1
|
Campos S, Rodrigo AP, Moutinho Cabral I, Mendes VM, Manadas B, D’Ambrosio M, Costa PM. An Exploration of Novel Bioactives from the Venomous Marine Annelid Glycera alba. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:655. [PMID: 37999518 PMCID: PMC10674444 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The immense biodiversity of marine invertebrates makes them high-value targets for the prospecting of novel bioactives. The present study investigated proteinaceous toxins secreted by the skin and proboscis of Glycera alba (Annelida: Polychaeta), whose congenerics G. tridactyla and G. dibranchiata are known to be venomous. Proteomics and bioinformatics enabled the detection of bioactive proteins that hold potential for biotechnological applications, including toxins like glycerotoxins (GLTx), which can interfere with neuromuscular calcium channels and therefore have value for the development of painkillers, for instance. We also identified proteins involved in the biosynthesis of toxins. Other proteins of interest include venom and toxin-related bioactives like cysteine-rich venom proteins, many of which are known to interfere with the nervous system. Ex vivo toxicity assays with mussel gills exposed to fractionated protein extracts from the skin and proboscis revealed that fractions potentially containing higher-molecular-mass venom proteins can exert negative effects on invertebrate prey. Histopathology, DNA damage and caspase-3 activity suggest significant cytotoxic effects that can be coadjuvated by permeabilizing enzymes such as venom metalloproteinases M12B. Altogether, these encouraging findings show that venomous annelids are important sources of novel bioactives, albeit illustrating the challenges of surveying organisms whose genomes and metabolisms are poorly understood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Campos
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Ana P. Rodrigo
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Inês Moutinho Cabral
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Vera M. Mendes
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (V.M.M.); (B.M.)
| | - Bruno Manadas
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (V.M.M.); (B.M.)
| | - Mariaelena D’Ambrosio
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Pedro M. Costa
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen J. Chemistry and Functions of Imported Fire Ant Venom. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:489. [PMID: 37624246 PMCID: PMC10467070 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15080489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In the United States, imported fire ants are often referred to as red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, black imported fire ants, S. richteri Forel, and their hybrid (S. invicta × S. richteri). Due to their aggressive stings and toxic venom, imported fire ants pose a significant threat to public health, agriculture, and ecosystem health. However, venom plays a vital role in the survival of fire ants by serving various crucial functions in defense, foraging, and colony health maintenance. Numerous reviews and book chapters have been published on fire ant venom. Due to its medical importance and the expanding global distribution of these ants, fire ant venom research remains an active and highly productive area, leading to the discovery of new components and functions. This review summarizes the recent advances in our understanding of fire ant venom chemistry and its functions within fire ant colonies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Chen
- Biological Control of Pests Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhao QY, Chen X, Wang RZ, Chen YM, Zang LS. Comparative Analysis of the Venom Proteins from Two Eupelmid Egg Parasitoids Anastatus japonicus and Mesocomys trabalae. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:biology12050700. [PMID: 37237513 DOI: 10.3390/biology12050700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic wasps are abundant and diverse Hymenoptera insects that lay their eggs inside or on the external surface of the host and inject venom into the host to create a more favorable environment for the larvae to survive and regulate the host's immunity, metabolism, and development. But research on the composition of egg parasitoid venom is very limited. In this study, we used a combination of transcriptomic and proteomic approaches to identify the protein fractions of the venom in both eupelmid egg parasitoids, Anastatus japonicus and Mesocomys trabalae. We identified 3422 up-regulated venom gland genes (UVGs) in M. trabalae and 3709 in A. japonicus and analyzed their functions comparatively. By proteome sequencing, we identified 956 potential venom proteins in the venom pouch of M. trabalae, of which 186 were contained in UVGs simultaneously. A total of 766 proteins were detected in the venom of A. japonicus, of which 128 venom proteins were highly expressed in the venom glands. At the same time, the functional analysis of these identified venom proteins was carried out separately. We found the venom proteins in M. trabalae are well known but not in A. japonicus, which may be related to the host range. In conclusion, identifying venom proteins in both egg parasitoid species provides a database for studying the function of egg parasitoid venom and its parasitic mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Yu Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xu Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Run-Zhi Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yong-Ming Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Lian-Sheng Zang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Borovsky D, Kim Y, Hoffmann KH. Editorial: The Role of Peptide Hormones in Insect Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology Processes. Front Physiol 2021; 12:644907. [PMID: 33603680 PMCID: PMC7884758 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.644907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dov Borovsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Aurora, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Yonggyun Kim
- Andong National University Andong, Andong, South Korea
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang C, Jin F, De Mandal S, Zeng L, Zhang Y, Hua Y, Hong Y, Zhao C, Li J, Li D, Xu X. Insights into the venom protein components of the egg parasitoid Anastatus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae). Pest Manag Sci 2020; 76:2113-2126. [PMID: 31951096 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parasitoid venom is composed of a complex mixture of various active substances with different biological functions and is injected in the host during the parasitoid oviposition. Anastatus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) is an egg parasite of Tessaratoma papillosa (Hemiptera: Tessaratomidae). Although the venom of this egg parasitoid plays an important role in the parasitic process, relatively little work has been done to address the mechanism. RESULTS In the present study, proteomic analysis was performed to identify the proteins that play an important role in the parasitic process of A. japonicus. A total of 2084 proteins were identified, including 81 putative venom proteins, most of which were identified as Hexamerin, Chitinase 2, Calreticulin, Heat shock protein 83-like, Serine protease, Arginine kinase, Phosphoserine aminotransferase and Actin protein. Together the before (Be) and after (Af) parasitization venom contains 1628 proteins, including 212 DEPs with 181 and 31 significantly up-regulated and down-regulated respectively. In addition, 10 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) with fold change ≥8.71 were subjected to RT-qPCR to validate the proteomic data. The differential expression analysis revealed that nine proteins were specifically present in the pre-parasitic venom, whereas 26 proteins were specific to the post-parasitic treatments. Results of RT-qPCR analysis showed high expression of the selected DEPs which further validated our proteomics data. CONCLUSION These new proteomic data greatly enrich our current knowledge about key venom proteins associated with parasitic process in A. japonicus and contribute to better understanding of the parasitic mechanisms leading to the development of new biological control strategies. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chengxing Wang
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Creation and Application of Guangdong Province, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Plant Protection Research Institute, , Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of High Technology for Plant Protection, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Fengliang Jin
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Creation and Application of Guangdong Province, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Surajit De Mandal
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Creation and Application of Guangdong Province, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu Zeng
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Creation and Application of Guangdong Province, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Zhang
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Creation and Application of Guangdong Province, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanyan Hua
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Creation and Application of Guangdong Province, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingying Hong
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Creation and Application of Guangdong Province, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Can Zhao
- Plant Protection Research Institute, , Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of High Technology for Plant Protection, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Junzhai Li
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Creation and Application of Guangdong Province, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Plant Protection Research Institute, , Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of High Technology for Plant Protection, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Dunsong Li
- Plant Protection Research Institute, , Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of High Technology for Plant Protection, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xiaoxia Xu
- Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Creation and Application of Guangdong Province, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bocian A, Ciszkowicz E, Hus KK, Buczkowicz J, Lecka-Szlachta K, Pietrowska M, Petrilla V, Petrillova M, Legáth Ľ, Legáth J. Antimicrobial Activity of Protein Fraction from Naja ashei Venom Against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Molecules 2020; 25:E293. [PMID: 31936872 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the key problems of modern infectious disease medicine is the growing number of drug-resistant and multi-drug-resistant bacterial strains. For this reason, many studies are devoted to the search for highly active antimicrobial substances that could be used in therapy against bacterial infections. As it turns out, snake venoms are a rich source of proteins that exert a strong antibacterial effect, and therefore they have become an interesting research material. We analyzed Naja ashei venom for such antibacterial properties, and we found that a specific composition of proteins can act to eliminate individual bacterial cells, as well as the entire biofilm of Staphylococcus epidermidis. In general, we used ion exchange chromatography (IEX) to obtain 10 protein fractions with different levels of complexity, which were then tested against certified and clinical strains of S. epidermidis. One of the fractions (F2) showed exceptional antimicrobial effects both alone and in combination with antibiotics. The protein composition of the obtained fractions was determined using mass spectrometry techniques, indicating a high proportion of phospholipases A2, three-finger toxins, and L-amino acids oxidases in F2 fraction, which are most likely responsible for the unique properties of this fraction. Moreover, we were able to identify a new group of low abundant proteins containing the Ig-like domain that have not been previously described in snake venoms.
Collapse
|
7
|
Yang L, Wang B, Qiu L, Wan B, Yang Y, Liu M, Wang F, Fang Q, Stanley DW, Ye G. Functional Characterization of a Venom Protein Calreticulin in the Ectoparasitoid Pachycrepoideus vindemiae. Insects 2019; 11:E29. [PMID: 31906042 PMCID: PMC7023170 DOI: 10.3390/insects11010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Venom proteins act in the immunological interactions between parasitoids and their host insects. The effect of venom proteins on host immunity is not fully understood in pupal parasitoids. We identified the functions of a venom protein, calreticulin (PvCRT), in the pupal ectoparasitoid Pachycrepoideus vindemiae. Here, we report that PvCRT features a signal peptide and two conserved "calreticulin" domains. Multiple sequence alignments show that PvCRT shares 83.54% amino acid identity with CRT from both Pteromalus puparum and Nasonia vitripennis, which infers a close relationship among these three species. Using qPCR analysis, we found a lower expression level of PvCRT (0.27-fold) in the venom apparatus compared to the corresponding carcass. Immunohistochemical localization revealed that PvCRT was ubiquitously expressed in venom gland. The expression of the PvCRT gene in Drosophila transgenic lines via the UAS/Gal4 binary expression system reduced the self-encapsulation phenotype of tu(1)Sz1 mutants. Additionally, studies on humoral immunity indicate that PvCRT does not affect the antimicrobial immune responses of the host. This work on an ectoparasitoid will increase our understanding of venom-mediated host-parasitoid interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.Y.); (B.W.); (L.Q.); (B.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (Q.F.)
| | - Beibei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.Y.); (B.W.); (L.Q.); (B.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (Q.F.)
| | - Liming Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.Y.); (B.W.); (L.Q.); (B.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (Q.F.)
| | - Bin Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.Y.); (B.W.); (L.Q.); (B.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (Q.F.)
| | - Yi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.Y.); (B.W.); (L.Q.); (B.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (Q.F.)
| | - Mingming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.Y.); (B.W.); (L.Q.); (B.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (Q.F.)
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.Y.); (B.W.); (L.Q.); (B.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (Q.F.)
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.Y.); (B.W.); (L.Q.); (B.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (Q.F.)
| | - David W. Stanley
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, Columbia, MO 65203, USA;
| | - Gongyin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (L.Y.); (B.W.); (L.Q.); (B.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (F.W.); (Q.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lee CH, Leu SJ, Lee YC, Liu CI, Lin LT, Mwale PF, Chiang JR, Tsai BY, Chen CC, Hung CS, Yang YY. Characterization of Chicken-Derived Single Chain Antibody Fragments against Venom of Naja Naja Atra. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:E383. [PMID: 30248928 PMCID: PMC6215181 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10100383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 09/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional, horse-derived antivenin is currently the most efficient treatment against snake bites. However, it is costly and has unpredictable side effects. Thus, alternative, cost-effective strategies for producing antivenin are needed. In this study, we immunized hens with inactivated NNA venom proteins from the cobra Naja naja atra (NNA). Purified yolk IgY antibodies showed specific anti-NNA binding activity comparable to that of the equine-derived antivenin. We used phage display technology to generate two antibody libraries containing 9.0 × 10⁸ and 8.4 × 10⁸ clones with a short or long linker, respectively. The phage ELISA indicated that anti-NNA clones displaying single-chain variable fragments (scFv) were significantly enriched after biopanning. The nucleotide sequences of the light and heavy chain genes of 30 monoclonal scFv antibodies were determined and classified into six groups with the short linker and nine groups with the long linker. These scFv clones specifically bound to NNA proteins but not to venom proteins from other snakes. Their binding affinities were further determined by competitive ELISA. Animal model studies showed that anti-NNA IgY antibodies exhibited complete protective effects, while a combination of scFv antibodies raised the survival rates and times of mice challenged with lethal doses of NNA venom proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Hsin Lee
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Sy-Jye Leu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Ching Lee
- The Center of Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-I Liu
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Liang-Tzung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Pharaoh Fellow Mwale
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Jen-Ron Chiang
- Center for Research, Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei 11561, Taiwan.
| | - Bor-Yu Tsai
- Navi Bio-Therapeutics Inc., Taipei 10351, Taiwan.
| | - Chi-Ching Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Landseed Hospital, Taoyuan 32449, Taiwan.
| | - Ching-Sheng Hung
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11696, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Yuan Yang
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
- Core Laboratory of Antibody Generation and Research, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Das T, Alabi I, Colley M, Yan F, Griffith W, Bach S, Weintraub ST, Renthal R. Major venom proteins of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta: insights into possible pheromone-binding function from mass spectrometric analysis. Insect Mol Biol 2018; 27:505-511. [PMID: 29656567 PMCID: PMC6188847 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Proteins in the venom of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta have been suggested to function in pheromone binding. Venom from queens and workers contains different isoforms of these proteins, consistent with the differing pheromones they secrete, but questions remain about the venom protein composition and glandular source. We found that the queen venom contains a previously uncharacterized pheromone-binding protein paralogue known as Sol i 2X1. Using imaging mass spectrometry, we located the main venom proteins in the poison sac, implying that pheromones might have to compete with venom alkaloids for binding. Using the known structure of the worker venom protein Sol i 2w, we generated three-dimensional homology models of the worker venom protein Sol i 4.02, and of the two main venom proteins in queens and female alates, Sol i 2q and Sol i 2X1. Surprisingly, the models show that the proteins have relatively small internal hydrophobic binding pockets that are blocked by about 10 amino acids of the C-terminal region. For these proteins to function as carriers of hydrophobic ligands, a conformational change would be required to displace the C-terminal region, somewhat like the mechanism known to occur in the silk moth pheromone-binding protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Das
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - I Alabi
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - M Colley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - F Yan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - W Griffith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - S Bach
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - S T Weintraub
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - R Renthal
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Teng ZW, Xiong SJ, Xu G, Gan SY, Chen X, Stanley D, Yan ZC, Ye GY, Fang Q. Protein Discovery: Combined Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses of Venom from the Endoparasitoid Cotesia chilonis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:E135. [PMID: 28417942 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9040135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many species of endoparasitoid wasps provide biological control services in agroecosystems. Although there is a great deal of information on the ecology and physiology of host/parasitoid interactions, relatively little is known about the protein composition of venom and how specific venom proteins influence physiological systems within host insects. This is a crucial gap in our knowledge because venom proteins act in modulating host physiology in ways that favor parasitoid development. Here, we identified 37 possible venom proteins from the polydnavirus-carrying endoparasitoid Cotesia chilonis by combining transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. The most abundant proteins were hydrolases, such as proteases, peptidases, esterases, glycosyl hydrolase, and endonucleases. Some components are classical parasitoid venom proteins with known functions, including extracellular superoxide dismutase 3, serine protease inhibitor and calreticulin. The venom contains novel proteins, not recorded from any other parasitoid species, including tolloid-like proteins, chitooligosaccharidolytic β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, FK506-binding protein 14, corticotropin-releasing factor-binding protein and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. These new data generate hypotheses and provide a platform for functional analysis of venom components.
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhu Y, Ye XH, Liu Y, Yan ZC, Stanley D, Ye GY, Fang Q. A Venom Gland Extracellular Chitin-Binding-Like Protein from Pupal Endoparasitoid Wasps, Pteromalus Puparum, Selectively Binds Chitin. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:5098-113. [PMID: 26633500 PMCID: PMC4690117 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7124867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chitin-binding proteins (CBPs) are present in many species and they act in a variety of biological processes. We analyzed a Pteromalus puparum venom apparatus proteome and transcriptome and identified a partial gene encoding a possible CBP. Here, we report cloning a full-length cDNA of a sequence encoding a chitin-binding-like protein (PpCBP) from P. puparum, a pupal endoparasitoid of Pieris rapae. The cDNA encoded a 96-amino-acid protein, including a secretory signal peptide and a chitin-binding peritrophin-A domain. Phylogenetic analysis of chitin binding domains (CBDs) of cuticle proteins and peritrophic matrix proteins in selected insects revealed that the CBD of PpCBP clustered with the CBD of Nasonia vitripennis. The PpCBP is specifically expressed in the venom apparatus of P. puparum, mostly in the venom gland. PpCBP expression was highest at day one after adult eclosion and much lower for the following five days. We produced a recombinant PpCBP and binding assays showed the recombinant protein selectively binds chitin but not cellulose in vitro. We infer that PpCBP serves a structural role in the venom reservoir, or may be injected into the host to help wound healing of the host exoskeleton.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Xin-Hai Ye
- The College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Zhi-Chao Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - David Stanley
- Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, USDA/Agricultural Research Service, Columbia, MO 65203, USA.
| | - Gong-Yin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Alam MJ, Ashraf KUM. Prediction of an Epitope-based Computational Vaccine Strategy for Gaining Concurrent Immunization Against the Venom Proteins of Australian Box Jellyfish. Toxicol Int 2014; 20:235-53. [PMID: 24403734 PMCID: PMC3877492 DOI: 10.4103/0971-6580.121677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Australian Box Jellyfish (C. fleckeri) has the most rapid acting venom known to in the arena of toxicological research and is capable enough of killing a person in less than 5 minutes inflicting painful, debilitating and potentially life-threatening stings in humans. It has been understood that C. fleckeri venom proteins CfTX-1, 2 and HSP70-1 contain cardiotoxic, neurotoxic and highly dermatonecrotic components that can cause itchy bumpy rash and cardiac arrest. Subjects and Methods: As there is no effective drug available, novel approaches regarding epitope prediction for vaccine development were performed in this study. Peptide fragments as nonamers of these antigenic venom proteins were analyzed by using computational tools that would elicit humoral and cell mediated immunity, were focused for attempting vaccine design. By ranking the peptides according to their proteasomal cleavage sites, TAP scores and IC50<250 nM, the predictions were scrutinized. Furthermore, the epitope sequences were examined by in silico docking simulation with different specific HLA receptors. Results: Interestingly, to our knowledge, this is the maiden hypothetical immunization that predicts the promiscuous epitopes with potential contributions to the tailored design of improved safe and effective vaccines against antigenic venom proteins of C. fleckeri which would be effective especially for the Australian population. Conclusion: Although the computational approaches executed here are based on concrete confidence which demands more validation and in vivo experiments to validate such in silico approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Md Jibran Alam
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | | |
Collapse
|