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Xia Z, He D, Wu Y, Kwok HF, Cao Z. Scorpion venom peptides: Molecular diversity, structural characteristics, and therapeutic use from channelopathies to viral infections and cancers. Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106978. [PMID: 37923027 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Animal venom is an important evolutionary innovation in nature. As one of the most representative animal venoms, scorpion venom contains an extremely diverse set of bioactive peptides. Scorpion venom peptides not only are 'poisons' that immobilize, paralyze, kill, or dissolve preys but also become important candidates for drug development and design. Here, the review focuses on the molecular diversity of scorpion venom peptides, their typical structural characteristics, and their multiple therapeutic or pharmaceutical applications in channelopathies, viral infections and cancers. Especially, the group of scorpion toxin TRPTx targeting transient receptor potential (TRP) channels is systematically summarized and worthy of attention because TRP channels play a crucial role in the regulation of homeostasis and the occurrence of diseases in human. We also further establish the potential relationship between the molecular characteristics and functional applications of scorpion venom peptides to provide a research basis for modern drug development and clinical utilization of scorpion venom resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Xia
- School of Biological and Food Processing Engineering, Huanghuai University, Zhumadian, China
| | - Dangui He
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Shenzhen Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao; Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Shenzhen Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao; Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao.
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Shenzhen Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Bio-drug Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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Zhang X, Zhao Q, Yang F, Lan Z, Li Y, Xiao M, Yu H, Li Z, Zhou Y, Wu Y, Cao Z, Yin S. Mechanisms Underlying the Inhibition of KV1.3 Channel by Scorpion Toxin ImKTX58. Mol Pharmacol 2022; 102:150-160. [PMID: 35764383 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated KV1.3 channel has been reported to be a drug target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and specific inhibitors of Kv1.3 are potential therapeutic drugs for multiple diseases. The scorpions could produce various bioactive peptides that could inhibit KV1.3 channel. Here, we identified a new scorpion toxin polypeptide gene ImKTX58 from the venom gland cDNA library of the Chinese scorpion Isometrus maculatus Sequence alignment revealed high similarities between ImKTX58 mature peptide and previously reported KV1.3 channel blockers-LmKTX10 and ImKTX88-suggesting that ImKTX58 peptide might also be a KV1.3 channel blocker. By using electrophysiological recordings, we showed that recombinant ImKTX58 prepared by genetic engineering technologies had a highly selective inhibiting effect on KV1.3 channel. Further alanine scanning mutagenesis and computer simulation identified four amino acid residues in ImKTX58 peptide as key binding sites to KV1.3 channel by forming hydrogen bonds, salt bonds, and hydrophobic interactions. Among these four residues, 28th lysine of the ImKTX58 mature peptide was found to be the most critical amino acid residue for blocking KV1.3 channel. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In this study, we discovered a scorpion toxin gene ImKTX58 that has not been reported before in Hainan Isometrus maculatus and successfully used the prokaryotic expression system to express and purify the polypeptides encoded by this gene. Electrophysiological experiments on ImKTX58 showed that ImKTX58 has a highly selective blocking effect on KV1.3 channel over Kv1.1, Kv1.2, Kv1.5, SK2, SK3, and BK channels. These findings provide a theoretical basis for designing highly effective KV1.3 blockers to treat autoimmune and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China (X.Z., Q.Z., Z.La., Y.L., M.X., H.Y., Z.Li., Y.Z., S.Y.) and Department of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China (F.Y., Y.W., Z.C.)
| | - Qianru Zhao
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China (X.Z., Q.Z., Z.La., Y.L., M.X., H.Y., Z.Li., Y.Z., S.Y.) and Department of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China (F.Y., Y.W., Z.C.)
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China (X.Z., Q.Z., Z.La., Y.L., M.X., H.Y., Z.Li., Y.Z., S.Y.) and Department of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China (F.Y., Y.W., Z.C.)
| | - Zhen Lan
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China (X.Z., Q.Z., Z.La., Y.L., M.X., H.Y., Z.Li., Y.Z., S.Y.) and Department of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China (F.Y., Y.W., Z.C.)
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China (X.Z., Q.Z., Z.La., Y.L., M.X., H.Y., Z.Li., Y.Z., S.Y.) and Department of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China (F.Y., Y.W., Z.C.)
| | - Min Xiao
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China (X.Z., Q.Z., Z.La., Y.L., M.X., H.Y., Z.Li., Y.Z., S.Y.) and Department of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China (F.Y., Y.W., Z.C.)
| | - Hui Yu
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China (X.Z., Q.Z., Z.La., Y.L., M.X., H.Y., Z.Li., Y.Z., S.Y.) and Department of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China (F.Y., Y.W., Z.C.)
| | - Ziyi Li
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China (X.Z., Q.Z., Z.La., Y.L., M.X., H.Y., Z.Li., Y.Z., S.Y.) and Department of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China (F.Y., Y.W., Z.C.)
| | - Yongsheng Zhou
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China (X.Z., Q.Z., Z.La., Y.L., M.X., H.Y., Z.Li., Y.Z., S.Y.) and Department of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China (F.Y., Y.W., Z.C.)
| | - Yingliang Wu
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China (X.Z., Q.Z., Z.La., Y.L., M.X., H.Y., Z.Li., Y.Z., S.Y.) and Department of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China (F.Y., Y.W., Z.C.)
| | - Zhijian Cao
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China (X.Z., Q.Z., Z.La., Y.L., M.X., H.Y., Z.Li., Y.Z., S.Y.) and Department of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China (F.Y., Y.W., Z.C.)
| | - Shijin Yin
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China (X.Z., Q.Z., Z.La., Y.L., M.X., H.Y., Z.Li., Y.Z., S.Y.) and Department of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China (F.Y., Y.W., Z.C.)
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Tajti G, Wai DCC, Panyi G, Norton RS. The voltage-gated potassium channel K V1.3 as a therapeutic target for venom-derived peptides. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 181:114146. [PMID: 32653588 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The voltage-gated potassium channel KV1.3 is a well-established therapeutic target for a range of autoimmune diseases, in addition to being the site of action of many venom-derived peptides. Numerous studies have documented the efficacy of venom peptides that target KV1.3, in particular from sea anemones and scorpions, in animal models of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. Moreover, an analogue of the sea anemone peptide ShK (known as dalazatide) has successfully completed Phase 1 clinical trials in mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. In this article we consider other potential therapeutic applications of inhibitors of KV1.3, including in inflammatory bowel disease and neuroinflammatory conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as fibrotic diseases. We also summarise strategies for facilitating the entry of peptides to the central nervous system, given that this will be a pre-requisite for the treatment of most neuroinflammatory diseases. Venom-derived peptides that have been reported recently to target KV1.3 are also described. The increasing number of autoimmune and other conditions in which KV1.3 is upregulated and is therefore a potential therapeutic target, combined with the fact that many venom-derived peptides are potent inhibitors of KV1.3, suggests that venoms are likely to continue to serve as a rich source of new pharmacological tools and therapeutic leads targeting this channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabor Tajti
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Dorothy C C Wai
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Raymond S Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; ARC Centre for Fragment-Based Design, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
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