101
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Ravipati AS, Henriques ST, Poth AG, Kaas Q, Wang CK, Colgrave ML, Craik DJ. Lysine-rich Cyclotides: A New Subclass of Circular Knotted Proteins from Violaceae. ACS Chem Biol 2015; 10:2491-500. [PMID: 26322745 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b00454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cyclotides are macrocyclic proteins produced by plants for host defense. Although they occur sparsely in other plant families, cyclotides have been detected in every Violaceae plant species so far screened. Many of the Violaceae species examined until now have been from closely related geographical regions or habitats. To test the hypothesis that cyclotides are ubiquitous in this family, two geographically isolated (and critically endangered) species of Australasian Violaceae, namely Melicytus chathamicus and M. latifolius, were examined. Surprisingly, we discovered a suite of cyclotides possessing novel sequence features, including a lysine-rich nature, distinguishing them from "conventional" cyclotides and suggesting that they might have different physiological activities in plants to those reported to date. The newly discovered cyclotides were found to bind to lipid membranes and were cytotoxic against cancer cell lines but had low toxicity against red blood cells, which is advantageous for potential therapeutic applications. This suite of novel Lys-rich cyclotides emphasizes the broad diversity of cyclotides in Violaceae species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjaneya S. Ravipati
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Aaron G. Poth
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Conan K. Wang
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Michelle L. Colgrave
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Agriculture Flagship, St. Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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102
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Senthilkumar B, Kumar P, Rajasekaran R. In-Silico Template Selection of In-Vitro Evolved Kalata B1 ofOldenlandia Affinisfor Scaffolding Peptide-Based Drug Design. J Cell Biochem 2015; 117:66-73. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B. Senthilkumar
- Bioinformatics Division; School of Bio Sciences and Technology; Vellore Institute of Technology University; Vellore 632014 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Prakash Kumar
- Bioinformatics Division; School of Bio Sciences and Technology; Vellore Institute of Technology University; Vellore 632014 Tamil Nadu India
| | - R. Rajasekaran
- Bioinformatics Division; School of Bio Sciences and Technology; Vellore Institute of Technology University; Vellore 632014 Tamil Nadu India
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103
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Weller CE, Chatterjee C. All about that Amide Bond: The Sixth Chemical Protein Synthesis (CPS) Meeting. Chembiochem 2015; 16:2531-6. [PMID: 26457983 PMCID: PMC4749268 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Endless potential: The sixth Chemical Protein Synthesis Meeting, held recently in St. Augustine, Florida, showed the potential of peptide and protein chemistry when applied toward understanding and controlling complex biological processes. This report highlights the diverse and cutting-edge protein chemistry presented at the meeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E Weller
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Champak Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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104
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Herzig V, King GF. The Cystine Knot Is Responsible for the Exceptional Stability of the Insecticidal Spider Toxin ω-Hexatoxin-Hv1a. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:4366-80. [PMID: 26516914 PMCID: PMC4626739 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7104366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) is an unusual three-disulfide architecture in which one of the disulfide bonds bisects a loop formed by the two other disulfide bridges and the intervening sections of the protein backbone. Peptides containing an ICK motif are frequently considered to have high levels of thermal, chemical and enzymatic stability due to cross-bracing provided by the disulfide bonds. Experimental studies supporting this contention are rare, in particular for spider-venom toxins, which represent the largest diversity of ICK peptides. We used ω-hexatoxin-Hv1a (Hv1a), an insecticidal toxin from the deadly Australian funnel-web spider, as a model system to examine the contribution of the cystine knot to the stability of ICK peptides. We show that Hv1a is highly stable when subjected to temperatures up to 75 °C, pH values as low as 1, and various organic solvents. Moreover, Hv1a was highly resistant to digestion by proteinase K and when incubated in insect hemolymph and human plasma. We demonstrate that the ICK motif is essential for the remarkable stability of Hv1a, with the peptide’s stability being dramatically reduced when the disulfide bonds are eliminated. Thus, this study demonstrates that the ICK motif significantly enhances the chemical and thermal stability of spider-venom peptides and provides them with a high level of protease resistance. This study also provides guidance to the conditions under which Hv1a could be stored and deployed as a bioinsecticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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.
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105
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Xu X, Wang H, Zhang F, Hu Z, Liang S, Liu Z. A Comparative Analysis of the Venom Gland Transcriptomes of the Fishing Spiders Dolomedes mizhoanus and Dolomedes sulfurous. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139908. [PMID: 26445494 PMCID: PMC4596850 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dolomedes sulfurous and Dolomedes mizhoanus are predaceous arthropods catching and feeding on small fish. They live in the same area and have similar habits. Their venoms exhibit some similarities and differences in biochemical and electrophysiological properties. In the present work, we first performed a transcriptomic analysis by constructing the venom gland cDNA library of D. sulfurous and 127 novel putative toxin sequences were consequently identified, which were classified into eight families. This venom gland transcriptome was then compared with that of D. mizhoanus, which revealed that the putative toxins from both spider venoms might have originated from the same gene ancestors although novel toxins were evolved independently in the two spiders. The putative toxins from both spiders contain 6-12 cysteine residues forming seven cysteine patterns. As revealed by blast search, the two venoms are rich in neurotoxins targeting ion channels with pharmacological and therapeutic significance. This study provides insight into the venoms of two closely related species of spider, which will be of use for future investigations into the structure and function of their toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xunxun Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Hengyun Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaotun Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Songping Liang
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
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106
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Lim NCH, Jackson SE. Molecular knots in biology and chemistry. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2015; 27:354101. [PMID: 26291690 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/27/35/354101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Knots and entanglements are ubiquitous. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these fascinating topological entities can be either useful or cumbersome. In recent decades, the importance and prevalence of molecular knots have been increasingly recognised by scientists from different disciplines. In this review, we provide an overview on the various molecular knots found in naturally occurring biological systems (DNA, RNA and proteins), and those created by synthetic chemists. We discuss the current knowledge in these fields, including recent developments in experimental and, in some cases, computational studies which are beginning to shed light into the complex interplay between the structure, formation and properties of these topologically intricate molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole C H Lim
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK. Faculty of Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE 1410, Brunei Darussalam
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107
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Treggiari D, Zoccatelli G, Molesini B, Degan M, Rotino GL, Sala T, Cavallini C, MacRae CA, Minuz P, Pandolfini T. A cystine-knot miniprotein from tomato fruit inhibits endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis by affecting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) activation and nitric oxide production. Mol Nutr Food Res 2015; 59:2255-66. [PMID: 26255647 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201500267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2015] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
SCOPE Cystine-knot miniproteins are bioactive molecules with a broad range of potential therapeutic applications. Recently, it was demonstrated that two tomato cystine-knot miniproteins (TCMPs) exhibit in vitro antiangiogenic activity on human umbilical vein cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a fruit-specific cystine-knot miniprotein of tomato on in vitro endothelial cell migration and in vivo angiogenesis using a zebrafish model. METHODS AND RESULTS The cystine-knot protein purified from tomato fruits using gel filtration LC and RP-HPLC inhibited cell migration when tested at 200 nM using the wound healing assay, and reduced nitric oxide formation probed by 4-amino-5-methylamino-27-difluorofluoscescin diacetate. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses demonstrated that vascular endothelium growth factor A dependent signaling was the target of TCMP bioactivity. Angiogenesis was inhibited in vivo in zebrafish embryos treated with 500 nM TCMP. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that cystine-knot miniproteins present in mature tomato fruits are endowed with antiangiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. These molecules may confer beneficial effects to tomato dietary intake, along with lycopene and other antioxidants. Further investigation is warranted to explore the potential of these compounds as model scaffolds for the development of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Treggiari
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Molesini
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maurizio Degan
- Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Leonardo Rotino
- CRA-ORL Council for Agriculture Research and Economics, Research Unit for Vegetable Crops, Montanaso Lombardo, Lodi, Italy
| | - Tea Sala
- CRA-ORL Council for Agriculture Research and Economics, Research Unit for Vegetable Crops, Montanaso Lombardo, Lodi, Italy
| | - Chiara Cavallini
- L.U.R.M. University Laboratory for Medical Research, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Calum A MacRae
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Pietro Minuz
- Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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108
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Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), together with the eponymous transforming growth factor (TGF) β and the Activins form the TGFβ superfamily of ligands. This protein family comprises more than 30 structurally highly related proteins, which determine formation, maintenance, and regeneration of tissues and organs. Their importance for the development of multicellular organisms is evident from their existence in all vertebrates as well as nonvertebrate animals. From their highly specific functions in vivo either a strict relation between a particular ligand and its cognate cellular receptor and/or a stringent regulation to define a distinct temperospatial expression pattern for the various ligands and receptor is expected. However, only a limited number of receptors are found to serve a large number of ligands thus implicating highly promiscuous ligand-receptor interactions instead. Since in tissues a multitude of ligands are often found, which signal via a highly overlapping set of receptors, this raises the question how such promiscuous interactions between different ligands and their receptors can generate concerted and highly specific cellular signals required during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Mueller
- Department Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs Institute of the University Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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109
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Abstract
Peptide neurotoxins from cone snails called conotoxins are renowned for their therapeutic potential to treat pain and several neurodegenerative diseases. Inefficient assay-guided discovery methods have been replaced by high-throughput bioassays integrated with advanced MS and next-generation sequencing, ushering in the era of 'venomics'. In this review, we focus on the impact of venomics on the understanding of cone snail biology as well as the application of venomics to accelerate the discovery of new conotoxins. We also discuss the continued importance of medicinal chemistry approaches to optimize conotoxins for clinical use, with a descriptive case study of MrIA featured.
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110
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Mucić ID, Nikolić MR, Stojanović SĐ. Contribution of cation-π interactions to the stability of Sm/LSm oligomeric assemblies. PROTOPLASMA 2015; 252:947-958. [PMID: 25408427 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-014-0727-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we have analyzed the influence of cation-π interactions to the stability of Sm/LSm assemblies and their environmental preferences. The number of interactions formed by arginine is higher than lysine in the cationic group, while histidine is comparatively higher than phenylalanine and tyrosine in the π group. Arg-Tyr interactions are predominant among the various pairs analyzed. The furcation level of multiple cation-π interactions is much higher than that of single cation-π interactions in Sm/LSm interfaces. We have found hot spot residues forming cation-π interactions, and hot spot composition is similar for all aromatic residues. The Arg-Phe pair has the strongest interaction energy of -8.81 kcal mol(-1) among all the possible pairs of amino acids. The extent of burial of the residue side-chain correlates with the ΔΔG of binding for residues in the core and also for hot spot residues cation-π bonded across the interface. Secondary structure of the cation-π residues shows that Arg and Lys preferred to be in strand. Among the π residues, His prefers to be in helix, Phe prefers to be in turn, and Tyr prefers to be in strand. Stabilization centers for these proteins showed that all the five residues found in cation-π interactions are important in locating one or more of such centers. More than 50 % of the cation-π interacting residues are highly conserved. It is likely that the cation-π interactions contribute significantly to the overall stability of Sm/LSm proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana D Mucić
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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111
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Three Peptide Modulators of the Human Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel 1.7, an Important Analgesic Target, from the Venom of an Australian Tarantula. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:2494-513. [PMID: 26134258 PMCID: PMC4516925 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7072494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels are responsible for propagating action potentials in excitable cells. NaV1.7 plays a crucial role in the human pain signalling pathway and it is an important therapeutic target for treatment of chronic pain. Numerous spider venom peptides have been shown to modulate the activity of NaV channels and these peptides represent a rich source of research tools and therapeutic lead molecules. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity of NaV1.7-active peptides in the venom of an Australian Phlogius sp. tarantula and to characterise their potency and subtype selectivity. We isolated three novel peptides, μ-TRTX-Phlo1a, -Phlo1b and -Phlo2a, that inhibit human NaV1.7 (hNaV1.7). Phlo1a and Phlo1b are 35-residue peptides that differ by one amino acid and belong in NaSpTx family 2. The partial sequence of Phlo2a revealed extensive similarity with ProTx-II from NaSpTx family 3. Phlo1a and Phlo1b inhibit hNaV1.7 with IC50 values of 459 and 360 nM, respectively, with only minor inhibitory activity on rat NaV1.2 and hNaV1.5. Although similarly potent at hNaV1.7 (IC50 333 nM), Phlo2a was less selective, as it also potently inhibited rNaV1.2 and hNaV1.5. All three peptides cause a depolarising shift in the voltage-dependence of hNaV1.7 activation.
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112
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Kwong K, Carr MJ. Voltage-gated sodium channels. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2015; 22:131-9. [PMID: 26043074 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2015.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Revised: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels play a key role in the transmission of sensory information about the status of organs in the periphery. Sensory fibers contain a heterogeneous yet specific distribution of voltage-gated sodium channel isoforms. Major efforts by industry and academic groups are underway to develop medicines that interrupt inappropriate signaling for a number of clinical indications by taking advantage of this specific distribution of channel isoforms. This review highlights recent advances in the study of human channelopathies, animal toxins and channel structure that may facilitate the development of selective voltage-gated sodium channel blockers.
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113
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de Lera Ruiz M, Kraus RL. Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels: Structure, Function, Pharmacology, and Clinical Indications. J Med Chem 2015; 58:7093-118. [PMID: 25927480 DOI: 10.1021/jm501981g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 335] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The tremendous therapeutic potential of voltage-gated sodium channels (Na(v)s) has been the subject of many studies in the past and is of intense interest today. Na(v)1.7 channels in particular have received much attention recently because of strong genetic validation of their involvement in nociception. Here we summarize the current status of research in the Na(v) field and present the most relevant recent developments with respect to the molecular structure, general physiology, and pharmacology of distinct Na(v) channel subtypes. We discuss Na(v) channel ligands such as small molecules, toxins isolated from animal venoms, and the recently identified Na(v)1.7-selective antibody. Furthermore, we review eight characterized ligand binding sites on the Na(v) channel α subunit. Finally, we examine possible therapeutic applications of Na(v) ligands and provide an update on current clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel de Lera Ruiz
- Merck Research Laboratories , 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Richard L Kraus
- Merck Research Laboratories , 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
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114
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Maaß F, Wüstehube-Lausch J, Dickgießer S, Valldorf B, Reinwarth M, Schmoldt HU, Daneschdar M, Avrutina O, Sahin U, Kolmar H. Cystine-knot peptides targeting cancer-relevant human cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4). J Pept Sci 2015; 21:651-60. [PMID: 25964162 DOI: 10.1002/psc.2782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 03/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cystine-knot peptides sharing a common fold but displaying a notably large diversity within the primary structure of flanking loops have shown great potential as scaffolds for the development of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. In this study, we demonstrated that the cystine-knot peptide MCoTI-II, a trypsin inhibitor from Momordica cochinchinensis, can be engineered to bind to cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), an inhibitory receptor expressed by T lymphocytes, that has emerged as a target for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Directed evolution was used to convert a cystine-knot trypsin inhibitor into a CTLA-4 binder by screening a library of variants using yeast surface display. A set of cystine-knot peptides possessing dissociation constants in the micromolar range was obtained; the most potent variant was synthesized chemically. Successive conjugation with neutravidin, fusion to antibody Fc domain or the oligomerization domain of C4b binding protein resulted in oligovalent variants that possessed enhanced (up to 400-fold) dissociation constants in the nanomolar range. Our data indicate that display of multiple knottin peptides on an oligomeric scaffold protein is a valid strategy to improve their functional affinity with ramifications for applications in diagnostics and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Maaß
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Stephan Dickgießer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Bernhard Valldorf
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Michael Reinwarth
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | | | - Olga Avrutina
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Harald Kolmar
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
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115
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Chen J, Xu Y, San M, Cao Z, Li W, Wu Y, Chen Z. Cloning and Genomic Characterization of a Natural Insecticidal Peptide LaIT1 with Unique DDH Structural Fold. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2015; 29:207-12. [DOI: 10.1002/jbt.21686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Revised: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Hubei University of Medicine; Hubei People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology; College of Life Sciences; Wuhan University; Hubei People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Hubei University of Medicine; Hubei People's Republic of China
| | - Mingkui San
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Hubei University of Medicine; Hubei People's Republic of China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology; College of Life Sciences; Wuhan University; Hubei People's Republic of China
| | - Wenxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology; College of Life Sciences; Wuhan University; Hubei People's Republic of China
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology; College of Life Sciences; Wuhan University; Hubei People's Republic of China
| | - Zongyun Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Hubei University of Medicine; Hubei People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology; College of Life Sciences; Wuhan University; Hubei People's Republic of China
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116
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Na S, Paek E, Choi JS, Kim D, Lee SJ, Kwon J. Characterization of disulfide bonds by planned digestion and tandem mass spectrometry. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2015; 11:1156-64. [PMID: 25703060 PMCID: PMC4410109 DOI: 10.1039/c4mb00688g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The identification of disulfide bonds provides critical information regarding the structure and function of a protein and is a key aspect in understanding signaling cascades in biological systems. Recent proteomic approaches using digestion enzymes have facilitated the characterization of disulfide-bonds and/or oxidized products from cysteine residues, although these methods have limitations in the application of MS/MS. For example, protein digestion to obtain the native form of disulfide bonds results in short lengths of amino acids, which can cause ambiguous MS/MS analysis due to false positive identifications. In this study we propose a new approach, termed planned digestion, to obtain sufficient amino acid lengths after cleavage for proteomic approaches. Application of the DBond software to planned digestion of specific proteins accurately identified disulfide-linked peptides. RNase A was used as a model protein in this study because the disulfide bonds of this protein have been well characterized. Application of this approach to peptides digested with Asp-N/C (chemical digestion) and trypsin under acid hydrolysis conditions identified the four native disulfide bonds of RNase A. Missed cleavages introduced by trypsin treatment for only 3 hours generated sufficient lengths of amino acids for identification of the disulfide bonds. Analysis using MS/MS successfully showed additional fragmentation patterns that are cleavage products of S-S and C-S bonds of disulfide-linkage peptides. These fragmentation patterns generate thioaldehydes, persulfide, and dehydroalanine. This approach of planned digestion with missed cleavages using the DBond algorithm could be applied to other proteins to determine their disulfide linkage and the oxidation patterns of cysteine residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungjin Na
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States of America
- Center for Computational Mass Spectrometry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States of America
| | - Eunok Paek
- Division of Computer Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Rep. of Korea
| | - Jong-Soon Choi
- Division of Life Science, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 350-333, Rep. of Korea
| | - Duwoon Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology and Function Food Research Center, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Rep. of Korea
| | - Seung Jae Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Research Center for Physics and Chemistry, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Rep. of Korea
| | - Joseph Kwon
- Division of Life Science, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 350-333, Rep. of Korea
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117
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Berecki G, Daly NL, Huang YH, Vink S, Craik DJ, Alewood PF, Adams DJ. Effects of arginine 10 to lysine substitution on ω-conotoxin CVIE and CVIF block of Cav2.2 channels. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 171:3313-27. [PMID: 24628243 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Revised: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE ω-Conotoxins CVIE and CVIF (CVIE&F) selectively inhibit Cav2.2 channels and are lead molecules in the development of novel analgesics. At physiological membrane potentials, CVIE&F block of Cav2.2 channels is weakly reversible. To improve reversibility, we designed and synthesized arginine CVIE&F analogues in which arginine was substituted for lysine at position 10 ([R10K]CVIE&F), and investigated their serum stability and pharmacological actions on voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Changes in peptide structure due to R10K substitution were assessed by NMR. Peptide stability in human serum was analysed by reversed-phase HPLC and MS over a 24 h period. Two-electrode voltage-clamp and whole-cell patch clamp techniques were used to study [R10K]CVIE&F effects on VGCC currents in Xenopus oocytes and rat dorsal root ganglion neurons respectively. KEY RESULTS R10K substitution did not change the conserved ω-conotoxin backbone conformations of CVIE&F nor the ω-conotoxin selectivity for recombinant or native Cav2.2 channels, although the inhibitory potency of [R10K]CVIF was better than that of CVIF. At -80 mV, the R10K chemical modification significantly affected ω-conotoxin-channel interaction, resulting in faster onset kinetics than those of CVIE&F. Heterologous and native Cav2.2 channels recovered better from [R10K]CVIE&F block than CVIE&F. In human serum, the ω-conotoxin half-lives were 6-10 h. CVIE&F and [R10K]CVIE&F were more stable than CVID. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS R10K substitution in CVIE&F significantly alters the kinetics of ω-conotoxin action and improves reversibility without diminishing conotoxin potency and specificity for the Cav2.2 channel and without diminishing the serum stability. These results may help generate ω-conotoxins with optimized kinetic profiles for target binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Berecki
- Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
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118
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Breberina LM, Milčić MK, Nikolić MR, Stojanović SĐ. Contribution of anion-π interactions to the stability of Sm/LSm proteins. J Biol Inorg Chem 2014; 20:475-85. [PMID: 25502146 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-014-1227-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
We have analyzed the influence of anion-π interactions to the stability of Sm/LSm assemblies. The side chain of Glu is more likely to be in anion-π interactions than Asp. Phe has the highest occurrence in these interactions than the other two π residues. Among the anion-π residue pairs, Glu-Phe residue pair showed the maximum number of anion-π. We have found hot-spot residues forming anion-π interactions, and Glu-Phe is the most common hot-spot interacting pair. The significant numbers of anion-π interacting residues identified in the dataset were involved in the formation of multiple anion-π interactions. More than half of the residues involved in these interactions are evolutionarily conserved. The anion-π interaction energies are distance and orientation dependent. It was found that anion-π interactions showed energy less than -15 kcal mol(-1), and most of them have energy in the range -2 to -9 kcal mol(-1). Solvent accessibility pattern of Sm/LSm proteins reveals that all of the interacting residues are preferred to be in buried regions. Most of the interacting residues preferred to be in strand. A significant percentage of anion-π interacting residues are located as stabilization centers and thus might provide additional stability to these proteins. The simultaneous interaction of anions and cations on different faces of the same π-system has been observed. On the whole, the results presented in this work will be very useful for understanding the contribution of anion-π interaction to the stability of Sm/LSm proteins.
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119
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Structural interactions of a voltage sensor toxin with lipid membranes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:E5463-70. [PMID: 25453087 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1415324111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein toxins from tarantula venom alter the activity of diverse ion channel proteins, including voltage, stretch, and ligand-activated cation channels. Although tarantula toxins have been shown to partition into membranes, and the membrane is thought to play an important role in their activity, the structural interactions between these toxins and lipid membranes are poorly understood. Here, we use solid-state NMR and neutron diffraction to investigate the interactions between a voltage sensor toxin (VSTx1) and lipid membranes, with the goal of localizing the toxin in the membrane and determining its influence on membrane structure. Our results demonstrate that VSTx1 localizes to the headgroup region of lipid membranes and produces a thinning of the bilayer. The toxin orients such that many basic residues are in the aqueous phase, all three Trp residues adopt interfacial positions, and several hydrophobic residues are within the membrane interior. One remarkable feature of this preferred orientation is that the surface of the toxin that mediates binding to voltage sensors is ideally positioned within the lipid bilayer to favor complex formation between the toxin and the voltage sensor.
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120
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Ciccimaro E, Ranasinghe A, D’Arienzo C, Xu C, Onorato J, Drexler DM, Josephs JL, Poss M, Olah T. Strategy to Improve the Quantitative LC-MS Analysis of Molecular Ions Resistant to Gas-Phase Collision Induced Dissociation: Application to Disulfide-Rich Cyclic Peptides. Anal Chem 2014; 86:11523-7. [DOI: 10.1021/ac502678y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Ciccimaro
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Asoka Ranasinghe
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Celia D’Arienzo
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Carrie Xu
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Joelle Onorato
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | | | - Jonathan L. Josephs
- ThermoFisher Scientific, 355 River
Oaks Parkway, San Jose, California 95134, United States
| | - Michael Poss
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Timothy Olah
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
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121
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Holocyclotoxin-1, a cystine knot toxin from Ixodes holocyclus. Toxicon 2014; 90:308-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.08.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Revised: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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122
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Aili SR, Touchard A, Escoubas P, Padula MP, Orivel J, Dejean A, Nicholson GM. Diversity of peptide toxins from stinging ant venoms. Toxicon 2014; 92:166-78. [PMID: 25448389 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) represent a taxonomically diverse group of arthropods comprising nearly 13,000 extant species. Sixteen ant subfamilies have individuals that possess a stinger and use their venom for purposes such as a defence against predators, competitors and microbial pathogens, for predation, as well as for social communication. They exhibit a range of activities including antimicrobial, haemolytic, cytolytic, paralytic, insecticidal and pain-producing pharmacologies. While ant venoms are known to be rich in alkaloids and hydrocarbons, ant venoms rich in peptides are becoming more common, yet remain understudied. Recent advances in mass spectrometry techniques have begun to reveal the true complexity of ant venom peptide composition. In the few venoms explored thus far, most peptide toxins appear to occur as small polycationic linear toxins, with antibacterial properties and insecticidal activity. Unlike other venomous animals, a number of ant venoms also contain a range of homodimeric and heterodimeric peptides with one or two interchain disulfide bonds possessing pore-forming, allergenic and paralytic actions. However, ant venoms seem to have only a small number of monomeric disulfide-linked peptides. The present review details the structure and pharmacology of known ant venom peptide toxins and their potential as a source of novel bioinsecticides and therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira R Aili
- Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Medical & Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France
| | - Pierre Escoubas
- VenomeTech, 473 Route des Dolines - Villa 3, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Matthew P Padula
- Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Medical & Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France; Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France.
| | - Graham M Nicholson
- Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Medical & Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
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123
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Bastianelli G, Bouillon A, Nguyen C, Le-Nguyen D, Nilges M, Barale JC. Computational design of protein-based inhibitors of Plasmodium vivax subtilisin-like 1 protease. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109269. [PMID: 25343504 PMCID: PMC4208747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 08/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria remains a major global health concern. The development of novel therapeutic strategies is critical to overcome the selection of multiresistant parasites. The subtilisin-like protease (SUB1) involved in the egress of daughter Plasmodium parasites from infected erythrocytes and in their subsequent invasion into fresh erythrocytes has emerged as an interesting new drug target. FINDINGS Using a computational approach based on homology modeling, protein-protein docking and mutation scoring, we designed protein-based inhibitors of Plasmodium vivax SUB1 (PvSUB1) and experimentally evaluated their inhibitory activity. The small peptidic trypsin inhibitor EETI-II was used as scaffold. We mutated residues at specific positions (P4 and P1) and calculated the change in free-energy of binding with PvSUB1. In agreement with our predictions, we identified a mutant of EETI-II (EETI-II-P4LP1W) with a Ki in the medium micromolar range. CONCLUSIONS Despite the challenges related to the lack of an experimental structure of PvSUB1, the computational protocol we developed in this study led to the design of protein-based inhibitors of PvSUB1. The approach we describe in this paper, together with other examples, demonstrates the capabilities of computational procedures to accelerate and guide the design of novel proteins with interesting therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Bastianelli
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Bioinformatique Structurale, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3528, Paris, France
| | - Anthony Bouillon
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d’Immunologie Moléculaires des Parasites, Département de Parasitologie et de Mycologie & CNRS URA 2581, Paris, France
- CNRS, URA2581, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Michael Nilges
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Bioinformatique Structurale, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3528, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Barale
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d’Immunologie Moléculaires des Parasites, Département de Parasitologie et de Mycologie & CNRS URA 2581, Paris, France
- CNRS, URA2581, Paris, France
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124
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Reinwarth M, Avrutina O, Fabritz S, Kolmar H. Fragmentation follows structure: top-down mass spectrometry elucidates the topology of engineered cystine-knot miniproteins. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108626. [PMID: 25303319 PMCID: PMC4193770 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades the field of pharmaceutically relevant peptides has enormously expanded. Among them, several peptide families exist that contain three or more disulfide bonds. In this context, elucidation of the disulfide patterns is extremely important as these motifs are often prerequisites for folding, stability, and activity. An example of this structure-determining pattern is a cystine knot which comprises three constrained disulfide bonds and represents a core element in a vast number of mechanically interlocked peptidic structures possessing different biological activities. Herein, we present our studies on disulfide pattern determination and structure elucidation of cystine-knot miniproteins derived from Momordica cochinchinensis peptide MCoTI-II, which act as potent inhibitors of human matriptase-1. A top-down mass spectrometric analysis of the oxidised and bioactive peptides is described. Following the detailed sequencing of the peptide backbone, interpretation of the MS(3) spectra allowed for the verification of the knotted topology of the examined miniproteins. Moreover, we found that the fragmentation pattern depends on the knottin's folding state, hence, tertiary structure, which to our knowledge has not been described for a top-down MS approach before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Reinwarth
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Olga Avrutina
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Harald Kolmar
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- * E-mail: (SF); (HK)
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125
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Pham T, Chuang T, Lin A, Joo H, Tsai J, Crawford T, Zhao L, Williams C, Hsia Y, Vierra C. Dragline silk: a fiber assembled with low-molecular-weight cysteine-rich proteins. Biomacromolecules 2014; 15:4073-81. [PMID: 25259849 DOI: 10.1021/bm5011239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Dragline silk has been proposed to contain two main protein constituents, MaSp1 and MaSp2. However, the mechanical properties of synthetic spider silks spun from recombinant MaSp1 and MaSp2 proteins have yet to approach natural fibers, implying the natural spinning dope is missing critical factors. Here we report the discovery of novel molecular constituents within the spinning dope that are extruded into dragline silk. Protein studies of the liquid spinning dope from the major ampullate gland, coupled with the analysis of dragline silk fibers using mass spectrometry, demonstrate the presence of a new family of low-molecular-weight cysteine-rich proteins (CRPs) that colocalize with the MA fibroins. Expression of the CRP family members is linked to dragline silk production, specifically MaSp1 and MaSp2 mRNA synthesis. Biochemical data support that CRP molecules are secreted into the spinning dope and assembled into macromolecular complexes via disulfide bond linkages. Sequence analysis supports that CRP molecules share similarities to members that belong to the cystine slipknot superfamily, suggesting that these factors may have evolved to increase fiber toughness by serving as molecular hubs that dissipate large amounts of energy under stress. Collectively, our findings provide molecular details about the components of dragline silk, providing new insight that will advance materials development of synthetic spider silk for industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Pham
- Departments of †Biology and §Chemistry, University of the Pacific , Stockton, California 95211, United States
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126
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Hill TA, Shepherd NE, Diness F, Fairlie DP. Constraining cyclic peptides to mimic protein structure motifs. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2014; 53:13020-41. [PMID: 25287434 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201401058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 306] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Many proteins exert their biological activities through small exposed surface regions called epitopes that are folded peptides of well-defined three-dimensional structures. Short synthetic peptide sequences corresponding to these bioactive protein surfaces do not form thermodynamically stable protein-like structures in water. However, short peptides can be induced to fold into protein-like bioactive conformations (strands, helices, turns) by cyclization, in conjunction with the use of other molecular constraints, that helps to fine-tune three-dimensional structure. Such constrained cyclic peptides can have protein-like biological activities and potencies, enabling their uses as biological probes and leads to therapeutics, diagnostics and vaccines. This Review highlights examples of cyclic peptides that mimic three-dimensional structures of strand, turn or helical segments of peptides and proteins, and identifies some additional restraints incorporated into natural product cyclic peptides and synthetic macrocyclic peptidomimetics that refine peptide structure and confer biological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Hill
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072 (Australia)
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127
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Hill TA, Shepherd NE, Diness F, Fairlie DP. Fixierung cyclischer Peptide: Mimetika von Proteinstrukturmotiven. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201401058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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128
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Thapa P, Zhang RY, Menon V, Bingham JP. Native chemical ligation: a boon to peptide chemistry. Molecules 2014; 19:14461-83. [PMID: 25221869 PMCID: PMC6271921 DOI: 10.3390/molecules190914461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of chemical ligation within the realm of peptide chemistry has opened various opportunities to expand the applications of peptides/proteins in biological sciences. Expansion and refinement of ligation chemistry has made it possible for the entry of peptides into the world of viable oral therapeutic drugs through peptide backbone cyclization. This progression has been a journey of chemical exploration and transition, leading to the dominance of native chemical ligation in the present advances of peptide/protein applications. Here we illustrate and explore the historical and current nature of peptide ligation, providing a clear indication to the possibilities and use of these novel methods to take peptides outside their typically defined boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parashar Thapa
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Rui-Yang Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Vinay Menon
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Jon-Paul Bingham
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
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129
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Chen S, Gopalakrishnan R, Schaer T, Marger F, Hovius R, Bertrand D, Pojer F, Heinis C. Dithiol amino acids can structurally shape and enhance the ligand-binding properties of polypeptides. Nat Chem 2014; 6:1009-16. [PMID: 25343607 DOI: 10.1038/nchem.2043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The disulfide bonds that form between two cysteine residues are important in defining and rigidifying the structures of proteins and peptides. In polypeptides containing multiple cysteine residues, disulfide isomerization can lead to multiple products with different biological activities. Here, we describe the development of a dithiol amino acid (Dtaa) that can form two disulfide bridges at a single amino acid site. Application of Dtaas to a serine protease inhibitor and a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor inhibitor that contain disulfide constraints enhanced their inhibitory activities 40- and 7.6-fold, respectively. X-ray crystallographic and NMR structure analysis show that the peptide ligands containing Dtaas have retained their native tertiary structures. We furthermore show that replacement of two cysteines by Dtaas can avoid the formation of disulfide bond isomers. With these properties, Dtaas are likely to have broad application in the rational design or directed evolution of peptides and proteins with high activity and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Chen
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ranganath Gopalakrishnan
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Ruud Hovius
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Florence Pojer
- Protein Crystallography Core Facility, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christian Heinis
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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130
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Venomous and poisonous Australian animals of veterinary importance: a rich source of novel therapeutics. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:671041. [PMID: 25143943 PMCID: PMC4131074 DOI: 10.1155/2014/671041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Envenomation and poisoning by terrestrial animals (both vertebrate and invertebrate) are a significant economic problem and health risk for domestic animals in Australia. Australian snakes are some of the most venomous animals in the world and bees, wasps, ants, paralysis ticks, and cane toads are also present as part of the venomous and poisonous fauna. The diagnosis and treatment of envenomation or poisoning in animals is a challenge and can be a traumatic and expensive process for owners. Despite the potency of Australian venoms, there is potential for novel veterinary therapeutics to be modeled on venom toxins, as has been the case with human pharmaceuticals. A comprehensive overview of envenomation and poisoning signs in livestock and companion animals is provided and related to the potential for venom toxins to act as therapeutics.
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131
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Roch GJ, Sherwood NM. Glycoprotein hormones and their receptors emerged at the origin of metazoans. Genome Biol Evol 2014; 6:1466-79. [PMID: 24904013 PMCID: PMC4079206 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evu118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The cystine knot growth factor (CKGF) superfamily includes important secreted developmental regulators, including the families of transforming growth factor beta, nerve growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and the glycoprotein hormones (GPHs). The evolutionary origin of the GPHs and the related invertebrate bursicon hormone, and their characteristic receptors, contributes to an understanding of the endocrine system in metazoans. Using a sensitive search method with hidden Markov models, we identified homologs of the hormones and receptors, along with the closely related bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonists in basal metazoans. In sponges and a comb jelly, cystine knot hormones (CKHs) with mixed features of GPHs, bursicon, and BMP antagonists were identified using primary sequence and phylogenetic analysis. Also, we identified potential receptors for these CKHs, leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptors (LGRs), in the same species. Cnidarians, such as the sea anemone, coral, and hydra, diverged later in metazoan evolution and appear to have duplicated and differentiated CKH-like peptides resulting in bursicon/GPH-like peptides and several BMP antagonists: Gremlin (Grem), sclerostin domain containing (SOSD), neuroblastoma suppressor of tumorigenicity 1 (NBL1), and Norrie disease protein. An expanded cnidarian LGR group also evolved, including receptors for GPH and bursicon. With the appearance of bilaterians, a separate GPH (thyrostimulin) along with bursicon and BMP antagonists were present. Synteny indicates that the GPHs, Grem, and SOSD have been maintained in a common gene neighborhood throughout much of metazoan evolution. The stable and highly conserved CKGFs are not identified in nonmetazoan organisms but are established with their receptors in the basal metazoans, becoming critical to growth, development, and regulation in all animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme J Roch
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nancy M Sherwood
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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132
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Bloch G, Cohen M. The expression and phylogenetics of the Inhibitor Cysteine Knot peptide OCLP1 in the honey bee Apis mellifera. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2014; 65:1-8. [PMID: 24721445 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2014.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Revised: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Small cysteine-rich peptides have diverse functions in insects including antimicrobial defense, phenoloxidase activity regulation, and toxic inhibition of ion channels of prey or predator. We combined bioinformatics and measurements of transcript abundance to start characterizing AmOCLP1, a recently discovered Inhibitor Cysteine Knot peptide in the honey bee Apis mellifera. We found that the genomes of ants, bees, and the wasp Nasonia vitripennis encode orthologous sequences indicating that OCLP1 is a conserved peptide and not unique to the honey bee. Search of available EST libraries and quantitative real time PCR analyses indicate that the transcript of AmOCLP1 is ubiquitous with expression in life stages ranging from embryos to adults and in all tested tissues. In worker honey bees AmOCLP1 expression was not associated with age or task and did not show clear enrichment in any of the tested tissues. There was however a consistent trend toward higher transcript levels in the abdomen of foragers relative to levels in the head or thorax, and compared to levels in the abdomen of younger worker bees. By contrast, in drones AmOCLP1 transcript levels appeared higher in the head relative to the abdomen. Finer analyses of the head and abdomen indicated that the AmOCLP1 transcript is not enriched in the stinger and the associated venom sac or in cephalic exocrine glands. The evolutionary conservation in the Hymenoptera, the ubiquitous expression, and the lack of enrichment in the venom gland, stinger, exocrine glands, and the brain are not consistent with the hypotheses that OCLP1 is a secreted honeybee toxin or an endotoxin acting in the central nervous system. Rather we hypothesize that OCLP1 is a conserved antimicrobial or phenoloxidase inhibitor peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Bloch
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, The A. Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
| | - Mira Cohen
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, The A. Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
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133
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Recent advances in the understanding of brown spider venoms: From the biology of spiders to the molecular mechanisms of toxins. Toxicon 2014; 83:91-120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Revised: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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134
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Marmiroli N, Maestri E. Plant peptides in defense and signaling. Peptides 2014; 56:30-44. [PMID: 24681437 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Revised: 03/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on plant peptides involved in defense against pathogen infection and those involved in the regulation of growth and development. Defense peptides, defensins, cyclotides and anti-microbial peptides are compared and contrasted. Signaling peptides are classified according to their major sites of activity. Finally, a network approach to creating an interactomic peptide map is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Marmiroli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| | - Elena Maestri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11A, 43124 Parma, Italy
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135
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Rodríguez AA, Salceda E, Garateix AG, Zaharenko AJ, Peigneur S, López O, Pons T, Richardson M, Díaz M, Hernández Y, Ständker L, Tytgat J, Soto E. A novel sea anemone peptide that inhibits acid-sensing ion channels. Peptides 2014; 53:3-12. [PMID: 23764262 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Revised: 06/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Sea anemones produce ion channels peptide toxins of pharmacological and biomedical interest. However, peptides acting on ligand-gated ion channels, including acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) toxins, remain poorly explored. PhcrTx1 is the first compound characterized from the sea anemone Phymanthus crucifer, and it constitutes a novel ASIC inhibitor. This peptide was purified by gel filtration, ion-exchange and reversed-phase chromatography followed by biological evaluation on ion channels of isolated rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons using patch clamp techniques. PhcrTx1 partially inhibited ASIC currents (IC50∼100 nM), and also voltage-gated K(+) currents but the effects on the peak and on the steady state currents were lower than 20% in DRG neurons, at concentrations in the micromolar range. No significant effect was observed on Na(+) voltage-gated currents in DRG neurons. The N-terminal sequencing yielded 32 amino acid residues, with a molecular mass of 3477 Da by mass spectrometry. No sequence identity to other sea anemone peptides was found. Interestingly, the bioinformatic analysis of Cys-pattern and secondary structure arrangement suggested that this peptide presents an Inhibitor Cystine Knot (ICK) scaffold, which has been found in other venomous organisms such as spider, scorpions and cone snails. Our results show that PhcrTx1 represents the first member of a new structural group of sea anemones toxins acting on ASIC and, with much lower potency, on Kv channels. Moreover, this is the first report of an ICK peptide in cnidarians, suggesting that the occurrence of this motif in venomous animals is more ancient than expected.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emilio Salceda
- Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 14 sur 6301, CU, San Manuel, Puebla, Puebla CP 72750, Mexico.
| | | | | | - Steve Peigneur
- Laboratory of Toxicology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, Herestraat 49, P.O. Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Omar López
- Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 14 sur 6301, CU, San Manuel, Puebla, Puebla CP 72750, Mexico.
| | - Tirso Pons
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), C/ Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Michael Richardson
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias-FUNED, Rua Conde Pereira Carneiro 80, CEP 30510-010 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Maylín Díaz
- Centro de Bioproductos Marinos (CEBIMAR), Loma y 37, Alturas del Vedado, CP 10400 Habana, Cuba.
| | - Yasnay Hernández
- Centro de Bioproductos Marinos (CEBIMAR), Loma y 37, Alturas del Vedado, CP 10400 Habana, Cuba.
| | - Ludger Ständker
- Kompetenzzentrum Ulm Peptide Pharmaceuticals (U-PEP), Universität Ulm (West), Albert-Einstein Allee 47, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Laboratory of Toxicology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, Herestraat 49, P.O. Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Enrique Soto
- Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 14 sur 6301, CU, San Manuel, Puebla, Puebla CP 72750, Mexico.
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136
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Abstract
Venoms are evolutionarily fine-tuned mixtures of small molecules, peptides, and proteins-referred to as toxins-that have evolved to specifically modulate and interfere with the function of diverse molecular targets within the envenomated animal. Many of the identified toxin targets are membrane receptors and ion channels. Due to their high specificity, toxins have emerged as an invaluable tool set for the molecular characterization of ion channels, and a selected group of toxins even have been developed into therapeutics. More recently, TRP ion channels have been included as targets for venomous toxins. In particular, a number of apparently unrelated peptide toxins target the capsaicin receptor TRPV1 to produce inflammatory pain. These toxins have turned out to be invaluable for structural and functional characterizations of the capsaicin receptor. If toxins will serve similar roles for other TRP ion channels, only future will tell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Siemens
- Department of Pharmacology, University Clinic Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany,
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137
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Sermadiras I, Revell J, Linley JE, Sandercock A, Ravn P. Recombinant expression and in vitro characterisation of active Huwentoxin-IV. PLoS One 2013; 8:e83202. [PMID: 24324842 PMCID: PMC3855799 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Huwentoxin-IV (HwTx-IV) is a 35-residue neurotoxin peptide with potential application as a novel analgesic. It is a member of the inhibitory cystine knot (ICK) peptide family, characterised by a compact globular structure maintained by three intramolecular disulfide bonds. Here we describe a novel strategy for producing non-tagged, fully folded ICK-toxin in a bacterial system. HwTx-IV was expressed as a cleavable fusion to small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) in the cytoplasm of the SHuffle T7 Express lysY Escherichia coli strain, which allows cytosolic disulfide bond formation. Purification by IMAC with selective elution of monomeric SUMO fusion followed by proteolytic cleavage and polishing chromatographic steps yielded pure homogeneous toxin. Recombinant HwTx-IV is produced with a C-terminal acid, whereas the native peptide is C-terminally amidated. HwTx-IV(acid) inhibited Nav1.7 in a dose dependent manner (IC50 = 463-727 nM). In comparison to HwTx-IV(amide) (IC50 = 11 ± 3 nM), the carboxylate was ~50 fold less potent on Nav1.7, which highlights the impact of the C-terminus. As the amide bond of an additional amino acid may mimic the carboxamide, we expressed the glycine-extended analogue HwTx-IV(G36)(acid) in the SUMO/SHuffle system. The peptide was approximately three fold more potent on Nav1.7 in comparison to HwTx-IV(acid) (IC50 = 190 nM). In conclusion, we have established a novel system for expression and purification of fully folded and active HwTx-IV(acid) in bacteria, which could be applicable to other structurally complex and cysteine rich peptides. Furthermore, we discovered that glycine extension of HwTx-IV(acid) restores some of the potency of the native carboxamide. This finding may also apply to other C-terminally amidated peptides produced recombinantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Sermadiras
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Research, MedImmune, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Jefferson Revell
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Research, MedImmune, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - John E. Linley
- Neuroscience in vitro Biology, Research, MedImmune, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Sandercock
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Research, MedImmune, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Ravn
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Research, MedImmune, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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138
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Borozan SZ, Stojanović SĐ. Halogen bonding in complexes of proteins and non-natural amino acids. Comput Biol Chem 2013; 47:231-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2013.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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139
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Borozan SZ, Dimitrijević BP, Stojanović SĐ. Cation−π interactions in high resolution protein−RNA complex crystal structures. Comput Biol Chem 2013; 47:105-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2013.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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140
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The venom gland transcriptome of Latrodectus tredecimguttatus revealed by deep sequencing and cDNA library analysis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e81357. [PMID: 24312294 PMCID: PMC3842942 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, commonly known as black widow spider, is well known for its dangerous bite. Although its venom has been characterized extensively, some fundamental questions about its molecular composition remain unanswered. The limited transcriptome and genome data available prevent further understanding of spider venom at the molecular level. In the present study, we combined next-generation sequencing and conventional DNA sequencing to construct a venom gland transcriptome of the spider L. tredecimguttatus, which resulted in the identification of 9,666 and 480 high-confidence proteins among 34,334 de novo sequences and 1,024 cDNA sequences, respectively, by assembly, translation, filtering, quantification and annotation. Extensive functional analyses of these proteins indicated that mRNAs involved in RNA transport and spliceosome, protein translation, processing and transport were highly enriched in the venom gland, which is consistent with the specific function of venom glands, namely the production of toxins. Furthermore, we identified 146 toxin-like proteins forming 12 families, including 6 new families in this spider in which α-LTX-Lt1a family2 is firstly identified as a subfamily of α-LTX-Lt1a family. The toxins were classified according to their bioactivities into five categories that functioned in a coordinate way. Few ion channels were expressed in venom gland cells, suggesting a possible mechanism of protection from the attack of their own toxins. The present study provides a gland transcriptome profile and extends our understanding of the toxinome of spiders and coordination mechanism for toxin production in protein expression quantity.
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141
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On the importance of oxidative folding in the evolution of conotoxins: cysteine codon preservation through gene duplication and adaptation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78456. [PMID: 24244311 PMCID: PMC3823881 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Conotoxin genes are among the most rapidly evolving genes currently known; however, despite the well-established hypervariability of the intercysteine loops, the cysteines demonstrate significant conservation, with a site-specific codon bias for each cysteine in a family of conotoxins. Herein we present a novel rationale behind the codon-level conservation of the cysteines that comprise the disulfide scaffold. We analyze cysteine codon conservation using an internal reference and phylogenetic tools; our results suggest that the established codon conservation can be explained as the result of selective pressures linked to the production efficiency and folding of conotoxins, driving the conservation of cysteine at the amino-acid level. The preservation of cysteine has resulted in maintenance of the ancestral codon in most of the daughter lineages, despite the hypervariability of adjacent residues. We propose that the selective pressures acting on the venom components of cone snails involve an interplay of biosynthetic efficiency, activity at the target receptor and the importance of that activity to effective prey immobilization. Functional redundancy in the venom can thus serve as a buffer for the energy expenditure of venom production.
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142
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Hammond B, Kough J, Herouet-Guicheney C, Jez JM. Toxicological evaluation of proteins introduced into food crops. Crit Rev Toxicol 2013; 43 Suppl 2:25-42. [PMID: 24164515 PMCID: PMC3835160 DOI: 10.3109/10408444.2013.842956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Revised: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
This manuscript focuses on the toxicological evaluation of proteins introduced into GM crops to impart desired traits. In many cases, introduced proteins can be shown to have a history of safe use. Where modifications have been made to proteins, experience has shown that it is highly unlikely that modification of amino acid sequences can make a non-toxic protein toxic. Moreover, if the modified protein still retains its biological function, and this function is found in related proteins that have a history of safe use (HOSU) in food, and the exposure level is similar to functionally related proteins, then the modified protein could also be considered to be "as-safe-as" those that have a HOSU. Within nature, there can be considerable evolutionary changes in the amino acid sequence of proteins within the same family, yet these proteins share the same biological function. In general, food crops such as maize, soy, rice, canola etc. are subjected to a variety of processing conditions to generate different food products. Processing conditions such as cooking, modification of pH conditions, and mechanical shearing can often denature proteins in these crops resulting in a loss of functional activity. These same processing conditions can also markedly lower human dietary exposure to (functionally active) proteins. Safety testing of an introduced protein could be indicated if its biological function was not adequately characterized and/or it was shown to be structurally/functionally related to proteins that are known to be toxic to mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Kough
- Office of Pesticide Programs, Microbial Pesticides Branch, US Environmental Protection AgencyWashington, DCUSA
| | | | - Joseph M. Jez
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. LouisSt. Louis, MOUSA
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143
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Góngora-Benítez M, Tulla-Puche J, Albericio F. Multifaceted Roles of Disulfide Bonds. Peptides as Therapeutics. Chem Rev 2013; 114:901-26. [DOI: 10.1021/cr400031z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 388] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Góngora-Benítez
- Institute
for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona, 08028 Spain
- CIBER-BBN, Barcelona Science
Park, Barcelona, 08028 Spain
| | - Judit Tulla-Puche
- Institute
for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona, 08028 Spain
- CIBER-BBN, Barcelona Science
Park, Barcelona, 08028 Spain
| | - Fernando Albericio
- Institute
for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona, 08028 Spain
- CIBER-BBN, Barcelona Science
Park, Barcelona, 08028 Spain
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08028 Spain
- School of Chemistry & Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 4001 Durban, South Africa
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144
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Glotzbach B, Reinwarth M, Weber N, Fabritz S, Tomaszowski M, Fittler H, Christmann A, Avrutina O, Kolmar H. Combinatorial optimization of cystine-knot peptides towards high-affinity inhibitors of human matriptase-1. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76956. [PMID: 24146945 PMCID: PMC3795654 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystine-knot miniproteins define a class of bioactive molecules with several thousand natural members. Their eponymous motif comprises a rigid structured core formed by six disulfide-connected cysteine residues, which accounts for its exceptional stability towards thermic or proteolytic degradation. Since they display a remarkable sequence tolerance within their disulfide-connected loops, these molecules are considered promising frameworks for peptide-based pharmaceuticals. Natural open-chain cystine-knot trypsin inhibitors of the MCoTI (Momordica cochinchinensis trypsin inhibitor) and SOTI (Spinacia oleracea trypsin inhibitor) families served as starting points for the generation of inhibitors of matriptase-1, a type II transmembrane serine protease with possible clinical relevance in cancer and arthritic therapy. Yeast surface-displayed libraries of miniproteins were used to select unique and potent matriptase-1 inhibitors. To this end, a knowledge-based library design was applied that makes use of detailed information on binding and folding behavior of cystine-knot peptides. Five inhibitor variants, four of the MCoTI family and one of the SOTI family, were identified, chemically synthesized and oxidatively folded towards the bioactive conformation. Enzyme assays revealed inhibition constants in the low nanomolar range for all candidates. One subnanomolar binder (Ki = 0.83 nM) with an inverted selectivity towards trypsin and matriptase-1 was identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Glotzbach
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Michael Reinwarth
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Niklas Weber
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Michael Tomaszowski
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Heiko Fittler
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas Christmann
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Olga Avrutina
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Harald Kolmar
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- * E-mail:
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145
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Novel inhibitor cystine knot peptides from Momordica charantia. PLoS One 2013; 8:e75334. [PMID: 24116036 PMCID: PMC3792974 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Two new peptides, MCh-1 and MCh-2, along with three known trypsin inhibitors (MCTI-I, MCTI-II and MCTI-III), were isolated from the seeds of the tropical vine Momordica charantia. The sequences of the peptides were determined using mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Using a strategy involving partial reduction and stepwise alkylation of the peptides, followed by enzymatic digestion and tandem mass spectrometry sequencing, the disulfide connectivity of MCh-1 was elucidated to be CysI-CysIV, CysII-CysV and CysIII-CysVI. The three-dimensional structures of MCh-1 and MCh-2 were determined using NMR spectroscopy and found to contain the inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) motif. The sequences of the novel peptides differ significantly from peptides previously isolated from this plant. Therefore, this study expands the known peptide diversity in M. charantia and the range of sequences that can be accommodated by the ICK motif. Furthermore, we show that a stable two-disulfide intermediate is involved in the oxidative folding of MCh-1. This disulfide intermediate is structurally homologous to the proposed ancestral fold of ICK peptides, and provides a possible pathway for the evolution of this structural motif, which is highly prevalent in nature.
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146
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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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147
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A novel ICK peptide from the Loxosceles intermedia (brown spider) venom gland: Cloning, heterologous expression and immunological cross-reactivity approaches. Toxicon 2013; 71:147-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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148
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Wang F, Ekiert DC, Ahmad I, Yu W, Zhang Y, Bazirgan O, Torkamani A, Raudsepp T, Mwangi W, Criscitiello MF, Wilson IA, Schultz PG, Smider VV. Reshaping antibody diversity. Cell 2013; 153:1379-93. [PMID: 23746848 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.04.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Some species mount a robust antibody response despite having limited genome-encoded combinatorial diversity potential. Cows are unusual in having exceptionally long CDR H3 loops and few V regions, but the mechanism for creating diversity is not understood. Deep sequencing reveals that ultralong CDR H3s contain a remarkable complexity of cysteines, suggesting that disulfide-bonded minidomains may arise during repertoire development. Indeed, crystal structures of two cow antibodies reveal that these CDR H3s form a very unusual architecture composed of a β strand "stalk" that supports a structurally diverse, disulfide-bonded "knob" domain. Diversity arises from somatic hypermutation of an ultralong DH with a severe codon bias toward mutation to cysteine. These unusual antibodies can be elicited to recognize defined antigens through the knob domain. Thus, the bovine immune system produces an antibody repertoire composed of ultralong CDR H3s that fold into a diversity of minidomains generated through combinations of somatically generated disulfides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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149
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Tirosh Y, Ofer D, Eliyahu T, Linial M. Short toxin-like proteins attack the defense line of innate immunity. Toxins (Basel) 2013; 5:1314-31. [PMID: 23881252 PMCID: PMC3737499 DOI: 10.3390/toxins5071314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
ClanTox (classifier of animal toxins) was developed for identifying toxin-like candidates from complete proteomes. Searching mammalian proteomes for short toxin-like proteins (coined TOLIPs) revealed a number of overlooked secreted short proteins with an abundance of cysteines throughout their sequences. We applied bioinformatics and data-mining methods to infer the function of several top predicted candidates. We focused on cysteine-rich peptides that adopt the fold of the three-finger proteins (TFPs). We identified a cluster of duplicated genes that share a structural similarity with elapid neurotoxins, such as α-bungarotoxin. In the murine proteome, there are about 60 such proteins that belong to the Ly6/uPAR family. These proteins are secreted or anchored to the cell membrane. Ly6/uPAR proteins are associated with a rich repertoire of functions, including binding to receptors and adhesion. Ly6/uPAR proteins modulate cell signaling in the context of brain functions and cells of the innate immune system. We postulate that TOLIPs, as modulators of cell signaling, may be associated with pathologies and cellular imbalance. We show that proteins of the Ly6/uPAR family are associated with cancer diagnosis and malfunction of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitshak Tirosh
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
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150
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Wong ESW, Hardy MC, Wood D, Bailey T, King GF. SVM-based prediction of propeptide cleavage sites in spider toxins identifies toxin innovation in an Australian tarantula. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66279. [PMID: 23894279 PMCID: PMC3718798 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Spider neurotoxins are commonly used as pharmacological tools and are a popular source of novel compounds with therapeutic and agrochemical potential. Since venom peptides are inherently toxic, the host spider must employ strategies to avoid adverse effects prior to venom use. It is partly for this reason that most spider toxins encode a protective proregion that upon enzymatic cleavage is excised from the mature peptide. In order to identify the mature toxin sequence directly from toxin transcripts, without resorting to protein sequencing, the propeptide cleavage site in the toxin precursor must be predicted bioinformatically. We evaluated different machine learning strategies (support vector machines, hidden Markov model and decision tree) and developed an algorithm (SpiderP) for prediction of propeptide cleavage sites in spider toxins. Our strategy uses a support vector machine (SVM) framework that combines both local and global sequence information. Our method is superior or comparable to current tools for prediction of propeptide sequences in spider toxins. Evaluation of the SVM method on an independent test set of known toxin sequences yielded 96% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Furthermore, we sequenced five novel peptides (not used to train the final predictor) from the venom of the Australian tarantula Selenotypus plumipes to test the accuracy of the predictor and found 80% sensitivity and 99.6% 8-mer specificity. Finally, we used the predictor together with homology information to predict and characterize seven groups of novel toxins from the deeply sequenced venom gland transcriptome of S. plumipes, which revealed structural complexity and innovations in the evolution of the toxins. The precursor prediction tool (SpiderP) is freely available on ArachnoServer (http://www.arachnoserver.org/spiderP.html), a web portal to a comprehensive relational database of spider toxins. All training data, test data, and scripts used are available from the SpiderP website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S. W. Wong
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
- * E-mail: (EW); (GK)
| | - Margaret C. Hardy
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - David Wood
- Division of Genomics and Computational Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Timothy Bailey
- Division of Genomics and Computational Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
- * E-mail: (EW); (GK)
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