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Oparin PB, Nikodimov SS, Vassilevski AA. Venoms with oral toxicity towards insects. Toxicon 2023; 235:107308. [PMID: 37797725 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Animal venoms are a promising source of potential bioinsecticides. To find hits with pronounced oral insect toxicity, we screened 82 venoms using Achroia grisella (Lepidoptera) and Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera) larvae, and adult Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera). We also injected the most potent venoms in adult D. melanogaster to compare their efficiency in different routes of administration. 18 venoms from spiders and snakes show high oral toxicity and can be further exploited to isolate new insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter B Oparin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Sergei S Nikodimov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Alexander A Vassilevski
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
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2
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Mineev KS, Chernykh MA, Motov VV, Prudnikova DA, Pavlenko DM, Kuzmenkov AI, Peigneur S, Tytgat J, Vassilevski AA. A scorpion toxin affecting sodium channels shows double cis-trans isomerism. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2358-2368. [PMID: 37501371 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Scorpion α-toxins (α-NaTx) inhibiting the inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav ) are a well-studied family of small proteins. We previously showed that the structure of α-NaTx specificity module responsible for selective Nav binding is governed by an interplay between the nest and niche protein motifs. Here, we report the solution structure of the toxin Lqq4 from the venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus. Unexpectedly, we find that this toxin presents an ensemble of long-lived structurally distinct states. We unequivocally assign these states to the alternative configurations (cis-trans isomers) of two peptide bonds: V56-P57 and C17-G18; neither of the cis isomers has been described in α-NaTx so far. We argue that the native conformational space of α-NaTx is wider than assumed previously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin S Mineev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail A Chernykh
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladislav V Motov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Daria A Prudnikova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Daniil M Pavlenko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey I Kuzmenkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexander A Vassilevski
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
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3
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Hmaidi R, Ksouri A, Benabderrazek R, Antonietti V, Sonnet P, Gautier M, Bouhaouala-Zahar B, Ouadid-Ahidouch H. The Pharmacological and Structural Basis of the AahII–NaV1.5 Interaction and Modulation by the Anti-AahII Nb10 Nanobody. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:821181. [PMID: 35295326 PMCID: PMC8918821 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.821181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion α-toxins are neurotoxins that target the fast inactivation mechanism of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels leading to several neuro- and cardiotoxic effects in mammals. The toxin AahII is the most active α-toxin from the North African scorpion Androctonus australis Hector that slows the fast inactivation of NaV channels. To fight scorpion envenomation, an anti-AahII nanobody named NbAahII10 (Nb10) was developed. The efficiency of this nanobody has been evaluated in vivo on mice, but its mechanism of action at the cellular level remains unknown. Here we have shown that AahII toxin slows the fast inactivation of the adult cardiac NaV1.5 channels, expressed in HEK293 cells, in a dose-dependent manner, while current amplitude was not affected. The inactivation of NaV1.5 is slower by a factor of 4, 7, and 35 in the presence of [AahII] at 75, 150, and 300 nM, respectively. The washout partially reversed the toxin effect on inactivation from 8.3 ± 0.9 ms to 5.2 ± 1.2 ms at 75 nM. We have also demonstrated that the highly neutralizing Nb10 can fully reverse the effect of AahII toxin on the channel inactivation kinetics even at the 1:1 M ratio. However, the 1:0.5 M ratio is not able to neutralize completely the AahII effect. Therefore, the application of Nb10 promotes a partial abolishment of AahII action. Bioinformatic analysis and prediction of NaV1.5-driven docking with AahII show that Ala39 and Arg62 of AahII play a crucial role to establish a stable interaction through H-bound interactions with Gln1615 and Lys1616 (S3–S4 extracellular loop) and Asp1553 (S1–S2 loop) from the voltage-sensing domain IV (VSD4) of NaV1.5, respectively. From this, we notice that AahII shares the same contact surface with Nb10. This strongly suggests that Nb10 dynamically replaces AahII toxin from its binding site on the NaV1.5 channel. At the physiopathological level, Nb10 completely neutralized the enhancement of breast cancer cell invasion induced by AahII. In summary, for the first time, we made an electrophysiological and structural characterization of the neutralization potent of Nb10 against the α-scorpion toxin AahII in a cellular model overexpressing NaV1.5 channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riadh Hmaidi
- Laboratory of Biomolecules, Venoms, and Theranostic Applications, Institut Pasteur Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology UR 4667, UFR of Sciences, University of Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Ayoub Ksouri
- Laboratory of Biomolecules, Venoms, and Theranostic Applications, Institut Pasteur Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Rahma Benabderrazek
- Laboratory of Biomolecules, Venoms, and Theranostic Applications, Institut Pasteur Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Viviane Antonietti
- Infectious Agents, Resistance and Chemotherapy UR 4294, UFR of Pharmacy, University of Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Pascal Sonnet
- Infectious Agents, Resistance and Chemotherapy UR 4294, UFR of Pharmacy, University of Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Mathieu Gautier
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology UR 4667, UFR of Sciences, University of Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
- *Correspondence: Mathieu Gautier, ; Balkiss Bouhaouala-Zahar, ; Halima Ouadid-Ahidouch,
| | - Balkiss Bouhaouala-Zahar
- Laboratory of Biomolecules, Venoms, and Theranostic Applications, Institut Pasteur Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Medical School of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- *Correspondence: Mathieu Gautier, ; Balkiss Bouhaouala-Zahar, ; Halima Ouadid-Ahidouch,
| | - Halima Ouadid-Ahidouch
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology UR 4667, UFR of Sciences, University of Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
- *Correspondence: Mathieu Gautier, ; Balkiss Bouhaouala-Zahar, ; Halima Ouadid-Ahidouch,
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4
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OUP accepted manuscript. Syst Biol 2022; 71:1281-1289. [DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syac021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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5
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Zhu Q, Du Y, Nomura Y, Gao R, Cang Z, Wei GW, Gordon D, Gurevitz M, Groome J, Dong K. Charge substitutions at the voltage-sensing module of domain III enhance actions of site-3 and site-4 toxins on an insect sodium channel. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 137:103625. [PMID: 34358664 PMCID: PMC9376739 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Scorpion α-toxins bind at the pharmacologically-defined site-3 on the sodium channel and inhibit channel inactivation by preventing the outward movement of the voltage sensor in domain IV (IVS4), whereas scorpion β-toxins bind at site-4 on the sodium channel and enhance channel activation by trapping the voltage sensor of domain II (IIS4) in its outward position. However, limited information is available on the role of the voltage-sensing modules (VSM, comprising S1-S4) of domains I and III in toxin actions. We have previously shown that charge reversing substitutions of the innermost positively-charged residues in IIIS4 (R4E, R5E) increase the activity of an insect-selective site-4 scorpion toxin, Lqh-dprIT3-c, on BgNav1-1a, a cockroach sodium channel. Here we show that substitutions R4E and R5E in IIIS4 also increase the activity of two site-3 toxins, LqhαIT from Leiurusquinquestriatus hebraeus and insect-selective Av3 from Anemonia viridis. Furthermore, charge reversal of either of two conserved negatively-charged residues, D1K and E2K, in IIIS2 also increase the action of the site-3 and site-4 toxins. Homology modeling suggests that S2-D1 and S2-E2 interact with S4-R4 and S4-R5 in the VSM of domain III (III-VSM), respectively, in the activated state of the channel. However, charge swapping between S2-D1 and S4-R4 had no compensatory effects on gating or toxin actions, suggesting that charged residue interactions are complex. Collectively, our results highlight the involvement of III-VSM in the actions of both site 3 and site 4 toxins, suggesting that charge reversing substitutions in III-VSM allosterically facilitate IIS4 or IVS4 voltage sensor trapping by these toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhu
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China; Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Yuzhe Du
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Yoshiko Nomura
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Rong Gao
- Department of Hygienic Analysis and Detection, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 818 Tianyuan East Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zixuan Cang
- Department of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Guo-Wei Wei
- Department of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Dalia Gordon
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology & Ecology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michael Gurevitz
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology & Ecology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - James Groome
- Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA
| | - Ke Dong
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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Chernykh MA, Kuldyushev NA, Peigneur S, Berkut AA, Tytgat J, Efremov RG, Vassilevski AA, Chugunov AO. Derivative of Scorpion Neurotoxin BeM9 Is Selective for Insect Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162021040063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Scorpion α-toxins are small proteins inhibiting the inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels. They can selectively act on either mammalian (mammal toxins) or insect channels (insect toxins), or affect both types of channels (α-like toxins). Currently no model has been proposed that fully explains the dependence of selectivity upon amino acid sequence, but some patterns have already been established. Thus, most mammal toxins have an aspartic acid residue in position 8, which is involved in the formation of the nest motif, but it is still not clear whether this residue interacts directly with channels. The objective of our study was to obtain a derivative of the α-like toxin BeM9 with the replacement of lysine in position 8 by glutamate (K8E), changing the charge, but excluding the formation of the nest motif. In addition, we replaced the tyrosine in position 17 with glycine (Y17G), which is characteristic of mammal toxins. Surprisingly, the double-mutant derivative BeM9EG lost its activity on mammalian channels, becoming an insect toxin. To explain these changes, we constructed models of BeM9 and BeM9EG complexes with channels, and also performed molecular dynamics of isolated toxins. Analysis of intermolecular contacts in the complexes did not explain the reason for the selectivity change. Nevertheless, the structure of intramolecular contacts and data on molecular mobility indicate an important role of residues K8 and Y17 in stabilizing a certain conformation of BeM9 loops. We assume that the replacement of these residues allosterically affects the efficiency of toxin binding to channels.
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Niklas B, Jankowska M, Gordon D, Béress L, Stankiewicz M, Nowak W. Interactions of Sea Anemone Toxins with Insect Sodium Channel-Insights from Electrophysiology and Molecular Docking Studies. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26051302. [PMID: 33670972 PMCID: PMC7957711 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are considered as a promising source of new drugs. Sea anemones release polypeptides that affect electrical activity of neurons of their prey. Voltage dependent sodium (Nav) channels are the common targets of Av1, Av2, and Av3 toxins from Anemonia viridis and CgNa from Condylactis gigantea. The toxins bind to the extracellular side of a channel and slow its fast inactivation, but molecular details of the binding modes are not known. Electrophysiological measurements on Periplaneta americana neuronal preparation revealed differences in potency of these toxins to increase nerve activity. Av1 and CgNa exhibit the strongest effects, while Av2 the weakest effect. Extensive molecular docking using a modern SMINA computer method revealed only partial overlap among the sets of toxins’ and channel’s amino acid residues responsible for the selectivity and binding modes. Docking positions support earlier supposition that the higher neuronal activity observed in electrophysiology should be attributed to hampering the fast inactivation gate by interactions of an anemone toxin with the voltage driven S4 helix from domain IV of cockroach Nav channel (NavPaS). Our modelling provides new data linking activity of toxins with their mode of binding in site 3 of NavPaS channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Niklas
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Grudziadzka 5, 87-100 Torun, Poland
- Correspondence: (B.N.); (W.N.)
| | - Milena Jankowska
- Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland; (M.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Dalia Gordon
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
| | - László Béress
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinic of Immunology, Division of Experimental and Clinical Peptide Research, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Maria Stankiewicz
- Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland; (M.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Wieslaw Nowak
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Grudziadzka 5, 87-100 Torun, Poland
- Correspondence: (B.N.); (W.N.)
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8
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Miyashita M, Mitani N, Kitanaka A, Yakio M, Chen M, Nishimoto S, Uchiyama H, Sue M, Hotta H, Nakagawa Y, Miyagawa H. Identification of an antiviral component from the venom of the scorpion Liocheles australasiae using transcriptomic and mass spectrometric analyses. Toxicon 2020; 191:25-37. [PMID: 33340503 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Scorpion venom contains a variety of biologically active peptides. Among them, neurotoxins are major components in the venom, but it also contains peptides that show antimicrobial activity. Previously, we identified three insecticidal peptides from the venom of the Liocheles australasiae scorpion, but activities and structures of other venom components remained unknown. In this study, we performed a transcriptome analysis of the venom gland of the scorpion L. australasiae to gain a comprehensive understanding of its venom components. The result shows that potassium channel toxin-like peptides were the most diverse, whereas only a limited number of sodium channel toxin-like peptides were observed. In addition to these neurotoxin-like peptides, many non-disulfide-bridged peptides were identified, suggesting that these components have some critical roles in the L. australasiae venom. In this study, we also isolated a component with antiviral activity against hepatitis C virus using a bioassay-guided fractionation approach. By integrating mass spectrometric and transcriptomic data, we successfully identified LaPLA2-1 as an anti-HCV component. LaPLA2-1 is a phospholipase A2 having a heterodimeric structure that is N-glycosylated at the N-terminal region. Since the antiviral activity of LaPLA2-1 was inhibited by a PLA2 inhibitor, the enzymatic activity of LaPLA2-1 is likely to be involved in its antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Miyashita
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Naoya Mitani
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kitanaka
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Mao Yakio
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Ming Chen
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Sachiko Nishimoto
- Faculty of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Konan Women's University, Kobe, 658-0001, Japan
| | - Hironobu Uchiyama
- NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, 156-8502, Japan
| | - Masayuki Sue
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, 156-8502, Japan
| | - Hak Hotta
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan; Faculty of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Konan Women's University, Kobe, 658-0001, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Nakagawa
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hisashi Miyagawa
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
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Housley DM, Pinyon JL, von Jonquieres G, Perera CJ, Smout M, Liddell MJ, Jennings EA, Wilson D, Housley GD. Australian Scorpion Hormurus waigiensis Venom Fractions Show Broad Bioactivity Through Modulation of Bio-Impedance and Cytosolic Calcium. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E617. [PMID: 32316246 PMCID: PMC7226344 DOI: 10.3390/biom10040617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venoms are a rich source of bioactive molecules, but characterisation of toxin peptides affecting cytosolic Ca2+, central to cell signalling and cell death, is limited. We undertook a functional screening of the venom of the Australian scorpion Hormurus waigiensis to determine the breadth of Ca2+ mobilisation. A human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell line stably expressing the genetically encoded Ca2+ reporter GCaMP5G and the rabbit type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1) was developed as a biosensor. Size-exclusion Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography separated the venom into 53 fractions, constituting 12 chromatographic peaks. Liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy identified 182 distinct molecules with 3 to 63 components per peak. The molecular weights varied from 258 Da-13.6 kDa, with 53% under 1 kDa. The majority of the venom chromatographic peaks (tested as six venom pools) were found to reversibly modulate cell monolayer bioimpedance, detected using the xCELLigence platform (ACEA Biosciences). Confocal Ca2+ imaging showed 9/14 peak samples, with molecules spanning the molecular size range, increased cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization. H. waigiensis venom Ca2+ activity was correlated with changes in bio-impedance, reflecting multi-modal toxin actions on cell physiology across the venom proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Housley
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (D.M.H.); (J.L.P.); (G.v.J.); (C.J.P.)
- Department of Otolaryngology, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4575, Australia
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, Cairns Campus, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia;
| | - Jeremy L. Pinyon
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (D.M.H.); (J.L.P.); (G.v.J.); (C.J.P.)
| | - Georg von Jonquieres
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (D.M.H.); (J.L.P.); (G.v.J.); (C.J.P.)
| | - Chamini J. Perera
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (D.M.H.); (J.L.P.); (G.v.J.); (C.J.P.)
| | - Michael Smout
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (M.S.); (D.W.)
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
| | - Michael J. Liddell
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, College of Science & Engineering, Cairns Campus, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia;
| | - Ernest A. Jennings
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, Cairns Campus, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia;
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (M.S.); (D.W.)
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
| | - David Wilson
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (M.S.); (D.W.)
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
| | - Gary D. Housley
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (D.M.H.); (J.L.P.); (G.v.J.); (C.J.P.)
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10
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Borrego J, Clement H, Corrales-García LL, Arenas I, Corzo G. Key amino acid residues involved in mammalian and insecticidal activities of Magi4 and Hv1b, cysteine-rich spider peptides from the δ-atracotoxin family. Amino Acids 2020; 52:465-475. [PMID: 32067123 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-020-02825-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
δ-Atracotoxins, also known as δ-hexatoxins, are spider neurotoxic peptides, lethal to both vertebrates and insects. Their mechanism of action involves the binding to of the S3/S4 loop of the domain IV of the voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav). Because of the chemical difficulties of synthesizing folded synthetic δ-atracotoxins correctly, here we explore an expression system that is designed to produce biologically active recombinant δ-atracotoxins, and a number of variants, in order to establish certain amino acids implicated in the pharmacophore of this lethal neurotoxin. In order to elucidate and verify which amino acid residues play a key role that is toxic to vertebrates and insects, amino acid substitutes were produced by aligning the primary structures of several lethal δ-atracotoxins with those of δ-atracotoxins-Hv1b; a member of the δ-atracotoxin family that has low impact on vertebrates and is not toxic to insects. Our findings corroborate that the substitutions of the amino acid residue Y22 from δ-atracotoxin-Mg1a (Magi4) to K22 in δ-atracotoxin-Hv1b reduces its mammalian activity. Moreover, the substitutions of the amino acid residues Y22 and N26 from δ-atracotoxin-Mg1a (Magi4) to K22 and N26 in δ-atracotoxin-Hv1b reduces its insecticidal activity. Also, the basic residues K4 and R5 are important for keeping such insecticidal activity. Structural models suggest that such residues are clustered onto two bioactive surfaces, which share similar areas, previously reported as bioactive surfaces for scorpion α-toxins. Furthermore, these bioactive surfaces were also found to be similar to those found in related spider and anemone toxins, which affect the same Nav receptor, indicating that these motifs are important not only for scorpion but may be also for animal toxins that affect the S3/S4 loop of the domain IV of the Nav.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Borrego
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, 62210, Cuernavaca Mor., México
| | - Herlinda Clement
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, 62210, Cuernavaca Mor., México
| | - Ligia-Luz Corrales-García
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, 62210, Cuernavaca Mor., México.,Departamento de Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia, AA 1226, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Iván Arenas
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, 62210, Cuernavaca Mor., México
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, 62210, Cuernavaca Mor., México.
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11
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Lovett B, Bilgo E, Diabate A, St Leger R. A review of progress toward field application of transgenic mosquitocidal entomopathogenic fungi. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2019; 75:2316-2324. [PMID: 30801913 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In Africa, adult mosquito populations are primarily controlled with insecticide-impregnated bed nets and residual insecticide sprays. This coupled with widespread applications of pesticides in agriculture has led to increasing insecticide resistance in mosquito populations. We have developed multiple alternative strategies for exploiting transgenic Metarhizium spp. directed at: (i) shortening the lifespan of adult mosquitoes; (ii) reducing transmission potential of Plasmodium spp.; (iii) reducing vector competence via pre-lethal effects. The present challenge is to convert this promising strategy into a validated public health intervention by resolving outstanding issues related to the release of genetically modified organisms. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Lovett
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Etienne Bilgo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Abdoulaye Diabate
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Raymond St Leger
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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12
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Zhu L, Gao B, Yuan S, Zhu S. Scorpion Toxins: Positive Selection at a Distal Site Modulates Functional Evolution at a Bioactive Site. Mol Biol Evol 2019; 36:365-375. [PMID: 30566652 PMCID: PMC6367975 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msy223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The bioactive sites of proteins are those that directly interact with their targets. In many immunity- and predation-related proteins, they frequently experience positive selection for dealing with the changes of their targets from competitors. However, some sites that are far away from the interface between proteins and their targets are also identified to evolve under positive selection. Here, we explore the evolutionary implication of such a site in scorpion α-type toxins affecting sodium (Na+) channels (abbreviated as α-ScNaTxs) using a combination of experimental and computational approaches. We found that despite no direct involvement in interaction with Na+ channels, mutations at this site by different types of amino acids led to toxicity change on both rats and insects in three α-ScNaTxs, accompanying differential effects on their structures. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that the mutations changed the conformational dynamics of the positively selected bioactive site-containing functional regions by allosteric communication, suggesting a potential evolutionary correlation between these bioactive sites and the distant nonbioactive site. Our results reveal for the first time the cause of fast evolution at nonbioactive sites of scorpion neurotoxins, which is presumably to adapt to the change of their bioactive sites through coevolution to maintain an active conformation for channel binding. This might aid rational design of scorpion Na+ channel toxins with improved phyletic selectivity via modification of a distant nonbioactive site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limei Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Shouli Yuan
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
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13
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Arthropod venoms: Biochemistry, ecology and evolution. Toxicon 2018; 158:84-103. [PMID: 30529476 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.11.433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Comprising of over a million described species of highly diverse invertebrates, Arthropoda is amongst the most successful animal lineages to have colonized aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic domains. Venom, one of the many fascinating traits to have evolved in various members of this phylum, has underpinned their adaptation to diverse habitats. Over millions of years of evolution, arthropods have evolved ingenious ways of delivering venom in their targets for self-defence and predation. The morphological diversity of venom delivery apparatus in arthropods is astounding, and includes extensively modified pedipalps, tail (telson), mouth parts (hypostome), fangs, appendages (maxillulae), proboscis, ovipositor (stinger), and hair (urticating bristles). Recent investigations have also unravelled an astonishing venom biocomplexity with molecular scaffolds being recruited from a multitude of protein families. Venoms are a remarkable bioresource for discovering lead compounds in targeted therapeutics. Several components with prospective applications in the development of advanced lifesaving drugs and environment friendly bio-insecticides have been discovered from arthropod venoms. Despite these fascinating features, the composition, bioactivity, and molecular evolution of venom in several arthropod lineages remains largely understudied. This review highlights the prevalence of venom, its mode of toxic action, and the evolutionary dynamics of venom in Arthropoda, the most speciose phylum in the animal kingdom.
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14
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Liao Q, Li S, Siu SWI, Morlighem JÉRL, Wong CTT, Wang X, Rádis-Baptista G, Lee SMY. Novel neurotoxic peptides from Protopalythoa variabilis virtually interact with voltage-gated sodium channel and display anti-epilepsy and neuroprotective activities in zebrafish. Arch Toxicol 2018; 93:189-206. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-018-2334-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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15
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Kuldyushev NA, Mineev KS, Berkut AA, Peigneur S, Arseniev AS, Tytgat J, Grishin EV, Vassilevski AA. Refined structure of BeM9 reveals arginine hand, an overlooked structural motif in scorpion toxins affecting sodium channels. Proteins 2018; 86:1117-1122. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.25583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nikita A. Kuldyushev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry; Russian Academy of Sciences; Moscow Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University); Moscow Russia
| | - Konstantin S. Mineev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry; Russian Academy of Sciences; Moscow Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University); Moscow Russia
| | - Antonina A. Berkut
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry; Russian Academy of Sciences; Moscow Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University); Moscow Russia
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology; University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | - Alexander S. Arseniev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry; Russian Academy of Sciences; Moscow Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University); Moscow Russia
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology; University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | - Eugene V. Grishin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry; Russian Academy of Sciences; Moscow Russia
| | - Alexander A. Vassilevski
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry; Russian Academy of Sciences; Moscow Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University); Moscow Russia
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16
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Tibery DV, Campos LA, Mourão CBF, Peigneur S, E Carvalho AC, Tytgat J, Schwartz EF. Electrophysiological characterization of Tityus obscurus β toxin 1 (To1) on Na +-channel isoforms. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2018; 1861:142-150. [PMID: 30463697 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
To1, previously named Tc49b, is a peptide neurotoxin isolated from venom of the scorpion Tityus obscurus that is responsible for lethal human poisoning cases in the Brazilian Amazonian region. Previously, To1 was shown to be lethal to mice and to change Na+ permeation in cerebellum granular neurons from rat brain. In addition, To1 did not affect Shaker B K+ channels. Based on sequence similarities, To1 was described as a β-toxin. In the present work, To1 was purified from T. obscurus venom and submitted to an electrophysiological characterization in human and invertebrate NaV channels. The analysis of the electrophysiological experiments reveal that To1 enhances the open probability at more negative potentials of human NaV 1.3 and 1.6, of the insect channel BgNaV1 and of arachnid VdNaV1 channel. In addition, To1 reduces the peak of Na+ currents in some of the NaVs tested. These results support the classification of the To1 as a β-toxin. A structure and functional comparison to other β-toxins that share sequence similarity to To1 is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Vieira Tibery
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Leandro Ambrósio Campos
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Caroline Barbosa Farias Mourão
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Brasília, Campus Ceilândia, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Andréa Cruz E Carvalho
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elisabeth Ferroni Schwartz
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
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17
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[Indirect and mixed mechanisms of action in toxic myopathies]. ANNALES PHARMACEUTIQUES FRANÇAISES 2018; 76:273-285. [PMID: 29803327 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Revised: 03/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Toxic myopathies are a group of pathologies characterized by a structural and/or functional disturbance of muscles induced by an exogenous agent. The most frequent are those induced by drugs used in clinical practice. Illegal drugs, pesticides, solvents, metals and even physical and gaseous agents can cause this kind of disease and exert toxicity on muscle tissues. Some toxins from animals, plants or micro-organisms are potent myotoxic agents, which can lead to fatal complications. Respiratory arrest and rhabdomyolysis are often referred to as the ultimate complications of these pathologies. Several mechanisms of action can be triggered. Muscles may represent a direct target for exogenous agents by acting on the myocyte components or indirect target by inducing functional disorders. These disorders are triggered by neuromuscular interferences (organophosphates, antipsychotics, curares, etc.) and endocrine (glucocorticoids and ethyl alcohol), immune (d-penicillamine and statins) and hydroelectrolytic system dysfunctions (diuretics, laxatives and toluene). Direct and indirect effects can be induced by the same toxic agent, such as carbon monoxide, glucocorticoids, ethyl alcohol and some toxins from snake venoms.
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18
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Monge-Fuentes V, Arenas C, Galante P, Gonçalves JC, Mortari MR, Schwartz EF. Arthropod toxins and their antinociceptive properties: From venoms to painkillers. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 188:176-185. [PMID: 29605457 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The complex process of pain control commonly involves the use of systemic analgesics; however, in many cases, a more potent and effective polypharmacological approach is needed to promote clinically significant improvement. Additionally, considering side effects caused by current painkillers, drug discovery is once more turning to nature as a source of more efficient therapeutic alternatives. In this context, arthropod venoms contain a vast array of bioactive substances that have evolved to selectively bind to specific pharmacological targets involved in the pain signaling pathway, playing an important role as pain activators or modulators, the latter serving as promising analgesic agents. The current review explores how the pain pathway works and surveys neuroactive compounds obtained from arthropods' toxins, which function as pain modulators through their interaction with specific ion channels and membrane receptors, emerging as promising candidates for drug design and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Monge-Fuentes
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Claudia Arenas
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Priscilla Galante
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Coimbra Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Márcia Renata Mortari
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Elisabeth Ferroni Schwartz
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
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19
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Johnson SR, Rikli HG, Schmidt JO, Evans MS. A reexamination of poneratoxin from the venom of the bullet ant Paraponera clavata. Peptides 2017; 98:51-62. [PMID: 27266841 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2016.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2016] [Revised: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In 1991, Piek et al. [45] described a voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) modifier from "bullet ant" (Paraponera clavata) venom they called poneratoxin (PoTx). Using UV chromatography and Edman degradation they showed two "identical peptides" of 25 residues. We reinvestigated PoTx using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-TMS). De novo sequencing showed the two peptides were actually structurally different peptides: the originally described PoTx and a glycyl pro-peptide (glycyl-PoTx) that lacks C-terminus amidation. We examined P. clavata venom from different geographical locations and discovered two additional PoTx analogs: an A23E substitution analog and a D22N; A23V substitutions analog. We tested PoTx and these three natural analogs on the mammalian sensory voltage-gated sodium channel, Nav1.7, using whole cell voltage-clamp. PoTx and each analog induced slowly activating currents in response to small depolarizing steps and sustained currents due to blockade of channel inactivation, similar to that described previously in skeletal muscle [19]. Glycyl-PoTx had the same potency and efficacy as PoTx. A23E PoTx, with a decrease in both C-terminal net positive charge and hydrophobicity, had an eight-fold reduction in potency compared to PoTx. In contrast, the D22N; A23V PoTx, with an increase in both C-terminal net positive charge and hydrophobicity, had a nearly five-fold increase in potency compared to PoTx. We found that changes in PoTx C-terminus caused a significant change in PoTx potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Johnson
- Department of Biology, University of Illinois Springfield, Springfield, IL, United States; Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Springfield, Springfield, IL, United States; Carbon Dynamics Institute, LLC, Sherman, IL, United States.
| | - Hillary G Rikli
- Department of Biology, University of Illinois Springfield, Springfield, IL, United States; Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Springfield, Springfield, IL, United States
| | | | - M Steven Evans
- Department of Neurology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
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20
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Kuldyushev NA, Berkut AA, Peigneur S, Tytgat J, Grishin EV, Vassilevski AA. Design of sodium channel ligands with defined selectivity - a case study in scorpion alpha-toxins. FEBS Lett 2017; 591:3414-3420. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nikita A. Kuldyushev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry; Russian Academy of Sciences; Moscow Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University); Russia
| | - Antonina A. Berkut
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry; Russian Academy of Sciences; Moscow Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University); Russia
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology; University of Leuven; Belgium
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology; University of Leuven; Belgium
| | - Eugene V. Grishin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry; Russian Academy of Sciences; Moscow Russia
| | - Alexander A. Vassilevski
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry; Russian Academy of Sciences; Moscow Russia
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21
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Duque HM, Mourão CBF, Tibery DV, Barbosa EA, Campos LA, Schwartz EF. To4, the first Tityus obscurus β-toxin fully electrophysiologically characterized on human sodium channel isoforms. Peptides 2017; 95:106-115. [PMID: 28735770 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Many scorpion toxins that act on sodium channels (NaScTxs) have been characterized till date. These toxins may act modulating the inactivation or the activation of sodium channels and are named α- or β-types, respectively. Some venom toxins from Tityus obscurus (Buthidae), a scorpion widely distributed in the Brazilian Amazon, have been partially characterized in previous studies; however, little information about their electrophysiological role on sodium ion channels has been published. In the present study, we describe the purification, identification and electrophysiological characterization of a NaScTx, which was first described as Tc54 and further fully sequenced and renamed To4. This toxin shows a marked β-type effect on different sodium channel subtypes (hNav1.1-hNav1.7) at low concentrations, and has more pronounced activity on hNav1.1, hNav1.2 and hNav1.4. By comparing To4 primary structure with other Tityus β-toxins which have already been electrophysiologically tested, it is possible to establish some key amino acid residues for the sodium channel activity. Thus, To4 is the first toxin from T. obscurus fully electrophysiologically characterized on different human sodium channel isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Morales Duque
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brasília, 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Caroline Barbosa Farias Mourão
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brasília, 70910-900, DF, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Brasília, Campus Ceilândia, Brasília 72220-260, DF, Brazil
| | - Diogo Vieira Tibery
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brasília, 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Eder Alves Barbosa
- LSAB - Laboratório de Síntese e Análise de Biomoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Leandro Ambrósio Campos
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brasília, 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Elisabeth Ferroni Schwartz
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brasília, 70910-900, DF, Brazil.
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22
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Bilgo E, Lovett B, Fang W, Bende N, King GF, Diabate A, St Leger RJ. Improved efficacy of an arthropod toxin expressing fungus against insecticide-resistant malaria-vector mosquitoes. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3433. [PMID: 28611355 PMCID: PMC5469824 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03399-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The continued success of malaria control efforts requires the development, study and implementation of new technologies that circumvent insecticide resistance. We previously demonstrated that fungal pathogens can provide an effective delivery system for mosquitocidal or malariacidal biomolecules. Here we compared genes from arthropod predators encoding insect specific sodium, potassium and calcium channel blockers for their ability to improve the efficacy of Metarhizium against wild-caught, insecticide-resistant anophelines. Toxins expressed under control of a hemolymph-specific promoter increased fungal lethality to mosquitoes at spore dosages as low as one conidium per mosquito. One of the most potent, the EPA approved Hybrid (Ca++/K+ channel blocker), was studied for pre-lethal effects. These included reduced blood feeding behavior, with almost 100% of insects infected with ~6 spores unable to transmit malaria within 5 days post-infection, surpassing the World Health Organization threshold for successful vector control agents. Furthermore, recombinant strains co-expressing Hybrid toxin and AaIT (Na+ channel blocker) produced synergistic effects, requiring 45% fewer spores to kill half of the mosquitoes in 5 days as single toxin strains. Our results identify a repertoire of toxins with different modes of action that improve the utility of entomopathogens as a technology that is compatible with existing insecticide-based control methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Bilgo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Brian Lovett
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA
| | - Weiguo Fang
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Niraj Bende
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Abdoulaye Diabate
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Raymond J St Leger
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA.
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23
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Wu W, Li Z, Ma Y. Adaptive evolution of insect selective excitatory β-type sodium channel neurotoxins from scorpion venom. Peptides 2017; 92:31-37. [PMID: 28363794 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Insect selective excitatory β-type sodium channel neurotoxins from scorpion venom (β-NaScTxs) are composed of about 70-76 amino acid residues and share a common scaffold stabilized by four unique disulfide bonds. The phylogenetic analysis of these toxins was hindered by limited sequence data. In our recent study, two new insect selective excitatory β-NaScTxs, LmIT and ImIT, were isolated from Lychas mucronatus and Isometrus maculatus, respectively. With the sequences previously reported, we examined the adaptive molecular evolution of insect selective excitatory β-NaScTxs by estimating the nonsynonymous-to-synonymous rate ratio (ω=dN/dS). The results revealed 12 positively selected sites in the genes of insect selective excitatory β-NaScTxs. Moreover, these positively selected sites match well with the sites important for interacting with sodium channels, as demonstrated in previous mutagenesis study. These results reveal that adaptive evolution after gene duplication is one of the most important genetic mechanisms of scorpion neurotoxin diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlan Wu
- Medical School, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan Province, PR China.
| | - Zhongjie Li
- Medical School, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Yibao Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.
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24
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Housley DM, Housley GD, Liddell MJ, Jennings EA. Scorpion toxin peptide action at the ion channel subunit level. Neuropharmacology 2016; 127:46-78. [PMID: 27729239 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This review categorizes functionally validated actions of defined scorpion toxin (SCTX) neuropeptides across ion channel subclasses, highlighting key trends in this rapidly evolving field. Scorpion envenomation is a common event in many tropical and subtropical countries, with neuropharmacological actions, particularly autonomic nervous system modulation, causing significant mortality. The primary active agents within scorpion venoms are a diverse group of small neuropeptides that elicit specific potent actions across a wide range of ion channel classes. The identification and functional characterisation of these SCTX peptides has tremendous potential for development of novel pharmaceuticals that advance knowledge of ion channels and establish lead compounds for treatment of excitable tissue disorders. This review delineates the unique specificities of 320 individual SCTX peptides that collectively act on 41 ion channel subclasses. Thus the SCTX research field has significant translational implications for pathophysiology spanning neurotransmission, neurohumoral signalling, sensori-motor systems and excitation-contraction coupling. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Venom-derived Peptides as Pharmacological Tools.'
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Housley
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, Cairns Campus, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia; Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Gary D Housley
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Michael J Liddell
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science and College of Science & Engineering, Cairns Campus, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia
| | - Ernest A Jennings
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, Cairns Campus, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia; Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, James Cook University, Queensland 4878, Australia; Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, QLD, Australia
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25
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Luan N, Shen W, Liu J, Wen B, Lin Z, Yang S, Lai R, Liu S, Rong M. A Combinational Strategy upon RNA Sequencing and Peptidomics Unravels a Set of Novel Toxin Peptides in Scorpion Mesobuthus martensii. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8100286. [PMID: 27782050 PMCID: PMC5086646 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8100286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venom is deemed to contain many toxic peptides as an important source of natural compounds. Out of the two hundred proteins identified in Mesobuthus martensii (M. martensii), only a few peptide toxins have been found so far. Herein, a combinational approach based upon RNA sequencing and Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS) was employed to explore the venom peptides in M. martensii. A total of 153 proteins were identified from the scorpion venom, 26 previously known and 127 newly identified. Of the novel toxins, 97 proteins exhibited sequence similarities to known toxins, and 30 were never reported. Combining peptidomic and transcriptomic analyses, the peptide sequence of BmKKx1 was reannotated and four disulfide bridges were confirmed within it. In light of the comparison of conservation and variety of toxin amino acid sequences, highly conserved and variable regions were perceived in 24 toxins that were parts of two sodium channel and two potassium channel toxins families. Taking all of this evidences together, the peptidomic analysis on M. martensii indeed identified numerous novel scorpion peptides, expanded our knowledge towards the venom diversity, and afforded a set of pharmaceutical candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Luan
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wang Shen
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jie Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China.
| | - Bo Wen
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China.
| | - Zhilong Lin
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China.
| | - Shilong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- United Laboratory of Natural Peptide of University of Science and Technology of China & Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China.
| | - Ren Lai
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- United Laboratory of Natural Peptide of University of Science and Technology of China & Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China.
| | - Siqi Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China.
| | - Mingqiang Rong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- United Laboratory of Natural Peptide of University of Science and Technology of China & Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China.
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26
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Bothriurus bonariensis scorpion venom activates voltage-dependent sodium channels in insect and mammalian nervous systems. Chem Biol Interact 2016; 258:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2016.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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27
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Martin-Eauclaire MF, Salvatierra J, Bosmans F, Bougis PE. The scorpion toxin Bot IX is a potent member of the α-like family and has a unique N-terminal sequence extension. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:3221-32. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Salvatierra
- Department of Physiology; School of Medicine; Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore MD USA
| | - Frank Bosmans
- Department of Physiology; School of Medicine; Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore MD USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience; School of Medicine; Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore MD USA
| | - Pierre E. Bougis
- Aix Marseille Université; CNRS; CRN2M; UMR7286; PFRN-CAPM; Marseille France
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28
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Verdes A, Anand P, Gorson J, Jannetti S, Kelly P, Leffler A, Simpson D, Ramrattan G, Holford M. From Mollusks to Medicine: A Venomics Approach for the Discovery and Characterization of Therapeutics from Terebridae Peptide Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:117. [PMID: 27104567 PMCID: PMC4848642 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8040117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms comprise a diversity of peptide toxins that manipulate molecular targets such as ion channels and receptors, making venom peptides attractive candidates for the development of therapeutics to benefit human health. However, identifying bioactive venom peptides remains a significant challenge. In this review we describe our particular venomics strategy for the discovery, characterization, and optimization of Terebridae venom peptides, teretoxins. Our strategy reflects the scientific path from mollusks to medicine in an integrative sequential approach with the following steps: (1) delimitation of venomous Terebridae lineages through taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses; (2) identification and classification of putative teretoxins through omics methodologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics; (3) chemical and recombinant synthesis of promising peptide toxins; (4) structural characterization through experimental and computational methods; (5) determination of teretoxin bioactivity and molecular function through biological assays and computational modeling; (6) optimization of peptide toxin affinity and selectivity to molecular target; and (7) development of strategies for effective delivery of venom peptide therapeutics. While our research focuses on terebrids, the venomics approach outlined here can be applied to the discovery and characterization of peptide toxins from any venomous taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Verdes
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024, USA.
| | - Prachi Anand
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Juliette Gorson
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024, USA.
| | - Stephen Jannetti
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Patrick Kelly
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Abba Leffler
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine 550 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Danny Simpson
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- Tandon School of Engineering, New York University 6 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
| | - Girish Ramrattan
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Mandë Holford
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024, USA.
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Zhu L, Peigneur S, Gao B, Zhang S, Tytgat J, Zhu S. Target-Driven Positive Selection at Hot Spots of Scorpion Toxins Uncovers Their Potential in Design of Insecticides. Mol Biol Evol 2016; 33:1907-20. [PMID: 27189560 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msw065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Positive selection sites (PSSs), a class of amino acid sites with an excess of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions, are indicators of adaptive molecular evolution and have been detected in many protein families involved in a diversity of biological processes by statistical approaches. However, few studies are conducted to evaluate their functional significance and the driving force behind the evolution (i.e., agent of selection). Scorpion α-toxins are a class of multigene family of peptide neurotoxins affecting voltage-gated Na(+ )(Nav) channels, whose members exhibit differential potency and preference for insect and mammalian Nav channels. In this study, we undertook a systematical molecular dissection of nearly all the PSSs newly characterized in the Mesobuthus α-toxin family and a two-residue insertion ((19)AlaPhe(20)) located within a positively selected loop via mutational analysis of α-like MeuNaTxα-5, one member affecting both insect and mammalian Nav channels. This allows to identify hot-spot residues on its functional face involved in interaction with the receptor site of Nav channels, which comprises two PSSs (Ile(40) and Leu(41)) and the small insertion, both located on two spatially separated functional loops. Mutations at these hot-spots resulted in a remarkably decreased anti-mammalian activity in MeuNaTxα-5 with partially impaired or enhanced insecticide activity, suggesting the potential of PSSs in designing promising candidate insecticides from scorpion α-like toxins. Based on an experiment-guided toxin-channel complex model and high evolutionary variability in the receptor site of predators and prey of scorpions, we provide new evidence for target-driven adaptive evolution of scorpion toxins to deal with their targets' diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limei Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Laboratory of Toxicology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shangfei Zhang
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Laboratory of Toxicology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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30
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Abstract
It is long known that peptide neurotoxins derived from a diversity of venomous animals evolve by positive selection following gene duplication, yet a force that drives their adaptive evolution remains a mystery. By using maximum-likelihood models of codon substitution, we analyzed molecular adaptation in scorpion sodium channel toxins from a specific species and found ten positively selected sites, six of which are located at the core-domain of scorpion α-toxins, a region known to interact with two adjacent loops in the voltage-sensor domain (DIV) of sodium channels, as validated by our newly constructed computational model of toxin-channel complex. Despite the lack of positive selection signals in these two loops, they accumulated extensive sequence variations by relaxed purifying selection in prey and predators of scorpions. The evolutionary variability in the toxin-bound regions of sodium channels indicates that accelerated substitutions in the multigene family of scorpion toxins is a consequence of dealing with the target diversity. This work presents an example of atypical co-evolution between animal toxins and their molecular targets, in which toxins suffered from more prominent selective pressure from the channels of their competitors. Our discovery helps explain the evolutionary rationality of gene duplication of toxins in a specific venomous species.
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Jankowska M, Pawlowska-Mainville A, Stankiewicz M, Rogalska J, Wyszkowska J. Exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic field changes the efficiency of the scorpion alpha toxin. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2015; 21:38. [PMID: 26430395 PMCID: PMC4589959 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-015-0040-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extremely low-frequency (50 Hz) electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) is produced by electric power transmission lines and electronic devices of everyday use. Some phenomena are proposed as "first effects" of ELF-EMF: the discrete changes in the membrane potential and the increase of the calcium channel activity as well as the intracellular concentration of Ca(2+). Interaction of the scorpion alpha toxin with the sodium channel depends on the orientation of the charges and may be perturbed by changes in the membrane polarization. The toxin induces overexcitability in the nervous system and an increase in the neurotransmitters released with different consequences, mainly the paralysis of muscles. We assumed that the exposure to ELF-EMF 0.7 mT will change the effects of the insect selective scorpion alpha toxin (recombinant LqhαIT from Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus) at the level of the cercal nerve function, the synaptic transmission and on the level of entire insect organism. Taking into account the compensatory mechanisms in organisms, we tested in addition ten times higher ELF-EMF on whole insects. METHODS Experiments were performed in vivo on cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) and in vitro - on isolated cockroach abdominal nerve cord with cerci. In biotests, the effects of LqhαIT (10(-8) M) were estimated on the basis of the insect ability to turn back from dorsal to ventral side. Three groups were compared: the control one and the two exposed to ELF-EMF - 0.7 and 7 mT. Bioelectrical activity of the cercal nerve and of the connective nerve that leaves the terminal abdominal ganglion was recorded using extracellular electrodes. LqhαIT (5 × 10(-8) M) induced modifications of neuronal activity that were observed in the control cockroach preparations and in the ones exposed to ELF-EMF (0.7 mT). The exposure to ELF-EMF was carried out using coils with a size appropriate to the examined objects. RESULTS The exposure to ELF-EMF (0.7 mT) modified the effects of LqhαIT (5 × 10(-8) M) on activity of the cercal nerve and of the connective nerve. We observed a decrease of the toxin effect on the cercal nerve activity, but the toxic effect of LqhαIT on the connective nerve was increased. Biotests showed that toxicity of LqhαIT (10(-8) M) on cockroaches was reduced by the exposure to ELF-EMF (0.7 and 7 mT). CONCLUSIONS The exposure to 50 Hz ELF-EMF modified the mode of action of the anti-insect scorpion alpha toxin LqhαIT at cellular level of the cockroach nervous system and in biotests. Toxin appeared as a usefull tool in distinguishing between the primary and the secondary effects of ELF-EMF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Jankowska
- />Nicolaus Copernicus University, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Torun, Poland
| | | | - Maria Stankiewicz
- />Nicolaus Copernicus University, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Torun, Poland
| | - Justyna Rogalska
- />Nicolaus Copernicus University, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Torun, Poland
| | - Joanna Wyszkowska
- />Nicolaus Copernicus University, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Torun, Poland
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32
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The unfulfilled promises of scorpion insectotoxins. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2015; 21:16. [PMID: 26085828 PMCID: PMC4470000 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-015-0019-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the description and biochemical characterization of the first insect-specific neurotoxins from scorpion venoms, almost all contributions have highlighted their potential application as leads for the development of potent bioinsecticides. Their practical use, however, has been hindered by different factors, some of which are intrinsically related to the toxins and other external determinants. Recent developments in the understanding of the action mechanisms of the scorpion insectotoxins and their bioactive surfaces, coupled with the exploration of novel bioinsecticide delivery systems have renewed the expectations that the scorpion insectotoxins could find their way into commercial applications in agriculture, as part of integrated pest control strategies. Herein, we review the current arsenal of available scorpion neurotoxins with a degree of specificity for insects, the progress made with alternative delivery methods, and the drawbacks that still preclude their practical use.
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33
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Li Y, Gong H. Theoretical and simulation studies on voltage-gated sodium channels. Protein Cell 2015; 6:413-22. [PMID: 25894089 PMCID: PMC4444806 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-015-0152-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels are indispensable membrane elements for the generation and propagation of electric signals in excitable cells. The successes in the crystallographic studies on prokaryotic Nav channels in recent years greatly promote the mechanistic investigation of these proteins and their eukaryotic counterparts. In this paper, we mainly review the progress in computational studies, especially the simulation studies, on these proteins in the past years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China
| | - Haipeng Gong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China
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Bende NS, Dziemborowicz S, Herzig V, Ramanujam V, Brown GW, Bosmans F, Nicholson GM, King GF, Mobli M. The insecticidal spider toxin SFI1 is a knottin peptide that blocks the pore of insect voltage-gated sodium channels via a large β-hairpin loop. FEBS J 2015; 282:904-20. [PMID: 25559770 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Spider venoms contain a plethora of insecticidal peptides that act on neuronal ion channels and receptors. Because of their high specificity, potency and stability, these peptides have attracted much attention as potential environmentally friendly insecticides. Although many insecticidal spider venom peptides have been isolated, the molecular target, mode of action and structure of only a small minority have been explored. Sf1a, a 46-residue peptide isolated from the venom of the tube-web spider Segesteria florentina, is insecticidal to a wide range of insects, but nontoxic to vertebrates. In order to investigate its structure and mode of action, we developed an efficient bacterial expression system for the production of Sf1a. We determined a high-resolution solution structure of Sf1a using multidimensional 3D/4D NMR spectroscopy. This revealed that Sf1a is a knottin peptide with an unusually large β-hairpin loop that accounts for a third of the peptide length. This loop is delimited by a fourth disulfide bond that is not commonly found in knottin peptides. We showed, through mutagenesis, that this large loop is functionally critical for insecticidal activity. Sf1a was further shown to be a selective inhibitor of insect voltage-gated sodium channels, consistent with its 'depressant' paralytic phenotype in insects. However, in contrast to the majority of spider-derived sodium channel toxins that function as gating modifiers via interaction with one or more of the voltage-sensor domains, Sf1a appears to act as a pore blocker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niraj S Bende
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia
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35
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The specificity of Av3 sea anemone toxin for arthropods is determined at linker DI/SS2-S6 in the pore module of target sodium channels. Biochem J 2014; 463:271-7. [PMID: 25055135 DOI: 10.1042/bj20140576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Av3 is a peptide neurotoxin from the sea anemone Anemonia viridis that shows specificity for arthropod voltage-gated sodium channels (Navs). Interestingly, Av3 competes with a scorpion α-toxin on binding to insect Navs and similarly inhibits the inactivation process, and thus has been classified as 'receptor site-3 toxin', although the two peptides are structurally unrelated. This raises questions as to commonalities and differences in the way both toxins interact with Navs. Recently, site-3 was partly resolved for scorpion α-toxins highlighting S1-S2 and S3-S4 external linkers at the DIV voltage-sensor module and the juxtaposed external linkers at the DI pore module. To uncover channel determinants involved in Av3 specificity for arthropods, the toxin was examined on channel chimaeras constructed with the external linkers of the mammalian brain Nav1.2a, which is insensitive to Av3, in the background of the Drosophila DmNav1. This approach highlighted the role of linker DI/SS2-S6, adjacent to the channel pore, in determining Av3 specificity. Point mutagenesis at DI/SS2-S6 accompanied by functional assays highlighted Trp404 and His405 as a putative point of Av3 interaction with DmNav1. His405 conservation in arthropod Navs compared with tyrosine in vertebrate Navs may represent an ancient substitution that explains the contemporary selectivity of Av3. Trp404 and His405 localization near the membrane surface and the hydrophobic bioactive surface of Av3 suggest that the toxin possibly binds at a cleft by DI/S6. A partial overlap in receptor site-3 of both toxins nearby DI/S6 may explain their binding competition capabilities.
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Dong K, Du Y, Rinkevich F, Nomura Y, Xu P, Wang L, Silver K, Zhorov BS. Molecular biology of insect sodium channels and pyrethroid resistance. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 50:1-17. [PMID: 24704279 PMCID: PMC4484874 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2014.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 304] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Revised: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels are essential for the initiation and propagation of the action potential in neurons and other excitable cells. Because of their critical roles in electrical signaling, sodium channels are targets of a variety of naturally occurring and synthetic neurotoxins, including several classes of insecticides. This review is intended to provide an update on the molecular biology of insect sodium channels and the molecular mechanism of pyrethroid resistance. Although mammalian and insect sodium channels share fundamental topological and functional properties, most insect species carry only one sodium channel gene, compared to multiple sodium channel genes found in each mammalian species. Recent studies showed that two posttranscriptional mechanisms, alternative splicing and RNA editing, are involved in generating functional diversity of sodium channels in insects. More than 50 sodium channel mutations have been identified to be responsible for or associated with knockdown resistance (kdr) to pyrethroids in various arthropod pests and disease vectors. Elucidation of molecular mechanism of kdr led to the identification of dual receptor sites of pyrethroids on insect sodium channels. Many of the kdr mutations appear to be located within or close to the two receptor sites. The accumulating knowledge of insect sodium channels and their interactions with insecticides provides a foundation for understanding the neurophysiology of sodium channels in vivo and the development of new and safer insecticides for effective control of arthropod pests and human disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Dong
- Department of Entomology, Neuroscience and Genetics Programs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
| | - Yuzhe Du
- Department of Entomology, Neuroscience and Genetics Programs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Frank Rinkevich
- Department of Entomology, Neuroscience and Genetics Programs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Yoshiko Nomura
- Department of Entomology, Neuroscience and Genetics Programs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Entomology, Neuroscience and Genetics Programs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Lingxin Wang
- Department of Entomology, Neuroscience and Genetics Programs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Kristopher Silver
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Boris S Zhorov
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology & Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Diego-García E, Caliskan F, Tytgat J. The Mediterranean scorpion Mesobuthus gibbosus (Scorpiones, Buthidae): transcriptome analysis and organization of the genome encoding chlorotoxin-like peptides. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:295. [PMID: 24746279 PMCID: PMC4234519 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transcrof toxin genes of scorpion species have been published. Up to this moment, no information on the gene characterization of M. gibbosus is available. Results This study provides the first insight into gene expression in venom glands from M. gibbosus scorpion. A cDNA library was generated from the venom glands and subsequently analyzed (301 clones). Sequences from 177 high-quality ESTs were grouped as 48 Mgib sequences, of those 48 sequences, 40 (29 “singletons” and 11 “contigs”) correspond with one or more ESTs. We identified putative precursor sequences and were grouped them in different categories (39 unique transcripts, one with alternative reading frames), resulting in the identification of 12 new toxin-like and 5 antimicrobial precursors (transcripts). The analysis of the gene families revealed several new components categorized among various toxin families with effect on ion channels. Sequence analysis of a new KTx precursor provides evidence to validate a new KTx subfamily (α-KTx 27.x). A second part of this work involves the genomic organization of three Meg-chlorotoxin-like genes (ClTxs). Genomic DNA sequence reveals close similarities (presence of one same-phase intron) with the sole genomic organization of chlorotoxins ever reported (from M. martensii). Conclusions Transcriptome analysis is a powerful strategy that provides complete information of the gene expression and molecular diversity of the venom glands (telson). In this work, we generated the first catalogue of the gene expression and genomic organization of toxins from M. gibbosus. Our result represents a relevant contribution to the knowledge of toxin transcripts and complementary information related with other cell function proteins and venom peptide transcripts. The genomic organization of the chlorotoxin genes may help to understand the diversity of this gene family.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O& N2,PO Box 922, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Lazcano-Pérez F, Vivas O, Román-González SA, Rodríguez-Bustamante E, Castro H, Arenas I, García DE, Sánchez-Puig N, Arreguín-Espinosa R. A purified Palythoa venom fraction delays sodium current inactivation in sympathetic neurons. Toxicon 2014; 82:112-6. [PMID: 24593961 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Revised: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Palythoa caribaeorum is a zoanthid (Phylum Cnidaria, class Anthozoa) commonly found in shallow waters of coral reefs along the Mexican Atlantic coast. Little is known on the pharmacological and biochemical properties of the venom components of this animal group. Toxin peptides from other cnidarian venoms, like sea anemones, target sodium and potassium voltage-gated channels. In this study, we tested the activity of a low molecular weight fraction from the venom of P. caribaeorum on voltage-gated sodium channels of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons of the rat. Our results showed that this fraction delays tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive sodium channel inactivation indicated by a reversible 2-fold increase of the current at the decay. A peptide responsible for this activity was isolated and characterized. Its sequence showed that it does not resemble any previously reported toxin. Together, these results evidence the presence of neurotoxins in P. caribaeorum that act on sodium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Lazcano-Pérez
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico.
| | - Oscar Vivas
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Sergio A Román-González
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Rodríguez-Bustamante
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Héctor Castro
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Isabel Arenas
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - David E García
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Nuria Sánchez-Puig
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Roberto Arreguín-Espinosa
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico.
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Site-Directed Mutagenesis of BmK AGP-SYPU1: The Role of Two Conserved Tyr (Tyr5 and Tyr42) in Analgesic Activity. Protein J 2014; 33:157-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s10930-014-9547-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Martin-Eauclaire MF, Bosmans F, Céard B, Diochot S, Bougis PE. A first exploration of the venom of the Buthus occitanus scorpion found in southern France. Toxicon 2014; 79:55-63. [PMID: 24418174 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Even though Buthus occitanus scorpions are found throughout the Mediterranean region, a lack of distinctive characteristics has hampered their classification into different subspecies. Yet, stings from this particular scorpion family are reported each year to result in pain followed by various toxic symptoms. In order to determine the toxicity origin of the rare French B. occitanus Amoreux scorpion, we collected several specimens and studied their venom composition using a nano ultra high performance liquid chromatography and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (nano UHPLC/MALDI-TOF-MS) automated workflow combined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) approach. Moreover, we compared this dataset to that obtained from highly lethal Androctonus australis and Androctonus mauretanicus scorpions collected in North Africa. As a result, we found that the B. occitanus Amoreux venom is toxic to mice, an observation that is most likely caused by venom components that inhibit voltage-gated sodium channel inactivation. Moreover, we identified similarities in venom composition between B. occitanus scorpions living in the South of France and other Buthidae collected in Morocco and Algeria. As such, the results of this study should be taken into consideration when treating stings from the B. occitanus species living in the South of France.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-France Martin-Eauclaire
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CRN2M UMR7286, Faculté de Médecine, Campus Nord, CS80011, Bd Pierre Dramard, F-13344 Marseille Cedex 15, 13015 Marseille, France
| | - Frank Bosmans
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University-School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University-School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Brigitte Céard
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CRN2M UMR7286, Faculté de Médecine, Campus Nord, CS80011, Bd Pierre Dramard, F-13344 Marseille Cedex 15, 13015 Marseille, France
| | - Sylvie Diochot
- CNRS, IPMC UMR 6097, 06560, Sophia-Antipolis, Valbonne, France
| | - Pierre E Bougis
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CRN2M UMR7286, Faculté de Médecine, Campus Nord, CS80011, Bd Pierre Dramard, F-13344 Marseille Cedex 15, 13015 Marseille, France.
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Quintero-Hernández V, Jiménez-Vargas J, Gurrola G, Valdivia H, Possani L. Scorpion venom components that affect ion-channels function. Toxicon 2013; 76:328-42. [PMID: 23891887 PMCID: PMC4089097 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The number and types of venom components that affect ion-channel function are reviewed. These are the most important venom components responsible for human intoxication, deserving medical attention, often requiring the use of specific anti-venoms. Special emphasis is given to peptides that recognize Na(+)-, K(+)- and Ca(++)-channels of excitable cells. Knowledge generated by direct isolation of peptides from venom and components deduced from cloned genes, whose amino acid sequences are deposited into databanks are nowadays in the order of 1.5 thousands, out of an estimate biodiversity closed to 300,000. Here the diversity of components is briefly reviewed with mention to specific references. Structural characteristic are discussed with examples taken from published work. The principal mechanisms of action of the three different types of peptides are also reviewed. Na(+)-channel specific venom components usually are modifier of the open and closing kinetic mechanisms of the ion-channels, whereas peptides affecting K(+)-channels are normally pore blocking agents. The Ryanodine Ca(++)-channel specific peptides are known for causing sub-conducting stages of the channels conductance and some were shown to be able to internalize penetrating inside the muscle cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Quintero-Hernández
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Bioprocesses, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico
| | - J.M. Jiménez-Vargas
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Bioprocesses, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico
| | - G.B. Gurrola
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Bioprocesses, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico
- Cardiovascular Center 2139, Michigan University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5644, U.S.A
| | - H.H.F. Valdivia
- Cardiovascular Center 2139, Michigan University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5644, U.S.A
| | - L.D. Possani
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Bioprocesses, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico
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Ma Z, Kong J, Gordon D, Gurevitz M, Kallen RG. Direct evidence that scorpion α-toxins (site-3) modulate sodium channel inactivation by hindrance of voltage-sensor movements. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77758. [PMID: 24302985 PMCID: PMC3841157 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 09/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The position of the voltage-sensing transmembrane segment, S4, in voltage-gated ion channels as a function of voltage remains incompletely elucidated. Site-3 toxins bind primarily to the extracellular loops connecting transmembrane helical segments S1-S2 and S3-S4 in Domain 4 (D4) and S5-S6 in Domain 1 (D1) and slow fast-inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels. As S4 of the human skeletal muscle voltage-gated sodium channel, hNav1.4, moves in response to depolarization from the resting to the inactivated state, two D4S4 reporters (R2C and R3C, Arg1451Cys and Arg1454Cys, respectively) move from internal to external positions as deduced by reactivity to internally or externally applied sulfhydryl group reagents, methane thiosulfonates (MTS). The changes in reporter reactivity, when cycling rapidly between hyperpolarized and depolarized voltages, enabled determination of the positions of the D4 voltage-sensor and of its rate of movement. Scorpion α-toxin binding impedes D4S4 segment movement during inactivation since the modification rates of R3C in hNav1.4 with methanethiosulfonate (CH3SO2SCH2CH2R, where R = -N(CH3)3 (+) trimethylammonium, MTSET) and benzophenone-4-carboxamidocysteine methanethiosulfonate (BPMTS) were slowed ~10-fold in toxin-modified channels. Based upon the different size, hydrophobicity and charge of the two reagents it is unlikely that the change in reactivity is due to direct or indirect blockage of access of this site to reagent in the presence of toxin (Tx), but rather is the result of inability of this segment to move outward to the normal extent and at the normal rate in the toxin-modified channel. Measurements of availability of R3C to internally applied reagent show decreased access (slower rates of thiol reaction) providing further evidence for encumbered D4S4 movement in the presence of toxins consistent with the assignment of at least part of the toxin binding site to the region of D4S4 region of the voltage-sensor module.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongming Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jun Kong
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Dalia Gordon
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Ecology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michael Gurevitz
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Ecology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Roland G. Kallen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- The Mahoney Institute for Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Smith JJ, Herzig V, King GF, Alewood PF. The insecticidal potential of venom peptides. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:3665-93. [PMID: 23525661 PMCID: PMC11114029 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1315-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pest insect species are a burden to humans as they destroy crops and serve as vectors for a wide range of diseases including malaria and dengue. Chemical insecticides are currently the dominant approach for combating these pests. However, the de-registration of key classes of chemical insecticides due to their perceived ecological and human health risks in combination with the development of insecticide resistance in many pest insect populations has created an urgent need for improved methods of insect pest control. The venoms of arthropod predators such as spiders and scorpions are a promising source of novel insecticidal peptides that often have different modes of action to extant chemical insecticides. These peptides have been optimized via a prey-predator arms race spanning hundreds of millions of years to target specific types of insect ion channels and receptors. Here we review the current literature on insecticidal venom peptides, with a particular focus on their structural and pharmacological diversity, and discuss their potential for deployment as insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J. Smith
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Volker Herzig
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Paul F. Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
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Aphicidal efficacy of scorpion- and spider-derived neurotoxins. Toxicon 2013; 70:114-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2012] [Revised: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Zhu L, Peigneur S, Gao B, Tytgat J, Zhu S. Two recombinant α-like scorpion toxins from Mesobuthus eupeus with differential affinity toward insect and mammalian Na(+) channels. Biochimie 2013; 95:1732-40. [PMID: 23743216 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2013.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2012] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
α-Scorpion toxins are modulators of voltage-gated Na(+) channels (Navs), which bind to the receptor site 3 to inhibit the fast inactivation of the channels. MeuNaTxα-12 and MeuNaTxα-13 are two new α-scorpion toxin-like peptides identified by cDNA cloning from the scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus with unknown functions. Here, we report their recombinant production, oxidative refolding, structural and functional features. By in vitro renaturation from bacterial inclusion bodies and further purification through reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography, we obtained high purity recombinant products with a native-like conformation identified by circular dichroism analysis. Two-electrode voltage clamp recordings on five cloned mammalian Nav subtypes (rNav1.1, rNav1.2, rNav1.4, rNav1.5, and mNav1.6) and the insect counterpart DmNav1, all expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, showed that these two peptides inhibited rapid inactivation of the sensitive Na(+) channels with significant preference for DmNav1. The half maximal effective concentrations (EC50) of MeuNaTxα-12 and MeuNaTxα-13 for this channel are 19.95 ± 2.99 nM and 65.50 ± 7.28 nM, respectively, showing 45 and 38 folds higher affinities than for rNav1.1, the most sensitive mammalian channel among the five isoforms. Our functional data confirms that these two peptides belong to the α-like scorpion toxin group. A combined analysis of the site 3 sequences and the pharmacological data illuminates the importance of the loop LD4:S5-S6 of the channel in interacting with the toxins whereas affinity variations between MeuNaTxα-12 and MeuNaTxα-13 highlight a key functional role of a cationic side chain at position 28 of MeuNaTxα-12. Successful expression together with structural and functional characterization of these two new α-like scorpion toxins lays basis for further studies of their structure-function relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limei Zhu
- Group of Animal Innate Immunity, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest, Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Chugunov AO, Koromyslova AD, Berkut AA, Peigneur S, Tytgat J, Polyansky AA, Pentkovsky VM, Vassilevski AA, Grishin EV, Efremov RG. Modular organization of α-toxins from scorpion venom mirrors domain structure of their targets, sodium channels. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:19014-27. [PMID: 23637230 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.431650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To gain success in the evolutionary "arms race," venomous animals such as scorpions produce diverse neurotoxins selected to hit targets in the nervous system of prey. Scorpion α-toxins affect insect and/or mammalian voltage-gated sodium channels (Na(v)s) and thereby modify the excitability of muscle and nerve cells. Although more than 100 α-toxins are known and a number of them have been studied into detail, the molecular mechanism of their interaction with Na(v)s is still poorly understood. Here, we employ extensive molecular dynamics simulations and spatial mapping of hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties distributed over the molecular surface of α-toxins. It is revealed that despite the small size and relatively rigid structure, these toxins possess modular organization from structural, functional, and evolutionary perspectives. The more conserved and rigid "core module" is supplemented with the "specificity module" (SM) that is comparatively flexible and variable and determines the taxon (mammal versus insect) specificity of α-toxin activity. We further show that SMs in mammal toxins are more flexible and hydrophilic than in insect toxins. Concomitant sequence-based analysis of the extracellular loops of Na(v)s suggests that α-toxins recognize the channels using both modules. We propose that the core module binds to the voltage-sensing domain IV, whereas the more versatile SM interacts with the pore domain in repeat I of Na(v)s. These findings corroborate and expand the hypothesis on different functional epitopes of toxins that has been reported previously. In effect, we propose that the modular structure in toxins evolved to match the domain architecture of Na(v)s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton O Chugunov
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia.
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Gordon D, Chen R, Chung SH. Computational methods of studying the binding of toxins from venomous animals to biological ion channels: theory and applications. Physiol Rev 2013; 93:767-802. [PMID: 23589832 PMCID: PMC3768100 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00035.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of new drugs that selectively block or modulate ion channels has great potential to provide new treatments for a host of conditions. One promising avenue revolves around modifying or mimicking certain naturally occurring ion channel modulator toxins. This strategy appears to offer the prospect of designing drugs that are both potent and specific. The use of computational modeling is crucial to this endeavor, as it has the potential to provide lower cost alternatives for exploring the effects of new compounds on ion channels. In addition, computational modeling can provide structural information and theoretical understanding that is not easily derivable from experimental results. In this review, we look at the theory and computational methods that are applicable to the study of ion channel modulators. The first section provides an introduction to various theoretical concepts, including force-fields and the statistical mechanics of binding. We then look at various computational techniques available to the researcher, including molecular dynamics, brownian dynamics, and molecular docking systems. The latter section of the review explores applications of these techniques, concentrating on pore blocker and gating modifier toxins of potassium and sodium channels. After first discussing the structural features of these channels, and their modes of block, we provide an in-depth review of past computational work that has been carried out. Finally, we discuss prospects for future developments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Gordon
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 0200, Australia.
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Zeng XC, Nie Y, Luo X, Wu S, Shi W, Zhang L, Liu Y, Cao H, Yang Y, Zhou J. Molecular and bioinformatical characterization of a novel superfamily of cysteine-rich peptides from arthropods. Peptides 2013; 41:45-58. [PMID: 23099316 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 10/05/2012] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The full-length cDNA sequences of two novel cysteine-rich peptides (referred to as HsVx1 and MmKTx1) were obtained from scorpions. The two peptides represent a novel class of cysteine-rich peptides with a unique cysteine pattern. The genomic sequence of HsVx1 is composed of three exons interrupted by two introns that are localized in the mature peptide encoding region and inserted in phase 1 and phase 2, respectively. Such a genomic organization markedly differs from those of other peptides from scorpions described previously. Genome-wide search for the orthologs of HsVx1 identified 59 novel cysteine-rich peptides from arthropods. These peptides share a consistent cysteine pattern with HsVx1. Genomic comparison revealed extensive intron length differences and intronic number and position polymorphisms among the genes of these peptides. Further analysis identified 30 cases of intron sliding, 1 case of intron gain and 22 cases of intron loss occurred with the genes of the HsVx1 and HsVx1-like peptides. It is interesting to see that three HsVx1-like peptides XP_001658928, XP_001658929 and XP_001658930 were derived from a single gene (XP gene): the former two were generated from alternative splicing; the third one was encoded by a DNA region in the reverse complementary strand of the third intron of the XP gene. These findings strongly suggest that the genes of these cysteine-rich peptides were evolved by intron sliding, intron gain/loss, gene recombination and alternative splicing events in response to selective forces without changing their cysteine pattern. The evolution of these genes is dominated by intron sliding and intron loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Chun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China.
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Forsyth P, Sevcik C, Martínez R, Castillo C, D'Suze G. Bactridine's effects on DUM cricket neurons under voltage clamp conditions. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2012; 58:1676-1685. [PMID: 23085555 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2012.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2012] [Revised: 10/08/2012] [Accepted: 10/09/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We describe the effects of six bactridines (150 nM) on cricket dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons. The addition of bactridine 2 to DUM neurons induced a large current component with a reversal potential more negative than -30 mV, most evident at the end of the pulses. This current was completely suppressed when 1 μM amiloride was applied before adding the bactridines. Since the amiloride sensitive current is able to distort the aim of our study, i.e. the effect of bactridines on sodium channels, all experiments were done in the presence of 1 μM amiloride. Most bactridines induced voltage shifts of V(1/2) of the Boltzmann inactivation voltage dependency curves in the hyperpolarizing direction. Bactridines 1, 4 and 6 reduced Na current peak by 65, 80 and 24% of the control, respectively. The sodium conductance blockage by bactridines was voltage independent at potentials >20 mV. Bactridines effect on cricket DUM neurons does not correspond to neither α- nor β-toxins. Most bactridines shifted the inactivation curves in the hyperpolarizing direction without any effects on the activation m(∞)-like curves. Also bactridines differ from other NaScpTx in that they increased an amiloride-sensitive conductance in DUM neurons. Our result suggest that the α/β classification of sodium scorpion toxins is not all encompassing. The present work shows that bactridines target more than one site: insect voltage dependent Na channels and an amiloride-sensitive ionic pathway which is under study.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Forsyth
- Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Unidad de Neurociencias, Caracas, Venezuela
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