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Alonso Villela SM, Kraïem-Ghezal H, Bouhaouala-Zahar B, Bideaux C, Aceves Lara CA, Fillaudeau L. Production of recombinant scorpion antivenoms in E. coli: current state and perspectives. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s00253-023-12578-1. [PMID: 37199752 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12578-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Scorpion envenomation is a serious health problem in tropical and subtropical zones. The access to scorpion antivenom is sometimes limited in availability and specificity. The classical production process is cumbersome, from the hyper-immunization of the horses to the IgG digestion and purification of the F(ab)'2 antibody fragments. The production of recombinant antibody fragments in Escherichia coli is a popular trend due to the ability of this microbial host to produce correctly folded proteins. Small recombinant antibody fragments, such as single-chain variable fragments (scFv) and nanobodies (VHH), have been constructed to recognize and neutralize the neurotoxins responsible for the envenomation symptoms in humans. They are the focus of interest of the most recent studies and are proposed as potentially new generation of pharmaceuticals for their use in immunotherapy against scorpion stings of the Buthidae family. This literature review comprises the current status on the scorpion antivenom market and the analyses of cross-reactivity of commercial scorpion anti-serum against non-specific scorpion venoms. Recent studies on the production of new recombinant scFv and nanobodies will be presented, with a focus on the Androctonus and Centruroides scorpion species. Protein engineering-based technology could be the key to obtaining the next generation of therapeutics capable of neutralizing and cross-reacting against several types of scorpion venoms. KEY POINTS: • Commercial antivenoms consist of predominantly purified equine F(ab)'2fragments. • Nanobody-based antivenom can neutralize Androctonus venoms and have a low immunogenicity. • Affinity maturation and directed evolution are used to obtain potent scFv families against Centruroides scorpions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hazar Kraïem-Ghezal
- Laboratoire Des Venins Et Molécules Thérapeutiques, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur BP74, 1002, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Balkiss Bouhaouala-Zahar
- Laboratoire Des Venins Et Molécules Thérapeutiques, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur BP74, 1002, Tunis, Tunisia.
- Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Carine Bideaux
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Luc Fillaudeau
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France
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2
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Martinez-Mora E, Arredondo-Espinoza E, Casillas-Vega NG, Cantu-Cardenas ME, Balderas-Renteria I, Zarate X. The Small Metal-Binding Protein SmbP Improves the Expression and Purification of the Recombinant Antitumor-Analgesic Peptide from the Chinese Scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch in Escherichia coli. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:550-558. [PMID: 35723324 PMCID: PMC8929023 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44020038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently shown that SmbP, the small metal-binding protein of Nitrosomonas europaea, can be employed as a fusion protein to express and purify recombinant proteins and peptides in Escherichia coli. SmbP increases solubility, allows simple, one-step purification through affinity chromatography, and provides superior final yields due to its low molecular weight. In this work, we report for the first time the use of SmbP to produce a recombinant peptide with anticancer activity: the antitumor-analgesic peptide (BmK-AGAP), a neurotoxin isolated from the venom of the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch. This peptide was expressed in Escherichia coli SHuffle for correct, cytoplasmic, disulfide bond formation and tagged with SmbP at the N-terminus to improve its solubility and allow purification using immobilized metal affinity chromatography. SmbP_BmK-AGAP was found in the soluble fraction of the cell lysate. After purification and removal of SmbP by digestion with enterokinase, 1.8 mg of pure and highly active rBmK-AGAP was obtained per liter of cell culture. rBmK-AGAP exhibited antiproliferative activity on the MCF-7 cancer cell line, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration value of 7.24 μM. Based on these results, we considered SmbP to be a suitable carrier protein for the production of recombinant, biologically active BmK-AGAP. We propose that SmbP should be an attractive fusion protein for the expression and purification of additional recombinant proteins or peptides that display anticancer activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Martinez-Mora
- Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Av. Universidad s/n, Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza 66455, Mexico; (E.M.-M.); (E.A.-E.); (M.E.C.-C.); (I.B.-R.)
| | - Eder Arredondo-Espinoza
- Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Av. Universidad s/n, Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza 66455, Mexico; (E.M.-M.); (E.A.-E.); (M.E.C.-C.); (I.B.-R.)
| | - Nestor G. Casillas-Vega
- Departamento de Patologia Clinica, Hospital Universitario Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey 64460, Mexico;
| | - Maria Elena Cantu-Cardenas
- Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Av. Universidad s/n, Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza 66455, Mexico; (E.M.-M.); (E.A.-E.); (M.E.C.-C.); (I.B.-R.)
| | - Isaias Balderas-Renteria
- Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Av. Universidad s/n, Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza 66455, Mexico; (E.M.-M.); (E.A.-E.); (M.E.C.-C.); (I.B.-R.)
| | - Xristo Zarate
- Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Av. Universidad s/n, Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza 66455, Mexico; (E.M.-M.); (E.A.-E.); (M.E.C.-C.); (I.B.-R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-818-329-4000 (ext. 3444)
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Xu Y, Sun J, Yu Y, Kong X, Meng X, Liu Y, Cui Y, Su Y, Zhao M, Zhang J. Trp: a conserved aromatic residue crucial to the interaction of a scorpion peptide with sodium channels. J Biochem 2020; 168:633-641. [PMID: 32730584 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvaa088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-tumour-analgesic peptide (AGAP), one scorpion toxin purified from Buthus martensii Karsch, was known as its analgesic and anti-tumour activities. Trp38, a conserved aromatic residue of AGAP, might play important roles in its interaction with sodium channels. In this study, a mutant W38F was generated and effects of W38F were examined on hNav1.4, hNav1.5 and hNav1.7 by using whole-cell patch-clamp, which were closely associated to the biotoxicity of skeletal and cardiac muscles and pain signalling. The data showed that W38F decreased the inhibition effects of peak currents of hNav1.7, hNav1.4 and hNav1.5 compared with AGAP, notably, W38F reduced the analgesic activity compared with AGAP. The results suggested that Trp38 be a crucial amino acid involved in the interaction with these three sodium channels. The decreased analgesic activity of W38F might result from its much less inhibition of hNav1.7. These findings provided more information about the relationship between structure and function of AGAP and may facilitate the modification of other scorpion toxins with pharmacological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijia Xu
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Jianfang Sun
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 195 Chuangxin road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China
| | - Yue Yu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Xiaohua Kong
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Xiangxue Meng
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Yanfeng Liu
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Yong Cui
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Yang Su
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao street, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China
| | - Mingyi Zhao
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Jinghai Zhang
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
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4
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Richard SA, Kampo S, Sackey M, Hechavarria ME, Buunaaim ADB. The Pivotal Potentials of Scorpion Buthus Martensii Karsch-Analgesic-Antitumor Peptide in Pain Management and Cancer. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2020; 2020:4234273. [PMID: 33178316 PMCID: PMC7647755 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4234273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch -analgesic-antitumor peptide (BmK AGAP) has been used to treat diseases like tetanus, tuberculosis, apoplexy, epilepsy, spasm, migraine headaches, rheumatic pain, and cancer in China. AGAP is a distinctive long-chain scorpion toxin with a molecular mass of 7142 Da and composed of 66 amino acids cross-linked by four disulfide bridges. Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are present in excitable membranes and partakes in essential roles in action potentials generation as compared to the significant function of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). A total of nine genes (Nav1.1-Nav1.9) have been recognized to encode practical sodium channel isoforms. Nav1.3, Nav1.7, Nav1.8, and Nav1.9 have been recognized as potential targets for analgesics. Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 are associated with nociception initiated by inflammation signals in the neuronal pain pathway, while Nav1.8 is fundamental for neuropathic pain at low temperatures. AGAP has a sturdy inhibitory influence on both viscera and soma pain. AGAP potentiates the effects of MAPK inhibitors on neuropathic as well as inflammation-associated pain. AGAP downregulates the secretion of phosphorylated p38, phosphorylated JNK, and phosphorylated ERK 1/2 in vitro. AGAP has an analgesic activity which may be an effective therapeutic agent for pain management because of its downregulation of PTX3 via NF-κB and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. In cancers like colon cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, and glioma, rAGAP was capable of blocking the proliferation. Thus, AGAP is a promising therapy for these tumors. Nevertheless, research is needed with other tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seidu A. Richard
- Department of Medicine, Princefield University, P.O. Box MA128, Ho, Ghana
| | - Sylvanus Kampo
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Marian Sackey
- Department of Pharmacy, Ho Teaching Hospital, P.O. Box MA-374, Ho, Ghana
| | | | - Alexis D. B. Buunaaim
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Health Science, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
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5
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Strategies for Optimizing the Production of Proteins and Peptides with Multiple Disulfide Bonds. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9090541. [PMID: 32858882 PMCID: PMC7558204 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9090541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria can produce recombinant proteins quickly and cost effectively. However, their physiological properties limit their use for the production of proteins in their native form, especially polypeptides that are subjected to major post-translational modifications. Proteins that rely on disulfide bridges for their stability are difficult to produce in Escherichia coli. The bacterium offers the least costly, simplest, and fastest method for protein production. However, it is difficult to produce proteins with a very large size. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris are the most commonly used yeast species for protein production. At a low expense, yeasts can offer high protein yields, generate proteins with a molecular weight greater than 50 kDa, extract signal sequences, and glycosylate proteins. Both eukaryotic and prokaryotic species maintain reducing conditions in the cytoplasm. Hence, the formation of disulfide bonds is inhibited. These bonds are formed in eukaryotic cells during the export cycle, under the oxidizing conditions of the endoplasmic reticulum. Bacteria do not have an advanced subcellular space, but in the oxidizing periplasm, they exhibit both export systems and enzymatic activities directed at the formation and quality of disulfide bonds. Here, we discuss current techniques used to target eukaryotic and prokaryotic species for the generation of correctly folded proteins with disulfide bonds.
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Ling C, Zhang Y, Li J, Chen W, Ling C. Clinical Use of Toxic Proteins and Peptides from Tian Hua Fen and Scorpion Venom. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2019; 20:285-295. [PMID: 29932034 DOI: 10.2174/1389203719666180622100641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been practiced in China for thousands of years. As a complementary and alternative treatment, herbal medicines that are frequently used in the TCM are the most accepted in the Western world. However, animal materials, which are equally important in the TCM practice, are not well-known in other countries. On the other hand, the Chinese doctors had documented the toxic profiles of hundreds of animals and plants thousand years ago. Furthermore, they saw the potential benefits of these materials and used their toxic properties to treat a wide variety of diseases, such as heavy pain and cancer. Since the 50s of the last century, efforts of the Chinese government and societies to modernize TCM have achieved tremendous scientific results in both laboratory and clinic. A number of toxic proteins have been isolated and their functions identified. Although most of the literature was written in Chinese, this review provide a summary, in English, regarding our knowledge of the clinical use of the toxic proteins isolated from a plant, Tian Hua Fen, and an animal, scorpion, both of which are famous toxic prescriptions in TCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Ling
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, Florida, FL, United States
| | - Yuanhui Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Baoshan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Jun Li
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, Florida, FL, United States.,Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wenli Chen
- Department of Oncology, Baoshan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Changquan Ling
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.,E-institute of Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, Shanghai 201203, China
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7
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Li Z, Hu P, Wu W, Wang Y. Peptides with therapeutic potential in the venom of the scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch. Peptides 2019; 115:43-50. [PMID: 30858089 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK) has generated significant interest due to the presence of biologically active peptides in its venom. In the past decade, dozens of different peptides from BmK have been identified. Most of the peptides are neurotoxins and are responsible for the toxicity of BmK venom. Other peptides, including neurotoxins and non-disulfide-bridged peptides, show potential anticancer, antimicrobial, analgesic, and anti-epileptic therapeutic effects. These peptides are attractive candidates for drug development, and peptide derivatives have also been designed to enhance their therapeutic potential, such as ADWX-1 and Kn2-7. In this review, we provide an overview of the most promising peptides found in BmK venom and of modified peptide derivatives showing therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongjie Li
- Medical College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, China.
| | - Ping Hu
- Medical College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, China
| | - Wenlan Wu
- Medical College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Medical College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, China
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8
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Amorim FG, Cordeiro FA, Pinheiro-Júnior EL, Boldrini-França J, Arantes EC. Microbial production of toxins from the scorpion venom: properties and applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:6319-6331. [PMID: 29858954 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9122-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Scorpion venom are composed mainly of bioactive proteins and peptides that may serve as lead compounds for the design of biotechnological tools and therapeutic drugs. However, exploring the therapeutic potential of scorpion venom components is mainly impaired by the low yield of purified toxins from milked venom. Therefore, production of toxin-derived peptides and proteins by heterologous expression is the strategy of choice for research groups and pharmaceutical industry to overcome this limitation. Recombinant expression in microorganisms is often the first choice, since bacteria and yeast systems combine high level of recombinant protein expression, fast cell growth and multiplication and simple media requirement. Herein, we present a comprehensive revision, which describes the scorpion venom components that were produced in their recombinant forms using microbial systems. In addition, we highlight the pros and cons of performing the heterologous expression of these compounds, regarding the particularities of each microorganism and how these processes can affect the application of these venom components. The most used microbial system in the heterologous expression of scorpion venom components is Escherichia coli (85%), and among all the recombinant venom components produced, 69% were neurotoxins. This review may light up future researchers in the choice of the best expression system to produce scorpion venom components of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Gobbi Amorim
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, Brazil.
| | - Francielle Almeida Cordeiro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Ernesto Lopes Pinheiro-Júnior
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Johara Boldrini-França
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Eliane Candiani Arantes
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, Brazil.
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Ruan JP, Mao QH, Lu WG, Cai XT, Chen J, Li Q, Fu Q, Yan HJ, Cao JL, Cao P. Inhibition of spinal MAPKs by scorpion venom peptide BmK AGAP produces a sensory-specific analgesic effect. Mol Pain 2018; 14:1744806918761238. [PMID: 29424271 PMCID: PMC5844526 DOI: 10.1177/1744806918761238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several studies have shown that scorpion venom peptide BmK AGAP has an analgesic activity. Our previous study also demonstrated that intraplantar injection of BmK AGAP ameliorates formalin-induced spontaneous nociceptive behavior. However, the effect of intrathecal injection of BmK AGAP on nociceptive processing is poorly understood. Methods We investigated the effects of intrathecal injection of BmK AGAP on spinal nociceptive processing induced by chronic constrictive injury or formalin. Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were measured using radiant heat and the von Frey filaments test. Formalin-induced spontaneous nociceptive behavior was also investigated. C-Fos expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK) expression was monitored by Western blot assay. Results Intrathecal injection of BmK AGAP reduced chronic constrictive injury-induced neuropathic pain behavior and pain from formalin-induced inflammation, accompanied by decreased expression of spinal p-MAPKs and c-Fos protein. The results of combining low doses of different MAPK inhibitor (U0126, SP600125, or SB203580; 0.1 µg for each inhibitor) with a low dose of BmK AGAP (0.2 µg) suggested that BmK AGAP could potentiate the effects of MAPK inhibitors on inflammation-associated pain. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that intrathecal injection of BmK AGAP produces a sensory-specific analgesic effect via a p-MAPK-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ping Ruan
- 1 Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 66478 Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,2 375808 Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing-Hong Mao
- 1 Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 66478 Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,2 375808 Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wu-Guang Lu
- 1 Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 66478 Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,2 375808 Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xue-Ting Cai
- 1 Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 66478 Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,2 375808 Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiao Chen
- 1 Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 66478 Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,2 375808 Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing- Li
- 1 Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 66478 Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,2 375808 Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qun- Fu
- 1 Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 66478 Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,2 375808 Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huai-Jiang Yan
- 1 Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 66478 Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,2 375808 Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- 3 Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peng Cao
- 1 Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 66478 Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,2 375808 Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Xu Y, Meng X, Hou X, Sun J, Kong X, Sun Y, Liu Z, Ma Y, Niu Y, Song Y, Cui Y, Zhao M, Zhang J. A mutant of the Buthus martensii Karsch antitumor-analgesic peptide exhibits reduced inhibition to hNa v1.4 and hNa v1.5 channels while retaining analgesic activity. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:18270-18280. [PMID: 28924048 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.792697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion toxins can kill other animals by inducing paralysis and arrhythmia, which limits the potential applications of these agents in the clinical management of diseases. Antitumor-analgesic peptide (AGAP), purified from Buthus martensii Karsch, has been proved to possess analgesic and antitumor activities. Trp38, a conserved aromatic residue of AGAP, might play an important role in mediating AGAP activities according to the sequence and homology-modeling analyses. Therefore, an AGAP mutant, W38G, was generated, and effects of both AGAP and the mutant W38G were examined by whole-cell patch clamp techniques on the sodium channels hNav1.4 and hNav1.5, which were closely associated with the biotoxicity of skeletal and cardiac muscles, respectively. The data showed that both W38G and AGAP inhibited the peak currents of hNav1.4 and hNav1.5; however, W38G induced a much weaker inhibition of both channels than AGAP. Accordingly, W38G exhibited much less toxic effect on both skeletal and cardiac muscles than AGAP in vivo The analgesic activity of W38G and AGAP were verified in vivo as well, and W38G retained analgesic activity similar to AGAP. Inhibition to both Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 was involved in the analgesic mechanism of AGAP and W38G. These findings indicated that Trp38 was a key amino acid involved in the biotoxicity of AGAP, and the AGAP mutant W38G might be a safer alternative for clinical application because it retains the analgesic efficacy with less toxicity to skeletal and cardiac muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijia Xu
- From the School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016
| | - Xiangxue Meng
- From the School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016
| | - Xue Hou
- From the School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016
| | - Jianfang Sun
- the College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, and
| | - Xiaohua Kong
- From the School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016
| | - Yuqi Sun
- From the School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016
| | - Zeyu Liu
- From the School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016
| | - Yuanyuan Ma
- From the School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016
| | - Ye Niu
- From the School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016
| | - Yongbo Song
- From the School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016
| | - Yong Cui
- the School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Mingyi Zhao
- From the School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016,
| | - Jinghai Zhang
- the School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
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Analgesic-antitumor peptide inhibits the migration and invasion of HepG2 cells by an upregulated VGSC β1 subunit. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:3033-41. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4067-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
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In vitro refolding and functional analysis of polyhistidine-tagged Buthus martensii Karsch antitumor-analgesic peptide produced in Escherichia coli. Biotechnol Lett 2015; 37:2461-6. [PMID: 26303431 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-015-1936-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify an efficient in vitro refolding method to generate highly active His6-tagged scorpion toxin antitumor-analgesic peptide (AGAP) isolated from Escherichia coli inclusion bodies. RESULTS N- and C-Terminal His6-tagged recombinant (r) AGAP (NHis6-rAGAP and CHis6-rAGAP, respectively) were expressed in E. coli; the purification and refolding conditions were optimized. CHis6-rAGAP, but not NHis6-rAGAP, exhibited significant in vitro antihepatoma activity that was much greater than that of rAGAP produced using SUMO fusion technology (IC50, 0.4 ± 0.08 vs. 1.8 ± 0.3 μM). CHis6-rAGAP also showed significant inhibition of tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model of human hepatoma and inhibition of neuronal excitability, demonstrated by blockage of voltage-sensitive tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) sodium currents in acute isolated dorsal root ganglion neurons. CONCLUSIONS This refolding protocol optimized for C-terminal His6-tagged scorpion rAGAP is potentially applicable to similar long-chain and cysteine-rich toxins.
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Ding J, Chua PJ, Bay BH, Gopalakrishnakone P. Scorpion venoms as a potential source of novel cancer therapeutic compounds. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2014; 239:387-93. [PMID: 24599885 DOI: 10.1177/1535370213513991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpions and their venoms have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years in China, India and Africa. The scorpion venom is a highly complex mixture of salts, nucleotides, biogenic amines, enzymes, mucoproteins, as well as peptides and proteins (e.g. neurotoxins). One of the recently observed biological properties of animal venoms and toxins is that they possess anticancer potential. An increasing number of studies have shown that scorpion venoms and toxins can decrease cancer growth, induce apoptosis and inhibit cancer progression and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Several active molecules with anticancer activities, ranging from inhibition of proliferation and cell cycle arrest to induction of apoptosis and decreasing cell migration and invasion, have been isolated from scorpion venoms. These observations have shed light on the application of scorpion venoms and toxins as potential novel cancer therapeutics. This mini-review focuses on the anticancer potential of scorpion venoms and toxins and the possible mechanisms for their antitumor activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Ding
- Venom and Toxin Research Programme, Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117 597
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14
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Mao Q, Ruan J, Cai X, Lu W, Ye J, Yang J, Yang Y, Sun X, Cao J, Cao P. Antinociceptive effects of analgesic-antitumor peptide (AGAP), a neurotoxin from the scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch, on formalin-induced inflammatory pain through a mitogen-activated protein kinases-dependent mechanism in mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78239. [PMID: 24244296 PMCID: PMC3828337 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we investigated the anti-nociceptive effect and the underlying mechanism of the analgesic-antitumor peptide (AGAP), a neurotoxin from the scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch. AGAP in doses of 0.2, 1 and 5 µg was injected intraplantarly (i.pl.) before formalin injection 10 min at the same site. The suppression by intraplantar injection of AGAP on formalin-induced spontaneous nociceptive behaviors was investigated. The results show that AGAP could dose-dependently inhibit formalin-induced two-phase spontaneous flinching response. To investigate the mechanism of action of treatment with AGAP in inflammatory pain, the expressions of peripheral and spinal phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases (phospho-MAPKs) including p-p38, p-ERK and p-JNK were examined. We found that formalin increased the expressions of peripheral and spinal MAPKs, which were prevented by pre-intraplantar injection of AGAP in inflammation pain model in mice. AGAP could also decrease the expression of spinal Fos induced by formalin. Furthermore, combinations the lower doses of the inhibitors of MAPKs (U0126, SP600125, or SB203580 0.1 µg) with the lower dose of AGAP (0.2 µg), the results suggested that AGAP could potentiate the effects of the inhibitors of MAPKs on the inflammatory pain. The present results indicate that pre-intraplantar injection of AGAP prevents the inflammatory pain induced by formalin through a MAPKs-mediated mechanism in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghong Mao
- Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiaping Ruan
- Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (JR); (PC)
| | - Xueting Cai
- Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Institute of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Wuguang Lu
- Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Institute of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Juan Ye
- Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Institute of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Institute of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Institute of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Institute of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Junli Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, China
| | - Peng Cao
- Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Institute of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (JR); (PC)
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15
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Mulder KCL, Lima LA, Miranda VJ, Dias SC, Franco OL. Current scenario of peptide-based drugs: the key roles of cationic antitumor and antiviral peptides. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:321. [PMID: 24198814 PMCID: PMC3813893 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and host defense peptides (HDPs) show vast potential as peptide-based drugs. Great effort has been made in order to exploit their mechanisms of action, aiming to identify their targets as well as to enhance their activity and bioavailability. In this review, we will focus on both naturally occurring and designed antiviral and antitumor cationic peptides, including those here called promiscuous, in which multiple targets are associated with a single peptide structure. Emphasis will be given to their biochemical features, selectivity against extra targets, and molecular mechanisms. Peptides which possess antitumor activity against different cancer cell lines will be discussed, as well as peptides which inhibit virus replication, focusing on their applications for human health, animal health and agriculture, and their potential as new therapeutic drugs. Moreover, the current scenario for production and the use of nanotechnology as delivery tool for both classes of cationic peptides, as well as the perspectives on improving them is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly C L Mulder
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília Brasília, Brazil
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Bell MR, Engleka MJ, Malik A, Strickler JE. To fuse or not to fuse: what is your purpose? Protein Sci 2013; 22:1466-77. [PMID: 24038604 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Revised: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Since the dawn of time, or at least the dawn of recombinant DNA technology (which for many of today's scientists is the same thing), investigators have been cloning and expressing heterologous proteins in a variety of different cells for a variety of different reasons. These range from cell biological studies looking at protein-protein interactions, post-translational modifications, and regulation, to laboratory-scale production in support of biochemical, biophysical, and structural studies, to large scale production of potential biotherapeutics. In parallel, fusion-tag technology has grown-up to facilitate microscale purification (pull-downs), protein visualization (epitope tags), enhanced expression and solubility (protein partners, e.g., GST, MBP, TRX, and SUMO), and generic purification (e.g., His-tags, streptag, and FLAG™-tag). Frequently, these latter two goals are combined in a single fusion partner. In this review, we examine the most commonly used fusion methodologies from the perspective of the ultimate use of the tagged protein. That is, what are the most commonly used fusion partners for pull-downs, for structural studies, for production of active proteins, or for large-scale purification? What are the advantages and limitations of each? This review is not meant to be exhaustive and the approach undoubtedly reflects the experiences and interests of the authors. For the sake of brevity, we have largely ignored epitope tags although they receive wide use in cell biology for immunopreciptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Bell
- LifeSensors, Inc., Malvern, Pennsylvania, 19083
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Analgesic-antitumor peptide induces apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation of SW480 human colon cancer cells. Oncol Lett 2012; 5:483-488. [PMID: 23420047 PMCID: PMC3573048 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2012.1049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2012] [Accepted: 10/18/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In this study, recombinant analgesic-antitumor peptide (rAGAP), a protein consisting of small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) linked with a hexa-histidine tag, was used as an antitumor analgesic peptide. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antitumor activity of rAGAP in human colon adenocarcinoma SW480 cells and its potential molecular mechanisms of action. In this study, cell viability and apoptosis of rAGAP-treated SW480 cells was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometry and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. Western blotting was used to investigate the effects of rAGAP on p27, Bcl-2/Bax and PTEN/PI3K/Akt cellular signal transduction. Our results showed that rAGAP not only enhanced apoptosis, but also inhibited the proliferation of SW480 cells. rAGAP upregulates the expression of p27 in SW480 cells and leads to cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. Furthermore, rAGAP significantly increases the production of Bax and PTEN and suppresses the activation of Bcl-2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and phospho-Akt (p-Akt) in SW480 cells. These results suggest that rAGAP may be a potential new anti-colorectal cancer drug.
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Zhao Y, Cai X, Ye T, Huo J, Liu C, Zhang S, Cao P. Analgesic-antitumor peptide inhibits proliferation and migration of SHG-44 human malignant glioma cells. J Cell Biochem 2011; 112:2424-34. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.23166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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