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Chow CM, Persad AH, Karnik R. Effect of Membrane Permeance and System Parameters on the Removal of Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins in Hemodialysis. Ann Biomed Eng 2024; 52:526-541. [PMID: 37993752 PMCID: PMC10859350 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-023-03397-6] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Inadequate clearance of protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) during dialysis is associated with morbidities in chronic kidney disease patients. The development of high-permeance membranes made from materials such as graphene raises the question whether they could enable the design of dialyzers with improved PBUT clearance. Here, we develop device-level and multi-compartment (body) system-level models that account for PBUT-albumin binding (specifically indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate) and diffusive and convective transport of toxins to investigate how the overall membrane permeance (or area) and system parameters including flow rates and ultrafiltration affect PBUT clearance in hemodialysis. Our simulation results indicate that, in contrast to urea clearance, PBUT clearance in current dialyzers is mass-transfer limited: Assuming that the membrane resistance is dominant, raising PBUT permeance from 3 × 10-6 to 10-5 m s-1 (or equivalently, 3.3 × increase in membrane area from ~ 2 to ~ 6 m2) increases PBUT removal by 48% (from 22 to 33%, i.e., ~ 0.15 to ~ 0.22 g per session), whereas increasing dialysate flow rates or adding adsorptive species have no substantial impact on PBUT removal unless permeance is above ~ 10-5 m s-1. Our results guide the future development of membranes, dialyzers, and operational parameters that could enhance PBUT clearance and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Man Chow
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 25 Ames St, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Aaron H Persad
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Rohit Karnik
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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2
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Tolar M, Hey JA, Power A, Abushakra S. The Single Toxin Origin of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders Enables Targeted Approach to Treatment and Prevention. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2727. [PMID: 38473975 PMCID: PMC10932387 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052727] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
New data suggest that the aggregation of misfolded native proteins initiates and drives the pathogenic cascade that leads to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other age-related neurodegenerative disorders. We propose a unifying single toxin theory of brain neurodegeneration that identifies new targets and approaches to the development of disease-modifying treatments. An extensive body of genetic evidence suggests soluble aggregates of beta-amyloid (Aβ) as the primary neurotoxin in the pathogenesis of AD. New insights from fluid biomarkers, imaging, and clinical studies provide further evidence for the decisive impact of toxic Aβ species in the initiation and progression of AD. Understanding the distinct roles of soluble and insoluble amyloid aggregates on AD pathogenesis has been the key missing piece of the Alzheimer's puzzle. Data from clinical trials with anti-amyloid agents and recent advances in the diagnosis of AD demonstrate that the driving insult in biologically defined AD is the neurotoxicity of soluble Aβ aggregates, called oligomers and protofibrils, rather than the relatively inert insoluble mature fibrils and amyloid plaques. Amyloid oligomers appear to be the primary factor causing the synaptic impairment, neuronal stress, spreading of tau pathology, and eventual cell death that lead to the clinical syndrome of AD dementia. All other biochemical effects and neurodegenerative changes in the brain that are observed in AD are a response to or a downstream effect of this initial toxic insult by oligomers. Other neurodegenerative disorders follow a similar pattern of pathogenesis, in which normal brain proteins with important biological functions become trapped in the aging brain due to impaired clearance and then misfold and aggregate into neurotoxic species that exhibit prion-like behavior. These aggregates then spread through the brain and cause disease-specific neurodegeneration. Targeting the inhibition of this initial step in neurodegeneration by blocking the misfolding and aggregation of healthy proteins has the potential to slow or arrest disease progression, and if treatment is administered early in the course of AD and other neurodegenerative disorders, it may delay or prevent the onset of clinical symptoms.
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Ardissone S, Greub G. The Chlamydia-related Waddlia chondrophila encodes functional type II toxin-antitoxin systems. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0068123. [PMID: 38214519 PMCID: PMC10880633 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00681-23] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are widespread in chromosomes and plasmids of free-living microorganisms, but only a few have been identified in obligate intracellular species. We found seven putative type II TA modules in Waddlia chondrophila, a Chlamydia-related species that is able to infect a very broad series of eukaryotic hosts, ranging from protists to mammalian cells. The RNA levels of Waddlia TA systems are significantly upregulated by iron starvation and novobiocin, but they are not affected by antibiotics such as β-lactams and glycopeptides, which suggests different mechanisms underlying stress responses. Five of the identified TA modules, including HigBA1 and MazEF1, encoded on the Waddlia cryptic plasmid, proved to be functional when expressed in a heterologous host. TA systems have been associated with the maintenance of mobile genetic elements, bacterial defense against bacteriophages, and persistence upon exposure to adverse conditions. As their RNA levels are upregulated upon exposure to adverse conditions, Waddlia TA modules may be involved in survival to stress. Moreover, as Waddlia can infect a wide range of hosts including free-living amoebae, TA modules could also represent an innate immunity system to fight against bacteriophages and other microorganisms with which Waddlia has to share its replicative niche.IMPORTANCEThe response to adverse conditions, such as exposure to antibiotics, nutrient starvation and competition with other microorganisms, is essential for the survival of a bacterial population. TA systems are modules composed of two elements, a toxic protein and an antitoxin (protein or RNA) that counteracts the toxin. Although many aspects of TA biological functions still await to be elucidated, TAs have often been implicated in bacterial response to stress, including the response to nutrient starvation, antibiotic treatment and bacteriophage infection. TAs are ubiquitous in free-living bacteria but rare in obligate intracellular species such as chlamydiae. We identified functional TA systems in Waddlia chondrophila, a chlamydial species with a strikingly broad host range compared to other chlamydiae. Our work contributes to understand how obligate intracellular bacteria react to adverse conditions that might arise from competition with other viruses/bacteria for the same replicative niche and would threaten their ability to replicate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Ardissone
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Sherik M, Eves R, Guo S, Lloyd CJ, Klose KE, Davies PL. Sugar-binding and split domain combinations in repeats-in-toxin adhesins from Vibrio cholerae and Aeromonas veronii mediate cell-surface recognition and hemolytic activities. mBio 2024; 15:e0229123. [PMID: 38171003 PMCID: PMC10865825 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02291-23] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Many pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria use repeats-in-toxin adhesins for colonization and biofilm formation. In the cholera agent Vibrio cholerae, flagellar-regulated hemagglutinin A (FrhA) enables these functions. Using bioinformatic analysis, a sugar-binding domain was identified in FrhA adjacent to a domain of unknown function. AlphaFold2 indicated the boundaries of both domains to be slightly shorter than previously predicted and assisted in the recognition of the unknown domain as a split immunoglobulin-like fold that can assist in projecting the sugar-binding domain toward its target. The AlphaFold2-predicted structure is in excellent agreement with the molecular envelope obtained from small-angle X-ray scattering analysis of a recombinant construct spanning the sugar-binding and unknown domains. This two-domain construct was probed by glycan micro-array screening and showed binding to mammalian fucosylated glycans, some of which are characteristic erythrocyte markers and intestinal cell epitopes. Isothermal titration calorimetry further showed the construct-bound l-fucose with a Kd of 21 µM. Strikingly, this recombinant protein construct bound and lysed erythrocytes in a concentration-dependent manner, and its hemolytic activity was blocked by the addition of l-fucose. A protein ortholog construct from Aeromonas veronii was also produced and showed a similar glycan-binding pattern, binding affinity, erythrocyte-binding, and hemolytic activities. As demonstrated here with Hep-2 cells, fucose-based inhibitors of this sugar-binding domain can potentially be developed to block colonization by V. cholerae and other pathogenic bacteria that share this adhesin domain.IMPORTANCEThe bacterium, Vibrio cholerae, which causes cholera, uses an adhesion protein to stick to human cells and begin the infection process. One part of this adhesin protein binds to a particular sugar, fucose, on the surface of the target cells. This binding can lead to colonization and killing of the cells by the bacteria. Adding l-fucose to the bacteria before they bind to the human cells can prevent attachment and has promise as a preventative drug to protect against cholera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Sherik
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert Eves
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shuaiqi Guo
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cameron J. Lloyd
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Karl E. Klose
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Peter L. Davies
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Bonabal S, Darfeuille F. Preventing toxicity in toxin-antitoxin systems: An overview of regulatory mechanisms. Biochimie 2024; 217:95-105. [PMID: 37473832 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Toxin-antitoxin systems (TAs) are generally two-component genetic modules present in almost every prokaryotic genome. The production of the free and active toxin is able to disrupt key cellular processes leading to the growth inhibition or death of its host organism in absence of its cognate antitoxin. The functions attributed to TAs rely on this lethal phenotype ranging from mobile genetic elements stabilization to phage defense. Their abundance in prokaryotic genomes as well as their lethal potential make them attractive targets for new antibacterial strategies. The hijacking of TAs requires a deep understanding of their regulation to be able to design such approach. In this review, we summarize the accumulated knowledge on how bacteria cope with these toxic genes in their genome. The characterized TAs can be grouped based on the way they prevent toxicity. Some systems rely on a tight control of the expression to prevent the production of the toxin while others control the activity of the toxin at the post-translational level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Bonabal
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, ARNA Laboratory, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Fabien Darfeuille
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, ARNA Laboratory, F-33000, Bordeaux, France.
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Li S, Sharaf MG, Zhang L, Wishart DS, Tonelli M, Unsworth LD. Adsorption Dynamics of Uremic Toxins to Novel Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles. Macromol Biosci 2024; 24:e2300133. [PMID: 37728207 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300133] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Kidney dysfunction leads to the retention of metabolites in the blood compartment, some of which reach toxic levels. Uremic toxins are associated with the progression of kidney disease and other symptoms of kidney failure (i.e., nausea, itchiness, and hypertension). Toxin removal ameliorates symptoms and reduces further organ damage, but membrane-based methods are inadequate for this purpose. Engineered adsorbents may facilitate enhanced removal of retained toxins, especially those bound strongly by proteins. Poly 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine-co-β-cyclodextrin (p(MPC-co-PMβCD)) coated magnetic nanoparticles are synthesized, characterized for their physicochemical properties (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermogravimetric analysis(TGA), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and transmission electron microscope (TEM), and evaluated toxin adsorption from a complex solution for the first time to quantify the effects of film chemistry and incubation time on the adsorbed toxinome (the collection of toxins). Uremic toxins are bound by even "low-fouling" polymer films themselves; providing further insight into how small molecule interactions with "low-fouling" films may affect protein-surface interactions. These results suggest a dynamic interaction between toxins and surfaces that is not driven by solution concentration alone. This knowledge will help advance the design of novel adsorbent films for clearing uremic toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhui Li
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Mehdi Ghaffari Sharaf
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Lun Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E8, Canada
| | - David S Wishart
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E8, Canada
- Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Marcello Tonelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Larry D Unsworth
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada
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Zhang Y, Fan Y, Dai Y, Jia Q, Guo Y, Wang P, Shen T, Wang Y, Liu F, Guo W, Wu A, Jiao Z, Wang C. Crude Lipopeptides Produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Could Control the Growth of Alternaria alternata and Production of Alternaria Toxins in Processing Tomato. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:65. [PMID: 38393143 PMCID: PMC10892701 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020065] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternaria spp. and its toxins are the main contaminants in processing tomato. Based on our earlier research, the current study looked into the anti-fungal capacity of crude lipopeptides from B. amyloliquefaciens XJ-BV2007 against A. alternata. We found that the crude lipopeptides significantly inhibited A. alternata growth and reduced tomato black spot disease incidence. SEM analysis found that the crude lipopeptides could change the morphology of mycelium and spores of A. alternata. Four main Alternaria toxins were detected using UPLC-MS/MS, and the findings demonstrated that the crude lipopeptides could lessen the accumulation of Alternaria toxins in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, under the stress of crude lipopeptides, the expression of critical biosynthetic genes responsible for TeA, AOH, and AME was substantially down-regulated. The inhibitory mechanism of the crude lipopeptides was demonstrated to be the disruption of the mycelial structure of A. alternata, as well as the integrity and permeability of the membrane of A. alternata sporocytes. Taken together, crude lipopeptides extracted from B. amyloliquefaciens XJ-BV2007 are an effective biological agent for controlling tomato black spot disease and Alternaria toxins contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Zhang
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Yili Normal University, Yining 835000, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.G.)
- Institute of Quality Standards & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Functional Nutrition and Health of Characteristic Agricultural Products in Desert Oasis Ecological Region (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Urumqi), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety of Xinjiang, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.F.); (Y.D.); (Q.J.); (Y.W.); (F.L.); (W.G.)
| | - Yingying Fan
- Institute of Quality Standards & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Functional Nutrition and Health of Characteristic Agricultural Products in Desert Oasis Ecological Region (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Urumqi), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety of Xinjiang, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.F.); (Y.D.); (Q.J.); (Y.W.); (F.L.); (W.G.)
| | - Yingying Dai
- Institute of Quality Standards & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Functional Nutrition and Health of Characteristic Agricultural Products in Desert Oasis Ecological Region (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Urumqi), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety of Xinjiang, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.F.); (Y.D.); (Q.J.); (Y.W.); (F.L.); (W.G.)
- College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830049, China
| | - Qinlan Jia
- Institute of Quality Standards & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Functional Nutrition and Health of Characteristic Agricultural Products in Desert Oasis Ecological Region (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Urumqi), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety of Xinjiang, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.F.); (Y.D.); (Q.J.); (Y.W.); (F.L.); (W.G.)
| | - Ying Guo
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Yili Normal University, Yining 835000, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.G.)
| | - Peicheng Wang
- College of Food Science and Pharmacy, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (P.W.); (T.S.)
| | - Tingting Shen
- College of Food Science and Pharmacy, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (P.W.); (T.S.)
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute of Quality Standards & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Functional Nutrition and Health of Characteristic Agricultural Products in Desert Oasis Ecological Region (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Urumqi), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety of Xinjiang, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.F.); (Y.D.); (Q.J.); (Y.W.); (F.L.); (W.G.)
| | - Fengjuan Liu
- Institute of Quality Standards & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Functional Nutrition and Health of Characteristic Agricultural Products in Desert Oasis Ecological Region (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Urumqi), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety of Xinjiang, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.F.); (Y.D.); (Q.J.); (Y.W.); (F.L.); (W.G.)
| | - Wanhui Guo
- Institute of Quality Standards & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Functional Nutrition and Health of Characteristic Agricultural Products in Desert Oasis Ecological Region (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Urumqi), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety of Xinjiang, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.F.); (Y.D.); (Q.J.); (Y.W.); (F.L.); (W.G.)
| | - Aibo Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food Safety, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China;
| | - Ziwei Jiao
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Yili Normal University, Yining 835000, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.G.)
| | - Cheng Wang
- Institute of Quality Standards & Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Functional Nutrition and Health of Characteristic Agricultural Products in Desert Oasis Ecological Region (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products (Urumqi), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety of Xinjiang, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.F.); (Y.D.); (Q.J.); (Y.W.); (F.L.); (W.G.)
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Cané L, Saffioti NA, Genetet S, Daza Millone MA, Ostuni MA, Schwarzbaum PJ, Mouro-Chanteloup I, Herlax V. Alpha hemolysin of E. coli induces hemolysis of human erythrocytes independently of toxin interaction with membrane proteins. Biochimie 2024; 216:3-13. [PMID: 37820991 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.10.008] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Alpha hemolysin (HlyA) is a hemolytic and cytotoxic protein secreted by uropathogenic strains of E. coli. The role of glycophorins (GPs) as putative receptors for HlyA binding to red blood cells (RBCs) has been debated. Experiments using anti-GPA/GPB antibodies and a GPA-specific epitope nanobody to block HlyA-GP binding on hRBCs, showed no effect on hemolytic activity. Similarly, the hemolysis induced by HlyA remained unaffected when hRBCs from a GPAnull/GPBnull variant were used. Surface Plasmon Resonance experiments revealed similar values of the dissociation constant between GPA and either HlyA, ProHlyA (inactive protoxin), HlyAΔ914-936 (mutant of HlyA lacking the binding domain to GPA) or human serum albumin, indicating that the binding between the proteins and GPA is not specific. Although far Western blot followed by mass spectroscopy analyses suggested that HlyA interacts with Band 3 and spectrins, hemolytic experiments on spectrin-depleted hRBCs and spherocytes, indicated these proteins do not mediate the hemolytic process. Our results unequivocally demonstrate that neither glycophorins, nor Band 3 and spectrins mediate the cytotoxic activity of HlyA on hRBCs, thereby challenging the HlyA-receptor hypothesis. This finding holds significant relevance for the design of anti-toxin therapeutic strategies, particularly in light of the growing antibiotic resistance exhibited by bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Cané
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), CCT- La Plata, CONICET. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina
| | - Nicolás Andrés Saffioti
- Instituto de Química y Fisico-Química Biológicas (IQUIFIB) "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini", Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Nanosistemas, Universidad de General San Martín, Avenida 25 de Mayo 1021, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sandrine Genetet
- Université Paris Cité and Université des Antilles, INSERM, BIGR, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - María Antonieta Daza Millone
- Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA), CCT- La Plata, CONICET. Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Sucursal 4 Casilla de Correo 16, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Mariano A Ostuni
- Université Paris Cité and Université des Antilles, INSERM, BIGR, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Pablo J Schwarzbaum
- Instituto de Química y Fisico-Química Biológicas (IQUIFIB) "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini", Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Vanesa Herlax
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), CCT- La Plata, CONICET. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina.
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Wang W, Xu KW, Wang M, Wu P, Zhang ZR, Gao X, Li YQ, Wu GX, Zhang CS, Zhao DL. Phytotoxic and Antimicrobial Terrein Derivatives and Butenolides Isolated from the Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus terreus HT5. J Agric Food Chem 2023; 71:20713-20723. [PMID: 38095326 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c05955] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Two new terrein derivatives, aspergilethers A and B (1 and 2), two known analogues (3 and 4), and three known butenolides (5-7) were isolated from the endophyte Aspergillus terreus HT5. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and ECD and NMR calculations. Interestingly, 1 and 2 had unpresented medium aliphatic side chains in terrein derivatives, with different absolute configurations at C-7, which was very scarce. (+)-Terrein (3) exhibited potent postemergence phytotoxicity toward Amaranthaceae, Portulacaceae, and Fabaceae, with MIC values of 250-1000 μg/mL. Transcriptome analysis and qRT-PCR suggested that (+)-terrein induced the transcriptional expression of aging-related genes to accelerate organ senescence and stimulated plant detoxification response. The conjugated system between keto carbonyl and double bonds in the cyclopentenone ring and side chain, and the configurations of C-2 and C-3, played critical roles in the phytotoxicity of terrein derivatives. Meanwhile, 3 was first reported to display moderate antioomycetes activity toward Phytophthora nicotiana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
- Citrus Research Institute of Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Taizhou 318026, China
| | - Kang-Wen Xu
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Mei Wang
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Peng Wu
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Zi-Ru Zhang
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Xi Gao
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Yi-Qiang Li
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Guo-Xing Wu
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Cheng-Sheng Zhang
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Dong-Lin Zhao
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
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10
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Garrett SR, Mietrach N, Deme J, Bitzer A, Yang Y, Ulhuq FR, Kretschmer D, Heilbronner S, Smith TK, Lea SM, Palmer T. A type VII-secreted lipase toxin with reverse domain arrangement. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8438. [PMID: 38114483 PMCID: PMC10730906 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44221-y] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The type VII protein secretion system (T7SS) is found in many Gram-positive bacteria and in pathogenic mycobacteria. All T7SS substrate proteins described to date share a common helical domain architecture at the N-terminus that typically interacts with other helical partner proteins, forming a composite signal sequence for targeting to the T7SS. The C-terminal domains are functionally diverse and in Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus often specify toxic anti-bacterial activity. Here we describe the first example of a class of T7 substrate, TslA, that has a reverse domain organisation. TslA is widely found across Bacillota including Staphylococcus, Enterococcus and Listeria. We show that the S. aureus TslA N-terminal domain is a phospholipase A with anti-staphylococcal activity that is neutralised by the immunity lipoprotein TilA. Two small helical partner proteins, TlaA1 and TlaA2 are essential for T7-dependent secretion of TslA and at least one of these interacts with the TslA C-terminal domain to form a helical stack. Cryo-EM analysis of purified TslA complexes indicate that they share structural similarity with canonical T7 substrates. Our findings suggest that the T7SS has the capacity to recognise a secretion signal present at either end of a substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Garrett
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Nicole Mietrach
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Justin Deme
- Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Alina Bitzer
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yaping Yang
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Fatima R Ulhuq
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Dorothee Kretschmer
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simon Heilbronner
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Terry K Smith
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Susan M Lea
- Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Tracy Palmer
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
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11
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Ilmain JK, Perelman SS, Panepinto MC, Irnov I, Coudray N, Samhadaneh N, Pironti A, Ueberheide B, Ekiert DC, Bhabha G, Torres VJ. Unlatching of the stem domains in the Staphylococcus aureus pore-forming leukocidin LukAB influences toxin oligomerization. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105321. [PMID: 37802313 PMCID: PMC10665946 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105321] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a serious global pathogen that causes a diverse range of invasive diseases. S. aureus utilizes a family of pore-forming toxins, known as bi-component leukocidins, to evade the host immune response and promote infection. Among these is LukAB (leukocidin A/leukocidin B), a toxin that assembles into an octameric β-barrel pore in the target cell membrane, resulting in host cell death. The established cellular receptor for LukAB is CD11b of the Mac-1 complex. Here, we show that hydrogen voltage-gated channel 1 is also required for the cytotoxicity of all major LukAB variants. We demonstrate that while each receptor is sufficient to recruit LukAB to the plasma membrane, both receptors are required for maximal lytic activity. Why LukAB requires two receptors, and how each of these receptors contributes to pore-formation remains unknown. To begin to resolve this, we performed an alanine scanning mutagenesis screen to identify mutations that allow LukAB to maintain cytotoxicity without CD11b. We discovered 30 mutations primarily localized in the stem domains of LukA and LukB that enable LukAB to exhibit full cytotoxicity in the absence of CD11b. Using crosslinking, electron microscopy, and hydroxyl radical protein footprinting, we show these mutations increase the solvent accessibility of the stem domain, priming LukAB for oligomerization. Together, our data support a model in which CD11b binding unlatches the membrane penetrating stem domains of LukAB, and this change in flexibility promotes toxin oligomerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana K Ilmain
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sofya S Perelman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maria C Panepinto
- Proteomics Laboratory, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Irnov Irnov
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nicolas Coudray
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nora Samhadaneh
- Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alejandro Pironti
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Beatrix Ueberheide
- Proteomics Laboratory, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Neurology, Center for Cognitive Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Damian C Ekiert
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gira Bhabha
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Victor J Torres
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
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12
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Pereañez JA, Preciado LM, Rey-Suárez P. Knowledge about Snake Venoms and Toxins from Colombia: A Systematic Review. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:658. [PMID: 37999521 PMCID: PMC10675826 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110658] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Colombia encompasses three mountain ranges that divide the country into five natural regions: Andes, Pacific, Caribbean, Amazon, and Orinoquia. These regions offer an impressive range of climates, altitudes, and landscapes, which lead to a high snake biodiversity. Of the almost 300 snake species reported in Colombia, nearly 50 are categorized as venomous. This high diversity of species contrasts with the small number of studies to characterize their venom compositions and natural history in the different ecoregions. This work reviews the available information about the venom composition, isolated toxins, and potential applications of snake species found in Colombia. Data compilation was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, and the systematic literature search was carried out in Pubmed/MEDLINE. Venom proteomes from nine Viperidae and three Elapidae species have been described using quantitative analytical strategies. In addition, venoms of three Colubridae species have been studied. Bioactivities reported for some of the venoms or isolated components-such as antibacterial, cytotoxicity on tumoral cell lines, and antiplasmodial properties-may be of interest to develop potential applications. Overall, this review indicates that, despite recent progress in the characterization of venoms from several Colombian snakes, it is necessary to perform further studies on the many species whose venoms remain essentially unexplored, especially those of the poorly known genus Micrurus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Andrés Pereañez
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia; (L.M.P.); (P.R.-S.)
- Research Group in Pharmaceutical Promotion and Prevention, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - Lina María Preciado
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia; (L.M.P.); (P.R.-S.)
| | - Paola Rey-Suárez
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia; (L.M.P.); (P.R.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación en Recursos Naturales y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago 8320000, Chile
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13
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Bartoli J, Tempier AC, Guzzi NL, Piras CM, Cascales E, Viala JPM. Characterization of a (p)ppApp Synthetase Belonging to a New Family of Polymorphic Toxin Associated with Temperate Phages. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168282. [PMID: 37730083 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168282] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Polymorphic toxins (PTs) are a broad family of toxins involved in interbacterial competition and pathogenesis. PTs are modular proteins that are comprised of a conserved N-terminal domain responsible for its transport, and a variable C-terminal domain bearing toxic activity. Although the mode of transport has yet to be elucidated, a new family of putative PTs containing an N-terminal MuF domain, resembling the Mu coliphage F protein, was identified in prophage genetic elements. The C-terminal toxin domains of these MuF PTs are predicted to bear nuclease, metallopeptidase, ADP-ribosyl transferase and RelA_SpoT activities. In this study, we characterized the MuF-RelA_SpoT toxin associated with the temperate phage of Streptococcus pneumoniae SPNA45. We show that the RelA_SpoT domain has (p)ppApp synthetase activity, which is bactericidal under our experimental conditions. We further determine that the two genes located downstream encode two immunity proteins, one binding to and inactivating the toxin and the other detoxifying the cell via a pppApp hydrolase activity. Finally, based on protein sequence alignments, we propose a signature for (p)ppApp synthetases that distinguishes them from (p)ppGpp synthetases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Bartoli
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (UMR 7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Univ., CNRS - 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier CS70071, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
| | - Audrey C Tempier
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (UMR 7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Univ., CNRS - 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier CS70071, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
| | - Noa L Guzzi
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (UMR 7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Univ., CNRS - 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier CS70071, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France. https://twitter.com/NoaGzzi
| | - Chloé M Piras
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (UMR 7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Univ., CNRS - 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier CS70071, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
| | - Eric Cascales
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (UMR 7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Univ., CNRS - 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier CS70071, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France. https://twitter.com/CascalesLab
| | - Julie P M Viala
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (UMR 7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Univ., CNRS - 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier CS70071, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France.
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14
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Yang Y, Boardman E, Deme J, Alcock F, Lea S, Palmer T. Three small partner proteins facilitate the type VII-dependent secretion of an antibacterial nuclease. mBio 2023; 14:e0210023. [PMID: 37815362 PMCID: PMC10653861 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02100-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic human pathogen associated with severe infections and antimicrobial resistance. S. aureus strains utilize a type VII secretion system to secrete toxins targeting competitor bacteria, likely facilitating colonization. EsaD is a nuclease toxin secreted by the type VII secretion system in many strains of S. aureus as well as other related bacterial species. Here, we identify three small proteins of previously unknown function as export factors, required for efficient secretion of EsaD. We show that these proteins bind to the transport domain of EsaD, forming a complex with a striking cane-like conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Yang
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Boardman
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Justin Deme
- Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Felicity Alcock
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Lea
- Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Tracy Palmer
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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15
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Tust M, Müller JP, Fischer D, Gründemann D. SLC22A11 Inserts the Uremic Toxins Indoxyl Sulfate and P-Cresol Sulfate into the Plasma Membrane. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15187. [PMID: 37894870 PMCID: PMC10607486 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015187] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health concern affecting millions worldwide. One of the critical challenges in CKD is the accumulation of uremic toxins such as p-cresol sulfate (pCS) and indoxyl sulfate (IS), which contribute to systemic damage and CKD progression. Understanding the transport mechanisms of these prominent toxins is essential for developing effective treatments. Here, we investigated whether pCS and IS are routed to the plasma membrane or to the cytosol by two key transporters, SLC22A11 and OAT1. To distinguish between cytosolic transport and plasma membrane insertion, we used a hyperosmolarity assay in which the accumulation of substrates into HEK-293 cells in isotonic and hypertonic buffers was measured in parallel using LC-MS/MS. Judging from the efficiency of transport (TE), pCS is a relevant substrate of SLC22A11 at 7.8 ± 1.4 µL min-1 mg protein-1 but not as good as estrone-3-sulfate; OAT1 translocates pCS less efficiently. The TE of SLC22A11 for IS was similar to pCS. For OAT1, however, IS is an excellent substrate. With OAT1 and p-aminohippuric acid, our study revealed an influence of transporter abundance on the outcomes of the hyperosmolarity assay; very high transport activity confounded results. SLC22A11 was found to insert both pCS and IS into the plasma membrane, whereas OAT1 conveys these toxins to the cytosol. These disparate transport mechanisms bear profound ramifications for toxicity. Membrane insertion might promote membrane damage and microvesicle release. Our results underscore the imperative for detailed structural inquiries into the translocation of small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dirk Gründemann
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Gleueler Straße 24, 50931 Cologne, Germany (J.P.M.); (D.F.)
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16
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Smith CF, Nikolakis ZL, Perry BW, Schield DR, Meik JM, Saviola AJ, Castoe TA, Parker J, Mackessy SP. The best of both worlds? Rattlesnake hybrid zones generate complex combinations of divergent venom phenotypes that retain high toxicity. Biochimie 2023; 213:176-189. [PMID: 37451532 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.07.008] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Studying the consequences of hybridization between closely related species with divergent traits can reveal patterns of evolution that shape and maintain extreme trophic adaptations. Snake venoms are an excellent model system for examining the evolutionary and ecological patterns that underlie highly selected polymorphic traits. Here we investigate hybrid venom phenotypes that result from natural introgression between two rattlesnake species that express highly divergent venom phenotypes: Crotalus o. concolor and C. v. viridis. Though not yet documented, interbreeding between these species may lead to novel venom phenotypes with unique activities that break the typical trends of venom composition in rattlesnakes. The characteristics of these unusual phenotypes could unveil the roles of introgression in maintaining patterns of venom composition and variation, including the near ubiquitous dichotomy between neurotoxic or degradative venoms observed across rattlesnakes. We use RADseq data to infer patterns of gene flow and hybrid ancestry between these diverged lineages and link these genetic data with analyses of venom composition, biological activity, and whole animal model toxicity tests to understand the impacts of introgression on venom composition. We find that introgressed populations express admixed venom phenotypes that do not sacrifice biological activity (lethal toxicity) or overall abundance of dominant toxins compared to parental venoms. These hybridized venoms therefore do not represent a trade-off in functionality between the typical phenotypic extremes but instead represent a unique combination of characters whose expression appears limited to the hybrid zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara F Smith
- School of Biological Sciences, 501 20th Street, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, 80639, USA
| | - Zachary L Nikolakis
- Department of Biology, 501 S. Nedderman Drive, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Blair W Perry
- Department of Biology, 501 S. Nedderman Drive, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Drew R Schield
- Department of Biology, 501 S. Nedderman Drive, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Jesse M Meik
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tarleton State University, 1333 W. Washington Street, Stephenville, TX, 76402, USA
| | - Anthony J Saviola
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, 12801 East 17th Avenue, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Todd A Castoe
- Department of Biology, 501 S. Nedderman Drive, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Joshua Parker
- Fresno City College, 1101 E. University Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93741, USA
| | - Stephen P Mackessy
- School of Biological Sciences, 501 20th Street, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, 80639, USA.
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17
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Faria J, Ahmed S, Stamatialis D, Verhaar MC, Masereeuw R, Gerritsen KGF, Mihăilă SM. Bioengineered Kidney Tubules Efficiently Clear Uremic Toxins in Experimental Dialysis Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12435. [PMID: 37569805 PMCID: PMC10419568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512435] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) suffer from high levels of protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) that contribute to various comorbidities. Conventional dialysis methods are ineffective in removing these PBUTs. A potential solution could be offered by a bioartificial kidney (BAK) composed of porous membranes covered by proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) that actively secrete PBUTs. However, BAK development is currently being hampered by a lack of knowledge regarding the cytocompatibility of the dialysis fluid (DF) that comes in contact with the PTECs. Here, we conducted a comprehensive functional assessment of the DF on human conditionally immortalized PTECs (ciPTECs) cultured as monolayers in well plates, on Transwell® inserts, or on hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) that form functional units of a BAK. We evaluated cell viability markers, monolayer integrity, and PBUT clearance. Our results show that exposure to DF did not affect ciPTECs' viability, membrane integrity, or function. Seven anionic PBUTs were efficiently cleared from the perfusion fluid containing a PBUTs cocktail or uremic plasma, an effect which was enhanced in the presence of albumin. Overall, our findings support that the DF is cytocompatible and does not compromise ciPTECs function, paving the way for further advancements in BAK development and its potential clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Faria
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (J.F.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
| | - Sabbir Ahmed
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (J.F.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
| | - Dimitrios Stamatialis
- Advanced Organ Bioengineering and Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands;
| | - Marianne C. Verhaar
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.C.V.); (K.G.F.G.)
| | - Rosalinde Masereeuw
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (J.F.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
| | - Karin G. F. Gerritsen
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.C.V.); (K.G.F.G.)
| | - Silvia M. Mihăilă
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (J.F.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
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18
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Troian EA, Maldonado HM, Chauhan U, Barth VC, Woychik NA. Mycobacterium abscessus VapC5 toxin potentiates evasion of antibiotic killing by ribosome overproduction and activation of multiple resistance pathways. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3705. [PMID: 37349306 PMCID: PMC10287673 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38844-4] [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: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab) infections are inexplicably intractable to clearing after aggressive and lengthy treatment regimens. Here we discovered that acquisition of a single toxin-antitoxin system enables Mab to activate a phenotypic switch that enhances survival upon treatment with current first-line antibiotics. This switch is tripped when the VapC5 toxin inactivates tRNASerCGA by cleavage at only one site within its anticodon, leading to growth arrest. Concomitant tRNASerCGA depletion then reprograms the transcriptome to favor synthesis of proteins naturally low in the cognate Ser UCG codon including the transcription factor WhiB7 and members of its regulon as well as the ribosomal protein family. This programmed stockpiling of ribosomes is predicted to override the efficacy of ribosome-targeting antibiotics while the growth arrest phenotype attenuates antibiotics targeting cell wall synthesis. In agreement, VapC5 increases Mab persister formation upon exposure to amikacin and the next-generation oxazolidinone tedizolid (both target ribosomes) or cefoxitin (inhibits cell wall synthesis). These findings expand the repertoire of genetic adaptations harnessed by Mab to survive assaults intended to eradicate it, as well as provide a much-needed framework for selection of shorter and more efficacious alternate treatment options for Mab infections using currently available antimicrobials whose targets are not confounded by VapC5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo A Troian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Heather M Maldonado
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Unnati Chauhan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Valdir C Barth
- Immunotherapy Laboratory, Basic Health Sciences Department, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), R. Sarmento Leite, 245 - Centro Histórico, Porto Alegre, 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Nancy A Woychik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
- Member, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
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19
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Heptinstall TC, Strickland JL, Rosales-Garcia RA, Rautsaw RM, Simpson CL, Nystrom GS, Ellsworth SA, Hogan MP, Borja M, Fernandes Campos P, Grazziotin FG, Rokyta DR, Junqueira-de-Azevedo ILM, Parkinson CL. Venom phenotype conservation suggests integrated specialization in a lizard-eating snake. Toxicon 2023; 229:107135. [PMID: 37146732 PMCID: PMC11000244 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107135] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Biological specialization reduces the size of niche space while increasing efficiency in the use of available resources. Specialization often leads to phenotypic changes via natural selection aligning with niche space constraints. Commonly observed changes are in size, shape, behavior, and traits associated with feeding. One often selected trait for dietary specialization is venom, which, in snakes, often shows variation dependent on diet across and within species. The Neotropical Blunt-headed Treesnake (Imantodes cenchoa) is a highly specialized, rear-fanged, arboreal, lizard hunter that displays a long thin body, enlarged eyes, and a large Duvernoy's gland. However, toxin characterization of I. cenchoa has never been completed. Here, we use RNA-seq and mass spectrometry to assemble, annotate, and analyze the venom gland transcriptomes of four I. cenchoa from across their range. We find a lack of significant venom variation at the sequence and expression levels, suggesting venom conservation across the species. We propose this conservation provides evidence of a specialized venom repertoire, adapted to maximize efficiency of capturing and processing lizards. Importantly, this study provides the most complete venom gland transcriptomes of I. cenchoa and evidence of venom specialization in a rear-fanged snake, giving insight into selective pressures of venom across all snake species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason L Strickland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA; Department of Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, 36688, USA
| | | | - Rhett M Rautsaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA; School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA; Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Cassandra L Simpson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Gunnar S Nystrom
- 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
| | - Michael P Hogan
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Miguel Borja
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universdad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Av. Universidad s/n. Fracc. Filadelfia, C.P. 35070, Gómez Palacio, Dgo., Mexico
| | | | - Felipe G Grazziotin
- Laboratório Especial de Colecões Zoológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | | | - Christopher L Parkinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA; Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA.
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20
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Cooper CR, Lewis AM, Notey JS, Mukherjee A, Willard DJ, Blum PH, Kelly RM. Interplay between transcriptional regulators and VapBC toxin-antitoxin loci during thermal stress response in extremely thermoacidophilic archaea. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:1200-1215. [PMID: 36752722 PMCID: PMC10580297 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16350] [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: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Thermoacidophilic archaea lack sigma factors and the large inventory of heat shock proteins (HSPs) widespread in bacterial genomes, suggesting other strategies for handling thermal stress are involved. Heat shock transcriptomes for the thermoacidophilic archaeon Saccharolobus (f. Sulfolobus) solfataricus 98/2 revealed genes that were highly responsive to thermal stress, including transcriptional regulators YtrASs (Ssol_2420) and FadRSs (Ssol_0314), as well as type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) loci VapBC6 (Ssol_2337, Ssol_2338) and VapBC22 (Ssol_0819, Ssol_0818). The role, if any, of type II TA loci during stress response in microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli, is controversial. But, when genes encoding YtrASs , FadRSs , VapC22, VapB6, and VapC6 were systematically mutated in Sa. solfataricus 98/2, significant up-regulation of the other genes within this set was observed, implicating an interconnected regulatory network during thermal stress response. VapBC6 and VapBC22 have close homologues in other Sulfolobales, as well as in other archaea (e.g. Pyrococcus furiosus and Archaeoglobus fulgidus), and their corresponding genes were also heat shock responsive. The interplay between VapBC TA loci and heat shock regulators in Sa solfataricus 98/2 not only indicates a cellular mechanism for heat shock response that differs from bacteria but one that could have common features within the thermophilic archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte R. Cooper
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905
| | - April M. Lewis
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905
| | - Jaspreet S. Notey
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905
| | - Arpan Mukherjee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905
| | - Daniel J. Willard
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905
| | - Paul H. Blum
- Beadle Center for Genetics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0666
| | - Robert M. Kelly
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905
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21
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GC B, Zhou P, Wu C. HicA Toxin-Based Counterselection Marker for Allelic Exchange Mutations in Fusobacterium nucleatum. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0009123. [PMID: 37039662 PMCID: PMC10132090 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00091-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of fusobacterial virulence factors has dramatically benefited from the creation of various genetic tools for DNA manipulation, including galK-based counterselection for in-frame deletion mutagenesis in Fusobacterium nucleatum, which was recently developed. However, this method requires a host lacking the galK gene, which is an inherent limitation. To circumvent this limitation, we explored the possibility of using the hicA gene that encodes a toxin consisting of a HicAB toxin-antitoxin module in Fusobacterium periodonticum as a new counterselective marker. Interestingly, the full-length hicA gene is not toxic in F. nucleatum, but a truncated hicA gene version lacking the first six amino acids is functional as a toxin. The toxin expression is driven by an rpsJ promoter and is controlled at its translational level by using a theophylline-responsive riboswitch unit. As a proof of concept, we created markerless in-frame deletions in the fusobacterial adhesin radD gene within the F. nucleatum rad operon and the tnaA gene that encodes the tryptophanase for indole production. After vector integration, plasmid excision after counterselection appeared to have occurred in 100% of colonies grown on theophylline-added plates and resulted in in-frame deletions in 50% of the screened isolates. This hicA-based counterselection system provides a robust and reliable counterselection in wild-type background F. nucleatum and should also be adapted for use in other bacteria. IMPORTANCE Fusobacterium nucleatum is an indole-producing human oral anaerobe associated with periodontal diseases, preterm birth, and several cancers. Little is known about the mechanisms of fusobacterial pathogenesis and associated factors, mainly due to the lack of robust genetic tools for this organism. Here, we showed that a mutated hicA gene from Fusobacterium periodonticum expresses an active toxin and was used as a counterselection marker. This hicA-based in-frame deletion system efficiently creates in-frame deletion mutations in the wild-type background of F. nucleatum. This is the first report to use the hicA gene as a counterselection marker in a bacterial genetic study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibek GC
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Peng Zhou
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Chenggang Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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22
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Kreitz J, Friedrich MJ, Guru A, Lash B, Saito M, Macrae RK, Zhang F. Programmable protein delivery with a bacterial contractile injection system. Nature 2023; 616:357-364. [PMID: 36991127 PMCID: PMC10097599 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05870-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [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: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Endosymbiotic bacteria have evolved intricate delivery systems that enable these organisms to interface with host biology. One example, the extracellular contractile injection systems (eCISs), are syringe-like macromolecular complexes that inject protein payloads into eukaryotic cells by driving a spike through the cellular membrane. Recently, eCISs have been found to target mouse cells1-3, raising the possibility that these systems could be harnessed for therapeutic protein delivery. However, whether eCISs can function in human cells remains unknown, and the mechanism by which these systems recognize target cells is poorly understood. Here we show that target selection by the Photorhabdus virulence cassette (PVC)-an eCIS from the entomopathogenic bacterium Photorhabdus asymbiotica-is mediated by specific recognition of a target receptor by a distal binding element of the PVC tail fibre. Furthermore, using in silico structure-guided engineering of the tail fibre, we show that PVCs can be reprogrammed to target organisms not natively targeted by these systems-including human cells and mice-with efficiencies approaching 100%. Finally, we show that PVCs can load diverse protein payloads, including Cas9, base editors and toxins, and can functionally deliver them into human cells. Our results demonstrate that PVCs are programmable protein delivery devices with possible applications in gene therapy, cancer therapy and biocontrol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kreitz
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mirco J Friedrich
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Akash Guru
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Blake Lash
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Makoto Saito
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rhiannon K Macrae
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Feng Zhang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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23
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Klompen AML, Travert MK, Cartwright P. Localization of Multiple Jellyfish Toxins Shows Specificity for Functionally Distinct Polyps and Nematocyst Types in a Colonial Hydrozoan. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:149. [PMID: 36828463 PMCID: PMC9959030 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15020149] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus is a colonial hydrozoan that displays a division of labor through morphologically distinct and functionally specialized polyp types. As with all cnidarians, their venoms are housed in nematocysts, which are scattered across an individual. Here, we investigate the spatial distribution of a specific protein family, jellyfish toxins, in which multiple paralogs are differentially expressed across the functionally specialized polyps. Jellyfish toxins (JFTs) are known pore-forming toxins in the venoms of medically relevant species such as box jellyfish (class Cubozoa), but their role in other medusozoan venoms is less clear. Utilizing a publicly available single-cell dataset, we confirmed that four distinct H. symbiolongicarpus JFT paralogs are expressed in nematocyst-associated clusters, supporting these as true venom components in H. symbiolongicarpus. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used to localize the expression of these JFTs across the colony. These expression patterns, in conjunction with known nematocyst type distributions, suggest that two of these JFTs, HsymJFT1c-I and HsymJFT1c-II, are localized to specific types of nematocysts. We further interpret JFT expression patterns in the context of known regions of nematogenesis and differential rates of nematocyst turnover. Overall, we show that JFT expression patterns in H. symbiolongicarpus are consistent with the subfunctionalization of JFT paralogs across a partitioned venom system within the colony, such that each JFT is expressed within a specific set of functionally distinct polyp types and, in some cases, specific nematocyst types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. L. Klompen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | | | - Paulyn Cartwright
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
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24
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Kalita B, Utkin YN, Mukherjee AK. Current Insights in the Mechanisms of Cobra Venom Cytotoxins and Their Complexes in Inducing Toxicity: Implications in Antivenom Therapy. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120839. [PMID: 36548736 PMCID: PMC9780984 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120839] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxins (CTXs), an essential class of the non-enzymatic three-finger toxin family, are ubiquitously present in cobra venoms. These low-molecular-mass toxins, contributing to about 40 to 60% of the cobra venom proteome, play a significant role in cobra venom-induced toxicity, more prominently in dermonecrosis. Structurally, CTXs contain the conserved three-finger hydrophobic loops; however, they also exhibit a certain degree of structural diversity that dictates their biological activities. In their mechanism, CTXs mediate toxicity by affecting cell membrane structures and membrane-bound proteins and activating apoptotic and necrotic cell death pathways. Notably, some CTXs are also responsible for depolarizing neurons and heart muscle membranes, thereby contributing to the cardiac failure frequently observed in cobra-envenomed victims. Consequently, they are also known as cardiotoxins (CdTx). Studies have shown that cobra venom CTXs form cognate complexes with other components that potentiate the toxic effects of the venom's individual component. This review focuses on the pharmacological mechanism of cobra venom CTXs and their complexes, highlighting their significance in cobra venom-induced pathophysiology and toxicity. Furthermore, the potency of commercial antivenoms in reversing the adverse effects of cobra venom CTXs and their complexes in envenomed victims has also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhargab Kalita
- Amrita School of Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi 682041, India
| | - Yuri N. Utkin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Ashis K. Mukherjee
- Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati 781035, India
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur 784028, India
- Correspondence:
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25
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da Hora GCA, Nguyen JDM, Swanson JMJ. Can membrane composition traffic toxins? Mycolactone and preferential membrane interactions. Biophys J 2022; 121:4260-4270. [PMID: 36258678 PMCID: PMC9703097 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycolactone is a cytotoxic and immunosuppressive macrolide produced by Mycobacterium ulcerans and the sole causative agent of the neglected tropical skin disease Buruli ulcer. The toxin acts by invading host cells and interacting with intracellular targets to disrupt multiple fundamental cellular processes. Mycolactone's amphiphilic nature enables strong interactions with lipophilic environments, including cellular membranes; however, the specificity of these interactions and the role of membranes in the toxin's pathogenicity remain unknown. It is likely that preferential interactions with lipophilic carriers play a key role in the toxin's distribution in the host, which, if understood, could provide insights to aid in the development of needed diagnostics for Buruli ulcer disease. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations were combined with enhanced free-energy sampling to characterize mycolactone's association with and permeation through models of the mammalian endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and plasma membranes (PMs). We find that increased order in the PMs not only leads to a different permeation mechanism compared with that in the ER membrane but also an energetic driving force for ER localization. Increased hydration, membrane deformation, and preferential interactions with unsaturated lipid tails stabilize the toxin in the ER membrane, while disruption of lipid packing is a destabilizing force in the PMs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John D M Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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26
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Schwarzenberger A. Negative Effects of Cyanotoxins and Adaptative Responses of Daphnia. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14110770. [PMID: 36356020 PMCID: PMC9694520 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14110770] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The plethora of cyanobacterial toxins are an enormous threat to whole ecosystems and humans. Due to eutrophication and increases in lake temperatures from global warming, changes in the distribution of cyanobacterial toxins and selection of few highly toxic species/ strains are likely. Globally, one of the most important grazers that controls cyanobacterial blooms is Daphnia, a freshwater model organism in ecology and (eco)toxicology. Daphnia-cyanobacteria interactions have been studied extensively, often focusing on the interference of filamentous cyanobacteria with Daphnia's filtering apparatus, or on different nutritional constraints (the lack of essential amino acids or lipids) and grazer toxicity. For a long time, this toxicity only referred to microcystins. Currently, the focus shifts toward other deleterious cyanotoxins. Still, less than 10% of the total scientific output deals with cyanotoxins that are not microcystins; although these other cyanotoxins can occur just as frequently and at similar concentrations as microcystins in surface water. This review discusses the effects of different cyanobacterial toxins (hepatotoxins, digestive inhibitors, neurotoxins, and cytotoxins) on Daphnia and provides an elaborate and up-to-date overview of specific responses and adaptations of Daphnia. Furthermore, scenarios of what we can expect for the future of Daphnia-cyanobacteria interactions are described by comprising anthropogenic threats that might further increase toxin stress in Daphnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Schwarzenberger
- Limnological Institute, University Konstanz, Mainaustr. 252, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
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27
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Kalina RS, Kasheverov IE, Koshelev SG, Sintsova OV, Peigneur S, Pinheiro-Junior EL, Popov RS, Chausova VE, Monastyrnaya MM, Dmitrenok PS, Isaeva MP, Tytgat J, Kozlov SA, Kozlovskaya EP, Leychenko EV, Gladkikh IN. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Are Novel Targets of APETx-like Toxins from the Sea Anemone Heteractis magnifica. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14100697. [PMID: 36287966 PMCID: PMC9611977 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14100697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are prototypical ligand-gated ion channels, provide cholinergic signaling, and are modulated by various venom toxins and drugs in addition to neurotransmitters. Here, four APETx-like toxins, including two new toxins, named Hmg 1b-2 Metox and Hmg 1b-5, were isolated from the sea anemone Heteractis magnifica and characterized as novel nAChR ligands and acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) modulators. All peptides competed with radiolabeled α-bungarotoxin for binding to Torpedo californica muscle-type and human α7 nAChRs. Hmg 1b-2 potentiated acetylcholine-elicited current in human α7 receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Moreover, the multigene family coding APETx-like peptides library from H. magnifica was described and in silico surface electrostatic potentials of novel peptides were analyzed. To explain the 100% identity of some peptide isoforms between H. magnifica and H. crispa, 18S rRNA, COI, and ITS analysis were performed. It has been shown that the sea anemones previously identified by morphology as H. crispa belong to the species H. magnifica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimma S. Kalina
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Igor E. Kasheverov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey G. Koshelev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Oksana V. Sintsova
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, Campus Gasthuisberg, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Roman S. Popov
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Victoria E. Chausova
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Margarita M. Monastyrnaya
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Pavel S. Dmitrenok
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Marina P. Isaeva
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, Campus Gasthuisberg, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sergey A. Kozlov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Emma P. Kozlovskaya
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Elena V. Leychenko
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
- Correspondence: (I.N.G.); (E.V.L.)
| | - Irina N. Gladkikh
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690022 Vladivostok, Russia
- Correspondence: (I.N.G.); (E.V.L.)
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28
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Liu J, Bai H, Song P, Nangong Z, Dong Z, Li Z, Wang Q. Insecticidal Activity of Chitinases from Xenorhabdus nematophila HB310 and Its Relationship with the Toxin Complex. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14090646. [PMID: 36136584 PMCID: PMC9505380 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14090646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Xenorhabdus nematophila HB310 secreted the insecticidal protein toxin complex (Tc). The chi60 and chi70 chitinase genes are located on the gene cluster encoding Tc toxins. To clarify the insecticidal activity of chitinases and their relationship with Tc toxins, the insecticidal activity of the chitinases was assessed on Helicoverpa armigera. Then, the chi60 and chi70 genes of X. nematophila HB310 were knocked out by the pJQ200SK suicide plasmid knockout system. The insecticidal activity of Tc toxin from the wild-type strain (WT) and mutant strains was carried out. The results demonstrate that Chi60 and Chi70 had an obvious growth inhibition effect against the second instar larvae of H. armigera with growth-inhibiting rates of 81.99% and 90.51%, respectively. Chi70 had a synergistic effect with the insecticidal toxicity of Tc toxins, but Chi60 had no synergistic effect with Tc toxins. After feeding Chi60 and Chi70, the peritrophic membrane of H. armigera became inelastic, was easily broken and leaked blue dextran. The Δchi60, Δchi70 and Δchi60-chi70 mutant strains were successfully screened. The toxicity of Tc toxins from the WT, Δchi60, Δchi70 and Δchi60-chi70 was 196.11 μg/mL, 757.25 μg/mL, 885.74 μg/mL and 20,049.83 μg/mL, respectively. The insecticidal activity of Tc toxins from Δchi60 and Δchi70 was 3.861 and 4.517 times lower than that of Tc toxins from the WT, respectively, while the insecticidal activity of Tc toxins from the Δchi60-chi70 mutant strain almost disappeared. These results indicate that the presence of chi60 and chi70 is indispensable for the toxicity of Tc toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Liu
- Institute of Millet Crops, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, National Foxtail Millet Improvement Center, Minor Cereal Crops Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050035, China
| | - Hui Bai
- Institute of Millet Crops, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, National Foxtail Millet Improvement Center, Minor Cereal Crops Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050035, China
| | - Ping Song
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Ziyan Nangong
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Zhiping Dong
- Institute of Millet Crops, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, National Foxtail Millet Improvement Center, Minor Cereal Crops Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050035, China
| | - Zhiyong Li
- Institute of Millet Crops, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, National Foxtail Millet Improvement Center, Minor Cereal Crops Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050035, China
- Correspondence: (Z.L.); (Q.W.)
| | - Qinying Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
- Correspondence: (Z.L.); (Q.W.)
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Masi M, Boari A, Sautua F, Carmona MA, Vurro M, Evidente A. Araufuranone: A New Phytotoxic Tetrasubstituted Dihydrofuro[3,2-b]furan-2(5 H)-One Isolated from Ascochyta araujiae. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091274. [PMID: 36139113 PMCID: PMC9496196 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Araujia hortorum is a perennial vining plant species native to South America. It was introduced into many countries for ornamental and medicinal purposes as well as for its edible fruits, but it has become highly invasive, generating severe environmental problems. Biological control using bioherbicides and natural compounds is an interesting control option. The pathogenic fungus Ascochyta araujiae, isolated from infected leaves of A. hortorum, could be considered as a potential biocontrol agent. Its ability to produce bioactive metabolites was studied. The organic extract of the fungal culture filtrates showed interesting phytotoxic activities consisting of clearly visible necrotic symptoms (0.5-1 cm in diameter) in the punctured leaves. Thus, it was purified; this afforded three main metabolites. These were chemically and biologically characterised: one proved to be a new pentasubstituted dihydrofuro[3,2-b]furan-2(5H)-one, named araufuranone (1). The others were the already known fungal metabolites neovasinin and 2,4-dihydroxy-6-hydoxymethylbenzaldehyde (2 and 3). The structure of araufuranone was determined using spectroscopic methods (essentially 1D and 2D 1H and 13C NMR and HR ESIMS spectra); its relative configuration was assigned by a NOESY spectrum. To the best of our knowledge, araufuranone is the first example of a naturally occurring compound showing that carbon skeleton. Assayed by a puncture, araufuranone proved to be weakly active on the leaves of Diplotaxis sp. and Sonchus sp.; the other two metabolites were even less toxic. Tested on cress, compounds 2 and 3 were able to partially inhibit rootlet elongation whereas araufuranone was almost inactive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Masi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Angela Boari
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, Via Amendola, 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Francisco Sautua
- Phytopathology, University of Buenos Aires, CABA Buenos Aires C1053, Argentina
| | | | - Maurizio Vurro
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, Via Amendola, 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Evidente
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Napoli, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-2539178
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Chandrasekara U, Harris RJ, Fry BG. The Target Selects the Toxin: Specific Amino Acids in Snake-Prey Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors That Are Selectively Bound by King Cobra Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14080528. [PMID: 36006190 PMCID: PMC9416539 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14080528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Snake venom is an adaptive ecological trait that has evolved primarily as a form of prey subjugation. Thus, the selection pressure for toxin diversification is exerted by the prey’s physiological targets, with this pressure being particularly acute for specialist feeders, such as the King Cobra species, all of which are snake-prey specialists. However, while extensive research has been undertaken to elucidate key amino acids that guide toxin structure–activity relationships, reciprocal investigations into the specific sites guiding prey-lineage selective effects have been lacking. This has largely been due to the lack of assay systems amenable to systematic amino acid replacements of targeted proteins in the prey’s physiological pathways. To fill this knowledge gap, we used a recently described approach based upon mimotope peptides corresponding to the orthosteric site of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha-1 subunits, a major binding site for snake venom neurotoxins that cause flaccid paralysis. We investigated the venoms of four different types of King Cobra (Cambodian, Javan, Malaysian, and Thai). This approach allowed for the determination of the key amino acid positions in King Cobra snake prey that are selectively bound by the toxins, whereby replacing these amino acids in the snake-prey orthosteric site with those from lizards or rats resulted in a significantly lower level of binding by the venoms, while conversely replacing the lizard or rat amino acids with those from the snake at that position increased the binding. By doing such, we identified three negatively charged amino acids in the snake orthosteric site that are strongly bound by the positively charged neurotoxic three-finger toxins found in King Cobra venom. This study, thus, sheds light on the selection pressures exerted by a specialist prey item for the evolution of lineage-selective toxins.
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Masereeuw R. The Dual Roles of Protein-Bound Solutes as Toxins and Signaling Molecules in Uremia. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14060402. [PMID: 35737063 PMCID: PMC9230939 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14060402] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In patients with severe kidney disease, renal clearance is compromised, resulting in the accumulation of a plethora of endogenous waste molecules that cannot be removed by current dialysis techniques, the most often applied treatment. These uremic retention solutes, also named uremic toxins, are a heterogeneous group of organic compounds of which many are too large to be filtered and/or are protein-bound. Their renal excretion depends largely on renal tubular secretion, by which the binding is shifted towards the free fraction that can be eliminated. To facilitate this process, kidney proximal tubule cells are equipped with a range of transport proteins that cooperate in cellular uptake and urinary excretion. In recent years, innovations in dialysis techniques to advance uremic toxin removal, as well as treatments with drugs and/or dietary supplements that limit uremic toxin production, have provided some clinical improvements or are still in progress. This review gives an overview of these developments. Furthermore, the role protein-bound uremic toxins play in inter-organ communication, in particular between the gut (the side where toxins are produced) and the kidney (the side of their removal), is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalinde Masereeuw
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Tasoulis T, Wang CR, Sumner J, Dunstan N, Pukala TL, Isbister GK. The Unusual Metalloprotease-Rich Venom Proteome of the Australian Elapid Snake Hoplocephalus stephensii. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14050314. [PMID: 35622563 PMCID: PMC9147224 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14050314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Australasian region is home to the most diverse elapid snake radiation on the planet (Hydrophiinae). Many of these snakes have evolved into unique ecomorphs compared to elapids on other continents; however, their venom compositions are poorly known. The Australian elapid Hoplocephalus stephensii (Stephen’s banded snake) is an arboreal snake with a unique morphology. Human envenoming results in venom-induced consumption coagulopathy, without neurotoxicity. Using transcriptomics and a multi-step fractionation method involving reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and bottom-up proteomics, we characterized the venom proteome of H. stephensii. 92% of the total protein component of the venom by weight was characterized, and included all dominant protein families and 4 secondary protein families. Eighteen toxins made up 76% of the venom, four previously characterized and 14 new toxins. The four dominant protein families made up 77% of the venom, including snake venom metalloprotease (SVMP; 36.7%; three identified toxins), phospholipase A2 (PLA2; 24.0%; five identified toxins), three-finger toxin (3FTx; 10.2%; two toxins) and snake venom serine protease (SVSP; 5.9%; one toxin; Hopsarin). Secondary protein families included L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO; 10.8%; one toxin), natriuretic peptide (NP; 0.8%; two toxins), cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRiSP; 1.7%; two toxins), c-type lectin (CTL; 1.1%; one toxin), and one minor protein family, nerve growth factor (NGF; 0.8%; one toxin). The venom composition of H. stephensii differs to other elapids, with a large proportion of SVMP and LAAO, and a relatively small amount of 3FTx. H. stephensii venom appeared to have less toxin diversity than other elapids, with only 18 toxins making up three-quarters of the venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theo Tasoulis
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group Newcastle, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia;
- Correspondence:
| | - C. Ruth Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; (C.R.W.); (T.L.P.)
| | - Joanna Sumner
- Genetic Resources, Museums Victoria, Carlton Gardens, Melbourne, VIC 5053, Australia;
| | | | - Tara L. Pukala
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; (C.R.W.); (T.L.P.)
| | - Geoffrey K. Isbister
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group Newcastle, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia;
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Liao Z, Tang X, Chen W, Jiang X, Chen Z, He K, Li Q, Duan Z, He X, Kamau PM, Lv L, Zhang Z, Rong M, Lv Q, Lai R. Shrew's venom quickly causes circulation disorder, analgesia and hypokinesia. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:35. [PMID: 34989866 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04116-x] [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: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Multiple representatives of eulipotyphlan mammals such as shrews have oral venom systems. Venom facilitates shrews to hunt and/or hoard preys. However, little is known about their venom composition, and especially the mechanism to hoard prey in comatose states for meeting their extremely high metabolic rates. A toxin (BQTX) was identified from venomous submaxillary glands of the shrew Blarinella quadraticauda. BQTX is specifically distributed and highly concentrated (~ 1% total protein) in the organs. BQTX shares structural and functional similarities to toxins from snakes, wasps and snails, suggesting an evolutional relevancy of venoms from mammalians and non-mammalians. By potentiating thrombin and factor-XIIa and inhibiting plasmin, BQTX induces acute hypertension, blood coagulation and hypokinesia. It also shows strong analgesic function by inhibiting elastase. Notably, the toxin keeps high plasma stability with a 16-h half-life in-vivo, which likely extends intoxication to paralyze or immobilize prey hoarded fresh for later consumption and maximize foraging profit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyi Liao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/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, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaopeng Tang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/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, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Wenlin Chen
- No.1 Department of Breast Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University & Yunnan Tumor Hospital, kunming, 650000, Yunnan, China
| | - Xuelong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhongzheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Kai He
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Quan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Zilei Duan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/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, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaoqin He
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/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, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Peter Muiruri Kamau
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/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, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204, Yunnan, China
| | - Longbao Lv
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/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, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhiye Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/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, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Mingqiang Rong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/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, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Qiumin Lv
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/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, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/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, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China.
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Belyy A, Merino F, Mechold U, Raunser S. Mechanism of actin-dependent activation of nucleotidyl cyclase toxins from bacterial human pathogens. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6628. [PMID: 34785651 PMCID: PMC8595890 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26889-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial human pathogens secrete initially inactive nucleotidyl cyclases that become potent enzymes by binding to actin inside eukaryotic host cells. The underlying molecular mechanism of this activation is, however, unclear. Here, we report structures of ExoY from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio vulnificus bound to their corresponding activators F-actin and profilin-G-actin. The structures reveal that in contrast to the apo-state, two flexible regions become ordered and interact strongly with actin. The specific stabilization of these regions results in an allosteric stabilization of the nucleotide binding pocket and thereby to an activation of the enzyme. Differences in the sequence and conformation of the actin-binding regions are responsible for the selective binding to either F- or G-actin. Other nucleotidyl cyclase toxins that bind to calmodulin rather than actin undergo a similar disordered-to-ordered transition during activation, suggesting that the allosteric activation-by-stabilization mechanism of ExoY is conserved in these enzymes, albeit the different activator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Belyy
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Str. 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Felipe Merino
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Str. 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Protein Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Max-Planck-Ring 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Undine Mechold
- Unité de Biochimie des Interactions Macromoléculaires, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3528, Paris, France
| | - Stefan Raunser
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Str. 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany.
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Dashevsky D, Rodriguez J. A Short Review of the Venoms and Toxins of Spider Wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13110744. [PMID: 34822528 PMCID: PMC8622703 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitoid wasps represent the plurality of venomous animals, but have received extremely little research in proportion to this taxonomic diversity. The lion’s share of investigation into insect venoms has focused on eusocial hymenopterans, but even this small sampling shows great promise for the development of new active substances. The family Pompilidae is known as the spider wasps because of their reproductive habits which include hunting for spiders, delivering a paralyzing sting, and entombing them in burrows with one of the wasp’s eggs to serve as food for the developing larva. The largest members of this family, especially the tarantula hawks of the genus Pepsis, have attained notoriety for their large size, dramatic coloration, long-term paralysis of their prey, and incredibly painful defensive stings. In this paper we review the existing research regarding the composition and function of pompilid venoms, discuss parallels from other venom literatures, identify possible avenues for the adaptation of pompilid toxins towards human purposes, and future directions of inquiry for the field.
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Fourdinier O, Glorieux G, Brigant B, Diouf M, Pletinck A, Vanholder R, Choukroun G, Verbeke F, Massy ZA, Metzinger-Le Meuth V, Metzinger L, Group-EUTox OBOTEUTW. Syndecan-1 and Free Indoxyl Sulfate Levels Are Associated with miR-126 in Chronic Kidney Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910549. [PMID: 34638892 PMCID: PMC8508835 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major cause of death worldwide and is associated with a high risk for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. In CKD, endothelial dysfunction occurs and uremic toxins accumulate in the blood. miR-126 is a regulator of endothelial dysfunction and its blood level is decreased in CKD patients. In order to obtain a better understanding of the physiopathology of the disease, we correlated the levels of miR-126 with several markers of endothelial dysfunction, as well as the representative uremic toxins, in a large cohort of CKD patients at all stages of the disease. Using a univariate analysis, we found a correlation between eGFR and most markers of endothelial dysfunction markers evaluated in this study. An association of miR-126 with all the evaluated uremic toxins was also found, while uremic toxins were not associated with the internal control, specifically cel-miR-39. The correlation between the expression of endothelial dysfunction biomarker Syndecan-1, free indoxyl sulfate, and total p-cresyl glucuronide on one side, and miR-126 on the other side was confirmed using multivariate analysis. As CKD is associated with reduced endothelial glycocalyx (eGC), our results justify further evaluation of the role of correlated parameters in the pathophysiology of CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ophélie Fourdinier
- Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation Department, Amiens University Hospital, 80054 Amiens, France; (O.F.); (G.C.)
| | - Griet Glorieux
- Nephrology Section, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (G.G.); (A.P.); (R.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Benjamin Brigant
- UPJV HEMATIM UR 4666, C.U.R.S, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, CEDEX 1, 80025 Amiens, France; (B.B.); (V.M.-L.M.)
| | - Momar Diouf
- Biostatistics Unit, Clinical Research and Innovation Department, Amiens-Picardie University Hospital, 80054 Amiens, France;
| | - Anneleen Pletinck
- Nephrology Section, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (G.G.); (A.P.); (R.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Raymond Vanholder
- Nephrology Section, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (G.G.); (A.P.); (R.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Gabriel Choukroun
- Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation Department, Amiens University Hospital, 80054 Amiens, France; (O.F.); (G.C.)
| | - Francis Verbeke
- Nephrology Section, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (G.G.); (A.P.); (R.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Ziad A. Massy
- Ambroise Paré Hospital, Division of Nephrology, APHP, Paris Ile de France Ouest (UVSQ) University, et INSERM 1018 Eq. 5, CESP, Boulogne Billancourt et Villejuif, 92100 Paris, France;
| | - Valérie Metzinger-Le Meuth
- UPJV HEMATIM UR 4666, C.U.R.S, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, CEDEX 1, 80025 Amiens, France; (B.B.); (V.M.-L.M.)
- INSERM UMRS 1148, Laboratory for Vascular Translational Science (LVTS), UFR SMBH, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, CEDEX, 93017 Bobigny, France
| | - Laurent Metzinger
- UPJV HEMATIM UR 4666, C.U.R.S, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, CEDEX 1, 80025 Amiens, France; (B.B.); (V.M.-L.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-322-82-5356
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Ahmad-Mansour N, Loubet P, Pouget C, Dunyach-Remy C, Sotto A, Lavigne JP, Molle V. Staphylococcus aureus Toxins: An Update on Their Pathogenic Properties and Potential Treatments. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:677. [PMID: 34678970 PMCID: PMC8540901 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13100677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a clinically important pathogen that causes a wide range of human infections, from minor skin infections to severe tissue infection and sepsis. S. aureus has a high level of antibiotic resistance and is a common cause of infections in hospitals and the community. The rising prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA), combined with the important severity of S. aureus infections in general, has resulted in the frequent use of anti-staphylococcal antibiotics, leading to increasing resistance rates. Antibiotic-resistant S. aureus continues to be a major health concern, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic strategies. S. aureus uses a wide range of virulence factors, such as toxins, to develop an infection in the host. Recently, anti-virulence treatments that directly or indirectly neutralize S. aureus toxins have showed promise. In this review, we provide an update on toxin pathogenic characteristics, as well as anti-toxin therapeutical strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Ahmad-Mansour
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions, CNRS UMR5235, Université de Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France;
| | - Paul Loubet
- Virulence Bactérienne et Infections Chroniques, INSERM U1047, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Université de Montpellier, 30908 Nîmes, France; (P.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Cassandra Pouget
- Virulence Bactérienne et Infections Chroniques, INSERM U1047, Université de Montpellier, 30908 Nîmes, France;
| | - Catherine Dunyach-Remy
- Virulence Bactérienne et Infections Chroniques, INSERM U1047, Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Université de Montpellier, 30908 Nîmes, France; (C.D.-R.); (J.-P.L.)
| | - Albert Sotto
- Virulence Bactérienne et Infections Chroniques, INSERM U1047, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Université de Montpellier, 30908 Nîmes, France; (P.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Jean-Philippe Lavigne
- Virulence Bactérienne et Infections Chroniques, INSERM U1047, Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Université de Montpellier, 30908 Nîmes, France; (C.D.-R.); (J.-P.L.)
| | - Virginie Molle
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions, CNRS UMR5235, Université de Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France;
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King J, Mihaila SM, Ahmed S, Truckenmüller R, Giselbrecht S, Masereeuw R, Carlier A. The Influence of OAT1 Density and Functionality on Indoxyl Sulfate Transport in the Human Proximal Tubule: An Integrated Computational and In Vitro Study. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13100674. [PMID: 34678967 PMCID: PMC8538816 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13100674] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Research has shown that traditional dialysis is an insufficient long-term therapy for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease due to the high retention of uremic toxins in the blood as a result of the absence of the active transport functionality of the proximal tubule (PT). The PT’s function is defined by the epithelial membrane transporters, which have an integral role in toxin clearance. However, the intricate PT transporter–toxin interactions are not fully explored, and it is challenging to decouple their effects in toxin removal in vitro. Computational models are necessary to unravel and quantify the toxin–transporter interactions and develop an alternative therapy to dialysis. This includes the bioartificial kidney, where the hollow dialysis fibers are covered with kidney epithelial cells. In this integrated experimental–computational study, we developed a PT computational model that focuses on indoxyl sulfate (IS) transport by organic anionic transporter 1 (OAT1), capturing the transporter density in detail along the basolateral cell membrane as well as the activity of the transporter and the inward boundary flux. The unknown parameter values of the OAT1 density (1.15×107 transporters µm−2), IS uptake (1.75×10−5 µM−1 s−1), and dissociation (4.18×10−4 s−1) were fitted and validated with experimental LC-MS/MS time-series data of the IS concentration. The computational model was expanded to incorporate albumin conformational changes present in uremic patients. The results suggest that IS removal in the physiological model was influenced mainly by transporter density and IS dissociation rate from OAT1 and not by the initial albumin concentration. While in uremic conditions considering albumin conformational changes, the rate-limiting factors were the transporter density and IS uptake rate, which were followed closely by the albumin-binding rate and IS dissociation rate. In summary, the results of this study provide an exciting avenue to help understand the toxin–transporter complexities in the PT and make better-informed decisions on bioartificial kidney designs and the underlining transporter-related issues in uremic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasia King
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.K.); (R.T.); (S.G.)
| | - Silvia M. Mihaila
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (S.M.M.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
| | - Sabbir Ahmed
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (S.M.M.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
| | - Roman Truckenmüller
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.K.); (R.T.); (S.G.)
| | - Stefan Giselbrecht
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.K.); (R.T.); (S.G.)
| | - Rosalinde Masereeuw
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (S.M.M.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
| | - Aurélie Carlier
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.K.); (R.T.); (S.G.)
- Correspondence:
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Khanh VC, Fukushige M, Chang YH, Hoang NN, Yamashita T, Obata-Yasuoka M, Hamada H, Osaka M, Hiramatsu Y, Ohneda O. Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Reduce SARS-CoV2-Induced Inflammatory Cytokines Under High Glucose and Uremic Toxin Conditions. Stem Cells Dev 2021; 30:758-772. [PMID: 34074129 PMCID: PMC8356045 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2021.0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokine storm is recognized as one of the factors contributing to organ failures and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Due to chronic inflammation, COVID-19 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) or renal disease (RD) have more severe symptoms and higher mortality. However, the factors that contribute to severe outcomes of COVID-19 patients with DM and RD have received little attention. In an effort to investigate potential treatments for COVID-19, recent research has focused on the immunomodulation functions of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study, the correlation between DM and RD and the severity of COVID-19 was examined by a combined approach with a meta-analysis and experimental research. The results of a systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that the odd of mortality in patients with both DM and RD was increased in comparison to those with a single comorbidity. In addition, in the experimental research, the data showed that high glucose and uremic toxins contributed to the induction of cytokine storm in human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (Calu-3 cells) in response to SARS-CoV Peptide Pools. Of note, the incorporation of Wharton's jelly MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (WJ-EVs) into SARS-CoV peptide-induced Calu-3 resulted in a significant decrease in nuclear NF-κB p65 and the downregulation of the cytokine storm under high concentrations of glucose and uremic toxins. This clearly suggests the potential for WJ-EVs to reduce cytokine storm reactions in patients with both chronic inflammation diseases and viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vuong Cat Khanh
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, Departments of University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Mizuho Fukushige
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, Departments of University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yun Hsuan Chang
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, Departments of University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ngo Nhat Hoang
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, Departments of University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Toshiharu Yamashita
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, Departments of University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Hiromi Hamada
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Motoo Osaka
- Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yuji Hiramatsu
- Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Osamu Ohneda
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, Departments of University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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Inoue T, Nakata R, Savitzky AH, Yoshinaga N, Mori A, Mori N. New Insights Into Dietary Toxin Metabolism: Diversity in the Ability of the Natricine Snake Rhabdophis tigrinus to Convert Toad-Derived Bufadienolides. J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:915-925. [PMID: 34258693 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01287-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Japanese natricine snake Rhabdophis tigrinus sequesters cardiotonic steroids, bufadienolides (BDs), from ingested toads in the nuchal glands as defensive toxins. A previous study showed that R. tigrinus in captivity converts dietary BDs when it sequesters them. However, it is unknown whether the dietary BDs are actually converted and the modified products accumulated under natural conditions. It is also unknown to what extent the BD profile of ingested toads is reflected in that of the snake. We collected 123 snakes from throughout Japan, analyzed their BD profiles by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, and identified 15 BDs from R. tigrinus by nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. We also compared their BD profiles using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). HCA exhibited two main clusters associated with their collection locations: eastern and western regions of the Japanese main islands. These results, coupled with previous findings on the BDs of Japanese toads, suggest that 1) R. tigrinus converts toad-derived BDs into other compounds under natural conditions; 2) there are both universal and regionally-specific conversions of dietary BDs by R. tigrinus; and 3) geographic variation in toad BD profiles is partially reflected in the variation of snake BD profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takato Inoue
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Ryu Nakata
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kyoto University of Advanced Science, 1-1 Nanjo Otani, Sogabe, Kameoka, Kyoto, 621-8555, Japan
| | - Alan H Savitzky
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322-5305, USA
| | - Naoko Yoshinaga
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Akira Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Naoki Mori
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
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Chang JF, Hsieh CY, Liou JC, Lu KC, Zheng CM, Wu MS, Chang SW, Wang TM, Wu CC. Circulating p-Cresyl Sulfate, Non-Hepatic Alkaline Phosphatase and Risk of Bone Fracture Events in Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral Bone Disease. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13070479. [PMID: 34357951 PMCID: PMC8310177 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13070479] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially those undergoing hemodialysis, are at a considerably high risk of bone fracture events. Experimental data indicate that uremic toxins intricately involved in bone-related proteins exert multi-faced toxicity on bone cells and tissues, leading to chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). Nonetheless, information regarding the association between p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), non-hepatic alkaline phosphatase (NHALP) and skeletal events remains elusive. We aim to explore the association between PCS, NHALP and risk of bone fracture (BF) in patients with hemodialysis. Plasma concentrations of PCS and NHALP were ascertained at study entry. Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used to determine unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of PCS for BF risk. In multivariable analysis, NHALP was associated with incremental risks of BFs [aHR: 1.06 (95% CI: 1.01–1.11)]. The association between the highest PCS tertile and BF risk remained robust [aHR: 2.87 (95% CI: 1.02–8.09)]. With respect to BF events, the interaction between NHALP and PCS was statistically significant (p value for the interaction term < 0.05). In addition to mineral dysregulation and hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients, higher circulating levels of PCS and NHALP are intricately associated with incremental risk of BF events, indicating that a joint evaluation is more comprehensive than single marker. In light of the extremely high prevalence of CKD-MBD in the hemodialysis population, PCS may act as a pro-osteoporotic toxin and serve as a potential surrogate marker for skeletal events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Feng Chang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City 237, Taiwan;
- Department of Nursing, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan; (C.-M.Z.); (M.-S.W.)
- Research Center of Urology and Kidney, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 110, Taiwan
- Renal Care Joint Foundation, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yu Hsieh
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan; (C.-Y.H.); (J.-C.L.)
| | - Jian-Chiun Liou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan; (C.-Y.H.); (J.-C.L.)
| | - Kuo-Cheng Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan;
| | - Cai-Mei Zheng
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan; (C.-M.Z.); (M.-S.W.)
- Research Center of Urology and Kidney, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 110, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Mai-Szu Wu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan; (C.-M.Z.); (M.-S.W.)
- Research Center of Urology and Kidney, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 110, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Wei Chang
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan;
| | - Ting-Ming Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan;
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Chin Wu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, En-Chu-Kong Hospital, New Taipei City 237, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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Geller AM, Pollin I, Zlotkin D, Danov A, Nachmias N, Andreopoulos WB, Shemesh K, Levy A. The extracellular contractile injection system is enriched in environmental microbes and associates with numerous toxins. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3743. [PMID: 34145238 PMCID: PMC8213781 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23777-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular Contractile Injection System (eCIS) is a toxin-delivery particle that evolved from a bacteriophage tail. Four eCISs have previously been shown to mediate interactions between bacteria and their invertebrate hosts. Here, we identify eCIS loci in 1,249 bacterial and archaeal genomes and reveal an enrichment of these loci in environmental microbes and their apparent absence from mammalian pathogens. We show that 13 eCIS-associated toxin genes from diverse microbes can inhibit the growth of bacteria and/or yeast. We identify immunity genes that protect bacteria from self-intoxication, further supporting an antibacterial role for some eCISs. We also identify previously undescribed eCIS core genes, including a conserved eCIS transcriptional regulator. Finally, we present our data through an extensive eCIS repository, termed eCIStem. Our findings support eCIS as a toxin-delivery system that is widespread among environmental prokaryotes and likely mediates antagonistic interactions with eukaryotes and other prokaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Martin Geller
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Food and Environment, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Inbal Pollin
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Food and Environment, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - David Zlotkin
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Food and Environment, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aleks Danov
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Food and Environment, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nimrod Nachmias
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Food and Environment, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Keren Shemesh
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Food and Environment, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Asaf Levy
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Food and Environment, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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Rice C, Wolf J, Fleisher DH, Acosta SM, Adkins SW, Bajwa AA, Ziska LH. Recent CO 2 levels promote increased production of the toxin parthenin in an invasive Parthenium hysterophorus biotype. Nat Plants 2021; 7:725-729. [PMID: 34099902 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-021-00938-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Recent carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations promoted higher parthenin concentrations in an invasive Parthenium hysterophorus biotype. Mean concentrations of parthenin, an allelopathic and defensive sesquiterpene lactone, were 49% higher at recent (~400 ppm) than at mid-twentieth-century (~300 ppm) CO2 concentrations, but did not vary in a non-invasive biotype, suggesting that recent increases in atmospheric CO2 may have already altered the chemistry of this destructive weed, potentially contributing to its invasive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Rice
- Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - J Wolf
- Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, USA.
| | - D H Fleisher
- Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - S M Acosta
- District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment, Washington DC, Washington DC, USA
| | - S W Adkins
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - A A Bajwa
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
- Weed Research Unit, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
| | - L H Ziska
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Ciceri P, Cozzolino M. Expanded Haemodialysis as a Current Strategy to Remove Uremic Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13060380. [PMID: 34073439 PMCID: PMC8226798 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13060380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by the retention of solutes named uremic toxins, which strongly associate with high morbidity and mortality. Mounting evidence suggests that targeting uremic toxins and/or their pathways may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in CKD patients. Dialysis therapies have been developed to improve removal of uremic toxins. Advances in our understanding of uremic retention solutes as well as improvements in dialysis membranes and techniques (HDx, Expanded Hemodialysis) will offer the opportunity to ameliorate clinical symptoms and outcomes, facilitate personalized and targeted dialysis treatment, and improve quality of life, morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Ciceri
- Renal Research Laboratory, Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Renal Transplant, Fondazione Ca’ Granda IRCCS, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Mario Cozzolino
- Renal Division, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-81844215
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Hofmann EP, Rautsaw RM, Mason AJ, Strickland JL, Parkinson CL. Duvernoy's Gland Transcriptomics of the Plains Black-Headed Snake, Tantilla nigriceps (Squamata, Colubridae): Unearthing the Venom of Small Rear-Fanged Snakes. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13050336. [PMID: 34066626 PMCID: PMC8148590 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13050336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The venoms of small rear-fanged snakes (RFS) remain largely unexplored, despite increased recognition of their importance in understanding venom evolution more broadly. Sequencing the transcriptome of venom-producing glands has greatly increased the ability of researchers to examine and characterize the toxin repertoire of small taxa with low venom yields. Here, we use RNA-seq to characterize the Duvernoy’s gland transcriptome of the Plains Black-headed Snake, Tantilla nigriceps, a small, semi-fossorial colubrid that feeds on a variety of potentially dangerous arthropods including centipedes and spiders. We generated transcriptomes of six individuals from three localities in order to both characterize the toxin expression of this species for the first time, and to look for initial evidence of venom variation in the species. Three toxin families—three-finger neurotoxins (3FTxs), cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs), and snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPIIIs)—dominated the transcriptome of T. nigriceps; 3FTx themselves were the dominant toxin family in most individuals, accounting for as much as 86.4% of an individual’s toxin expression. Variation in toxin expression between individuals was also noted, with two specimens exhibiting higher relative expression of c-type lectins than any other sample (8.7–11.9% compared to <1%), and another expressed CRISPs higher than any other toxin. This study provides the first Duvernoy’s gland transcriptomes of any species of Tantilla, and one of the few transcriptomic studies of RFS not predicated on a single individual. This initial characterization demonstrates the need for further study of toxin expression variation in this species, as well as the need for further exploration of small RFS venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erich P. Hofmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (E.P.H.); (R.M.R.); (A.J.M.); (J.L.S.)
| | - Rhett M. Rautsaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (E.P.H.); (R.M.R.); (A.J.M.); (J.L.S.)
| | - Andrew J. Mason
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (E.P.H.); (R.M.R.); (A.J.M.); (J.L.S.)
| | - Jason L. Strickland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (E.P.H.); (R.M.R.); (A.J.M.); (J.L.S.)
| | - Christopher L. Parkinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (E.P.H.); (R.M.R.); (A.J.M.); (J.L.S.)
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
- Correspondence:
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Nachtigall PG, Rautsaw RM, Ellsworth SA, Mason AJ, Rokyta DR, Parkinson CL, Junqueira-de-Azevedo ILM. ToxCodAn: a new toxin annotator and guide to venom gland transcriptomics. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:6235957. [PMID: 33866357 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbab095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Next-generation sequencing has become exceedingly common and has transformed our ability to explore nonmodel systems. In particular, transcriptomics has facilitated the study of venom and evolution of toxins in venomous lineages; however, many challenges remain. Primarily, annotation of toxins in the transcriptome is a laborious and time-consuming task. Current annotation software often fails to predict the correct coding sequence and overestimates the number of toxins present in the transcriptome. Here, we present ToxCodAn, a python script designed to perform precise annotation of snake venom gland transcriptomes. We test ToxCodAn with a set of previously curated transcriptomes and compare the results to other annotators. In addition, we provide a guide for venom gland transcriptomics to facilitate future research and use Bothrops alternatus as a case study for ToxCodAn and our guide. RESULTS Our analysis reveals that ToxCodAn provides precise annotation of toxins present in the transcriptome of venom glands of snakes. Comparison with other annotators demonstrates that ToxCodAn has better performance with regard to run time ($>20x$ faster), coding sequence prediction ($>3x$ more accurate) and the number of toxins predicted (generating $>4x$ less false positives). In this sense, ToxCodAn is a valuable resource for toxin annotation. The ToxCodAn framework can be expanded in the future to work with other venomous lineages and detect novel toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro G Nachtigall
- Laboratório de Toxinologia Aplicada, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Rhett M Rautsaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Schyler A Ellsworth
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Andrew J Mason
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Christopher L Parkinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
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Filipska I, Winiarska A, Knysak M, Stompór T. Contribution of Gut Microbiota-Derived Uremic Toxins to the Cardiovascular System Mineralization. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13040274. [PMID: 33920096 PMCID: PMC8070663 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13040274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 10% of the world population and leads to excess morbidity and mortality (with cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of death). Vascular calcification (VC) is a phenomenon of disseminated deposition of mineral content within the media layer of arteries preceded by phenotypic changes in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and/or accumulation of mineral content within the atherosclerotic lesions. Medial VC results in vascular stiffness and significantly contributes to increased cardio-vascular (CV) morbidity, whereas VC of plaques may rather increase their stability. Mineral and bone disorders of CKD (CKD-MBD) contribute to VC, which is further aggravated by accumulation of uremic toxins. Both CKD-MBD and uremic toxin accumulation affect not only patients with advanced CKD (glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 15 mL/min/1.72 m2, end-stage kidney disease) but also those on earlier stages of a disease. The key uremic toxins that contribute to VC, i.e., p-cresyl sulphate (PCS), indoxyl sulphate (IS) and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) originate from bacterial metabolism of gut microbiota. All mentioned toxins promote VC by several mechanisms, including: Transdifferentiation and apoptosis of VSMC, dysfunction of endothelial cells, oxidative stress, interaction with local renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system or miRNA profile modification. Several attractive methods of gut microbiota manipulations have been proposed in order to modify their metabolism and to limit vascular damage (and VC) triggered by uremic toxins. Unfortunately, to date no such method was demonstrated to be effective at the level of “hard” patient-oriented or even clinically relevant surrogate endpoints.
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Panter F, Bader CD, Müller R. The Sandarazols are Cryptic and Structurally Unique Plasmid-Encoded Toxins from a Rare Myxobacterium*. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:8081-8088. [PMID: 33534143 PMCID: PMC8048970 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202014671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we describe a new plasmid found in Sandaracinus sp. MSr10575 named pSa001 spanning 209.7 kbp that harbors a cryptic secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene cluster (BGC). Activation of this BGC by homologous-recombination-mediated exchange of the native promoter sequence against a vanillate inducible system led to the production and subsequent isolation and structure elucidation of novel secondary metabolites, the sandarazols A-G. The sandarazols contain intriguing structural features and very reactive functional groups such as an α-chlorinated ketone, an epoxyketone, and a (2R)-2-amino-3-(N,N-dimethylamino)-propionic acid building block. In-depth investigation of the underlying biosynthetic machinery led to a concise biosynthetic model for the new compound family, including several uncommon biosynthetic steps. The chlorinated congener sandarazol C shows an IC50 value of 0.5 μm against HCT 116 cells and a MIC of 14 μm against Mycobacterium smegmatis, which points at the sandarazols' potential function as defensive secondary metabolites or toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Panter
- Department of Microbial Natural ProductsHelmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Department of PharmacySaarland University, Campus E8 166123SaarbrückenGermany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner SiteHannover-BraunschweigGermany
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Campus E8 166123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Chantal D. Bader
- Department of Microbial Natural ProductsHelmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Department of PharmacySaarland University, Campus E8 166123SaarbrückenGermany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner SiteHannover-BraunschweigGermany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Department of Microbial Natural ProductsHelmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Department of PharmacySaarland University, Campus E8 166123SaarbrückenGermany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner SiteHannover-BraunschweigGermany
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Campus E8 166123SaarbrückenGermany
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Gao D, Yang X, Teng P, Luo M, Zhang H, Liu Z, Yang J, Li Z, Wen X, Yuan L, Li K, Bowkett M, Copner N. In-fiber optofluidic online SERS detection of trace uremia toxin. Opt Lett 2021; 46:1101-1104. [PMID: 33649667 DOI: 10.1364/ol.418602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this Letter, we propose a microstructured in-fiber optofluidic surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensor for the initial inspection of uremia through the detection of unlabeled urea and creatinine. As a natural microfluidic device, microstructured hollow fiber has a special structure inside. Through chemical bonds, the SERS substrate can be modified and grown on the surface of the suspended core. Here, the silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are embedded on the poly diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride-modified graphene oxide sheet to achieve the self-assembled SERS substrate. The reduced distance between Ag NPs can increase the strong hot spots that generate enhanced Raman signals. Therefore, it can effectively detect the Raman signal of unlabeled trace uremic toxin analytes (urea, creatinine) inside the optical fiber. The results show that under simulated biophysical conditions, the limit detection (LOD) for urea is 10-4M and the linearity is good, especially at the clinical conventional concentration range (2.5-6.5×10-3M). In addition, the online Raman detection of creatinine aqueous solution LOD is 10-6M, which also has good linearity. Significantly, this Letter provides a microstructured optofluidic in-fiber Raman sensor for the preliminary detection of uremia, which will have good development prospects in the field of clinical biomedicine.
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Yamamoto S, Sasahara K, Domon M, Yamaguchi K, Ito T, Goto S, Goto Y, Narita I. pH-Dependent Protein Binding Properties of Uremic Toxins In Vitro. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13020116. [PMID: 33557434 PMCID: PMC7914709 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13020116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) are difficult to remove using conventional dialysis treatment owing to their high protein-binding affinity. As pH changes the conformation of proteins, it may be associated with the binding of uremic toxins. Albumin conformation at pH 2 to 13 was analyzed using circular dichroism. The protein binding behavior between indoxyl sulfate (IS) and albumin was examined using isothermal titration calorimetry. Albumin with IS, and serum with IS, p-cresyl sulfate, indole acetic acid or phenyl sulfate, as well as serum from hemodialysis patients, were adjusted pH of 3 to 11, and the concentration of the free PBUTs was measured using mass spectrometry. Albumin was unfolded at pH < 4 or >12, and weakened interaction with IS occurred at pH < 5 or >10. The concentration of free IS in the albumin solution was increased at pH 4.0 and pH 11.0. Addition of human serum to each toxin resulted in increased free forms at acidic and alkaline pH. The pH values of serums from patients undergoing hemodialysis adjusted to 3.4 and 11.3 resulted in increased concentrations of the free forms of PBUTs. In conclusion, acidic and alkaline pH conditions changed the albumin conformation and weakened the protein binding property of PBUTs in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suguru Yamamoto
- Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan; (M.D.); (T.I.); (S.G.); (I.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-25-227-2200
| | - Kenichi Sasahara
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 3-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (K.S.); (K.Y.); (Y.G.)
| | - Mio Domon
- Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan; (M.D.); (T.I.); (S.G.); (I.N.)
| | - Keiichi Yamaguchi
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 3-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (K.S.); (K.Y.); (Y.G.)
| | - Toru Ito
- Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan; (M.D.); (T.I.); (S.G.); (I.N.)
| | - Shin Goto
- Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan; (M.D.); (T.I.); (S.G.); (I.N.)
| | - Yuji Goto
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 3-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (K.S.); (K.Y.); (Y.G.)
| | - Ichiei Narita
- Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan; (M.D.); (T.I.); (S.G.); (I.N.)
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