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Beltrán JF, Herrera-Belén L, Parraguez-Contreras F, Farías JG, Machuca-Sepúlveda J, Short S. MultiToxPred 1.0: a novel comprehensive tool for predicting 27 classes of protein toxins using an ensemble machine learning approach. BMC Bioinformatics 2024; 25:148. [PMID: 38609877 PMCID: PMC11010298 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-024-05748-z] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein toxins are defense mechanisms and adaptations found in various organisms and microorganisms, and their use in scientific research as therapeutic candidates is gaining relevance due to their effectiveness and specificity against cellular targets. However, discovering these toxins is time-consuming and expensive. In silico tools, particularly those based on machine learning and deep learning, have emerged as valuable resources to address this challenge. Existing tools primarily focus on binary classification, determining whether a protein is a toxin or not, and occasionally identifying specific types of toxins. For the first time, we propose a novel approach capable of classifying protein toxins into 27 distinct categories based on their mode of action within cells. To accomplish this, we assessed multiple machine learning techniques and found that an ensemble model incorporating the Light Gradient Boosting Machine and Quadratic Discriminant Analysis algorithms exhibited the best performance. During the tenfold cross-validation on the training dataset, our model exhibited notable metrics: 0.840 accuracy, 0.827 F1 score, 0.836 precision, 0.840 sensitivity, and 0.989 AUC. In the testing stage, using an independent dataset, the model achieved 0.846 accuracy, 0.838 F1 score, 0.847 precision, 0.849 sensitivity, and 0.991 AUC. These results present a powerful next-generation tool called MultiToxPred 1.0, accessible through a web application. We believe that MultiToxPred 1.0 has the potential to become an indispensable resource for researchers, facilitating the efficient identification of protein toxins. By leveraging this tool, scientists can accelerate their search for these toxins and advance their understanding of their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge F Beltrán
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile.
| | - Lisandra Herrera-Belén
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomas, Temuco, Chile
| | - Fernanda Parraguez-Contreras
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile
| | - Jorge G Farías
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile
| | - Jorge Machuca-Sepúlveda
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile
| | - Stefania Short
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile
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Jafari Z, Sadeghi S, Dehaghi MM, Bigham A, Honarmand S, Tavasoli A, Hoseini MHM, Varma RS. Immunomodulatory activities and biomedical applications of melittin and its recent advances. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2300569. [PMID: 38251938 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Melittin (MLT), a peptide containing 26 amino acids, is a key constituent of bee venom. It comprises ∼40%-60% of the venom's dry weight and is the main pricing index for bee venom, being the causative factor of pain. The unique properties of MLT extracted from bee venom have made it a very valuable active ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry as this cationic and amphipathic peptide has propitious effects on human health in diverse biological processes. It has the ability to strongly impact the membranes of cells and display hemolytic activity with anticancer characteristics. However, the clinical application of MLT has been limited by its severe hemolytic activity, which poses a challenge for therapeutic use. By employing more efficient mechanisms, such as modifying the MLT sequence, genetic engineering, and nano-delivery systems, it is anticipated that the limitations posed by MLT can be overcome, thereby enabling its wider application in therapeutic contexts. This review has outlined recent advancements in MLT's nano-delivery systems and genetically engineered cells expressing MLT and provided an overview of where the MLTMLT's platforms are and where they will go in the future with the challenges ahead. The focus is on exploring how these approaches can overcome the limitations associated with MLT's hemolytic activity and improve its selectivity and efficacy in targeting cancer cells. These advancements hold promise for the creation of innovative and enhanced therapeutic approaches based on MLT for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Jafari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Sadeghi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Mirzarazi Dehaghi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ashkan Bigham
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy (IPCB-CNR), Naples, Italy
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Shokouh Honarmand
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Tavasoli
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mostafa Haji Molla Hoseini
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rajender S Varma
- Department of Chemistry, Centre of Excellence for Research in Sustainable Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
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Alberto-Silva C, Pantaleão HQ, da Silva BR, da Silva JCA, Echeverry MB. Activation of M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors by proline-rich oligopeptide 7a (<EDGPIPP) from Bothrops jararaca snake venom rescues oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2024; 30:e20230043. [PMID: 38362565 PMCID: PMC10868729 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2023-0043] [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: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The bioactive peptides derived from snake venoms of the Viperidae family species have been promising as therapeutic candidates for neuroprotection due to their ability to prevent neuronal cell loss, injury, and death. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the cytoprotective effects of a synthetic proline-rich oligopeptide 7a (PRO-7a; Methods Both cells were pre-treated for four hours with different concentrations of PRO-7a, submitted to H2O2-induced damage for 20 h, and then the oxidative stress markers were analyzed. Also, two independent neuroprotective mechanisms were investigated: a) L-arginine metabolite generation via argininosuccinate synthetase (AsS) activity regulation to produce agmatine or polyamines with neuroprotective properties; b) M1 mAChR receptor subtype activation pathway to reduce oxidative stress and neuron injury. Results PRO-7a was not cytoprotective in C6 cells, but potentiated the H2O2-induced damage to cell integrity at a concentration lower than 0.38 μM. However, PRO-7a at 1.56 µM, on the other hand, modified H2O2-induced toxicity in PC12 cells by restoring cell integrity, mitochondrial metabolism, ROS generation, and arginase indirect activity. The α-Methyl-DL-aspartic acid (MDLA) and L-NΩ-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-Name), specific inhibitors of AsS and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which catalyzes the synthesis of polyamines and NO from L-arginine, did not suppress PRO-7a-mediated cytoprotection against oxidative stress. It suggested that its mechanism is independent of the production of L-arginine metabolites with neuroprotective properties by increased AsS activity. On the other hand, the neuroprotective effect of PRO-7a was blocked in the presence of dicyclomine hydrochloride (DCH), an M1 mAChR antagonist. Conclusions For the first time, this work provides evidence that PRO-7a-induced neuroprotection seems to be mediated through M1 mAChR activation in PC12 cells, which reduces oxidative stress independently of AsS activity and L-arginine bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alberto-Silva
- Natural and Humanities Sciences Center (CCNH), Experimental
Morphophysiology Laboratory, Federal University of ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do
Campo, SP, Brazil
| | - Halyne Queiroz Pantaleão
- Natural and Humanities Sciences Center (CCNH), Experimental
Morphophysiology Laboratory, Federal University of ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do
Campo, SP, Brazil
| | - Brenda Rufino da Silva
- Natural and Humanities Sciences Center (CCNH), Experimental
Morphophysiology Laboratory, Federal University of ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do
Campo, SP, Brazil
| | - Julio Cezar Araujo da Silva
- Natural and Humanities Sciences Center (CCNH), Experimental
Morphophysiology Laboratory, Federal University of ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do
Campo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcela Bermudez Echeverry
- Center for Mathematics, Computation and Cognition (CMCC), Federal
University of ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil
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Dan L, Hao Y, Li J, Wang T, Zhao W, Wang H, Qiao L, Xie P. Neuroprotective effects and possible mechanisms of berberine in animal models of Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1287750. [PMID: 38259291 PMCID: PMC10800531 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1287750] [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: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Recently, multiple preclinical studies have reported the beneficial effect of berberine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nevertheless, the neuroprotective effects and possible mechanisms of berberine against AD are not universally recognized. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis by integrating relevant animal studies to assess the neuroprotective effects and potential mechanisms of berberine on AD. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases that reported the effects of berberine on AD models up to 1 February 2023. The escape latency, times of crossing platform, time spent in the target quadrant and pro-oligomerized amyloid beta 42 (Aβ1-42) were included as primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes were the Tau-ps 204, Tau-ps 404, β-site of APP cleaving enzyme (BACE1), amyloid precursor protein (APP), acetylcholine esterase (AChE), tumor necrosis factor ⍺ (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, nitric oxide (NO), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Beclin-1 and neuronal apoptosis cells. This meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 and STATA 15.1. The SYRCLE's risk of bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality. Results: Twenty-two studies and 453 animals were included in the analysis. The overall results showed that berberine significantly shortened the escape latency (p < 0.00001), increased times of crossing platform (p < 0.00001) and time spent in the target quadrant (p < 0.00001), decreased Aβ1-42 deposition (p < 0.00001), Tau-ps 202 (p < 0.00001) and Tau-ps 404 (p = 0.002), and improved BACE1, APP, AChE, Beclin-1, neuronal apoptosis cells, oxidative stress and inflammation levels. Conclusion: Berberine may be a promising drug for the treatment of AD based on preclinical evidence (especially when the dose was 5-260 mg/kg). The potential mechanisms for these protective effects may be closely related to anti-neuroinflammation, anti-oxidative stress, modulation of autophagy, inhibition of neuronal apoptosis and protection of cholinergic system. However, these results may be limited by the quality of existing research. Larger and methodologically more rigorous preclinical research are needed to provide more convincing evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Dan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanwei Hao
- Department of Geriatrics, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianyuan Wang
- Traditional Chinese medicine department, 363 Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, China
| | - Weiwei Zhao
- Department of Geriatrics, Xi’an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi’an, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Xi’an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi’an, China
| | - Liyan Qiao
- Department of Geriatrics, Xi’an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi’an, China
| | - Peijun Xie
- Department of Geriatrics, Xi’an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi’an, China
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Dos Santos Arraes DR, Rodrigues ABL, Sanches PR, Costa Campos CE, Moreira da Silva de Almeida SS, Reis Ferreira Lima J, Dias Lima J, da Silva GA. Bioactive alkaloids from the venom of Dendrobatoidea Cope, 1865: a scoping review. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2024; 27:1-20. [PMID: 37889647 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2023.2270408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Bioactive compounds derived from secondary metabolism in animals have refined selectivity and potency for certain biological targets. The superfamily Dendrobatoidea is adapted to the dietary sequestration and secretion of toxic alkaloids, which play a role in several biological activities, and thus serve as a potential source for pharmacological and biotechnological applications. This article constitutes a scoping review to understand the trends in experimental research involving bioactive alkaloids derived from Dendrobatoidea based upon scientometric approaches. Forty-eight (48) publications were found in 30 journals in the period of 60 years, between 1962 and 2022. More than 23 structural classes of alkaloids were cited, with 27.63% for batrachotoxins, 13.64% for pyridinics, with an emphasis on epibatidine, 16.36% for pumiliotoxins, and 11.82% for histrionicotoxins. These tests included in vivo (54.9%), in vitro (39.4%), and in silico simulations (5.6%). Most compounds (54.8%) were isolated from skin extracts, whereas the remainder were obtained through molecular synthesis. Thirteen main biological activities were identified, including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (27.59%), sodium channel inhibitors (12.07%), cardiac (12.07%), analgesic (8.62%), and neuromuscular effects (8.62%). The substances were cited as being of natural origin in the "Dendrobatidae" family, genus "Phyllobates," "Dendrobates," and seven species: Epipedobates tricolor, Phyllobates aurotaenia, Oophaga histrionica, Oophaga pumilio, Phyllobates terribilis, Epipedobates anthonyi, and Ameerega flavopicta. To date, only a few biological activities have been experimentally tested; hence, further studies on the bioprospecting of animal compounds and ecological approaches are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Janaina Reis Ferreira Lima
- Herpetology Laboratory, Institute of Scientific and Technological Research of the State of Amapá, Macapá, Amapá, Brazil
| | - Jucivaldo Dias Lima
- Herpetology Laboratory, Institute of Scientific and Technological Research of the State of Amapá, Macapá, Amapá, Brazil
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Yuan J, Tao Y, Wang M, Huang F, Wu X. Natural compounds as potential therapeutic candidates for multiple sclerosis: Emerging preclinical evidence. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 123:155248. [PMID: 38096716 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurodegenerative disease, with main characteristics of pathological inflammation, neural damage and axonal demyelination. Current mainstream treatments demonstrate more or less side effects, which limit their extensive use. PURPOSE Increasing studies indicate that natural compounds benefit multiple sclerosis without remarkable side effects. Given the needs to explore the potential effects of natural compounds of plant origin on multiple sclerosis and their mechanisms, we review publications involving the role of natural compounds in animal models of multiple sclerosis, excluding controlled trials. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Articles were conducted on PubMed and Web of Science databases using the keywords ``multiple sclerosis'' and ``natural compounds'' published from January 1, 2008, to September 1, 2023. RESULTS This review summarized the effects of natural ingredients (flavonoids, terpenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, glycosides, and others) from three aspects: immune regulation, oxidative stress suppression, and myelin protection and regeneration in multiple sclerosis. CONCLUSION Overall, we concluded 80 studies to show the preclinical evidence that natural compounds may attenuate multiple sclerosis progression via suppressing immune attacks and/or promoting myelin protection or endogenous repair processes. It would pave the roads for the future development of effective therapeutic regiments of multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, the Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, the MOE Innovation Centre for Basic Medicine Research on Qi-Blood TCM Theories, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yanlin Tao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, the Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, the MOE Innovation Centre for Basic Medicine Research on Qi-Blood TCM Theories, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mengxue Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, the Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, the MOE Innovation Centre for Basic Medicine Research on Qi-Blood TCM Theories, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Fei Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, the Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, the MOE Innovation Centre for Basic Medicine Research on Qi-Blood TCM Theories, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Xiaojun Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, the Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, the MOE Innovation Centre for Basic Medicine Research on Qi-Blood TCM Theories, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Pantaleão HQ, Araujo da Silva JC, Rufino da Silva B, Echeverry MB, Alberto-Silva C. Peptide fraction from B. jararaca snake venom protects against oxidative stress-induced changes in neuronal PC12 cell but not in astrocyte-like C6 cell. Toxicon 2023; 231:107178. [PMID: 37302421 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107178] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Venom-derived proteins and peptides have prevented neuronal cell loss, damage, and death in the study of neurodegenerative disorders. The cytoprotective effects of the peptide fraction (PF) from Bothrops jararaca snake venom were evaluated against oxidative stress changes in neuronal PC12 cells and astrocyte-like C6 cells. PC12 and C6 cells were pre-treated for 4 h with different concentrations of PF, and then H2O2 was added (0.5 mM in PC12 cells; 0.4 mM in C6 cells) and incubated for 20 h more. In PC12 cells, PF at 0.78 μg mL-1 increased viability (113.6 ± 6.3%) and metabolism (96.3 ± 10.3%) cell against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity (75.6 ± 5.8%; 66.5 ± 3.3%, respectively), reducing oxidative stress markers such as ROS generation, NO production, and arginase indirect activity through urea synthesis. Despite that, PF showed no cytoprotective effects in C6 cells, but potentiated the H2O2-induced damage at a concentration lower than 0.07 μg mL-1. Furthermore, the role of metabolites derived from L-arginine metabolism was verified in PF-mediated neuroprotection in PC12 cells, using specific inhibitors of two of the key enzymes in the L-arginine metabolic pathway: the α-Methyl-DL-aspartic acid (MDLA) to argininosuccinate synthetase (AsS), responsible for the recycling of L-citrulline to L-arginine; and, L-NΩ-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-Name) to nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which catalyzes the synthesis of NO from L-arginine. The inhibition of AsS and NOS suppressed PF-mediated cytoprotection against oxidative stress, indicating that its mechanism is dependent on the production pathway of L-arginine metabolites such as NO and, more importantly, polyamines from ornithine metabolism, which are involved in the neuroprotection mechanism described in the literature. Overall, this work provides novel opportunities for evaluating whether the neuroprotective properties of PF shown in particular neuronal cells are sustained and for exploring potential drug development pathways for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halyne Queiroz Pantaleão
- Natural and Humanities Sciences Center (CCNH), Experimental Morphophysiology Laboratory Federal University of ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo Do Campo, 09606-070, SP, Brazil
| | - Julio Cezar Araujo da Silva
- Natural and Humanities Sciences Center (CCNH), Experimental Morphophysiology Laboratory Federal University of ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo Do Campo, 09606-070, SP, Brazil
| | - Brenda Rufino da Silva
- Natural and Humanities Sciences Center (CCNH), Experimental Morphophysiology Laboratory Federal University of ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo Do Campo, 09606-070, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcela Bermudez Echeverry
- Center for Mathematics, Computation and Cognition (CMCC), UFABC, São Bernardo Do Campo, 09606-070, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alberto-Silva
- Natural and Humanities Sciences Center (CCNH), Experimental Morphophysiology Laboratory Federal University of ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo Do Campo, 09606-070, SP, Brazil.
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Eleiwa NZH, Ali MAA, Said EN, Metwally MMM, Abd-ElHakim YM. Bee venom (Apis mellifera L.) rescues zinc oxide nanoparticles induced neurobehavioral and neurotoxic impact via controlling neurofilament and GAP-43 in rat brain. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:88685-88703. [PMID: 37442924 PMCID: PMC10412495 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28538-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the possible beneficial role of the bee venom (BV, Apis mellifera L.) against zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNPs)-induced neurobehavioral and neurotoxic impacts in rats. Fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were alienated into five groups. Three groups were intraperitoneally injected distilled water (C 28D group), ZNPs (100 mg/kg b.wt) (ZNPs group), or ZNPs (100 mg/kg.wt) and BV (1 mg/ kg.bwt) (ZNPs + BV group) for 28 days. One group was intraperitoneally injected with 1 mL of distilled water for 56 days (C 56D group). The last group was intraperitoneally injected with ZNPs for 28 days, then BV for another 28 days at the same earlier doses and duration (ZNPs/BV group). Depression, anxiety, locomotor activity, spatial learning, and memory were evaluated using the forced swimming test, elevated plus maze, open field test, and Morris water maze test, respectively. The brain contents of dopamine, serotonin, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and Zn were estimated. The histopathological changes and immunoexpressions of neurofilament and GAP-43 protein in the brain tissues were followed. The results displayed that BV significantly decreased the ZNPs-induced depression, anxiety, memory impairment, and spatial learning disorders. Moreover, the ZNPs-induced increment in serotonin and dopamine levels and Zn content was significantly suppressed by BV. Besides, BV significantly restored the depleted TAC but minimized the augmented MDA brain content associated with ZNPs exposure. Likewise, the neurodegenerative changes induced by ZNPs were significantly abolished by BV. Also, the increased neurofilament and GAP-43 immunoexpression due to ZNPs exposure were alleviated with BV. Of note, BV achieved better results in the ZNPs + BV group than in the ZNPs/BV group. Conclusively, these results demonstrated that BV could be employed as a biologically effective therapy to mitigate the neurotoxic and neurobehavioral effects of ZNPs, particularly when used during ZNPs exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naglaa Z H Eleiwa
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Abo-Alkasem Ali
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Enas N Said
- Department of Behaviour and Management of Animal, Poultry and Aquatic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Mohamed M M Metwally
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Yasmina M Abd-ElHakim
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
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Diniz-Sousa R, Silva CCA, Pereira SS, da Silva SL, Fernandes PA, Teixeira LMC, Zuliani JP, Soares AM. Therapeutic applications of snake venoms: An invaluable potential of new drug candidates. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 238:124357. [PMID: 37028634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Animal venoms and their chemical compounds have aroused both empirical and scientific attention for ages. However, there has been a significant increase in scientific investigations in recent decades, allowing the production of various formulations that are helping in the development of many important tools for biotechnological, diagnostic, or therapeutic use, both in human and animal health, as well as in plants. Venoms are composed of biomolecules and inorganic compounds that may have physiological and pharmacological activities that are not related to their principal actions (prey immobilization, digestion, and defense). Snake venom toxins, mainly enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins, and peptides have been identified as potential prototypes for new drugs and/or models for the development of pharmacologically active structural domains for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases, pain, and infectious-parasitic diseases. This minireview aims to provide an overview of the biotechnological potential of animal venoms, with a focus on snakes, and to introduce the reader to the fascinating world of Applied Toxinology, where animal biodiversity can be used to develop therapeutic and diagnostic applications for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela Diniz-Sousa
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos Aplicados à Saúde (LABIOPROT), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil; Centro Universitário São Lucas (UniSL), Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Cleópatra C A Silva
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos Aplicados à Saúde (LABIOPROT), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental (INCT-EpiAmO), Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Soraya S Pereira
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Saulo L da Silva
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
| | - Pedro A Fernandes
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís M C Teixeira
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal
| | - Juliana P Zuliani
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada à Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Andreimar M Soares
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos Aplicados à Saúde (LABIOPROT), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil; Centro Universitário São Lucas (UniSL), Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental (INCT-EpiAmO), Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil; Faculdade Católica de Rondônia (FCR), Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil.
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10
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Iurova E, Beloborodov E, Rastorgueva E, Fomin A, Saenko Y. Peptide Sodium Channels Modulator Mu-Agatoxin-Aa1a Prevents Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of Cells. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28073174. [PMID: 37049936 PMCID: PMC10095657 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28073174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is an irreversible functional and structural injury. Restoration of normal oxygen concentration exacerbates the emergence and development of deadly cells. One of the possible moments of reperfusion damage to cells is an increase in the intracellular concentration of sodium ions. In this article, we study the mu-agatoxin-Aa1a, a modulator of sodium channels, on the processes of IRI cells damage. The toxin was synthesized using an automatic peptide synthesizer. Hypoxia was induced by reducing the content of serum and oxygen in the CHO-K1 culture. The influence of the toxin on the level of apoptosis; intracellular concentration of sodium, calcium, and potassium ions; intracellular pH; totality of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and ATP; and changes in the mitochondrial potential were studied. The experiments performed show that mu-agatoxin-Aa1a effectively prevents IRI of cells. Toxin reduces the level of apoptosis and prevents a decrease in the intracellular concentration of sodium and calcium ions during IRI. Mu-agatoxin-Aa1a contributes to the maintenance of elevated intracellular pH, reduces the intracellular concentration of ROS, and prevents the decrease in intracellular NO concentration and mitochondrial potential under conditions of reoxygenation/reperfusion. An analysis of experimental data shows that the mu-agatoxin-Aa1a peptide has adaptogenic properties. In the future, this peptide can be used to prevent ischemia/reperfusion tissue damage different genesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Iurova
- Laboratory of Research and Development of Peptide Drugs and Vaccines, S. P. Kapitsa Technological Research Institute, Ulyanovsk State University, Ulyanovsk 432017, Russia
| | - Evgenii Beloborodov
- Laboratory of Research and Development of Peptide Drugs and Vaccines, S. P. Kapitsa Technological Research Institute, Ulyanovsk State University, Ulyanovsk 432017, Russia
| | - Eugenia Rastorgueva
- Laboratory of Research and Development of Peptide Drugs and Vaccines, S. P. Kapitsa Technological Research Institute, Ulyanovsk State University, Ulyanovsk 432017, Russia
- Department of General and Clinical Pharmacology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ulyanovsk State University, Ulyanovsk 432017, Russia
| | - Aleksandr Fomin
- Laboratory of Research and Development of Peptide Drugs and Vaccines, S. P. Kapitsa Technological Research Institute, Ulyanovsk State University, Ulyanovsk 432017, Russia
| | - Yury Saenko
- Laboratory of Research and Development of Peptide Drugs and Vaccines, S. P. Kapitsa Technological Research Institute, Ulyanovsk State University, Ulyanovsk 432017, Russia
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11
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Probiotic-Fermented Camel Milk Attenuates Neurodegenerative Symptoms via SOX5/miR-218 Axis Orchestration in Mouse Models. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030357. [PMID: 36986457 PMCID: PMC10059028 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune-mediated myelin damage disorder in the central nervous system that is widespread among neurological patients. It has been demonstrated that several genetic and epigenetic factors control autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of MS, through CD4+ T-cell population quantity. Alterations in the gut microbiota influence neuroprotectiveness via unexplored mechanisms. In this study, the ameliorative effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens fermented in camel milk (BEY) on an autoimmune-mediated neurodegenerative model using myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein/complete fraud adjuvant/pertussis toxin (MCP)-immunized C57BL6j mice is investigated. Anti-inflammatory activity was confirmed in the in vitro cell model, and inflammatory cytokines interleukins IL17 (from EAE 311 to BEY 227 pg/mL), IL6 (from EAE 103 to BEY 65 pg/mL), IFNγ (from EAE 423 to BEY 243 pg/mL) and TGFβ (from EAE 74 to BEY 133 pg/mL) were significantly reduced in BEY-treated mice. The epigenetic factor miR-218-5P was identified and confirmed its mRNA target SOX-5 using in silico tools and expression techniques, suggesting SOX5/miR-218-5p could serve as an exclusive diagnostic marker for MS. Furthermore, BEY improved the short-chain fatty acids, in particular butyrate (from 0.57 to 0.85 µM) and caproic (from 0.64 to 1.33 µM) acids, in the MCP mouse group. BEY treatment significantly regulated the expression of inflammatory transcripts in EAE mice and upregulated neuroprotective markers such as neurexin (from 0.65- to 1.22-fold) (p < 0.05), vascular endothelial adhesion molecules (from 0.41- to 0.76-fold) and myelin-binding protein (from 0.46- to 0.89-fold) (p < 0.03). These findings suggest that BEY could be a promising clinical approach for the curative treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and could promote the use of probiotic food as medicine.
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12
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Seaweeds in the Oncology Arena: Anti-Cancer Potential of Fucoidan as a Drug—A Review. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27186032. [PMID: 36144768 PMCID: PMC9506145 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27186032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine natural products are a discerning arena to search for the future generation of medications to treat a spectrum of ailments. Meanwhile, cancer is becoming more ubiquitous over the world, and the likelihood of dying from it is rising. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are the mainstays of cancer treatment worldwide, but their extensive side effects limit their curative effect. The quest for low-toxicity marine drugs to prevent and treat cancer is one of the current research priorities of researchers. Fucoidan, an algal sulfated polysaccharide, is a potent therapeutic lead candidate against cancer, signifying that far more research is needed. Fucoidan is a versatile, nontoxic marine-origin heteropolysaccharide that has received much attention due to its beneficial biological properties and safety. Fucoidan has been demonstrated to exhibit a variety of conventional bioactivities, such as antiviral, antioxidant, and immune-modulatory characteristics, and anticancer activity against a wide range of malignancies has also recently been discovered. Fucoidan inhibits tumorigenesis by prompting cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, blocking metastasis and angiogenesis, and modulating physiological signaling molecules. This review compiles the molecular and cellular aspects, immunomodulatory and anticancer actions of fucoidan as a natural marine anticancer agent. Specific fucoidan and membranaceous polysaccharides from Ecklonia cava, Laminaria japonica, Fucus vesiculosus, Astragalus, Ascophyllum nodosum, Codium fragile serving as potential anticancer marine drugs are discussed in this review.
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13
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Gorai B, Vashisth H. Structures and interactions of insulin-like peptides from cone snail venom. Proteins 2022; 90:680-690. [PMID: 34661928 PMCID: PMC8816879 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The venomous insulin-like peptides released by certain cone snails stimulate hypoglycemic shock to immobilize fish and catch the prey. Compared to human insulin (hIns), the cone snail insulins (Con-Ins) are typically monomeric and shorter in sequence, yet they exhibit moderate hIns-like biological activity. We have modeled six variants of Con-Ins (G3, K1, K2, T1A, T1B, and T2) and carried out explicit-solvent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of eight types of insulins, two with known structures (hIns and Con-Ins-G1) and six Con-Ins with modeled structures, to characterize key residues of each insulin that interact with the truncated human insulin receptor (μIR). We show that each insulin/μIR complex is stable during explicit-solvent MD simulations and hIns interactions indicate the highest affinity for the "site 1" of IR. The residue contact maps reveal that each insulin preferably interacts with the αCT peptide than the L1 domain of IR. Through analysis of the average nonbonded interaction energy contribution of every residue of each insulin for the μIR, we probe the residues establishing favorable interactions with the receptor. We compared the interaction energy of each residue of every Con-Ins to the μIR and observed that γ-carboxylated glutamate (Gla), His, Thr, Tyr, Tyr/His, and Asn in Con-Ins are favorable substitutions for GluA4, AsnA21, ValB12, LeuB15, GlyB20, and ArgB22 in hIns, respectively. The identified insulin analogs, although lacking the last eight residues of the B-chain of hIns, bind strongly to μIR. Our findings are potentially useful in designing potent fast-acting therapeutic insulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswajit Gorai
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Harish Vashisth
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
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14
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Phα1β is a Promising Neuroprotective Peptide from the Phoneutria nigriventer ‘Armed’ Spider. Int J Pept Res Ther 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-022-10381-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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15
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Moussaoui H, Ladjel-Mendil A, Laraba-Djebari F. Neuromodulation of neurological disorders in a demyelination model: effect of a potassium channel inhibitor from Androctonus scorpion venom. TOXIN REV 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/15569543.2021.2022698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hadjila Moussaoui
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, USTHB, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Amina Ladjel-Mendil
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, USTHB, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Fatima Laraba-Djebari
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, USTHB, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Algiers, Algeria
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Zahran F, Mohamad A, Zein N. Bee venom ameliorates cardiac dysfunction in diabetic hyperlipidemic rats. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:2630-2644. [PMID: 34550826 DOI: 10.1177/15353702211045924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
High levels of blood glucose and lipids are well-known risk factors for heart diseases. Bee venom is a natural product that has a potent hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. The current study aimed to determine the bee venom effects on cardiac dysfunction compared to combined therapy of metformin and atorvastatin in diabetic hyperlipidemic rats. The median lethal dose of bee venom was estimated, and then 50 adult male albino rats were categorized into five groups. One group was fed a standard diet and served as a negative control, while the other groups were given nicotinamide and streptozotocin injections to induce type 2 diabetes. After confirming diabetes, the rats were fed a high-fat diet for four weeks. The four groups were divided as follows: one group served as a positive control, whereas the other three groups were treated with bee venom (0.5 mg/kg), bee venom (1.23 mg/kg), and combined therapy of metformin (60 mg/kg) and atorvastatin (10 mg/kg), respectively, for four weeks. Upon termination of the experiment, blood samples and heart tissue were obtained. Administration of bee venom using both doses (0.5 and 1.23 mg/kg) and combined therapy of metformin and atorvastatin revealed a significant decrease in the concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, troponin I, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities. Moreover, a significant decrease had been detedcted in malondialdehyde, nuclear factor-kappa-β levels, and relative mRNA expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and galectin-3 in heart tissue compared to the positive control (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, there was a significant increase in bodyweight levels of insulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total antioxidant capacity in heart tissue compared to the positive control (P < 0.0001). The results indicate that bee venom can ameliorate cardiac dysfunction through attenuating oxidative stress and downregulating the NF-κβ signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faten Zahran
- Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Alaa Mohamad
- Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Nabila Zein
- Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
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17
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Lopez SMM, Aguilar JS, Fernandez JBB, Lao AGJ, Estrella MRR, Devanadera MKP, Ramones CMV, Villaraza AJL, Guevarra LA, Santiago-Bautista MR, Santiago LA. Neuroactive venom compounds obtained from Phlogiellus bundokalbo as potential leads for neurodegenerative diseases: insights on their acetylcholinesterase and beta-secretase inhibitory activities in vitro. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021; 27:e20210009. [PMID: 34249120 PMCID: PMC8237997 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0009] [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: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Spider venom is a rich cocktail of neuroactive compounds designed to prey capture and defense against predators that act on neuronal membrane proteins, in particular, acetylcholinesterases (AChE) that regulate synaptic transmission through acetylcholine (ACh) hydrolysis - an excitatory neurotransmitter - and beta-secretases (BACE) that primarily cleave amyloid precursor proteins (APP), which are, in turn, relevant in the structural integrity of neurons. The present study provides preliminary evidence on the therapeutic potential of Phlogiellus bundokalbo venom against neurodegenerative diseases. Methods Spider venom was extracted by electrostimulation and fractionated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Neuroactivity of the whole venom was observed by a neurobehavioral response from Terebrio molitor larvae in vivo and fractions were screened for their inhibitory activities against AChE and BACE in vitro. Results The whole venom from P. bundokalbo demonstrated neuroactivity by inducing excitatory movements from T. molitor for 15 min. Sixteen fractions collected produced diverse mass fragments from MALDI-TOF-MS ranging from 900-4500 Da. Eleven of sixteen fractions demonstrated AChE inhibitory activities with 14.34% (± 2.60e-4) to 62.05% (± 6.40e-5) compared with donepezil which has 86.34% (± 3.90e-5) inhibition (p > 0.05), while none of the fractions were observed to exhibit BACE inhibition. Furthermore, three potent fractions against AChE, F1, F3, and F16 displayed competitive and uncompetitive inhibitions compared to donepezil as the positive control. Conclusion The venom of P. bundokalbo contains compounds that demonstrate neuroactivity and anti-AChE activities in vitro, which could comprise possible therapeutic leads for the development of cholinergic compounds against neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Miguel M Lopez
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1008.,Institute of Chemistry, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines, 1101
| | - Jeremey S Aguilar
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1008
| | - Jerene Bashia B Fernandez
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1008
| | - Angelic Gayle J Lao
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1008.,Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1015.,The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1015.,Institute of Chemistry, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines, 1101
| | - Mitzi Rain R Estrella
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1008
| | - Mark Kevin P Devanadera
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1008.,Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1015.,The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1015
| | - Cydee Marie V Ramones
- Institute of Chemistry, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines, 1101
| | - Aaron Joseph L Villaraza
- Institute of Chemistry, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines, 1101
| | - Leonardo A Guevarra
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1008.,Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1015
| | - Myla R Santiago-Bautista
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1008.,Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1015.,The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1015
| | - Librado A Santiago
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1008.,Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1015.,The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1015
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Animal Venoms-Curse or Cure? Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9040413. [PMID: 33921205 PMCID: PMC8068803 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9040413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
An estimated 15% of animals are venomous, with representatives spread across the majority of animal lineages. Animals use venoms for various purposes, such as prey capture and predator deterrence. Humans have always been fascinated by venomous animals in a Janus-faced way. On the one hand, humans have a deeply rooted fear of venomous animals. This is boosted by their largely negative image in public media and the fact that snakes alone cause an annual global death toll in the hundreds of thousands, with even more people being left disabled or disfigured. Consequently, snake envenomation has recently been reclassified by the World Health Organization as a neglected tropical disease. On the other hand, there has been a growth in recent decades in the global scene of enthusiasts keeping venomous snakes, spiders, scorpions, and centipedes in captivity as pets. Recent scientific research has focussed on utilising animal venoms and toxins for the benefit of humanity in the form of molecular research tools, novel diagnostics and therapeutics, biopesticides, or anti-parasitic treatments. Continued research into developing efficient and safe antivenoms and promising discoveries of beneficial effects of animal toxins is further tipping the scales in favour of the “cure” rather than the “curse” prospect of venoms.
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Immunoregulatory Effects of Tolerogenic Probiotics in Multiple Sclerosis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1286:87-105. [PMID: 33725347 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-55035-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gut microbiota has essential roles in the prevention and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). The association between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system (CNS) or immune system response of MS patients has been documented in many studies. The composition of the gut microbiota could lead to sensitization or resistance against promotion and development of MS disease. Probiotics are the major part of gut microflorapopulation and could be substituted with tolerogenic probiotics that protect the CNS against autoimmune responses. Tolerogenic probiotics with anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory properties have effects on intestinal flora and can reestablish regulatory mucosal and systemic immune responses. Probiotics are able to prevent and restore excessive activation of inflammatory responses, especially autoreactive T cells and inflammatory cytokines. Tolerogenic probiotics, through induction of regulatory T cells and increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines, play a crucial role in controlling inflammation and maintaining tolerance and hemostasis. Therefore, probiotics can be considered as a preventive or therapeutic tool in MS. In the present review, we focus on the immunoregulatory effects of tolerogenic probiotics on the severity of disease, as well as Th1, Th2, and Treg populations in different experimental and human studies of MS.
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Sung SH, Kim JW, Han JE, Shin BC, Park JK, Lee G. Animal Venom for Medical Usage in Pharmacopuncture in Korean Medicine: Current Status and Clinical Implication. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13020105. [PMID: 33535603 PMCID: PMC7912904 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13020105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms, widespread throughout the world, are complex mixtures, the composition of which depends on the venom-producing species. The objective of this study was to contribute to the development of animal venom-based medicines by investigating the use of animal venom pharmacopuncture in Korean medicine (KM) institutions. We surveyed 256 public health centers from 1 through 31 October 2019 as guided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW). A questionnaire developed by an expert group was distributed and collected for statistical analysis. The survey identified three types of animal venom-based pharmacopuncture: bee, snake, and toad venoms. The medications are based on a single animal venom ingredient and produced in 11 external herbal dispensaries (EHDs). Each animal venom is processed, refined, and freeze-dried in a cleanroom to produce a powder formulation that is later measured, diluted, filtered, filled, sealed, sterilized, and packaged as pharmacopuncture injections used in KM institutions. Bee venom therapy is effective in treating musculoskeletal pain, snake venom therapy is effective in controlling bleeding during surgery, and toad venom therapy is effective in cancer treatment. The study suggests that bee, snake, and toad venoms could be used in medical institutions and have the potential for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo-Hyun Sung
- Department of Policy Development, National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Seoul 04554, Korea; (S.-H.S.); (J.-W.K.); (J.-E.H.)
| | - Ji-Won Kim
- Department of Policy Development, National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Seoul 04554, Korea; (S.-H.S.); (J.-W.K.); (J.-E.H.)
| | - Ji-Eun Han
- Department of Policy Development, National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Seoul 04554, Korea; (S.-H.S.); (J.-W.K.); (J.-E.H.)
| | - Byung-Cheul Shin
- Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea; (B.-C.S.); (J.-K.P.)
| | - Jang-Kyung Park
- Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea; (B.-C.S.); (J.-K.P.)
| | - Gihyun Lee
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju 58245, Korea
- Correspondence:
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21
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Badawi HM, Abdelsalam RM, Abdel-Salam OM, Youness ER, Shaffie NM, Eldenshary EEDS. Bee venom attenuates neurodegeneration and motor impairment and modulates the response to L-dopa or rasagiline in a mice model of Parkinson's disease. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021; 23:1628-1638. [PMID: 33489038 PMCID: PMC7811814 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2020.46469.10731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effect of bee venom, a form of alternative therapy, on rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) in mice. Moreover, the possible modulation by bee venom of the effect of L-dopa/carbidopa or rasagiline was examined. Materials and Methods Rotenone (1.5 mg/kg, subcutaneously; SC) was administered every other day for two weeks and at the same time mice received the vehicle (DMSO, SC), bee venom (0.065, 0.13, and 0.26 mg/kg; intradermal; ID), L-dopa/carbidopa (25 mg/kg, intraperitoneal; IP), L-dopa/carbidopa+bee venom (0.13 mg/kg, ID), rasagiline (1 mg/kg, IP) or rasagiline+bee venom (0.13 mg/kg, ID). Then, wire hanging and staircase tests were performed and mice were euthanized and brains' striata separated. Oxidative stress biomarkers namely, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), reduced glutathione (GSH), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. Additionally, butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and dopamine (DA) were evaluated. Brain histopathological changes and caspase-3- expression were done. Results Bee venom significantly enhanced motor performance and inhibited rotenone-induced oxidative/nitrosative stress, observed as a reduction in both MDA and NO along with increasing GSH, PON-1, and TAC. Besides, bee venom decreased MCP-1, TNF-α, and caspase-3 expression together with an increase in BuChE activity and DA content. Conclusion Bee venom alone or in combination with L-dopa/carbidopa or rasagiline alleviated neuronal degeneration compared with L-dopa/carbidopa or rasagiline treatment only. Bee venom via its antioxidant and cytokine reducing potentials might be of value either alone or as adjunctive therapy in the management of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanaa Mm Badawi
- Holding Company for Biological Products, Vaccines and Drugs (VACSERA), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rania M Abdelsalam
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Omar Me Abdel-Salam
- Department of Toxicology and Narcotics, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eman R Youness
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Ezz-El Din S Eldenshary
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Borojeni SK, Zolfagharian H, Babaie M, Javadi I. Cytotoxic Effect of Bee ( A. mellifera) Venom on Cancer Cell Lines. J Pharmacopuncture 2020; 23:212-219. [PMID: 33408897 PMCID: PMC7772077 DOI: 10.3831/kpi.2020.23.4.212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Nowadays cancer treatment is an important challenge in the medical world that needs better therapies. Many active secretions produced by insects such as honey bees used to discover new anticancer drugs. Bee venom (BV) has a potent anti inflammatory, anti cancer and tumor effects. The aim of present study is evaluation of anticancer effects induced by Apis mellifera venom (AmV) on cell Lines. Methods AmV was selected for study on cancer cell lines. Total protein, molecular weight and LD50 of crude venom were determined. Then, cells were grown in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% antibiotics. The A549, HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cell Lines were exposed by different concentration of AmV. The morphology of cells was determined and cell viability was studed by MTT assay. Evaluation of cell death was determined by and DNA fragmentation. Results The results from MTT assay showed that 3.125 µg/mL of A549, 12.5 for HeLa and 6.25 µg/mL of MDA-MB-231 killed 50% of cells (p < 0.05). Morphological analysis and the results from hoescht staining and DNA fragmentation indicated that cell death induced by AmV was significantly apoptosis. Conclusion The data showed that using lower dosage of AmV during treatment period cause inhibition of proliferation in time and dose dependant manner. Findings indicated that some ingredients of AmV have anticancer effects and with further investigation it can be used in production of anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sima Khalilifard Borojeni
- Department of Venomous Animals and Antivenom Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Hossein Zolfagharian
- Department of Venomous Animals and Antivenom Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Mahdi Babaie
- Department of Venomous Animals and Antivenom Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.,Young Researchers and Elites Club, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Iraj Javadi
- Department of Toxicology, Islamic Azad University, Shahreza Branch, Shahreza, Isfahan, Iran
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23
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N-Terminal Tagging with GFP Enhances Selectivity of Agitoxin 2 to Kv1.3-Channel Binding Site. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12120802. [PMID: 33339256 PMCID: PMC7766132 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12120802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently developed fluorescent protein-scorpion toxin chimeras (FP-Tx) show blocking activities for potassium voltage-gated channels of Kv1 family and retain almost fully pharmacological profiles of the parental peptide toxins (Kuzmenkov et al., Sci Rep. 2016, 6, 33314). Here we report on N-terminally green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged agitoxin 2 (GFP-L2-AgTx2) with high affinity and selectivity for the binding site of Kv1.3 channel involved in the pathogenesis of various (primarily of autoimmune origin) diseases. The basis for this selectivity relates to N-terminal location of GFP, since transposition of GFP to the C-terminus of AgTx2 recovered specific interactions with the Kv1.1 and Kv1.6 binding sites. Competitive binding experiments revealed that the binding site of GFP-L2-AgTx2 overlaps that of charybdotoxin, kaliotoxin 1, and agitoxin 2, the known Kv1.3-channel pore blockers. GFP-L2-AgTx2 was demonstrated to be applicable as a fluorescent probe to search for Kv1.3 pore blockers among individual compounds and in complex mixtures, to measure blocker affinities, and to visualize Kv1.3 distribution at the plasma membrane of Kv1.3-expressing HEK293 cells. Our studies show that definite combinations of fluorescent proteins and peptide blockers can result in considerable modulation of the natural blocker-channel binding profile yielding selective fluorescent ligands of certain channels.
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24
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Gazerani P. Venoms as an adjunctive therapy for Parkinson's disease: where are we now and where are we going? Future Sci OA 2020; 7:FSO642. [PMID: 33437512 PMCID: PMC7787152 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2020-0119] [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: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), are increasing in the aging population. Crucially, neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons in PD is associated with chronic inflammation and glial activation. Besides this, bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, sensory alteration, and cognitive and psychiatric impairments are also present in PD. Currently, no pharmacologically effective treatment alters the progression of the disease. Discovery and development of new treatment strategies remains a focus for ongoing investigations. For example, one approach is cell therapy to prevent dopaminergic neuronal loss or to slow PD progression. The neuroprotective role of a diverse range of natural products, including venoms from bees, scorpions, snakes and lizards, are also being tested in preclinical PD models and in humans. The main findings from recent studies that have investigated venoms as therapeutic options for PD are summarized in this special report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Gazerani
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Health Science & Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg East, Denmark
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25
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Melittin Induces Local Order Changes in Artificial and Biological Membranes as Revealed by Spectral Analysis of Laurdan Fluorescence. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12110705. [PMID: 33171598 PMCID: PMC7695215 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12110705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a class of molecules widely used in applications on eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Independent of the peptide target, all of them need to first pass or interact with the plasma membrane of the cells. In order to have a better image of the peptide action mechanism with respect to the particular features of the membrane it is necessary to better understand the changes induced by AMPs in the membranes. Laurdan, a lipid membrane probe sensitive to polarity changes in the environment, is used in this study for assessing changes induced by melittin, a well-known peptide, both in model and natural lipid membranes. More importantly, we showed that generalized polarization (GP) values are not always efficient or sufficient to properly characterize the changes in the membrane. We proved that a better method to investigate these changes is to use the previously described log-normal deconvolution allowing us to infer other parameters: the difference between the relative areas of elementary peak (ΔSr), and the ratio of elementary peaks areas (Rs). Melittin induced a slight decrease in local membrane fluidity in homogeneous lipid membranes. The addition of cholesterol stabilizes the membrane more in the presence of melittin. An opposite response was observed in the case of heterogeneous lipid membranes in cells, the local order of lipids being diminished. RS proved to be the most sensitive parameter characterizing the local membrane order, allowing us to distinguish among the responses to melittin of both classes of membrane we investigated (liposomes and cellular membranes). Molecular simulation of the melittin pore in homogeneous lipid bilayer suggests that lipids are more closely packed in the proximity of the melittin pore (a smaller area per lipid), supporting the experimental observation.
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26
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Sant'Anna MB, Giardini AC, Ribeiro MAC, Lopes FSR, Teixeira NB, Kimura LF, Bufalo MC, Ribeiro OG, Borrego A, Cabrera WHK, Ferreira JCB, Zambelli VO, Sant'Anna OA, Picolo G. The Crotoxin:SBA-15 Complex Down-Regulates the Incidence and Intensity of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Through Peripheral and Central Actions. Front Immunol 2020; 11:591563. [PMID: 33193433 PMCID: PMC7655790 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.591563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Crotoxin (CTX), the main neurotoxin from Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom, has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antinociceptive activities. However, the CTX-induced toxicity may compromise its use. Under this scenario, the use of nanoparticle such as nanostructured mesoporous silica (SBA-15) as a carrier might become a feasible approach to improve CTX safety. Here, we determined the benefits of SBA-15 on CTX-related neuroinflammatory and immunomodulatory properties during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis that replicates several histopathological and immunological features observed in humans. We showed that a single administration of CTX:SBA-15 (54 μg/kg) was more effective in reducing pain and ameliorated the clinical score (motor impairment) in EAE animals compared to the CTX-treated EAE group; therefore, improving the disease outcome. Of interest, CTX:SBA-15, but not unconjugated CTX, prevented EAE-induced atrophy and loss of muscle function. Further supporting an immune mechanism, CTX:SBA-15 treatment reduced both recruitment and proliferation of peripheral Th17 cells as well as diminished IL-17 expression and glial cells activation in the spinal cord in EAE animals when compared with CTX-treated EAE group. Finally, CTX:SBA-15, but not unconjugated CTX, prevented the EAE-induced cell infiltration in the CNS. These results provide evidence that SBA-15 maximizes the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of CTX in an EAE model; therefore, suggesting that SBA-15 has the potential to improve CTX effectiveness in the treatment of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aline C Giardini
- Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcio A C Ribeiro
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flavia S R Lopes
- Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Louise F Kimura
- Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michelle C Bufalo
- Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Andrea Borrego
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wafa H K Cabrera
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julio C B Ferreira
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Vanessa O Zambelli
- Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | | | - Gisele Picolo
- Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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27
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Chow CY, Absalom N, Biggs K, King GF, Ma L. Venom-derived modulators of epilepsy-related ion channels. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 181:114043. [PMID: 32445870 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is characterised by spontaneous recurrent seizures that are caused by an imbalance between neuronal excitability and inhibition. Since ion channels play fundamental roles in the generation and propagation of action potentials as well as neurotransmitter release at a subset of excitatory and inhibitory synapses, their dysfunction has been linked to a wide variety of epilepsies. Indeed, these unique proteins are the major biological targets for antiepileptic drugs. Selective targeting of a specific ion channel subtype remains challenging for small molecules, due to the high level of homology among members of the same channel family. As a consequence, there is a growing trend to target ion channels with biologics. Venoms are the best known natural source of ion channel modulators, and venom peptides are increasingly recognised as potential therapeutics due to their high selectivity and potency gained through millions of years of evolutionary selection pressure. Here we describe the major ion channel families involved in the pathogenesis of various types of epilepsy, including voltage-gated Na+, K+, Ca2+ channels, Cys-loop receptors, ionotropic glutamate receptors and P2X receptors, and currently available venom-derived peptides that target these channel proteins. Although only a small number of venom peptides have successfully progressed to the clinic, there is reason to be optimistic about their development as antiepileptic drugs, notwithstanding the challenges associated with development of any class of peptide drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Yuen Chow
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Nathan Absalom
- Brain and Mind Centre, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Kimberley Biggs
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Linlin Ma
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia.
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28
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de Araújo Boleti AP, de Oliveira Flores TM, Moreno SE, Anjos LD, Mortari MR, Migliolo L. Neuroinflammation: An overview of neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases and of biotechnological studies. Neurochem Int 2020; 136:104714. [PMID: 32165170 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is an important factor contributing to cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), ischemic injury, and multiple sclerosis (MS). These diseases are characterized by inexorable progressive injury of neuron cells, and loss of motor or cognitive functions. Microglia, which are the resident macrophages in the brain, play an important role in both physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, we provide an updated discussion on the role of ROS and metabolic disease in the pathological mechanisms of activation of the microglial cells and release of cytotoxins, leading to the neurodegenerative process. In addition, we also discuss in vivo models, such as zebrafish and Caenorhabditis elegans, and provide new insights into therapeutics bioinspired by neuropeptides from venomous animals, supporting high throughput drug screening in the near future, searching for a complementary approach to elucidating crucial mechanisms associated with neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula de Araújo Boleti
- S-InovaBiotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, 79117-900, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Taylla Michelle de Oliveira Flores
- S-InovaBiotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, 79117-900, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Susana Elisa Moreno
- S-InovaBiotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, 79117-900, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Lilian Dos Anjos
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departmento Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil
| | - Márcia Renata Mortari
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departmento Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil
| | - Ludovico Migliolo
- S-InovaBiotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, 79117-900, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
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29
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Zhao R, Dai H, Mendelman N, Chill JH, Goldstein SAN. Tethered peptide neurotoxins display two blocking mechanisms in the K + channel pore as do their untethered analogs. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz3439. [PMID: 32181366 PMCID: PMC7056315 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz3439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We show here that membrane-tethered toxins facilitate the biophysical study of the roles of toxin residues in K+ channel blockade to reveal two blocking mechanisms in the K+ channel pore. The structure of the sea anemone type I (SAK1) toxin HmK is determined by NMR. T-HmK residues are scanned by point mutation to map the toxin surface, and seven residues are identified to be critical to occlusion of the KcsA channel pore. T-HmK-Lys22 is shown to interact with K+ ions traversing the KcsA pore from the cytoplasm conferring voltage dependence on the toxin off rate, a classic mechanism that we observe as well with HmK in solution and for Kv1.3 channels. In contrast, two related SAK1 toxins, Hui1 and ShK, block KcsA and Kv1.3, respectively, via an arginine rather than the canonical lysine, when tethered and as free peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiming Zhao
- Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Hui Dai
- Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Netanel Mendelman
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Jordan H. Chill
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Steve A. N. Goldstein
- Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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30
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Teixeira NB, Sant'Anna MB, Giardini AC, Araujo LP, Fonseca LA, Basso AS, Cury Y, Picolo G. Crotoxin down-modulates pro-inflammatory cells and alleviates pain on the MOG 35-55-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 84:253-268. [PMID: 31843645 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a Central Nervous System inflammatory demyelinating disease that has as primary symptoms losses of sensory and motor functions, including chronic pain. To date, however, few studies have investigated the mechanisms of chronic pain in animal models of MS since locomotor impairments render difficult its evaluation. It was previously demonstrated that in the MOG35-55-induced EAE, an animal model of MS, the hypernociception appears before the onset of motor disability, allowing for the study of these two phenomena separately. Here, we evaluated the effect of crotoxin (CTX), a neurotoxin isolated from the Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom that displays, at non-toxic dose, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, in the pain and in symptoms progression of EAE. The pain threshold of female C57BL/6 mice decreased at the 4th day after immunization, while the first sign of disease appeared around the 11st-12nd days, coinciding with the onset of motor abnormalities. CTX (40 µg/kg, s.c.) administered in a single dose on the 5th day after immunization, induced a long-lasting analgesic effect (5 days), without interfering with the clinical signs of the disease. On the other hand, when crotoxin was administered for 5 consecutive days, from 5th-9th day after immunization, it induced analgesia and also reduced EAE progression. The antinociceptive effect of crotoxin was blocked by Boc-2 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), a selective antagonist of formyl peptide receptors, by NDGA (30 μg/kg, i.p.), a lipoxygenase inhibitor and by atropine sulfate (10 mg/kg, i.p.), an antagonist of muscarinic receptors, administered 30 min before CTX. CTX was also effective in decreasing EAE clinical signs even when administered after its onset. Regarding the interactions between neurons and immunocompetent cells, CTX, in vitro, was able to reduce T cell proliferation, decreasing Th1 and Th17 and increasing Treg cell differentiation. Furthermore, in EAE model, the treatment with 5 consecutive doses of CTX inhibited IFN-γ-producing T cells, GM-CSF-producing T cells, reduced the frequency of activated microglia/macrophages within the CNS and decreased the number of migrating cell to spinal cord and cerebellum at the peak of the disease. These results suggest that CTX is a potential treatment not only for pain alteration but also for clinical progression induced by the disease as well as an useful tool for the development of new therapeutic approaches for the multiple sclerosis control.
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Affiliation(s)
- N B Teixeira
- Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - M B Sant'Anna
- Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - A C Giardini
- Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - L P Araujo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - L A Fonseca
- Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - A S Basso
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Y Cury
- Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - G Picolo
- Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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31
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Pereira-Crott LS, Casare-Ogasawara TM, Ambrosio L, Chaim LFP, de Morais FR, Cintra ACO, Canicoba NC, Tucci LFF, Torqueti MR, Sampaio SV, Marzocchi-Machado CM, Castro FAD. Bothrops moojeni venom and BmooLAAO-I downmodulate CXCL8/IL-8 and CCL2/MCP-1 production and oxidative burst response, and upregulate CD11b expression in human neutrophils. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 80:106154. [PMID: 31962250 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.106154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Bothrops snake venoms contain biologically active components, including L-amino acid oxidases (LAAO) that induce significant leukocyte accumulation at inflammatory sites characterized by early neutrophil infiltration. As it remains unclear how snake venoms modulate neutrophil activation and chemokine production, here we examined whether Bothrops moojeni crude venom (BmV) and its LAAO (BmooLAAO-I) affect expression of the surface activation markers CD11b and CD66b, production of the chemokines CCL2/MCP-1, CCL5/RANTES, CXCL8/IL-8, CXCL9/MIG, and CXCL-10/IP-10, and activation of oxidative burst in human neutrophils. Cell viability, expression of activation markers, and chemokine production were assessed by flow cytometry, while the oxidative burst response was measured by chemiluminescence. BmV at 50 and 75 µg/mL reduced CXCL8/IL-8 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively) and CCL2/MCP-1 production (p < 0.05), while BmooLAAO-I at the same concentrations reduced only CCL2/MCP-1 production (p < 0.01). These effects were accompanied by CD11b upregulation (p < 0.05 for 50 and 75 µg/mL BmV; p < 0.01 for 50 and 75 µg/mL BmooLAAO-I) and CD66b downregulation (p < 0.05 for 50 and 75 µg/mL BmV). Both BmV and BmooLAAO-I at concentrations ranging from 0.625 to 5 µg/mL suppressed the oxidative burst of neutrophils stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, while BmooLAAO-I at 2.5 and 5 µg/mL also suppressed the neutrophil response stimulated with opsonized zymosan. Considering that neutrophils participate in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, the findings reported herein indicate that BmV and BmooLAAO-I are potential immunomodulating agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Simon Pereira-Crott
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil.
| | - Tânia Mara Casare-Ogasawara
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Luciana Ambrosio
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fernando Princi Chaim
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Rosseto de Morais
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Adélia Cristina Oliveira Cintra
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Nathália Cristina Canicoba
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fernando Fortunato Tucci
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Maria Regina Torqueti
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Suely Vilela Sampaio
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Cleni Mara Marzocchi-Machado
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Fabíola Attié de Castro
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
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Abstract
Snake and spider venoms have been developed by nature as a defense mechanism against predators or to immobilize their prey by blocking the cardiovascular, respiratory, and/or nervous systems. Consequently, predators are deterred from approaching their prey by painful sensations. At a molecular level, the targeted physiological systems are blocked or stimulated by peptide toxins which, once injected into the body, modulate, though not exclusively, important cell membrane ion channels and receptors. Millions of years of constant evolution have led to the evolvement of complex venom libraries of optimized protein toxins, making them more potent, more selective, resistant to proteases, less immunogenic, and improved in terms of pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. The resulting advantage is that they induce long-term and potent pharmacodynamic (PD) effects toward unique molecular targets of therapeutic importance such as coagulation cascade proteins, receptors, and ionic channels. This optimization process has been enabled by the diversification of peptide sequences (mainly by gene duplication) and an upscaling of the complexity of toxin peptide scaffold structures, through implementation of multiple disulfide bridges and sequence-active motif diversification, leading to a wide diversity of chemical structures. This combination of pharmaceutical properties has made venom toxins valuable both as pharmacological tools and as leads for drug development. These highly tunable molecules can be tailored to achieve desirable biocompatibility and biodegradability with simultaneously selective and potent therapeutic effects. This brief overview provides basic definitions, rules, and methodologies and describes successful examples of a few drugs developed from snake toxins that are currently used in the clinic for therapy of several diseases as well as new molecular entities in clinical development based on spider-venom-derived peptide toxins.
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Yang X, Wang Y, Wu C, Ling EA. Animal Venom Peptides as a Treasure Trove for New Therapeutics Against Neurodegenerative Disorders. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:4749-4774. [PMID: 30378475 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666181031122438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and cerebral ischemic stroke, impose enormous socio-economic burdens on both patients and health-care systems. However, drugs targeting these diseases remain unsatisfactory, and hence there is an urgent need for the development of novel and potent drug candidates. METHODS Animal toxins exhibit rich diversity in both proteins and peptides, which play vital roles in biomedical drug development. As a molecular tool, animal toxin peptides have not only helped clarify many critical physiological processes but also led to the discovery of novel drugs and clinical therapeutics. RESULTS Recently, toxin peptides identified from venomous animals, e.g. exenatide, ziconotide, Hi1a, and PcTx1 from spider venom, have been shown to block specific ion channels, alleviate inflammation, decrease protein aggregates, regulate glutamate and neurotransmitter levels, and increase neuroprotective factors. CONCLUSION Thus, components of venom hold considerable capacity as drug candidates for the alleviation or reduction of neurodegeneration. This review highlights studies evaluating different animal toxins, especially peptides, as promising therapeutic tools for the treatment of different neurodegenerative diseases and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwang Yang
- Department of Anatomy and Histology & Embryology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Chemistry in Ethnic Medicine Resource, State Ethnic Affairs Commission & Ministry of Education, School of Ethnomedicine and Ethnopharmacy, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Chunyun Wu
- Department of Anatomy and Histology & Embryology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Eng-Ang Ling
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
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de Oliveira Amaral H, Monge-Fuentes V, Biolchi Mayer A, Alves Campos GA, Soares Lopes K, Camargo LC, Ferroni Schwartz M, Galante P, Mortari MR. Animal venoms: therapeutic tools for tackling Parkinson's disease. Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:2202-2211. [PMID: 31539640 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative pathology of the central nervous system, mainly involving the selective and progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra, resulting in motor and non-motor symptoms. PD remains an incurable ailment; thus, treatments are limited to symptom alleviation. With long-term use, conventional treatments can become inefficient, often triggering possible side effects. Considering these drawbacks, drug discovery constantly turns to nature as a source of efficient therapeutics. Thus, this review explores animal venoms as a rich source of bioactive compounds with potent neuropharmacological profiles for the development of effective adjuvant treatments with fewer side effects, ultimately aiming for the neuroprotection of dopaminergic neurons and the symptomatic relief of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique de Oliveira Amaral
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Victoria Monge-Fuentes
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.
| | - Andréia Biolchi Mayer
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Avohay Alves Campos
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Kamila Soares Lopes
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Luana C Camargo
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Matheus Ferroni Schwartz
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Priscilla Galante
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Márcia R Mortari
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
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Design and Synthesis of Anti-Cancer Chimera Molecules Based on Marine Natural Products. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17090500. [PMID: 31461968 PMCID: PMC6780274 DOI: 10.3390/md17090500] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, the chemical conjugation of marine natural products with other bioactive molecules for developing an advanced anti-cancer agent is described. Structural complexity and the extraordinary biological features of marine natural products have led to tremendous research in isolation, structural elucidation, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation. In addition, this basic scientific achievement has made it possible to hybridize two or more biologically important skeletons into a single compound. The hybridization strategy has been used to identify further opportunities to overcome certain limitations, such as structural complexity, scarcity problems, poor solubility, severe toxicity, and weak potency of marine natural products for advanced development in drug discovery. Further, well-designed marine chimera molecules can function as a platform for target discovery or degradation. In this review, the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of recent marine chimera molecules are presented.
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Heck SO, Zborowski VA, Pinton S, Nogueira CW. Pro-apoptotic cell signaling in the prefrontal cortex contributes to depressive-/anxiogenic-like behavioral phenotype of mice subchronically exposed to dexamethasone. J Chem Neuroanat 2019; 100:101663. [PMID: 31374258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2019.101663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Suélen Osório Heck
- Laboratory of Synthesis, Reactivity, Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Organochalcogen Compounds, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Angonesi Zborowski
- Laboratory of Synthesis, Reactivity, Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Organochalcogen Compounds, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Simone Pinton
- Federal University of Pampa, Campus Uruguaiana, RS, 97500-701, Brazil
| | - Cristina Wayne Nogueira
- Laboratory of Synthesis, Reactivity, Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Organochalcogen Compounds, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil.
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Kazemi SM, Sabatier JM. Venoms of Iranian Scorpions (Arachnida, Scorpiones) and Their Potential for Drug Discovery. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24142670. [PMID: 31340554 PMCID: PMC6680535 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24142670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpions, a characteristic group of arthropods, are among the earliest diverging arachnids, dating back almost 440 million years. One of the many interesting aspects of scorpions is that they have venom arsenals for capturing prey and defending against predators, which may play a critical role in their evolutionary success. Unfortunately, however, scorpion envenomation represents a serious health problem in several countries, including Iran. Iran is acknowledged as an area with a high richness of scorpion species and families. The diversity of the scorpion fauna in Iran is the subject of this review, in which we report a total of 78 species and subspecies in 19 genera and four families. We also list some of the toxins or genes studied from five species, including Androctonus crassicauda, Hottentotta zagrosensis, Mesobuthus phillipsi, Odontobuthus doriae, and Hemiscorpius lepturus, in the Buthidae and Hemiscorpiidae families. Lastly, we review the diverse functions of typical toxins from the Iranian scorpion species, including their medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mahdi Kazemi
- Zagros Herpetological Institute, No 12, Somayyeh 14 Avenue, 3715688415 Qom, Iran.
| | - Jean-Marc Sabatier
- Institute of NeuroPhysiopathology, UMR 7051, Faculté de Médecine Secteur Nord, 51, Boulevard Pierre Dramard-CS80011, 13344-Marseille Cedex 15, France
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Kim KH, Kim M, Lee J, Jeon HN, Kim SH, Bae H. Comparison of the Protective Effects of Bee Venom Extracts with Varying PLA 2 Compositions in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11060358. [PMID: 31248167 PMCID: PMC6628630 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11060358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bee venom contains a number of pharmacologically active components, including enzymes and polypeptides such as phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and melittin, which have been shown to exhibit therapeutic benefits, mainly via attenuation of inflammation, neurotoxicity, and nociception. The individual components of bee venom may manifest distinct biological actions and therapeutic potential. In this study, the potential mechanisms of action of PLA2 and melittin, among different compounds purified from honey bee venom, were evaluated against Parkinson’s disease (PD). Notably, bee venom PLA2 (bvPLA2), but not melittin, exhibited neuroprotective activity against PD in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of PD. MPTP-induced behavioral deficits were also abolished after bvPLA2 treatment, depending on the PLA2 content. Further, bvPLA2 administration activated regulatory T cells (Tregs) while inhibiting inflammatory T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 cells in the MPTP mouse model of PD. These results indicate that bvPLA2, but not melittin, protected against MPTP and alleviated inflammation in PD. Thus, bvPLA2 is a promising and effective therapeutic agent in Parkinson’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Hwa Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
| | - Minhwan Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
| | - Jaehwan Lee
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
| | - Hat Nim Jeon
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
| | - Se Hyun Kim
- Inist ST Co. Ltd., 159 Sagimakgol-ro, Jungwon-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13202, Korea.
| | - Hyunsu Bae
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
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Combined transcriptomic and proteomic analysis reveals a diversity of venom-related and toxin-like peptides expressed in the mat anemone Zoanthus natalensis (Cnidaria, Hexacorallia). Arch Toxicol 2019; 93:1745-1767. [PMID: 31203412 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02456-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Venoms from marine animals have been recognized as a new emerging source of peptide-based therapeutics. Several peptide toxins from sea anemone have been investigated as therapeutic leads or pharmacological tools. Venom complexity should be further highlighted using combined strategies of large-scale sequencing and data analysis which integrated transcriptomics and proteomics to elucidate new proteins or peptides to be compared among species. In this work, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were combined to identify six groups of expressed peptide toxins in Zoanthus natalensis. These include neurotoxin, hemostatic and hemorrhagic toxin, protease inhibitor, mixed function enzymes, venom auxiliary proteins, allergen peptides, and peptides related to the innate immunity. Molecular docking analysis indicated that one expressed Zoanthus Kunitz-like peptide, ZoaKuz1, could be a voltage-gated potassium channels blocker and, hence, it was selected for functional studies. Functional bioassays revealed that ZoaKuz1 has an intrinsic neuroprotective activity in zebrafish model of Parkinson's disease. Since pharmacological blockade of KV channels is known to induce neuroprotective effects, ZoaKuz1 holds the potential to be developed in a therapeutic tool to control neural dysfunction by slowing or even halting neurodegeneration mediated by ion-channel hyperactivity.
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40
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Baldo MA, Cunha AOS, Godoy LD, Liberato JL, Yoneda JS, Fornari-Baldo EC, Ciancaglini P, dos Santos WF, Arantes EC. Assessment of neuropharmacological potential of low molecular weight components extracted from Rhinella schneideri toad poison. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2019; 25:e148418. [PMID: 31131006 PMCID: PMC6483406 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-1484-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on toad poison are relevant since they are considered a good source of toxins that act on different biological systems. Among the molecules found in the toad poison, it can be highlighted the cardiotonic heterosides, which have a known mechanism that inhibit Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme. However, these poisons have many other molecules that may have important biological actions. Therefore, this work evaluated the action of the low molecular weight components from Rhinella schneideri toad poison on Na+/K+-ATPase and their anticonvulsive and / or neurotoxic effects, in order to detect molecules with actions of biotechnological interest. METHODS Rhinella schneideri toad (male and female) poison was collected by pressuring their parotoid glands and immediately dried and stored at -20 °C. The poison was dialysed and the water containing the low molecular mass molecules (< 8 kDa) that permeate the dialysis membrane was collected, frozen and lyophilized, resulting in the sample used in the assays, named low molecular weight fraction (LMWF). Na+/K+ ATPase was isolated from rabbit kidneys and enzyme activity assays performed by the quantification of phosphate released due to enzyme activity in the presence of LMWF (1.0; 10; 50 and 100 µg/mL) from Rhinella schneideri poison. Evaluation of the L-Glutamate (L-Glu) excitatory amino acid uptake in brain-cortical synaptosomes of Wistar rats was performed using [3H]L-glutamate and different concentration of LMWF (10-5 to 10 µg/µL). Anticonvulsant assays were performed using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) to induce seizures in Wistar rats (n= 6), which were cannulated in the lateral ventricle and treated with different concentration of LMWF (0.25; 0.5; 1.0; 2.0; 3.0 and 4.0 µg/µL) 15 min prior to the injection of the seizure agent. RESULTS LMWF induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase (IC50% = 107.5 μg/mL). The poison induces an increased uptake of the amino acid L-glutamate in brain-cortical synaptosomes of Wistar rats. This increase in the L-glutamate uptake was observed mainly at the lowest concentrations tested (10-5 to 10-2 µg/µL). In addition, this fraction showed a very relevant central neuroprotection on seizures induced by PTZ and NMDA. CONCLUSIONS LMWF from Rhinella schneideri poison has low molecular weight compounds, which were able to inhibit Na+/K+-ATPase activity, increase the L-glutamate uptake and reduced seizures induced by PTZ and NMDA. These results showed that LMWF is a rich source of components with biological functions of high medical and scientific interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Amaral Baldo
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, Ribeirão Preto College of
Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Health and Science Institute, Paulista University, São Paulo, SP,
Brazil
| | - Alexandra Olimpio Siqueira Cunha
- Neurobiology and Venoms Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty
of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo,
Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Lívea Dornela Godoy
- Neurobiology and Venoms Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty
of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo,
Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Institute of Neurosciences & Behavior - INeC, Campus USP,
Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - José Luiz Liberato
- Neurobiology and Venoms Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty
of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo,
Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Institute of Neurosciences & Behavior - INeC, Campus USP,
Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana Sakamoto Yoneda
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters
at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Elisa Correa Fornari-Baldo
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, Ribeirão Preto College of
Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Health and Science Institute, Paulista University, São Paulo, SP,
Brazil
| | - Pietro Ciancaglini
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters
at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Wagner Ferreira dos Santos
- Neurobiology and Venoms Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty
of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo,
Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Institute of Neurosciences & Behavior - INeC, Campus USP,
Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Eliane Candiani Arantes
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, Ribeirão Preto College of
Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Oliveira IS, Ferreira IG, Alexandre-Silva GM, Cerni FA, Cremonez CM, Arantes EC, Zottich U, Pucca MB. Scorpion toxins targeting Kv1.3 channels: insights into immunosuppression. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2019; 25:e148118. [PMID: 31131004 PMCID: PMC6483409 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-1481-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venoms are natural sources of molecules that have, in addition to their
toxic function, potential therapeutic applications. In this source the
neurotoxins can be found especially those that act on potassium channels.
Potassium channels are responsible for maintaining the membrane potential in the
excitable cells, especially the voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv),
including Kv1.3 channels. These channels (Kv1.3) are expressed by various types
of tissues and cells, being part of several physiological processes. However,
the major studies of Kv1.3 are performed on T cells due its importance on
autoimmune diseases. Scorpion toxins capable of acting on potassium channels
(KTx), mainly on Kv1.3 channels, have gained a prominent role for their possible
ability to control inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Some of these toxins have
already left bench trials and are being evaluated in clinical trials, presenting
great therapeutic potential. Thus, scorpion toxins are important natural
molecules that should not be overlooked in the treatment of autoimmune and other
diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isadora S Oliveira
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Isabela G Ferreira
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe A Cerni
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Caroline M Cremonez
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Eliane C Arantes
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Umberto Zottich
- Medical School, Federal University of Roraima, Boa Vista, RR, Brazil
| | - Manuela B Pucca
- Medical School, Federal University of Roraima, Boa Vista, RR, Brazil
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Hachim MY, Elemam NM, Maghazachi AA. The Beneficial and Debilitating Effects of Environmental and Microbial Toxins, Drugs, Organic Solvents and Heavy Metals on the Onset and Progression of Multiple Sclerosis. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E147. [PMID: 30841532 PMCID: PMC6468554 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11030147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system is common amongst young adults, leading to major personal and socioeconomic burdens. However, it is still considered complex and challenging to understand and treat, in spite of the efforts made to explain its etiopathology. Despite the discovery of many genetic and environmental factors that might be related to its etiology, no clear answer was found about the causes of the illness and neither about the detailed mechanism of these environmental triggers that make individuals susceptible to MS. In this review, we will attempt to explore the major contributors to MS autoimmunity including genetic, epigenetic and ecological factors with a particular focus on toxins, chemicals or drugs that may trigger, modify or prevent MS disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmood Y Hachim
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, and the Immuno-Oncology group, Sharjah Institute for Medical Research (SIMR), University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Noha M Elemam
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, and the Immuno-Oncology group, Sharjah Institute for Medical Research (SIMR), University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Azzam A Maghazachi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, and the Immuno-Oncology group, Sharjah Institute for Medical Research (SIMR), University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates.
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Vasseur L, Chavanieu A, Combemale S, Caumes C, Béroud R, De Waard M, Ducrot P, Boutin JA, Ferry G, Cens T. Fluorescent analogues of BeKm-1 with high and specific activity against the hERG channel. Toxicon X 2019; 2:100010. [PMID: 32550567 PMCID: PMC7285999 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2019.100010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptidic toxins that target specifically mammalian channels and receptors can be found in the venom of animals. These toxins are rarely used directly as tools for biochemical experiments, and need to be modified via the attachment of chemical groups (e.g., radioactive or fluorescent moieties). Ideally, such modifications should maintain the toxin specificity and affinity for its target. With the goal of obtaining fluorescent derivatives of BeKm-1, a toxin from the scorpion species Buthus eupeus that selectively inhibits the voltage-gated potassium ion channel hERG, we produced four active analogues using a model of BeKm-1 docking to the outer mouth of the channel. In these BeKm-1 analogues, the natural peptide was linked to the fluorescent cyanine 5 (Cy5) probe via four different linkers at Arg1 or Arg/Lys27. All analogues retained their specificity towards the hERG channel in electrophysiological experiments but displayed a lesser affinity. These results validate our strategy for designing toxin analogues and demonstrate that different chemical groups can be attached to different residues of BeKm-1. Recent structural data on the hERG ion channel allow modeling BeKm-1 docking to the outer mouth of the channel. The docking model identified solvent-exposed residues in BeKm-1 sequence for the attachment of chemical groups. Four BeKm-1 analogues were produced by labeling with a fluorescent dye the end of four different linkers. Electrophysiological recordings demonstrated that BeKm-1 analogues retain the toxin affinity and specificity towards hERG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Vasseur
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Alain Chavanieu
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | | | - Michel De Waard
- Smartox Biotechnology, Saint-Egrève, France.,Institut du Thorax, Inserm UMR 1087/CNRS UMR 6291, LabEx « Ion Channels, Science & Therapeutics », Nantes, France
| | - Pierre Ducrot
- Pole d'expertise Biotechnologie, Chimie, Biologie, Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Jean A Boutin
- Pole d'expertise Biotechnologie, Chimie, Biologie, Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Gilles Ferry
- Pole d'expertise Biotechnologie, Chimie, Biologie, Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Thierry Cens
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Maatuf Y, Geron M, Priel A. The Role of Toxins in the Pursuit for Novel Analgesics. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11020131. [PMID: 30813430 PMCID: PMC6409898 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11020131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is a major medical issue which reduces the quality of life of millions and inflicts a significant burden on health authorities worldwide. Currently, management of chronic pain includes first-line pharmacological therapies that are inadequately effective, as in just a portion of patients pain relief is obtained. Furthermore, most analgesics in use produce severe or intolerable adverse effects that impose dose restrictions and reduce compliance. As the majority of analgesic agents act on the central nervous system (CNS), it is possible that blocking pain at its source by targeting nociceptors would prove more efficient with minimal CNS-related side effects. The development of such analgesics requires the identification of appropriate molecular targets and thorough understanding of their structural and functional features. To this end, plant and animal toxins can be employed as they affect ion channels with high potency and selectivity. Moreover, elucidation of the toxin-bound ion channel structure could generate pharmacophores for rational drug design while favorable safety and analgesic profiles could highlight toxins as leads or even as valuable therapeutic compounds themselves. Here, we discuss the use of plant and animal toxins in the characterization of peripherally expressed ion channels which are implicated in pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yossi Maatuf
- The Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
| | - Matan Geron
- The Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
| | - Avi Priel
- The Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
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Zhang F, Wu Y, Zou X, Tang Q, Zhao F, Cao Z. BmK AEP, an Anti-Epileptic Peptide Distinctly Affects the Gating of Brain Subtypes of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030729. [PMID: 30744067 PMCID: PMC6387193 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BmK AEP, a scorpion peptide purified form the venom of Buthus martensii Karsch, has been reported to display anti-epileptic activity. Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are responsible for the rising phase of action potentials (APs) in neurons and, therefore, controlling neuronal excitability. To elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms responsible for its anti-epileptic activity, we examined the influence of BmK AEP on AP firing in cortical neurons and how BmK AEP influences brain subtypes of VGSCs (Nav1.1–1.3 and Nav1.6). BmK AEP concentration-dependently suppresses neuronal excitability (AP firing) in primary cultured cortical neurons. Consistent with its inhibitory effect on AP generation, BmK AEP inhibits Na+ peak current in cortical neurons with an IC50 value of 2.12 µM by shifting the half-maximal voltage of activation of VGSC to hyperpolarized direction by ~7.83 mV without affecting the steady-state inactivation. Similar to its action on Na+ currents in cortical neurons, BmK AEP concentration-dependently suppresses the Na+ currents of Nav1.1, Nav1.3, and Nav1.6, which were heterologously expressed in HEK-293 cells, with IC50 values of 3.20, 1.46, and 0.39 µM with maximum inhibition of 82%, 56%, and 93%, respectively. BmK AEP shifts the voltage-dependent activation in the hyperpolarized direction by ~15.60 mV, ~9.97 mV, and ~6.73 mV in Nav1.1, Nav1.3, and Nav1.6, respectively, with minimal effect on steady-state inactivation. In contrast, BmK AEP minimally suppresses Nav1.2 currents (~15%) but delays the inactivation of the channel with an IC50 value of 1.69 µM. Considered together, these data demonstrate that BmK AEP is a relatively selective Nav1.6 gating modifier which distinctly affects the gating of brain subtypes of VGSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Ying Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Xiaohan Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Qinglian Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Fang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Zhengyu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
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de Souza AH, da Rosa LG, Uliano MR, da Silva Prado L, Ferraz AG, Conter LU, Grivicich I, Dallegrave E, Gomez MV, Picada JN. Evaluation of DNA damage in spinal cord and mutagenic effect of a Phα1β recombinant toxin with analgesic properties from the Phoneutria nigriventer spider. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2018; 124:615-620. [PMID: 30449066 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Phα1β peptide isolated from the venom of the Phoneutria nigriventer spider has shown higher analgesic action in pre-clinical studies than ω-conotoxin MVIIA peptide used to treat severe chronic pain. In view of the great potential for the development of a new Phα1β-based drug, a Phα1β recombinant form (CTK 01512-2) has been studied for efficacy and safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects of a Phα1β recombinant form and compare it with native Phα1β and ω-conotoxin MVIIA. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) colourimetric assay in L929 mouse fibroblast cells (0.5-10.0 μmol/L). Genotoxic and mutagenic activities were analysed using the alkaline comet assay in peripheral blood and spinal cord, and the micronucleus test in bone marrow from Wistar rats treated by intrathecal injection of CTK 01512-2 (200, 500 and 1000 pmol/site), native Phα1β (500 pmol/site) and ω-conotoxin MVIIA (200 pmol/site). CTK 01512-2 decreased the cell viability of the L929, showing IC50 of 3.3 ± 0.1 µmol/L, while the Phα1β and ω-conotoxin MVIIA did not show cytotoxicity (IC50 > 5.0 µmol/L). Native and recombinant Phα1β forms induced DNA damage in the spinal cord, but not in peripheral blood. CTK 01512-2 at 1000 pmol/site increased the micronucleus frequency suggesting mutagenic effects. In conclusion, the recombinant form has cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects, evidenced in doses five times above the therapeutic dose.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luiza Gabriela da Rosa
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, Brazil
| | - Michel Rossi Uliano
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, Brazil.,Laboratory of Toxicological Genetics, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, Brazil
| | - Lismare da Silva Prado
- Laboratory of Toxicological Genetics, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, Brazil
| | - Alice Gomes Ferraz
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, Brazil.,Laboratory of Toxicological Genetics, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, Brazil
| | | | - Ivana Grivicich
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, Brazil
| | - Eliane Dallegrave
- Department of Pharmacosciences. Federal, University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinícius Gomez
- Laboratory of Toxins, Institute of Education and Research Santa Casa Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Animal protein toxins: origins and therapeutic applications. BIOPHYSICS REPORTS 2018; 4:233-242. [PMID: 30533488 PMCID: PMC6245134 DOI: 10.1007/s41048-018-0067-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Venomous animals on the earth have been found to be valuable resources for the development of therapeutics. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins and peptides are the major components of animal venoms, many of which can target various ion channels, receptors, and membrane transporters. Compared to traditional small molecule drugs, natural proteins and peptides exhibit higher specificity and potency to their targets. In this review, we summarize the varieties and characteristics of toxins from a few representative venomous animals, and describe the components and applications of animal toxins as potential drug candidates in the treatment of human diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neuropathic pain, as well as autoimmune diseases. In the meantime, there are many obstacles to translate new toxin discovery to their clinical applications. The challenges, strategies, and perspectives in the development of the protein toxin-based drugs are discussed as well.
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