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Robinson SD, Deuis JR, Touchard A, Keramidas A, Mueller A, Schroeder CI, Barassé V, Walker AA, Brinkwirth N, Jami S, Bonnafé E, Treilhou M, Undheim EAB, Schmidt JO, King GF, Vetter I. Ant venoms contain vertebrate-selective pain-causing sodium channel toxins. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2977. [PMID: 37221205 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38839-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Stings of certain ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) can cause intense, long-lasting nociception. Here we show that the major contributors to these symptoms are venom peptides that modulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels, reducing their voltage threshold for activation and inhibiting channel inactivation. These peptide toxins are likely vertebrate-selective, consistent with a primarily defensive function. They emerged early in the Formicidae lineage and may have been a pivotal factor in the expansion of ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel D Robinson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique; BP 316, 97379, Kourou, Cedex, France
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France
| | - Angelo Keramidas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander Mueller
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, 94080, CA, USA
| | - Valentine Barassé
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Sina Jami
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France
| | - Michel Treilhou
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, The University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Justin O Schmidt
- Southwestern Biological Institute, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
- School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Wooloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia.
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2
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Ascoët S, Touchard A, Téné N, Lefranc B, Leprince J, Paquet F, Jouvensal L, Barassé V, Treilhou M, Billet A, Bonnafé E. The mechanism underlying toxicity of a venom peptide against insects reveals how ants are master at disrupting membranes. iScience 2023; 26:106157. [PMID: 36879819 PMCID: PMC9985030 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hymenopterans represent one of the most abundant groups of venomous organisms but remain little explored due to the difficult access to their venom. The development of proteo-transcriptomic allowed us to explore diversity of their toxins offering interesting perspectives to identify new biological active peptides. This study focuses on U9 function, a linear, amphiphilic and polycationic peptide isolated from ant Tetramorium bicarinatum venom. It shares physicochemical properties with M-Tb1a, exhibiting cytotoxic effects through membrane permeabilization. In the present study, we conducted a comparative functional investigation of U9 and M-Tb1a and explored the mechanisms underlying their cytotoxicity against insect cells. After showing that both peptides induced the formation of pores in cell membrane, we demonstrated that U9 induced mitochondrial damage and, at high concentrations, localized into cells and induced caspase activation. This functional investigation highlighted an original mechanism of U9 questioning on potential valorization and endogen activity in T. bicarinatum venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Ascoët
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, Campus Agronomique, BP316 97310 Kourou, France
| | - Nathan Téné
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- Inserm U1239, NorDiC, Laboratoire de Différenciation et Communication Neuroendocrine, Endocrine et Germinale, Université de Rouen-Normandie, 76000 Rouen, France
- Inserm US51, HeRacLeS, Université de Rouen-Normandie, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- Inserm U1239, NorDiC, Laboratoire de Différenciation et Communication Neuroendocrine, Endocrine et Germinale, Université de Rouen-Normandie, 76000 Rouen, France
- Inserm US51, HeRacLeS, Université de Rouen-Normandie, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Françoise Paquet
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, Rue Charles Sadron CS-80054, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Laurence Jouvensal
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, Rue Charles Sadron CS-80054, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Valentine Barassé
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Michel Treilhou
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Arnaud Billet
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- BTSB-UR 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000 Albi, France
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3
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Barassé V, Téné N, Klopp C, Paquet F, Tysklind N, Troispoux V, Lalägue H, Orivel J, Lefranc B, Leprince J, Kenne M, Tindo M, Treilhou M, Touchard A, Bonnafé E. Venomics survey of six myrmicine ants provides insights into the molecular and structural diversity of their peptide toxins. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 151:103876. [PMID: 36410579 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Among ants, Myrmicinae represents the most speciose subfamily. The venom composition previously described for these social insects is extremely variable, with alkaloids predominant in some genera while, conversely, proteomics studies have revealed that some myrmicine ant venoms are peptide-rich. Using integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, we characterized the venom peptidomes of six ants belonging to the different tribes of Myrmicinae. We identified a total of 79 myrmicitoxins precursors which can be classified into 38 peptide families according to their mature sequences. Myrmicine ant venom peptidomes showed heterogeneous compositions, with linear and disulfide-bonded monomers as well as dimeric toxins. Several peptide families were exclusive to a single venom whereas some were retrieved in multiple species. A hierarchical clustering analysis of precursor signal sequences led us to divide the myrmicitoxins precursors into eight families, including some that have already been described in other aculeate hymenoptera such as secapin-like peptides and voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV) toxins. Evolutionary and structural analyses of two representatives of these families highlighted variation and conserved patterns that might be crucial to explain myrmicine venom peptide functional adaptations to biological targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentine Barassé
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France.
| | - Nathan Téné
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France.
| | - Christophe Klopp
- Unité de Mathématique et Informatique Appliquées de Toulouse, UR0875, Genotoul Bioinfo, INRAE Toulouse, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan, France.
| | - Françoise Paquet
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire - CNRS - UPR 4301, 45071, Orléans, France.
| | - Niklas Tysklind
- INRAE, UMR EcoFoG (Agroparistech, CNRS, Cirad, Université des Antilles, Université de la Guyane), Campus Agronomique, 97310, Kourou, French Guiana.
| | - Valérie Troispoux
- INRAE, UMR EcoFoG (Agroparistech, CNRS, Cirad, Université des Antilles, Université de la Guyane), Campus Agronomique, 97310, Kourou, French Guiana.
| | - Hadrien Lalägue
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG (AgroParisTech, CNRS, CIRAD, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane), 97310, Kourou, France.
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG (AgroParisTech, CNRS, CIRAD, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane), 97310, Kourou, France.
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- Inserm U 1239, Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Plate-forme de Recherche en Imagerie Cellulaire Normandie (PRIMACEN), 76000, Rouen, France.
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- Inserm U 1239, Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Plate-forme de Recherche en Imagerie Cellulaire Normandie (PRIMACEN), 76000, Rouen, France.
| | - Martin Kenne
- Laboratory of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, P.O.Box. 24157, Douala, Cameroon.
| | - Maurice Tindo
- Laboratory of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, P.O.Box. 24157, Douala, Cameroon.
| | - Michel Treilhou
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France.
| | - Axel Touchard
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France; CNRS, UMR EcoFoG (AgroParisTech, CNRS, CIRAD, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane), 97310, Kourou, France.
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- EA-7417, Institut National Universitaire Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France.
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4
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Venomics of the Central European Myrmicine Ants Myrmica rubra and Myrmica ruginodis. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14050358. [PMID: 35622604 PMCID: PMC9147725 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14050358] [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: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are a rich source of novel biomolecules with potential applications in medicine and agriculture. Ants are one of the most species-rich lineages of venomous animals. However, only a fraction of their biodiversity has been studied so far. Here, we investigated the venom components of two myrmicine (subfamily Myrmicinae) ants: Myrmica rubra and Myrmica ruginodis. We applied a venomics workflow based on proteotranscriptomics and found that the venoms of both species are composed of several protein classes, including venom serine proteases, cysteine-rich secretory protein, antigen 5 and pathogenesis-related 1 (CAP) superfamily proteins, Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors and venom acid phosphatases. Several of these protein classes are known venom allergens, and for the first time we detected phospholipase A1 in the venom of M. ruginodis. We also identified two novel epidermal growth factor (EGF) family toxins in the M. ruginodis venom proteome and an array of additional EGF-like toxins in the venom gland transcriptomes of both species. These are similar to known toxins from the related myrmicine ant, Manica rubida, and the myrmecine (subfamily Myrmeciinae) Australian red bulldog ant Myrmecia gullosa, and are possibly deployed as weapons in defensive scenarios or to subdue prey. Our work suggests that M.rubra and M. ruginodis venoms contain many enzymes and other high-molecular-weight proteins that cause cell damage. Nevertheless, the presence of EGF-like toxins suggests that myrmicine ants have also recruited smaller peptide components into their venom arsenal. Although little is known about the bioactivity and function of EGF-like toxins, their presence in myrmicine and myrmecine ants suggests they play a key role in the venom systems of the superfamily Formicoidea. Our work adds to the emerging picture of ant venoms as a source of novel bioactive molecules and highlights the need to incorporate such taxa in future venom bioprospecting programs.
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Samung Y, Chaiphongpachara T, Ruangsittichai J, Sriwichai P, Phayakkaphon A, Jaitrong W, Dujardin JP, Sumruayphol S. Species Discrimination of Three Odontomachus (Formicidae: Ponerinae) Species in Thailand Using Outline Morphometrics. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13030287. [PMID: 35323585 PMCID: PMC8955869 DOI: 10.3390/insects13030287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Determination of species in the ant genus Odontomachus, which is a venomous group of ants, may require the use of highly trained entomologists. In Thailand, three species are very similar and difficult to distinguish: O. monticola, O. rixosus, and O. simillimus. In such a situation, a complementary technique not requiring highly specialized entomological knowledge is welcome. The geometric morphometric approach has proven to be this sort of tool, especially powerful for morphologically close or even cryptic species. In its most recent development, the geometric method uses the relative position of some anatomical landmarks. However, in worker ants these landmarks are few in number and can be difficult to assess without dissection. Here, therefore, we use the outline-based approach, an alternative geometric technique that has not yet been tested in ants. We show that the simple outline of the head contains a strong taxonomic signal, much stronger than the one obtained from the pronotum shape. The outline technique therefore represents a promising approach to aid in the determination of ant species. Abstract All members of the ant genus Odontomachus Latreille, 1804 are venomous ants. Four species in this genus have been identified from Thailand: Odontomachus latidens Mayr, 1867; O. monticola Emery, 1892; O. rixosus Smith, 1757; and O. simillimus Smith, 1758. The three latter species are available and have been used for an outline morphometric study. They display similar morphology, which makes their distinction very difficult except for highly qualified individuals. A total of 80 worker specimens were studied, exploring the contour shapes of their head and pronotum as possible taxonomic characters. The size of each body part was estimated determining the contour perimeter, the values for which were largely overlapping between O. rixosus and O. simillimus; most O. monticola specimens exhibited a significantly larger size. In contrast to the size, each contour shape of the head or pronotum established O. rixosus as the most distinct species. An exploratory data analysis disclosed the higher taxonomic signal of the head contour relative to the pronotum one. The scores obtained for validated reclassification were much better for the head (99%) than for the pronotum (82%). This study supports outline morphometrics of the head as a promising approach to contribute to the morphological identification of ant species, at least for monomorphic workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudthana Samung
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (Y.S.); (J.R.); (P.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Tanawat Chaiphongpachara
- Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Science, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand;
| | - Jiraporn Ruangsittichai
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (Y.S.); (J.R.); (P.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Patchara Sriwichai
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (Y.S.); (J.R.); (P.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Anon Phayakkaphon
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (Y.S.); (J.R.); (P.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Weeyawat Jaitrong
- Office of Natural Science Research, National Science Museum, Technopolis, Khlong 5, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand;
| | - Jean-Pierre Dujardin
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD-CIRAD, University of Montpellier, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- Correspondence: (J.-P.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Suchada Sumruayphol
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (Y.S.); (J.R.); (P.S.); (A.P.)
- Correspondence: (J.-P.D.); (S.S.)
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6
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Fernandes FF, Moraes JR, Santos JLD, Soares TG, Gouveia VJP, Matavel ACS, Borges WDC, Cordeiro MDN, Figueiredo SG, Borges MH. Comparative venomic profiles of three spiders of the genus Phoneutria. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2022; 28:e20210042. [PMID: 35283937 PMCID: PMC8875809 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0042] [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: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Spider venoms induce different physio-pharmacological effects by binding
with high affinity on molecular targets, therefore being of biotechnological
interest. Some of these toxins, acting on different types of ion channels,
have been identified in the venom of spiders of the genus
Phoneutria, mainly from P.
nigriventer. In spite of the pharmaceutical potential demonstrated
by P. nigriventer toxins, there is limited information on
molecules from venoms of the same genus, as their toxins remain poorly
characterized. Understanding this diversity and clarifying the differences
in the mechanisms of action of spider toxins is of great importance for
establishing their true biotechnological potential. This prompted us to
compare three different venoms of the Phoneutria genus:
P. nigriventer (Pn-V), P. eickstedtae
(Pe-V) and P. pertyi (Pp-V). Methods: Biochemical and functional comparison of the venoms were carried out by
SDS-PAGE, HPLC, mass spectrometry, enzymatic activities and
electrophysiological assays (whole-cell patch clamp). Results: The employed approach revealed that all three venoms had an overall
similarity in their components, with only minor differences. The presence of
a high number of similar proteins was evident, particularly toxins in the
mass range of ~6.0 kDa. Hyaluronidase and proteolytic activities were
detected in all venoms, in addition to isoforms of the toxins Tx1 and Tx2-6.
All Tx1 isoforms blocked Nav1.6 ion currents, with slight differences. Conclusion: Our findings showed that Pn-V, Pe-V and Pp-V are highly similar concerning
protein composition and enzymatic activities, containing isoforms of the
same toxins sharing high sequence homology, with minor modifications.
However, these structural and functional variations are very important for
venom diversity. In addition, our findings will contribute to the
comprehension of the molecular diversity of the venoms of the other species
from Phoneutria genus, exposing their biotechnological
potential as a source for searching for new active molecules.
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Robinson SD, Kambanis L, Clayton D, Hinneburg H, Corcilius L, Mueller A, Walker AA, Keramidas A, Kulkarni SS, Jones A, Vetter I, Thaysen-Andersen M, Payne RJ, King GF, Undheim EAB. A pain-causing and paralytic ant venom glycopeptide. iScience 2021; 24:103175. [PMID: 34693225 PMCID: PMC8517206 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are familiar inhabitants of most terrestrial environments. Although we are aware of the ability of many species to sting, knowledge of ant venom chemistry remains limited. Herein, we describe the discovery and characterization of an O-linked glycopeptide (Mg7a) as a major component of the venom of the ant Myrmecia gulosa. Electron transfer dissociation and higher-energy collisional dissociation tandem mass spectrometry were used to localize three α-N-acetylgalactosaminyl residues (α-GalNAc) present on the 63-residue peptide. To allow for functional studies, we synthesized the full-length glycosylated peptide via solid-phase peptide synthesis, combined with diselenide-selenoester ligation-deselenization chemistry. We show that Mg7a is paralytic and lethal to insects, and triggers pain behavior and inflammation in mammals, which it achieves through a membrane-targeting mode of action. Deglycosylation of Mg7a renders it insoluble in aqueous solution, suggesting a key solubilizing role of the O-glycans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel D Robinson
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lucas Kambanis
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Daniel Clayton
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Hannes Hinneburg
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Leo Corcilius
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alexander Mueller
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Angelo Keramidas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sameer S Kulkarni
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alun Jones
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Richard J Payne
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.,Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.,Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, The University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
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8
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Sculfort O, McClure M, Nay B, Elias M, Llaurens V. Assessing the Role of Developmental and Environmental Factors in Chemical Defence Variation in Heliconiini Butterflies. J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:577-587. [PMID: 34003420 PMCID: PMC8217024 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01278-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Chemical defences in animals are both incredibly widespread and highly diverse. Yet despite the important role they play in mediating interactions between predators and prey, extensive differences in the amounts and types of chemical compounds can exist between individuals, even within species and populations. Here we investigate the potential role of environment and development on the chemical defences of warningly coloured butterfly species from the tribe Heliconiini, which can both synthesize and sequester cyanogenic glycosides (CGs). We reared 5 Heliconiini species in captivity, each on a single species-specific host plant as larvae, and compared them to individuals collected in the wild to ascertain whether the variation in CG content observed in the field might be the result of differences in host plant availability. Three of these species were reared as larvae on the same host plant, Passiflora riparia, to further test how species, sex, and age affected the type and amount of different defensive CGs, and how they affected the ratio of synthesized to sequestered compounds. Then, focusing on the generalist species Heliconius numata, we specifically explored variation in chemical profiles as a result of the host plant consumed by caterpillars and their brood line, using rearing experiments carried out on two naturally co-occurring host plants with differing CG profiles. Our results show significant differences in both the amount of synthesized and sequestered compounds between butterflies reared in captivity and those collected in the field. We also found a significant effect of species and an effect of sex in some, but not all, species. We show that chemical defences in H. numata continue to increase throughout their life, likely because of continued biosynthesis, and we suggest that variation in the amount of synthesized CGs in this species does not appear to stem from larval host plants, although this warrants further study. Interestingly, we detected a significant effect of brood lines, consistent with heritability influencing CG concentrations in H. numata. Altogether, our results point to multiple factors resulting in chemical defence variation in Heliconiini butterflies and highlight the overlooked effect of synthesis capabilities, which may be genetically determined to some extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ombeline Sculfort
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne-Université, EPHE, Université Des Antilles, 45 rue Buffon, 75005, Paris, France. .,Unité Molécules de Communication Et Adaptations Des Micro-Organismes (MCAM), Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, 57 rue Cuvier (BP 54), 75005, Paris, France. .,Laboratoire Écologie, Évolution, Interactions Des Systèmes Amazoniens (LEEISA), Université de Guyane, CNRS, IFREMER, 97300, Cayenne, France.
| | - Melanie McClure
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne-Université, EPHE, Université Des Antilles, 45 rue Buffon, 75005, Paris, France.,Laboratoire Écologie, Évolution, Interactions Des Systèmes Amazoniens (LEEISA), Université de Guyane, CNRS, IFREMER, 97300, Cayenne, France
| | - Bastien Nay
- Unité Molécules de Communication Et Adaptations Des Micro-Organismes (MCAM), Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, 57 rue Cuvier (BP 54), 75005, Paris, France.,Laboratoire de Synthèse Organique, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, ENSTA, Route de Saclay, 91128, Palaiseau Cedex, France
| | - Marianne Elias
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne-Université, EPHE, Université Des Antilles, 45 rue Buffon, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Violaine Llaurens
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne-Université, EPHE, Université Des Antilles, 45 rue Buffon, 75005, Paris, France
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9
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Touchard A, Mendel HC, Boulogne I, Herzig V, Braga Emidio N, King GF, Triquigneaux M, Jaquillard L, Beroud R, De Waard M, Delalande O, Dejean A, Muttenthaler M, Duplais C. Heterodimeric Insecticidal Peptide Provides New Insights into the Molecular and Functional Diversity of Ant Venoms. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:1211-1224. [PMID: 33344898 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ants use venom for predation, defense, and communication; however, the molecular diversity, function, and potential applications of ant venom remains understudied compared to other venomous lineages such as arachnids, snakes and cone snails. In this work, we used a multidisciplinary approach that encompassed field work, proteomics, sequencing, chemical synthesis, structural analysis, molecular modeling, stability studies, and in vitro and in vivo bioassays to investigate the molecular diversity of the venom of the Amazonian Pseudomyrmex penetrator ants. We isolated a potent insecticidal heterodimeric peptide Δ-pseudomyrmecitoxin-Pp1a (Δ-PSDTX-Pp1a) composed of a 27-residue long A-chain and a 33-residue long B-chain cross-linked by two disulfide bonds in an antiparallel orientation. We chemically synthesized Δ-PSDTX-Pp1a, its corresponding parallel AA and BB homodimers, and its monomeric chains and demonstrated that Δ-PSDTX-Pp1a had the most potent insecticidal effects in blowfly assays (LD50 = 3 nmol/g). Molecular modeling and circular dichroism studies revealed strong α-helical features, indicating its cytotoxic effects could derive from cell membrane pore formation or disruption. The native heterodimer was substantially more stable against proteolytic degradation (t 1/2 = 13 h) than its homodimers or monomers (t 1/2 < 20 min), indicating an evolutionary advantage of the more complex structure. The proteomic analysis of Pseudomyrmex penetrator venom and in-depth characterization of Δ-PSDTX-Pp1a provide novel insights in the structural complexity of ant venom and further exemplifies how nature exploits disulfide-bond formation and dimerization to gain an evolutionary advantage via improved stability, a concept that is highly relevant for the design and development of peptide therapeutics, molecular probes, and bioinsecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecofog, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Kourou 97310, France
| | - Helen C Mendel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Isabelle Boulogne
- Université de ROUEN, UFR des Sciences et Techniques, Laboratoire Glycobiologie et Matrice Extracellulaire Végétale, UPRES-EA 4358, Fédération de Recherche Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan 76821, France
| | - Volker Herzig
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.,GeneCology Research Centre, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia
| | - Nayara Braga Emidio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | | | - Lucie Jaquillard
- Smartox Biotechnology, 6 rue des Platanes, Saint Egrève 38120, France
| | - Rémy Beroud
- Smartox Biotechnology, 6 rue des Platanes, Saint Egrève 38120, France
| | - Michel De Waard
- Smartox Biotechnology, 6 rue des Platanes, Saint Egrève 38120, France.,Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, L'institut du thorax, Nantes 44000, France.,LabEx, Ion Channels, Science & Therapeutics, Valbonne 06560, France
| | - Olivier Delalande
- Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes (IGDR), CNRS UMR 6290, Université de Rennes Faculté de Pharmacie, 2 avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard, Rennes 35043, France
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Ecofog, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Kourou 97310, France.,Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse 31058, France
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Christophe Duplais
- CNRS, UMR Ecofog, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Kourou 97310, France
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10
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Rádis-Baptista G, Dodou HV, Prieto-da-Silva ÁRB, Zaharenko AJ, Kazuma K, Nihei KI, Inagaki H, Mori-Yasumoto K, Konno K. Comprehensive analysis of peptides and low molecular weight components of the giant ant Dinoponera quadriceps venom. Biol Chem 2020; 401:945-954. [PMID: 32229648 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ants (Hymenoptera, Apocrita, Aculeata, Formicoidea) comprise a well-succeeded group of animals. Like bees and wasps, ants are mostly venomous, having a sting system to deliver a mixture of bioactive organic compounds and peptides. The predatory giant ant Dinoponera quadriceps belongs to the subfamily Ponerinae that includes one of the largest known ant species in the world. In the present study, low molecular weight compounds and peptides were identified by online peptide mass fingerprint. These include neuroactive biogenic amines (histamine, tyramine, and dopamine), monoamine alkaloid (phenethylamine), free amino acids (e.g. glutamic acid and proline), free thymidine, and cytosine. To the best of our knowledge, most of these components are described for the first time in an ant venom. Multifunctional dinoponeratoxin peptide variants (pilosulin- and ponericin-like peptides) were characterized that possess antimicrobial, hemolytic, and histamine-releasing properties. These venom components, particularly peptides, might synergistically contribute to the overall venom activity and toxicity, for immobilizing live prey, and for defending D. quadriceps against aggressors, predators, and potential microbial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gandhi Rádis-Baptista
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Av da Abolição 3207, Fortaleza 60165-081, CE, Brazil
| | - Hilania V Dodou
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Av da Abolição 3207, Fortaleza 60165-081, CE, Brazil
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60020-181, CE, Brazil
| | | | - André J Zaharenko
- Laboratory of Genetics, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo 05503-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Kohei Kazuma
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
- present address: Eco-Frontier Center of Medicinal Resources, School of Pharmacy, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Nihei
- Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Inagaki
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Kanami Mori-Yasumoto
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Kagawa Campus, Tokushima Bunri University, Sanuki, Kagawa 769-2193, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Konno
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
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11
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Touchard A, Aili SR, Téné N, Barassé V, Klopp C, Dejean A, Kini RM, Mrinalini, Coquet L, Jouenne T, Lefranc B, Leprince J, Escoubas P, Nicholson GM, Treilhou M, Bonnafé E. Venom Peptide Repertoire of the European Myrmicine Ant Manica rubida: Identification of Insecticidal Toxins. J Proteome Res 2020; 19:1800-1811. [PMID: 32182430 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Using an integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approach, we characterized the venom peptidome of the European red ant, Manica rubida. We identified 13 "myrmicitoxins" that share sequence similarities with previously identified ant venom peptides, one of them being identified as an EGF-like toxin likely resulting from a threonine residue modified by O-fucosylation. Furthermore, we conducted insecticidal assays of reversed-phase HPLC venom fractions on the blowfly Lucilia caesar, permitting us to identify six myrmicitoxins (i.e., U3-, U10-, U13-, U20-MYRTX-Mri1a, U10-MYRTX-Mri1b, and U10-MYRTX-Mri1c) with an insecticidal activity. Chemically synthesized U10-MYRTX-Mri1a, -Mri1b, -Mri1c, and U20-MYRTX-Mri1a irreversibly paralyzed blowflies at the highest doses tested (30-125 nmol·g-1). U13-MYRTX-Mri1a, the most potent neurotoxic peptide at 1 h, had reversible effects after 24 h (150 nmol·g-1). Finally, U3-MYRTX-Mri1a has no insecticidal activity, even at up to 55 nmol·g-1. Thus, M. rubida employs a paralytic venom rich in linear insecticidal peptides, which likely act by disrupting cell membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Touchard
- Équipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Samira R Aili
- Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Nathan Téné
- Équipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Valentine Barassé
- Équipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Christophe Klopp
- Unité de Mathématique et Informatique Appliquées de Toulouse, UR0875, INRA Toulouse, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de la Guyane, 97310 Kourou, France.,Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - R Manjunatha Kini
- Protein Science Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore.,Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117600 Singapore
| | - Mrinalini
- Protein Science Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore
| | - Laurent Coquet
- CNRS UMR 6270, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, PISSARO, 76130 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Thierry Jouenne
- CNRS UMR 6270, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, PISSARO, 76130 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- Inserm U 1239, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, Plate-forme de Recherche en Imagerie Cellulaire de Normandie (PRIMACEN), 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- Inserm U 1239, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, Plate-forme de Recherche en Imagerie Cellulaire de Normandie (PRIMACEN), 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Pierre Escoubas
- VenomeTech, 473 Route des Dolines - Villa 3, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Graham M Nicholson
- Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Michel Treilhou
- Équipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- Équipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
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12
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The Peptide Venom Composition of the Fierce Stinging Ant Tetraponera aethiops (Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecinae). Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11120732. [PMID: 31847368 PMCID: PMC6950161 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11120732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mutualisms involving certain pseudomyrmicine ants and different myrmecophytes (i.e., plants sheltering colonies of specialized “plant-ant” species in hollow structures), the ant venom contributes to the host plant biotic defenses by inducing the rapid paralysis of defoliating insects and causing intense pain to browsing mammals. Using integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, we identified the venom peptidome of the plant-ant Tetraponera aethiops (Pseudomyrmecinae). The transcriptomic analysis of its venom glands revealed that 40% of the expressed contigs encoded only seven peptide precursors related to the ant venom peptides from the A-superfamily. Among the 12 peptide masses detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS), nine mature peptide sequences were characterized and confirmed through proteomic analysis. These venom peptides, called pseudomyrmecitoxins (PSDTX), share amino acid sequence identities with myrmeciitoxins known for their dual offensive and defensive functions on both insects and mammals. Furthermore, we demonstrated through reduction/alkylation of the crude venom that four PSDTXs were homo- and heterodimeric. Thus, we provide the first insights into the defensive venom composition of the ant genus Tetraponera indicative of a streamlined peptidome.
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13
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Alvarez D, Wilkinson KA, Treilhou M, Téné N, Castillo D, Sauvain M. Prospecting Peptides Isolated From Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) With Antimicrobial Activity Against Helicobacter pylori (Campylobacterales: Helicobacteraceae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2019; 19:5670786. [PMID: 31865367 PMCID: PMC6925832 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iez120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori (Marshall & Goodwin) is a widespread human pathogen that is acquiring resistance to the antibiotics used to treat it. This increasing resistance necessitates a continued search for new antibiotics. An antibiotic source that shows promise is animals whose immune systems must adapt to living in bacteria-laden conditions by producing antibacterial peptides or small molecules. Among these animals is the black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens Linnaeus), a Diptera that colonizes decomposing organic matter. In order to find anti-H. pylori peptides in BSF, larvae were challenged with Escherichia coli (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae). Small peptides were extracted from hemolymph and purified using solid-phase extraction, molecular weight cutoff filtration and two rounds of preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The anti-H. pylori fraction was followed through the purification process using the inhibition zone assay in brain-heart infusion agar, while peptides from uninoculated larvae had no activity. The inhibition halo of the active sample was comparable to the action of metronidazole in the inhibition zone assay. The purified sample contained four peptides with average masses of approximately 4.2 kDa that eluted together when analyzed by HPLC-mass spectrometry. The peptides likely have similar sequences, activity, and properties. Therefore, BSF produces inducible antibacterial peptides that have in vitro activity against H. pylori, which highlights BSF's position as an important target for further bioprospecting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Alvarez
- Laboratorio Mixto Internacional Andino Amazónico de Química de la Vida LMI-LAVi, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo LID, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Urb Ingeniería, Lima, Peru
| | - Kevin A Wilkinson
- Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego (UPAO), Trujillo, La Libertad, Peru
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
| | - Michel Treilhou
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, Albi, France
| | - Nathan Téné
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, Albi, France
| | - Denis Castillo
- Laboratorio Mixto Internacional Andino Amazónico de Química de la Vida LMI-LAVi, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo LID, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Urb Ingeniería, Lima, Peru
| | - Michel Sauvain
- Laboratorio Mixto Internacional Andino Amazónico de Química de la Vida LMI-LAVi, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo LID, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Urb Ingeniería, Lima, Peru
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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14
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Identification and Functional Characterization of a Novel Insecticidal Decapeptide from the Myrmicine Ant Manica rubida. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11100562. [PMID: 31557881 PMCID: PMC6832575 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11100562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ant venoms contain many small, linear peptides, an untapped source of bioactive peptide toxins. The control of agricultural insect pests currently depends primarily on chemical insecticides, but their intensive use damages the environment and human health, and encourages the emergence of resistant pest populations. This has promoted interest in animal venoms as a source of alternative, environmentally-friendly bio-insecticides. We tested the crude venom of the predatory ant, Manica rubida, and observed severe fitness costs in the parthenogenetic pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), a common agricultural pest. Therefore, we explored the M. rubida venom peptidome and identified a novel decapeptide U-MYRTX-MANr1 (NH2-IDPKVLESLV-CONH2) using a combination of Edman degradation and de novo peptide sequencing. Although this myrmicitoxin was inactive against bacteria and fungi, it reduced aphid survival and reproduction. Furthermore, both crude venom and U-MYRTX-MANr1 reversibly paralyzed injected aphids and induced a loss of body fluids. Components of M. rubida venom may act on various biological targets including ion channels and hemolymph coagulation proteins, as previously shown for other ant venom toxins. The remarkable insecticidal activity of M. rubida venom suggests it may be a promising source of additional bio-insecticide leads.
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15
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Heep J, Klaus A, Kessel T, Seip M, Vilcinskas A, Skaljac M. Proteomic Analysis of the Venom from the Ruby Ant Myrmica rubra and the Isolation of a Novel Insecticidal Decapeptide. INSECTS 2019; 10:E42. [PMID: 30717163 PMCID: PMC6409562 DOI: 10.3390/insects10020042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ants are a biodiverse group of insects that have evolved toxic venom containing many undiscovered bioactive molecules. In this study, we found that the venom of the ruby ant Myrmica rubra is a rich source of peptides. LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 142 different peptides varying in molecular weight, sequence length, and hydrophobicity. One of the most abundant peaks was selected for further biochemical and functional characterization. Combined Edman degradation and de novo peptide sequencing revealed the presence of a novel decapeptide (myrmicitoxin) with the amino acid sequence NH₂-IDPKLLESLA-CONH₂. The decapeptide was named U-MYRTX-MRArub1 and verified against a synthetic standard. The amidated peptide was tested in a synthetic form to determine the antimicrobial activity towards the bacterial pathogens and insecticidal potential against pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum). This peptide did not show antimicrobial activity but it significantly reduced the survival of aphids. It also increased the sensitivity of the aphids to two commonly used chemical insecticides (imidacloprid and methomyl). Since ant venom research is still in its infancy, the findings of this first study on venom peptides derived from M. rubra highlight these insects as an important and rich source for discovery of novel lead structures with potential application in pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Heep
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Alica Klaus
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Tobias Kessel
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Maximilian Seip
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany.
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Marisa Skaljac
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany.
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16
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Robinson SD, Mueller A, Clayton D, Starobova H, Hamilton BR, Payne RJ, Vetter I, King GF, Undheim EAB. A comprehensive portrait of the venom of the giant red bull ant, Myrmecia gulosa, reveals a hyperdiverse hymenopteran toxin gene family. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2018; 4:eaau4640. [PMID: 30214940 PMCID: PMC6135544 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aau4640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are diverse and ubiquitous, and their ability to sting is familiar to many of us. However, their venoms remain largely unstudied. We provide the first comprehensive characterization of a polypeptidic ant venom, that of the giant red bull ant, Myrmecia gulosa. We reveal a suite of novel peptides with a range of posttranslational modifications, including disulfide bond formation, dimerization, and glycosylation. One venom peptide has sequence features consistent with an epidermal growth factor fold, while the remaining peptides have features suggestive of a capacity to form amphipathic helices. We show that these peptides are derived from what appears to be a single, pharmacologically diverse, gene superfamily (aculeatoxins) that includes most venom peptides previously reported from the aculeate Hymenoptera. Two aculeatoxins purified from the venom were found to be capable of activating mammalian sensory neurons, consistent with the capacity to produce pain but via distinct mechanisms of action. Further investigation of the major venom peptide MIITX1-Mg1a revealed that it can also incapacitate arthropods, indicative of dual utility in both defense and predation. MIITX1-Mg1a accomplishes these functions by generating a leak in membrane ion conductance, which alters membrane potential and triggers neuronal depolarization. Our results provide the first insights into the evolution of the major toxin gene superfamily of the aculeate Hymenoptera and provide a new paradigm in the functional evolution of toxins from animal venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel D. Robinson
- Centre for Advance Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander Mueller
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel Clayton
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Hana Starobova
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Brett R. Hamilton
- Centre for Advance Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Richard J. Payne
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Eivind A. B. Undheim
- Centre for Advance Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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17
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Touchard A, Téné N, Song PCT, Lefranc B, Leprince J, Treilhou M, Bonnafé E. Deciphering the Molecular Diversity of an Ant Venom Peptidome through a Venomics Approach. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:3503-3516. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Axel Touchard
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Nathan Téné
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Philippe Chan Tchi Song
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Institut de Recherche et d’Innovation Biomédicale (IRIB), 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- Inserm U 1239, Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Plate-forme de Recherche en Imagerie Cellulaire Normandie (PRIMACEN), 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- Inserm U 1239, Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Plate-forme de Recherche en Imagerie Cellulaire Normandie (PRIMACEN), 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Michel Treilhou
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81012 Albi, France
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18
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Gibson JC, Larabee FJ, Touchard A, Orivel J, Suarez AV. Mandible strike kinematics of the trap‐jaw ant genus
Anochetus
Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J Zool (1987) 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J. C. Gibson
- Department of Entomology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
| | - F. J. Larabee
- Department of Entomology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
- Department of Entomology National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington DC USA
| | - A. Touchard
- EA7417‐BTSB Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi‐Pyrénées INU Champollion Albi France
| | - J. Orivel
- CNRS UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG) AgroParisTech CIRAD INRA Université de Guyane Université des Antilles Kourou Cedex France
| | - A. V. Suarez
- Department of Entomology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
- Department of Animal Biology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
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dos Santos-Pinto JRA, Perez-Riverol A, Lasa AM, Palma MS. Diversity of peptidic and proteinaceous toxins from social Hymenoptera venoms. Toxicon 2018; 148:172-196. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Intraspecific variation and influence of diet on the venom chemical profile of the Ectatomma brunneum Smith (Formicidae) ant evaluated by photoacoustic spectroscopy. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY 2017; 175:200-206. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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21
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Insects, arachnids and centipedes venom: A powerful weapon against bacteria. A literature review. Toxicon 2017; 130:91-103. [PMID: 28242227 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Currently, new antimicrobial molecules extracted or obtained by natural sources, could be a valide alternative to traditional antibiotics. Most of these molecules are represented by antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are essential compounds of insect, arachnids and centipedes venom. AMPs, due to their strong effectiveness, low resistance rates and peculiar mode of action, seem to have all the suitable features to be a powerful weapon against several bacteria, especially considering the increasing antibiotic-resistance phenomena. The present literature review focuses on the antibacterial activity of bee, wasp, ant, scorpion, spider and scolopendra crude venom and of their main biological active compounds. After a brief overview of each animal and venom use in folkloristic medicine, this review reports, in a comprehensive table, the results obtained by the most relevant and recent researches carried out on the antibacterial activity of different venom and their AMPs. For each considered study, the table summarizes data concerning minimal inhibitory concentration values, minimal bactericidal concentration values, the methods employed, scientific name and common names and provenience of animal species from which the crude venom and its respective compounds were obtained.
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22
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Aili SR, Touchard A, Petitclerc F, Dejean A, Orivel J, Padula MP, Escoubas P, Nicholson GM. Combined Peptidomic and Proteomic Analysis of Electrically Stimulated and Manually Dissected Venom from the South American Bullet Ant Paraponera clavata. J Proteome Res 2017; 16:1339-1351. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Samira R. Aili
- Neurotoxin
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS,
UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech,
Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, 97310 Kourou, France
| | - Frédéric Petitclerc
- CNRS,
UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech,
Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, 97310 Kourou, France
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS,
UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech,
Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, 97310 Kourou, France
- Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS,
UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech,
Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, 97310 Kourou, France
| | - Matthew P. Padula
- Proteomics
Core Facility, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Pierre Escoubas
- VenomeTech, 473 Route des Dolines — Villa
3, Valbonne 06560, France
| | - Graham M. Nicholson
- Neurotoxin
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
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23
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Aili SR, Touchard A, Koh JMS, Dejean A, Orivel J, Padula MP, Escoubas P, Nicholson GM. Comparisons of Protein and Peptide Complexity in Poneroid and Formicoid Ant Venoms. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:3039-54. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Samira R. Aili
- Neurotoxin
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France
| | - Jennifer M. S. Koh
- Neurotoxin
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France
- Laboratoire Écologie
Fonctionnelle et Environnement, CNRS, UMR 5245, Ecolab, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France
| | - Matthew P. Padula
- Proteomics
Core Facility, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Pierre Escoubas
- VenomeTech, 473 Route des Dolines - Villa 3, Valbonne 06560, France
| | - Graham M. Nicholson
- Neurotoxin
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
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Touchard A, Brust A, Cardoso FC, Chin YKY, Herzig V, Jin AH, Dejean A, Alewood PF, King GF, Orivel J, Escoubas P. Isolation and characterization of a structurally unique β-hairpin venom peptide from the predatory ant Anochetus emarginatus. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2016; 1860:2553-2562. [PMID: 27474999 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most ant venoms consist predominantly of small linear peptides, although some contain disulfide-linked peptides as minor components. However, in striking contrast to other ant species, some Anochetus venoms are composed primarily of disulfide-rich peptides. In this study, we investigated the venom of the ant Anochetus emarginatus with the aim of exploring these novel disulfide-rich peptides. METHODS The venom peptidome was initially investigated using a combination of reversed-phase HPLC and mass spectrometry, then the amino acid sequences of the major peptides were determined using a combination of Edman degradation and de novo MS/MS sequencing. We focused on one of these peptides, U1-PONTX-Ae1a (Ae1a), because of its novel sequence, which we predicted would form a novel 3D fold. Ae1a was chemically synthesized using Fmoc chemistry and its 3D structure was elucidated using NMR spectroscopy. The peptide was then tested for insecticidal activity and its effect on a range of human ion channels. RESULTS Seven peptides named poneritoxins (PONTXs) were isolated and sequenced. The three-dimensional structure of synthetic Ae1a revealed a novel, compact scaffold in which a C-terminal β-hairpin is connected to the N-terminal region via two disulfide bonds. Synthetic Ae1a reversibly paralyzed blowflies and inhibited human L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (CaV1). CONCLUSIONS Poneritoxins from Anochetus emarginatus venom are a novel class of toxins that are structurally unique among animal venoms. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE This study demonstrates that Anochetus ant venoms are a rich source of novel ion channel modulating peptides, some of which might be useful leads for the development of biopesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des forêts de Guyane (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou, France.
| | - Andreas Brust
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Fernanda Caldas Cardoso
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Yanni K-Y Chin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Volker Herzig
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Ai-Hua Jin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des forêts de Guyane (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou, France; CNRS, UMR 5245, Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France; Université de Toulouse, UPS, INP, Ecolab, Toulouse, France
| | - Paul F Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des forêts de Guyane (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou, France
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Touchard A, Aili SR, Fox EGP, Escoubas P, Orivel J, Nicholson GM, Dejean A. The Biochemical Toxin Arsenal from Ant Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:E30. [PMID: 26805882 PMCID: PMC4728552 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ants (Formicidae) represent a taxonomically diverse group of hymenopterans with over 13,000 extant species, the majority of which inject or spray secretions from a venom gland. The evolutionary success of ants is mostly due to their unique eusociality that has permitted them to develop complex collaborative strategies, partly involving their venom secretions, to defend their nest against predators, microbial pathogens, ant competitors, and to hunt prey. Activities of ant venom include paralytic, cytolytic, haemolytic, allergenic, pro-inflammatory, insecticidal, antimicrobial, and pain-producing pharmacologic activities, while non-toxic functions include roles in chemical communication involving trail and sex pheromones, deterrents, and aggregators. While these diverse activities in ant venoms have until now been largely understudied due to the small venom yield from ants, modern analytical and venomic techniques are beginning to reveal the diversity of toxin structure and function. As such, ant venoms are distinct from other venomous animals, not only rich in linear, dimeric and disulfide-bonded peptides and bioactive proteins, but also other volatile and non-volatile compounds such as alkaloids and hydrocarbons. The present review details the unique structures and pharmacologies of known ant venom proteinaceous and alkaloidal toxins and their potential as a source of novel bioinsecticides and therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, Kourou Cedex 97379, France.
- BTSB (Biochimie et Toxicologie des Substances Bioactives) Université de Champollion, Place de Verdun, Albi 81012, France.
| | - Samira R Aili
- Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Medical & Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | | | - Pierre Escoubas
- VenomeTech, 473 Route des Dolines-Villa 3, Valbonne 06560, France.
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, Kourou Cedex 97379, France.
| | - Graham M Nicholson
- Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Medical & Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, Kourou Cedex 97379, France.
- Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, 118 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse 31062, France.
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