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You Y, Tang Y, Yin W, Liu X, Gao P, Zhang C, Tembrock LR, Zhao Y, Yang Z. From genome to proteome: Comprehensive identification of venom toxins from the Chinese funnel-web spider (Macrothelidae: Macrothele yani). Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 268:131780. [PMID: 38657926 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131780] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Macrothelidae is a family of mygalomorph spiders containing the extant genera Macrothele and Vacrothele. China is an important center of diversity for Macrothele with 65 % of the known species occurring there. Previous work on Macrothele was able to uncover several important toxin compounds including Raventoxin which may have applications in biomedicine and agricultural chemistry. Despite the importance of Macrothele spiders, high-quality reference genomes are still lacking, which hinders our understanding and application of the toxin compounds. In this study, we assembled the genome of the Macrothele yani to help fill gaps in our understanding of toxin biology in this lineage of spiders to encourage the future study and applications of these compounds. The final assembled genome was 6.79 Gb in total length, had a contig N50 of 21.44 Mb, and scaffold N50 of 156.16 Mb. Hi-C scaffolding assigned 98.19 % of the genome to 46 pseudo-chromosomes with a BUSCO score of 95.7 % for the core eukaryotic gene set. The assembled genome was found to contain 75.62 % repetitive DNA and a total of 39,687 protein-coding genes were annotated making it the spider genome with highest number of genes. Through integrated analysis of venom gland transcriptomics and venom proteomics, a total of 194 venom toxins were identified, including 38 disulfide-rich peptide neurotoxins, among which 12 were ICK knottin peptides. In summary, we present the first high-quality genome assembly at the chromosomal level for any Macrothelidae spider, filling an important gap in our knowledge of these spiders. Such high-quality genomic data will be invaluable as a reference in resolving Araneae spider phylogenies and in screening different spider species for novel compounds applicable to numerous medical and agricultural applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongming You
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yani Tang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Palaeobiology, Institute of Palaeontology, Yunnan University, South Waihuan Road, Chenggong District, Kunming 650500, China; MEC International Joint Laboratory for Palaeobiology and Palaeoenvironment, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Wenhao Yin
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xinxin Liu
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Pengfei Gao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Chenggui Zhang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Luke R Tembrock
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA..
| | - Yu Zhao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
| | - Zizhong Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
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Fassolo EM, Guo S, Wang Y, Rosa S, Herzig V. Genetically encoded libraries and spider venoms as emerging sources for crop protective peptides. J Pept Sci 2024:e3600. [PMID: 38623834 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Agricultural crops are targeted by various pathogens (fungi, bacteria, and viruses) and pests (herbivorous arthropods). Antimicrobial and insecticidal peptides are increasingly recognized as eco-friendly tools for crop protection due to their low propensity for resistance development and the fact that they are fully biodegradable. However, historical challenges have hindered their development, including poor stability, limited availability, reproducibility issues, high production costs, and unwanted toxicity. Toxicity is a primary concern because crop-protective peptides interact with various organisms of environmental and economic significance. This review focuses on the potential of genetically encoded peptide libraries like the use of two-hybrid-based methods for antimicrobial peptides identification and insecticidal spider venom peptides as two main approaches for targeting plant pathogens and pests. We discuss some key findings and challenges regarding the practical application of each strategy. We conclude that genetically encoded peptide library- and spider venom-derived crop protective peptides offer a sustainable and environmentally responsible approach for addressing modern crop protection needs in the agricultural sector.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shaodong Guo
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yachen Wang
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stefano Rosa
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Volker Herzig
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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Peng Z, Wei C, Cai J, Zou Z, Chen J. Characterization of an antimicrobial peptide family from the venom gland of Heteropoda venatoria. Toxicon 2024; 241:107657. [PMID: 38428753 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107657] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Spider venom boasts extensive peptide diversity, constituting a natural biochemical arsenal for defense and predation. The new family HvAMPs, including 9 homologous members, were identified from the unnormalized cDNA library of Heteropoda venatoria venom gland by Sanger sequencing. The putative mature peptide is composed of 22 aliphatic amino acid residues. The mature peptides of HvAMP1 and HvAMP5, with 3 different amino acids, were synthesized and both were shown to adopt an amphipathic α-helical structure and amphipathicity in SDS buffer by CD spectroscopy. In comparison to HvAMP1, HvAMP5 exhibits higher antibacterial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria, coupled with reduced hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity. Results from SYTO 9/PI staining indicate that HvAMP5 acts by disrupting bacterial cell membranes. Analysis of the relationships between structures and functions suggests that HvAMP5 enhances antibacterial activity and reduces mammalian cell toxicity by increasing positive charge and proline substitution. The three residues variation can augment the electrostatic attraction of antibacterial peptides to the bacterial phospholipid bilayer. The present study suggests that the HvAMPs may exert lytic action against cells of different origins to increase cellular and tissue barrier permeability to facilitate spider's defense or predation. Moreover, HvAMP5 holds promise as a novel antibacterial agent for treating Gram-positive bacterial infections. Simultaneously, the numerous diverse amino acid residue substitutions within the HvAMP family offer a template for future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Peng
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Chao Wei
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Jisen Cai
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Zhaoxia Zou
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410000, China; School of Public Health & Laboratory Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, 418000, China.
| | - Jinjun Chen
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410000, China; Hunan Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Cell Mechanics and Function Analysis, Changsha, 418000, China.
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Xiao X, Luo X, Huang C, Feng X, Wu M, Lu M, Kuang J, Peng S, Guo Y, Zhang Z, Hu Z, Zhou X, Chen M, Liu Z. Transcriptome analysis reveals the peptide toxins diversity of Macrothele palpator venom. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126577. [PMID: 37648132 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Spider venom is a large pharmacological repertoire of different bioactive peptide toxins. However, obtaining crude venom from some spiders is challenging. Thus, studying individual toxins through venom purification is a daunting task. In this study, we constructed the cDNA library and transcriptomic sequencing from the Macrothele palpator venom glands. Subsequently, 718 high-quality expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were identified, and grouped into three categories, including 449 toxin-like (62.53 %), 136 cellular component (18.94 %) and 133 non-matched (18.52 %) based on the gene function annotation. Additionally, 112 non-redundant toxin-like peptides were classified into 13 families (families A-M) based on their sequence homology and cysteine framework. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a high sequence similarity between families A-J and the toxins from Macrothele gigas in the NR database. In contrast, families K-M had a generally low sequence homology with known spider peptide toxins and unpredictable biological functions. Taken together, this study adds many new members to the spider toxin superfamily and provides a basis for identifying various potential biological tools in M. palpator venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xiao
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; Peptide and small molecule drug R&D plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoqing Luo
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; Peptide and small molecule drug R&D plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Cuiling Huang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Xujun Feng
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; Peptide and small molecule drug R&D plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Meijing Wu
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; Peptide and small molecule drug R&D plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Minjuan Lu
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; Peptide and small molecule drug R&D plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Jiating Kuang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Siyi Peng
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Yingmei Guo
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Zixuan Zhang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Zhaotun Hu
- Key Laboratory of Research and Utilization of Ethnomedicinal Plant Resources of Hunan Province, College of Biological and Food Engineering, Huaihua College, Huaihua, Hunan 418008, China
| | - Xi Zhou
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; Peptide and small molecule drug R&D plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, China.
| | - Minzhi Chen
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; Peptide and small molecule drug R&D plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, China.
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; Peptide and small molecule drug R&D plateform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, China.
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Guo R, Guo G, Wang A, Xu G, Lai R, Jin H. Spider-Venom Peptides: Structure, Bioactivity, Strategy, and Research Applications. Molecules 2023; 29:35. [PMID: 38202621 PMCID: PMC10779620 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010035] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Spiders (Araneae), having thrived for over 300 million years, exhibit remarkable diversity, with 47,000 described species and an estimated 150,000 species in existence. Evolving with intricate venom, spiders are nature's skilled predators. While only a small fraction of spiders pose a threat to humans, their venoms contain complex compounds, holding promise as drug leads. Spider venoms primarily serve to immobilize prey, achieved through neurotoxins targeting ion channels. Peptides constitute a major part of these venoms, displaying diverse pharmacological activities, and making them appealing for drug development. Moreover, spider-venom peptides have emerged as valuable tools for exploring human disease mechanisms. This review focuses on the roles of spider-venom peptides in spider survival strategies and their dual significance as pharmaceutical research tools. By integrating recent discoveries, it provides a comprehensive overview of these peptides, their targets, bioactivities, and their relevance in spider survival and medical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyin Guo
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (R.G.)
| | - Gang Guo
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital), Kunming 650118, China;
| | - Aili Wang
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (R.G.)
| | - Gaochi Xu
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (R.G.)
| | - Ren Lai
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (R.G.)
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming-Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China; (R.G.)
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Pereira AFM, Cavalcante JS, Angstmam DG, Almeida C, Soares GS, Pucca MB, Ferreira Junior RS. Unveiling the Pain Relief Potential: Harnessing Analgesic Peptides from Animal Venoms. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2766. [PMID: 38140106 PMCID: PMC10748172 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The concept of pain encompasses a complex interplay of sensory and emotional experiences associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Accurately describing and localizing pain, whether acute or chronic, mild or severe, poses a challenge due to its diverse manifestations. Understanding the underlying origins and mechanisms of these pain variations is crucial for effective management and pharmacological interventions. Derived from a wide spectrum of species, including snakes, arthropods, mollusks, and vertebrates, animal venoms have emerged as abundant repositories of potential biomolecules exhibiting analgesic properties across a broad spectrum of pain models. This review focuses on highlighting the most promising venom-derived toxins investigated as potential prototypes for analgesic drugs. The discussion further encompasses research prospects, challenges in advancing analgesics, and the practical application of venom-derived toxins. As the field continues its evolution, tapping into the latent potential of these natural bioactive compounds holds the key to pioneering approaches in pain management and treatment. Therefore, animal toxins present countless possibilities for treating pain caused by different diseases. The development of new analgesic drugs from toxins is one of the directions that therapy must follow, and it seems to be moving forward by recommending the composition of multimodal therapy to combat pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Flávia Marques Pereira
- Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP—Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu 01419-901, SP, Brazil;
| | - Joeliton S. Cavalcante
- Graduate Program in Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School (FMB), São Paulo State University (UNESP—Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu 01419-901, SP, Brazil; (J.S.C.); (D.G.A.)
| | - Davi Gomes Angstmam
- Graduate Program in Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School (FMB), São Paulo State University (UNESP—Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu 01419-901, SP, Brazil; (J.S.C.); (D.G.A.)
| | - Cayo Almeida
- Center of Mathematics, Computing Sciences and Cognition, Federal University of ABC, Santo André 09280-560, SP, Brazil;
| | - Gean S. Soares
- Delphina Rinaldi Abdel Azil Hospital and Emergency Room (HPSDRAA), Manaus 69093-415, AM, Brazil;
| | - Manuela B. Pucca
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara 14801-320, SP, Brazil;
| | - Rui Seabra Ferreira Junior
- Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP—Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu 01419-901, SP, Brazil;
- Graduate Program in Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School (FMB), São Paulo State University (UNESP—Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu 01419-901, SP, Brazil; (J.S.C.); (D.G.A.)
- Center for Translational Science and Development of Biopharmaceuticals FAPESP/CEVAP, São Paulo State University (UNESP—Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu 01419-901, SP, Brazil
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You Y, Yin W, Tembrock LR, Wu Z, Gu X, Yang Z, Zhang C, Zhao Y, Yang Z. Transcriptome sequencing of wolf spider Lycosa sp. (Araneae: Lycosidae) venom glands provides insights into the evolution and diversity of disulfide-rich toxins. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 48:101145. [PMID: 37748227 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2023.101145] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Wolf spiders in the genus Lycosa are important pest predators in agroforestry ecosystems, capable of feeding on a wide range of pests through the use of complex venom which can to quickly immobilize and kill prey. Because of these characteristics the toxins in wolf spiders venom may prove to be natural sources for novel drug development and biopesticides. To better understand the toxins in Lycosa venom we sequenced the transcriptome from venom glands from an undescribed species of Lycosa and comparatively analyzed the data using known protein motifs. A series of 19 disulfide-rich peptide (DRP) toxin sequences were identified and categorized into seven groups based on the number and arrangement of cysteine residues. Notably, we identified three peptide sequences with low identity to any known toxin, which may be toxin peptides specific to this species of Lycosa. In addition, to further understand the evolutionary relationships of disulfide-rich peptide toxins in spider venom, we constructed phylogenetic trees of DRP toxins from three spiders species and found that the Lycosa sp. DRPs are comparatively diverse with previous research results. This study reveals the toxin diversity of wolf spiders (Lycosa sp.) at the transcriptomic level and provides initial insights into the evolution of DRP toxins in spiders, enriching our knowledge of toxin diversity and providing new compounds for functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongming You
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
| | - Wenhao Yin
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Luke R Tembrock
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Wu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Xiaoliang Gu
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Zhibin Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Chenggui Zhang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Zizhong Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
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Keimasi M, Salehifard K, Mirshah Jafar Esfahani N, Esmaeili F, Farghadani A, Amirsadri M, Keimasi M, Noorbakhshnia M, Moradmand M, Mofid MR. The synergic effects of presynaptic calcium channel antagonists purified from spiders on memory elimination of glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in the rat hippocampus trisynaptic circuit. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1243976. [PMID: 38099194 PMCID: PMC10720730 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1243976] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus is a complex area of the mammalian brain and is responsible for learning and memory. The trisynaptic circuit engages with explicit memory. Hippocampal neurons express two types of presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) comprising N and P/Q-types. These VGCCs play a vital role in the release of neurotransmitters from presynaptic neurons. The chief excitatory neurotransmitter at these synapses is glutamate. Glutamate has an essential function in learning and memory under normal conditions. The release of neurotransmitters depends on the activity of presynaptic VGCCs. Excessive glutamate activity, due to either excessive release or insufficient uptake from the synapse, leads to a condition called excitotoxicity. This pathological state is common among all neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Under these conditions, glutamate adversely affects the trisynaptic circuitry, leading to synaptic destruction and loss of memory and learning performance. This study attempts to clarify the role of presynaptic VGCCs in memory performance and reveals that modulating the activity of presynaptic calcium channels in the trisynaptic pathway can regulate the excitotoxic state and consequently prevent the elimination of neurons and synaptic degradation. All of these can lead to an improvement in learning and memory function. In the current study, two calcium channel blockers-omega-agatoxin-Aa2a and omega-Lsp-IA-were extracted, purified, and identified from spiders (Agelena orientalis and Hogna radiata) and used to modulate N and P/Q VGCCs. The effect of omega-agatoxin-Aa2a and omega-Lsp-IA on glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in rats was evaluated using the Morris water maze task as a behavioral test. The local expression of synaptophysin (SYN) was visualized for synaptic quantification using an immunofluorescence assay. The electrophysiological amplitudes of the field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in the input-output and LTP curves of the mossy fiber and Schaffer collateral circuits were recorded. The results of our study demonstrated that N and P/Q VGCC modulation in the hippocampus trisynaptic circuit of rats with glutamate-induced excitotoxicity dysfunction could prevent the destructive consequences of excitotoxicity in synapses and improve memory function and performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Keimasi
- Department of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Kowsar Salehifard
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Noushin Mirshah Jafar Esfahani
- Department of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fariba Esmaeili
- Department of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Arman Farghadani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mohammadreza Amirsadri
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammadjavad Keimasi
- Department of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maryam Noorbakhshnia
- Department of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Majid Moradmand
- Department of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Mofid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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9
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Shin MK, Park HR, Hwang IW, Bu KB, Jang BY, Lee SH, Oh JW, Yoo JS, Sung JS. In Silico-Based Design of a Hybrid Peptide with Antimicrobial Activity against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using a Spider Toxin Peptide. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:668. [PMID: 38133172 PMCID: PMC10747792 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15120668] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The escalating prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses an immediate and grave threat to public health. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gained significant attention as a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics. Animal venom comprises a diverse array of bioactive compounds, which can be a rich source for identifying new functional peptides. In this study, we identified a toxin peptide, Lycotoxin-Pa1a (Lytx-Pa1a), from the transcriptome of the Pardosa astrigera spider venom gland. To enhance its functional properties, we employed an in silico approach to design a novel hybrid peptide, KFH-Pa1a, by predicting antibacterial and cytotoxic functionalities and incorporating the amino-terminal Cu(II)- and Ni(II) (ATCUN)-binding motif. KFH-Pa1a demonstrated markedly superior antimicrobial efficacy against pathogens, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, compared to Lytx-Pa1a. Notably, KFH-Pa1a exerted several distinct mechanisms, including the disruption of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, the generation of intracellular ROS, and the cleavage and inhibition of bacterial DNA. Additionally, the hybrid peptide showed synergistic activity when combined with conventional antibiotics. Our research not only identified a novel toxin peptide from spider venom but demonstrated in silico-based design of hybrid AMP with strong antimicrobial activity that can contribute to combating MDR pathogens, broadening the utilization of biological resources by incorporating computational approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Kyoung Shin
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (H.-R.P.); (I.-W.H.); (K.-B.B.); (B.-Y.J.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - Hye-Ran Park
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (H.-R.P.); (I.-W.H.); (K.-B.B.); (B.-Y.J.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - In-Wook Hwang
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (H.-R.P.); (I.-W.H.); (K.-B.B.); (B.-Y.J.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - Kyung-Bin Bu
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (H.-R.P.); (I.-W.H.); (K.-B.B.); (B.-Y.J.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - Bo-Young Jang
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (H.-R.P.); (I.-W.H.); (K.-B.B.); (B.-Y.J.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - Seung-Ho Lee
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (H.-R.P.); (I.-W.H.); (K.-B.B.); (B.-Y.J.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - Jin Wook Oh
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (H.-R.P.); (I.-W.H.); (K.-B.B.); (B.-Y.J.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - Jung Sun Yoo
- Species Diversity Research Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jung-Suk Sung
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (H.-R.P.); (I.-W.H.); (K.-B.B.); (B.-Y.J.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
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10
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Korolkova Y, Mikov A, Lobas A, Solovyeva E, Surin A, Andreev Y, Gorshkov M, Kozlov S. Venom-gland transcriptomics and venom proteomics of the Tibellus oblongus spider. Sci Data 2023; 10:820. [PMID: 37993463 PMCID: PMC10665394 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02703-0] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The Tibellus oblongus spider is an active hunter that does not spin webs and remains highly underinvestigated in terms of the venom composition. Here, we describe venom glands transcriptome and venom proteome analysis for unveiling the polypeptide composition of Tibellus oblongus spider venom. The resulting EST database includes 1733 records, including 1263 nucleotide sequences with ORFs, of these 942 have been identified as toxin-coding. The database of peptide sequences was built based on of the transcriptomics results. It contains 217 new toxins, 212 of them were detected in the T. oblongus venom by the proteomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliya Korolkova
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklay Str., 117997, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexander Mikov
- Scientific Research Institute for Systems Biology and Medicine, Scientific Driveway, 18, 117246, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Lobas
- V.L. Talrose Institute for Energy Problems of Chemical Physics, N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, RAS, 38 Bld. 2, Leninsky Pr., 119334, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elizaveta Solovyeva
- V.L. Talrose Institute for Energy Problems of Chemical Physics, N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, RAS, 38 Bld. 2, Leninsky Pr., 119334, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Molecular and Chemical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), 9 Institutsky Per., 141700, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Alexey Surin
- V.L. Talrose Institute for Energy Problems of Chemical Physics, N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, RAS, 38 Bld. 2, Leninsky Pr., 119334, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yaroslav Andreev
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklay Str., 117997, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8 Bld. 2, Trubetskaya Str., 119991, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail Gorshkov
- V.L. Talrose Institute for Energy Problems of Chemical Physics, N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, RAS, 38 Bld. 2, Leninsky Pr., 119334, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey Kozlov
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklay Str., 117997, Moscow, Russia
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11
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Lyons K, Dugon MM, Boyd A, Healy K. Venom extraction method influences venom composition and potency in the giant house spider Eratigena atrica (C. L. Koch, 1843). Toxicon 2023; 234:107303. [PMID: 37775046 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Extraction is the first step when investigating venom composition and function. In small invertebrates, widely used extraction methods include electrostimulation and venom gland extraction, however, the influence of these methods on composition and toxicology is poorly understood. Using the Giant House Spider Eratigena atrica as a model, we show that electrostimulation and venom gland removal extraction methods produce different protein profiles as assessed by Coomassie-stained SDS-PAGE and significantly different potencies in the cricket Acheta domesticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Lyons
- Macroecology Lab, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Michel M Dugon
- Venom Systems & Proteomics Lab, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland
| | - Aoife Boyd
- Pathogenic Mechanisms Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland
| | - Kevin Healy
- Macroecology Lab, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland
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12
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Yin WH, You YM, Tembrock LR, Ding LJ, Zhang CG, Zhao Y, Yang ZZ. Transcriptome-based analyses reveal venom diversity in two araneomorph spiders, Psechrus triangulus and Hippasa lycosina. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 47:101101. [PMID: 37352672 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2023.101101] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
The spiders Psechrus triangulus and Hippasa lycosina are widely distributed in Yunnan Province, China, and are important natural enemies of agricultural pests, yet studies regarding the composition of their venom are lacking. In this study, cDNA libraries were constructed from venom gland tissue of P. triangulus and H. lycosina and used for transcriptomic analysis. From the analysis, 39 and 31 toxin-like sequences were predicted for P. triangulus and H. lycosina, respectively. The predicted neurotoxin sequences were categorized according to cysteine sequence motifs, and the predicted neurotoxin sequences of P. triangulus and H. lycosina could be classified into 9 and 6 toxin families, respectively. In addition, potential acetylcholinesterase, hyaluronidase, and astaxanthin-like metalloproteinases were identified through annotation. In summary, transcriptomic techniques were invaluable in mining the gene expression information from these two spider species to explore the toxin composition of their venom and determine how they differ. Studies of this type provide essential baseline data for studying the evolution and physiological activities of spider toxins and for the potential development of medicinal compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hao Yin
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yong-Ming You
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Luke R Tembrock
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Li-Jun Ding
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Cheng-Gui Zhang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China.
| | - Zi-Zhong Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China.
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13
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Lane AN, Nash PD, Ellsworth SA, Nystrom GS, Rokyta DR. The arylsulfatase- and phospholipase-rich venom of the plutoniumid centipede Theatops posticus. Toxicon 2023; 233:107231. [PMID: 37517595 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107231] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Research on centipede venoms has led to the discovery of a diverse array of novel proteins and peptides, including those with homology to previously discovered toxin families (e.g., phospholipase A2s and pM12a metalloproteases) and novel toxin families not previously detected in venoms (e.g., β-pore forming toxins and scoloptoxins). Most of this research has focused on centipedes in the order Scolopendromorpha, particularly those in the families Scolopendridae, Cryptopidae, and Scolopocryptopidae. To generate the first high-throughput venom characterization for a centipede in the scolopendromorph family Plutoniumidae, we performed venom-gland transcriptomics and venom proteomics on two Theatops posticus. We identified a total of 64 venom toxins, 60 of which were detected in both the venom-gland transcriptome and venom proteome and four of which were only detected transcriptomically. We detected a single highly abundant arylsulfatase B (ARSB) toxin, the first ARSB toxin identified from centipede venoms. As ARSBs have been detected in other venomous species (e.g., scorpions), ARSBs in T. posticus highlights a new case of convergent evolution across venoms. Theatops posticus venom also contained a much higher abundance and diversity of phospholipase A2 toxins compared to other characterized centipede venoms. Conversely, we detected other common centipedes toxins, such as CAPs and scoloptoxins, at relatively low abundances and diversities. Our observation of a diverse set of toxins from T. posticus venom, including those from novel toxin families, emphasizes the importance of studying unexplored centipede taxonomic groups and the continued potential of centipede venoms for novel toxin discovery and unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying trait evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaliyah N Lane
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Pauline D Nash
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Schyler A Ellsworth
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Gunnar S Nystrom
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
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14
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Richards NJ, Alqallaf A, Mitchell RD, Parnell A, Haidar HB, Almeida JR, Williams J, Vijayakumar P, Balogun A, Matsakas A, Trim SA, Patel K, Vaiyapuri S. Indian Ornamental Tarantula ( Poecilotheria regalis) Venom Affects Myoblast Function and Causes Skeletal Muscle Damage. Cells 2023; 12:2074. [PMID: 37626884 PMCID: PMC10453882 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162074] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Envenomation by the Indian ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria regalis) is medically relevant to humans, both in its native India and worldwide, where they are kept as pets. Muscle-related symptoms such as cramps and pain are commonly reported in humans following envenomation by this species. There is no specific treatment, including antivenom, for its envenomation. Moreover, the scientific knowledge of the impact of this venom on skeletal muscle function is highly limited. Therefore, we carried out this study to better understand the myotoxic properties of Poecilotheria regalis venom by determining its effects in cultured myoblasts and in the tibialis anterior muscle in mice. While there was no effect found on undifferentiated myoblasts, the venom affected differentiated multinucleated myotubes resulting in the reduction of fusion and atrophy of myotubes. Similarly, intramuscular administration of this venom in the tibialis anterior muscle in mice resulted in extensive muscle damage on day 5. However, by day 10, the regeneration was evident, and the regeneration process continued until day 20. Nevertheless, some tissue abnormalities including reduced dystrophin expression and microthrombi presence were observed on day 20. Overall, this study demonstrates the ability of this venom to induce significant muscle damage and affect its regeneration in the early stages. These data provide novel mechanistic insights into this venom-induced muscle damage and guide future studies to isolate and characterise individual toxic component(s) that induce muscle damage and their significance in developing better therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Richards
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (N.J.R.); (A.A.); (A.P.); (H.B.H.)
| | - Ali Alqallaf
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (N.J.R.); (A.A.); (A.P.); (H.B.H.)
- Medical Services Authority, Ministry of Defence, Kuwait City 13012, Kuwait
| | | | - Andrew Parnell
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (N.J.R.); (A.A.); (A.P.); (H.B.H.)
- Micregen Ltd., Thames Valley Science Park, Reading RG2 9LH, UK;
| | - Husain Bin Haidar
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (N.J.R.); (A.A.); (A.P.); (H.B.H.)
| | - José R. Almeida
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (J.R.A.); (J.W.); (P.V.)
| | - Jarred Williams
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (J.R.A.); (J.W.); (P.V.)
| | - Pradeep Vijayakumar
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (J.R.A.); (J.W.); (P.V.)
| | - Adedoyin Balogun
- Molecular Physiology Laboratory, Centre for Biomedicine, Hull York Medical School, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Antonios Matsakas
- Molecular Physiology Laboratory, Centre for Biomedicine, Hull York Medical School, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | | | - Ketan Patel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (N.J.R.); (A.A.); (A.P.); (H.B.H.)
| | - Sakthivel Vaiyapuri
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK; (J.R.A.); (J.W.); (P.V.)
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15
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Liu X, Zhang P, Liu Y, Li J, Yang D, Liu Z, Jiang L. Anti- Toxoplasma gondii Effects of Lipopeptide Derivatives of Lycosin-I. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:477. [PMID: 37624234 PMCID: PMC10467082 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15080477] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), is a serious zoonotic parasitic disease. We previously found that Lycosin-I exhibited anti-T. gondii activity, but its serum stability was not good enough. In this study, we aimed to improve the stability and activity of Lycosin-I through fatty acid chain modification, so as to find a better anti-T. gondii drug candidate. The α/ε-amino residues of different lysine residues of Lycosin-I were covalently coupled with lauric acid to obtain eight lipopeptides, namely L-C12, L-C12-1, L-C12-2, L-C12-3, L-C12-4, L-C12-5, L-C12-6, and L-C12-7. Among these eight lipopeptides, L-C12 showed the best activity against T. gondii in vitro in a trypan blue assay. We then conjugated a shorter length fatty chain, aminocaproic acid, at the same modification site of L-C12, namely L-an. The anti-T. gondii effects of Lycosin-I, L-C12 and L-an were evaluated via an invasion assay, proliferation assay and plaque assay in vitro. A mouse model acutely infected with T. gondii tachyzoites was established to evaluate their efficacy in vivo. The serum stability of L-C12 and L-an was improved, and they showed comparable or even better activity than Lycosin-I did in inhibiting the invasion and proliferation of tachyzoites. L-an effectively prolonged the survival time of mice acutely infected with T. gondii. These results suggest that appropriate fatty acid chain modification can improve serum stability and enhance anti-T. gondii effect of Lycosin-I. The lipopeptide derivatives of Lycosin-I have potential as a novel anti-T. gondii drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Liu
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; (X.L.); (Y.L.); (J.L.); (D.Y.)
| | - Peng Zhang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; (P.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; (X.L.); (Y.L.); (J.L.); (D.Y.)
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; (X.L.); (Y.L.); (J.L.); (D.Y.)
| | - Dongqian Yang
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; (X.L.); (Y.L.); (J.L.); (D.Y.)
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; (P.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Liping Jiang
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; (X.L.); (Y.L.); (J.L.); (D.Y.)
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
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16
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Ahmed J, Walker AA, Perdomo HD, Guo S, Nixon SA, Vetter I, Okoh HI, Shehu DM, Shuaibu MN, Ndams IS, King GF, Herzig V. Two Novel Mosquitocidal Peptides Isolated from the Venom of the Bahia Scarlet Tarantula ( Lasiodora klugi). Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:418. [PMID: 37505687 PMCID: PMC10467143 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Effective control of diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti is primarily achieved through vector control by chemical insecticides. However, the emergence of insecticide resistance in A. aegypti undermines current control efforts. Arachnid venoms are rich in toxins with activity against dipteran insects and we therefore employed a panel of 41 spider and 9 scorpion venoms to screen for mosquitocidal toxins. Using an assay-guided fractionation approach, we isolated two peptides from the venom of the tarantula Lasiodora klugi with activity against adult A. aegypti. The isolated peptides were named U-TRTX-Lk1a and U-TRTX-Lk2a and comprised 41 and 49 residues with monoisotopic masses of 4687.02 Da and 5718.88 Da, respectively. U-TRTX-Lk1a exhibited an LD50 of 38.3 pmol/g when injected into A. aegypti and its modeled structure conformed to the inhibitor cystine knot motif. U-TRTX-Lk2a has an LD50 of 45.4 pmol/g against adult A. aegypti and its predicted structure conforms to the disulfide-directed β-hairpin motif. These spider-venom peptides represent potential leads for the development of novel control agents for A. aegypti.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamila Ahmed
- Department of Zoology, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna 810107, Nigeria
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew A. Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Hugo D. Perdomo
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Shaodong Guo
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Samantha A. Nixon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Hilary I. Okoh
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Oye 371104, Nigeria
| | - Dalhatu M. Shehu
- Department of Zoology, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna 810107, Nigeria
| | - Mohammed N. Shuaibu
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna 810107, Nigeria
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna 810107, Nigeria
| | - Iliya S. Ndams
- Department of Zoology, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna 810107, Nigeria
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Volker Herzig
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
- School of Science, Technology, and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
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17
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Regalado L, Sario S, Mendes RJ, Valle J, Harvey PJ, Teixeira C, Gomes P, Andreu D, Santos C. Towards a Sustainable Management of the Spotted-Wing Drosophila: Disclosing the Effects of Two Spider Venom Peptides on Drosophila suzukii. INSECTS 2023; 14:533. [PMID: 37367349 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is a polyphagous pest that causes severe damage and economic losses to soft-skinned fruit production. Current control methods are dominated by inefficient cultural practices and broad-spectrum insecticides that, in addition to having toxic effects on non-target organisms, are becoming less effective due to acquired resistance. The increasing awareness of the real impact of insecticides on health and the environment has promoted the exploration of new insecticidal compounds, addressing novel molecular targets. This study explores the efficacy of two orally delivered spider venom peptides (SVPs), J-atracotoxin-Hv1c (Hv1c) and µ-theraphotoxin-Hhn2b (TRTX), to manage D. suzukii, through survival assays and the evaluation of gene expression associated with detoxification pathways. Treatment with TRTX at 111.5 µM for 48 h enhanced fly longevity compared with the control group. Gene expression analysis suggests that detoxification and stress-related mechanisms, such as expression of P450 proteins and apoptotic stimuli signaling, are triggered in D. suzukii flies in response to these treatments. Our results highlight the potential interest of SVPs to control this pest, shedding light on how to ultimately develop improved target-specific formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Regalado
- iB2, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Sario
- iB2, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rafael J Mendes
- iB2, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
| | - Javier Valle
- Proteomics and Protein Chemistry Unit, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
| | - David Andreu
- Proteomics and Protein Chemistry Unit, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Conceição Santos
- iB2, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
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18
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A subfraction obtained from the venom of the tarantula Poecilotheria regalis contains inhibitor cystine knot peptides and induces relaxation of rat aorta by inhibiting L-type voltage-gated calcium channels. Toxicon X 2023; 18:100151. [PMID: 36873112 PMCID: PMC9978846 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2023.100151] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Venoms from tarantulas contain low molecular weight vasodilatory compounds whose biological action is conceived as part of the envenomation strategy due to its propagative effects. However, some properties of venom-induced vasodilation do not match those described by such compounds, suggesting that other toxins may cooperate with these ones to produce the observed biological effect. Owing to the distribution and function of voltage-gated ion channels in blood vessels, disulfide-rich peptides isolated from venoms of tarantulas could be conceived into potential vasodilatory compounds. However, only two peptides isolated from spider venoms have been investigated so far. This study describes for the first time a subfraction containing inhibitor cystine knot peptides, PrFr-I, obtained from the venom of the tarantula Poecilotheria regalis. This subfraction induced sustained vasodilation in rat aortic rings independent of vascular endothelium and endothelial ion channels. Furthermore, PrFr-I decreased calcium-induced contraction of rat aortic segments and reduced extracellular calcium influx to chromaffin cells by the blockade of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels. This mechanism was unrelated to the activation of potassium channels from vascular smooth muscle, since vasodilation was not affected in the presence of TEA, and PrFr-I did not modify the conductance of the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv10.1. This work proposes a new envenomating function of peptides from venoms of tarantulas, and establishes a new mechanism for venom-induced vasodilation.
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Key Words
- ACh, acetylcholine
- ADP, adenosine diphosphate
- Cav, voltage-gated calcium channel
- DMEM, Dulbecco's modified eagle's medium
- DRP, disulfide-rich peptide
- EC50, half maximal effective concentration
- Emax, maximum effect
- FBS, fetal bovine serum
- HPLC, high-performance liquid chromatography
- ICK peptide
- ICK, inhibitor cystine knot
- IKCa, intermediate conductance calcium-activated potassium channel
- Kv, voltage-gated potassium channel
- L-type calcium voltage-gated calcium
- LC-MS/MS, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer
- MALDI, matrix-assisted desorption ionization
- Nav, voltage-gated sodium channel
- Phe, phenylephrine
- Poecilotheria regalis, venom
- RP, reverse phase
- Rat aorta
- SEM, standard error of the mean
- SKCa, small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel
- SNP, sodium nitroprusside
- TEA, tetraethylammonium
- TOF, time of flight
- TRP, transient receptor potential
- Vasodilation
- Vh, holding-voltage
- endothelium-intact (E+), endothelium-denuded (E−)
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19
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Liao J, Gao M, Ding Y, Bi Q, Huang D, Luo X, Yang P, Li Y, Huang Y, Yao C, Zhang J, Wei W, Li Z, Guo DA. Characterization of the natural peptidome of four leeches by integrated proteogenomics and pseudotargeted peptidomics. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:2795-2807. [PMID: 37133542 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04692-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Animal-derived drugs are an indispensable part of folk medicine worldwide. However, their chemical constituents are poorly approached, which leads to the low level of the quality standard system of animal-derived drugs and further causes a chaotic market. Natural peptides are ubiquitous throughout the organism, especially in animal-derived drugs. Thus, in this study, we used multi-source leeches, including Hirudo nipponica (HN), Whitmania pigra (WP), Whitmania acranulata (WA), and Poecilobdella manillensis (PM), as a model. A strategy integrating proteogenomics and novel pseudotargeted peptidomics was developed to characterize the natural peptide phenotype and screen for signature peptides of four leech species. First, natural peptides were sequenced against an in-house annotated protein database of closely related species constructed from RNA-seq data from the Sequence Read Archive (SRA) website, which is an open-sourced public archive resource. Second, a novel pseudotargeted peptidomics integrating peptide ion pair extraction and retention time transfer was established to achieve high coverage and quantitative accuracy of the natural peptides and to screen for signature peptides for species authentication. In all, 2323 natural peptides were identified from four leech species whose databases were poorly annotated. The strategy was shown to significantly improve peptide identification. In addition, 36 of 167 differential peptides screened by pseudotargeted proteomics were identified, and about one-third of them came from the leucine-rich repeat domain (LRR) proteins, which are widely distributed in organisms. Furthermore, six signature peptides were screened with good specificity and stability, and four of them were validated by synthetic standards. Finally, a dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (dMRM) method based on these signature peptides was established and revealed that one-half of the commercial samples and all of the Tongxinluo capsules were derived from WP. All in all, the strategy developed in this study was effective for natural peptide characterization and signature peptide screening, which could also be applied to other animal-derived drugs, especially for modelless species that are less studied in protein database annotation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingmei Liao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Min Gao
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yelin Ding
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qirui Bi
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Dongdong Huang
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Luo
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Peilei Yang
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yun Li
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yong Huang
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Changliang Yao
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jianqing Zhang
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wenlong Wei
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhenwei Li
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - De-An Guo
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China.
- Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Research Center for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
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20
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Lüddecke T, Dersch L, Schulte L, Hurka S, Paas A, Oberpaul M, Eichberg J, Hardes K, Klimpel S, Vilcinskas A. Functional Profiling of the A-Family of Venom Peptides from the Wolf Spider Lycosa shansia. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15050303. [PMID: 37235338 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15050303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The venoms of spiders from the RTA (retro-lateral tibia apophysis) clade contain diverse short linear peptides (SLPs) that offer a rich source of therapeutic candidates. Many of these peptides have insecticidal, antimicrobial and/or cytolytic activities, but their biological functions are unclear. Here, we explore the bioactivity of all known members of the A-family of SLPs previously identified in the venom of the Chinese wolf spider (Lycosa shansia). Our broad approach included an in silico analysis of physicochemical properties and bioactivity profiling for cytotoxic, antiviral, insecticidal and antibacterial activities. We found that most members of the A-family can form α-helices and resemble the antibacterial peptides found in frog poison. The peptides we tested showed no cytotoxic, antiviral or insecticidal activities but were able to reduce the growth of bacteria, including clinically relevant strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Listeria monocytogenes. The absence of insecticidal activity may suggest that these peptides have no role in prey capture, but their antibacterial activity may help to defend the venom gland against infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Lüddecke
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ludwig Dersch
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lennart Schulte
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sabine Hurka
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Anne Paas
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Markus Oberpaul
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- BMBF Junior Research Group in Infection Research "ASCRIBE", Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Johanna Eichberg
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- BMBF Junior Research Group in Infection Research "ASCRIBE", Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- BMBF Junior Research Group in Infection Research "ASCRIBE", Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Sven Klimpel
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60439 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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21
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Kubena BE, Umar MA, Walker JD, Harper H. Case Report: Soldier With Latrodectism After Black Widow Spider Bite During a Field Training Exercise. Mil Med 2023; 188:e870-e874. [PMID: 34027976 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usab201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Latrodectism from black widow spider (BWS) bites is rare in the United States. Latrodectism is a severe systemic manifestation of the envenomation that includes severe abdominal pain mimicking acute surgical abdomen and, in rare cases, could lead to acute myocarditis and rhabdomyolysis. The BWS typically inhabits dark, low-lying areas such as woodpiles, tree stumps, outdoor storage, outdoor furniture, outdoor toilets, and rock piles and is most active during warm weather months. Military service members often participate in field training exercises during warm weather in wooded areas littered with woodpiles and tree stumps; therefore, they are at an increased risk for bites by arachnids. We report the case of a 26-year-old active duty male soldier evacuated from field training with latrodectism and possible envenomation-induced myocarditis after a suspected BWS bite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan E Kubena
- C Co. 626th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY 42223, USA
| | - Mohamad A Umar
- Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, TX 76544, USA
| | | | - Hillary Harper
- Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, TX 76544, USA
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22
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Neto OBS, Valladão R, Coelho GR, Dias R, Pimenta DC, Lopes AR. Spiders' digestive system as a source of trypsin inhibitors: functional activity of a member of atracotoxin structural family. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2389. [PMID: 36765114 PMCID: PMC9918498 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29576-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Spiders are important predators of insects and their venoms play an essential role in prey capture. Spider venoms have several potential applications as pharmaceutical compounds and insecticides. However, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of the digestive system (DS) of spiders show that DS is also a rich source of new peptidase inhibitor molecules. Biochemical, transcriptomic and proteomic data of crude DS extracts show the presence of molecules with peptidase inhibitor potential in the spider Nephilingis cruentata. Therefore, the aims of this work were to isolate and characterize molecules with trypsin inhibitory activity. The DS of fasting adult females was homogenized under acidic conditions and subjected to heat treatment. After that, samples were submitted to ion exchange batch and high-performance reverse-phase chromatography. The fractions with trypsin inhibitory activity were confirmed by mass spectrometry, identifying six molecules with inhibitory potential. The inhibitor NcTI (Nephilingis cruentata trypsin inhibitor) was kinetically characterized, showing a KD value of 30.25 nM ± 8.13. Analysis of the tertiary structure by molecular modeling using Alpha-Fold2 indicates that the inhibitor NcTI structurally belongs to the MIT1-like atracotoxin family. This is the first time that a serine peptidase inhibitory function is attributed to this structural family and the inhibitor reactive site residue is identified. Sequence analysis indicates that these molecules may be present in the DS of other spiders and could be associated to the inactivation of prey trypsin (serine peptidase) ingested by the spiders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Bento Silva Neto
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, 05503900, Brazil.,Programa Interunidades (USP, Instituto Butantan, IPT) de pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508000, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Valladão
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, 05503900, Brazil.,Programa Interunidades (USP, Instituto Butantan, IPT) de pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508000, Brazil
| | | | - Renata Dias
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiás, Brazil
| | | | - Adriana Rios Lopes
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, 05503900, Brazil. .,Programa Interunidades (USP, Instituto Butantan, IPT) de pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508000, Brazil.
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23
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Baza-Moreno JD, Vega-Alvarado L, Ibarra-Núñez G, Guillén-Navarro K, García-Fajardo LV, Jiménez-Jacinto V, Diego-García E. Transcriptome analysis of the spider Phonotimpus pennimani reveals novel toxin transcripts. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2023; 29:e20220031. [PMID: 36721428 PMCID: PMC9881743 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2022-0031] [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: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Phonotimpus pennimani (Araneae, Phrurolithidae) is a small-sized (3-5 mm) spider endemic to the Tacaná volcano in Chiapas, Mexico, where it is found in soil litter of cloud forests and coffee plantations. Its venom composition has so far not been investigated, partly because it is not a species of medical significance. However, it does have an important impact on the arthropod populations of its natural habitat. Methods Specimens were collected in Southeastern Mexico (Chiapas) and identified taxonomically by morphological characteristics. A partial sequence from the mitochondrial gene coxI was amplified. Sequencing on the Illumina platform of a transcriptome library constructed from 12 adult specimens revealed 25 toxin or toxin-like genes. Transcripts were validated (RT-qPCR) by assessing the differential expression of the toxin-like PpenTox1 transcript and normalising with housekeeping genes. Results Analysis of the coxI-gene revealed a similarity to other species of the family Phrurolithidae. Transcriptome analysis also revealed similarity with venom components of species from the families Ctenidae, Lycosidae, and Sicariidae. Expression of the toxin-like PpenTox1 gene was different for each developmental stage (juvenile or adult) and also for both sexes (female or male). Additionally, a partial sequence was obtained for the toxin-like PpenTox1 from DNA. Conclusion Data from the amplification of the mitochondrial coxI gene confirmed that P. pennimani belongs to the family Phrurolithidae. New genes and transcripts coding for venom components were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan David Baza-Moreno
- Grupo Académico de Biotecnología Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias
de la Sustentabilidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Tapachula de Córdova
y Ordoñez, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Leticia Vega-Alvarado
- Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional
Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Guillermo Ibarra-Núñez
- Grupo Académico de Ecología de Artrópodos y Manejo de Plagas,
Departamento de Agricultura, Sociedad y Ambiente, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur
(ECOSUR), Tapachula de Córdova y Ordoñez, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Karina Guillén-Navarro
- Grupo Académico de Biotecnología Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias
de la Sustentabilidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Tapachula de Córdova
y Ordoñez, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Luz Verónica García-Fajardo
- Grupo Académico de Biotecnología Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias
de la Sustentabilidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Tapachula de Córdova
y Ordoñez, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Verónica Jiménez-Jacinto
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
(UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Elia Diego-García
- Grupo Académico de Biotecnología Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias
de la Sustentabilidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Tapachula de Córdova
y Ordoñez, Chiapas, Mexico.,Investigadora CONACyT - ECOSUR, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y
Técnología, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico.,Correspondence:
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24
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Liu C, Yan Q, Yi K, Hu T, Wang J, Zhang Z, Li H, Luo Y, Zhang D, Meng E. A secretory system for extracellular production of spider neurotoxin huwentoxin-I in Escherichia coli. Prep Biochem Biotechnol 2022; 53:914-922. [PMID: 36573266 DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2022.2158473] [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] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Due to their advantages in structural stability and versatility, cysteine-rich peptides, which are secreted from the venom glands of venomous animals, constitute a naturally occurring pharmaceutical arsenal. However, the correct folding of disulfide bonds is a challenging task in the prokaryotic expression system like Escherichia coli due to the reducing environment. Here, a secretory expression plasmid pSE-G1M5-SUMO-HWTX-I for the spider neurotoxin huwentoxin-I (HWTX-I) with three disulfides as a model of cysteine-rich peptides was constructed. By utilizing the signal peptide G1M5, the fusion protein 6 × His-SUMO-HWTX-I was successfully secreted into extracellular medium of BL21(DE3). After enrichment using cation-exchange chromatography and purification utilizing the Ni-NTA column, 6 × His-SUMO-HWTX-I was digested via Ulp1 kinase to release recombinant HWTX-I (rHWTX-I), which was further purified utilizing RP-HPLC. Finally, both impurities with low and high molecular weights were completely removed. The molecular mass of rHWTX-I was identified as being 3750.8 Da, which was identical to natural HWTX-I with three disulfide bridges. Furthermore, by utilizing whole-cell patch clamp, the sodium currents of hNav1.7 could be inhibited by rHWTX-I and the IC50 value was 419 nmol/L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjun Liu
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Multiple Utilization of Economic Crops in Hunan Province, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Ecological Remediation and Safe Utilization of Heavy Metal-polluted Soils, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
| | - Qing Yan
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
| | - Ke Yi
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
| | - Tianhao Hu
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
| | - Jianjie Wang
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
| | - Zheyang Zhang
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
| | - Huimin Li
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
| | - Yutao Luo
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
| | - Dongyi Zhang
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
| | - Er Meng
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Multiple Utilization of Economic Crops in Hunan Province, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Ecological Remediation and Safe Utilization of Heavy Metal-polluted Soils, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, PR China
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25
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Ageitos L, Torres MDT, de la Fuente-Nunez C. Biologically Active Peptides from Venoms: Applications in Antibiotic Resistance, Cancer, and Beyond. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315437. [PMID: 36499761 PMCID: PMC9740984 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides are potential therapeutic alternatives against global diseases, such as antimicrobial-resistant infections and cancer. Venoms are a rich source of bioactive peptides that have evolved over time to act on specific targets of the prey. Peptides are one of the main components responsible for the biological activity and toxicity of venoms. South American organisms such as scorpions, snakes, and spiders are important producers of a myriad of peptides with different biological activities. In this review, we report the main venom-derived peptide families produced from South American organisms and their corresponding activities and biological targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Ageitos
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marcelo D. T. Torres
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Correspondence:
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Megaly AMA, Miyashita M, Abdel-Wahab M, Nakagawa Y, Miyagawa H. Molecular Diversity of Linear Peptides Revealed by Transcriptomic Analysis of the Venom Gland of the Spider Lycosa poonaensis. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120854. [PMID: 36548751 PMCID: PMC9788040 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spider venom is a complex mixture of bioactive components. Previously, we identified two linear peptides in Lycosa poonaensis venom using mass spectrometric analysis and predicted the presence of more linear peptides therein. In this study, a transcriptomic analysis of the L. poonaensis venom gland was conducted to identify other undetermined linear peptides in the venom. The results identified 87 contigs encoding peptides and proteins in the venom that were similar to those in other spider venoms. The number of contigs identified as neurotoxins was the highest, and 15 contigs encoding 17 linear peptide sequences were identified. Seven peptides that were representative of each family were chemically synthesized, and their biological activities were evaluated. All peptides showed significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, although their selectivity for bacterial species differed. All peptides also exhibited paralytic activity against crickets, but none showed hemolytic activity. The secondary structure analysis based on the circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that all these peptides adopt an amphiphilic α-helical structure. Their activities appear to depend on the net charge, the arrangement of basic and acidic residues, and the hydrophobicity of the peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alhussin Mohamed Abdelhakeem Megaly
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assuit 71524, Egypt
| | - Masahiro Miyashita
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Mohammed Abdel-Wahab
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assuit 71524, Egypt
| | - Yoshiaki Nakagawa
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hisashi Miyagawa
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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27
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The Deadly Toxin Arsenal of the Tree-Dwelling Australian Funnel-Web Spiders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113077. [PMID: 36361863 PMCID: PMC9658043 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113077] [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: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Australian funnel-web spiders are amongst the most dangerous venomous animals. Their venoms induce potentially deadly symptoms, including hyper- and hypotension, tachycardia, bradycardia and pulmonary oedema. Human envenomation is more frequent with the ground-dwelling species, including the infamous Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus); although, only two tree-dwelling species induce more severe envenomation. To unravel the mechanisms that lead to this stark difference in clinical outcomes, we investigated the venom transcriptome and proteome of arboreal Hadronyche cerberea and H. formidabilis. Overall, Hadronyche venoms comprised 44 toxin superfamilies, with 12 being exclusive to tree-dwellers. Surprisingly, the major venom components were neprilysins and uncharacterized peptides, in addition to the well-known ω- and δ-hexatoxins and double-knot peptides. The insecticidal effects of Hadronyche venom on sheep blowflies were more potent than Atrax venom, and the venom of both tree- and ground-dwelling species potently modulated human voltage-gated sodium channels, particularly NaV1.2. Only the venom of tree-dwellers exhibited potent modulation of voltage-gated calcium channels. H. formidabilis appeared to be under less diversifying selection pressure compared to the newly adapted tree-dweller, H. cerberea. Thus, this study contributes to unravelling the fascinating molecular and pharmacological basis for the severe envenomation caused by the Australian tree-dwelling funnel-web spiders.
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28
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Nishiduka ES, Abreu TF, Abukawa FM, Oliveira UC, Tardivo CEO, Nascimento SM, Meissner GO, Chaim OM, Juliano MA, Kitano ES, Zelanis A, Serrano SMT, da Silva PI, Junqueira-de-Azevedo IL, Nishiyama-Jr MY, Tashima AK. Multiomics Profiling of Toxins in the Venom of the Amazonian Spider Acanthoscurria juruenicola. J Proteome Res 2022; 21:2783-2797. [PMID: 36260604 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Acanthoscurria juruenicola is an Amazonian spider described for the first time almost a century ago. However, little is known about their venom composition. Here, we present a multiomics characterization of A. juruenicola venom by a combination of transcriptomics, proteomics, and peptidomics approaches. Transcriptomics of female venom glands resulted in 93,979 unique assembled mRNA transcript encoding proteins. A total of 92 proteins were identified in the venom by mass spectrometry, including 14 mature cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs). Quantitative analysis showed that CRPs, cysteine-rich secretory proteins, metalloproteases, carbonic anhydrases, and hyaluronidase comprise >90% of the venom proteome. Relative quantification of venom toxins was performed by DIA and DDA, revealing converging profiles of female and male specimens by both methods. Biochemical assays confirmed the presence of active hyaluronidases, phospholipases, and proteases in the venom. Moreover, the venom promoted in vivo paralytic activities in crickets, consistent with the high concentration of CRPs. Overall, we report a comprehensive analysis of the arsenal of toxins of A. juruenicola and highlight their potential biotechnological and pharmacological applications. Mass spectrometry data were deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE repository with the dataset identifier PXD013149 and via the MassIVE repository with the dataset identifier MSV000087777.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika S Nishiduka
- Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-901, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Abreu
- Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-901, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Midori Abukawa
- Laboratory of Applied Toxinology, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signalig, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Ursula C Oliveira
- Laboratory of Applied Toxinology, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signalig, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Caio E O Tardivo
- Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-901, Brazil
| | - Soraia M Nascimento
- Laboratory of Applied Toxinology, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signalig, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Gabriel O Meissner
- Department of Cell Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-980, Puerto Rico, Brazil
| | - Olga M Chaim
- Department of Cell Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-980, Puerto Rico, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Maria A Juliano
- Department of Biophysics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04021-001, Brazil
| | - Eduardo S Kitano
- Laboratory of Applied Toxinology, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signalig, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - André Zelanis
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Department of Science and Technology, Federal University of São Paulo, (ICT-UNIFESP), São José dos Campos 12231-280, Brazil
| | - Solange M T Serrano
- Laboratory of Applied Toxinology, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signalig, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Pedro I da Silva
- Laboratory of Applied Toxinology, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signalig, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Inácio L Junqueira-de-Azevedo
- Laboratory of Applied Toxinology, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signalig, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Milton Y Nishiyama-Jr
- Laboratory of Applied Toxinology, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signalig, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Alexandre K Tashima
- Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-901, Brazil
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Lee B, Shin MK, Yoo JS, Jang W, Sung JS. Identifying novel antimicrobial peptides from venom gland of spider Pardosa astrigera by deep multi-task learning. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:971503. [PMID: 36090084 PMCID: PMC9449525 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.971503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show promises as valuable compounds for developing therapeutic agents to control the worldwide health threat posed by the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Animal venom can be a useful source for screening AMPs due to its various bioactive components. Here, the deep learning model was developed to predict species-specific antimicrobial activity. To overcome the data deficiency, a multi-task learning method was implemented, achieving F1 scores of 0.818, 0.696, 0.814, 0.787, and 0.719 for Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively. Peptides PA-Full and PA-Win were identified from the model using different inputs of full and partial sequences, broadening the application of transcriptome data of the spider Pardosa astrigera. Two peptides exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against all five strains along with cytocompatibility. Our approach enables excavating AMPs with high potency, which can be expanded into the fields of biology to address data insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byungjo Lee
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang-si, South Korea
| | - Min Kyoung Shin
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang-si, South Korea
| | - Jung Sun Yoo
- Animal Resources Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Wonhee Jang
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang-si, South Korea
- Wonhee Jang,
| | - Jung-Suk Sung
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang-si, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Jung-Suk Sung,
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30
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Vlasenko AE, Kuznetsov VG, Magarlamov TY. Investigation of Peptide Toxin Diversity in Ribbon Worms (Nemertea) Using a Transcriptomic Approach. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14080542. [PMID: 36006205 PMCID: PMC9415933 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14080542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nemertea is a phylum of nonsegmented worms (supraphylum: Spiralia), also known as ribbon worms. The members of this phylum contain various toxins, including peptide toxins. Here, we provide a transcriptomic analysis of peptide toxins in 14 nemertean species, including Cephalothrix cf. simula, which was sequenced in the current study. The summarized data show that the number of toxin transcripts in the studied nemerteans varied from 12 to 82. The most represented groups of toxins were enzymes and ion channel inhibitors, which, in total, reached a proportion of 72% in some species, and the least represented were pore-forming toxins and neurotoxins, the total proportion of which did not exceed 18%. The study revealed that nemerteans possess a much greater variety of toxins than previously thought and showed that these animals are a promising object for the investigation of venom diversity and evolution, and in the search for new peptide toxins.
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31
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Ding LJ, Wu XM, Zhang CG, Gao PF, Zhang Y, Yang ZZ, Zhao Y. Toxin diversity revealed by de novo transcriptome assembly for venom gland in two species of spiders (Trichonephila clavata and Sinopoda pengi). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2022; 42:100984. [PMID: 35462116 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2022.100984] [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: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
During long-term predator-prey coevolution, spiders have generated a vast diversity of toxins. Trichonephila clavata is a web-spinning spider whose large, well-constructed webs and venomous arsenal facilitate prey capture. In contrast, Sinopoda pengi is an ambush predator with agile locomotion and strong chelicerae for hunting. In this study, transcriptomic analysis was performed to describe the predicted toxins of S. pengi and T. clavata. A total of 43 and 47 of these unigenes from S. pengi and T. clavata, respectively, were predicted to have toxin activity. Putative neurotoxins were classified to the family level according to cysteine arrangement; 4 and 6 toxin families were produced by S. pengi and T. clavata, respectively. In addition, potential metalloproteases, acetylcholinesterases, serine proteases, hyaluronidases and phospholipases were found by annotation in databases. In summary, molecular templates with potential application value for medical and biological fields were obtained by classifying and characterizing presumed venom components, which established a foundation for further study of venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Jun Ding
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xiu-Mei Wu
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Cheng-Gui Zhang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Peng-Fei Gao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650051, China
| | - Zi-Zhong Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
| | - Yu Zhao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
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de Miranda ALS, Lima SDA, Botelho AFM, Gomes Campos MT, Eckstein C, Minozzo JC, Chávez-Olórtegui CD, Soto-Blanco B. Protective Effectiveness of an Immunization Protocol Against the Toxic Effects of Loxosceles intermedia Venom in Rabbits. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:852917. [PMID: 35711800 PMCID: PMC9195175 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.852917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Loxosceles spp. (brown spiders) bites are responsible for the development of a syndrome consisting mainly of dermonecrotic lesions, and also systemic effects. Rabbits are one of the main experimental models used for better understanding the systemic and local effects of Loxosceles venom. The aim of this study is to evaluate the toxic and protective effects of rabbits immunized with Loxosceles spp. venom. Male New Zealand rabbits were allocated as a control group (CG; n = 5) that received adjuvant (Montanide) and phosphate-buffer saline (PBS), or as venom group (VG; n = 5) that received 21 μg of Loxosceles venom using Montanide as adjuvant. After five immunization cycles, a trial with 7 μg of Loxosceles intermedia (L. intermedia) venom was performed, and dermonecrotic lesions were measured. The rabbits were then euthanized, and their organs were collected for histopathology analysis. Rabbits that had undergone Loxosceles venom immunization protocol showed minor clinical disturbances during the experimental period. The used immunization protocol protected the rabbits against the toxic effect of the Loxosceles venom because they showed minor clinical disturbances during the experimental period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luísa Soares de Miranda
- Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary College, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sabrina de Almeida Lima
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Marco Túlio Gomes Campos
- Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary College, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Camila Eckstein
- Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary College, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - João Carlos Minozzo
- Department of Health of the State of Paraná, Production and Research Center of Immunobiologicals, Piraquara, Brazil
| | - Carlos Delfin Chávez-Olórtegui
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Benito Soto-Blanco
- Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary College, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Benito Soto-Blanco
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Dehong X, Wenmei W, Siqin H, Peng Z, Xianchun W, Xiongzhi Z. Effects of JZTX-V on the wild type Kv4.3 Expressed in HEK293T and Molecular Determinants in the Voltage-sensing Domains of Kv4.3 Interacting with JZTX-V. Channels (Austin) 2022; 16:72-83. [PMID: 35378047 PMCID: PMC8986175 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2022.2053420] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
JZTX-V is a toxin isolated from the venom of the Chinese spider Chilobrachys jingzhao. Previous studies had shown that JZTX-V could inhibit the transient outward potassium current of Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 expressed in Xenopus oocytes but had no effects on Kv1.2–1.4. However, the underlying action mechanism of JZTX-V on Kv4.3 remains unclear. In our study, JZTX-V could inhibit not only transient outward potassium currents evoked in small-sized DRG neurons but also Kv4.3-encoded currents expressed in HEK293T cells in the concentration and voltage dependence. The half maximal inhibitory concentration of JZTX-V on Kv4.3 was 9.6 ± 1.2 nM. In addition, the time course for JZTX-V inhibition and release of inhibition after washout were 15.8 ± 1.54 s and 58.8 ± 4.35 s. Electrophysiological assays indicated that 25 nM JZTX-V could shift significantly the voltage dependence of steady-state activation and steady-state inactivation to depolarization. Meanwhile, 25 nM JZTX-V decreased markedly the time constant of activation and inactivation but had no effect on the time constant of recovery from inactivation. To study the molecular determinants of Kv4.3, we performed alanine scanning on a conserved motif of Kv4.3 and assayed the affinity between mutants and JZTX-V. The results not only showed that I273, L275, V283, and F287 were molecular determinants in the conserved motif of Kv4.3 for interacting with JZTX-V but also speculated the underlying action mechanism that the hydrophobic interaction and steric effects played key roles in the binding of JZTX-V with Kv4.3. In summary, our studies have laid a scientific theoretical foundation for further research on the interaction mechanism between JZTX-V and Kv4.3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Dehong
- Laboratory of Biological Engineering, College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, P. R. China
| | - Wu Wenmei
- Laboratory of Biological Engineering, College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, P. R. China
| | - Hong Siqin
- Laboratory of Biological Engineering, College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, P. R. China
| | - Zeng Peng
- Laboratory of Biological Engineering, College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, P. R. China
| | - Wang Xianchun
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, P. R. China
| | - Zeng Xiongzhi
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, P. R. China
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34
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Therapeutic potential of viral vectors that express venom peptides for neurological diseases. Med Hypotheses 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2022.110809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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35
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Antiviral Effects of Animal Toxins: Is There a Way to Drugs? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073634. [PMID: 35408989 PMCID: PMC8998278 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses infect all types of organisms, causing viral diseases, which are very common in humans. Since viruses use the metabolic pathways of their host cells to replicate, they are difficult to eradicate without affecting the cells. The most effective measures against viral infections are vaccinations and antiviral drugs, which selectively inhibit the viral replication cycle. Both methods have disadvantages, which requires the development of new approaches to the treatment of viral diseases. In the study of animal venoms, it was found that, in addition to toxicity, venoms exhibit other types of biological activity, including an antiviral one, the first mention of which dates back to middle of the last century, but detailed studies of their antiviral activity have been conducted over the past 15 years. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced these studies and several compounds with antiviral activity have been identified in venoms. Some of them are very active and can be considered as the basis for antiviral drugs. This review discusses recent antiviral studies, the found compounds with high antiviral activity, and the possible mechanisms of their action. The prospects for using the animal venom components to create antiviral drugs, and the expected problems and possible solutions are also considered.
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36
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Zhu B, Jin P, Hou Z, Li J, Wei S, Li S. Chromosomal-level genome of a sheet-web spider provides insight into the composition and evolution of venom. Mol Ecol Resour 2022; 22:2333-2348. [PMID: 35182027 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Spiders are the most abundant venomous predators in the world. Previous research related to spider venom has mostly relied on transcriptomes and proteomes, with only a few high-quality genomes available. This is far from consistent with the species diversity of spiders. In this study, we constructed a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of Hylyphantes graminicola, which contained 13 chromosomes, with a genome length of 931.68 Mb and scaffold N50 of 77.07 Mb. Integrating genome, transcriptome, and proteome profiling, we identified a total of 59 coding genes among nine toxin gene families. Among them, Group 7 allergen (ALL7) protein was reported in spider venom for the first time. Its coding genes had a predicted signal peptide and maintained high expression levels in the venom, suggesting that ALL7 plays an important role in venom and maybe is a type of newly discovered venom toxin in the spider. By implementing comparative genomics, we found a similar gene number of main toxin gene families in spiders and the scorpion genome with conservative evolutionary rates, indicating that these toxin genes could be an ancient (~400 million years) and a conserved "basic toolkit" for spiders and scorpions to perform primary defense functions. Obtaining high-quality chromosome-level genomes from spiders not only facilitates venom research and toxin resource application, but also can improve comparative genomic analysis in other important traits, like the evolution of silk or behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyue Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Pengyu Jin
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhonge Hou
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jianlong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Resources Innovation and Utilization/ Tea Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Shujun Wei
- Institute of Plant and Environmental Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Shuqiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
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Marchi FC, Mendes-Silva E, Rodrigues-Ribeiro L, Bolais-Ramos LG, Verano-Braga T. Toxinology in the proteomics era: a review on arachnid venom proteomics. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2022; 28:20210034. [PMID: 35291269 PMCID: PMC8893269 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Dongol Y, Choi PM, Wilson DT, Daly NL, Cardoso FC, Lewis RJ. Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Modulation by a New Spider Toxin Ssp1a Isolated From an Australian Theraphosid. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:795455. [PMID: 35002728 PMCID: PMC8740163 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.795455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the important role of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channel-modulating spider toxins in elucidating the function, pharmacology, and mechanism of action of therapeutically relevant NaV channels, we screened the venom from Australian theraphosid species against the human pain target hNaV1.7. Using assay-guided fractionation, we isolated a 33-residue inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) peptide (Ssp1a) belonging to the NaSpTx1 family. Recombinant Ssp1a (rSsp1a) inhibited neuronal hNaV subtypes with a rank order of potency hNaV1.7 > 1.6 > 1.2 > 1.3 > 1.1. rSsp1a inhibited hNaV1.7, hNaV1.2 and hNaV1.3 without significantly altering the voltage-dependence of activation, inactivation, or delay in recovery from inactivation. However, rSsp1a demonstrated voltage-dependent inhibition at hNaV1.7 and rSsp1a-bound hNaV1.7 opened at extreme depolarizations, suggesting rSsp1a likely interacted with voltage-sensing domain II (VSD II) of hNaV1.7 to trap the channel in its resting state. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed key structural features of Ssp1a, including an amphipathic surface with hydrophobic and charged patches shown by docking studies to comprise the interacting surface. This study provides the basis for future structure-function studies to guide the development of subtype selective inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashad Dongol
- Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Phil M. Choi
- Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David T. Wilson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Norelle L. Daly
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Fernanda C. Cardoso
- Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard J. Lewis
- Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Khamtorn P, Peigneur S, Amorim FG, Quinton L, Tytgat J, Daduang S. De Novo Transcriptome Analysis of the Venom of Latrodectus geometricus with the Discovery of an Insect-Selective Na Channel Modulator. Molecules 2021; 27:molecules27010047. [PMID: 35011282 PMCID: PMC8746590 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus, is a predator of a variety of agricultural insects and is also hazardous for humans. Its venom is a true pharmacopeia representing neurotoxic peptides targeting the ion channels and/or receptors of both vertebrates and invertebrates. The lack of transcriptomic information, however, limits our knowledge of the diversity of components present in its venom. The purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) carry out a transcriptomic analysis of the venom, and (2) investigate the bioactivity of the venom using an electrophysiological bioassay. From 32,505 assembled transcripts, 8 toxin families were classified, and the ankyrin repeats (ANK), agatoxin, centipede toxin, ctenitoxin, lycotoxin, scorpion toxin-like, and SCP families were reported in the L. geometricus venom gland. The diversity of L. geometricus venom was also uncovered by the transcriptomics approach with the presence of defensins, chitinases, translationally controlled tumor proteins (TCTPs), leucine-rich proteins, serine proteases, and other important venom components. The venom was also chromatographically purified, and the activity contained in the fractions was investigated using an electrophysiological bioassay with the use of a voltage clamp on ion channels in order to find if the neurotoxic effects of the spider venom could be linked to a particular molecular target. The findings show that U24-ctenitoxin-Pn1a involves the inhibition of the insect sodium (Nav) channels, BgNav and DmNav. This study provides an overview of the molecular diversity of L. geometricus venom, which can be used as a reference for the venom of other spider species. The venom composition profile also increases our knowledge for the development of novel insecticides targeting voltage-gated sodium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pornsawan Khamtorn
- Program in Research and Development in Pharmaceuticals, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand;
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, Campus Gasthuisberg, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.P.); (J.T.)
| | - Fernanda Gobbi Amorim
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, MolSys Research Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (F.G.A.); (L.Q.)
| | - Loïc Quinton
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, MolSys Research Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (F.G.A.); (L.Q.)
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, Campus Gasthuisberg, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.P.); (J.T.)
| | - Sakda Daduang
- Center for Research and Development of Herbal Health Products (CDR-HHP), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Protein and Proteomics Research Center for Commercial and Industrial Purposes (ProCCI), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Correspondence:
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Jenkins TP, Ahmadi S, Bittenbinder MA, Stewart TK, Akgun DE, Hale M, Nasrabadi NN, Wolff DS, Vonk FJ, Kool J, Laustsen AH. Terrestrial venomous animals, the envenomings they cause, and treatment perspectives in the Middle East and North Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009880. [PMID: 34855751 PMCID: PMC8638997 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The Middle East and Northern Africa, collectively known as the MENA region, are inhabited by a plethora of venomous animals that cause up to 420,000 bites and stings each year. To understand the resultant health burden and the key variables affecting it, this review describes the epidemiology of snake, scorpion, and spider envenomings primarily based on heterogenous hospital data in the MENA region and the pathologies associated with their venoms. In addition, we discuss the venom composition and the key medically relevant toxins of these venomous animals, and, finally, the antivenoms that are currently in use to counteract them. Unlike Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, scorpion stings are significantly more common (approximately 350,000 cases/year) than snakebites (approximately 70,000 cases/year) and present the most significant contributor to the overall health burden of envenomings, with spider bites being negligible. However, this review also indicates that there is a substantial lack of high-quality envenoming data available for the MENA region, rendering many of these estimates speculative. Our understanding of the venoms and the toxins they contain is also incomplete, but already presents clear trends. For instance, the majority of snake venoms contain snake venom metalloproteinases, while sodium channel-binding toxins and potassium channel-binding toxins are the scorpion toxins that cause most health-related challenges. There also currently exist a plethora of antivenoms, yet only few are clinically validated, and their high cost and limited availability present a substantial health challenge. Yet, some of the insights presented in this review might help direct future research and policy efforts toward the appropriate prioritization of efforts and aid the development of future therapeutic solutions, such as next-generation antivenoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy P Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Shirin Ahmadi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Matyas A Bittenbinder
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Trenton K Stewart
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Dilber E Akgun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Melissa Hale
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nafiseh N Nasrabadi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre, Student Research Commitee, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Venomous Animals and Antivenom Production, Razi Vaccine, and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran
| | - Darian S Wolff
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Freek J Vonk
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Kool
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Andreas H Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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Wang J, Guo H, Xu D, Yu C, Xv R, Wu Q, Di L, Cheng H, Duan J, Zhou J, Marcon E, Ma H. Cell affinity screening combined with nanoLC-MS/MS based peptidomics for identifying cancer cell binding peptides from Bufo Bufo gargarizans. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021; 206:114354. [PMID: 34509663 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Animal venoms contain many peptides with high specificity and selectivity against their protein targets, a characteristic which makes venoms an invaluable source of potential drugs. High-sensitivity mass spectrometry (MS)- based peptidomic platform has evolved as a predominant method for natural peptide drug discovery due to its strength for direct and rapid identification of peptides and peptide-associated post-translational modifications (PTMs). In this study, we used cell-affinity assays combined with nanoLC-MS/MS based peptidomics to identify cancer cell binding peptides (CBPs) from Bufo Bufo gargarizans. We identified 76 potential cell binding peptides and 237 non-affinity peptides in venom extracts from Asiatic toads, and some were verified with MS-parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mode. These peptides were further analyzed and internalized within human cells and some demonstrated anti-tumor properties in vitro. These specific peptides might be used as templates for peptide-based drug design or optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaojiao Wang
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hongbo Guo
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dihui Xu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chengli Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substances of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ruoxian Xv
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Qinan Wu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Liuqing Di
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haibo Cheng
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jinao Duan
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Edyta Marcon
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Hongyue Ma
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Vonk FJ, Bittenbinder MA, Kerkkamp HMI, Grashof DGB, Archer JP, Afonso S, Richardson MK, Kool J, van der Meijden A. A non-lethal method for studying scorpion venom gland transcriptomes, with a review of potentially suitable taxa to which it can be applied. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258712. [PMID: 34793470 PMCID: PMC8601437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venoms are mixtures of proteins, peptides and small molecular compounds with high specificity for ion channels and are therefore considered to be promising candidates in the venoms-to-drugs pipeline. Transcriptomes are important tools for studying the composition and expression of scorpion venom. Unfortunately, studying the venom gland transcriptome traditionally requires sacrificing the animal and therefore is always a single snapshot in time. This paper describes a new way of generating a scorpion venom gland transcriptome without sacrificing the animal, thereby allowing the study of the transcriptome at various time points within a single individual. By comparing these venom-derived transcriptomes to the traditional whole-telson transcriptomes we show that the relative expression levels of the major toxin classes are similar. We further performed a multi-day extraction using our proposed method to show the possibility of doing a multiple time point transcriptome analysis. This allows for the study of patterns of toxin gene activation over time a single individual, and allows assessment of the effects of diet, season and other factors that are known or likely to influence intraindividual venom composition. We discuss the gland characteristics that may allow this method to be successful in scorpions and provide a review of other venomous taxa to which this method may potentially be successfully applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freek J. Vonk
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Animal Science and Health Cluster, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mátyás A. Bittenbinder
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harald M. I. Kerkkamp
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Animal Science and Health Cluster, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - John P. Archer
- CIBIO-InBIO, Biopolis, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Afonso
- CIBIO-InBIO, Biopolis, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Michael K. Richardson
- Animal Science and Health Cluster, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Kool
- Faculty of Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Tibery DV, de Souza ACB, Mourão CBF, do Nascimento JM, Schwartz EF. Purification and characterization of peptides Ap2, Ap3 and Ap5 (ω-toxins) from the venom of the Brazilian tarantula Acanthoscurria paulensis. Peptides 2021; 145:170622. [PMID: 34363923 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Peptides isolated from spider venoms are of pharmacological interest due to their neurotoxic activity, acting on voltage-dependent ion channels present in different types of human body tissues. Three peptide toxins titled as Ap2, Ap3 and Ap5 were purified by RP-HPLC from Acanthoscurria paulensis venom. They were partially sequenced by MALDI In-source Decay method and their sequences were completed and confirmed by transcriptome analysis of the venom gland. The Ap2, Ap3 and Ap5 peptides have, respectively, 42, 41 and 46 amino acid residues, and experimental molecular masses of 4886.3, 4883.7 and 5454.7 Da, with the Ap2 peptide presenting an amidated C-terminus. Amongst the assayed channels - NaV1.1, NaV1.5, NaV1.7, CaV1.2, CaV2.1 and CaV2.2 - Ap2, Ap3 and Ap5 inhibited 20-30 % of CaV2.1 current at 1 μM concentration. Ap3 also inhibited sodium current in NaV1.1, Nav1.5 and Nav1.7 channels by 6.6 ± 1.91 % (p = 0.0276), 4.2 ± 1.09 % (p = 0.0185) and 16.05 ± 2.75 % (p = 0.0282), respectively. Considering that Ap2, Ap3 and Ap5 belong to the 'U'-unknown family of spider toxins, which has few descriptions of biological activity, the present work contributes to the knowledge of these peptides and demonstrates this potential as channel modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Vieira Tibery
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Caroline Barbosa Farias Mourão
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Brasília, Campus Ceilândia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Elisabeth Ferroni Schwartz
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.
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A Pseudoscorpion's Promising Pinch: The venom of Chelifer cancroides contains a rich source of novel compounds. Toxicon 2021; 201:92-104. [PMID: 34416254 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.08.012] [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] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
With pedipalps modified for venom injection, some pseudoscorpions possess a unique venom delivery system, which evolved independently from those of other arachnids like scorpions and spiders. Up to now, only a few studies have been focused on pseudoscorpion venom, which either identified a small fraction of venom compounds, or were based on solely transcriptomic approaches. Only one study addressed the bioactivity of pseudoscorpion venom. Here, we expand existing knowledge about pseudoscorpion venom by providing a comprehensive proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of the venom of Chelifer cancroides. We identified the first putative genuine toxins in the venom of C. cancroides and we showed that a large fraction of the venom comprises novel compounds. In addition, we tested the activity of the venom at specific ion channels for the first time. These tests demonstrate that the venom of C. cancroides causes inhibition of a voltage-gated insect potassium channel (Shaker IR) and modulates the inactivation process of voltage-gated sodium channels from Varroa destructor. For one of the smallest venomous animals ever studied, today's toolkits enabled a comprehensive venom analysis. This is demonstrated by allocating our identified venom compounds to more than half of the prominent ion signals in MALDI-TOF mass spectra of venom samples. The present study is a starting point for understanding the complex composition and activity of pseudoscorpion venom and provides a potential rich source of bioactive compounds useable for basic research and industrial application.
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Wadhwani P, Sekaran S, Strandberg E, Bürck J, Chugh A, Ulrich AS. Membrane Interactions of Latarcins: Antimicrobial Peptides from Spider Venom. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221810156. [PMID: 34576320 PMCID: PMC8470881 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A group of seven peptides from spider venom with diverse sequences constitute the latarcin family. They have been described as membrane-active antibiotics, but their lipid interactions have not yet been addressed. Using circular dichroism and solid-state 15N-NMR, we systematically characterized and compared the conformation and helix alignment of all seven peptides in their membrane-bound state. These structural results could be correlated with activity assays (antimicrobial, hemolysis, fluorescence vesicle leakage). Functional synergy was not observed amongst any of the latarcins. In the presence of lipids, all peptides fold into amphiphilic α-helices as expected, the helices being either surface-bound or tilted in the bilayer. The most tilted peptide, Ltc2a, possesses a novel kind of amphiphilic profile with a coiled-coil-like hydrophobic strip and is the most aggressive of all. It indiscriminately permeabilizes natural membranes (antimicrobial, hemolysis) as well as artificial lipid bilayers through the segregation of anionic lipids and possibly enhanced motional averaging. Ltc1, Ltc3a, Ltc4a, and Ltc5a are efficient and selective in killing bacteria but without causing significant bilayer disturbance. They act rather slowly or may even translocate towards intracellular targets, suggesting more subtle lipid interactions. Ltc6a and Ltc7, finally, do not show much antimicrobial action but can nonetheless perturb model bilayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvesh Wadhwani
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), P.O. Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany; (P.W.); (E.S.); (J.B.)
| | - Saiguru Sekaran
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, Delhi 110016, India; (S.S.); (A.C.)
| | - Erik Strandberg
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), P.O. Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany; (P.W.); (E.S.); (J.B.)
| | - Jochen Bürck
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), P.O. Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany; (P.W.); (E.S.); (J.B.)
| | - Archana Chugh
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, Delhi 110016, India; (S.S.); (A.C.)
| | - Anne S. Ulrich
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), P.O. Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany; (P.W.); (E.S.); (J.B.)
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Fritz-Haber-Weg 6, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Lin L, Chi J, Yan Y, Luo R, Feng X, Zheng Y, Xian D, Li X, Quan G, Liu D, Wu C, Lu C, Pan X. Membrane-disruptive peptides/peptidomimetics-based therapeutics: Promising systems to combat bacteria and cancer in the drug-resistant era. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:2609-2644. [PMID: 34589385 PMCID: PMC8463292 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane-disruptive peptides/peptidomimetics (MDPs) are antimicrobials or anticarcinogens that present a general killing mechanism through the physical disruption of cell membranes, in contrast to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, which act on precise targets such as DNA or specific enzymes. Owing to their rapid action, broad-spectrum activity, and mechanisms of action that potentially hinder the development of resistance, MDPs have been increasingly considered as future therapeutics in the drug-resistant era. Recently, growing experimental evidence has demonstrated that MDPs can also be utilized as adjuvants to enhance the therapeutic effects of other agents. In this review, we evaluate the literature around the broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties and anticancer activity of MDPs, and summarize the current development and mechanisms of MDPs alone or in combination with other agents. Notably, this review highlights recent advances in the design of various MDP-based drug delivery systems that can improve the therapeutic effect of MDPs, minimize side effects, and promote the co-delivery of multiple chemotherapeutics, for more efficient antimicrobial and anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Jiaying Chi
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Yilang Yan
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Rui Luo
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Xiaoqian Feng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Yuwei Zheng
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Dongyi Xian
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Xin Li
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Guilan Quan
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Daojun Liu
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Chuanbin Wu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Chao Lu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Xin Pan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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47
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Lüddecke T, Herzig V, von Reumont BM, Vilcinskas A. The biology and evolution of spider venoms. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 97:163-178. [PMID: 34453398 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Spiders are diverse, predatory arthropods that have inhabited Earth for around 400 million years. They are well known for their complex venom systems that are used to overpower their prey. Spider venoms contain many proteins and peptides with highly specific and potent activities suitable for biomedical or agrochemical applications, but the key role of venoms as an evolutionary innovation is often overlooked, even though this has enabled spiders to emerge as one of the most successful animal lineages. In this review, we discuss these neglected biological aspects of spider venoms. We focus on the morphology of spider venom systems, their major components, biochemical and chemical plasticity, as well as ecological and evolutionary trends. We argue that the effectiveness of spider venoms is due to their unprecedented complexity, with diverse components working synergistically to increase the overall potency. The analysis of spider venoms is difficult to standardize because they are dynamic systems, fine-tuned and modified by factors such as sex, life-history stage and biological role. Finally, we summarize the mechanisms that drive spider venom evolution and highlight the need for genome-based studies to reconstruct the evolutionary history and physiological networks of spider venom compounds with more certainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Lüddecke
- Department for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, Gießen, 35392, Germany.,LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, Frankfurt am Main, 60325, Germany
| | - Volker Herzig
- GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia.,School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia
| | - Björn M von Reumont
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, Frankfurt am Main, 60325, Germany.,Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, Gießen, 35392, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Department for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, Gießen, 35392, Germany.,LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, Frankfurt am Main, 60325, Germany.,Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, Gießen, 35392, Germany
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48
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Xun C, Wang L, Yang H, Xiao Z, Deng M, Xu R, Zhou X, Chen P, Liu Z. Origin and Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles Present in the Spider Venom of Ornithoctonus hainana. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13080579. [PMID: 34437450 PMCID: PMC8402349 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13080579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, are membranous vesicles released from nearly all cellular types. They contain various bioactive molecules, and their molecular composition varies depending on their cellular origin. As research into venomous animals has progressed, EVs have been discovered in the venom of snakes and parasitic wasps. Although vesicle secretion in spider venom glands has been observed, these secretory vesicles’ origin and biological properties are unknown. In this study, the origin of the EVs from Ornithoctonus hainana venom was observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Ornithoctonus hainana venom extracellular vesicles (HN-EVs) were isolated and purified by density gradient centrifugation. HN-EVs possess classic membranous vesicles with a size distribution ranging from 50 to 150 nm and express the arthropod EV marker Tsp29Fb. The LC-MS/MS analysis identified a total of 150 proteins, which were divided into three groups according to their potential function: conservative vesicle transport-related proteins, virulence-related proteins, and other proteins of unknown function. Functionally, HN-EVs have hyaluronidase activity and inhibit the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by affecting the cytoskeleton and cell cycle. Overall, this study investigates the biological characteristics of HN-EVs for the first time and sheds new light on the envenomation process of spider venom.
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49
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Lüddecke T, Paas A, Talmann L, Kirchhoff KN, von Reumont BM, Billion A, Timm T, Lochnit G, Vilcinskas A. A Spider Toxin Exemplifies the Promises and Pitfalls of Cell-Free Protein Production for Venom Biodiscovery. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13080575. [PMID: 34437446 PMCID: PMC8402385 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13080575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthropod venoms offer a promising resource for the discovery of novel bioactive peptides and proteins, but the limited size of most species translates into minuscule venom yields. Bioactivity studies based on traditional fractionation are therefore challenging, so alternative strategies are needed. Cell-free synthesis based on synthetic gene fragments is one of the most promising emerging technologies, theoretically allowing the rapid, laboratory-scale production of specific venom components, but this approach has yet to be applied in venom biodiscovery. Here, we tested the ability of three commercially available cell-free protein expression systems to produce venom components from small arthropods, using U2-sicaritoxin-Sdo1a from the six-eyed sand spider Hexophtalma dolichocephala as a case study. We found that only one of the systems was able to produce an active product in low amounts, as demonstrated by SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry, and bioactivity screening on murine neuroblasts. We discuss our findings in relation to the promises and limitations of cell-free synthesis for venom biodiscovery programs in smaller invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Lüddecke
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.P.); (K.N.K.); (A.B.); (A.V.)
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 30325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
- Correspondence:
| | - Anne Paas
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.P.); (K.N.K.); (A.B.); (A.V.)
| | - Lea Talmann
- Syngenta Crop Protection, Werk Stein, Schaffhauserstrasse, CH4332 Stein, Switzerland;
| | - Kim N. Kirchhoff
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.P.); (K.N.K.); (A.B.); (A.V.)
| | - Björn M. von Reumont
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 30325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - André Billion
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.P.); (K.N.K.); (A.B.); (A.V.)
| | - Thomas Timm
- Institute of Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Friedrichstr. 24, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (T.T.); (G.L.)
| | - Günter Lochnit
- Institute of Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Friedrichstr. 24, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (T.T.); (G.L.)
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.P.); (K.N.K.); (A.B.); (A.V.)
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 30325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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50
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Anti- Toxoplasma gondii Effects of a Novel Spider Peptide XYP1 In Vitro and In Vivo. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9080934. [PMID: 34440138 PMCID: PMC8392294 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by an obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is one of the most prevalent zoonoses worldwide. Treatments for this disease by traditional drugs have shown numerous side effects, thus effective alternative anti-Toxoplasma strategies or drugs are urgently needed. In this study, a novel spider peptide, XYP1, was identified from the cDNA library of the venom gland of the spider Lycosa coelestis. Our results showed that XYP1 has potent anti-Toxoplasma activity in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, treatment with XYP1 significantly inhibited the viability, invasion and proliferation of tachyzoites with low cytotoxicity (IC50 = 38.79 μΜ) on human host cells, and increased the survival rate of mice acutely infected with T. gondii. Next, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and RNA sequencing were employed to further explore the functional mechanism of XYP1, and the results indicated that XYP1 causes membrane perforation, swelling and disruption of tachyzoites, which could be closely associated with differential expression of several membrane-associated proteins including HSP29. In conclusion, XYP1 may be a promising new drug candidate for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.
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