasileva VY, Sudarikova AV, Kirpichnikov MP, Lyukmanova EN. ASIC1a Inhibitor mambalgin-2 Suppresses the Growth of Leukemia Cells by Cell Cycle Arrest. Acta Naturae 2020; 12:101-116. [PMID: 32742733 PMCID: PMC7385094 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.10949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although tyrosine kinase inhibitors have brought significant success in the
treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia, the search for novel molecular
targets for the treatment of this disease remains relevant. Earlier, expression
of acid-sensing ion channels, ASIC1a, was demonstrated in the chronic
myelogenous leukemia K562 cells. Three-finger toxins from the black mamba
(Dendroaspis polylepis) venom, mambalgins, have been shown to
efficiently inhibit homo- and heteromeric channels containing the ASIC1a
subunit; however, their use as possible antitumor agents had not been examined.
In this work, using the patch-clamp technique, we detected, for the first time,
an activation of ASIC1a channels in the leukemia K562 cells in response to an
extracellular pH decrease. Recombinant mambalgin-2 was shown to inhibit ASIC1a
activity and suppress the proliferation of the K562 cells with a half-maximal
effective concentration (EC50) ~ 0.2 μM. Maximum mambalgin-2
inhibitory effect is achieved after 72 h of incubation with cells and when the
pH of the cell medium reaches ~ 6.6. In the K562 cells, mambalgin-2 caused
arrest of the cell cycle in the G1 phase and reduced the phosphorylation of G1
cell cycle phase regulators: cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase CDK4,
without affecting the activity of CDK6 kinase. Thus, recombinant mambalgin-2
can be considered a prototype of a new type of drugs for the treatment of
chronic myelogenous leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Bychkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia
| | - M A Shulepko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia
| | - V Y Vasileva
- Institute of Cytology RAS, St-Petersburg, 194064 Russia
| | | | - M P Kirpichnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia.,Biological Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992 Russia
| | - E N Lyukmanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia
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16
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Tsetlin VI, Kasheverov IE, Utkin YN. Three-finger proteins from snakes and humans acting on nicotinic receptors: Old and new. J Neurochem 2020; 158:1223-1235. [PMID: 32648941 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The first toxin to give rise to the three-finger protein (TFP) family was α-bungarotoxin (α-Bgt) from Bungarus multicinctus krait venom. α-Bgt was crucial for research on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), and in this Review article we focus on present data for snake venom TFPs and those of the Ly6/uPAR family from mammalians (membrane-bound Lynx1 and secreted SLURP-1) interacting with nAChRs. Recently isolated from Bungarus candidus venom, αδ-bungarotoxins differ from α-Bgt: they bind more reversibly and distinguish two binding sites in Torpedo californica nAChR. Naja kaouthia α-cobratoxin, classical blocker of nAChRs, was shown to inhibit certain GABA-A receptor subtypes, whereas α-cobratoxin dimer with 2 intermolecular disulfides has a novel type of 3D structure. Non-conventional toxin WTX has additional 5th disulfide not in the central loop, as α-Bgt, but in the N-terminal loop, like all Ly6/uPAR proteins, and inhibits α7 and Torpedo nAChRs. A water-soluble form of Lynx1, ws-Lynx1, was expressed in E. coli, its 1 H-NMR structure and binding to several nAChRs determined. For SLURP-1, similar information was obtained with its recombinant analogue rSLURP-1. A common feature of ws-Lynx1, rSLURP-1, and WTX is their activity against nAChRs and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Synthetic SLURP-1, identical to the natural protein, demonstrated some differences from rSLURP-1 in distinguishing nAChR subtypes. The loop II fragment of the Lynx1 was synthesized having the same µM affinity for the Torpedo nAChR as ws-Lynx1. This review illustrates the productivity of parallel research of nAChR interactions with the two TFP groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor I Tsetlin
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signalling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation.,PhysBio of MePhi, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Igor E Kasheverov
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signalling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation.,Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Yuri N Utkin
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signalling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
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17
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Mambalgin-2 Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Glioma Cells via Interaction with ASIC1a. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071837. [PMID: 32650495 PMCID: PMC7408772 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are fast growing and highly invasive brain tumors, characterized by tumor microenvironment acidification that drives glioma cell growth and migration. Channels containing Acid-sensing Ion Channel 1a subunit (ASIC1a) mediate amiloride-sensitive cation influx in late stage glioma cells, but not in normal astrocytes. Thus, selective targeting of ASIC1a can be a perspective strategy for glioma treatment. Here, ASIC1a expression in U251 MG and A172 glioma cells, but not in normal astrocytes, was demonstrated. Recombinant analog of mambalgin-2 from black mamba Dendroaspis polylepis inhibited amiloride-sensitive currents at ASIC1a both in Xenopus laevis oocytes and in U251 MG cells, while its mutants with impaired activity towards this channel did not. Mambalgin-2 inhibited U251 MG and A172 glioma cells growth with EC50 in the nanomolar range without affecting the proliferation of normal astrocytes. Notably, mambalgin-2 mutants did not affect glioma cell proliferation, pointing on ASIC1a as the main molecular target of mambalgin-2 in U251 MG and A172 cells. Mambalgin-2 induced a cell cycle arrest, inhibited Cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) phosphorylation and caused apoptosis in U251 MG and A172 cells. Moreover, mambalgin-2 inhibited the growth of low-passage primary cells from a patient with glioblastoma. Altogether, our data point to mambalgin-2 as a useful hit for the development of new drugs for glioma treatment.
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18
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Osmakov DI, Khasanov TA, Andreev YA, Lyukmanova EN, Kozlov SA. Animal, Herb, and Microbial Toxins for Structural and Pharmacological Study of Acid-Sensing Ion Channels. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:991. [PMID: 32733241 PMCID: PMC7360831 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are of the most sensitive molecular sensors of extracellular pH change in mammals. Six isoforms of these channels are widely represented in membranes of neuronal and non-neuronal cells, where these molecules are involved in different important regulatory functions, such as synaptic plasticity, learning, memory, and nociception, as well as in various pathological states. Structural and functional studies of both wild-type and mutant ASICs are essential for human care and medicine for the efficient treatment of socially significant diseases and ensure a comfortable standard of life. Ligands of ASICs serve as indispensable tools for these studies. Such bioactive compounds can be synthesized artificially. However, to date, the search for such molecules has been most effective amongst natural sources, such as animal venoms or plants and microbial extracts. In this review, we provide a detailed and comprehensive structural and functional description of natural compounds acting on ASICs, as well as the latest information on structural aspects of their interaction with the channels. Many of the examples provided in the review demonstrate the undoubted fundamental and practical successes of using natural toxins. Without toxins, it would not be possible to obtain data on the mechanisms of ASICs' functioning, provide detailed study of their pharmacological properties, or assess the contribution of the channels to development of different pathologies. The selectivity to different isoforms and variety in the channel modulation mode allow for the appraisal of prospective candidates for the development of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry I. Osmakov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Timur A. Khasanov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yaroslav A. Andreev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina N. Lyukmanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey A. Kozlov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
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19
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Khezri G, Baghban Kohneh Rouz B, Ofoghi H, Davarpanah SJ. Heterologous expression of biologically active Mambalgin-1 peptide as a new potential anticancer, using a PVX-based viral vector in Nicotiana benthamiana. PLANT CELL, TISSUE AND ORGAN CULTURE 2020; 142:241-251. [PMID: 32836586 PMCID: PMC7323601 DOI: 10.1007/s11240-020-01838-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mambalgin-1 is a peptide that acts as a potent analgesic through inhibiting acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC) in nerve cells. Research has shown that ASIC channels are involved in the proliferation and growth of cancer cells; therefore, Mambalgin-1 can be a potential anti-cancer by inhibiting these channels. In the present study, the Nicotiana benthamiana codon optimized Mambalgin-1 gene was synthesized and cloned in PVX (potato virus X) viral vector. The two cultures of Agrobacterium containing Mambalgin-1 and P19 silencing suppressor genes were co-agroinfiltrated into N. benthamiana leaves. Five days post infiltration, the production of recombinant Mambalgin-1 was determined by western blotting. For biological activity, MTT (3(4, 5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) was analyzed for the cytotoxicity recombinant Mambalgin-1 from the transformed plants on nervous (SH-SY5Y) and breast (MCF7) cancer cells. The results showed that the plants expressing open reading frame of Mambalgin-1 showed recombinant 7.4 kDa proteins in the entire plant extract. In the MTT test, it was found that Mambalgin-1 had cytotoxic effects on SH-SY5Y cancer cells, yet no effects on MCF7 cancer cells were observed. According to the results, the expression of the biologically active recombinant Mambalgin-1 in the transformed plant leaves was confirmed and Mambalgin-1 can also have anti-cancer (inhibition of ASIC channels) potential along with its already known analgesic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghaffar Khezri
- Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Hamideh Ofoghi
- Department of Biotechnology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Javad Davarpanah
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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20
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Kini RM, Koh CY. Snake venom three-finger toxins and their potential in drug development targeting cardiovascular diseases. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 181:114105. [PMID: 32579959 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases such as coronary and peripheral artery diseases, venous thrombosis, stroke, hypertension, and heart failure are enormous burden to health and economy globally. Snake venoms have been the sources of discovery of successful therapeutics targeting cardiovascular diseases. For example, the first-in-class angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril was designed largely based on bradykinin-potentiating peptides from Bothrops jararaca venom. In the recent years, sensitive and high throughput approaches drive discovery and cataloging of new snake venom toxins. As one of the largest class of snake venom toxin, there are now>700 sequences of three-finger toxins (3FTxs) available, many of which are yet to be studied. While the function of 3FTxs are normally associated with neurotoxicity, increasingly more 3FTxs have been characterized to have pharmacological effects on cardiovascular systems. Here we focus on this family of snake venom toxins and their potential in developing therapeutics against cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 117558, Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117600, Singapore
| | - Cho Yeow Koh
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228, Singapore.
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21
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APETx-Like Peptides from the Sea Anemone Heteractis crispa, Diverse in Their Effect on ASIC1a and ASIC3 Ion Channels. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12040266. [PMID: 32326130 PMCID: PMC7232172 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12040266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, five peptide modulators of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) attributed to structural class 1b of sea anemone toxins have been described. The APETx2 toxin is the first and most potent ASIC3 inhibitor, so its homologs from sea anemones are known as the APETx-like peptides. We have discovered that two APETx-like peptides from the sea anemone Heteractis crispa, Hcr 1b-3 and Hcr 1b-4, demonstrate different effects on rASIC1a and rASIC3 currents. While Hcr 1b-3 inhibits both investigated ASIC subtypes with IC50 4.95 ± 0.19 μM for rASIC1a and 17 ± 5.8 μM for rASIC3, Hcr 1b-4 has been found to be the first potentiator of ASIC3, simultaneously inhibiting rASIC1a at similar concentrations: EC50 1.53 ± 0.07 μM and IC50 1.25 ± 0.04 μM. The closest homologs, APETx2, Hcr 1b-1, and Hcr 1b-2, previously demonstrated the ability to inhibit hASIC3 with IC50 63 nM, 5.5, and 15.9 μM, respectively, while Hcr 1b-2 also inhibited rASIC1a with IC50 4.8 ± 0.3 μM. Computer modeling allowed us to describe the peculiarities of Hcr 1b-2 and Hcr 1b-4 interfaces with the rASIC1a channel and the stabilization of the expanded acidic pocket resulting from peptides binding which traps the rASIC1a channel in the closed state.
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22
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de la Rosa G, Olvera F, Archundia IG, Lomonte B, Alagón A, Corzo G. Horse immunization with short-chain consensus α-neurotoxin generates antibodies against broad spectrum of elapid venomous species. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3642. [PMID: 31409779 PMCID: PMC6692343 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11639-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antivenoms are fundamental in the therapy for snakebites. In elapid venoms, there are toxins, e.g. short-chain α-neurotoxins, which are quite abundant, highly toxic, and consequently play a major role in envenomation processes. The core problem is that such α-neurotoxins are weakly immunogenic, and many current elapid antivenoms show low reactivity towards them. We have previously developed a recombinant consensus short-chain α-neurotoxin (ScNtx) based on sequences from the most lethal elapid venoms from America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Here we report that an antivenom generated by immunizing horses with ScNtx can successfully neutralize the lethality of pure recombinant and native short-chain α-neurotoxins, as well as whole neurotoxic elapid venoms from diverse genera such as Micrurus, Dendroaspis, Naja, Walterinnesia, Ophiophagus and Hydrophis. These results provide a proof-of-principle for using recombinant proteins with rationally designed consensus sequences as universal immunogens for developing next-generation antivenoms with higher effectiveness and broader neutralizing capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo de la Rosa
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México - UNAM, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca Morelos, 61500, Mexico.
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S3E1, Canada.
| | - Felipe Olvera
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México - UNAM, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca Morelos, 61500, Mexico
| | - Irving G Archundia
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México - UNAM, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca Morelos, 61500, Mexico
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501, Costa Rica
| | - Alejandro Alagón
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México - UNAM, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca Morelos, 61500, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México - UNAM, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca Morelos, 61500, Mexico.
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Uchitel OD, González Inchauspe C, Weissmann C. Synaptic signals mediated by protons and acid-sensing ion channels. Synapse 2019; 73:e22120. [PMID: 31180161 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular pH changes may constitute significant signals for neuronal communication. During synaptic transmission, changes in pH in the synaptic cleft take place. Its role in the regulation of presynaptic Ca2+ currents through multivesicular release in ribbon-type synapses is a proven phenomenon. In recent years, protons have been recognized as neurotransmitters that participate in neuronal communication in synapses of several regions of the CNS such as amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and brainstem. Protons are released by nerve stimulation and activate postsynaptic acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). Several types of ASIC channels are expressed in the peripheral and central nervous system. The influx of Ca2+ through some subtypes of ASICs, as a result of synaptic transmission, agrees with the participation of ASICs in synaptic plasticity. Pharmacological and genetical inhibition of ASIC1a results in alterations in learning, memory, and phenomena like fear and cocaine-seeking behavior. The recognition of endogenous molecules, such as arachidonic acid, cytokines, histamine, spermine, lactate, and neuropeptides, capable of inhibiting or potentiating ASICs suggests the existence of mechanisms of synaptic modulation that have not yet been fully identified and that could be tuned by new emerging pharmacological compounds with potential therapeutic benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osvaldo D Uchitel
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular "Dr. Héctor Maldonado", Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE) CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, (C1428EGA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlota González Inchauspe
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular "Dr. Héctor Maldonado", Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE) CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, (C1428EGA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carina Weissmann
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular "Dr. Héctor Maldonado", Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE) CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, (C1428EGA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Maatuf Y, Geron M, Priel A. The Role of Toxins in the Pursuit for Novel Analgesics. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11020131. [PMID: 30813430 PMCID: PMC6409898 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11020131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is a major medical issue which reduces the quality of life of millions and inflicts a significant burden on health authorities worldwide. Currently, management of chronic pain includes first-line pharmacological therapies that are inadequately effective, as in just a portion of patients pain relief is obtained. Furthermore, most analgesics in use produce severe or intolerable adverse effects that impose dose restrictions and reduce compliance. As the majority of analgesic agents act on the central nervous system (CNS), it is possible that blocking pain at its source by targeting nociceptors would prove more efficient with minimal CNS-related side effects. The development of such analgesics requires the identification of appropriate molecular targets and thorough understanding of their structural and functional features. To this end, plant and animal toxins can be employed as they affect ion channels with high potency and selectivity. Moreover, elucidation of the toxin-bound ion channel structure could generate pharmacophores for rational drug design while favorable safety and analgesic profiles could highlight toxins as leads or even as valuable therapeutic compounds themselves. Here, we discuss the use of plant and animal toxins in the characterization of peripherally expressed ion channels which are implicated in pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yossi Maatuf
- The Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
| | - Matan Geron
- The Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
| | - Avi Priel
- The Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
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25
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Dibas J, Al-Saad H, Dibas A. Basics on the use of acid-sensing ion channels' inhibitors as therapeutics. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:395-398. [PMID: 30539804 PMCID: PMC6334597 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.245466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of acid-sensing ion channels in 1997, their importance in the health of neurons and other non-neuronal cells has gained significant importance. Acid-sensing ion channels play important roles in mediating pain sensation during diseases such as stroke, inflammation, arthritis, cancer, and recently migraine. More interestingly, acid-sensing ion channels may explain the sex differences in pain between males and females. Also, the ability of acid-sensing ion channel blockers to exert neuroprotective effects in a number of neurodegenerative diseases has added a new dimension to their therapeutic value. The current failure rate of ~45% of new drugs (due to toxicity issues) and saving of up to 7 years in the life span of drug approval makes drug repurposing a high priority. If acid-sensing ion channels’ blockers undergo what is known as “drug repurposing”, there is a great potential to bring them as medications with known safety profiles to new patient populations. However, the route of administration remains a big challenge due to their poor penetration of the blood brain and retinal barriers. In this review, the promise of using acid-sensing ion channel blockers as neuroprotective drugs is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamileh Dibas
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Houssam Al-Saad
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Adnan Dibas
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX, USA
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26
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Munawar A, Ali SA, Akrem A, Betzel C. Snake Venom Peptides: Tools of Biodiscovery. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10110474. [PMID: 30441876 PMCID: PMC6266942 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10110474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Nature endowed snakes with a lethal secretion known as venom, which has been fine-tuned over millions of years of evolution. Snakes utilize venom to subdue their prey and to survive in their natural habitat. Venom is known to be a very poisonous mixture, consisting of a variety of molecules, such as carbohydrates, nucleosides, amino acids, lipids, proteins and peptides. Proteins and peptides are the major constituents of the dry weight of snake venoms and are of main interest for scientific investigations as well as for various pharmacological applications. Snake venoms contain enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins and peptides, which are grouped into different families based on their structure and function. Members of a single family display significant similarities in their primary, secondary and tertiary structures, but in many cases have distinct pharmacological functions and different bioactivities. The functional specificity of peptides belonging to the same family can be attributed to subtle variations in their amino acid sequences. Currently, complementary tools and techniques are utilized to isolate and characterize the peptides, and study their potential applications as molecular probes, and possible templates for drug discovery and design investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha Munawar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore 54890, Pakistan.
| | - Syed Abid Ali
- H.E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan.
| | - Ahmed Akrem
- Botany Division, Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.
| | - Christian Betzel
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, 22607 Hamburg, Germany.
- Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, DESY, Build. 22a, Notkestr. 85, 22603 Hamburg, Germany.
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27
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Govindu PCV, Mohanan A, Dolle A, Gowd KH. Conformations of cysteine disulfides of peptide toxins: Advantage of differentiating forward and reverse asymmetric disulfide conformers. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2018; 37:2017-2029. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2018.1475257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Panchada Ch V Govindu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India
| | - Athul Mohanan
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India
| | - Ashwini Dolle
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India
| | - Konkallu Hanumae Gowd
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India
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28
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Verkest C, Piquet E, Diochot S, Dauvois M, Lanteri-Minet M, Lingueglia E, Baron A. Effects of systemic inhibitors of acid-sensing ion channels 1 (ASIC1) against acute and chronic mechanical allodynia in a rodent model of migraine. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:4154-4166. [PMID: 30079481 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are neuronal proton sensors emerging as potential therapeutic targets in pain of the orofacial region. Amiloride, a non-specific ASIC blocker, has been shown to exert beneficial effects in animal models of migraine and in patients. We explored the involvement of the ASIC1-subtype in cutaneous allodynia, a hallmark of migraine affecting cephalic and extra-cephalic regions in about 70% of migrainers. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We investigated the effects of systemic injections of amiloride and mambalgin-1, a specific inhibitor of ASIC1a- and ASIC1b-containing channels, on cephalic and extra-cephalic mechanical sensitivity in a rodent model of acute and chronic migraine induced by i.p. injections of isosorbide dinitrate. KEY RESULTS I.v. injections of these inhibitors reversed cephalic and extra-cephalic acute cutaneous mechanical allodynia in rats, a single injection inducing a delay in the subsequent establishment of chronic allodynia. Both mambalgin-1 and amiloride also reversed established chronic allodynia. The anti-allodynic effects of mambalgin-1 were not altered in ASIC1a-knockout mice, showing the ASIC1a subtype is not involved in these effects which were comparable to those of the anti-migraine drug sumatriptan and of the preventive drug topiramate on acute and chronic allodynia respectively. A single daily injection of mambalgin-1 also had a significant preventive effect on allodynia chronification. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These pharmacological data support the involvement of peripheral ASIC1-containing channels in migraine cutaneous allodynia as well as in its chronification. They highlight the therapeutic potential of ASIC1 inhibitors as both an acute and prophylactic treatment for migraine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Verkest
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France.,LabEx Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics, Valbonne, France.,FHU InovPain, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Emilie Piquet
- FHU InovPain, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,CHU Nice, Hopital Cimiez, Département d'évaluation et de traitement de la douleur, Nice, France
| | - Sylvie Diochot
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France.,LabEx Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics, Valbonne, France.,FHU InovPain, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Mélodie Dauvois
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
| | - Michel Lanteri-Minet
- FHU InovPain, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,CHU Nice, Hopital Cimiez, Département d'évaluation et de traitement de la douleur, Nice, France.,Inserm/UdA, U1107, Neuro-Dol, Trigeminal Pain and Migraine, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Eric Lingueglia
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France.,LabEx Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics, Valbonne, France.,FHU InovPain, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Anne Baron
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France.,LabEx Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics, Valbonne, France.,FHU InovPain, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
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29
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Cryo-EM structure of the ASIC1a-mambalgin-1 complex reveals that the peptide toxin mambalgin-1 inhibits acid-sensing ion channels through an unusual allosteric effect. Cell Discov 2018; 4:27. [PMID: 29872539 PMCID: PMC5986765 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-018-0026-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are neuronal voltage-independent Na+ channels that are activated by extracellular acidification. ASICs play essential roles in a wide range of physiological processes, including sodium homeostasis, synaptic plasticity, neurodegeneration, and sensory transduction. Mambalgins, a family of three-finger toxins isolated from black mamba venom, specifically inhibit ASICs to exert strong analgesic effects in vivo, thus are thought to have potential therapeutic values against pain. However, the interaction and inhibition mechanism of mambalgin on ASICs remains elusive. Here, we report a cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of chicken ASIC1a (cASIC1a) in complex with mambalgin-1 toxin at 5.4 Å resolution. Our structure provides the first experimental evidence that mambalgin-1 interacts directly with the extracellular thumb domain of cASIC1a, rather than inserting into the acid-sensing pocket, as previously reported. Binding of mambalgin-1 leads to relocation of the thumb domain that could disrupt the acidic pocket of cASIC1a, illustrating an unusual inhibition mechanism of toxins on ASIC channels through an allosteric effect. These findings establish a structural basis for the toxicity of the mambalgins, and provide crucial insights for the development of new optimized inhibitors of ASICs.
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31
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Hamad MK, He K, Abdulrazeq HF, Mustafa AM, Luceri R, Kamal N, Ali M, Nakhla J, Herzallah MM, Mammis A. Potential Uses of Isolated Toxin Peptides in Neuropathic Pain Relief: A Literature Review. World Neurosurg 2018; 113:333-347.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.01.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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32
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Abstract
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are a family of ion channels, consisting of four members; ASIC1 to 4. These channels are sensitive to changes in pH and are expressed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems-including brain, spinal cord, and sensory ganglia. They have been implicated in a number of neurological conditions such as stroke and cerebral ischemia, traumatic brain injury, and epilepsy, and more recently in migraine. Their expression within areas of interest in the brain in migraine, such as the hypothalamus and PAG, their demonstrated involvement in preclinical models of meningeal afferent signaling, and their role in cortical spreading depression (the electrophysiological correlate of migraine aura), has enhanced research interest into these channels as potential therapeutic targets in migraine. Migraine is a disorder with a paucity of both acute and preventive therapies available, in which at best 50% of patients respond to available medications, and these medications often have intolerable side effects. There is therefore a great need for therapeutic development for this disabling condition. This review will summarize the understanding of the structure and CNS expression of ASICs, the mechanisms for their potential role in nociception, recent work in migraine, and areas for future research and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazia Karsan
- Headache Group, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9PJ, UK
| | - Eric B Gonzales
- TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine (applicant for LCME accreditation), Department of Medical Education, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Gregory Dussor
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, BSB-14, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
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Vasilyeva NA, Loktyushov EV, Bychkov ML, Shenkarev ZO, Lyukmanova EN. Three-Finger Proteins from the Ly6/uPAR Family: Functional Diversity within One Structural Motif. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2018. [PMID: 29523067 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297917130090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The discovery in higher animals of proteins from the Ly6/uPAR family, which have structural homology with snake "three-finger" neurotoxins, has generated great interest in these molecules and their role in the functioning of the organism. These proteins have been found in the nervous, immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems of mammals. There are two types of the Ly6/uPAR proteins: those associated with the cell membrane by GPI-anchor and secreted ones. For some of them (Lynx1, SLURP-1, SLURP-2, Lypd6), as well as for snake α-neurotoxins, the target of action is nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are widely represented in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and in many other tissues, including epithelial cells and the immune system. However, the targets of most proteins from the Ly6/uPAR family and the mechanism of their action remain unknown. This review presents data on the structural and functional properties of the Ly6/uPAR proteins, which reveal a variety of functions within a single structural motif.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Vasilyeva
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Ojeda PG, Ramírez D, Alzate-Morales J, Caballero J, Kaas Q, González W. Computational Studies of Snake Venom Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 10:E8. [PMID: 29271884 PMCID: PMC5793095 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Most snake venom toxins are proteins, and participate to envenomation through a diverse array of bioactivities, such as bleeding, inflammation, and pain, cytotoxic, cardiotoxic or neurotoxic effects. The venom of a single snake species contains hundreds of toxins, and the venoms of the 725 species of venomous snakes represent a large pool of potentially bioactive proteins. Despite considerable discovery efforts, most of the snake venom toxins are still uncharacterized. Modern bioinformatics tools have been recently developed to mine snake venoms, helping focus experimental research on the most potentially interesting toxins. Some computational techniques predict toxin molecular targets, and the binding mode to these targets. This review gives an overview of current knowledge on the ~2200 sequences, and more than 400 three-dimensional structures of snake toxins deposited in public repositories, as well as of molecular modeling studies of the interaction between these toxins and their molecular targets. We also describe how modern bioinformatics have been used to study the snake venom protein phospholipase A2, the small basic myotoxin Crotamine, and the three-finger peptide Mambalgin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola G Ojeda
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Simulations (CBSM), Universidad de Talca, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidad Autonoma de Chile, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
| | - David Ramírez
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Simulations (CBSM), Universidad de Talca, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidad Autonoma de Chile, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
| | - Jans Alzate-Morales
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Simulations (CBSM), Universidad de Talca, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
| | - Julio Caballero
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Simulations (CBSM), Universidad de Talca, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Wendy González
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Simulations (CBSM), Universidad de Talca, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
- Millennium Nucleus of Ion Channels-Associated Diseases (MiNICAD), Universidad de Talca, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
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Besson T, Lingueglia E, Salinas M. Pharmacological modulation of Acid-Sensing Ion Channels 1a and 3 by amiloride and 2-guanidine-4-methylquinazoline (GMQ). Neuropharmacology 2017; 125:429-440. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Hung A, Kuyucak S, Schroeder CI, Kaas Q. Modelling the interactions between animal venom peptides and membrane proteins. Neuropharmacology 2017; 127:20-31. [PMID: 28778835 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The active components of animal venoms are mostly peptide toxins, which typically target ion channels and receptors of both the central and peripheral nervous system, interfering with action potential conduction and/or synaptic transmission. The high degree of sequence conservation of their molecular targets makes a range of these toxins active at human receptors. The high selectivity and potency displayed by some of these toxins have prompted their use as pharmacological tools as well as drugs or drug leads. Molecular modelling has played an essential role in increasing our molecular-level understanding of the activity and specificity of animal toxins, as well as engineering them for biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications. This review focuses on the biological insights gained from computational and experimental studies of animal venom toxins interacting with membranes and ion channels. A host of recent X-ray crystallography and electron-microscopy structures of the toxin targets has contributed to a dramatic increase in the accuracy of the molecular models of toxin binding modes greatly advancing this exciting field of study. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Venom-derived Peptides as Pharmacological Tools.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Hung
- School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Serdar Kuyucak
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia.
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Acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) structure and function: Insights from spider, snake and sea anemone venoms. Neuropharmacology 2017; 127:173-184. [PMID: 28457973 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-activated cation channels that are expressed in a variety of neuronal and non-neuronal tissues. As proton-gated channels, they have been implicated in many pathophysiological conditions where pH is perturbed. Venom derived compounds represent the most potent and selective modulators of ASICs described to date, and thus have been invaluable as pharmacological tools to study ASIC structure, function, and biological roles. There are now ten ASIC modulators described from animal venoms, with those from snakes and spiders favouring ASIC1, while the sea anemones preferentially target ASIC3. Some modulators, such as the prototypical ASIC1 modulator PcTx1 have been studied in great detail, while some of the newer members of the club remain largely unstudied. Here we review the current state of knowledge on venom derived ASIC modulators, with a particular focus on their molecular interaction with ASICs, what they have taught us about channel structure, and what they might still reveal about ASIC function and pathophysiological roles. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Venom-derived Peptides as Pharmacological Tools.'
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Kessler P, Marchot P, Silva M, Servent D. The three-finger toxin fold: a multifunctional structural scaffold able to modulate cholinergic functions. J Neurochem 2017; 142 Suppl 2:7-18. [PMID: 28326549 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Three-finger fold toxins are miniproteins frequently found in Elapidae snake venoms. This fold is characterized by three distinct loops rich in β-strands and emerging from a dense, globular core reticulated by four highly conserved disulfide bridges. The number and diversity of receptors, channels, and enzymes identified as targets of three-finger fold toxins is increasing continuously. Such manifold diversity highlights the specific adaptability of this fold for generating pleiotropic functions. Although this toxin superfamily disturbs many biological functions by interacting with a large diversity of molecular targets, the most significant target is the cholinergic system. By blocking the activity of the nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors or by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, three-finger fold toxins interfere most drastically with neuromuscular junction functioning. Several of these toxins have become powerful pharmacological tools for studying the function and structure of their molecular targets. Most importantly, since dysfunction of these receptors/enzyme is involved in many diseases, exploiting the three-finger scaffold to create novel, highly specific therapeutic agents may represent a major future endeavor. This is an article for the special issue XVth International Symposium on Cholinergic Mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Kessler
- Service d'Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines (SIMOPRO), IBITECS, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Pascale Marchot
- Aix-Marseille Université/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques laboratory, Faculté des Sciences Campus Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Marcela Silva
- Service d'Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines (SIMOPRO), IBITECS, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.,Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Denis Servent
- Service d'Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines (SIMOPRO), IBITECS, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Conformational dynamics and role of the acidic pocket in ASIC pH-dependent gating. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:3768-3773. [PMID: 28320963 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1620560114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-activated Na+ channels expressed in the nervous system, where they are involved in learning, fear behaviors, neurodegeneration, and pain sensation. In this work, we study the role in pH sensing of two regions of the ectodomain enriched in acidic residues: the acidic pocket, which faces the outside of the protein and is the binding site of several animal toxins, and the palm, a central channel domain. Using voltage clamp fluorometry, we find that the acidic pocket undergoes conformational changes during both activation and desensitization. Concurrently, we find that, although proton sensing in the acidic pocket is not required for channel function, it does contribute to both activation and desensitization. Furthermore, protonation-mimicking mutations of acidic residues in the palm induce a dramatic acceleration of desensitization followed by the appearance of a sustained current. In summary, this work describes the roles of potential pH sensors in two extracellular domains, and it proposes a model of acidification-induced conformational changes occurring in the acidic pocket of ASIC1a.
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Lan H, Wu K, Zheng Y, Pan M, Huang YC, Gao S, Zheng QY, Zheng JS, Li YM, Xiao B, Liu L. Total synthesis of mambalgin-1/2/3 by two-segment hydrazide-based native chemical ligation. J Pept Sci 2016; 22:320-6. [PMID: 26991634 DOI: 10.1002/psc.2868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2015] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Mambalgins are a class of 57-residue polypeptide toxins isolated from the venom of the African mamba. They exhibit potent analgesic effects by inhibiting the acid-sensing ion channels. Classified as members of the family of three-finger toxins, mambalgins contain four pairs of disulfide bridges that help to stabilize the three-finger scaffold. Here, we report the chemical synthesis of functional mambalgin-1/2/3 by using one-step two-segment hydrazide-based native chemical ligation. The two-segment ligation approach reported here may enable efficient production of mambalgin toxins. These synthetic mambalgins are useful compounds for development of diagnostic or therapeutic reagents. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Lan
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Kun Wu
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yong Zheng
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China
| | - Man Pan
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yi-Chao Huang
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Shuai Gao
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qing-Yun Zheng
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ji-Shen Zheng
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China
| | - Yi-Ming Li
- School of Medical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Nankai, China
| | - Bailong Xiao
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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