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Mortari MR, Cunha AOS, dos Anjos LC, Amaral HO, Quintanilha MVT, Gelfuso EA, Homem-de-Mello M, de Almeida H, Rego S, Maigret B, Lopes NP, dos Santos WF. A new class of peptides from wasp venom: a pathway to antiepileptic/neuroprotective drugs. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad016. [PMID: 36844150 PMCID: PMC9945850 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of venom-derived peptides to disrupt physiological processes in mammals provides an exciting source for pharmacological development. Our research group has identified a new class of neuroactive peptides from the venom of a Brazilian social wasp, Polybia occidentalis, with the potential pharmacological profile to treat epilepsies. The study was divided into five phases: Phase 1 concerned the extraction, isolation and purification of Occidentalin-1202(n) from the crude venom, followed by the synthesis of an identical analogue peptide, named Occidentalin-1202(s). In Phase 2, we described the effects of both peptides in two acute models of epilepsy-kainic acid and pentylenetetrazole-induced model of seizures-and measured estimated ED50 and therapeutic index values, electroencephalographic studies and C-fos evaluation. Phase 3 was a compilation of advanced tests performed with Occidentalin-1202(s) only, reporting histopathological features and its performance in the pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus. After the determination of the antiepileptic activity of Occidentalin-1202(s), Phase 4 consisted of evaluating its potential adverse effects, after chronic administration, on motor coordination (Rotarod) and cognitive impairment (Morris water maze) tests. Finally, in Phase 5, we proposed a mechanism of action using computational models with kainate receptors. The new peptide was able to cross the blood-brain barrier and showed potent antiseizure effects in acute (kainic acid and pentylenetetrazole) and chronic (temporal lobe epilepsy model induced by pilocarpine) models. Motor and cognitive behaviour were not adversely affected, and a potential neuroprotective effect was observed. Occidentalin-1202 can be a potent blocker of the kainate receptor, as assessed by computational analysis, preventing glutamate and kainic acid from binding to the receptor's active site. Occidentalin-1202 is a peptide with promising applicability to treat epilepsy and can be considered an interesting drug model for the development of new medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcia Renata Mortari
- Correspondence to: Márcia Renata Mortari Neuropharmacology Laboratory Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences University of Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro Asa Norte, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil E-mail:
| | - Alexandra O S Cunha
- Neurobiology and Venoms Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Literature of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Lilian C dos Anjos
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 71910-900, Brazil
| | - Henrique O Amaral
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 71910-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Varela Torres Quintanilha
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 71910-900, Brazil
| | - Erica A Gelfuso
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 71910-900, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Homem-de-Mello
- in Silico Toxicology Laboratory (inSiliTox), Department of Pharmacy, Health Sciences School, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 71910-900, Brazil
| | - Hugo de Almeida
- Team CAPSID, Laboratoire Lorrain de Recherche en Informatique et ses applications (LORIA), Vandoeuvre Les Nancy F-54506, France
| | - Solange Rego
- Team CAPSID, Laboratoire Lorrain de Recherche en Informatique et ses applications (LORIA), Vandoeuvre Les Nancy F-54506, France
| | - Bernard Maigret
- Team CAPSID, Laboratoire Lorrain de Recherche en Informatique et ses applications (LORIA), Vandoeuvre Les Nancy F-54506, France
| | - Norberto P Lopes
- Organic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics and Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Wagner F dos Santos
- Neurobiology and Venoms Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Literature of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14040-900, Brazil
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2
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Lima LSD, Loyola V, Bicca JVML, Faro L, Vale CLC, Lotufo Denucci B, Mortari MR. Innovative treatments for epilepsy: Venom peptides, cannabinoids, and neurostimulation. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:1969-1986. [PMID: 35934922 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Antiepileptic drugs have been successfully treating epilepsy and providing individuals sustained seizure freedom. However, about 30% of the patients with epilepsy present drug resistance, which means they are not responsive to the pharmacological treatment. Considering this, it becomes extremely relevant to pursue alternative therapeutic approaches, in order to provide appropriate treatment for those patients and also improve their quality of life. In the light of that, this review aims to discuss some innovative options for the treatment of epilepsy, which are currently under investigation, addressing strategies that go from therapeutic compounds to clinical procedures. For instance, peptides derived from animal venoms, such as wasps, spiders, and scorpions, demonstrate to be promising antiepileptic molecules, acting on a variety of targets. Other options are cannabinoids and compounds that modulate the endocannabinoid system, since it is now known that this network is involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. Furthermore, neurostimulation is another strategy, being an alternative clinical procedure for drug-resistant patients who are not eligible for palliative surgeries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Silva de Lima
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Loyola
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - João Victor Montenegro Luzardo Bicca
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Lucas Faro
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Camilla Lepesqueur Costa Vale
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Bruna Lotufo Denucci
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Márcia Renata Mortari
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
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3
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Jimenez EC. Peptide antagonists of NMDA receptors: Structure-activity relationships for potential therapeutics. Peptides 2022; 153:170796. [PMID: 35367253 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2022.170796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are heteromeric cation channels involved in memory, learning, and synaptic plasticity. The dysfunction associated with NMDA receptors results in neurodegenerative conditions. The conantokins comprise a family of Conus venom peptides that induce sleep upon intracranial injection into young mice and are known to be NMDA receptor antagonists. This work comprehensibly documents the conantokins that have been characterized to date, focusing on the biochemistry, solution structures in the presence or absence of divalent cations, functions as selective NMDA receptor antagonists, and structure-activity relationships. Furthermore, the applications of conantokins as potential therapeutics for certain neurological conditions, including neuropathic pain, epilepsy, and ischaemia that are linked to NMDA receptor dysfunction are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsie C Jimenez
- Department of Physical Sciences, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio, Baguio City 2600, Philippines.
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4
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Effects of Treadmill Exercise on Social Behavior in Rats Exposed to Thimerosal with Respect to the Hippocampal Level of GluN1, GluN2A, and GluN2B. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1345-1357. [PMID: 35597884 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02027-5] [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: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Thimerosal (THIM) kills brain neurons via induction of apoptosis and necrosis and induces the pathological features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in rats. THIM also affects the function of glutamatergic receptors. On the other hand, exercise induces both improvement and impairment effects on memory, depending on intensity, type, and duration. Treadmill exercise can also alter the expression of glutamatergic receptors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of THIM and three protocols of treadmill exercise on social interaction memory and hippocampal expression of GluN1, GluN2A, and GluN2B in rats. THIM was injected intramuscularly at the dose of 300 µg/kg. The three-chamber apparatus was used to evaluate social interaction memory, and western blotting was used to assess protein expression. The results showed that THIM impaired social memory. Exercise 1 impaired social affiliation in controls. Social memory was impaired in all exercise groups of controls. Exercise 1 + 2 impaired social affiliation in THIM rats. Social memory was impaired in all groups of THIM rats. Exercises 2 and 1 + 2 decreased the expression of GluN1, and exercise 1 increased the expression of GluN2A and GluN2B in controls. THIM increased the expression of GluN2B, while exercise 1 reversed this effect. All exercise protocols increased the expression of GluN2A, and exercises 2 and 1 + 2 increased the expression of GluN1 in THIM rats. In conclusion, both THIM and exercise impaired social memory. Of note, the results did not show a separate and influential role for glutamatergic subunits in modulating memory processes following THIM injection or exercise.
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5
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Jimenez EC. Post-translationally modified conopeptides: Biological activities and pharmacological applications. Peptides 2021; 139:170525. [PMID: 33684482 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Conus venoms comprise a large variety of biologically active peptides (conopeptides or conotoxins) that are employed for prey capture and other biological functions. Throughout the course of evolution of the cone snails, they have developed an envenomation scheme that necessitates a potent mixture of peptides, most of which are highly post-translationally modified, that can cause rapid paralysis of their prey. The great diversity of these peptides defines the ecological interactions and evolutionary strategy of cone snails. Such scheme has led to some pharmacological applications for pain, epilepsy, and myocardial infarction, that could be further explored to ultimately find unique peptide-based therapies. This review focuses on ∼ 60 representative post-translationally modified conopeptides that were isolated from Conus venoms. Various conopeptides reveal post-translational modifications of specific amino acids, such as hydroxylation of proline and lysine, gamma-carboxylation of glutamate, formation of N-terminal pyroglutamate, isomerization of l- to d-amino acid, bromination of tryptophan, O-glycosylation of threonine or serine, sulfation of tyrosine, and cysteinylation of cysteine, other than the more common disulfide crosslinking and C-terminal amidation. Many of the post-translationally modified peptides paved the way for the characterization, by alternative analytical methods, of other pharmacologically important peptides that are classified under 27 conopeptide families denoting pharmacological classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsie C Jimenez
- Department of Physical Sciences, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio, Baguio City, 2600, Philippines.
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6
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Intermittent Hypoxia Activates N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors to Induce Anxiety Behaviors in a Mouse Model of Sleep-Associated Apnea. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:3238-3251. [PMID: 33660202 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02321-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Sleep apnea disrupts physiologic homeostasis and causes neuronal dysfunction. In addition to signs of mental disorders and cognitive dysfunction, patients with sleep apnea have a higher anxiety rate. Here, we examined the mechanisms underlying this critical health issue. We used a mouse model with sleep-associated chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH) to verify the effects of sleep apnea on neuronal dysfunction. To evaluate how IH alters neuronal function to yield anxiety-like behavior and cognitive dysfunction, we examined synaptic plasticity and neuronal inflammation in related brain areas, including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), striatum, and hippocampus. Mice subjected to chronic IH for 10 days exhibited significant anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze test. IH mice spent less travel time in open arms and more travel time in enclosed arms compared to control mice. However, cognitive impairment was minimal in IH mice. Increased glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits 2B (GluN2B) and phosphorylated-ERK1/2 were seen in the mPFC, striatum, and hippocampus of IH mice, but no significant microglial and astrocyte activation was found in these brain areas. Chronic IH in mice induced compensatory increases in GluN2B to disturb neuronal synaptic plasticity, without neuronal inflammation. The altered synaptic plasticity subsequently led to anxiety-like behavior in mice. Treatment with the NMDA receptor antagonist dextromethorphan attenuated chronic IH-induced anxiety-like behavior and GluN2B expression. Our findings provide mechanistic evidence of how IH may provoke anxiety and support for the importance of early intervention to alleviate anxiety-associated complications in patients with chronic sleep apnea.
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7
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Turner A, Kaas Q, Craik DJ. Hormone-like conopeptides - new tools for pharmaceutical design. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:1235-1251. [PMID: 34095838 PMCID: PMC8126879 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00173b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Conopeptides are a diverse family of peptides found in the venoms of marine cone snails and are used in prey capture and host defence. Because of their potent activity on a range of mammalian targets they have attracted interest as leads in drug design. Until recently most focus had been on studying conopeptides having activity at ion channels and related neurological targets but, with recent discoveries that some conopeptides might play hormonal roles, a new area of conopeptide research has opened. In this article we first summarize the canonical pharmaceutical families of Conus venom peptides and then focus on new research relating to hormone-like conopeptides and their potential applications. Finally, we briefly examine methods of chemically stabilizing conopeptides to improve their pharmacological properties. A summary is presented of conopeptides in clinical trials and a call for future work on hormone-like conopeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlin Turner
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
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Valente P, Kiryushko D, Sacchetti S, Machado P, Cobley CM, Mangini V, Porter AE, Spatz JP, Fleck RA, Benfenati F, Fiammengo R. Conopeptide-Functionalized Nanoparticles Selectively Antagonize Extrasynaptic N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptors and Protect Hippocampal Neurons from Excitotoxicity In Vitro. ACS NANO 2020; 14:6866-6877. [PMID: 32510204 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c00866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are ionotropic glutamate receptors controlling fundamental physiological processes in the central nervous system, such as learning and memory. Excessive activation of NMDARs causes excitotoxicity and results in neurodegeneration, which is observed in a number of pathological conditions. Because of their dichotomous role, therapeutic targeting of NMDAR is difficult. However, several lines of evidence suggest that excitotoxicity is predominantly linked to extrasynaptically located NMDARs. Here, we report on a nanoparticle-based strategy to inhibit extrasynaptic NMDARs exclusively and subtype selectively, while allowing synaptic NMDARs activity. We designed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) carrying conopeptide derivatives conjugated on their poly(ethylene glycol) coating as allosteric NMDAR inhibitors and show that these nanoparticles antagonize exclusively extrasynaptic NMDAR-mediated currents in cultured hippocampal neurons. Additionally, we show that conopeptide-functionalized AuNPs are neuroprotective in an in vitro model of excitotoxicity. By using AuNPs carrying different allosteric inhibitors with distinct NMDAR subtype selectivity such as peptide conantokin-G or peptide conantokin-R, we suggest activation of extrasynaptic GluN2B-containing diheteromeric NMDARs as the main cause of excitotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierluigi Valente
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa 16132, Italy
- IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa 16132, Italy
| | - Darya Kiryushko
- Department of Materials and London Center for Nanotechnology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Silvio Sacchetti
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16132, Italy
| | - Pedro Machado
- Centre for Ultrastructural Imaging, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Claire M Cobley
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart 70569, Germany
| | - Vincenzo Mangini
- Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies@UniLe, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Arnesano, Lecce 73010, Italy
| | - Alexandra E Porter
- Department of Materials and London Center for Nanotechnology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Joachim P Spatz
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Roland A Fleck
- Centre for Ultrastructural Imaging, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa 16132, Italy
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16132, Italy
| | - Roberto Fiammengo
- Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies@UniLe, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Arnesano, Lecce 73010, Italy
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de Castro E Silva J, Lopes do Couto L, de Oliveira Amaral H, Maria Medeiros Gomes F, Avohay Alves Campos G, Paulino Silva L, Renata Mortari M. Neuropolybin: A new antiseizure peptide obtained from wasp venom. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 181:114119. [PMID: 32589997 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy accounts for one of the most serious neurological disorders, and its treatment remains a challenge, due to high cost and harmful side effects. Bioactive molecules extracted from arthropod venoms are considered a promising therapy since these compounds are known for their highly selective and potent profiles. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the potential antiseizure effect of the peptide Ppnp7, extracted from the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista, and also the effect of the bioinspired peptide, named Neuropolybin, in the same parameters. Additionally, we also evaluated the electroencephalographic (EEG) profile in the PTZ-induced acute seizures in animals treated with Neuropolybin, and potential adverse effects of both peptides in general spontaneous activity (Open Field analysis). Interestingly, Ppnp7 and Neuropolybin showed a noteworthy antiseizure effect in rats and mice, respectively. Curves of protection against the maximum seizure were obtained for both peptides, and EEG records demonstrated that Neuropolybin protected 80% of animals from tonic-clonic seizures when applied with a dose of 3 nmol (an approximate Ppnp7 ED50 found in rats). Neuropolybin and Ppnp7 did not cause changes in the general spontaneous activity of the animals in any of the doses evaluated. Therefore, this study demonstrated how compounds isolated from wasps' venom may be essential resources in the search for new drugs, and can also be considered valuable therapeutic and biotechnological tools for the study and future treatment of epileptic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana de Castro E Silva
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasília, Distrito Federal, DF, Brazil
| | - Lucianna Lopes do Couto
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasília, Distrito Federal, DF, Brazil
| | - Henrique de Oliveira Amaral
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasília, Distrito Federal, DF, Brazil
| | - Flávia Maria Medeiros Gomes
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasília, Distrito Federal, DF, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Avohay Alves Campos
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasília, Distrito Federal, DF, Brazil
| | - Luciano Paulino Silva
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, EMBRAPA Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Distrito Federal, DF, Brazil
| | - Márcia Renata Mortari
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasília, Distrito Federal, DF, Brazil.
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10
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Lu A, Watkins M, Li Q, Robinson SD, Concepcion GP, Yandell M, Weng Z, Olivera BM, Safavi-Hemami H, Fedosov AE. Transcriptomic Profiling Reveals Extraordinary Diversity of Venom Peptides in Unexplored Predatory Gastropods of the Genus Clavus. Genome Biol Evol 2020; 12:684-700. [PMID: 32333764 PMCID: PMC7259678 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Predatory gastropods of the superfamily Conoidea number over 12,000 living species. The evolutionary success of this lineage can be explained by the ability of conoideans to produce complex venoms for hunting, defense, and competitive interactions. Whereas venoms of cone snails (family Conidae) have become increasingly well studied, the venoms of most other conoidean lineages remain largely uncharacterized. In the present study, we present the venom gland transcriptomes of two species of the genus Clavus that belong to the family Drilliidae. Venom gland transcriptomes of two specimens of Clavus canalicularis and two specimens of Clavus davidgilmouri were analyzed, leading to the identification of a total of 1,176 putative venom peptide toxins (drillipeptides). Based on the combined evidence of secretion signal sequence identity, entire precursor similarity search (BLAST), and the orthology inference, putative Clavus toxins were assigned to 158 different gene families. The majority of identified transcripts comprise signal, pro-, mature peptide, and post-regions, with a typically short (<50 amino acids) and cysteine-rich mature peptide region. Thus, drillipeptides are structurally similar to conotoxins. However, convincing homology with known groups of Conus toxins was only detected for very few toxin families. Among these are Clavus counterparts of Conus venom insulins (drillinsulins), porins (drilliporins), and highly diversified lectins (drillilectins). The short size of most drillipeptides and structural similarity to conotoxins were unexpected, given that most related conoidean gastropod families (Terebridae and Turridae) possess longer mature peptide regions. Our findings indicate that, similar to conotoxins, drillipeptides may represent a valuable resource for future pharmacological exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiping Lu
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Qing Li
- Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, University of Utah
- High-Throughput Genomics and Bioinformatic Analysis Shared Resource, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah
| | | | - Gisela P Concepcion
- Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Mark Yandell
- Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, University of Utah
- Utah Center for Genetic Discovery, University of Utah
| | - Zhiping Weng
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School
| | | | - Helena Safavi-Hemami
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexander E Fedosov
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
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11
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Nielsen LD, Foged MM, Albert A, Bertelsen AB, Søltoft CL, Robinson SD, Petersen SV, Purcell AW, Olivera BM, Norton RS, Vasskog T, Safavi-Hemami H, Teilum K, Ellgaard L. The three-dimensional structure of an H-superfamily conotoxin reveals a granulin fold arising from a common ICK cysteine framework. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:8745-8759. [PMID: 30975904 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.007491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Venomous marine cone snails produce peptide toxins (conotoxins) that bind ion channels and receptors with high specificity and therefore are important pharmacological tools. Conotoxins contain conserved cysteine residues that form disulfide bonds that stabilize their structures. To gain structural insight into the large, yet poorly characterized conotoxin H-superfamily, we used NMR and CD spectroscopy along with MS-based analyses to investigate H-Vc7.2 from Conus victoriae, a peptide with a VI/VII cysteine framework. This framework has CysI-CysIV/CysII-CysV/CysIII-CysVI connectivities, which have invariably been associated with the inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) fold. However, the solution structure of recombinantly expressed and purified H-Vc7.2 revealed that although it displays the expected cysteine connectivities, H-Vc7.2 adopts a different fold consisting of two stacked β-hairpins with opposing β-strands connected by two parallel disulfide bonds, a structure homologous to the N-terminal region of the human granulin protein. Using structural comparisons, we subsequently identified several toxins and nontoxin proteins with this "mini-granulin" fold. These findings raise fundamental questions concerning sequence-structure relationships within peptides and proteins and the key determinants that specify a given fold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lau D Nielsen
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark
| | - Mads M Foged
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark
| | | | - Andreas B Bertelsen
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark
| | - Cecilie L Søltoft
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark
| | - Samuel D Robinson
- the Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112.,Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Steen V Petersen
- the Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anthony W Purcell
- the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, and
| | | | - Raymond S Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Terje Vasskog
- the Norut Northern Research Institute, 9294 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Helena Safavi-Hemami
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark.,the Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
| | - Kaare Teilum
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark
| | - Lars Ellgaard
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark,
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12
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Zheng S, Zhang F, Liu Q, Jian R, Yang M. Exercise training increases spatial memory via reducing contralateral hippocampal NMDAR subunits expression in intracerebral hemorrhage rats. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2019; 15:1921-1928. [PMID: 31371965 PMCID: PMC6628604 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s207564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the effect of exercise training on spatial memory in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and to analyze its related neurobiological mechanisms. METHODS A total of 26 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: exercise (EX) group undergoing exercise training after ICH, model (MD) group and sham-operated (SM) group. The ICH rats model were induced by infusion of type I collagenase into caudate nucleus of rats. Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed at the same time in three groups to evaluate spatial memory in rats. All rats were sacrificed for evaluation of expression of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor 1 (NR1) and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor 2B (NR2B) in the CA3 region of the hippocampus by Western blot. RESULTS MWM test results showed that the spatial memory of MD group was significantly decreased compared to that of SM operation group (P<0.05), while exercise training significantly improved the spatial memory of rats with cerebral hemorrhage (P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed that exercise training significantly decreased the expression of NR1 and NR2B in CA3 region of the contralateral hippocampus (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between MD and SM groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Exercise training improves the spatial memory in the rats with ICH via down-regulating NR1 and NR2B expression in CA3 region of the contralateral hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shulin Zheng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Feixue Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiusheng Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Luzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Jian
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
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13
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Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Neglected Predatory Marine Gastropods. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:md16040118. [PMID: 29621159 PMCID: PMC5923405 DOI: 10.3390/md16040118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A diverse range of predatory marine gastropods produce toxins, yet most of these molecules remain uncharacterized. Conus species have received the most attention from researchers, leading to several conopeptides reaching clinical trials. This review aims to summarize what is known about bioactive compounds isolated from species of neglected marine gastropods, especially in the Turridae, Terebridae, Babyloniidae, Muricidae, Buccinidae, Colubrariidae, Nassariidae, Cassidae, and Ranellidae families. Multiple species have been reported to contain bioactive compounds with potential toxic activity, but most of these compounds have not been characterized or even clearly identified. The bioactive properties and potential applications of echotoxins and related porins from the Ranellidae family are discussed in more detail. Finally, the review concludes with a call for research on understudied species.
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14
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Holmes A, Zhou N, Donahue DL, Balsara R, Castellino FJ. A deficiency of the GluN2C subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor is neuroprotective in a mouse model of ischemic stroke. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 495:136-144. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.10.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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15
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Zheng C, Qiao ZH, Hou MZ, Liu NN, Fu B, Ding R, Li YY, Wei LP, Liu AL, Shen H. GLYX-13, a NMDA Receptor Glycine-Site Functional Partial Agonist, Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia Injury In Vivo and Vitro by Differential Modulations of NMDA Receptors Subunit Components at Different Post-Ischemia Stage in Mice. Front Aging Neurosci 2017. [PMID: 28649199 PMCID: PMC5465280 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) is implicated in pathological synaptic plasticity also known as post-ischemic long-term potentiation (i-LTP) which was produced by glutamate mediated excitotoxicity after stroke. In the past decades, many NMDARs inhibitors failed in clinical investigations due to severe psychotomimetic side effects. GLYX-13 is a NMDAR modulator with glycine site partial agonist properties and has potential protective effects on ischemic neuronal death. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of GLYX-13 attenuating the ischemic neuronal damage remains elusive. Our study was conducted to examine the molecular, cellular and behavioral actions of GLYX-13 in stroke, and further characterize the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective actions via modulation of the NMDAR subunit composition. In present study we found that in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) stroke model, GLYX-13 blocked i-LTP and restored the ratio of NR2A/NR2B subunit composition. The glycine site of NMDARs full coagonist D-serine completely blocked the effects of GLYX-13 on i-LTP. Besides, in vivo middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, GLYX-13 decreased the cerebral infarct volume and reduced injury of hippocampus. Western analysis showed that GLYX-13 down-regulated the expression of phosphorylated NR2B (Tyr1472) and up-regulated phosphorylated NR2A (Tyr1325). Furthermore, GLYX-13 treatment along with NR2B specific antagonist (Ro256981) failed to exhibit any additional neuro-protective effects, whereas the application of NR2A antagonist (NVP-AAM007) abolished the neuroprotective effects of GLYX-13, which suggested that the protective action of GLYX-13 should be by its regulation of NMDAR subunit components. Our study provides important insights on the potential protective mechanism of GLYX-13 in ischemia and proposes the glycine site of NMDARs as a novel target for developing therapeutic strategies to store synaptic function in stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zheng
- Laboratory of Neurobiology in Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Zhi H Qiao
- Laboratory of Neurobiology in Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Meng Z Hou
- Laboratory of Neurobiology in Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Nan N Liu
- Laboratory of Neurobiology in Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Bin Fu
- Laboratory of Neurobiology in Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Ran Ding
- Laboratory of Neurobiology in Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Yuan Y Li
- Laboratory of Neurobiology in Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Liang P Wei
- Laboratory of Neurobiology in Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Ai L Liu
- Laboratory of Neurobiology in Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Hui Shen
- Laboratory of Neurobiology in Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
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16
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Yuan Y, Balsara RD, Zajicek J, Kunda S, Castellino FJ. Discerning the Role of the Hydroxyproline Residue in the Structure of Conantokin Rl-B and Its Role in GluN2B Subunit-Selective Antagonistic Activity toward N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptors. Biochemistry 2016; 55:7112-7122. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yuan
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and ‡Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Rashna D. Balsara
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and ‡Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Jaroslav Zajicek
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and ‡Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Shailaja Kunda
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and ‡Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Francis J. Castellino
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and ‡Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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