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Vétillard A, Bouzid W. [Ants: a chemical library of anticancer molecules]. Biol Aujourdhui 2016; 210:119-25. [PMID: 27687602 DOI: 10.1051/jbio/2016021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Animal venoms are complex mixtures containing simple organic molecules, proteins, peptides, and other bioactive elements with extraordinary biological properties associated with their ability to act on a number of molecular receptors in the process of incapacitating their target organisms. In such a context, arthropod venoms are invaluable sources of bioactive substances, with therapeutic interest but the limited availability of some venom such as those from ants, has restricted the potential that these biomolecules could represent. We investigated for the first time transcriptomic expression from the ant species Tetramorium bicarinatum. Four hundred randomly selected clones from cDNA libraries were sequenced and a total of 374 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were generated. Based on the results of BLAST searches, these sequences were clustered and assembled into 269 contigs. About 72% (269) of these matched BLASTx hits with an interesting diversity and unusual abundance of cellular transcripts (48%) related to gene and protein expression reflecting the specialization of this tissue. In addition, transcripts encoding transposases were relatively highly expressed (14%). It may be that transposable elements are present and that their presence accounts for some of the variation in venom toxins. About twenty per cent of the ESTs were categorized as putative toxins, the major part represented by allergens (48% of the total venom toxins) such as pilosulin 5, sol i 3 and Myp p I and II. Several contigs encoding enzymes, including zinc-metalloproteases (17%) that are likely involved in the processing and activation of venom proteins/peptides, were also identified from the library. In addition, a number of sequences (8%) had no significant similarity to any known sequence which indicates a potential source of for the discovery of new toxins. In order to provide a global insight on the transcripts expressed in the venom gland of the Brazilian ant species Tetramorium bicarinatum and to unveil the potential of their products, high-throughput expressed sequence tags were generated using Illumina paired-end sequencing technology. A total of 212 371 758 pairs of quality-filtered, 100-base-pair Illumina reads were obtained. The de novo assemblies yielded 36 042 contigs for which 27 873 have at least one predicted ORF among which 59.77% produce significant hits in the available databases. The investigation of the read mapping toxin class revealed and confirmed a high diversification with the major part consistent with the classical hymenopteran venom protein signature represented by venom allergen (33.3%) followed by a diverse toxin-expression profile including several distinct isoforms of phospholipase A1 and A2, venom serine protease, hyaluronidase, protease inhibitor and secapin. Moreover, our results revealed for the first time the presence of toxin-like peptides that have been previously identified from unrelated venomous animals such as waprin-like (snakes) and agatoxins (spiders and conus). These studies provide a first insight of the gene expression scenario of the venom gland of T. bicarinatum which might contribute to acquiring a more comprehensive view about the origin and functional diversity of venom proteins of this ant. Based on such results, we conducted cytotoxic tests from the crude venom of T.bicarinatum ant and reported toxic effect on tumoral cells lines from one of the fifth of the most frequently occurring cancers with a 3-year survival rate of only 30%. In such a context, new therapeutic strategies are essential and the discovery of new molecules in ant venom could be one possible avenue. Thus our project aims to characterize, from the crude venom of T.bicarinatum, the molecule(s) which have potential anti-cancerous toxicity as well as their mechanisms of action.
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252
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Lau CHY, King GF, Mobli M. Molecular basis of the interaction between gating modifier spider toxins and the voltage sensor of voltage-gated ion channels. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34333. [PMID: 27677715 PMCID: PMC5039624 DOI: 10.1038/srep34333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Voltage-sensor domains (VSDs) are modular transmembrane domains of voltage-gated ion channels that respond to changes in membrane potential by undergoing conformational changes that are coupled to gating of the ion-conducting pore. Most spider-venom peptides function as gating modifiers by binding to the VSDs of voltage-gated channels and trapping them in a closed or open state. To understand the molecular basis underlying this mode of action, we used nuclear magnetic resonance to delineate the atomic details of the interaction between the VSD of the voltage-gated potassium channel KvAP and the spider-venom peptide VSTx1. Our data reveal that the toxin interacts with residues in an aqueous cleft formed between the extracellular S1-S2 and S3-S4 loops of the VSD whilst maintaining lipid interactions in the gaps formed between the S1-S4 and S2-S3 helices. The resulting network of interactions increases the energetic barrier to the conformational changes required for channel gating, and we propose that this is the mechanism by which gating modifier toxins inhibit voltage-gated ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carus H Y Lau
- 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
| | - Mehdi Mobli
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Centipedes are one of the oldest and most successful lineages of venomous terrestrial predators. Despite their use for centuries in traditional medicine, centipede venoms remain poorly studied. However, recent work indicates that centipede venoms are highly complex chemical arsenals that are rich in disulfide-constrained peptides that have novel pharmacology and three-dimensional structure. Areas covered: This review summarizes what is currently known about centipede venom proteins, with a focus on disulfide-rich peptides that have novel or unexpected pharmacology that might be useful from a therapeutic perspective. The authors also highlight the remarkable diversity of constrained three-dimensional peptide scaffolds present in these venoms that might be useful for bioengineering of drug leads. Expert opinion: Like most arthropod predators, centipede venoms are rich in peptides that target neuronal ion channels and receptors, but it is also becoming increasingly apparent that many of these peptides have novel or unexpected pharmacological properties with potential applications in drug discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eivind A B Undheim
- a Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia.,b Centre for Advanced Imaging , The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia
| | - Ronald A Jenner
- c Department of Life Sciences , Natural History Museum , London , UK
| | - Glenn F King
- a Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia
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254
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Kintzing JR, Cochran JR. Engineered knottin peptides as diagnostics, therapeutics, and drug delivery vehicles. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2016; 34:143-150. [PMID: 27642714 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2016.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitor cystine-knots, also known as knottins, are a structural family of ultra-stable peptides with diverse functions. Knottins and related backbone-cyclized peptides called cyclotides contain three disulfide bonds connected in a particular arrangement that endows these peptides with high thermal, proteolytic, and chemical stability. Knottins have gained interest as candidates for non-invasive molecular imaging and for drug development as they can possess the pharmacological properties of small molecules and the target affinity and selectively of protein biologics. Naturally occurring knottins are clinically approved for treating chronic pain and GI disorders. Combinatorial methods are being used to engineer knottins that can bind to other clinically relevant targets in cancer, and inflammatory and cardiac disease. This review details recent examples of engineered knottin peptides; their use as molecular imaging agents, therapeutics, and drug delivery vehicles; modifications that can be introduced to improve peptide folding and bioactivity; and future perspectives and challenges in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Kintzing
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, United States
| | - Jennifer R Cochran
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, United States; Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, United States.
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255
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A minimized human insulin-receptor-binding motif revealed in a Conus geographus venom insulin. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2016; 23:916-920. [PMID: 27617429 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.3292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Insulins in the venom of certain fish-hunting cone snails facilitate prey capture by rapidly inducing hypoglycemic shock. One such insulin, Conus geographus G1 (Con-Ins G1), is the smallest known insulin found in nature and lacks the C-terminal segment of the B chain that, in human insulin, mediates engagement of the insulin receptor and assembly of the hormone's hexameric storage form. Removal of this segment (residues B23-B30) in human insulin results in substantial loss of receptor affinity. Here, we found that Con-Ins G1 is monomeric, strongly binds the human insulin receptor and activates receptor signaling. Con-Ins G1 thus is a naturally occurring B-chain-minimized mimetic of human insulin. Our crystal structure of Con-Ins G1 reveals a tertiary structure highly similar to that of human insulin and indicates how Con-Ins G1's lack of an equivalent to the key receptor-engaging residue PheB24 is mitigated. These findings may facilitate efforts to design ultrarapid-acting therapeutic insulins.
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256
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257
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Rodríguez de la Vega RC, Giraud T. Intragenome Diversity of Gene Families Encoding Toxin-like Proteins in Venomous Animals. Integr Comp Biol 2016; 56:938-949. [PMID: 27543626 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icw097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of venoms is the story of how toxins arise and of the processes that generate and maintain their diversity. For animal venoms these processes include recruitment for expression in the venom gland, neofunctionalization, paralogous expansions, and functional divergence. The systematic study of these processes requires the reliable identification of the venom components involved in antagonistic interactions. High-throughput sequencing has the potential of uncovering the entire set of toxins in a given organism, yet the existence of non-venom toxin paralogs and the misleading effects of partial census of the molecular diversity of toxins make necessary to collect complementary evidence to distinguish true toxins from their non-venom paralogs. Here, we analyzed the whole genomes of two scorpions, one spider and one snake, aiming at the identification of the full repertoires of genes encoding toxin-like proteins. We classified the entire set of protein-coding genes into paralogous groups and monotypic genes, identified genes encoding toxin-like proteins based on known toxin families, and quantified their expression in both venom-glands and pooled tissues. Our results confirm that genes encoding toxin-like proteins are part of multigene families, and that these families arise by recruitment events from non-toxin genes followed by limited expansions of the toxin-like protein coding genes. We also show that failing to account for sequence similarity with non-toxin proteins has a considerable misleading effect that can be greatly reduced by comparative transcriptomics. Our study overall contributes to the understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of proteins involved in antagonistic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo C Rodríguez de la Vega
- Ecologie Systematique Evolution, UMR8079, CNRS, Univ. of Paris-Sud, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Tatiana Giraud
- Ecologie Systematique Evolution, UMR8079, CNRS, Univ. of Paris-Sud, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France
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258
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Aili SR, Touchard A, Koh JMS, Dejean A, Orivel J, Padula MP, Escoubas P, Nicholson GM. Comparisons of Protein and Peptide Complexity in Poneroid and Formicoid Ant Venoms. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:3039-54. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Samira R. Aili
- Neurotoxin
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France
| | - Jennifer M. S. Koh
- Neurotoxin
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France
- Laboratoire Écologie
Fonctionnelle et Environnement, CNRS, UMR 5245, Ecolab, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France
| | - Matthew P. Padula
- Proteomics
Core Facility, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Pierre Escoubas
- VenomeTech, 473 Route des Dolines - Villa 3, Valbonne 06560, France
| | - Graham M. Nicholson
- Neurotoxin
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
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259
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Wu X, Huang Y, Kaas Q, Craik DJ. Cyclisation of Disulfide‐Rich Conotoxins in Drug Design Applications. European J Org Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201600402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosa Wu
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of Queensland306 Carmody Road (Building 80)4072BrisbaneAustralia
| | - Yen‐Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of Queensland306 Carmody Road (Building 80)4072BrisbaneAustralia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of Queensland306 Carmody Road (Building 80)4072BrisbaneAustralia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of Queensland306 Carmody Road (Building 80)4072BrisbaneAustralia
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260
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Saviola AJ, Burns PD, Mukherjee AK, Mackessy SP. The disintegrin tzabcanin inhibits adhesion and migration in melanoma and lung cancer cells. Int J Biol Macromol 2016; 88:457-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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261
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Flores-Solis D, Toledano Y, Rodríguez-Lima O, Cano-Sánchez P, Ramírez-Cordero BE, Landa A, Rodríguez de la Vega RC, del Rio-Portilla F. Solution structure and antiparasitic activity of scorpine-like peptides fromHoffmannihadrurus gertschi. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:2286-96. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Flores-Solis
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas; Instituto de Química; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU; Ciudad de México México
| | - Yanis Toledano
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas; Instituto de Química; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU; Ciudad de México México
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Nuclear; Facultad de Química; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU; Ciudad de México México
| | - Oscar Rodríguez-Lima
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología; Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU; Ciudad de México México
| | - Patricia Cano-Sánchez
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas; Instituto de Química; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU; Ciudad de México México
| | - Belen Ernestina Ramírez-Cordero
- División de Neurociencias; Departamento de Neuropatología Molecular; Instituto de Fisiología Celular; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU; Ciudad de México México
| | - Abraham Landa
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología; Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU; Ciudad de México México
| | | | - Federico del Rio-Portilla
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas; Instituto de Química; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU; Ciudad de México México
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262
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Petras D, Heiss P, Harrison RA, Süssmuth RD, Calvete JJ. Top-down venomics of the East African green mamba, Dendroaspis angusticeps, and the black mamba, Dendroaspis polylepis, highlight the complexity of their toxin arsenals. J Proteomics 2016; 146:148-64. [PMID: 27318176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2016.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2016] [Revised: 06/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
We report the characterization, by combination of high-resolution on-line molecular mass and disulfide bond profiling and top-down MS/MS analysis, of the venom proteomes of two congeneric African snake species of medical importance, Dendroaspis angusticeps (green mamba) and D. polylepis (black mamba). Each of these mamba venoms comprised more than two-hundred polypeptides belonging to just a few toxin families. Both venom proteomes are overwhelmingly composed of post-synaptically-acting short- and long-chain neurotoxins that potently inhibit muscle- and neuronal-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors; muscarinic cardiotoxins; and dendrotoxins, that block some of the Kv1, n-class of K+ channels. However, the identity of the major proteins and their relative abundances exhibit marked interspecific variation. In addition, the greater resolution of the top-down venomic analytical approach revealed previously undetected protein species, isoforms and proteoforms, including the identification and precise location of modified lysine residues in a number of proteins in both venoms, but particularly in green mamba toxins. This comparative top-down venomic analysis unveiled the untapped complexity of Dendroaspis venoms and lays the foundations for rationalizing the notably different potency of green and black mamba lethal arsenals at locus resolution. SIGNIFICANCE PARAGRAPH We report the characterization, by combination of high-resolution on-line molecular mass and disulfide bond profiling and top-down MS/MS analysis, of the venom proteomes of two congeneric African snake species of medical importance, Dendroaspis angusticeps (green mamba) and D. polylepis (black mamba). Each of these mamba venoms comprised more than two-hundred polypeptides belonging to just a few toxin families. Both venom proteomes are overwhelmingly composed of post-synaptically-acting short- and long-chain neurotoxins that potently inhibit muscle- and neuronal-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors; muscarinic cardiotoxins; and dendrotoxins, that block some of the Kv1, n-class of K+ channels. However, the identity of the major proteins and their relative abundances exhibit marked interspecific variation. In addition, the greater resolution of the top-down venomic analytical approach revealed previously undetected protein species, isoforms and proteoforms, including the identification and precise location of modified lysine residues in a number of proteins in both venoms, but particularly in green mamba toxins. This comparative top-down venomic analysis unveiled the untapped complexity of Dendroaspis venoms and lays the foundations for rationalizing the notably different potency of green and black mamba lethal arsenals at locus resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Petras
- Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Chemie, Berlin, Germany; University of California-San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Paul Heiss
- Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Chemie, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert A Harrison
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Liverpool, School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Juan J Calvete
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain.
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263
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Cheng TC, Long RW, Wu YQ, Guo YB, Liu DL, Peng L, Li DQ, Yang DW, Xu X, Liu FX, Xia QY. Identification and characterization of toxins in the venom gland of the Chinese bird spider, Haplopelma hainanum, by transcriptomic analysis. INSECT SCIENCE 2016; 23:487-499. [PMID: 26678257 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Tarantula venoms provide a model system for studying toxin selectivity, structure-activity relationships and molecular evolution of peptide toxins. Previous studies have identified a large number of peptide toxins in the venom of the Chinese bird spider Haplopelma hainanum, generally regarded as a highly venomous spider. However, the lack of available RNA-seq transcriptomic and genomic data is an obstacle to understanding its venom at the molecular level. In this study, we investigated the venom gland transcriptome of H. hainanum by RNA-seq, in the absence of an available genomic sequence. We identified 201 potential toxins among 57 181 de novo assembled transcripts, including knottins, Kunitz-type toxins, enzymes and other proteins. We systematically identified most of the knottins and Kunitz-type toxins, some of which showed strongly biased expression in the venom gland, including members of the huwentoxin-1, huwentoxin-2 and magi-1 families. We also discovered several novel potential toxins. These data demonstrate the high molecular and structural diversity in the venom toxins of H. hainanum. This study offers a useful strategy for exploring the complex components of spider venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Cai Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ren-Wen Long
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu-Qian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - You-Bing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Duo-Lian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dai-Qin Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dai-Wen Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xin Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Feng-Xiang Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing-You Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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264
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Liu K, Wang M, Herzig V, Liu Z, Hu W, Zhou G, Duan Z. Venom from the spider Araneus ventricosus is lethal to insects but inactive in vertebrates. Toxicon 2016; 115:63-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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265
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Undheim EAB, Mobli M, King GF. Toxin structures as evolutionary tools: Using conserved 3D folds to study the evolution of rapidly evolving peptides. Bioessays 2016; 38:539-48. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201500165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eivind A. B. Undheim
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceUniversity of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Mehdi Mobli
- Centre for Advanced ImagingUniversity of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceUniversity of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
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266
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Oller-Salvia B, Teixidó M, Giralt E. From venoms to BBB shuttles: Synthesis and blood-brain barrier transport assessment of apamin and a nontoxic analog. Biopolymers 2016; 100:675-86. [PMID: 24281722 DOI: 10.1002/bip.22257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Revised: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Venoms are currently the focus of many drug discovery programs because they contain highly bioactive and selective components. Among them, apamin, a peptide found in bee venom, has received considerable attention because of its affinity for certain potassium channels and also because of its interesting structure and high stability to extreme pH and temperatures. Although apamin has long been claimed to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), only a few studies have been performed producing controversial results. In this article, it is shown that not only apamin is indeed able to penetrate the BBB in a cell-based model but also that an analog reported to be nontoxic passes through this barrier. Furthermore, the permeability values obtained, together with some evidence of an active transport mechanism and an amazing stability to serum proteases, make these peptides promising candidates for BBB shuttles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamí Oller-Salvia
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
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267
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Verdes A, Anand P, Gorson J, Jannetti S, Kelly P, Leffler A, Simpson D, Ramrattan G, Holford M. From Mollusks to Medicine: A Venomics Approach for the Discovery and Characterization of Therapeutics from Terebridae Peptide Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:117. [PMID: 27104567 PMCID: PMC4848642 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8040117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms comprise a diversity of peptide toxins that manipulate molecular targets such as ion channels and receptors, making venom peptides attractive candidates for the development of therapeutics to benefit human health. However, identifying bioactive venom peptides remains a significant challenge. In this review we describe our particular venomics strategy for the discovery, characterization, and optimization of Terebridae venom peptides, teretoxins. Our strategy reflects the scientific path from mollusks to medicine in an integrative sequential approach with the following steps: (1) delimitation of venomous Terebridae lineages through taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses; (2) identification and classification of putative teretoxins through omics methodologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics; (3) chemical and recombinant synthesis of promising peptide toxins; (4) structural characterization through experimental and computational methods; (5) determination of teretoxin bioactivity and molecular function through biological assays and computational modeling; (6) optimization of peptide toxin affinity and selectivity to molecular target; and (7) development of strategies for effective delivery of venom peptide therapeutics. While our research focuses on terebrids, the venomics approach outlined here can be applied to the discovery and characterization of peptide toxins from any venomous taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Verdes
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024, USA.
| | - Prachi Anand
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Juliette Gorson
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024, USA.
| | - Stephen Jannetti
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Patrick Kelly
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Abba Leffler
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine 550 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Danny Simpson
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- Tandon School of Engineering, New York University 6 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
| | - Girish Ramrattan
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Mandë Holford
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024, USA.
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268
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Peng C, Yao G, Gao BM, Fan CX, Bian C, Wang J, Cao Y, Wen B, Zhu Y, Ruan Z, Zhao X, You X, Bai J, Li J, Lin Z, Zou S, Zhang X, Qiu Y, Chen J, Coon SL, Yang J, Chen JS, Shi Q. High-throughput identification of novel conotoxins from the Chinese tubular cone snail (Conus betulinus) by multi-transcriptome sequencing. Gigascience 2016; 5:17. [PMID: 27087938 PMCID: PMC4832519 DOI: 10.1186/s13742-016-0122-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The venom of predatory marine cone snails mainly contains a diverse array of unique bioactive peptides commonly referred to as conopeptides or conotoxins. These peptides have proven to be valuable pharmacological probes and potential drugs because of their high specificity and affinity to important ion channels, receptors and transporters of the nervous system. Most previous studies have focused specifically on the conopeptides from piscivorous and molluscivorous cone snails, but little attention has been devoted to the dominant vermivorous species. Results The vermivorous Chinese tubular cone snail, Conus betulinus, is the dominant Conus species inhabiting the South China Sea. The transcriptomes of venom ducts and venom bulbs from a variety of specimens of this species were sequenced using both next-generation sequencing and traditional Sanger sequencing technologies, resulting in the identification of a total of 215 distinct conopeptides. Among these, 183 were novel conopeptides, including nine new superfamilies. It appeared that most of the identified conopeptides were synthesized in the venom duct, while a handful of conopeptides were identified only in the venom bulb and at very low levels. Conclusions We identified 215 unique putative conopeptide transcripts from the combination of five transcriptomes and one EST sequencing dataset. Variation in conopeptides from different specimens of C. betulinus was observed, which suggested the presence of intraspecific variability in toxin production at the genetic level. These novel conopeptides provide a potentially fertile resource for the development of new pharmaceuticals, and a pathway for the discovery of new conotoxins. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13742-016-0122-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Peng
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | - Ge Yao
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Beijing, 102205 China
| | - Bing-Miao Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199 China
| | - Chong-Xu Fan
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Beijing, 102205 China
| | - Chao Bian
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China ; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | | | - Ying Cao
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Beijing, 102205 China
| | - Bo Wen
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | | | - Zhiqiang Ruan
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China ; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | | | - Xinxin You
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China ; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | - Jie Bai
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China ; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | - Jia Li
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China ; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | | | | | - Xinhui Zhang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China ; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | - Ying Qiu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China ; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | - Jieming Chen
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China ; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | - Steven L Coon
- Molecular Genomics Laboratory, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Jiaan Yang
- Micro Pharmatech Ltd, Wuhan, 430075 China
| | - Ji-Sheng Chen
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Beijing, 102205 China
| | - Qiong Shi
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China ; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genomics, Shenzhen, 518083 China ; BGI-Zhenjiang Institute of Hydrobiology, Zhenjiang, 212000 China
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269
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In cellulo phosphorylation induces pharmacological reprogramming of maurocalcin, a cell-penetrating venom peptide. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E2460-8. [PMID: 27071086 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1517342113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The venom peptide maurocalcin (MCa) is atypical among toxins because of its ability to rapidly translocate into cells and potently activate the intracellular calcium channel type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1). Therefore, MCa is potentially subjected to posttranslational modifications within recipient cells. Here, we report that MCa Thr(26) belongs to a consensus PKA phosphorylation site and can be phosphorylated by PKA both in vitro and after cell penetration in cellulo. Unexpectedly, phosphorylation converts MCa from positive to negative RyR1 allosteric modulator. Thr(26) phosphorylation leads to charge neutralization of Arg(24), a residue crucial for MCa agonist activity. The functional effect of Thr(26) phosphorylation is partially mimicked by aspartyl mutation. This represents the first case, to our knowledge, of both ex situ posttranslational modification and pharmacological reprogramming of a small natural cystine-rich peptide by target cells. So far, phosphorylated MCa is the first specific negative allosteric modulator of RyR1, to our knowledge, and represents a lead compound for further development of phosphatase-resistant analogs.
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270
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Deplazes E, Henriques ST, Smith JJ, King GF, Craik DJ, Mark AE, Schroeder CI. Membrane-binding properties of gating modifier and pore-blocking toxins: Membrane interaction is not a prerequisite for modification of channel gating. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2016; 1858:872-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Revised: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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271
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A brief update on potential molecular mechanisms underlying antimicrobial and wound-healing potency of snake venom molecules. Biochem Pharmacol 2016; 115:1-9. [PMID: 26975619 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Infectious diseases remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A wide range of diverse, novel classes of natural antibiotics have been isolated from different snake species in the recent past. Snake venoms contain diverse groups of proteins with potent antibacterial activity against a wide range of human pathogens. Some snake venom molecules are pharmacologically attractive, as they possess promising broad-spectrum antibacterial activities. Furthermore, snake venom proteins (SVPs)/peptides also bind to integrins with high affinity, thereby inhibiting cell adhesion and accelerating wound healing in animal models. Thus, SVPs are a potential alternative to chemical antibiotics. The mode of action for many antibacterial peptides involves pore formation and disruption of the plasma membrane. This activity often includes modulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation during skin wound healing. The NF-κB pathway negatively regulates the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad pathway by inducing the expression of Smad7 and eventually reducing in vivo collagen production at the wound sites. In this context, SVPs that regulate the NF-κB signaling pathway may serve as potential targets for drug development.
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272
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Moon J, Gorson J, Wright ME, Yee L, Khawaja S, Shin HY, Karma Y, Musunri RL, Yun M, Holford M. Characterization and Recombinant Expression of Terebrid Venom Peptide from Terebra guttata. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8030063. [PMID: 26950153 PMCID: PMC4810208 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8030063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Venom peptides found in terebrid snails expand the toolbox of active compounds that can be applied to investigate cellular physiology and can be further developed as future therapeutics. However, unlike other predatory organisms, such as snakes, terebrids produce very small quantities of venom, making it difficult to obtain sufficient amounts for biochemical characterization. Here, we describe the first recombinant expression and characterization of terebrid peptide, teretoxin Tgu6.1, from Terebra guttata. Tgu6.1 is a novel forty-four amino acid teretoxin peptide with a VI/VII cysteine framework (C-C-CC-C-C) similar to O, M and I conotoxin superfamilies. A ligation-independent cloning strategy with an ompT protease deficient strain of E. coli was employed to recombinantly produce Tgu6.1. Thioredoxin was introduced in the plasmid to combat disulfide folding and solubility issues. Specifically Histidine-6 tag and Ni-NTA affinity chromatography were applied as a purification method, and enterokinase was used as a specific cleavage protease to effectively produce high yields of folded Tgu6.1 without extra residues to the primary sequence. The recombinantly-expressed Tgu6.1 peptide was bioactive, displaying a paralytic effect when injected into a Nereis virens polychaete bioassay. The recombinant strategy described to express Tgu6.1 can be applied to produce high yields of other disulfide-rich peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Moon
- Hunter College, City University of New York, Belfer Research Center 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Juliette Gorson
- Hunter College, City University of New York, Belfer Research Center 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Mary Elizabeth Wright
- Hunter College, City University of New York, Belfer Research Center 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Laurel Yee
- Hunter College, City University of New York, Belfer Research Center 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Samer Khawaja
- Hunter College, City University of New York, Belfer Research Center 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Hye Young Shin
- Hunter College, City University of New York, Belfer Research Center 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Yasmine Karma
- Hunter College, City University of New York, Belfer Research Center 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | | | - Michelle Yun
- Hunter College, City University of New York, Belfer Research Center 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Mande Holford
- Hunter College, City University of New York, Belfer Research Center 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
- The American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street at Central Park West, New York, NY 10026, USA.
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273
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Azim S, McDowell D, Cartagena A, Rodriguez R, Laughlin TF, Ahmad Z. Venom peptides cathelicidin and lycotoxin cause strong inhibition of Escherichia coli ATP synthase. Int J Biol Macromol 2016; 87:246-51. [PMID: 26930579 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.02.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Venom peptides are known to have strong antimicrobial activity and anticancer properties. King cobra cathelicidin or OH-CATH (KF-34), banded krait cathelicidin (BF-30), wolf spider lycotoxin I (IL-25), and wolf spider lycotoxin II (KE-27) venom peptides were found to strongly inhibit Escherichia coli membrane bound F1Fo ATP synthase. The potent inhibition of wild-type E. coli in comparison to the partial inhibition of null E. coli by KF-34, BF-30, Il-25, or KE-27 clearly links the bactericidal properties of these venom peptides to the binding and inhibition of ATP synthase along with the possibility of other inhibitory targets. The four venom peptides KF-34, BF-30, IL-25, and KE-27, caused ≥85% inhibition of wild-type membrane bound E.coli ATP synthase. Venom peptide induced inhibition of ATP synthase and the strong abrogation of wild-type E. coli cell growth in the presence of venom peptides demonstrates that ATP synthase is a potent membrane bound molecular target for venom peptides. Furthermore, the process of inhibition was found to be fully reversible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofiya Azim
- Department of Biochemistry, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, United States; Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States
| | - Derek McDowell
- Department of Biochemistry, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, United States
| | - Alec Cartagena
- Department of Biochemistry, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, United States
| | - Ricky Rodriguez
- Department of Biochemistry, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, United States
| | - Thomas F Laughlin
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States
| | - Zulfiqar Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, United States.
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274
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Brust A, Croker DE, Colless B, Ragnarsson L, Andersson Å, Jain K, Garcia-Caraballo S, Castro J, Brierley SM, Alewood PF, Lewis RJ. Conopeptide-Derived κ-Opioid Agonists (Conorphins): Potent, Selective, and Metabolic Stable Dynorphin A Mimetics with Antinociceptive Properties. J Med Chem 2016; 59:2381-95. [PMID: 26859603 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Opioid receptor screening of a conopeptide library led to a novel selective κ-opioid agonist peptide (conorphin T). Intensive medicinal chemistry, guided by potency, selectivity, and stability assays generated a pharmacophore model supporting rational design of highly potent and selective κ-opioid receptor (KOR) agonists (conorphins) with exceptional plasma stability. Conorphins are defined by a hydrophobic benzoprolyl moiety, a double arginine sequence, a spacer amino acid followed by a hydrophobic residue and a C-terminal vicinal disulfide moiety. The pharmacophore model was supported by computational docking studies, revealing receptor-ligand interactions similar to KOR agonist dynorphin A (1-8). A conorphin agonist inhibited colonic nociceptors in a mouse tissue model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity, suggesting the potential of KOR agonists for the treatment of chronic abdominal pain. This new conorphine KOR agonist class and pharmacophore model provide opportunities for future rational drug development and probes for exploring the role of the κ-opioid receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Brust
- Xenome Limited , Brisbane, Queensland 4068, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel E Croker
- Xenome Limited , Brisbane, Queensland 4068, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Barbara Colless
- Xenome Limited , Brisbane, Queensland 4068, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Lotten Ragnarsson
- Xenome Limited , Brisbane, Queensland 4068, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Åsa Andersson
- Xenome Limited , Brisbane, Queensland 4068, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Kapil Jain
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Sonia Garcia-Caraballo
- Visceral Pain Group, Centre for Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Disease, Discipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, SAHMRI , Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Joel Castro
- Visceral Pain Group, Centre for Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Disease, Discipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, SAHMRI , Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Stuart M Brierley
- Visceral Pain Group, Centre for Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Disease, Discipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, SAHMRI , Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Paul F Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Richard J Lewis
- Xenome Limited , Brisbane, Queensland 4068, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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275
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dos Anjos LC, Gomes FMM, do Couto LL, Mourão CA, Moreira KG, Silva LP, Mortari MR. Anxiolytic activity and evaluation of potentially adverse effects of a bradykinin-related peptide isolated from a social wasp venom. Life Sci 2016; 149:153-9. [PMID: 26898126 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.02.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are major health problems in terms of costs stemming from sick leave, disabilities, healthcare and premature mortality. Despite the availability of classic anxiolytics, some anxiety disorders are still resistant to treatment, with higher rates of adverse effects. In this respect, several toxins isolated from arthropod venoms are useful in identifying new compounds to treat neurological disorders, particularly pathological anxiety. Thus, the aims of this study were to identify and characterize an anxiolytic peptide isolated from the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista. The peptide was identified as Polisteskinin R, with nominal molecular mass [M+H](+)=1301Da and primary structure consisting of Ala-Arg-Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Thr-Pro-Phe-Arg-OH. The anxiolytic effect was tested using the elevated plus maze test. Moreover, adverse effects on the spontaneous behavior and motor coordination of animals were assessed using the open field and rotarod tests. Polisteskinin R induced a dose-dependent anxiolytic effect. Animals treated with the peptide and diazepam spent significantly more time into the open arms when compared to the groups treated with the vehicle and pentylenetetrazole. No significant differences in spontaneous behavior or motor coordination were observed between the groups, showing that the peptide was well tolerated. The interaction by agonists in both known BK receptors induces a variability of physiological effects; Polisteskinin R can act on these receptors, inducing modulatory activity and thus, attenuating anxiety behaviors. The results of this study demonstrated that the compound Polisteskinin R exerted potent anxiolytic effects and its analogues are promising candidates for experimental pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Carneiro dos Anjos
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Graduate Program of Animal Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Flávia Maria Medeiros Gomes
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Graduate Program of Animal Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Lucianna Lopes do Couto
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Cecília Alves Mourão
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Luciano Paulino Silva
- Graduate Program of Animal Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Márcia Renata Mortari
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Graduate Program of Animal Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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276
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Walker AA, Weirauch C, Fry BG, King GF. Venoms of Heteropteran Insects: A Treasure Trove of Diverse Pharmacological Toolkits. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:43. [PMID: 26907342 PMCID: PMC4773796 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8020043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The piercing-sucking mouthparts of the true bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera) have allowed diversification from a plant-feeding ancestor into a wide range of trophic strategies that include predation and blood-feeding. Crucial to the success of each of these strategies is the injection of venom. Here we review the current state of knowledge with regard to heteropteran venoms. Predaceous species produce venoms that induce rapid paralysis and liquefaction. These venoms are powerfully insecticidal, and may cause paralysis or death when injected into vertebrates. Disulfide-rich peptides, bioactive phospholipids, small molecules such as N,N-dimethylaniline and 1,2,5-trithiepane, and toxic enzymes such as phospholipase A2, have been reported in predatory venoms. However, the detailed composition and molecular targets of predatory venoms are largely unknown. In contrast, recent research into blood-feeding heteropterans has revealed the structure and function of many protein and non-protein components that facilitate acquisition of blood meals. Blood-feeding venoms lack paralytic or liquefying activity but instead are cocktails of pharmacological modulators that disable the host haemostatic systems simultaneously at multiple points. The multiple ways venom is used by heteropterans suggests that further study will reveal heteropteran venom components with a wide range of bioactivities that may be recruited for use as bioinsecticides, human therapeutics, and pharmacological tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Christiane Weirauch
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| | - Bryan G Fry
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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277
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Harnessing the knowledge of animal toxins to generate drugs. Pharmacol Res 2016; 112:30-36. [PMID: 26826284 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Animal toxins present high selectivity and specificity for their molecular targets, and have long been considered as prototypes for developing novel drugs, with some successful cases. In this regard, the variety of molecules found in animal venoms, which can be capable of affecting vital physiological systems, have providing the development of studies focusing on turning those molecules (toxins) into therapeutics to treat several diseases, such as chronic pain, hypertension, thrombosis, cancer, and so on. However, some important issues have been responsible for disrupting the toxin-based drug discovery projects. In this review, we have briefly highlighted the development of drugs based on animal toxins, discussing some successful cases as well as the main causes of failure, pointing out the recent strategies applied to overcome the difficulties related to the translational process in this kind of development scenario.
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278
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Oldrati V, Arrell M, Violette A, Perret F, Sprüngli X, Wolfender JL, Stöcklin R. Advances in venomics. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2016; 12:3530-3543. [DOI: 10.1039/c6mb00516k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The term “venomics” was coined to describe the global study of venom and venom glands, targeting comprehensive characterization of the whole toxin profile of a venomous animal by means of proteomics, transcriptomics, genomics and bioinformatics studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Oldrati
- Atheris SA
- Geneva
- Switzerland
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- EPGL
| | | | - Aude Violette
- Alphabiotoxine Laboratory Sprl
- Montroeul-au-Bois B-7911
- Belgium
| | | | | | - Jean-Luc Wolfender
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- EPGL
- University of Geneva
- University of Lausanne
- CMU
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279
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High Proteolytic Resistance of Spider-Derived Inhibitor Cystine Knots. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEPTIDES 2015; 2015:537508. [PMID: 26843868 PMCID: PMC4710912 DOI: 10.1155/2015/537508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Proteolytic stability in gastrointestinal tract and blood plasma is the major obstacle for oral peptide drug development. Inhibitor cystine knots (ICKs) are linear cystine knot peptides which have multifunctional properties and could become promising drug scaffolds. ProTx-I, ProTx-II, GTx1-15, and GsMTx-4 were spider-derived ICKs and incubated with pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and elastase in physiological conditions to find that all tested peptides were resistant to pepsin, and ProTx-II, GsMTx-4, and GTx1-15 showed resistance to all tested proteases. Also, no ProTx-II degradation was observed in rat blood plasma for 24 hours in vitro and ProTx-II concentration in circulation decreased to half in 40 min, indicating absolute stability in plasma and fast clearance from the system. So far, linear peptides are generally thought to be unsuitable in vivo, but all tested ICKs were not degraded by pepsin and stomach could be selected for the alternative site of drug absorption for fast onset of the drug action. Since spider ICKs are selective inhibitors of various ion channels which are related to the pathology of many diseases, engineered ICKs will make a novel class of peptide medicines which can treat variety of bothering symptoms.
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280
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Deplazes E, Davies J, Bonvin AMJJ, King GF, Mark AE. Combination of Ambiguous and Unambiguous Data in the Restraint-driven Docking of Flexible Peptides with HADDOCK: The Binding of the Spider Toxin PcTx1 to the Acid Sensing Ion Channel (ASIC) 1a. J Chem Inf Model 2015; 56:127-38. [PMID: 26642380 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.5b00529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Peptides that bind to ion channels have attracted much interest as potential lead molecules for the development of new drugs and insecticides. However, the structure determination of large peptide-channel complexes using experimental methods is challenging. Thus structural models are often derived from combining experimental information with restraint-driven docking approaches. Using the complex formed by the venom peptide PcTx1 and the acid sensing ion channel (ASIC) 1a as a case study, we have examined the effect of different combinations of restraints and input structures on the statistical likelihood of (a) correctly predicting the structure of the binding interface and (b) the ability to predict which residues are involved in specific pairwise peptide-channel interactions. For this, we have analyzed over 200,000 water-refined docked structures obtained with various amounts and types of restraints of the peptide-channel complex predicted using the docking program HADDOCK. We found that increasing the number of restraints or even the use of pairwise interaction data resulted in only a modest improvement in the likelihood of finding a structure within a given accuracy. This suggests that shape complementarity and the force field make a large contribution to the accuracy of the predicted structure. The results also showed that there are large variations in the accuracy of the predicted structure depending on the precise combination of residues used as restraints. Finally, we reflect on the limitations of relying on geometric criteria such as root-mean square deviations to assess the accuracy of docking procedures. We propose that in addition to currently used measures, the likelihood of finding a structure within a given level of accuracy should be also used to evaluate docking methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyne Deplazes
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.,School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Josephine Davies
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Alexandre M J J Bonvin
- Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science - Chemistry, Utrecht University , 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Alan E Mark
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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281
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Cragg GM, Pezzuto JM. Natural Products as a Vital Source for the Discovery of Cancer Chemotherapeutic and Chemopreventive Agents. Med Princ Pract 2015; 25 Suppl 2:41-59. [PMID: 26679767 PMCID: PMC5588531 DOI: 10.1159/000443404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 394] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout history, natural products have played a dominant role in the treatment of human ailments. For example, the legendary discovery of penicillin transformed global existence. Presently, natural products comprise a large portion of current-day pharmaceutical agents, most notably in the area of cancer therapy. Examples include Taxol, vinblastine, and camptothecin. These structurally unique agents function by novel mechanisms of action; isolation from natural sources is the only plausible method that could have led to their discovery. In addition to terrestrial plants as sources for starting materials, the marine environment (e.g., ecteinascidin 743, halichondrin B, and dolastatins), microbes (e.g., bleomycin, doxorubicin, and staurosporin), and slime molds (e.g., epothilone B) have yielded remarkable cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Irrespective of these advances, cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Undoubtedly, the prevention of human cancer is highly preferable to treatment. Cancer chemoprevention, the use of vaccines or pharmaceutical agents to inhibit, retard, or reverse the process of carcinogenesis, is another important approach for easing this formidable public health burden. Similar to cancer chemotherapeutic agents, natural products play an important role in this field. There are many examples, including dietary phytochemicals such as sulforaphane and phenethyl isothiocyanate (cruciferous vegetables) and resveratrol (grapes and grape products). Overall, natural product research is a powerful approach for discovering biologically active compounds with unique structures and mechanisms of action. Given the unfathomable diversity of nature, it is reasonable to suggest that chemical leads can be generated that are capable of interacting with most or possibly all therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John M. Pezzuto
- Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, N.Y., USA
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282
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An efficient transcriptome analysis pipeline to accelerate venom peptide discovery and characterisation. Toxicon 2015; 107:282-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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283
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A roadmap for precision medicine in the epilepsies. Lancet Neurol 2015; 14:1219-28. [PMID: 26416172 PMCID: PMC4663979 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(15)00199-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Technological advances have paved the way for accelerated genomic discovery and are bringing precision medicine clearly into view. Epilepsy research in particular is well suited to serve as a model for the development and deployment of targeted therapeutics in precision medicine because of the rapidly expanding genetic knowledge base in epilepsy, the availability of good in-vitro and in-vivo model systems to efficiently study the biological consequences of genetic mutations, the ability to turn these models into effective drug-screening platforms, and the establishment of collaborative research groups. Moving forward, it is crucial that these collaborations are strengthened, particularly through integrated research platforms, to provide robust analyses both for accurate personal genome analysis and gene and drug discovery. Similarly, the implementation of clinical trial networks will allow the expansion of patient sample populations with genetically defined epilepsy so that drug discovery can be translated into clinical practice.
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284
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van Oosten LN, Pieterse M, Pinkse MWH, Verhaert PDEM. Screening Method for the Discovery of Potential Bioactive Cysteine-Containing Peptides Using 3D Mass Mapping. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2015; 26:2039-2050. [PMID: 26552389 PMCID: PMC4654750 DOI: 10.1007/s13361-015-1282-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Animal venoms and toxins are a valuable source of bioactive peptides with pharmacologic relevance as potential drug leads. A large subset of biologically active peptides discovered up till now contain disulfide bridges that enhance stability and activity. To discover new members of this class of peptides, we developed a workflow screening specifically for those peptides that contain inter- and intra-molecular disulfide bonds by means of three-dimensional (3D) mass mapping. Two intrinsic properties of the sulfur atom, (1) its relatively large negative mass defect, and (2) its isotopic composition, allow for differentiation between cysteine-containing peptides and peptides lacking sulfur. High sulfur content in a peptide decreases the normalized nominal mass defect (NMD) and increases the normalized isotopic shift (NIS). Hence in a 3D plot of mass, NIS, and NMD, peptides with sulfur appear in this plot with a distinct spatial localization compared with peptides that lack sulfur. In this study we investigated the skin secretion of two frog species; Odorrana schmackeri and Bombina variegata. Peptides from the crude skin secretions were separated by nanoflow LC, and of all eluting peptides high resolution zoom scans were acquired in order to accurately determine both monoisotopic mass and average mass. Both the NMD and the NIS were calculated from the experimental data using an in-house developed MATLAB script. Candidate peptides exhibiting a low NMD and high NIS values were selected for targeted de novo sequencing, and this resulted in the identification of several novel inter- and intra-molecular disulfide bond containing peptides. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luuk N van Oosten
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BC, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Mervin Pieterse
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BC, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn W H Pinkse
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BC, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Peter D E M Verhaert
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BC, Delft, The Netherlands.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Antwerp University, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
- CEBMMS (Center of Excellence in Biological and Medical Mass Spectrometry), Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 221 85, Lund, Sweden.
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285
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Partial in vitro analysis of toxic and antigenic activities of eleven Peruvian pitviper snake venoms. Toxicon 2015; 108:84-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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286
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Dubovskii PV, Vassilevski AA, Kozlov SA, Feofanov AV, Grishin EV, Efremov RG. Latarcins: versatile spider venom peptides. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:4501-22. [PMID: 26286896 PMCID: PMC11113828 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2016-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Arthropod venoms feature the presence of cytolytic peptides believed to act synergetically with neurotoxins to paralyze prey or deter aggressors. Many of them are linear, i.e., lack disulfide bonds. When isolated from the venom, or obtained by other means, these peptides exhibit common properties. They are cationic; being mostly disordered in aqueous solution, assume amphiphilic α-helical structure in contact with lipid membranes; and exhibit general cytotoxicity, including antifungal, antimicrobial, hemolytic, and anticancer activities. To suit the pharmacological needs, the activity spectrum of these peptides should be modified by rational engineering. As an example, we provide a detailed review on latarcins (Ltc), linear cytolytic peptides from Lachesana tarabaevi spider venom. Diverse experimental and computational techniques were used to investigate the spatial structure of Ltc in membrane-mimicking environments and their effects on model lipid bilayers. The antibacterial activity of Ltc was studied against a panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, the action of Ltc on erythrocytes and cancer cells was investigated in detail with confocal laser scanning microscopy. In the present review, we give a critical account of the progress in the research of Ltc. We explore the relationship between Ltc structure and their biological activity and derive molecular characteristics, which can be used for optimization of other linear peptides. Current applications of Ltc and prospective use of similar membrane-active peptides are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter V Dubovskii
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
| | - Alexander A Vassilevski
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Sergey A Kozlov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Alexey V Feofanov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
- Biological Faculty, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1 Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - Eugene V Grishin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Roman G Efremov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
- Higher School of Economics, 20 Myasnitskaya, Moscow, 101000, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 9 Institutskiy per., Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141700, Russia
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287
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Moore SWM, Bhat VK, Flatt PR, Gault VA, McClean S. Isolation and Characterisation of Insulin-Releasing Compounds from Pseudechis australis and Pseudechis butleri Venom. Int J Pept Res Ther 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-015-9499-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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288
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Deuis JR, Whately E, Brust A, Inserra MC, Asvadi NH, Lewis RJ, Alewood PF, Cabot PJ, Vetter I. Activation of κ Opioid Receptors in Cutaneous Nerve Endings by Conorphin-1, a Novel Subtype-Selective Conopeptide, Does Not Mediate Peripheral Analgesia. ACS Chem Neurosci 2015. [PMID: 26225903 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5b00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective activation of peripheral κ opioid receptors (KORs) may overcome the dose-limiting adverse effects of conventional opioid analgesics. We recently developed a vicinal disulfide-stabilized class of peptides with subnanomolar potency at the KOR. The aim of this study was to assess the analgesic effects of one of these peptides, named conorphin-1, in comparison with the prototypical KOR-selective small molecule agonist U-50488, in several rodent pain models. Surprisingly, neither conorphin-1 nor U-50488 were analgesic when delivered peripherally by intraplantar injection at local concentrations expected to fully activate the KOR at cutaneous nerve endings. While U-50488 was analgesic when delivered at high local concentrations, this effect could not be reversed by coadministration with the selective KOR antagonist ML190 or the nonselective opioid antagonist naloxone. Instead, U-50488 likely mediated its peripheral analgesic effect through nonselective inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels, including peripheral sensory neuron isoforms NaV1.8 and NaV1.7. Our study suggests that targeting the KOR in peripheral sensory nerve endings innervating the skin is not an alternative analgesic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R. Deuis
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Ella Whately
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | | | - Marco C. Inserra
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Naghmeh H. Asvadi
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | | | | | - Peter J. Cabot
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
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289
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Kelly P, Anand P, Uvaydov A, Chakravartula S, Sherpa C, Pires E, O'Neil A, Douglas T, Holford M. Developing a Dissociative Nanocontainer for Peptide Drug Delivery. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:12543-55. [PMID: 26473893 PMCID: PMC4626985 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph121012543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The potency, selectivity, and decreased side effects of bioactive peptides have propelled these agents to the forefront of pharmacological research. Peptides are especially promising for the treatment of neurological disorders and pain. However, delivery of peptide therapeutics often requires invasive techniques, which is a major obstacle to their widespread application. We have developed a tailored peptide drug delivery system in which the viral capsid of P22 bacteriophage is modified to serve as a tunable nanocontainer for the packaging and controlled release of bioactive peptides. Recent efforts have demonstrated that P22 nanocontainers can effectively encapsulate analgesic peptides and translocate them across blood-brain-barrier (BBB) models. However, release of encapsulated peptides at their target site remains a challenge. Here a Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) reaction is applied to trigger P22 nanocontainer disassembly under physiological conditions. Specifically, the ROMP substrate norbornene (5-Norbornene-2-carboxylic acid) is conjugated to the exterior of a loaded P22 nanocontainer and Grubbs II Catalyst is used to trigger the polymerization reaction leading to nanocontainer disassembly. Our results demonstrate initial attempts to characterize the ROMP-triggered release of cargo peptides from P22 nanocontainers. This work provides proof-of-concept for the construction of a triggerable peptide drug delivery system using viral nanocontainers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Kelly
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Prachi Anand
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Alexander Uvaydov
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Srinivas Chakravartula
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Chhime Sherpa
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Elena Pires
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Alison O'Neil
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Trevor Douglas
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
| | - Mandë Holford
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
- The American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West & 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA.
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290
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Göçmen B, Heiss P, Petras D, Nalbantsoy A, Süssmuth RD. Mass spectrometry guided venom profiling and bioactivity screening of the Anatolian Meadow Viper, Vipera anatolica. Toxicon 2015; 107:163-74. [PMID: 26385313 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This contribution reports on the first characterization of the venom proteome and the bioactivity screening of Vipera anatolica, the Anatolian Meadow Viper. The crude venom as well as an isolated dimeric disintegrin showed remarkable cytotoxic activity against glioblastoma cells. Due to the rare occurrence and the small size of this species only little amount of venom was available, which was profiled by means of a combination of bottom-up and top-down mass spectrometry. From this analysis we identified snake venom metalloproteases, cysteine-rich secretory protein isoforms, a metalloprotease inhibitor, several type A2 phospholipases, disintegrins, a snake venom serine protease, a C-type lectin and a Kunitz-type protease inhibitor. Furthermore, we detected several isoforms of above mentioned proteins as well as previously unknown proteins, indicating an extensive complexity of the venom which would have remained undetected with conventional venomic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayram Göçmen
- Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Paul Heiss
- Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Chemie, Strasse des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Petras
- Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Chemie, Strasse des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ayse Nalbantsoy
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Bornova, 35100 Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Roderich D Süssmuth
- Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Chemie, Strasse des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
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291
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Burnley J, Jackson WR, Robinson AJ. One-Pot Selective Homodimerization/Hydrogenation Strategy for Sequential Dicarba Bridge Formation. J Org Chem 2015; 80:9057-63. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.5b01312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- James Burnley
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - W. Roy Jackson
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrea J. Robinson
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
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292
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Murray JK, Qian YX, Liu B, Elliott R, Aral J, Park C, Zhang X, Stenkilsson M, Salyers K, Rose M, Li H, Yu S, Andrews KL, Colombero A, Werner J, Gaida K, Sickmier EA, Miu P, Itano A, McGivern J, Gegg CV, Sullivan JK, Miranda LP. Pharmaceutical Optimization of Peptide Toxins for Ion Channel Targets: Potent, Selective, and Long-Lived Antagonists of Kv1.3. J Med Chem 2015; 58:6784-802. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kristin L. Andrews
- Therapeutic
Discovery, Amgen Inc., 360 Binney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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293
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Carstens BB, Rosengren KJ, Gunasekera S, Schempp S, Bohlin L, Dahlström M, Clark RJ, Göransson U. Isolation, Characterization, and Synthesis of the Barrettides: Disulfide-Containing Peptides from the Marine Sponge Geodia barretti. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2015; 78:1886-1893. [PMID: 26222779 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5b00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Two disulfide-containing peptides, barrettides A (1) and B (2), from the cold-water marine sponge Geodia barretti are described. Those 31 amino acid residue long peptides were sequenced using mass spectrometry methods and structurally characterized using NMR spectroscopy. The structure of 1 was confirmed by total synthesis using the solid-phase peptide synthesis approach that was developed. The two peptides were found to differ only at a single position in their sequence. The three-dimensional structure of 1 revealed that these peptides possess a unique fold consisting of a long β-hairpin structure that is cross-braced by two disulfide bonds in a ladder-like arrangement. The peptides are amphipathic in nature with the hydrophobic and charged residues clustered on separate faces of the molecule. The barrettides were found not to inhibit the growth of either Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus but displayed antifouling activity against barnacle larvae (Balanus improvisus) without lethal effects in the concentrations tested.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sunithi Gunasekera
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University , Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stefanie Schempp
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University , Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Bohlin
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University , Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mia Dahlström
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Surfaces, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden , Arvid Wallgrens Backe 20, SE-413 46 Göteborg, Sweden
| | | | - Ulf Göransson
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University , Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
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294
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Monge-Fuentes V, Gomes FMM, Campos GAA, Silva JDC, Biolchi AM, Dos Anjos LC, Gonçalves JC, Lopes KS, Mortari MR. Neuroactive compounds obtained from arthropod venoms as new therapeutic platforms for the treatment of neurological disorders. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2015; 21:31. [PMID: 26257776 PMCID: PMC4529710 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-015-0031-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of neurological disorders in society is growing with alarming estimations for an incidence increase in the next decades. These disorders are generally chronic and can affect individuals early during productive life, imposing real limitations on the performance of their social roles. Patients can have their independence, autonomy, freedom, self-image, and self-confidence affected. In spite of their availability, drugs for the treatment of these disorders are commonly associated with side effects, which can vary in frequency and severity. Currently, no effective cure is known. Nowadays, the biopharmaceutical research community widely recognizes arthropod venoms as a rich source of bioactive compounds, providing a plethora of possibilities for the discovery of new neuroactive compounds, opening up novel and attractive opportunities in this field. Several identified molecules with a neuropharmacological profile can act in the central nervous system on different neuronal targets, rendering them useful tools for the study of neurological disorders. In this context, this review aims to describe the current main compounds extracted from arthropod venoms for the treatment of five major existing neurological disorders: stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and pathological anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Monge-Fuentes
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, DF CEP 70.910-900, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Flávia Maria Medeiros Gomes
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, DF CEP 70.910-900, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Avohay Alves Campos
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, DF CEP 70.910-900, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Juliana de Castro Silva
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, DF CEP 70.910-900, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Andréia Mayer Biolchi
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, DF CEP 70.910-900, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Lilian Carneiro Dos Anjos
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, DF CEP 70.910-900, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Coimbra Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, DF CEP 70.910-900, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Kamila Soares Lopes
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, DF CEP 70.910-900, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Márcia Renata Mortari
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, DF CEP 70.910-900, Brasília, Brazil
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295
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Zhan C, Li C, Wei X, Lu W, Lu W. Toxins and derivatives in molecular pharmaceutics: Drug delivery and targeted therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2015; 90:101-18. [PMID: 25959429 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Protein and peptide toxins offer an invaluable source for the development of actively targeted drug delivery systems. They avidly bind to a variety of cognate receptors, some of which are expressed or even up-regulated in diseased tissues and biological barriers. Protein and peptide toxins or their derivatives can act as ligands to facilitate tissue- or organ-specific accumulation of therapeutics. Some toxins have evolved from a relatively small number of structural frameworks that are particularly suitable for addressing the crucial issues of potency and stability, making them an instrumental source of leads and templates for targeted therapy. The focus of this review is on protein and peptide toxins for the development of targeted drug delivery systems and molecular therapies. We summarize disease- and biological barrier-related toxin receptors, as well as targeted drug delivery strategies inspired by those receptors. The design of new therapeutics based on protein and peptide toxins is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changyou Zhan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, PR China
| | - Chong Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University & Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Pharmaceutical Process and Quality Control, Chongqing 400716, PR China
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Wuyuan Lu
- Institute of Human Virology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Weiyue Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China.
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296
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Zhang Y. Why do we study animal toxins? DONG WU XUE YAN JIU = ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2015; 36:183-222. [PMID: 26228472 PMCID: PMC4790257 DOI: 10.13918/j.issn.2095-8137.2015.4.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Venom (toxins) is an important trait evolved along the evolutionary tree of animals. Our knowledges on venoms, such as their origins and loss, the biological relevance and the coevolutionary patterns with other organisms are greatly helpful in understanding many fundamental biological questions, i.e., the environmental adaptation and survival competition, the evolution shaped development and balance of venoms, and the sophisticated correlations among venom, immunity, body power, intelligence, their genetic basis, inherent association, as well as the cost-benefit and trade-offs of biological economy. Lethal animal envenomation can be found worldwide. However, from foe to friend, toxin studies have led lots of important discoveries and exciting avenues in deciphering and fighting human diseases, including the works awarded the Nobel Prize and lots of key clinic therapeutics. According to our survey, so far, only less than 0.1% of the toxins of the venomous animals in China have been explored. We emphasize on the similarities shared by venom and immune systems, as well as the studies of toxin knowledge-based physiological toxin-like proteins/peptides (TLPs). We propose the natural pairing hypothesis. Evolution links toxins with humans. Our mission is to find out the right natural pairings and interactions of our body elements with toxins, and with endogenous toxin-like molecules. Although, in nature, toxins may endanger human lives, but from a philosophical point of view, knowing them well is an effective way to better understand ourselves. So, this is why we study toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of The Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223,
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297
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Cabinet of Curiosities: Venom Systems and Their Ecological Function in Mammals, with a Focus on Primates. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:2639-58. [PMID: 26193318 PMCID: PMC4516934 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7072639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Revised: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Venom delivery systems (VDS) are common in the animal kingdom, but rare amongst mammals. New definitions of venom allow us to reconsider its diversity amongst mammals by reviewing the VDS of Chiroptera, Eulipotyphla, Monotremata, and Primates. All orders use modified anterior dentition as the venom delivery apparatus, except Monotremata, which possesses a crural system. The venom gland in most taxa is a modified submaxillary salivary gland. In Primates, the saliva is activated when combined with brachial gland exudate. In Monotremata, the crural spur contains the venom duct. Venom functions include feeding, intraspecific competition, anti-predator defense and parasite defense. Including mammals in discussion of venom evolution could prove vital in our understanding protein functioning in mammals and provide a new avenue for biomedical and therapeutic applications and drug discovery.
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298
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Abstract
Over the last three decades, transcriptomic studies of venom gland cells have continuously evolved, opening up new possibilities for exploring the molecular diversity of animal venoms, a prerequisite for the discovery of new drug candidates and molecular phylogenetics. The molecular complexity of animal venoms is much greater than initially thought. In this review, we describe the different technologies available for transcriptomic studies of venom, from the original individual cloning approaches to the more recent global Next Generation Sequencing strategies. Our understanding of animal venoms is evolving, with the discovery of complex and diverse bio-optimized cocktails of compounds, including mostly peptides and proteins, which are now beginning to be studied by academic and industrial researchers.
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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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