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Messadi E. Snake Venom Components as Therapeutic Drugs in Ischemic Heart Disease. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1539. [PMID: 37892221 PMCID: PMC10605524 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease (IHD), especially myocardial infarction (MI), is a leading cause of death worldwide. Although coronary reperfusion is the most straightforward treatment for limiting the MI size, it has nevertheless been shown to exacerbate ischemic myocardial injury. Therefore, identifying and developing therapeutic strategies to treat IHD is a major medical challenge. Snake venoms contain biologically active proteins and peptides that are of major interest for pharmacological applications in the cardiovascular system (CVS). This has led to their use for the development and design of new drugs, such as the first-in-class angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril, developed from a peptide present in Bothrops jararaca snake venom. This review discusses the potential usefulness of snake venom toxins for developing effective treatments against IHD and related diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. It describes their biological effects at the molecular scale, their mechanisms of action according to their different pharmacological properties, as well as their subsequent molecular pathways and therapeutic targets. The molecules reported here have either been approved for human medical use and are currently available on the drug market or are still in the clinical or preclinical developmental stages. The information summarized here may be useful in providing insights into the development of future snake venom-derived drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erij Messadi
- Plateforme de Physiologie et Physiopathologie Cardiovasculaires (P2C), Laboratoire des Biomolécules, Venins et Applications Théranostiques (LR20IPT01), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
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2
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Genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic analysis of a medicinal snake, Bungarus multicinctus, to provides insights into the origin of Elapidae neurotoxins. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 13:2234-2249. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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3
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Ang WF, Koh CY, Kini RM. From Snake Venoms to Therapeutics: A Focus on Natriuretic Peptides. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15091153. [PMID: 36145374 PMCID: PMC9502559 DOI: 10.3390/ph15091153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Snake venom is a cocktail of multifunctional biomolecules that has evolved with the purpose of capturing prey and for defense. These biomolecules are classified into different classes based on their functions. They include three-finger toxins, natriuretic peptides, phospholipases and metalloproteinases. The focus for this review is on the natriuretic peptide (NP), which is an active component that can be isolated from the venoms of vipers and mambas. In these venoms, NPs contribute to the lowering of blood pressure, causing a rapid loss of consciousness in the prey such that its mobility is reduced, paralyzing the prey, and often death follows. Over the past 30 years since the discovery of the first NP in the venom of the green mamba, venom NPs have shown potential in the development of drug therapy for heart failure. Venom NPs have long half-lives, different pharmacological profiles, and may also possess different functions in comparison to the mammalian NPs. Understanding their mechanisms of action provides the strategies needed to develop new NPs for treatment of heart failure. This review summarizes the venom NPs that have been identified over the years and how they can be useful in drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Fong Ang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
- NUS Graduate School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Cho Yeow Koh
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117559, Singapore
- Correspondence: (C.Y.K.); (R.M.K.); Tel.: +65-6601-1387 (C.Y.K.); +65-6516-5235 (R.M.K.)
| | - R. Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
- NUS Graduate School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0614, USA
- Correspondence: (C.Y.K.); (R.M.K.); Tel.: +65-6601-1387 (C.Y.K.); +65-6516-5235 (R.M.K.)
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4
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Sofyantoro F, Yudha DS, Lischer K, Nuringtyas TR, Putri WA, Kusuma WA, Purwestri YA, Swasono RT. Bibliometric Analysis of Literature in Snake Venom-Related Research Worldwide (1933-2022). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2058. [PMID: 36009648 PMCID: PMC9405337 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Snake envenomation is a severe economic and health concern affecting countries worldwide. Snake venom carries a wide variety of small peptides and proteins with various immunological and pharmacological properties. A few key research areas related to snake venom, including its applications in treating cancer and eradicating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, have been gaining significant attention in recent years. The goal of the current study was to analyze the global profile of literature in snake venom research. This study presents a bibliometric review of snake venom-related research documents indexed in the Scopus database between 1933 and 2022. The overall number of documents published on a global scale was 2999, with an average annual production of 34 documents. Brazil produced the highest number of documents (n = 729), followed by the United States (n = 548), Australia (n = 240), and Costa Rica (n = 235). Since 1963, the number of publications has been steadily increasing globally. At a worldwide level, antivenom, proteomics, and transcriptomics are growing hot issues for research in this field. The current research provides a unique overview of snake venom research at global level from 1933 through 2022, and it may be beneficial in guiding future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fajar Sofyantoro
- Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
| | - Donan Satria Yudha
- Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
| | - Kenny Lischer
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia, Jakarta 16424, Indonesia
| | - Tri Rini Nuringtyas
- Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
- Research Center for Biotechnology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
| | | | - Wisnu Ananta Kusuma
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Yekti Asih Purwestri
- Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
- Research Center for Biotechnology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
| | - Respati Tri Swasono
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
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5
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On characterizing the Red-headed Krait (Bungarus flaviceps) venom: Decomplexation proteomics, immunoreactivity and toxicity cross-neutralization by hetero-specific antivenoms. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2022; 43:101006. [PMID: 35717758 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2022.101006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The Red-headed Krait (Bungarus flaviceps) is a medically important venomous snake species in Southeast Asia, while there is no specific antivenom available for its envenoming. This study investigated the venom composition through a decomplexation proteomic approach, and examined the immunoreactivity as well as cross-neutralization efficacy of two hetero-specific krait antivenoms, Bungarus candidus Monovalent Antivenom (BcMAV) and Bungarus fasciatus Monovalent Antivenom (BfMAV), against the venom of B. flaviceps from Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 43 non-redundant proteoforms belonging to 10 toxin families were identified in the venom proteome, which is dominated by phospholipases A2 including beta-bungarotoxin lethal subunit (56.20 % of total venom proteins), Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors (19.40 %), metalloproteinases (12.85 %) and three-finger toxins (7.73 %). The proteome varied in quantitative aspect from the earlier reported Indonesian (Sumatran) sample, suggesting geographical venom variation. BcMAV and BfMAV were immunoreactive toward the B. flaviceps venom, with BcMAV being more efficacious in immunological binding. Both antivenoms cross-neutralized the venom lethality with varying efficacy, where BcMAV was more potent than BfMAV by ~13 times (normalized potency: 38.04 mg/g vs. 2.73 mg/g, defined as the venom amount completely neutralized by one-gram antivenom protein), supporting the potential utility of BcMAV for para-specific neutralization against B. flaviceps venom.
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Kazandjian TD, Petras D, Robinson SD, van Thiel J, Greene HW, Arbuckle K, Barlow A, Carter DA, Wouters RM, Whiteley G, Wagstaff SC, Arias AS, Albulescu LO, Plettenberg Laing A, Hall C, Heap A, Penrhyn-Lowe S, McCabe CV, Ainsworth S, da Silva RR, Dorrestein PC, Richardson MK, Gutiérrez JM, Calvete JJ, Harrison RA, Vetter I, Undheim EAB, Wüster W, Casewell NR. Convergent evolution of pain-inducing defensive venom components in spitting cobras. Science 2021; 371:386-390. [PMID: 33479150 PMCID: PMC7610493 DOI: 10.1126/science.abb9303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Convergent evolution provides insights into the selective drivers underlying evolutionary change. Snake venoms, with a direct genetic basis and clearly defined functional phenotype, provide a model system for exploring the repeated evolution of adaptations. While snakes use venom primarily for predation, and venom composition often reflects diet specificity, three lineages of cobras have independently evolved the ability to spit venom at adversaries. Using gene, protein, and functional analyses, we show that the three spitting lineages possess venoms characterized by an up-regulation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) toxins, which potentiate the action of preexisting venom cytotoxins to activate mammalian sensory neurons and cause enhanced pain. These repeated independent changes provide a fascinating example of convergent evolution across multiple phenotypic levels driven by selection for defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- T D Kazandjian
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - D Petras
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - S D Robinson
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - J van Thiel
- Institute of Biology, University of Leiden, Leiden 2333BE, Netherlands
| | - H W Greene
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - K Arbuckle
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - A Barlow
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - D A Carter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - R M Wouters
- Institute of Biology, University of Leiden, Leiden 2333BE, Netherlands
| | - G Whiteley
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - S C Wagstaff
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
- Research Computing Unit, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - A S Arias
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica
| | - L-O Albulescu
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - A Plettenberg Laing
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - C Hall
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - A Heap
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - S Penrhyn-Lowe
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - C V McCabe
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1RL, UK
| | - S Ainsworth
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - R R da Silva
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos (NPPNS), Molecular Sciences Department, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - P C Dorrestein
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - M K Richardson
- Institute of Biology, University of Leiden, Leiden 2333BE, Netherlands
| | - J M Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica
| | - J J Calvete
- Evolutionary and Translational Venomics Laboratory, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - R A Harrison
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - I Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - E A B Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - W Wüster
- Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - N R Casewell
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
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Sunagar K, Khochare S, Senji Laxme RR, Attarde S, Dam P, Suranse V, Khaire A, Martin G, Captain A. A Wolf in Another Wolf's Clothing: Post-Genomic Regulation Dictates Venom Profiles of Medically-Important Cryptic Kraits in India. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13010069. [PMID: 33477742 PMCID: PMC7832344 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) shares a distribution range with many other ‘phenotypically-similar’ kraits across the Indian subcontinent. Despite several reports of fatal envenomings by other Bungarus species, commercial Indian antivenoms are only manufactured against B. caeruleus. It is, therefore, imperative to understand the distribution of genetically distinct lineages of kraits, the compositional differences in their venoms, and the consequent impact of venom variation on the (pre)clinical effectiveness of antivenom therapy. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted phylogenetic and comparative venomics investigations of kraits in Southern and Western India. Phylogenetic reconstructions using mitochondrial markers revealed a new species of krait, Romulus’ krait (Bungarus romulusi sp. nov.), in Southern India. Additionally, we found that kraits with 17 mid-body dorsal scale rows in Western India do not represent a subspecies of the Sind Krait (B. sindanus walli) as previously believed, but are genetically very similar to B. sindanus in Pakistan. Furthermore, venom proteomics and comparative transcriptomics revealed completely contrasting venom profiles. While the venom gland transcriptomes of all three species were highly similar, venom proteomes and toxicity profiles differed significantly, suggesting the prominent role of post-genomic regulatory mechanisms in shaping the venoms of these cryptic kraits. In vitro venom recognition and in vivo neutralisation experiments revealed a strong negative impact of venom variability on the preclinical performance of commercial antivenoms. While the venom of B. caeruleus was neutralised as per the manufacturer’s claim, performance against the venoms of B. sindanus and B. romulusi was poor, highlighting the need for regionally-effective antivenoms in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartik Sunagar
- Evolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India; (S.K.); (R.R.S.L.); (S.A.); (P.D.); (V.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Suyog Khochare
- Evolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India; (S.K.); (R.R.S.L.); (S.A.); (P.D.); (V.S.)
| | - R. R. Senji Laxme
- Evolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India; (S.K.); (R.R.S.L.); (S.A.); (P.D.); (V.S.)
| | - Saurabh Attarde
- Evolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India; (S.K.); (R.R.S.L.); (S.A.); (P.D.); (V.S.)
| | - Paulomi Dam
- Evolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India; (S.K.); (R.R.S.L.); (S.A.); (P.D.); (V.S.)
| | - Vivek Suranse
- Evolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India; (S.K.); (R.R.S.L.); (S.A.); (P.D.); (V.S.)
| | - Anil Khaire
- Indian Herpetological Society, 7/47, Pune Satara Road, Pune 411009, Maharashtra, India;
| | - Gerard Martin
- The Liana Trust, Survey #1418/1419 Rathnapuri, Hunsur 571189, Karnataka, India;
| | - Ashok Captain
- 3/1 Boat Club Road, Pune 411001, Maharashtra, India;
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8
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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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9
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Venom gland transcriptome from Heloderma horridum horridum by high-throughput sequencing. Toxicon 2020; 180:62-78. [PMID: 32283106 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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10
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Sridharan S, Kini RM, Richards AM. Venom natriuretic peptides guide the design of heart failure therapeutics. Pharmacol Res 2020; 155:104687. [PMID: 32057893 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) affects over 26 million people world-wide. It is a syndrome triggered by loss of normal cardiac function due to many acute (eg myocardial infarction) and/or chronic (eg hypertension) causes and characterized by mixed beneficial and deleterious activation of a complex of multifaceted neurohormonal systems the net effect of which frequently is further adverse disruption of pressure-volume homeostasis. Unlike the situation in chronic heart failure, current strategies for treatment of acute heart failure are empirical and lack a strong evidence base. Management includes any of a combination of vasodilators, diuretics and ionotropic agents depending on the hemodynamic profile of the patient. Despite the improvement in the options available to improve outcomes in patients with chronic HF, for several decades little gain has been made in the treatment of the acute decompensated state. Morbidity and mortality rates remain high necessitating new therapeutic agents. The cardiac natriuretic peptides (NPs) are key hormones in pressure-volume homoeostasis. There are three isoforms of mammalian NPs, namely ANP, BNP and CNP. These peptides bind to membrane-bound NP receptors (NPRs) on the heart, vasculature and kidney to lower blood pressure and circulating volume. Intravenous infusion of NPs in HF patients improves hemodynamic status but is associated with occasional severe hypotension. Apart from mammalian NPs, snake venom NPs are an excellent source of pharmacologically distinct ligands that offer the possibility of engineering NPs for therapeutic purposes. Venom NPs have long half-lives, differential NPR activation profiles and varied NPR specificity. The scaffolds of venom NPs encode the molecular information for designing NPs with longer half-lives and improved and differential vascular and renal functions. This review focuses on the structure-function paradigm of mammalian and venom NPs and the different peptide engineering strategies that have been utilized in the design of clinically relevant new NP-analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sindhuja Sridharan
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - R Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Arthur Mark Richards
- Cardiac Department, National University Hospital, Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Heart Centre, National University Health System, Singapore; Christchurch Heart Institute, University of Otago, NZ, United States.
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11
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Péterfi O, Boda F, Szabó Z, Ferencz E, Bába L. Hypotensive Snake Venom Components-A Mini-Review. Molecules 2019; 24:E2778. [PMID: 31370142 PMCID: PMC6695636 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24152778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertension is considered a major public health issue due to its high prevalence and subsequent risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Thus, the search for new antihypertensive compounds remains of great interest. Snake venoms provide an abundant source of lead molecules that affect the cardiovascular system, which makes them prominent from a pharmaceutical perspective. Such snake venom components include bradykinin potentiating peptides (proline-rich oligopeptides), natriuretic peptides, phospholipases A2, serine-proteases and vascular endothelial growth factors. Some heparin binding hypotensive factors, three-finger toxins and 5' nucleotidases can also exert blood pressure lowering activity. Great advances have been made during the last decade regarding the understanding of the mechanism of action of these hypotensive proteins. Bradykinin potentiating peptides exert their action primarily by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme and increasing the effect of endogenous bradykinin. Snake venom phospholipases A2 are capable of reducing blood pressure through the production of arachidonic acid, a precursor of cyclooxygenase metabolites (prostaglandins or prostacyclin). Other snake venom proteins mimic the effects of endogenous kallikrein, natriuretic peptides or vascular endothelial growth factors. The aim of this work was to review the current state of knowledge regarding snake venom components with potential antihypertensive activity and their mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orsolya Péterfi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu Street No. 38, 540139 Tirgu Mures, Romania
| | - Francisc Boda
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu Street No. 38, 540139 Tirgu Mures, Romania.
| | - Zoltán Szabó
- Department of Specialty Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu Street No. 38, 540139 Tirgu Mures, Romania
| | - Elek Ferencz
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu Street No. 38, 540139 Tirgu Mures, Romania
| | - László Bába
- Department of Specialty Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu Street No. 38, 540139 Tirgu Mures, Romania
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12
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Kaur S, Devi A, Saikia B, Doley R. Expression and characterization of Flavikunin: A Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor identified in the venom gland cDNA library of Bungarus flaviceps. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2018; 33:e22273. [PMID: 30536558 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Trancriptomic analysis of the venom gland cDNA library of Bungarus flaviceps revealed Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor as one of the major venom protein families with three groups A, B, C. One of the group B isoforms named Flavikunin, which lacked an extra cysteine residue involved in disulfide bond formation in β-bungarotoxin, was synthesized, cloned, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. To decipher the structure-function relationship, the P1 residue of Flavikunin, histidine, was mutated to alanine and arginine. Purified wild-type and mutant Flavikunins were screened against serine proteases-thrombin, factor Xa, trypsin, chymotrypsin, plasmin, and elastase. The wild-type and mutant Flavikunin (H∆R) inhibited plasmin with an IC 50 of 0.48 and 0.35 µM, respectively. The in-silico study showed that P1 residue of wild-type and mutant (H∆R) Flavikunin interacted with S1' and S1 site of plasmin, respectively. Thus, histidine at the P1 position was found to be involved in plasmin inhibition with mild anticoagulant activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Kaur
- Molecular Toxinology Lab, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, India
| | - Arpita Devi
- Molecular Toxinology Lab, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, India
| | - Bhaskarjyoti Saikia
- Molecular Toxinology Lab, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, India
| | - Robin Doley
- Molecular Toxinology Lab, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, India
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Tongpoo A, Sriapha C, Pradoo A, Udomsubpayakul U, Srisuma S, Wananukul W, Trakulsrichai S. Krait envenomation in Thailand. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2018; 14:1711-1717. [PMID: 30271155 PMCID: PMC6145358 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s169581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Three species in the genus Bungarus inhabit Thailand. Among these, Bungarus candidus (Malayan krait) is the most common and deadliest. Currently, the clinical manifestations of patients envenomed by kraits, especially Bungarus fasciatus (banded krait), have not been thoroughly investigated. This study was performed to elucidate the clinical manifestations and outcomes of patients bitten by kraits in Thailand. Materials and methods The data of krait envenomation cases that occurred during a 9-year period were obtained from the Ramathibodi Poison Center Toxic Exposure Surveillance System and retrospectively analyzed. Results In total, 78 cases of krait envenomation were included. Most patients were male (59.0%) and the median age was 28 years. All had minimal local effects. The median duration from the bite to the onset of neurological manifestations was 3 hours (range, 0.5–8 hours). Besides neurological effects, the patients also developed high blood pressure (67.4%), tachycardia (61.7%), hypokalemia (55.3%), and hyponatremia (17.6%). Severe hyponatremia (<120 mEq/L) was noted in four pediatric patients. Other clinical manifestations were bradycardia, abdominal pain, and rhabdomyolysis. The mortality rate was 6.4%, and all deaths occurred from B. candidus bites. Eighty-six percent of patients received antivenom. Most patients (75.6%) were intubated and underwent assisted ventilation for a median of 6 days (range, 1–37 days). The median length of hospital stay was 7 days. Some patients developed complications during hospitalization; the most common was pneumonia. These in-hospital complications were significantly associated with death. Conclusion Although krait bites caused only minimal local effects, the mortality rate was still high, particularly from Malayan krait bites. Besides neurological effects, other clinical manifestations were high blood pressure, tachycardia, hypokalemia, and hyponatremia. Thus, vital signs and electrolytes should be frequently and closely monitored in these patients. Apart from antivenom treatment, adequate supportive care including management of complications might help to decrease the mortality rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achara Tongpoo
- Ramthibodi Poison Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand,
| | - Charuwan Sriapha
- Ramthibodi Poison Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand,
| | - Aimon Pradoo
- Ramthibodi Poison Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand,
| | - Umaporn Udomsubpayakul
- Section for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sahaphume Srisuma
- Ramthibodi Poison Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, .,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Winai Wananukul
- Ramthibodi Poison Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, .,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Satariya Trakulsrichai
- Ramthibodi Poison Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, .,Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand,
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14
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Chapeaurouge A, Silva A, Carvalho P, McCleary RJR, Modahl CM, Perales J, Kini RM, Mackessy SP. Proteomic Deep Mining the Venom of the Red-Headed Krait, Bungarus flaviceps. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:E373. [PMID: 30217057 PMCID: PMC6162843 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10090373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of -omics technologies allows for the characterization of snake venom composition at a fast rate and at high levels of detail. In the present study, we investigated the protein content of Red-headed Krait (Bungarus flaviceps) venom. This analysis revealed a high diversity of snake venom protein families, as evidenced by high-throughput mass spectrometric analysis. We found all six venom protein families previously reported in a transcriptome study of the venom gland of B. flaviceps, including phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂s), Kunitz-type serine proteinase inhibitors (KSPIs), three-finger toxins (3FTxs), cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs), snaclecs, and natriuretic peptides. A combined approach of automated database searches and de novo sequencing of tandem mass spectra, followed by sequence similarity searches, revealed the presence of 12 additional toxin families. De novo sequencing alone was able to identify 58 additional peptides, and this approach contributed significantly to the comprehensive description of the venom. Abundant protein families comprise 3FTxs (22.3%), KSPIs (19%), acetylcholinesterases (12.6%), PLA₂s (11.9%), venom endothelial growth factors (VEGFs, 8.4%), nucleotidases (4.3%), and C-type lectin-like proteins (snaclecs, 3.3%); an additional 11 toxin families are present at significantly lower concentrations, including complement depleting factors, a family not previously detected in Bungarus venoms. The utility of a multifaceted approach toward unraveling the proteome of snake venoms, employed here, allowed detection of even minor venom components. This more in-depth knowledge of the composition of B. flaviceps venom facilitates a better understanding of snake venom molecular evolution, in turn contributing to more effective treatment of krait bites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Chapeaurouge
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Ceará, Rua São José, 2º Pavimento, Precabura, Eusébio 61760-000, Brazil.
| | - Andreza Silva
- Laboratório de Toxinologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21045-900, Brazil.
| | - Paulo Carvalho
- Computational Mass Spectrometry& Proteomics Group, Carlos Chagas Institute, Fiocruz, Paraná 81350-010, Brazil.
| | - Ryan J R McCleary
- Department of Biology, Stetson University, 421 N. Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL 32723, USA.
| | - Cassandra Marie Modahl
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| | - Jonas Perales
- Laboratório de Toxinologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21045-900, Brazil.
| | - R Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| | - Stephen P Mackessy
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, 501 20th St., CB 92, Greeley, CO 80639-0017, USA.
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Aird SD, da Silva NJ, Qiu L, Villar-Briones A, Saddi VA, Pires de Campos Telles M, Grau ML, Mikheyev AS. Coralsnake Venomics: Analyses of Venom Gland Transcriptomes and Proteomes of Six Brazilian Taxa. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:E187. [PMID: 28594382 PMCID: PMC5488037 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9060187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Venom gland transcriptomes and proteomes of six Micrurus taxa (M. corallinus, M. lemniscatus carvalhoi, M. lemniscatus lemniscatus, M. paraensis, M. spixii spixii, and M. surinamensis) were investigated, providing the most comprehensive, quantitative data on Micrurus venom composition to date, and more than tripling the number of Micrurus venom protein sequences previously available. The six venomes differ dramatically. All are dominated by 2-6 toxin classes that account for 91-99% of the toxin transcripts. The M. s. spixii venome is compositionally the simplest. In it, three-finger toxins (3FTxs) and phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂s) comprise >99% of the toxin transcripts, which include only four additional toxin families at levels ≥0.1%. Micrurus l. lemniscatus venom is the most complex, with at least 17 toxin families. However, in each venome, multiple structural subclasses of 3FTXs and PLA₂s are present. These almost certainly differ in pharmacology as well. All venoms also contain phospholipase B and vascular endothelial growth factors. Minor components (0.1-2.0%) are found in all venoms except that of M. s. spixii. Other toxin families are present in all six venoms at trace levels (<0.005%). Minor and trace venom components differ in each venom. Numerous novel toxin chemistries include 3FTxs with previously unknown 8- and 10-cysteine arrangements, resulting in new 3D structures and target specificities. 9-cysteine toxins raise the possibility of covalent, homodimeric 3FTxs or heterodimeric toxins with unknown pharmacologies. Probable muscarinic sequences may be reptile-specific homologs that promote hypotension via vascular mAChRs. The first complete sequences are presented for 3FTxs putatively responsible for liberating glutamate from rat brain synaptosomes. Micrurus C-type lectin-like proteins may have 6-9 cysteine residues and may be monomers, or homo- or heterodimers of unknown pharmacology. Novel KSPIs, 3× longer than any seen previously, appear to have arisen in three species by gene duplication and fusion. Four species have transcripts homologous to the nociceptive toxin, (MitTx) α-subunit, but all six species had homologs to the β-subunit. The first non-neurotoxic, non-catalytic elapid phospholipase A₂s are reported. All are probably myonecrotic. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the six taxa diverged 15-35 million years ago and that they split from their last common ancestor with Old World elapines nearly 55 million years ago. Given their early diversification, many cryptic micrurine taxa are anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven D Aird
- Division of Faculty Affairs, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0495, Japan.
- Ecology and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0495, Japan.
| | - Nelson Jorge da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás 74605-140, Brazil.
| | - Lijun Qiu
- Ecology and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0495, Japan.
| | - Alejandro Villar-Briones
- Research Support Division, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0495, Japan.
| | - Vera Aparecida Saddi
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás 74605-140, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Oncogenética e Radiobiologia da Associação de Combate ao Câncer em Goiás, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rua 239 no. 52-Setor Universitário, Goiânia, Goiás 74065-070, Brazil.
| | - Mariana Pires de Campos Telles
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás 74605-140, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Genética & Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás 74690-900, Brazil.
| | - Miguel L Grau
- Ecology and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0495, Japan.
| | - Alexander S Mikheyev
- Ecology and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0495, Japan.
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Gomes A, Saha PP, Bhattacharya S, Ghosh S, Gomes A. Therapeutic potential of krait venom. Toxicon 2017; 131:48-53. [PMID: 28315357 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.03.004] [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: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Kraits belong to Elapideae and are widely distributed in East and South-East Asian countries. Krait venom possesses neurotoxins, membrane toxins, cardiotoxins, three finger toxins, metalloproteinases, cholinesterases, L-amino acid oxidases and serine proteases. The therapeutic potential of krait venom in pathophysiological conditions such as microbial and parasitic infections, cancer, arthritis, inflammation and blood coagulation disorder is discussed in this review. More intensive new research ventures are required to establish the therapeutic potential of krait venom in complex and emerging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antony Gomes
- Laboratory of Toxinology & Experimental Pharmacodynamics, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92 A P C Road, Kolkata, 700 009, India.
| | - Partha Pratim Saha
- Laboratory of Toxinology & Experimental Pharmacodynamics, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92 A P C Road, Kolkata, 700 009, India
| | - Shamik Bhattacharya
- Laboratory of Toxinology & Experimental Pharmacodynamics, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92 A P C Road, Kolkata, 700 009, India
| | - Sourav Ghosh
- Laboratory of Toxinology & Experimental Pharmacodynamics, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92 A P C Road, Kolkata, 700 009, India
| | - Aparna Gomes
- Laboratory of Toxinology & Experimental Pharmacodynamics, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92 A P C Road, Kolkata, 700 009, India
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17
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A Pharmacological Examination of the Cardiovascular Effects of Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus) Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9040122. [PMID: 28353659 PMCID: PMC5408196 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9040122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular effects (e.g., tachycardia, hypo- and/or hypertension) are often clinical outcomes of snake envenoming. Malayan krait (Bungarus candidus) envenoming has been reported to cause cardiovascular effects that may be related to abnormalities in parasympathetic activity. However, the exact mechanism for this effect has yet to be determined. In the present study, we investigated the in vivo and in vitro cardiovascular effects of B. candidus venoms from Southern (BC-S) and Northeastern (BC-NE) Thailand. SDS-PAGE analysis of venoms showed some differences in the protein profile of the venoms. B. candidus venoms (50 µg/kg-100 µg/kg, i.v.) caused dose-dependent hypotension in anaesthetised rats. The highest dose caused sudden hypotension (phase I) followed by a return of mean arterial pressure to baseline levels and a decrease in heart rate with transient hypertension (phase II) prior to a small decrease in blood pressure (phase III). Prior administration of monovalent antivenom significantly attenuated the hypotension induced by venoms (100 µg/kg, i.v.). The sudden hypotensive effect of BC-NE venom was abolished by prior administration of hexamethonium (10 mg/kg, i.v.) or atropine (5 mg/kg, i.v.). BC-S and BC-NE venoms (0.1 µg/kg-100 µg/ml) induced concentration-dependent relaxation (EC50 = 8 ± 1 and 13 ± 3 µg/mL, respectively) in endothelium-intact aorta. The concentration-response curves were markedly shifted to the right by pre-incubation with L-NAME (0.2 mM), or removal of the endothelium, suggesting that endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is likely to be responsible for venom-induced aortic relaxation. Our data indicate that the cardiovascular effects caused by B. candidus venoms may be due to a combination of vascular mediators (i.e., NO) and autonomic adaptation via nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
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18
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Proteomic analysis to unravel the complex venom proteome of eastern India Naja naja: Correlation of venom composition with its biochemical and pharmacological properties. J Proteomics 2017; 156:29-39. [PMID: 28062377 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2016.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The complex venom proteome of the eastern India (EI) spectacled cobra (Naja naja) was analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry of cation-exchange venom fractions. About 75% of EI N. naja venom proteins were <18kDa and cationic at physiological pH of blood. SDS-PAGE (non-reduced) analysis indicated that in the native state venom proteins either interacted with each-other or self-aggregated resulting in the formation of higher molecular mass complexes. Proteomic analysis revealed that 43 enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins in EI N. naja venom with a percent composition of about 28.4% and 71.6% respectively were distributed over 15 venom protein families. The three finger toxins (63.8%) and phospholipase A2s (11.4%) were the most abundant families of non-enzymatic and enzymatic proteins, respectively. nanoLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis demonstrated the occurrence of acetylcholinesterase, phosphodiesterase, cholinesterase and snake venom serine proteases in N. naja venom previously not detected by proteomic analysis. ATPase, ADPase, hyaluronidase, TAME, and BAEE-esterase activities were detected by biochemical analysis; however, due to a limitation in the protein database depository they were not identified in EI N. naja venom by proteomic analysis. The proteome composition of EI N. naja venom was well correlated with its in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties in experimental animals and envenomed human. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Proteomic analysis reveals the complex and diverse protein profile of EI N. naja venom which collectively contributes to the severe pathophysiological manifestation upon cobra envenomation. The study has also aided in comprehending the compositional variation in venom proteins of N. naja within the Indian sub-continent. In addition, this study has also identified several enzymes in EI N. naja venom which were previously uncharacterized by proteomic analysis of Naja venom.
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19
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Suntravat M, Uzcategui NL, Atphaisit C, Helmke TJ, Lucena SE, Sánchez EE, Acosta AR. Gene expression profiling of the venom gland from the Venezuelan mapanare (Bothrops colombiensis) using expressed sequence tags (ESTs). BMC Mol Biol 2016; 17:7. [PMID: 26944950 PMCID: PMC4779267 DOI: 10.1186/s12867-016-0059-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bothrops colombiensis is a highly dangerous pit viper and responsible for over 70% of snakebites in Venezuela. Although the composition in B. colombiensis venom has been identified using a proteome analysis, the venom gland transcriptome is currently lacking. RESULTS We constructed a cDNA library from the venom gland of B. colombiensis, and a set of 729 high quality expressed sequence tags (ESTs) was identified. A total number of 344 ESTs (47.2% of total ESTs) was related to toxins. The most abundant toxin transcripts were metalloproteinases (37.5%), phospholipases A2s (PLA2, 29.7%), and serine proteinases (11.9%). Minor toxin transcripts were linked to waprins (5.5%), C-type lectins (4.1%), ATPases (2.9%), cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISP, 2.3%), snake venom vascular endothelium growth factors (svVEGF, 2.3%), L-amino acid oxidases (2%), and other putative toxins (1.7%). While 160 ESTs (22% of total ESTs) coded for translation proteins, regulatory proteins, ribosomal proteins, elongation factors, release factors, metabolic proteins, and immune response proteins. Other proteins detected in the transcriptome (87 ESTs, 11.9% of total ESTs) were undescribed proteins with unknown functions. The remaining 138 (18.9%) cDNAs had no match with known GenBank accessions. CONCLUSION This study represents the analysis of transcript expressions and provides a physical resource of unique genes for further study of gene function and the development of novel molecules for medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montamas Suntravat
- National Natural Toxins Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Texas A and M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, USA.
| | - Néstor L Uzcategui
- Laboratorio de Inmunoquímica y Ultraestructura, Instituto Anatómico de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
| | - Chairat Atphaisit
- National Natural Toxins Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Texas A and M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, USA.
| | - Thomas J Helmke
- National Natural Toxins Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Texas A and M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, USA.
| | - Sara E Lucena
- National Natural Toxins Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Texas A and M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, USA.
| | - Elda E Sánchez
- National Natural Toxins Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Texas A and M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, USA.
| | - Alexis Rodríguez Acosta
- Laboratorio de Inmunoquímica y Ultraestructura, Instituto Anatómico de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
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Liu G, Zhou Y, Liu D, Wang Q, Ruan Z, He Q, Zhang L. Global Transcriptome Analysis of the Tentacle of the Jellyfish Cyanea capillata Using Deep Sequencing and Expressed Sequence Tags: Insight into the Toxin- and Degenerative Disease-Related Transcripts. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142680. [PMID: 26551022 PMCID: PMC4638339 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Jellyfish contain diverse toxins and other bioactive components. However, large-scale identification of novel toxins and bioactive components from jellyfish has been hampered by the low efficiency of traditional isolation and purification methods. RESULTS We performed de novo transcriptome sequencing of the tentacle tissue of the jellyfish Cyanea capillata. A total of 51,304,108 reads were obtained and assembled into 50,536 unigenes. Of these, 21,357 unigenes had homologues in public databases, but the remaining unigenes had no significant matches due to the limited sequence information available and species-specific novel sequences. Functional annotation of the unigenes also revealed general gene expression profile characteristics in the tentacle of C. capillata. A primary goal of this study was to identify putative toxin transcripts. As expected, we screened many transcripts encoding proteins similar to several well-known toxin families including phospholipases, metalloproteases, serine proteases and serine protease inhibitors. In addition, some transcripts also resembled molecules with potential toxic activities, including cnidarian CfTX-like toxins with hemolytic activity, plancitoxin-1, venom toxin-like peptide-6, histamine-releasing factor, neprilysin, dipeptidyl peptidase 4, vascular endothelial growth factor A, angiotensin-converting enzyme-like and endothelin-converting enzyme 1-like proteins. Most of these molecules have not been previously reported in jellyfish. Interestingly, we also characterized a number of transcripts with similarities to proteins relevant to several degenerative diseases, including Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This is the first description of degenerative disease-associated genes in jellyfish. CONCLUSION We obtained a well-categorized and annotated transcriptome of C. capillata tentacle that will be an important and valuable resource for further understanding of jellyfish at the molecular level and information on the underlying molecular mechanisms of jellyfish stinging. The findings of this study may also be used in comparative studies of gene expression profiling among different jellyfish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoyan Liu
- Marine Bio-pharmaceutical Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yonghong Zhou
- Marine Bio-pharmaceutical Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Marine Bio-pharmaceutical Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- Marine Bio-pharmaceutical Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zengliang Ruan
- Marine Bio-pharmaceutical Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Qian He
- Department of Gynecology, Third Affiliated Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Liming Zhang
- Marine Bio-pharmaceutical Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Discovery of toxin-encoding genes from the false viper Macropisthodon rudis, a rear-fanged snake, by transcriptome analysis of venom gland. Toxicon 2015; 106:72-8. [PMID: 26403866 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Although rear-fanged snakes are often considered as non-threatening to humans, some species are lethal or medically hazardous. The toxin components and bioactivities of front-fanged snakes have been extensively studied; however, only limited research has explored the venoms of rear-fanged snakes. The false viper, Macropisthodon rudis, is widespread in southern China, but little is known about the toxins that this snake produces. Here, we analyzed the transcriptome of the venom gland of M. rudis using high-throughput sequencing with an illumina HiSeq 2000. The raw data were assembled and annotated using public databases. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways and gene ontology (GO) were analyzed. Using sequence comparisons, snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) and a phosphodiesterase (PDE) were discovered in the venom gland of M. rudis.
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Tail wags the dog: activity of krait natriuretic peptide is determined by its C-terminal tail in a natriuretic peptide receptor-independent manner. Biochem J 2015; 469:255-66. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20150281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Action mechanism of a novel natriuretic peptide from snake venom.
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Hargreaves AD, Swain MT, Logan DW, Mulley JF. Testing the Toxicofera: comparative transcriptomics casts doubt on the single, early evolution of the reptile venom system. Toxicon 2014; 92:140-56. [PMID: 25449103 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The identification of apparently conserved gene complements in the venom and salivary glands of a diverse set of reptiles led to the development of the Toxicofera hypothesis - the single, early evolution of the venom system in reptiles. However, this hypothesis is based largely on relatively small scale EST-based studies of only venom or salivary glands and toxic effects have been assigned to only some putative Toxicoferan toxins in some species. We set out to examine the distribution of these proposed venom toxin transcripts in order to investigate to what extent conservation of gene complements may reflect a bias in previous sampling efforts. Our quantitative transcriptomic analyses of venom and salivary glands and other body tissues in five species of reptile, together with the use of available RNA-Seq datasets for additional species, shows that the majority of genes used to support the establishment and expansion of the Toxicofera are in fact expressed in multiple body tissues and most likely represent general maintenance or "housekeeping" genes. The apparent conservation of gene complements across the Toxicofera therefore reflects an artefact of incomplete tissue sampling. We therefore conclude that venom has evolved multiple times in reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Hargreaves
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, United Kingdom.
| | - Martin T Swain
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3DA, United Kingdom.
| | - Darren W Logan
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1HH, United Kingdom.
| | - John F Mulley
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, United Kingdom.
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McGivern JJ, Wray KP, Margres MJ, Couch ME, Mackessy SP, Rokyta DR. RNA-seq and high-definition mass spectrometry reveal the complex and divergent venoms of two rear-fanged colubrid snakes. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:1061. [PMID: 25476704 PMCID: PMC4289226 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-1061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Largely because of their direct, negative impacts on human health, the venoms of front-fanged snakes of the families Viperidae and Elapidae have been extensively characterized proteomically, transcriptomically, and pharmacologically. However, relatively little is known about the molecular complexity and evolution of the venoms of rear-fanged colubrid snakes, which are, with a few notable exceptions, regarded as harmless to humans. Many of these snakes have venoms with major effects on their preferred prey, and their venoms are probably as critical to their survival as those of front-fanged elapids and viperids. Results We sequenced the venom-gland transcriptomes from a specimen of Hypsiglena (Desert Night Snake; family Colubridae, subfamily Dipsadinae) and of Boiga irregularis (Brown Treesnake; family Colubridae, subfamily Colubrinae) and verified the transcriptomic results proteomically by means of high-definition mass spectrometry. We identified nearly 3,000 nontoxin genes for each species. For B. irregularis, we found 108 putative toxin transcripts in 46 clusters with <1% nucleotide divergence, and for Hypsiglena we identified 79 toxin sequences that were grouped into 33 clusters. Comparisons of the venoms revealed divergent venom types, with Hypsiglena possessing a viper-like venom dominated by metalloproteinases, and B. irregularis having a more elapid-like venom, consisting primarily of three-finger toxins. Conclusions Despite the difficulty of procuring venom from rear-fanged species, we were able to complete all analyses from a single specimen of each species without pooling venom samples or glands, demonstrating the power of high-definition transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. We found a high level of divergence in the venom types of two colubrids. These two venoms reflected the hemorrhagic/neurotoxic venom dichotomy that broadly characterizes the difference in venom strategies between elapids and viperids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295, USA.
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Brahma RK, McCleary RJR, Kini RM, Doley R. Venom gland transcriptomics for identifying, cataloging, and characterizing venom proteins in snakes. Toxicon 2014; 93:1-10. [PMID: 25448392 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Snake venoms are cocktails of protein toxins that play important roles in capture and digestion of prey. Significant qualitative and quantitative variation in snake venom composition has been observed among and within species. Understanding these variations in protein components is instrumental in interpreting clinical symptoms during human envenomation and in searching for novel venom proteins with potential therapeutic applications. In the last decade, transcriptomic analyses of venom glands have helped in understanding the composition of various snake venoms in great detail. Here we review transcriptomic analysis as a powerful tool for understanding venom profile, variation and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Kungur Brahma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur 784 028, Assam, India
| | - Ryan J R McCleary
- 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, VA, USA; University of South Australia, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Robin Doley
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur 784 028, Assam, India.
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Rusmili MRA, Yee TT, Mustafa MR, Hodgson WC, Othman I. Proteomic characterization and comparison of Malaysian Bungarus candidus and Bungarus fasciatus venoms. J Proteomics 2014; 110:129-44. [PMID: 25154052 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2014.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Kraits (Bungarus spp.) are highly venomous elapids that are only found in Asia. In the current study, 103 and 86 different proteins were identified from Bungarus candidus and Bungarus fasciatus venoms, respectively. These proteins were classified into 18 different venom protein families. Both venoms were found to contain a high percentage of three finger toxins, phospholipase A2 enzymes and Kunitz-type inhibitors. Smaller number of high molecular weight enzymes such as L-amino acid oxidase, hyaluronidases, and acetylcholinesterase were also detected in the venoms. We also detected some unique proteins that were not known to be present in these venoms. The presence of a natriuretic peptide, vespryn, and serine protease families was detected in B. candidus venom. We also detected the presence of subunit A and B of β-bungarotoxin and α-bungarotoxin which had not been previously found in B. fasciatus venom. Understanding the proteome composition of Malaysian krait species will provide useful information on unique toxins and proteins which are present in the venoms. This knowledge will assist in the management of krait envenoming. In addition, these proteins may have potential use as research tools or as drug-design templates. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE This study has revealed the proteome composition of Malaysian B. candidus and B. fasciatus venoms, two medically important snake species in Asia. Information on the venom proteome of these species will provide useful information for krait bite management and aid in antivenom selection. Venom proteome profiles of these venoms showed that there are significant differences in the venom protein family compositions. Detection of proteins and peptides that have not been documented in these species such as natriuretic peptides, vespryn and serine proteases provides new knowledge on the composition of these venoms. The roles of these new proteins and peptides in krait envenoming are still unknown. Discovery of these proteins and peptides may also be useful for future research tool and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhamad Rusdi Ahmad Rusmili
- Monash Venom Group, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, 3168 Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 46150 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia; Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Tee Ting Yee
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 46150 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Rais Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wayne C Hodgson
- Monash Venom Group, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, 3168 Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Iekhsan Othman
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 46150 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
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Snake venomics: From the inventory of toxins to biology. Toxicon 2013; 75:44-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Revised: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Ali SA, Yang DC, Jackson TNW, Undheim EAB, Koludarov I, Wood K, Jones A, Hodgson WC, McCarthy S, Ruder T, Fry BG. Venom proteomic characterization and relative antivenom neutralization of two medically important Pakistani elapid snakes (Bungarus sindanus and Naja naja). J Proteomics 2013; 89:15-23. [PMID: 23714137 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Revised: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Intra- and interspecific variation in venom composition has been shown to have a major effect upon the efficacy of antivenoms. Due to the absence of domestically produced antivenoms, Pakistan is wholly reliant upon antivenoms produced in other countries, such as India. However, the efficacy of these antivenoms in neutralising the venoms of Pakistani snakes has not been ascertained. This is symptomatic of the general state of toxicological research in this country, which has a myriad of highly toxic and medically important venomous animals. Thus, there is a dire need for knowledge regarding the fundamental proteomics of these venoms and applied knowledge of the relative efficacy of foreign antivenoms. Here we present the results of our proteomic research on two medically important snakes of Pakistan: Bungarus sindanus and Naja naja. Indian Polyvalent Antivenom (Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd), which is currently marketed for use in Pakistan, was completely ineffective against either Pakistani species. In addition to the expected pre- and post-synaptic neurotoxic activity, the venom of the Pakistan population of N. naja was shown to be quite divergent from other populations of this species in being potently myotoxic. These results highlight the importance of studying divergent species and isolated populations, where the same data not only elucidates clinical problems in need of immediate attention, but also uncovers sources for novel toxins with potentially useful activities. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Pakistan Bungarus sindanus and Naja naja venoms are differentially complex. Naja naja is potently myotoxic. Neither venom is neutralized by Indian antivenom. These results have direct implications for the treatment of envenomed patients in Pakistan. The unusually myotoxic effects of Naja naja demonstrates the value of studying remote populations for biodiscovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed A Ali
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
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Koh CY, Kini RM. From snake venom toxins to therapeutics – Cardiovascular examples. Toxicon 2012; 59:497-506. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2011.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2010] [Revised: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Tzika AC, Helaers R, Schramm G, Milinkovitch MC. Reptilian-transcriptome v1.0, a glimpse in the brain transcriptome of five divergent Sauropsida lineages and the phylogenetic position of turtles. EvoDevo 2011; 2:19. [PMID: 21943375 PMCID: PMC3192992 DOI: 10.1186/2041-9139-2-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2011] [Accepted: 09/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Reptiles are largely under-represented in comparative genomics despite the fact that they are substantially more diverse in many respects than mammals. Given the high divergence of reptiles from classical model species, next-generation sequencing of their transcriptomes is an approach of choice for gene identification and annotation. Results Here, we use 454 technology to sequence the brain transcriptome of four divergent reptilian and one reference avian species: the Nile crocodile, the corn snake, the bearded dragon, the red-eared turtle, and the chicken. Using an in-house pipeline for recursive similarity searches of >3,000,000 reads against multiple databases from 7 reference vertebrates, we compile a reptilian comparative transcriptomics dataset, with homology assignment for 20,000 to 31,000 transcripts per species and a cumulated non-redundant sequence length of 248.6 Mbases. Our approach identifies the majority (87%) of chicken brain transcripts and about 50% of de novo assembled reptilian transcripts. In addition to 57,502 microsatellite loci, we identify thousands of SNP and indel polymorphisms for population genetic and linkage analyses. We also build very large multiple alignments for Sauropsida and mammals (two million residues per species) and perform extensive phylogenetic analyses suggesting that turtles are not basal living reptiles but are rather associated with Archosaurians, hence, potentially answering a long-standing question in the phylogeny of Amniotes. Conclusions The reptilian transcriptome (freely available at http://www.reptilian-transcriptomes.org) should prove a useful new resource as reptiles are becoming important new models for comparative genomics, ecology, and evolutionary developmental genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasia C Tzika
- Laboratory of Artificial & Natural Evolution (LANE), Dept, of Genetics & Evolution, University of Geneva, Sciences III, 30, Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland.
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Georgieva D, Seifert J, Öhler M, von Bergen M, Spencer P, Arni RK, Genov N, Betzel C. Pseudechis australis Venomics: Adaptation for a Defense against Microbial Pathogens and Recruitment of Body Transferrin. J Proteome Res 2011; 10:2440-64. [DOI: 10.1021/pr101248e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dessislava Georgieva
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Laboratory of Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, c/o DESY, Notkestrasse 85, Build. 22a, 22603 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jana Seifert
- Department of Proteomics, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoser Strasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michaela Öhler
- Department of Proteomics, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoser Strasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin von Bergen
- Department of Proteomics, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoser Strasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Patrick Spencer
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Av. Lineeu Prestes 2242, 05508-000 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raghuvir K. Arni
- Department of Physics, IBILCE/UNESP, Cristóvão Colombo 2265, CEP 15054-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP Brazil
| | - Nicolay Genov
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Christian Betzel
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Laboratory of Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation, c/o DESY, Notkestrasse 85, Build. 22a, 22603 Hamburg, Germany
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Lei W, Zhang Y, Yu G, Jiang P, He Y, Lee W, Zhang Y. Cloning and sequence analysis of an Ophiophagus hannah cDNA encoding a precursor of two natriuretic peptide domains. Toxicon 2011; 57:811-6. [PMID: 21334357 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2011.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2010] [Revised: 02/02/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the largest venomous snake. Despite the components are mainly neurotoxins, the venom contains several proteins affecting blood system. Natriuretic peptide (NP), one of the important components of snake venoms, could cause local vasodilatation and a promoted capillary permeability facilitating a rapid diffusion of other toxins into the prey tissues. Due to the low abundance, it is hard to purify the snake venom NPs. The cDNA cloning of the NPs become a useful approach. In this study, a 957 bp natriuretic peptide-encoding cDNA clone was isolated from an O. hannah venom gland cDNA library. The open-reading frame of the cDNA encodes a 210-amino acid residues precursor protein named Oh-NP. Oh-NP has a typical signal peptide sequence of 26 amino acid residues. Surprisingly, Oh-NP has two typical NP domains which consist of the typical sequence of 17-residue loop of CFGXXDRIGC, so it is an unusual NP precursor. These two NP domains share high amino acid sequence identity. In addition, there are two homologous peptides of unknown function within the Oh-NP precursor. To our knowledge, Oh-NP is the first protein precursor containing two NP domains. It might belong to another subclass of snake venom NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Lei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan, Kunming 650223, China
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Chatrath ST, Chapeaurouge A, Lin Q, Lim TK, Dunstan N, Mirtschin P, Kumar PP, Kini RM. Identification of novel proteins from the venom of a cryptic snake Drysdalia coronoides by a combined transcriptomics and proteomics approach. J Proteome Res 2011; 10:739-50. [PMID: 21133350 DOI: 10.1021/pr1008916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We have investigated the transcriptome and proteome of the venom of a cryptic Australian elapid snake Drysdalia coronoides. To probe into the transcriptome, we constructed a partial cDNA library from the venom gland of D. coronoides. The proteome of the venom of D. coronoides was explored by tryptic digestion of the crude venom followed by HPLC separation of the resulting peptides and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometric analysis. Importantly, the tandem MS data of the tryptic peptides of the venom not only confirmed the predicted protein sequences deduced from the transcriptome, but also added to our knowledge about the venom composition through identification of two more toxin families. Using both the approaches, we were able to identify proteins belonging to eight different snake venom protein superfamilies, namely, three-finger toxins, serine protease inhibitors, cysteine rich secretory proteins, phospholipases A(2), venom nerve growth factors, snake venom metalloproteases, vespryns, and a new family phospholipase B. We also identified three novel proteins belonging to the three-finger toxin superfamily.
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Höjer J, Tran Hung H, Warrell D. Life-threatening hyponatremia after krait bite envenoming – A new syndrome. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2010; 48:956-7. [DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2010.533677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Zhang Y, Wu J, Yu G, Chen Z, Zhou X, Zhu S, Li R, Zhang Y, Lu Q. A novel natriuretic peptide from the cobra venom. Toxicon 2010; 57:134-40. [PMID: 21050868 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2010] [Revised: 10/25/2010] [Accepted: 10/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Natriuretic peptides (NPs) play crucial roles in human physiology and pathophysiology through natriuresis, dieresis and vasorelaxation. NPs are also one of the important components of snake venoms. However, the low abundance in snake venom hampered the investigation. Here, a novel natriuretic peptide named Na-NP was purified from the cobra Naja atra venom. Na-NP consists of 45 amino acid residues and its molecular weight is 4618.5 Da. A full-length cDNA encoding Na-NP was obtained from the cDNA library constructed from the venom gland. The open reading frame of cloned Na-NP was composed of 498bp and coded for a 165-amino acid residue protein precursor. The nucleotide and deduced protein sequences of Na-NP were remarkably conserved with other elapid NPs while significant different from the viperid NPs. Na-NP showed weak activity to relax the aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine. Meanwhile, Na-NP showed cGMP-promotion activity against primary cultured rabbit endocardial endothelial cells, but had no effect on human platelet aggregation. In conclusion, this is the first report of a natriuretic peptide from the cobra N. atra venom. Na-NP might be served as a useful tool for the study of human NPs and the development of novel therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
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Hyponatraemia, rhabdomyolysis, alterations in blood pressure and persistent mydriasis in patients envenomed by Malayan kraits (Bungarus candidus) in southern Viet Nam. Toxicon 2010; 56:1070-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2010] [Revised: 06/19/2010] [Accepted: 06/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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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: 262] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [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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