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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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2
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Solving the microheterogeneity of Bothrops asper myotoxin-II by high-resolution mass spectrometry: Insights into C-terminal region variability in Lys49-phospholipase A2 homologs. Toxicon 2022; 210:123-131. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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3
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Hiu JJ, Yap MKK. The effects of Naja sumatrana venom cytotoxin, sumaCTX on alteration of the secretome in MCF-7 breast cancer cells following membrane permeabilization. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 184:776-786. [PMID: 34174307 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.06.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Naja sumatrana venom cytotoxin (sumaCTX) is a basic protein which belongs to three-finger toxin family. It has been shown to induce caspase-dependent, mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in MCF-7 cells at lower concentrations. This study aimed to investigate the alteration of secretome in MCF-7 cells following membrane permeabilization by high concentrations of sumaCTX, using label-free quantitative (LFQ) approach. The degree of membrane permeabilization of sumaCTX was determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and calcein-propidium iodide (PI) assays. LDH and calcein-PI assays revealed time-dependent membrane permeabilization within a narrow concentration range. However, as toxin concentrations increased, prolonged exposure of MCF-7 cells to sumaCTX did not promote the progression of membrane permeabilization. The secretome analyses showed that membrane permeabilization was an event preceding the release of intracellular proteins. Bioinformatics analyses of the LFQ secretome revealed the presence of 105 significantly distinguished proteins involved in metabolism, structural supports, inflammatory responses, and necroptosis in MCF-7 cells treated with 29.8 μg/mL of sumaCTX. Necroptosis was presumably an initial stress response in MCF-7 cells when exposed to high sumaCTX concentration. Collectively, sumaCTX-induced the loss of membrane integrity in a concentration-dependent manner, whereby the cell death pattern of MCF-7 cells transformed from apoptosis to necroptosis with increasing toxin concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Jin Hiu
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
| | - Michelle Khai Khun Yap
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia; Tropical Medicine and Biology Multidisciplinary Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
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Assessing the Binding of Venoms from Aquatic Elapids to the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Orthosteric Site of Different Prey Models. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197377. [PMID: 33036249 PMCID: PMC7583753 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution of an aquatic lifestyle from land dwelling venomous elapids is a radical ecological modification, bringing about many evolutionary changes from morphology to diet. Diet is an important ecological facet which can play a key role in regulating functional traits such as venom composition and prey-specific targeting of venom. In addition to predating upon novel prey (e.g., fish, fish eggs and invertebrates), the venoms of aquatic elapids also face the challenge of increased prey-escape potential in the aquatic environment. Thus, despite the independent radiation into an aquatic niche on four separate occasions, the venoms of aquatic elapids are evolving under convergent selection pressures. Utilising a biolayer interferometry binding assay, this study set out to elucidate whether crude venoms from representative aquatic elapids were target-specific to the orthosteric site of postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor mimotopes of fish compared to other terrestrial prey types. Representatives of the four aquatic lineages were: aquatic coral snakes representative was Micrurus surinamensis;, sea kraits representative was Laticauda colubrina; sea snakes representatives were two Aipysurus spp. and eight Hydrophis spp; and water cobras representative was Naja annulata. No prey-specific differences in crude venom binding were observed from any species tested, except for Aipysurus laevis, which showed slight evidence of prey-potency differences. For Hydrophis caerulescens, H. peronii, H. schistosus and M. surinamensis, there was a lack of binding to the orthosteric site of any target lineage. Subsequent testing on the in vitro chick-biventer cervicis muscle preparation suggested that, while the venoms of these species bound postsynaptically, they bound to allosteric sites rather than orthosteric. Allosteric binding is potentially a weaker but faster-acting form of neurotoxicity and we hypothesise that the switch to allosteric binding is likely due to selection pressures related to prey-escape potential. This research has potentially opened up the possibility of a new functional class of toxins which have never been assessed previously while shedding light on the selection pressures shaping venom evolution.
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Teixeira SC, Borges BC, Oliveira VQ, Carregosa LS, Bastos LA, Santos IA, Jardim ACG, Melo FF, Freitas LM, Rodrigues VM, Lopes DS. Insights into the antiviral activity of phospholipases A 2 (PLA 2s) from snake venoms. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 164:616-625. [PMID: 32698062 PMCID: PMC7368918 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.07.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Viruses are associated with several human diseases that infect a large number of individuals, hence directly affecting global health and economy. Owing to the lack of efficient vaccines, antiviral therapy and emerging resistance strains, many viruses are considered as a potential threat to public health. Therefore, researches have been developed to identify new drug candidates for future treatments. Among them, antiviral research based on natural molecules is a promising approach. Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) isolated from snake venom have shown significant antiviral activity against some viruses such as Dengue virus, Human Immunodeficiency virus, Hepatitis C virus and Yellow fever virus, and have emerged as an attractive alternative strategy for the development of novel antiviral therapy. Thus, this review provides an overview of remarkable findings involving PLA2s from snake venom that possess antiviral activity, and discusses the mechanisms of action mediated by PLA2s against different stages of virus replication cycle. Additionally, molecular docking simulations were performed by interacting between phospholipids from Dengue virus envelope and PLA2s from Bothrops asper snake venom. Studies on snake venom PLA2s highlight the potential use of these proteins for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Teixeira
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - B C Borges
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - V Q Oliveira
- Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Anísio Teixeira Campus, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - L S Carregosa
- Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Anísio Teixeira Campus, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - L A Bastos
- Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Anísio Teixeira Campus, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - I A Santos
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - A C G Jardim
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - F F Melo
- Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Anísio Teixeira Campus, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - L M Freitas
- Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Anísio Teixeira Campus, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - V M Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - D S Lopes
- Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Anísio Teixeira Campus, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil; Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Bio-Function, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
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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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Kini RM. Toxinology provides multidirectional and multidimensional opportunities: A personal perspective. Toxicon X 2020; 6:100039. [PMID: 32550594 PMCID: PMC7285919 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2020.100039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In nature, toxins have evolved as weapons to capture and subdue the prey or to counter predators or competitors. When they are inadvertently injected into humans, they cause symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to debilitation and death. Toxinology is the science of studying venoms and toxins that are produced by a wide variety of organisms. In the past, the structure, function and mechanisms of most abundant and/or most toxic components were characterized to understand and to develop strategies to neutralize their toxicity. With recent technical advances, we are able to evaluate and determine the toxin profiles using transcriptomes of venom glands and proteomes of tiny amounts of venom. Enormous amounts of data from these studies have opened tremendous opportunities in many directions of basic and applied research. The lower costs for profiling venoms will further fuel the expansion of toxin database, which in turn will provide greater exciting and bright opportunities in toxin research.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Manjunatha Kini
- Protein Science Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Almeida JR, Palacios ALV, Patiño RSP, Mendes B, Teixeira CAS, Gomes P, da Silva SL. Harnessing snake venom phospholipases A 2 to novel approaches for overcoming antibiotic resistance. Drug Dev Res 2018; 80:68-85. [PMID: 30255943 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of antibiotic resistance drives an essential race against time to reveal new molecular structures capable of addressing this alarming global health problem. Snake venoms are natural catalogs of multifunctional toxins and privileged frameworks, which serve as potential templates for the inspiration of novel treatment strategies for combating antibiotic resistant bacteria. Phospholipases A2 (PLA2 s) are one of the main classes of antibacterial biomolecules, with recognized therapeutic value, found in these valuable secretions. Recently, a number of biomimetic oligopeptides based on small fragments of primary structure from PLA2 toxins has emerged as a meaningful opportunity to overcome multidrug-resistant clinical isolates. Thus, this review will highlight the biochemical and structural properties of antibacterial PLA2 s and peptides thereof, as well as their possible molecular mechanisms of action and key roles in development of effective therapeutic strategies. Chemical strategies possibly useful to convert antibacterial peptides from PLA2 s to efficient drugs will be equally addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bruno Mendes
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Cátia A S Teixeira
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Saulo L da Silva
- Facultad de Ciencias Química, Universidad de Cuenca - Cuenca/Azuay - Ecuador
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Costa FLS, De Lima ME, Figueiredo SG, Ferreira RS, Prates NS, Sakamoto T, Salas CE. Sequence analysis of the cDNA encoding for SpCTx: a lethal factor from scorpionfish venom ( Scorpaena plumieri). J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2018; 24:24. [PMID: 30181739 PMCID: PMC6114736 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-018-0158-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lethal factors are multifunctional oligomeric proteins found in the venomous apparatus of Scorpaeniformes fish. These toxins elicit not only an array of biological responses in vitro but also cardiovascular disorders and strong hemolytic, nociceptive and edematogenic activities in vivo. This work describes the cloning and molecular identification of two toxin subunits, denominated Sp-CTx-α and Sp-CTx-β, from scorpionfish venom (Scorpaena plumieri). Methods The primary structures were deduced after cDNA amplification by PCR with primers from conserved sequences described in Scorpaeniformes toxins. Following DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis, the tridimensional structures of both subunits were modeled. Results The translated sequences (702 amino acids, each subunit) show homology with other lethal factors, while alignment between Sp-CTx-α and Sp-CTx-β shows 54% identity. The subunits lack N-terminal signal sequences and display masses of approximately 80 kDa each. Both Sp-CTx subunits display a B30.2/SPRY domain at the C-terminal region with typically conserved motifs as described in these toxins. Secondary structure prediction identified six α-helices 18 residues long in both α and β subunits, some of them amphiphilic with their N-terminal flanked by many basic residues, creating a cationic site associated with the cytolytic activity of these toxins. Antimicrobial potential sites were identified in Sp-CTx and share some features with other peptides presenting variable and broad-spectrum activity. A phylogenetic tree built to represent these toxins supports the proximity between scorpionfish, lionfish and stonefish. Conclusion The study identified a putative toxin protein whose primary structure is similar to other fish toxins and with potential for production of antivenom against scorpionfish envenomation in Brazil. As a prelude to structure-function studies, we propose that the toxin is structurally related to pore-forming marine toxins. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40409-018-0158-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio L S Costa
- 1Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Maria Elena De Lima
- 1Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Suely G Figueiredo
- 2Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES Brazil
| | - Rafaela S Ferreira
- 1Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Núbia S Prates
- 1Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Tetsu Sakamoto
- 1Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Carlos E Salas
- 1Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901 Brazil
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Konshina AG, Krylov NA, Efremov RG. Cardiotoxins: Functional Role of Local Conformational Changes. J Chem Inf Model 2017; 57:2799-2810. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.7b00395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia G. Konshina
- Shemyakin−Ovchinnikov
Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., 117997 GSP, Moscow V-437, Russia
| | - Nikolay A. Krylov
- Shemyakin−Ovchinnikov
Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., 117997 GSP, Moscow V-437, Russia
- Joint
Supercomputer Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prospect,
32a, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Roman G. Efremov
- Shemyakin−Ovchinnikov
Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya str., 117997 GSP, Moscow V-437, Russia
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Characterization of the antimicrobial peptide family defensins in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), and tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Immunogenetics 2016; 69:133-143. [PMID: 27838759 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-016-0959-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Defensins comprise a family of cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides with important roles in innate and adaptive immune defense in vertebrates. We characterized alpha and beta defensin genes in three Australian marsupials: the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), and tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) and identified 48, 34, and 39 defensins, respectively. One hundred and twelve have the classical antimicrobial peptides characteristics required for pathogen membrane targeting, including cationic charge (between 1+ and 15+) and a high proportion of hydrophobic residues (>30%). Phylogenetic analysis shows that gene duplication has driven unique and species-specific expansions of devil, koala, and tammar wallaby beta defensins and devil alpha defensins. Defensin genes are arranged in three genomic clusters in marsupials, whereas further duplications and translocations have occurred in eutherians resulting in four and five gene clusters in mice and humans, respectively. Marsupial defensins are generally under purifying selection, particularly residues essential for defensin structural stability. Certain hydrophobic or positively charged sites, predominantly found in the defensin loop, are positively selected, which may have functional significance in defensin-target interaction and membrane insertion.
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12
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Barnwal B, Jobichen C, Girish VM, Foo CS, Sivaraman J, Kini RM. Ringhalexin from Hemachatus haemachatus: A novel inhibitor of extrinsic tenase complex. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25935. [PMID: 27173146 PMCID: PMC4865804 DOI: 10.1038/srep25935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Anticoagulant therapy is used for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders. Blood coagulation is initiated by the interaction of factor VIIa (FVIIa) with membrane-bound tissue factor (TF) to form the extrinsic tenase complex which activates FX to FXa. Thus, it is an important target for the development of novel anticoagulants. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a novel anticoagulant ringhalexin from the venom of Hemachatus haemachatus (African Ringhals Cobra). Amino acid sequence of the protein indicates that it belongs to the three-finger toxin family and exhibits 94% identity to an uncharacterized Neurotoxin-like protein NTL2 from Naja atra. Ringhalexin inhibited FX activation by extrinsic tenase complex with an IC50 of 123.8 ± 9.54 nM. It is a mixed-type inhibitor with the kinetic constants, Ki and Ki' of 84.25 ± 3.53 nM and 152.5 ± 11.32 nM, respectively. Ringhalexin also exhibits a weak, irreversible neurotoxicity on chick biventer cervicis muscle preparations. Subsequently, the three-dimensional structure of ringhalexin was determined at 2.95 Å resolution. This study for the first time reports the structure of an anticoagulant three-finger toxin. Thus, ringhalexin is a potent inhibitor of the FX activation by extrinsic tenase complex and a weak, irreversible neurotoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhaskar Barnwal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260, Singapore
| | - Chacko Jobichen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260, Singapore
| | | | - Chun Shin Foo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260, Singapore
| | - J. Sivaraman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260, Singapore
| | - R. Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260, Singapore
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Marques PP, Esteves A, Lancellotti M, Ponce-Soto LA, Marangoni S. Novel acidic phospholipase A 2 from Porthidium hyoprora causes inflammation with mast cell rich infiltrate. Biochem Biophys Rep 2015; 1:78-84. [PMID: 29124136 PMCID: PMC5668520 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Revised: 03/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are a group of enzymes that hydrolyze phospholipids at the sn-2 position, being present in all nature. In venomous animals, these proteins assume a special role, being able to exert diverse pharmacological effects. In this work, authors identified a new isoform of PLA2 in the venom of Porthidium hyoprora, which was isolated through sequential chromatographic steps and named PhTX-III. The enzyme was characterized biochemically and structurally. Structural studies using mass spectrometry confirmed an acidic secretory PLA2, family IIA, with molecular mass of 13,620.9 Da and identification of 86% of its primary sequence. PhTX-III did not exhibit myotoxic, anticoagulant or antibacterial effects, often present in this class of enzymes. Although, it was capable of initiate inflammatory response, with local edema and release of cytokines IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α, probably due to mast cell degranulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petrus Pires Marques
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology (IB), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Esteves
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICB), Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Lancellotti
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology (IB), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Luis Alberto Ponce-Soto
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology (IB), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Sergio Marangoni
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology (IB), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
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14
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Chuang PS, Shiao JC. Toxin gene determination and evolution in scorpaenoid fish. Toxicon 2014; 88:21-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2014] [Revised: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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15
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Perrin BS, Tian Y, Fu R, Grant CV, Chekmenev EY, Wieczorek W, Dao AE, Hayden RM, Burzynski CM, Venable RM, Sharma M, Opella SJ, Pastor RW, Cotten ML. High-resolution structures and orientations of antimicrobial peptides piscidin 1 and piscidin 3 in fluid bilayers reveal tilting, kinking, and bilayer immersion. J Am Chem Soc 2014; 136:3491-504. [PMID: 24410116 PMCID: PMC3985945 DOI: 10.1021/ja411119m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
While antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been widely investigated as potential therapeutics, high-resolution structures obtained under biologically relevant conditions are lacking. Here, the high-resolution structures of the homologous 22-residue long AMPs piscidin 1 (p1) and piscidin 3 (p3) are determined in fluid-phase 3:1 phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylglycerol (PC/PG) and 1:1 phosphatidylethanolamine/phosphatidylglycerol (PE/PG) bilayers to identify molecular features important for membrane destabilization in bacterial cell membrane mimics. Structural refinement of (1)H-(15)N dipolar couplings and (15)N chemical shifts measured by oriented sample solid-state NMR and all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide structural and orientational information of high precision and accuracy about these interfacially bound α-helical peptides. The tilt of the helical axis, τ, is between 83° and 93° with respect to the bilayer normal for all systems and analysis methods. The average azimuthal rotation, ρ, is 235°, which results in burial of hydrophobic residues in the bilayer. The refined NMR and MD structures reveal a slight kink at G13 that delineates two helical segments characterized by a small difference in their τ angles (<10°) and significant difference in their ρ angles (~25°). Remarkably, the kink, at the end of a G(X)4G motif highly conserved among members of the piscidin family, allows p1 and p3 to adopt ρ angles that maximize their hydrophobic moments. Two structural features differentiate the more potent p1 from p3: p1 has a larger ρ angle and less N-terminal fraying. The peptides have comparable depths of insertion in PC/PG, but p3 is 1.2 Å more deeply inserted than p1 in PE/PG. In contrast to the ideal α-helical structures typically assumed in mechanistic models of AMPs, p1 and p3 adopt disrupted α-helical backbones that correct for differences in the amphipathicity of their N- and C-ends, and their centers of mass lie ~1.2-3.6 Å below the plane defined by the C2 atoms of the lipid acyl chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Scott Perrin
- Laboratory
of Computational Biology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Ye Tian
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0307, United States
| | - Riqiang Fu
- National High Magnetic
Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United
States
| | - Christopher V. Grant
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0307, United States
| | - Eduard Y. Chekmenev
- National High Magnetic
Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United
States
| | - William
E. Wieczorek
- Department
of Chemistry, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York 13323, United States
| | - Alexander E. Dao
- Department
of Chemistry, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York 13323, United States
| | - Robert M. Hayden
- Department
of Chemistry, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York 13323, United States
| | - Caitlin M. Burzynski
- Department
of Chemistry, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York 13323, United States
| | - Richard M. Venable
- Laboratory
of Computational Biology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Mukesh Sharma
- Department
of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Stanley J. Opella
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0307, United States
| | - Richard W. Pastor
- Laboratory
of Computational Biology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Myriam L. Cotten
- Department
of Chemistry, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York 13323, United States
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16
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Gomes HL, Andrich F, Fortes-Dias CL, Perales J, Teixeira-Ferreira A, Vassallo DV, Cruz JS, Figueiredo SG. Molecular and biochemical characterization of a cytolysin from the Scorpaena plumieri (scorpionfish) venom: Evidence of pore formation on erythrocyte cell membrane. Toxicon 2013; 74:92-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Revised: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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17
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Nellas RB, Johnson QR, Shen T. Solvent-Induced α- to 310-Helix Transition of an Amphiphilic Peptide. Biochemistry 2013; 52:7137-44. [DOI: 10.1021/bi400537z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ricky B. Nellas
- Department
of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
- The
University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Center for Molecular
Biophysics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
| | - Quentin R. Johnson
- The
University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Center for Molecular
Biophysics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
- The
University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Graduate School
of Genome Science and Technology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Tongye Shen
- Department
of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
- The
University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Center for Molecular
Biophysics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
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18
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Biochemical characterization and pharmacological properties of new basic PLA2 BrTX-I isolated from Bothrops roedingeri (Roedinger's Lancehead) Mertens, 1942, snake venom. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2012; 2013:591470. [PMID: 23509747 PMCID: PMC3591238 DOI: 10.1155/2013/591470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2012] [Accepted: 11/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BrTX-I, a PLA2, was purified from Bothrops roedingeri venom after only one chromatographic step using reverse-phase HPLC on μ-Bondapak C-18 column. A molecular mass of 14358.69 Da was determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Amino acid analysis showed a high content of hydrophobic and basic amino acids as well as 14 half-cysteine residues. The total amino acid sequence was obtained using SwissProt database and showed high amino acid sequence identity with other PLA2 from snake venom. The amino acid composition showed that BrTX-I has a high content of Lys, Tyr, Gly, Pro, and 14 half-Cys residues, typical of a basic PLA2. BrTX-I presented PLA2 activity and showed a minimum sigmoidal behavior, reaching its maximal activity at pH 8.0, 35-45°C, and required Ca(2+). In vitro, the whole venom and BrTX-I caused a neuromuscular blockade in biventer cervicis preparations in a similar way to other Bothrops species. BrTX-I induced myonecrosis and oedema-forming activity analyzed through injection of the purified BrTX-I in mice. Since BrTX-I exerts a strong proinflammatory effect, the enzymatic phospholipid hydrolysis might be relevant for these phenomena; incrementing levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF α were observed at 15 min, 30 min, one, two, and six hours postinjection, respectively.
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19
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Girish VM, Kumar S, Joseph L, Jobichen C, Kini RM, Sivaraman J. Identification and structural characterization of a new three-finger toxin hemachatoxin from Hemachatus haemachatus venom. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48112. [PMID: 23144733 PMCID: PMC3483290 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Snake venoms are rich sources of biologically active proteins and polypeptides. Three-finger toxins are non-enzymatic proteins present in elapid (cobras, kraits, mambas and sea snakes) and colubrid venoms. These proteins contain four conserved disulfide bonds in the core to maintain the three-finger folds. Although all three-finger toxins have similar fold, their biological activities are different. A new three-finger toxin (hemachatoxin) was isolated from Hemachatus haemachatus (Ringhals cobra) venom. Its amino acid sequence was elucidated, and crystal structure was determined at 2.43 Å resolution. The overall fold is similar to other three-finger toxins. The structure and sequence analysis revealed that the fold is maintained by four highly conserved disulfide bonds. It exhibited highest similarity to particularly P-type cardiotoxins that are known to associate and perturb the membrane surface with their lipid binding sites. Also, the increased B value of hemachotoxin loop II suggests that loop II is flexible and may remain flexible until its interaction with membrane phospholipids. Based on the analysis, we predict hemachatoxin to be cardiotoxic/cytotoxic and our future experiments will be directed to characterize the activity of hemachatoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sundramurthy Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lissa Joseph
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chacko Jobichen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - R. Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RMK); (JS)
| | - J. Sivaraman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail: (RMK); (JS)
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Abstract
Venoms and toxins are of significant interest due to their ability to cause a wide range of pathophysiological conditions that can potentially result in death. Despite their wide distribution among plants and animals, the biochemical pathways associated with these pathogenic agents remain largely unexplored. Impoverished and underdeveloped regions appear especially susceptible to increased incidence and severity due to poor socioeconomic conditions and lack of appropriate medical treatment infrastructure. To facilitate better management and treatment of envenomation victims, it is essential that the biochemical mechanisms of their action be elucidated. This review aims to characterize downstream envenomation mechanisms by addressing the major neuro-, cardio-, and hemotoxins as well as ion-channel toxins. Because of their use in folk and traditional medicine, the biochemistry behind venom therapy and possible implications on conventional medicine will also be addressed.
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21
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Díaz MD, de la Torre BG, Fernández-Reyes M, Rivas L, Andreu D, Jiménez-Barbero J. Structural framework for the modulation of the activity of the hybrid antibiotic peptide cecropin A-melittin [CA(1-7)M(2-9)] by Nε-lysine trimethylation. Chembiochem 2011; 12:2177-83. [PMID: 21805551 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201100269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The 3D structures of six linear pentadecapeptides derived from the cecropin A-melittin antimicrobial peptide CA(1-7)M(2-9) [KWKLFKKIGAVLKVL-NH(2)] have been studied. These analogues are modified by ε-NH(2) trimethylation of one or more lysine residues and showed variation in both antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, depending on the number and position of modified lysines. Since it is expected that these peptides will display a strong conformational ordering when in contact with membranes, we have investigated their structure on the basis of the data extracted from NMR experiments performed in membrane-mimetic environments. We show that inclusion of N(ε)-trimethylated lysine residues induces a certain degree of structural flexibility, while preserving to a variable extent a largely α-helical structure. In addition, peptide orientation with respect to SDS micelles has been explored by detection of the intensity changes of peptide NMR signals upon addition of a paramagnetic probe (Mn(2+) ions).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Dolores Díaz
- Departamento de Biología Físico-Química, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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22
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Gauri SS, Mandal SM, Pati BR, Dey S. Purification and structural characterization of a novel antibacterial peptide from Bellamya bengalensis: activity against ampicillin and chloramphenicol resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. Peptides 2011; 32:691-6. [PMID: 21262297 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2010] [Revised: 01/03/2011] [Accepted: 01/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Increasing tendency of clinical bacterial strains resistant to conventional antibiotics has being a great challenge to the public's health. Antimicrobial peptides, a new class of antibiotics is known to have the activity against a wide range of bacteria resistant to conventional antibiotics. An antimicrobial peptide of 1676 Da was purified from Bellamya bengalensis, a fresh water snail, using ultrafiltration and reversed phase liquid chromatography. The effect of this peptide on Staphylococcus epidermidis resistant to ampicillin and chloramphenicol was investigated; the MIC and MBC values were 8 μg/ml and 16 μg/ml, respectively. Complete sequence of the peptide was determined by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Further, peptide net charge, hydrophobicity and molecular modeling were evaluated in silico for better understanding the probable mechanisms of action. The peptide showed the specificity to bacterial membranes. Hence, this reported peptide revealed a promising candidate to contribute in the development of therapeutic agent for Staphylococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samiran S Gauri
- Central Research Facility, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, WB, India
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23
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Park NG, Silphaduang U, Moon HS, Seo JK, Corrales J, Noga EJ. Structure−Activity Relationships of Piscidin 4, a Piscine Antimicrobial Peptide. Biochemistry 2011; 50:3288-99. [DOI: 10.1021/bi101395j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. G. Park
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - U. Silphaduang
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - H. S. Moon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - J.-K. Seo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - J. Corrales
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - E. J. Noga
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
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24
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Kini RM, Doley R. Structure, function and evolution of three-finger toxins: mini proteins with multiple targets. Toxicon 2010; 56:855-67. [PMID: 20670641 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2010] [Accepted: 07/19/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Snake venoms are complex mixtures of pharmacologically active peptides and proteins. These protein toxins belong to a small number of superfamilies of proteins. Three-finger toxins belong to a superfamily of non-enzymatic proteins found in all families of snakes. They have a common structure of three beta-stranded loops extending from a central core containing all four conserved disulphide bonds. Despite the common scaffold, they bind to different receptors/acceptors and exhibit a wide variety of biological effects. Thus, the structure-function relationships of this group of toxins are complicated and challenging. Studies have shown that the functional sites in these 'sibling' toxins are located on various segments of the molecular surface. Targeting to a wide variety of receptors and ion channels and hence distinct functions in this group of mini proteins is achieved through a combination of accelerated rate of exchange of segments as well as point mutations in exons. In this review, we describe the structural and functional diversity, structure-function relationships and evolution of this group of snake venom toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
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25
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26
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Bonfim VL, de Carvalho DD, Ponce-Soto LA, Kassab BH, Marangoni S. Toxicity of phospholipases A2 D49 (6-1 and 6-2) and K49 (Bj-VII) from Bothrops jararacussu venom. Cell Biol Toxicol 2008; 25:523-32. [DOI: 10.1007/s10565-008-9106-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2008] [Accepted: 10/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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27
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Bonfim V, Ponce-Soto L, Martins de Souza D, Souza G, Baldasso P, Eberlin M, Marangoni S. Structural and functional characterization of myotoxin, Cr-IV 1, a phospholipase A2 D49 from the venom of the snake Calloselasma rhodostoma. Biologicals 2008; 36:168-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2007.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2007] [Revised: 10/24/2007] [Accepted: 10/25/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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28
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Ponce-Soto LA, Baldasso PA, Romero-Vargas FF, Winck FV, Novello JC, Marangoni S. Biochemical, pharmacological and structural characterization of two PLA2 isoforms Cdr-12 and Cdr-13 from Crotalus durissus ruruima snake venom. Protein J 2007; 26:39-49. [PMID: 17203396 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-006-9042-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cdr-12 and Cdr-13 isoforms of PLA2, a D49 protein, were purified from Crotalus durissus ruruima venom after one chromatographic step, reverse phase HPLC on micro-Bondapack C-18. The molecular mass by SDS-PAGE of Cdr-12 and Cdr-13 isoforms of PLA2 was 14333.49 Da and 14296.42 Da, respectively and confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The amino acid composition showed that both isoforms Cdr-12 and Cdr-13 have a high content of Lys, Tyr, Gly, Arg, and 14 half-Cys residues, typical of a basic PLA2. The isoforms Cdr-12 and Cdr-13 had a sequence of amino acids of 122 amino acid residues, being Cdr-12: SLLQFNKMIK FETRKNAIPF YAFYGCYCGW GGQGRPKDAT DRCCIVHDCC YGKLAKCNTK WDFYRYSLRS GYFQCGKGTW CEQQICECDR VAAECLRRSL STYRYGYMIY PDSRCREPSE TC and pI value 8.37 and Cdr-13: SLVQFEKMIK EETGKNAVPF YAFYGCYCGW GGRGRPKDAT DRCCIVHDCC YEKLVKCNTK WDFYRYSLRS GYFQCGKGTW CEQQICECDR VAAECLRRSL STYRYGKMIY PDSRCREPSE TC with a pI value of 8.13 This sequence shows high identity values when compared to other D49 PLA2s isolated from venoms of crotalics snakes. Skeletal muscle preparations from the young chicken have been previously used in order to study the effects of toxins on neuromuscular transmission, providing an important opportunity to study the differentiated behavior of a toxin before more than one model, because it shows differences in its sensibilities. In mice, the PLA2 isoforms Cdr-12 and Cdr-13 induced myonecrosis and edema, upon intramuscular or subcutaneous injections, respectively. In vitro, Cdr-12 and Cdr-13 isoforms of PLA2, caused a potent blockade of neuromuscular transmission in young chicken biventer cervicis preparation and produced cytotoxicity in murine C2C12 skeletal muscle myotubes and lack cytolytic activity upon myoblasts in vitro. Thus, the combined structural and functional information obtained identify Cdr-12 and Cdr-13 isoforms as members of the PLA2 family, which presents the typical bioactivities described for such proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Alberto Ponce-Soto
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6109, Zip code 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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29
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Nair D, Fry B, Alewood P, Kumar P, Kini R. Antimicrobial activity of omwaprin, a new member of the waprin family of snake venom proteins. Biochem J 2007; 402:93-104. [PMID: 17044815 PMCID: PMC1783991 DOI: 10.1042/bj20060318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We have isolated and characterized omwaprin, a 50-amino-acid cationic protein from the venom of inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus). It is a new member of the waprin family of snake venom proteins. A synthetic gene was designed and constructed for expressing the recombinant protein in Escherichia coli. Recombinant omwaprin was used for carrying out functional analyses. The protein is non-toxic to Swiss albino mice at doses of up to 10 mg/kg when administered intraperitoneally. However, it shows selective and dose-dependant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The minimum inhibitory doses were in the range 2-10 microg for selected species of bacteria in radial diffusion assays. The antibacterial activity is salt-tolerant up to 350 mM NaCl. However, omwaprin lost its antibacterial activity upon reduction and alkylation of its cysteine residues, or upon deletion of six N-terminal amino acid residues, four of which are positively charged. These observations indicate that the three-dimensional structure constrained by four disulfide bonds and the N-terminal residues are essential for its activity. The mechanism of action is via membrane disruption, as shown by scanning electron microscopy. Importantly, omwaprin lacks haemolytic activity on human erythrocytes. This demonstrates the specificity of omwaprin for bacterial membranes. Unlike other reported WAP (whey acidic protein) domain-containing antibacterial proteins, including elafin, EPPIN (epididymal proteinase inhibitor), SWAM1 and SWAM2 [single WAP (whey acidic protein) motif proteins 1 and 2] and SLPI (secretory leucocyte proteinase inhibitor), omwaprin shows species-specific activity on the Gram-positive bacteria tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dileep G. Nair
- *Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Bryan G. Fry
- *Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
- †Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia 4072
| | - Paul Alewood
- †Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia 4072
| | - Prakash P. Kumar
- *Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
- ‡Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604
- Correspondence may be addressed to either of these authors (email or )
| | - R. Manjunatha Kini
- *Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
- §Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, U.S.A
- Correspondence may be addressed to either of these authors (email or )
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30
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Boudreault PL, Voyer N. Synthesis, characterization and cytolytic activity of α-helical amphiphilic peptide nanostructures containing crown ethers. Org Biomol Chem 2007; 5:1459-65. [PMID: 17464417 DOI: 10.1039/b702076g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Many natural alpha-helical amphiphilic peptides are known to have lytic activity toward different cells. Herein, we describe the synthesis and the characterization of synthetic alpha-helical amphiphilic peptide nanostructures containing crown ethers, as well as the modulation of their cytolytic activity by adding different acidic dipeptide chains at the N- or C-terminus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Luc Boudreault
- Département de chimie and Centre de recherche sur la fonction, la structure et l'ingénierie des protéines, Faculté des sciences et génie, Université Laval, Québec, CanadaG1K 7P4
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31
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Abstract
Over the last several decades, research on snake venom toxins has provided not only new tools to decipher molecular details of various physiological processes, but also inspiration to design and develop a number of therapeutic agents. Blood circulation, particularly thrombosis and haemostasis, is one of the major targets of several snake venom proteins. Among them, anticoagulant proteins have contributed to our understanding of molecular mechanisms of blood coagulation and have provided potential new leads for the development of drugs to treat or to prevent unwanted clot formation. Some of these anticoagulants exhibit various enzymatic activities whereas others do not. They interfere in normal blood coagulation by different mechanisms. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the structure-function relationships and the mechanisms of some of these anticoagulants, there are still a number of questions to be answered as more new anticoagulants are being discovered. Such studies contribute to our fight against unwanted clot formation, which leads to death and debilitation in cardiac arrest and stroke in patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, arteriosclerosis and hypertension. This review describes the details of the structure, mechanism and structure-function relationships of anticoagulant proteins from snake venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Manjunatha Kini
- Protein Science Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore.
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32
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Mebs D, Kuch U, Coronas FIV, Batista CVF, Gumprecht A, Possani LD. Biochemical and biological activities of the venom of the Chinese pitviper Zhaoermia mangshanensis, with the complete amino acid sequence and phylogenetic analysis of a novel Arg49 phospholipase A2 myotoxin. Toxicon 2006; 47:797-811. [PMID: 16635500 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2006.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2005] [Revised: 01/24/2006] [Accepted: 01/31/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Zhaoermia mangshanensis (formerly Trimeresurus mangshanensis, Ermia mangshanensis) represents a monotypic genus of pitviper known only from Mt Mang in China's Hunan Province, and is among the largest and most spectacular of Asian venomous snakes. The venom of Zhaoermia exhibits high coagulant activity on bovine and human fibrinogen and human plasma, high phosphodiesterase and arginine ester hydrolytic activity, and moderate to low l-amino acid oxidase, kallikrein, caseinolytic, phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), haemorrhagic and myotoxic activities. The approximate i.p. LD(50) of the venom in mice was estimated to be 4 mg/kg. We purified the major toxin of Zhaoermia venom by gel-filtration, cation-exchange chromatography and HPLC. The toxin, a homodimer with an experimental monomeric mass of 13,972 Da, induced edema and myonecrosis in mice, but was devoid of detectable PLA(2) catalytic activity. Its complete amino acid sequence is composed of 121 amino acid residues cross-linked by seven disulfide bridges, and shows more than 80% identity to two Lys49-PLA(2)s from distantly related Asian pitvipers, Protobothrops mucrosquamatus and Calloselasma rhodostoma. Phylogenetic analysis of the novel toxin, zhaoermiatoxin, confirmed that it is rooted within a comprehensive sample of Lys49-PLA(2)s despite having an arginine residue in position 49, suggesting a secondary Lys49-->Arg substitution which did not alter the catalytic inactivity of the molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dietrich Mebs
- Zentrum der Rechtsmedizin, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Ponce-Soto LA, Bonfim VL, Rodrigues-Simioni L, Novello JC, Marangoni S. Determination of Primary Structure of Two Isoforms 6-1 and 6-2 PLA2 D49 from Bothrops jararacussu Snake Venom and Neurotoxic Characterization Using in vitro Neuromuscular Preparation. Protein J 2006; 25:147-55. [PMID: 16862457 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-006-0006-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In this paper we reported the purification, the biological characterization and the amino acid sequence of two new isoforms basic 6-1 (Bj-IV) and 6-2 (Bj-V) PLA(2) D49 purified from the Bothrops jararacussu venom. The isoforms 6-1 and 6-2 had a sequence of amino acids of 121 amino acid residues 6-1: DLFEWGQMIL KETGKNPFPY YGAYGCYCGW GGRGKPKDKD TDRCCYVHDC CYKKLTGCPK TDDRYSYSWL DLTIVCGEDD PCKELCECDK AIAVCFRENL GTYNKKYRYH LKPCKKADKP C and pI value 7.83 and 6-2: DLWQFGQMIL KETGKIPFPY YGAYGCYCGW GGRGGKPKDG TDRCCYVHDC CYKKLTGCPK TDDRYSYSWL DLTIVCGEDD PCKELCECDK AIAVCFRENL GTYNKKYRYH LKPCKKADKP C with a pI value of 7.99. Skeletal muscle preparations from the young chicken have been used previously in order to study the effects of toxins on neuromuscular transmission, providing an important opportunity to study the differentiated behavior of a toxin before more than one model, because it shows differences in its sensibilities. Both isoforms have produced neuromuscular blockade in young chicken biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparations in presence or absence of crotapotin crotalic (F3 and F4) indicating that catalytic activity was not essential for neuromuscular action in this preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Ponce-Soto
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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Jabeen T, Singh N, Singh RK, Ethayathulla AS, Sharma S, Srinivasan A, Singh TP. Crystal structure of a novel phospholipase A2 from Naja naja sagittifera with a strong anticoagulant activity. Toxicon 2005; 46:865-75. [PMID: 16269164 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2005.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2005] [Revised: 08/10/2005] [Accepted: 08/10/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This is the first PLA(2) crystal structure from group I that shows a strong anticoagulant property. The monomeric PLA(2) was purified from the venom of Naja naja sagittifera (Indian cobra). Its amino acid sequence has been determined using cDNA technique. The amino acid sequence of sPLA(2) contains three positively charged and two negatively charged residues in the segment 54-71 (numbering scheme of sPLA(2)) thus giving this region an overall cationic amphiphilic surface. This suggested the presence of an anticoagulant activity in sPLA(2). The enzyme was crystallized using hanging drop vapour diffusion method in the presence of calcium chloride. The crystals belong to space group P4(1) with cell dimensions of a=b=42.0A, c=65.9A. The X-ray crystal structure was determined at 1.8A resolution using molecular replacement method and refined to an R value of 0.179 for 10,023 reflections. The overall scaffolding of sPLA(2) is essentially similar to those observed for other group I PLA(2)s. However, the conformations of various surface loops were found to be significantly different. The most significant observation pertains to the anticoagulant loop in which both the acidic residues are engaged in intramolecular interactions whereas all the three basic residues are free to interact with other molecules. This makes the sPLA(2) a potentially strong anticoagulating molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talat Jabeen
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India
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Santamaría C, Larios S, Angulo Y, Pizarro-Cerda J, Gorvel JP, Moreno E, Lomonte B. Antimicrobial activity of myotoxic phospholipases A2 from crotalid snake venoms and synthetic peptide variants derived from their C-terminal region. Toxicon 2005; 45:807-15. [PMID: 15904676 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2004.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2004] [Revised: 09/06/2004] [Accepted: 09/21/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A short peptide derived from the C-terminal region of Bothrops asper myotoxin II, a Lys49 phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), was previously found to reproduce the bactericidal activity of its parent molecule. In this study, a panel of eight PLA(2) myotoxins purified from crotalid snake venoms, including both Lys49 and Asp49-type isoforms, were all found to express bactericidal activity, indicating that this may be a common action of the group IIA PLA(2) protein family. A series of 10 synthetic peptide variants, based on the original C-terminal sequence 115-129 of myotoxin II and its triple Tyr-->Trp substituted peptide p115-W3, were characterized. In vitro assays for bactericidal, cytolytic and anti-endotoxic activities of these peptides suggest a general correlation between the number of tryptophan substitutions introduced and microbicidal potency, both against Gram-negative (Salmonella typhimurium) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Peptide variants with high bactericidal activity also tended to be more cytolytic towards skeletal muscle C2C12 myoblasts, thus limiting their potential in vivo use. However, the peptide variant pEM-2 (KKWRWWLKALAKK) showed reduced toxicity towards muscle cells, while retaining high bactericidal potency. This peptide also showed the highest endotoxin-neutralizing activity in vitro, and was shown to functionally interact with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using a chimeric bacteria model. The bactericidal and anti-endotoxic properties of pEM-2, combined with its relatively low toxicity towards eukaryotic cells, highlight it as a promising candidate for further evaluation of its antimicrobial potential in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Santamaría
- Facultad de Microbiología, Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José
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Santamaría C, Larios S, Quirós S, Pizarro-Cerda J, Gorvel JP, Lomonte B, Moreno E. Bactericidal and antiendotoxic properties of short cationic peptides derived from a snake venom Lys49 phospholipase A2. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2005; 49:1340-5. [PMID: 15793109 PMCID: PMC1068596 DOI: 10.1128/aac.49.4.1340-1345.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The activities of short synthetic, nonhemolytic peptides derived from the C-terminal region of myotoxin II, a catalytically inactive phospholipase A2 homologue present in the venom of the snake Bothrops asper, have been shown to reproduce the bactericidal activity of the parent protein. They combine cationic and hydrophobic-aromatic amino acids, thus functionally resembling the antimicrobial peptides of innate defenses. This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antiendotoxic properties of a 13-mer derivative peptide of the C-terminal sequence from positions 115 to 129 of myotoxin II, named pEM-2. This peptide (KKWRWWLKALAKK) showed bactericidal activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In comparison to previously described peptide variants derived from myotoxin II, the toxicity of pEM-2 toward eukaryotic cells in culture was significantly reduced, being similar to that of lactoferricin B but lower than that of polymyxin B. The all-D enantiomer of pEM-2 [pEM-2 (D)] retained the same bactericidal potency of its L-enantiomeric counterpart, but it showed an enhanced ability to counteract the lethal activity of an intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide challenge in mice, which correlated with a significant reduction of the serum tumor necrosis factor alpha levels triggered by this endotoxin. Lethality induced by intraperitoneal infection of mice with Escherichia coli or Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was reduced by the administration of pEM-2 (D). These results demonstrate that phospholipase A2-derived peptides may have the potential to counteract microbial infections and encourage further evaluations of their actions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Santamaría
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 2060, Costa Rica
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de Lima DC, Alvarez Abreu P, de Freitas CC, Santos DO, Borges RO, dos Santos TC, Mendes Cabral L, Rodrigues CR, Castro HC. Snake Venom: Any Clue for Antibiotics and CAM? EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2005; 2:39-47. [PMID: 15841277 PMCID: PMC1062156 DOI: 10.1093/ecam/neh063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2004] [Revised: 12/30/2004] [Accepted: 01/10/2005] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Lately several naturally occurring peptides presenting antimicrobial activity have been described in the literature. However, snake venoms, which are an enormous source of peptides, have not been fully explored for searching such molecules. The aim of this work is to review the basis of antimicrobial mechanisms revealing snake venom as a feasible source for searching an antibiotic prototype. Therefore, it includes (i) a description of the constituents of the snake venoms involved in their main biological effects during the envenomation process; (ii) examples of snake venom molecules of commercial use; (iii) mechanisms of action of known antibiotics; and (iv) how the microorganisms can be resistant to antibiotics. This review also shows that snake venoms are not totally unexplored sources for antibiotics and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Deivy Clementino de Lima
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Modelagem Molecular (LaBioMol), Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal FluminenseCEP 24001-970, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Paula Alvarez Abreu
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Modelagem Molecular (LaBioMol), Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal FluminenseCEP 24001-970, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cícero Carlos de Freitas
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Modelagem Molecular (LaBioMol), Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal FluminenseCEP 24001-970, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Dilvani Oliveira Santos
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Modelagem Molecular (LaBioMol), Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal FluminenseCEP 24001-970, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Oliveira Borges
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Modelagem Molecular (LaBioMol), Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal FluminenseCEP 24001-970, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Lúcio Mendes Cabral
- Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em SaúdeFundação Oswaldo Cruz, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos R. Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e QSAR (ModMolQSAR), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroCEP 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Helena Carla Castro
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Modelagem Molecular (LaBioMol), Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal FluminenseCEP 24001-970, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
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Smith CA, Hinman CL. Evidence that L1AD3, an apoptosis-inducing cyclic peptide, binds a leukemic T-cell membrane protein receptor. Arch Biochem Biophys 2004; 432:88-101. [PMID: 15519300 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2004.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2004] [Revised: 08/11/2004] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human leukemic T-lymphocytes undergo extensive and rapid apoptosis in the presence of L1AD3, a small cyclic peptide derivative of cobra cardiotoxin. The first step in this process involves its binding to membranes of susceptible cells. By the use of a biotin "handle" synthetically incorporated at the N-terminus of L1AD3, we show that binding is saturable and selective: normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes do not bind this peptide. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments indicate that the binding sites are separated by at least 55 A. Loss of binding occurs if membrane proteins are enzymatically degraded, suggesting that L1AD3's target is a cell-membrane surface protein receptor. Finally, crosslinking of cyclic BTNL1AD3 peptide to a leukemic T-cell membrane surface receptor, as examined using a biotin-avidin blot, indicated a molecular weight of approximately 34,400.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles A Smith
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft, Wolfe Hall, Toledo, OH 43606, USA.
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Gutiérrez JM, Ownby CL. Skeletal muscle degeneration induced by venom phospholipases A2: insights into the mechanisms of local and systemic myotoxicity. Toxicon 2004; 42:915-31. [PMID: 15019491 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2003.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 309] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Local and systemic skeletal muscle degeneration is a common consequence of envenomations due to snakebites and mass bee attacks. Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are important myotoxic components in these venoms, inducing a similar pattern of degenerative events in muscle cells. Myotoxic PLA2s bind to acceptors in the plasma membrane, which might be lipids or proteins and which may differ in their affinity for the PLA2s. Upon binding, myotoxic PLA2s disrupt the integrity of the plasma membrane by catalytically dependent or independent mechanisms, provoking a pronounced Ca2+ influx which, in turn, initiates a complex series of degenerative events associated with hypercontraction, activation of calpains and cytosolic Ca(2+)-dependent PLA2s, and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload. Cell culture models of cytotoxicity indicate that some myotoxic PLA2s affect differentiated myotubes in a rather selective fashion, whereas others display a broad cytolytic effect. A model is presented to explain the difference between PLA2s that induce predominantly local myonecrosis and those inducing both local and systemic myotoxicity. The former bind not only to muscle cells, but also to other cell types, thereby precluding a systemic distribution of these PLA2s and their action on distant muscles. In contrast, PLA2s that bind muscle cells in a more selective way are not sequestered by non-specific interactions with other cells and, consequently, are systemically distributed and reach muscle cells in other locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
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40
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Abstract
Venom phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzymes share similarity in structure and catalytic function with mammalian enzymes. However, in contrast to mammalian enzymes, many are toxic and induce a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects. Thus structure-function relationship of this group of small proteins is subtle, but complex puzzle to protein biochemists, molecular biologists, toxinologists, pharmacologists and physiologists. This review describes the present status of our understanding of their structure, function and mechanism. It was proposed that their unique ability to 'target' themselves to a specific organ or tissue is due to their high affinity binding to specific proteins which act as receptors (more precisely, acceptors). This specific binding of PLA2 is conferred by the presence of a 'pharmacological site' on its surface which is independent of the catalytic site. The high affinity interaction of PLA2 with its acceptor (or target protein) is probably due to the complementarity, in terms of charges, hydrophobicity and van der Waal's contact surfaces, between the pharmacological site and the binding site on the surface of the acceptor protein. Upon binding to the target, the PLA2 can induce its pharmacological effects by mechanisms either dependent on or independent of its catalytic activity. Because of the unprecedented wide spectrum of specific targeting to various tissues and organs, identification of the pharmacological sites has potential for exploitation in development of novel systems useful for 'delivering' specific proteins to a particular target tissue or organ. Thus research in this field will provide a lot of exciting opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543.
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41
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Lomonte B, Angulo Y, Calderón L. An overview of lysine-49 phospholipase A2 myotoxins from crotalid snake venoms and their structural determinants of myotoxic action. Toxicon 2003; 42:885-901. [PMID: 15019489 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2003.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In 1984, the first venom phospholipase A2 (PLA2) with a lysine substituting for the highly conserved aspartate 49 was discovered, in the North American crotalid snake Agkistrodon p. piscivorus [J. Biol. Chem. 259 (1984) 13839]. Ten years later, the first mapping of a 'toxic region' on a Lys49 PLA2 was reported, in Bothrops asper myotoxin II [J. Biol. Chem. 269 (1994) 29867]. After a further decade of research on the Lys49 PLA2s, a better understanding of their structural determinants of toxicity and mode of action is rapidly emerging, with myotoxic effector sites identified at the C-terminal region in at least four proteins: B. asper myotoxin II, A. p. piscivorus K49 PLA2, A. c. laticinctus ACL myotoxin, and B. jararacussu bothropstoxin I. Although important features still remain to be established, their toxic mode of action has now been understood in its more general concepts, and a consistent working hypothesis can be experimentally supported. It is proposed that all the toxic activities of Lys49 PLA2s are related to their ability to destabilize natural (eukaryotic and prokaryotic) and artificial membranes, using a cationic/hydrophobic effector site located at their C-terminal loop. This review summarizes the general properties of the Lys49 PLA2 myotoxins, emphasizing the development of current concepts and hypotheses concerning the molecular basis of their toxic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Lomonte
- Facultad de Microbiología, Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
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42
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Izidoro LFM, Rodrigues VM, Rodrigues RS, Ferro EV, Hamaguchi A, Giglio JR, Homsi-Brandeburgo MI. Neutralization of some hematological and hemostatic alterations induced by neuwiedase, a metalloproteinase isolated from Bothrops neuwiedi pauloensis snake venom, by the aqueous extract from Casearia mariquitensis (Flacourtiaceae). Biochimie 2003; 85:669-75. [PMID: 14505822 DOI: 10.1016/s0300-9084(03)00126-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The aqueous extract from the leaves of Casearia mariquitensis (C. m.), a plant found in Brazilian open pastures, was assayed for its ability to inhibit some hematological and hemostatic effects induced by neuwiedase, a 22 kDa class P-I metalloproteinase from the venom of the South American pit viper Bothrops neuwiedi pauloensis. The aqueous extract from C. m. was able to neutralize the hematological alterations induced by the crude venom (C.V.) upon erythrocytes when the venom was incubated at a ratio of 1:10 (w/w, venom/extract), but it did not neutralize the platelet decreasing ability of C.V. The plasma fibrinogen concentration decreased approximately 36% and 83% when 0.6 LD(50) of the C.V. or neuwiedase, respectively, were injected by i.p. route in mice, and the aqueous extract from C. m. was able to inhibit this effect. The Bbeta fibrinogen chain was protected against degradation caused by crude venom and neuwiedase when the venom or toxin were incubated with C. m. extract. We also observed that this extract exerted a very slight effect on the clotting time, prolonging it only to a little extent. The pulmonary hemorrhage induced by neuwiedase when injected intravenously with 0.6 LD(50) was completely inhibited when this toxin was incubated with the extract at a ratio of 1:10 (w/w, toxin/extract). It is concluded that C. m. displays components able to inhibit some hematological and systemic alterations induced by C.V.
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Affiliation(s)
- L F M Izidoro
- Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica,Universiade Federal de Uberlândia, UFU, 38400-902 MG, Uberlândia, Brazil
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Nagai
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
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Werkmeister JA, Hewish DR, Kirkpatrick A, Rivett DE. Sequence requirements for the activity of membrane-active peptides. THE JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE RESEARCH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN PEPTIDE SOCIETY 2002; 60:232-8. [PMID: 12366530 DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-3011.2002.21011.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic peptides were constructed with the sequence of the first 20 residues of melittin and terminating with a range of different amino acid amides. These were found to have haemolytic and cytolytic activity similar to that of melittin, provided that certain charge constraints were observed. The nature of the 21st residue was not critical except when the residue introduced a negative charge. The presence of at least two positive charges in the molecule was found to be essential for activity. One of these charges could be the amino-terminal amine. Peptides could be inactivated by the addition of a non-acidic presequence which was acetylated at the N-terminus. Introducing a protease cleavable sequence into an N-terminal extension of the peptides produced analogues with low haemolytic activity that could be activated by proteolytic action. A peptide with extra positive charges introduced on the hydrophilic face of the helix possessed a haemolytic activity that was greater than that of melittin.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Werkmeister
- CSIRO Molecular Science, Parkville Laboratory, Vic 3052, Australia
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45
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Abstract
1. Snake venoms are complex mixtures of pharmacologically active peptides and proteins. 2. These protein toxins belong to a small number of superfamilies of proteins. The present review describes structure-function relationships of three-finger toxins. 3. All toxins share a common structure of three beta-stranded loops extending from a central core. However, they bind to different receptors/acceptors and exhibit a wide variety of biological effects. 4. Thus, the structure-function relationships of this group of toxins are complicated and challenging. 5. Studies have shown that the functional sites in these "sibling" toxins are located on various segments of the molecular surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260.
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46
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Aojula HS, Offerman S, Aojula RR, Hutchinson AP, Nicklin S, Clarke DJ. Cloaking cytolytic peptides for liposome-based detection and potential drug delivery. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2002; 1564:73-81. [PMID: 12100998 DOI: 10.1016/s0005-2736(02)00403-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Potent cytolytic peptides with specific tethering and cloaking sites have been synthesised and used to release payload from liposomes in a quantitative manner. A functionally located cloaking site has been modified specifically by simple conjugation without adversely affecting the cytolytic properties of the peptide. The cytolytic activity of modified peptides was then efficiently (>98%) cloaked and uncloaked by ligand-protein or hapten-antibody interactions. The principle of a dual response peptide has been demonstrated using an avidin-cloaked pH-sensitive peptide. Biospecific cloaking/uncloaking provided a new sensitive (approximately 12 pmol) homogeneous diagnostic and also appears potentially suited to bioresponsively targeted release of antimicrobial, anticancer and other drugs now delivered using liposomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harmesh S Aojula
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
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47
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Hewish DR, Barnham KJ, Werkmeister JA, Kirkpatrick A, Bartone N, Liu ST, Norton RS, Curtain C, Rivetta DE. Structure and activity of D-Pro14 melittin. JOURNAL OF PROTEIN CHEMISTRY 2002; 21:243-53. [PMID: 12168695 DOI: 10.1023/a:1019741202601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
D-Pro14 melittin was synthesized to investigate the effect of increasing the angle of the bend in the hinge region between the helical segments of the molecule. Structural analysis by nuclear magnetic resonance indicated that, in methanol, the molecule consisted of two helices separated at Pro14, as in melittin. However, the two helices in D-Pro14 melittin were laterally displaced relative to each other by approximately 7 A, and in addition, there was a small rotation of the carboxyl-terminal helix relative to the amino-terminal helix around the long axis of the molecule. The peptide had less than 5% of the cytolytic activity of melittin. Modification of Arg22 with the 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-chroman-6-sulphonyl (pmc) group restored hemolytic activity to close to that of unmodified melittin. Replacement of Arg22 with Phe was less effective in restoring hemolytic activity. Electron-paramagnetic resonance studies suggest that there is a positive correlation between hemolytic activity of the peptides and interaction with phospholipid bilayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean R Hewish
- CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition, Parkville Laboratory, Victoria, Australia.
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48
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Amino R, Martins RM, Procopio J, Hirata IY, Juliano MA, Schenkman S. Trialysin, a novel pore-forming protein from saliva of hematophagous insects activated by limited proteolysis. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:6207-13. [PMID: 11751887 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109874200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We have characterized a pore-forming lytic protein from the saliva of the hematophagous insect Triatoma infestans, a vector of Chagas disease. This protein, named trialysin, has 22 kDa and is present in the saliva at about 200 microg/ml. Purified trialysin forms voltage-dependent channels in planar lipid bilayers with conductance of 880 +/- 40 pS. It lyses protozoan parasites and bacteria indicating that it has a role in the control of microorganism growth in the salivary glands. At higher concentrations, but below those found in saliva, trialysin can also permeabilize and lyse mammalian cells, suggesting that it might also facilitate insect blood feeding by interfering with the cell response of the host. The translated cDNA sequence of trialysin shows a basic, lysine-rich protein in which the N-terminal region is predicted to form an amphipathic alpha-helical structure with positive charges on one side and hydrophobic amino acids on the opposite side. A synthetic peptide corresponding to this cationic amphipathic alpha-helix induces protozoan lysis and mammalian cell permeabilization, showing that this region is involved in lytic activity. However, the lytic peptide G6V32 is 10-fold less efficient than trialysin in lysing parasites and 100-fold less efficient in permeabilizing mammalian cells. Trialysin activity is about 10-fold reduced in salivary gland homogenates prepared in the presence of an irreversible serine-protease inhibitor. Since trialysin precursor contains an anionic pro-sequence of 33 amino acids contiguous to the cationic amphipathic putative alpha-helix, we propose that removal of the acidic pro-sequence by limited proteolysis activates trialysin by exposing this lytic basic amphipathic motif.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogerio Amino
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia, e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, UNIFESP, São Paulo, S.P. 04023-062, Brazil
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Soares AM, Mancin AC, Cecchini AL, Arantes EC, França SC, Gutiérrez JM, Giglio JR. Effects of chemical modifications of crotoxin B, the phospholipase A(2) subunit of crotoxin from Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom, on its enzymatic and pharmacological activities. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2001; 33:877-88. [PMID: 11461830 DOI: 10.1016/s1357-2725(01)00065-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Crotoxin B, the basic Asp49-PLA(2) subunit from crotoxin, the main component of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, displays myotoxic, edema-inducing, bactericidal (upon Escherichia coli), liposomal-disrupting and anticoagulant activities. Chemical modifications of His (with 4-bromophenacyl bromide, BPB), Tyr (with 2-nitrobenzenesulphonyl fluoride, NBSF), Trp (with o-nitrophenylsulphenyl chloride, NPSC) and Lys (with acetic anhydride) residues of this protein, in addition to cleavage with cyanogen bromide (CNBr) and inhibition with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), were carried out in order to study their effects on enzymatic and pharmacological activities. Lethality was reduced after modification of His or Lys residues, as well as after cleavage with CNBr, while enzymatic activity was completely abolished after modification of His or incubation with EDTA. Modification of Lys or Tyr, or cleavage with CNBr, partially reduced enzymatic activity. Anticoagulant activity was modified similarly to enzymatic activity, evidencing the dependency of this pharmacological effect on catalytic activity. Myotoxicity was reduced after modification of His or Lys, as well as after cleavage with CNBr, whereas EDTA reduced this effect to a lesser extent. Bactericidal effect was significantly reduced only after modification of Lys and after cleavage with CNBr. Edema-inducing activity was partially inhibited after treatment with EDTA and strongly reduced after acetylation of Lys residues and cleavage with CNBr, being only partially reduced after His alkylation. On the other hand, liposome disrupting activity was only partially reduced after modification of His and Tyr or after cleavage with CNBr. Modification of Trp residue partially reduced lethality and myotoxicity but did not affect enzymatic or anticoagulant activities. These data indicate that enzymatic activity is relevant for some pharmacological effects induced by crotoxin B (mainly lethal, myotoxic and anticoagulant activities), and also evidence that this subunit of crotoxin displays regions different from the active catalytic site which are involved in some of the toxic and pharmacological effects induced by this phospholipase A(2).
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Soares
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, USP 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
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Escrive C, Laguerre M. Molecular dynamics simulations of the insertion of two ideally amphipathic lytic peptides LK(15) and LK(9) in a 1,2-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine monolayer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2001; 1513:63-74. [PMID: 11427195 DOI: 10.1016/s0005-2736(01)00343-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
We present here the results of 1-ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of two ideally amphipathic lytic peptides, namely LK(15) and LK(9), in a 1,2-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine monolayer with two different cross-sectional areas per lipid of 80 A(2) (loose film) and 63 A(2) (tight standard film). These peptides are lytic, ideally amphipathic with a minimalist composition L(i)K(j) and the following sequences: H(2)N-KLLKLLLKLLLKLLK-CO-Ph for LK(15) and H(2)N-KLKLKLKLK-CO-Ph for LK(9). From experimental data, LK(15) exhibits an alpha-helical secondary structure, whereas LK(9) was found to form antiparallel beta-sheets at the interface of a DMPC monolayer. Whatever the specific lipid surface is, the two peptides exhibit very different behavior: the alpha-helix inserts deeply into the monolayer whereas the beta-sheeted peptide stays at the surface within the upper polar part of the monolayer. In all cases, a loose monolayer (80 A(2)) results in noticeable artifacts whereas a monolayer with standard specific surface leads to very reliable behavior well in accordance with experimental data. Despite their different insertion depth, the two peptides exhibit identical lytic efficiency. This is very likely a direct consequence of the very strong Van der Waals interactions between the fatty alkyl chains of the lipids and the highly lipophilic lower part of the peptide, resulting in an identical thinning of the two monolayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Escrive
- Institut Européen de Chimie et de Biologie (IECB - Ecole Polytechnique), 16 Avenue Pey-Berland, 33607 Pessac Cedex, France
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