351
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Liu Z, Cai T, Zhu Q, Deng M, Li J, Zhou X, Zhang F, Li D, Li J, Liu Y, Hu W, Liang S. Structure and function of hainantoxin-III, a selective antagonist of neuronal tetrodotoxin-sensitive voltage-gated sodium channels isolated from the Chinese bird spider Ornithoctonus hainana. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:20392-403. [PMID: 23703613 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.426627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we investigated the structure and function of hainantoxin-III (HNTX-III), a 33-residue polypeptide from the venom of the spider Ornithoctonus hainana. It is a selective antagonist of neuronal tetrodotoxin-sensitive voltage-gated sodium channels. HNTX-III suppressed Nav1.7 current amplitude without significantly altering the activation, inactivation, and repriming kinetics. Short extreme depolarizations partially activated the toxin-bound channel, indicating voltage-dependent inhibition of HNTX-III. HNTX-III increased the deactivation of the Nav1.7 current after extreme depolarizations. The HNTX-III·Nav1.7 complex was gradually dissociated upon prolonged strong depolarizations in a voltage-dependent manner, and the unbound toxin rebound to Nav1.7 after a long repolarization. Moreover, analysis of chimeric channels showed that the DIIS3-S4 linker was critical for HNTX-III binding to Nav1.7. These data are consistent with HNTX-III interacting with Nav1.7 site 4 and trapping the domain II voltage sensor in the closed state. The solution structure of HNTX-III was determined by two-dimensional NMR and shown to possess an inhibitor cystine knot motif. Structural analysis indicated that certain basic, hydrophobic, and aromatic residues mainly localized in the C terminus may constitute an amphiphilic surface potentially involved in HNTX-III binding to Nav1.7. Taken together, our results show that HNTX-III is distinct from β-scorpion toxins and other β-spider toxins in its mechanism of action and binding specificity and affinity. The present findings contribute to our understanding of the mechanism of toxin-sodium channel interaction and provide a useful tool for the investigation of the structure and function of sodium channel isoforms and for the development of analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghua Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China.
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352
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Klint JK, Senff S, Saez NJ, Seshadri R, Lau HY, Bende NS, Undheim EAB, Rash LD, Mobli M, King GF. Production of recombinant disulfide-rich venom peptides for structural and functional analysis via expression in the periplasm of E. coli. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63865. [PMID: 23667680 PMCID: PMC3646780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Disulfide-rich peptides are the dominant component of most animal venoms. These peptides have received much attention as leads for the development of novel therapeutic agents and bioinsecticides because they target a wide range of neuronal receptors and ion channels with a high degree of potency and selectivity. In addition, their rigid disulfide framework makes them particularly well suited for addressing the crucial issue of in vivo stability. Structural and functional characterization of these peptides necessitates the development of a robust, reliable expression system that maintains their native disulfide framework. The bacterium Escherichia coli has long been used for economical production of recombinant proteins. However, the expression of functional disulfide-rich proteins in the reducing environment of the E. coli cytoplasm presents a significant challenge. Thus, we present here an optimised protocol for the expression of disulfide-rich venom peptides in the periplasm of E. coli, which is where the endogenous machinery for production of disulfide-bonds is located. The parameters that have been investigated include choice of media, induction conditions, lysis methods, methods of fusion protein and peptide purification, and sample preparation for NMR studies. After each section a recommendation is made for conditions to use. We demonstrate the use of this method for the production of venom peptides ranging in size from 2 to 8 kDa and containing 2-6 disulfide bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie K. Klint
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Sebastian Senff
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Natalie J. Saez
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Radha Seshadri
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Ho Yee Lau
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Niraj S. Bende
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Eivind A. B. Undheim
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Lachlan D. Rash
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Mehdi Mobli
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
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353
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Nozach H, Fruchart-Gaillard C, Fenaille F, Beau F, Ramos OHP, Douzi B, Saez NJ, Moutiez M, Servent D, Gondry M, Thaï R, Cuniasse P, Vincentelli R, Dive V. High throughput screening identifies disulfide isomerase DsbC as a very efficient partner for recombinant expression of small disulfide-rich proteins in E. coli. Microb Cell Fact 2013; 12:37. [PMID: 23607455 PMCID: PMC3668227 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-12-37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Disulfide-rich proteins or DRPs are versatile bioactive compounds that encompass a wide variety of pharmacological, therapeutic, and/or biotechnological applications. Still, the production of DRPs in sufficient quantities is a major bottleneck for their complete structural or functional characterization. Recombinant expression of such small proteins containing multiple disulfide bonds in the bacteria E. coli is considered difficult and general methods and protocols, particularly on a high throughput scale, are limited. Results Here we report a high throughput screening approach that allowed the systematic investigation of the solubilizing and folding influence of twelve cytoplasmic partners on 28 DRPs in the strains BL21 (DE3) pLysS, Origami B (DE3) pLysS and SHuffle® T7 Express lysY (1008 conditions). The screening identified the conditions leading to the successful soluble expression of the 28 DRPs selected for the study. Amongst 336 conditions tested per bacterial strain, soluble expression was detected in 196 conditions using the strain BL21 (DE3) pLysS, whereas only 44 and 50 conditions for soluble expression were identified for the strains Origami B (DE3) pLysS and SHuffle® T7 Express lysY respectively. To assess the redox states of the DRPs, the solubility screen was coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) to determine the exact masses of the produced DRPs or fusion proteins. To validate the results obtained at analytical scale, several examples of proteins expressed and purified to a larger scale are presented along with their MS and functional characterization. Conclusions Our results show that the production of soluble and functional DRPs with cytoplasmic partners is possible in E. coli. In spite of its reducing cytoplasm, BL21 (DE3) pLysS is more efficient than the Origami B (DE3) pLysS and SHuffle® T7 Express lysY trxB-/gor- strains for the production of DRPs in fusion with solubilizing partners. However, our data suggest that oxidation of the proteins occurs ex vivo. Our protocols allow the production of a large diversity of DRPs using DsbC as a fusion partner, leading to pure active DRPs at milligram scale in many cases. These results open up new possibilities for the study and development of DRPs with therapeutic or biotechnological interest whose production was previously a limitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Nozach
- CEA, iBiTec-S, Service d'Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, CEA Saclay, Gif sur Yvette F-91191, France.
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354
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Marcussi S, Stábeli RG, Santos-Filho NA, Menaldo DL, Silva Pereira LL, Zuliani JP, Calderon LA, da Silva SL, Greggi Antunes LM, Soares AM. Genotoxic effect of Bothrops snake venoms and isolated toxins on human lymphocyte DNA. Toxicon 2013; 65:9-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Revised: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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355
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Bock JE, Gavenonis J, Kritzer JA. Getting in shape: controlling peptide bioactivity and bioavailability using conformational constraints. ACS Chem Biol 2013; 8:488-499. [PMID: 23170954 PMCID: PMC4847942 DOI: 10.1021/cb300515u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chemical biologists commonly seek out correlations between the physicochemical properties of molecules and their behavior in biological systems. However, a new paradigm is emerging for peptides in which conformation is recognized as the primary determinant of bioactivity and bioavailability. This review highlights an emerging body of work that directly addresses how a peptide's conformation controls its biological effects, cell penetration, and intestinal absorption. Based on this work, the dream of mimicking the potency and bioavailability of natural product peptides is getting closer to reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan E. Bock
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Jason Gavenonis
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Joshua A. Kritzer
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
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356
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Palagi A, Koh JM, Leblanc M, Wilson D, Dutertre S, King GF, Nicholson GM, Escoubas P. Unravelling the complex venom landscapes of lethal Australian funnel-web spiders (Hexathelidae: Atracinae) using LC-MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. J Proteomics 2013; 80:292-310. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2012] [Revised: 01/04/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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357
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The venom optimization hypothesis revisited. Toxicon 2013; 63:120-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Revised: 11/23/2012] [Accepted: 11/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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358
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Zeng XC, Nie Y, Luo X, Wu S, Shi W, Zhang L, Liu Y, Cao H, Yang Y, Zhou J. Molecular and bioinformatical characterization of a novel superfamily of cysteine-rich peptides from arthropods. Peptides 2013; 41:45-58. [PMID: 23099316 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 10/05/2012] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The full-length cDNA sequences of two novel cysteine-rich peptides (referred to as HsVx1 and MmKTx1) were obtained from scorpions. The two peptides represent a novel class of cysteine-rich peptides with a unique cysteine pattern. The genomic sequence of HsVx1 is composed of three exons interrupted by two introns that are localized in the mature peptide encoding region and inserted in phase 1 and phase 2, respectively. Such a genomic organization markedly differs from those of other peptides from scorpions described previously. Genome-wide search for the orthologs of HsVx1 identified 59 novel cysteine-rich peptides from arthropods. These peptides share a consistent cysteine pattern with HsVx1. Genomic comparison revealed extensive intron length differences and intronic number and position polymorphisms among the genes of these peptides. Further analysis identified 30 cases of intron sliding, 1 case of intron gain and 22 cases of intron loss occurred with the genes of the HsVx1 and HsVx1-like peptides. It is interesting to see that three HsVx1-like peptides XP_001658928, XP_001658929 and XP_001658930 were derived from a single gene (XP gene): the former two were generated from alternative splicing; the third one was encoded by a DNA region in the reverse complementary strand of the third intron of the XP gene. These findings strongly suggest that the genes of these cysteine-rich peptides were evolved by intron sliding, intron gain/loss, gene recombination and alternative splicing events in response to selective forces without changing their cysteine pattern. The evolution of these genes is dominated by intron sliding and intron loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Chun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China.
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359
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Koua D, Laht S, Kaplinski L, Stöcklin R, Remm M, Favreau P, Lisacek F. Position-specific scoring matrix and hidden Markov model complement each other for the prediction of conopeptide superfamilies. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2013; 1834:717-24. [PMID: 23352837 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2012.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2012] [Revised: 12/01/2012] [Accepted: 12/26/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Classified into 16 superfamilies, conopeptides are the main component of cone snail venoms that attract growing interest in pharmacology and drug discovery. The conventional approach to assigning a conopeptide to a superfamily is based on a consensus signal peptide of the precursor sequence. While this information is available at the genomic or transcriptomic levels, it is not present in amino acid sequences of mature bioactives generated by proteomic studies. As the number of conopeptide sequences is increasing exponentially with the improvement in sequencing techniques, there is a growing need for automating superfamily elucidation. To face this challenge we have defined distinct models of the signal sequence, propeptide region and mature peptides for each of the superfamilies containing more than 5 members (14 out of 16). These models rely on two robust techniques namely, Position-Specific Scoring Matrices (PSSM, also named generalized profiles) and hidden Markov models (HMM). A total of 50 PSSMs and 47 HMM profiles were generated. We confirm that propeptide and mature regions can be used to efficiently classify conopeptides lacking a signal sequence. Furthermore, the combination of all three-region models demonstrated improvement in the classification rates and results emphasise how PSSM and HMM approaches complement each other for superfamily determination. The 97 models were validated and offer a straightforward method applicable to large sequence datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Koua
- Atheris Laboratories, Case Postale 314, CH-1233 Bernex-Geneva, Switzerland.
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360
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Guthals A, Watrous JD, Dorrestein PC, Bandeira N. The spectral networks paradigm in high throughput mass spectrometry. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2013; 8:2535-44. [PMID: 22610447 DOI: 10.1039/c2mb25085c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
High-throughput proteomics is made possible by a combination of modern mass spectrometry instruments capable of generating many millions of tandem mass (MS(2)) spectra on a daily basis and the increasingly sophisticated associated software for their automated identification. Despite the growing accumulation of collections of identified spectra and the regular generation of MS(2) data from related peptides, the mainstream approach for peptide identification is still the nearly two decades old approach of matching one MS(2) spectrum at a time against a database of protein sequences. Moreover, database search tools overwhelmingly continue to require that users guess in advance a small set of 4-6 post-translational modifications that may be present in their data in order to avoid incurring substantial false positive and negative rates. The spectral networks paradigm for analysis of MS(2) spectra differs from the mainstream database search paradigm in three fundamental ways. First, spectral networks are based on matching spectra against other spectra instead of against protein sequences. Second, spectral networks find spectra from related peptides even before considering their possible identifications. Third, spectral networks determine consensus identifications from sets of spectra from related peptides instead of separately attempting to identify one spectrum at a time. Even though spectral networks algorithms are still in their infancy, they have already delivered the longest and most accurate de novo sequences to date, revealed a new route for the discovery of unexpected post-translational modifications and highly-modified peptides, enabled automated sequencing of cyclic non-ribosomal peptides with unknown amino acids and are now defining a novel approach for mapping the entire molecular output of biological systems that is suitable for analysis with tandem mass spectrometry. Here we review the current state of spectral networks algorithms and discuss possible future directions for automated interpretation of spectra from any class of molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Guthals
- Dept. Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, USA
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361
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Duan Z, Cao R, Jiang L, Liang S. A combined de novo protein sequencing and cDNA library approach to the venomic analysis of Chinese spider Araneus ventricosus. J Proteomics 2013; 78:416-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2012.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2012] [Revised: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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362
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Anangi R, Koshy S, Huq R, Beeton C, Chuang WJ, King GF. Recombinant expression of margatoxin and agitoxin-2 in Pichia pastoris: an efficient method for production of KV1.3 channel blockers. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52965. [PMID: 23300835 PMCID: PMC3530466 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2012] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The K(v)1.3 voltage-gated potassium channel regulates membrane potential and calcium signaling in human effector memory T cells that are key mediators of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, subtype-specific K(v)1.3 blockers have potential for treatment of autoimmune diseases. Several K(v)1.3 channel blockers have been characterized from scorpion venom, all of which have an α/β scaffold stabilized by 3-4 intramolecular disulfide bridges. Chemical synthesis is commonly used for producing these disulfide-rich peptides but this approach is time consuming and not cost effective for production of mutants, fusion proteins, fluorescently tagged toxins, or isotopically labelled peptides for NMR studies. Recombinant production of K(v)1.3 blockers in the cytoplasm of E. coli generally necessitates oxidative refolding of the peptides in order to form their native disulfide architecture. An alternative approach that avoids the need for refolding is expression of peptides in the periplasm of E. coli but this often produces low yields. Thus, we developed an efficient Pichia pastoris expression system for production of K(v)1.3 blockers using margatoxin (MgTx) and agitoxin-2 (AgTx2) as prototypic examples. The Pichia system enabled these toxins to be obtained in high yield (12-18 mg/L). NMR experiments revealed that the recombinant toxins adopt their native fold without the need for refolding, and electrophysiological recordings demonstrated that they are almost equipotent with the native toxins in blocking K(V)1.3 (IC(50) values of 201±39 pM and 97 ± 3 pM for recombinant AgTx2 and MgTx, respectively). Furthermore, both recombinant toxins inhibited T-lymphocyte proliferation. A MgTx mutant in which the key pharmacophore residue K28 was mutated to alanine was ineffective at blocking K(V)1.3 and it failed to inhibit T-lymphocyte proliferation. Thus, the approach described here provides an efficient method of producing toxin mutants with a view to engineering K(v)1.3 blockers with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raveendra Anangi
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail: (RA); (GK)
| | - Shyny Koshy
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Redwan Huq
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Christine Beeton
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Woei-Jer Chuang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail: (RA); (GK)
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363
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Casewell NR, Wüster W, Vonk FJ, Harrison RA, Fry BG. Complex cocktails: the evolutionary novelty of venoms. Trends Ecol Evol 2012; 28:219-29. [PMID: 23219381 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2012.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 611] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Revised: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Venoms have evolved on numerous occasions throughout the animal kingdom. These 'biochemical weapon systems' typically function to facilitate, or protect the producing animal from, predation. Most venomous animals remain unstudied despite venoms providing model systems for investigating predator-prey interactions, molecular evolution, functional convergence, and novel targets for pharmaceutical discovery. Through advances in 'omic' technologies, venom composition data have recently become available for several venomous lineages, revealing considerable complexity in the processes responsible for generating the genetic and functional diversity observed in many venoms. Here, we review these recent advances and highlight the ecological and evolutionary novelty of venom systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R Casewell
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2UW, UK.
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364
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Peak capacity optimisation for high resolution peptide profiling in complex mixtures by liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry: Application to the Conus consors cone snail venom. J Chromatogr A 2012; 1259:187-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2012.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2011] [Revised: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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365
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King GF, Hardy MC. Spider-venom peptides: structure, pharmacology, and potential for control of insect pests. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2012; 58:475-96. [PMID: 23020618 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-120811-153650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 266] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Spider venoms are an incredibly rich source of disulfide-rich insecticidal peptides that have been tuned over millions of years to target a wide range of receptors and ion channels in the insect nervous system. These peptides can act individually, or as part of larger toxin cabals, to rapidly immobilize envenomated prey owing to their debilitating effects on nervous system function. Most of these peptides contain a unique arrangement of disulfide bonds that provides them with extreme resistance to proteases. As a result, these peptides are highly stable in the insect gut and hemolymph and many of them are orally active. Thus, spider-venom peptides can be used as stand-alone bioinsecticides, or transgenes encoding these peptides can be used to engineer insect-resistant crops or enhanced entomopathogens. We critically review the potential of spider-venom peptides to control insect pests and highlight their advantages and disadvantages compared with conventional chemical insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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366
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Guthals A, Bandeira N. Peptide identification by tandem mass spectrometry with alternate fragmentation modes. Mol Cell Proteomics 2012; 11:550-7. [PMID: 22595789 PMCID: PMC3434779 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.r112.018556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2012] [Revised: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The high-throughput nature of proteomics mass spectrometry is enabled by a productive combination of data acquisition protocols and the computational tools used to interpret the resulting spectra. One of the key components in mainstream protocols is the generation of tandem mass (MS/MS) spectra by peptide fragmentation using collision induced dissociation, the approach currently used in the large majority of proteomics experiments to routinely identify hundreds to thousands of proteins from single mass spectrometry runs. Complementary to these, alternative peptide fragmentation methods such as electron capture/transfer dissociation and higher-energy collision dissociation have consistently achieved significant improvements in the identification of certain classes of peptides, proteins, and post-translational modifications. Recognizing these advantages, mass spectrometry instruments now conveniently support fine-tuned methods that automatically alternate between peptide fragmentation modes for either different types of peptides or for acquisition of multiple MS/MS spectra from each peptide. But although these developments have the potential to substantially improve peptide identification, their routine application requires corresponding adjustments to the software tools and procedures used for automated downstream processing. This review discusses the computational implications of alternative and alternate modes of MS/MS peptide fragmentation and addresses some practical aspects of using such protocols for identification of peptides and post-translational modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Guthals
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
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367
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Klint JK, Senff S, Rupasinghe DB, Er SY, Herzig V, Nicholson GM, King GF. Spider-venom peptides that target voltage-gated sodium channels: Pharmacological tools and potential therapeutic leads. Toxicon 2012; 60:478-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.04.337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Accepted: 04/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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368
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Pineda SS, Wilson D, Mattick JS, King GF. The lethal toxin from Australian funnel-web spiders is encoded by an intronless gene. PLoS One 2012; 7:e43699. [PMID: 22928020 PMCID: PMC3425536 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Australian funnel-web spiders are generally considered the most dangerous spiders in the world, with envenomations from the Sydney funnel-web spider Atrax robustus resulting in at least 14 human fatalities prior to the introduction of an effective anti-venom in 1980. The clinical envenomation syndrome resulting from bites by Australian funnel-web spiders is due to a single 42-residue peptide known as δ-hexatoxin. This peptide delays the inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels, which results in spontaneous repetitive firing and prolongation of action potentials, thereby causing massive neurotransmitter release from both somatic and autonomic nerve endings. Here we show that δ-hexatoxin from the Australian funnel-web spider Hadronyche versuta is produced from an intronless gene that encodes a prepropeptide that is post-translationally processed to yield the mature toxin. A limited sampling of genes encoding unrelated venom peptides from this spider indicated that they are all intronless. Thus, in distinct contrast to cone snails and scorpions, whose toxin genes contain introns, spiders may have developed a quite different genetic strategy for evolving their venom peptidome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Steffany Pineda
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - David Wilson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - John S. Mattick
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
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369
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Wong ESW, Morgenstern D, Mofiz E, Gombert S, Morris KM, Temple-Smith P, Renfree MB, Whittington CM, King GF, Warren WC, Papenfuss AT, Belov K. Proteomics and deep sequencing comparison of seasonally active venom glands in the platypus reveals novel venom peptides and distinct expression profiles. Mol Cell Proteomics 2012; 11:1354-64. [PMID: 22899769 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m112.017491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The platypus is a venomous monotreme. Male platypuses possess a spur on their hind legs that is connected to glands in the pelvic region. They produce venom only during the breeding season, presumably to fight off conspecifics. We have taken advantage of this unique seasonal production of venom to compare the transcriptomes of in- and out-of-season venom glands, in conjunction with proteomic analysis, to identify previously undiscovered venom genes. Comparison of the venom glands revealed distinct gene expression profiles that are consistent with changes in venom gland morphology and venom volumes in and out of the breeding season. Venom proteins were identified through shot-gun sequenced venom proteomes of three animals using RNA-seq-derived transcripts for peptide-spectral matching. 5,157 genes were expressed in the venom glands, 1,821 genes were up-regulated in the in-season gland, and 10 proteins were identified in the venom. New classes of platypus-venom proteins identified included antimicrobials, amide oxidase, serpin protease inhibitor, proteins associated with the mammalian stress response pathway, cytokines, and other immune molecules. Five putative toxins have only been identified in platypus venom: growth differentiation factor 15, nucleobindin-2, CD55, a CXC-chemokine, and corticotropin-releasing factor-binding protein. These novel venom proteins have potential biomedical and therapeutic applications and provide insights into venom evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S W Wong
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
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370
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Liu Z, Zhao Y, Li J, Xu S, Liu C, Zhu Y, Liang S. The venom of the spider Macrothele raveni induces apoptosis in the myelogenous leukemia K562 cell line. Leuk Res 2012; 36:1063-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2012.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2012] [Revised: 02/25/2012] [Accepted: 02/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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371
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Jensen JE, Mobli M, Brust A, Alewood PF, King GF, Rash LD. Cyclisation increases the stability of the sea anemone peptide APETx2 but decreases its activity at acid-sensing ion channel 3. Mar Drugs 2012; 10:1511-1527. [PMID: 22851922 PMCID: PMC3407927 DOI: 10.3390/md10071511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Revised: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 07/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
APETx2 is a peptide isolated from the sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima. It is the most potent and selective inhibitor of acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) and it is currently in preclinical studies as a novel analgesic for the treatment of chronic inflammatory pain. As a peptide it faces many challenges in the drug development process, including the potential lack of stability often associated with therapeutic peptides. In this study we determined the susceptibility of wild-type APETx2 to trypsin and pepsin and tested the applicability of backbone cyclisation as a strategy to improve its resistance to enzymatic degradation. Cyclisation with either a six-, seven- or eight-residue linker vastly improved the protease resistance of APETx2 but substantially decreased its potency against ASIC3. This suggests that either the N- or C-terminus of APETx2 is involved in its interaction with the channel, which we confirmed by making N- and C-terminal truncations. Truncation of either terminus, but especially the N-terminus, has detrimental effects on the ability of APETx2 to inhibit ASIC3. The current work indicates that cyclisation is unlikely to be a suitable strategy for stabilising APETx2, unless linkers can be engineered that do not interfere with binding to ASIC3.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Glenn F. King
- The University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.E.J.); (M.M.); (A.B.); (P.F.A.)
| | - Lachlan D. Rash
- The University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.E.J.); (M.M.); (A.B.); (P.F.A.)
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372
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Anangi R, Rash LD, Mobli M, King GF. Functional expression in Escherichia coli of the disulfide-rich sea anemone peptide APETx2, a potent blocker of acid-sensing ion channel 3. Mar Drugs 2012; 10:1605-1618. [PMID: 22851929 PMCID: PMC3407934 DOI: 10.3390/md10071605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Revised: 07/18/2012] [Accepted: 07/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated sodium channels present in the central and peripheral nervous system of chordates. ASIC3 is highly expressed in sensory neurons and plays an important role in inflammatory and ischemic pain. Thus, specific inhibitors of ASIC3 have the potential to be developed as novel analgesics. APETx2, isolated from the sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima, is the most potent and selective inhibitor of ASIC3-containing channels. However, the mechanism of action of APETx2 and the molecular basis for its interaction with ASIC3 is not known. In order to assist in characterizing the ASIC3-APETx2 interaction, we developed an efficient and cost-effective Escherichia coli periplasmic expression system for the production of APETx2. NMR studies on uniformly (13)C/(15)N-labelled APETx2 produced in E. coli showed that the recombinant peptide adopts the native conformation. Recombinant APETx2 is equipotent with synthetic APETx2 at inhibiting ASIC3 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Using this system we mutated Phe15 to Ala, which caused a profound loss of APETx2's activity on ASIC3. These findings suggest that this expression system can be used to produce mutant versions of APETx2 in order to facilitate structure-activity relationship studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raveendra Anangi
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; (R.A.); (G.F.K.); Tel.: +61-7-3346-2026 (R.A.); Fax: +61-7-3346-2090 (R.A.); Tel.: +61-7-3346-2025 (G.F.K.); Fax: +61-7-3346-2101 (G.F.K.)
| | | | | | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (L.D.R.); (M.M.)
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373
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Fruchart-Gaillard C, Mourier G, Blanchet G, Vera L, Gilles N, Ménez R, Marcon E, Stura EA, Servent D. Engineering of three-finger fold toxins creates ligands with original pharmacological profiles for muscarinic and adrenergic receptors. PLoS One 2012; 7:e39166. [PMID: 22720062 PMCID: PMC3375269 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein engineering approaches are often a combination of rational design and directed evolution using display technologies. Here, we test “loop grafting,” a rational design method, on three-finger fold proteins. These small reticulated proteins have exceptional affinity and specificity for their diverse molecular targets, display protease-resistance, and are highly stable and poorly immunogenic. The wealth of structural knowledge makes them good candidates for protein engineering of new functionality. Our goal is to enhance the efficacy of these mini-proteins by modifying their pharmacological properties in order to extend their use in imaging, diagnostics and therapeutic applications. Using the interaction of three-finger fold toxins with muscarinic and adrenergic receptors as a model, chimeric toxins have been engineered by substituting loops on toxin MT7 by those from toxin MT1. The pharmacological impact of these grafts was examined using binding experiments on muscarinic receptors M1 and M4 and on the α1A-adrenoceptor. Some of the designed chimeric proteins have impressive gain of function on certain receptor subtypes achieving an original selectivity profile with high affinity for muscarinic receptor M1 and α1A-adrenoceptor. Structure-function analysis supported by crystallographic data for MT1 and two chimeras permits a molecular based interpretation of these gains and details the merits of this protein engineering technique. The results obtained shed light on how loop permutation can be used to design new three-finger proteins with original pharmacological profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Fruchart-Gaillard
- CEA, iBiTecS, Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Gilles Mourier
- CEA, iBiTecS, Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Guillaume Blanchet
- CEA, iBiTecS, Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Laura Vera
- CEA, iBiTecS, Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Nicolas Gilles
- CEA, iBiTecS, Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Renée Ménez
- CEA, iBiTecS, Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Elodie Marcon
- CEA, iBiTecS, Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Enrico A. Stura
- CEA, iBiTecS, Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Denis Servent
- CEA, iBiTecS, Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines, Laboratoire de Toxinologie Moléculaire et Biotechnologies, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- * E-mail:
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374
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Strømgaard K, Kristensen AS. A Heteromeric Snake Toxin and the Molecular Details of Pain Perception. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2012; 51:4009-11. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201200340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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375
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Strømgaard K, Kristensen AS. Ein heteromeres Schlangengift und die molekularen Details der Schmerzempfindung. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201200340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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376
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Wong ES, Belov K. Venom evolution through gene duplications. Gene 2012; 496:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Revised: 01/10/2012] [Accepted: 01/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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