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Carpanta V, Clement H, Arenas I, Corzo G. A consensus recombinant elapid long-chain α-neurotoxin and how protein folding matters for antibody recognition and neutralization of elapid venoms. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 732:150420. [PMID: 39047403 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Antivenoms are essential in the treatment of the neurotoxicity caused by elapid snakebites. However, there are elapid neurotoxins, e.g., long-chain α-neurotoxins (also known as long-chain three-finger toxins) that are barely neutralized by commercial elapid antivenoms; so, recombinant elapid neurotoxins could be an alternative or complements for improving antibody production against the lethal long-chain α-neurotoxins from elapid venoms. This work communicates the expression of a recombinant long-chain α-neurotoxin, named HisrLcNTx or rLcNTx, which based on the most lethal long-chain α-neurotoxins reported, was constructed de novo. The gene of rLcNTx was synthesized and introduced into the expression vector pQE30, which contains a proteolytic cleavage region for exscinding the mature protein, and His residues in tandem for affinity purification. The cloned pQE30/rLcNTx was transfected into Escherichia coli Origami cells to express rLcNTx. After expression, it was found in inclusion bodies, and folded in multiple Cys-Cys structural isoforms. To observe the capability of those isoforms to generate antibodies against native long-chain α-neurotoxins, groups of rabbits were immunized with different cocktails of Cys-Cys rLcNTx isoforms. In vitro, and in vivo analyses revealed that rabbit antibodies raised against different rLcNTx Cys-Cys isoforms were able to recognize pure native long-chain α-neurotoxins and their elapid venoms, but they were unable to neutralize bungarotoxin, a classical long-chain α-neurotoxin, and other elapid venoms. The rLcNTx Cys-Cys isoform 2 was the immunogen that produced the best neutralizing antibodies in rabbits. Yet to neutralize the elapid venoms from the black mamba Dendroaspis polylepis, and the coral shield cobra Aspidelaps lubricus, it was required to use two types of antibodies, the ones produced using rLcNTx Cys-Cys isoform 2 and antibodies produced using short-chain α-neurotoxins. Expression of recombinant elapid neurotoxins as immunogens could be an alternative to improve elapid antivenoms; nevertheless, recombinant elapid neurotoxins must be well-folded to be used as immunogens for obtaining neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Carpanta
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 61500, Mexico
| | - Herlinda Clement
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 61500, Mexico
| | - Iván Arenas
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 61500, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 61500, Mexico.
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2
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Calvete JJ, Lomonte B, Tena-Garcés J, Zollweg M, Mebs D. Mandibular gland proteomics of the Mexican alligator lizard, Abronia graminea, and the red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard, Abronia lythrochila. Toxicon 2024; 249:108055. [PMID: 39097104 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
A useful approach to deepen our knowledge about the origin and evolution of venom systems in Reptilia has been exploring the vast biodiversity of this clade of vertebrates in search of orally produced proteins with toxic actions, as well as their corresponding delivery systems. The occurrence of toxins in anguimorph lizards has been demonstrated experimentally or inferred from reports of the toxic effects of the oral secretions of taxa within the Varanidae and Helodermatidae families. In the present study, we have focused on two alligator lizards of the Anguidae family, the Mexican alligator lizard, Abronia graminea, and the red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard, A. lythrochila. In addition, the fine morphology of teeth of the latter species is described. The presence of a conserved set of proteins, including B-type natriuretic peptides, cysteine-rich secretory proteins, group III phospholipase A2, and kallikrein, in submandibular gland extracts was demonstrated for both Abronia species. These proteins belong to toxin families found in oral gland secretions of venomous reptile species. This finding, along with previous demonstration of toxin-producing taxa in both paleo- and neoanguimorpha clades, provides further support for the existence of a handful of conserved toxin families in oral secretions across the 100+ million years of Anguimorpha cladogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Calvete
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, C.S.I.C., Jaime Roig 11, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiologia, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501, Costa Rica.
| | - Jordi Tena-Garcés
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, C.S.I.C., Jaime Roig 11, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
| | | | - Dietrich Mebs
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University of Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60569, Frankfurt, Germany.
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3
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Rojas-Palomino J, Gómez-Restrepo A, Salinas-Restrepo C, Segura C, Giraldo MA, Calderón JC. Electrophysiological evaluation of the effect of peptide toxins on voltage-gated ion channels: a scoping review on theoretical and methodological aspects with focus on the Central and South American experience. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2024; 30:e20230048. [PMID: 39263598 PMCID: PMC11389830 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2023-0048] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The effect of peptide toxins on voltage-gated ion channels can be reliably assessed using electrophysiological assays, such as the patch-clamp technique. However, much of the toxinological research done in Central and South America aims at purifying and characterizing biochemical properties of the toxins of vegetal or animal origin, lacking electrophysiological approaches. This may happen due to technical and infrastructure limitations or because researchers are unfamiliar with the techniques and cellular models that can be used to gain information about the effect of a molecule on ion channels. Given the potential interest of many research groups in the highly biodiverse region of Central and South America, we reviewed the most relevant conceptual and methodological developments required to implement the evaluation of the effect of peptide toxins on mammalian voltage-gated ion channels using patch-clamp. For that, we searched MEDLINE/PubMed and SciELO databases with different combinations of these descriptors: "electrophysiology", "patch-clamp techniques", "Ca2+ channels", "K+ channels", "cnidarian venoms", "cone snail venoms", "scorpion venoms", "spider venoms", "snake venoms", "cardiac myocytes", "dorsal root ganglia", and summarized the literature as a scoping review. First, we present the basics and recent advances in mammalian voltage-gated ion channel's structure and function and update the most important animal sources of channel-modulating toxins (e.g. cnidarian and cone snails, scorpions, spiders, and snakes), highlighting the properties of toxins electrophysiologically characterized in Central and South America. Finally, we describe the local experience in implementing the patch-clamp technique using two models of excitable cells, as well as the participation in characterizing new modulators of ion channels derived from the venom of a local spider, a toxins' source less studied with electrophysiological techniques. Fostering the implementation of electrophysiological methods in more laboratories in the region will strengthen our capabilities in many fields, such as toxinology, toxicology, pharmacology, natural products, biophysics, biomedicine, and bioengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alejandro Gómez-Restrepo
- Physiology and Biochemistry Research Group -PHYSIS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Cristian Salinas-Restrepo
- Toxinology, Therapeutic and Food Alternatives Research Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - César Segura
- Malaria Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Marco A Giraldo
- Biophysics Group, Institute of Physics, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan C Calderón
- Physiology and Biochemistry Research Group -PHYSIS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Wang CR, McFarlane LO, Pukala TL. Exploring snake venoms beyond the primary sequence: From proteoforms to protein-protein interactions. Toxicon 2024; 247:107841. [PMID: 38950738 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Snakebite envenomation has been a long-standing global issue that is difficult to treat, largely owing to the flawed nature of current immunoglobulin-based antivenom therapy and the complexity of snake venoms as sophisticated mixtures of bioactive proteins and peptides. Comprehensive characterisation of venom compositions is essential to better understanding snake venom toxicity and inform effective and rationally designed antivenoms. Additionally, a greater understanding of snake venom composition will likely unearth novel biologically active proteins and peptides that have promising therapeutic or biotechnological applications. While a bottom-up proteomic workflow has been the main approach for cataloguing snake venom compositions at the toxin family level, it is unable to capture snake venom heterogeneity in the form of protein isoforms and higher-order protein interactions that are important in driving venom toxicity but remain underexplored. This review aims to highlight the importance of understanding snake venom heterogeneity beyond the primary sequence, in the form of post-translational modifications that give rise to different proteoforms and the myriad of higher-order protein complexes in snake venoms. We focus on current top-down proteomic workflows to identify snake venom proteoforms and further discuss alternative or novel separation, instrumentation, and data processing strategies that may improve proteoform identification. The current higher-order structural characterisation techniques implemented for snake venom proteins are also discussed; we emphasise the need for complementary and higher resolution structural bioanalytical techniques such as mass spectrometry-based approaches, X-ray crystallography and cryogenic electron microscopy, to elucidate poorly characterised tertiary and quaternary protein structures. We envisage that the expansion of the snake venom characterisation "toolbox" with top-down proteomics and high-resolution protein structure determination techniques will be pivotal in advancing structural understanding of snake venoms towards the development of improved therapeutic and biotechnology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ruth Wang
- Discipline of Chemistry, School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Lewis O McFarlane
- Discipline of Chemistry, School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Tara L Pukala
- Discipline of Chemistry, School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia.
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Choudhary C, Kishore D, Meghwanshi KK, Verma V, Shukla JN. A sex-specific homologue of waprin is essential for embryonic development in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39167359 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Waprin, a WAP (Whey acidic protein) domain-containing extracellular secretory protein, is widely known for its antibacterial properties. In this study, a waprin homologue (Tc_wapF) expressing in a female-specific manner was identified in Tribolium castaneum, through the analysis of sex-specific transcriptomes. Developmental- and tissue-specific profiling revealed the widespread expression of Tc_wapF in adult female tissues, particularly in the ovary, gut and fatbody. This female-specific expression of Tc_wapF is not regulated by the classical sex-determination cascade of T. castaneum, as we fail to get any attenuation in Tc_wapF transcript levels in Tcdsx and Tctra (key players of sex determination cascade of T. castaneum) knockdown females. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of Tc_wapF in females led to the non-hatching of eggs laid by these females, suggesting the crucial role of Tc_wapF in the embryonic development in T. castaneum. This is the first report on the identification of a sex-specific waprin homologue in an insect and its involvement in embryonic development. Future investigations on the functional conservation of insect waprins and their mechanistic role in embryonic development can be exploited for improving pest management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chhavi Choudhary
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Divyanshu Kishore
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Keshav Kumar Meghwanshi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Vivek Verma
- Gujarat Biotechnology University, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Jayendra Nath Shukla
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
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6
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Bittenbinder MA, Bonanini F, Kurek D, Vulto P, Kool J, Vonk FJ. Using organ-on-a-chip technology to study haemorrhagic activities of snake venoms on endothelial tubules. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11157. [PMID: 38834598 PMCID: PMC11150252 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60282-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenomation is a major public health issue which causes severe morbidity and mortality, affecting millions of people annually. Of a diverse range of clinical manifestations, local and systemic haemorrhage are of particular relevance, as this may result in ischemia, organ failure and even cardiovascular shock. Thus far, in vitro studies have failed to recapitulate the haemorrhagic effects observed in vivo. Here, we present an organ-on-a-chip approach to investigate the effects of four different snake venoms on a perfused microfluidic blood vessel model. We assess the effect of the venoms of four snake species on epithelial barrier function, cell viability, and contraction/delamination. Our findings reveal two different mechanisms by which the microvasculature is being affected, either by disruption of the endothelial cell membrane or by delamination of the endothelial cell monolayer from its matrix. The use of our blood vessel model may shed light on the key mechanisms by which tissue-damaging venoms exert their effects on the capillary vessels, which could be helpful for the development of effective treatments against snakebites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mátyás A Bittenbinder
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2333 CR, Leiden, The Netherlands
- AIMMS, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Jeroen Kool
- AIMMS, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Freek J Vonk
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2333 CR, Leiden, The Netherlands
- AIMMS, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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7
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Hackney CM, Flórez Salcedo P, Mueller E, Koch TL, Kjelgaard LD, Watkins M, Zachariassen LG, Tuelung PS, McArthur JR, Adams DJ, Kristensen AS, Olivera B, Finol-Urdaneta RK, Safavi-Hemami H, Morth JP, Ellgaard L. A previously unrecognized superfamily of macro-conotoxins includes an inhibitor of the sensory neuron calcium channel Cav2.3. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002217. [PMID: 37535677 PMCID: PMC10437998 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal venom peptides represent valuable compounds for biomedical exploration. The venoms of marine cone snails constitute a particularly rich source of peptide toxins, known as conotoxins. Here, we identify the sequence of an unusually large conotoxin, Mu8.1, which defines a new class of conotoxins evolutionarily related to the well-known con-ikot-ikots and 2 additional conotoxin classes not previously described. The crystal structure of recombinant Mu8.1 displays a saposin-like fold and shows structural similarity with con-ikot-ikot. Functional studies demonstrate that Mu8.1 curtails calcium influx in defined classes of murine somatosensory dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. When tested on a variety of recombinantly expressed voltage-gated ion channels, Mu8.1 displayed the highest potency against the R-type (Cav2.3) calcium channel. Ca2+ signals from Mu8.1-sensitive DRG neurons were also inhibited by SNX-482, a known spider peptide modulator of Cav2.3 and voltage-gated K+ (Kv4) channels. Our findings highlight the potential of Mu8.1 as a molecular tool to identify and study neuronal subclasses expressing Cav2.3. Importantly, this multidisciplinary study showcases the potential of uncovering novel structures and bioactivities within the largely unexplored group of macro-conotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste M. Hackney
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paula Flórez Salcedo
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Emilie Mueller
- Enzyme and Protein Chemistry, Section for Protein Chemistry and Enzyme Technology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas Lund Koch
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lau D. Kjelgaard
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maren Watkins
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Linda G. Zachariassen
- Department of Drug Design & Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Jeffrey R. McArthur
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - David J. Adams
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Anders S. Kristensen
- Department of Drug Design & Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Baldomero Olivera
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Rocio K. Finol-Urdaneta
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- Electrophysiology Facility for Cell Phenotyping and Drug Discovery, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Helena Safavi-Hemami
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Jens Preben Morth
- Enzyme and Protein Chemistry, Section for Protein Chemistry and Enzyme Technology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lars Ellgaard
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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8
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Bittenbinder MA, Capinha L, Da Costa Pereira D, Slagboom J, van de Velde B, Casewell NR, Jennings P, Kool J, Vonk FJ. Development of a high-throughput in vitro screening method for the assessment of cell-damaging activities of snake venoms. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011564. [PMID: 37590328 PMCID: PMC10465002 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a globally important public health issue that has devastating consequences on human health and well-being, with annual mortality rates between 81,000 and 138,000. Snake venoms may cause different pathological effects by altering normal physiological processes such as nervous transfer and blood coagulation. In addition, snake venoms can cause severe (local) tissue damage that may result in life-long morbidities, with current estimates pointing towards an additional 450,000 individuals that suffer from permanent disabilities such as amputations, contractions and blindness. Despite such high morbidity rates, research to date has been mainly focusing on neurotoxic and haemotoxic effects of snake venoms and considerably less on venom-induced tissue damage. The molecular mechanisms underlaying this pathology include membrane disruption and extracellular matrix degradation. This research describes methods used to study the (molecular) mechanisms underlaying venom-induced cell- and tissue damage. A selection of cellular bioassays and fluorescent microscopy were used to study cell-damaging activities of snake venoms in multi-well plates, using both crude and fractionated venoms. A panel of 10 representative medically relevant snake species was used, which cover a large part of the geographical regions most heavily affected by snakebite. The study comprises both morphological data as well as quantitative data on cell metabolism and viability, which were measured over time. Based on this data, a distinction could be made in the ways by which viper and elapid venoms exert their effects on cells. We further made an effort to characterise the bioactive compounds causing these effects, using a combination of liquid chromatography methods followed by bioassaying and protein identification using proteomics. The outcomes of this study might prove valuable for better understanding venom-induced cell- and tissue-damaging pathologies and could be used in the process of developing and improving snakebite treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matyas A. Bittenbinder
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- AIMMS, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Liliana Capinha
- Division of Molecular and Computational Toxicology, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Da Costa Pereira
- Division of Molecular and Computational Toxicology, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Julien Slagboom
- AIMMS, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bas van de Velde
- AIMMS, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicholas R. Casewell
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Jennings
- Division of Molecular and Computational Toxicology, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Kool
- AIMMS, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Freek J. Vonk
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- AIMMS, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Past, Present, and Future of Naturally Occurring Antimicrobials Related to Snake Venoms. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040744. [PMID: 36830531 PMCID: PMC9952678 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on proteins and peptides with antimicrobial activity because these biopolymers can be useful in the fight against infectious diseases and to overcome the critical problem of microbial resistance to antibiotics. In fact, snakes show the highest diversification among reptiles, surviving in various environments; their innate immunity is similar to mammals and the response of their plasma to bacteria and fungi has been explored mainly in ecological studies. Snake venoms are a rich source of components that have a variety of biological functions. Among them are proteins like lectins, metalloproteinases, serine proteinases, L-amino acid oxidases, phospholipases type A2, cysteine-rich secretory proteins, as well as many oligopeptides, such as waprins, cardiotoxins, cathelicidins, and β-defensins. In vitro, these biomolecules were shown to be active against bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses that are pathogenic to humans. Not only cathelicidins, but all other proteins and oligopeptides from snake venom have been proteolyzed to provide short antimicrobial peptides, or for use as templates for developing a variety of short unnatural sequences based on their structures. In addition to organizing and discussing an expressive amount of information, this review also describes new β-defensin sequences of Sistrurus miliarius that can lead to novel peptide-based antimicrobial agents, using a multidisciplinary approach that includes sequence phylogeny.
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Isomoto A, Shoguchi E, Hisata K, Inoue J, Sun Y, Inaba K, Satoh N, Ogawa T, Shibata H. Active Expression of Genes for Protein Modification Enzymes in Habu Venom Glands. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14050300. [PMID: 35622547 PMCID: PMC9146206 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14050300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Genes encoding snake venom toxins have been studied extensively. However, genes involved in the modification and functioning of venom proteins are little known. Protobothrops is a genus of pit vipers, which are venomous and inhabit the Nansei (Southwest) islands of Japan, Taiwan China, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, and India. Our previous study decoded the genome of Protobothrops flavoviridis, a species endemic to the Nansei Islands, Japan, and revealed unique evolutionary processes of some venom genes. In this study, we analyzed genes that are highly expressed in venom glands to survey genes for candidate enzymes or chaperone proteins involved in toxin folding and modification. We found that, in addition to genes that encode venom proteins and ribosomal proteins, genes that encode protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family members (orthologs of human P4HB and PDIA3), Selenoprotein M (SELENOM), and Calreticulin (CALR) are highly expressed in venom glands. Since these enzymes or chaperones are involved in protein modification and potentially possess protein folding functions, we propose that P4HB, SELENOM, CALR, and PDIA3 encode candidate enzymes or chaperones to confer toxic functions upon the venom transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Isomoto
- Division of Genomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan;
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8572, Japan
- Correspondence: (A.I.); (T.O.); (H.S.)
| | - Eiichi Shoguchi
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science, Technology Graduate University, Onna 904-0495, Japan; (E.S.); (K.H.); (J.I.); (N.S.)
| | - Kanako Hisata
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science, Technology Graduate University, Onna 904-0495, Japan; (E.S.); (K.H.); (J.I.); (N.S.)
| | - Jun Inoue
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science, Technology Graduate University, Onna 904-0495, Japan; (E.S.); (K.H.); (J.I.); (N.S.)
| | - Yinrui Sun
- Division of Genomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan;
| | - Kenji Inaba
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Material, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan;
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Satoh
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science, Technology Graduate University, Onna 904-0495, Japan; (E.S.); (K.H.); (J.I.); (N.S.)
| | - Tomohisa Ogawa
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8572, Japan
- Correspondence: (A.I.); (T.O.); (H.S.)
| | - Hiroki Shibata
- Division of Genomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan;
- Correspondence: (A.I.); (T.O.); (H.S.)
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11
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Calvete JJ, Lomonte B, Saviola AJ, Bonilla F, Sasa M, Williams DJ, Undheim EA, Sunagar K, Jackson TN. Mutual enlightenment: A toolbox of concepts and methods for integrating evolutionary and clinical toxinology via snake venomics and the contextual stance. Toxicon X 2021; 9-10:100070. [PMID: 34195606 PMCID: PMC8234350 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease that may claim over 100,000 human lives annually worldwide. Snakebite occurs as the result of an interaction between a human and a snake that elicits either a defensive response from the snake or, more rarely, a feeding response as the result of mistaken identity. Snakebite envenoming is therefore a biological and, more specifically, an ecological problem. Snake venom itself is often described as a "cocktail", as it is a heterogenous mixture of molecules including the toxins (which are typically proteinaceous) responsible for the pathophysiological consequences of envenoming. The primary function of venom in snake ecology is pre-subjugation, with defensive deployment of the secretion typically considered a secondary function. The particular composition of any given venom cocktail is shaped by evolutionary forces that include phylogenetic constraints associated with the snake's lineage and adaptive responses to the snake's ecological context, including the taxa it preys upon and by which it is predated upon. In the present article, we describe how conceptual frameworks from ecology and evolutionary biology can enter into a mutually enlightening relationship with clinical toxinology by enabling the consideration of snakebite envenoming from an "ecological stance". We detail the insights that may emerge from such a perspective and highlight the ways in which the high-fidelity descriptive knowledge emerging from applications of -omics era technologies - "venomics" and "antivenomics" - can combine with evolutionary explanations to deliver a detailed understanding of this multifactorial health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J. Calvete
- Evolutionary and Translational Venomics Laboratory, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Unidad de Proteómica, Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Anthony J. Saviola
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Fabián Bonilla
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Animales Peligrosos (LIAP), Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Mahmood Sasa
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Animales Peligrosos (LIAP), Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
- Museo de Zoología, Centro de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Ecología Tropical, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica
| | | | - Eivind A.B. Undheim
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kartik Sunagar
- Evolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Timothy N.W. Jackson
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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12
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Cheng X, Cao F, Zhong C, Wang M, Ye J, Liu Y, Zhang W, Yu F, Wu D, Wang X. Photoresponsive porous ZnO-based broad-spectrum venom first-aid treatment. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:4149-4158. [PMID: 33959736 DOI: 10.1039/d1bm00115a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A venomous snakebite is an emergency. However, antivenoms are rare and very similar, difficult to produce and preserve, and almost impossible to be used for emergency treatment. Therefore, it would be of great significance to develop convenient, efficient and broad-spectrum snake venom neutralizing nano-materials. In this study, inspired by boiled eggs, a new concept based on a ZnO complex (ZC) for the treatment of snake venoms is proposed. In vitro and in vivo experiments proved that ZC could widely adsorb biological (including snake) venoms and effectively reduce the concentration of toxic protein in the blood. More importantly, ZC could realize photothermal conversion under the stimulation of near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, resulting in protein hydrolyzation of venoms, thereby fundamentally prolonging survival time. In addition, ZC not only showed good biocompatibility, but also could inhibit bacterial reproduction, alleviate inflammation, and contribute to the healing of open wounds caused by biological venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Cheng
- College of Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, China.
| | - Fei Cao
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Cailing Zhong
- School of Pharmacy, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, China
| | - Manyu Wang
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies: Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, China
| | - Jing Ye
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Yu Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, China.
| | - Fen Yu
- College of Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, China.
| | - Dan Wu
- School of Public Administration, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, China.
| | - Xiaolei Wang
- College of Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, China. and The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies: Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330088, China
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13
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Synthetic peptides to produce antivenoms against the Cys-rich toxins of arachnids. Toxicon X 2020; 6:100038. [PMID: 32550593 PMCID: PMC7285918 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2020.100038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion and spider envenomation is treated with the appropriate antivenoms, prepared as described by Césaire Auguste Phisalix and Albert Calmette in 1894. Such treatment requires the acquisition and manipulation of arachnid venoms, both very complicated procedures. Most of the toxins in the venoms of spiders and scorpions are extremely stable cysteine-rich peptide neurotoxins. Many strategies have been developed to obtain synthetic immunogens to facilitate the production of antivenoms against these toxins. For example, whole peptide toxins can be synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). Also, epitopes of the toxins can be identified and after the chemical synthesis of these peptide epitopes by SPPS, they can be coupled to protein carriers to develop efficient immunogens. Moreover, multiple antigenic peptides with a polylysine core can be designed and synthesized. This review focuses on the strategies developed to obtain synthetic immunogens for the production of antivenoms against the toxic Cys-rich peptides of scorpions and spiders.
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14
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Barua A, Mikheyev AS. Toxin expression in snake venom evolves rapidly with constant shifts in evolutionary rates. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200613. [PMID: 32345154 PMCID: PMC7282918 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Key innovations provide ecological opportunity by enabling access to new resources, colonization of new environments, and are associated with adaptive radiation. The most well-known pattern associated with adaptive radiation is an early burst of phenotypic diversification. Venoms facilitate prey capture and are widely believed to be key innovations leading to adaptive radiation. However, few studies have estimated their evolutionary rate dynamics. Here, we test for patterns of adaptive evolution in venom gene expression data from 52 venomous snake species. By identifying shifts in tempo and mode of evolution along with models of phenotypic evolution, we show that snake venom exhibits the macroevolutionary dynamics expected of key innovations. Namely, all toxin families undergo shifts in their rates of evolution, likely in response to changes in adaptive optima. Furthermore, we show that rapid-pulsed evolution modelled as a Lévy process better fits snake venom evolution than conventional early burst or Ornstein-Uhlenbeck models. While our results support the idea of snake venom being a key innovation, the innovation of venom chemistry lacks clear mechanisms that would lead to reproductive isolation and thus adaptive radiation. Therefore, the extent to which venom directly influences the diversification process is still a matter of contention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agneesh Barua
- Ecology and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0495, Japan
| | - Alexander S. Mikheyev
- Ecology and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0495, Japan
- Evolutionary genomics group, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia
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15
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Russo RR, dos Santos Júnior NN, Cintra ACO, Figueiredo LTM, Sampaio SV, Aquino VH. Expression, purification and virucidal activity of two recombinant isoforms of phospholipase A2 from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. Arch Virol 2019; 164:1159-1171. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-019-04172-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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16
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Matayoshi PM, Souza PM, Gasparotto VPO, Araujo MS, Simões CRB, Souza FF, Oba E, Machado VMV, Júnior RSF, Prestes NC. Hormonal and ultrasonographic characterization of the seasonal reproductive cycle of male and female Crotalus durissus terrificus. Anim Reprod 2018; 15:1236-1245. [PMID: 34221138 PMCID: PMC8203107 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2017-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Research concerning to characterize seasonal reproductive cycle in males and females of
Crotalus durissus terrificus by ultrasound and hormonal measurement.
Reproductive aspects (follicular and testicular cycles, and pregnancy) from 28 adult snakes
(14 males and 14 females) during different months of the years were studied. Snakes housed
individually in cages in an environment with controlled luminosity and humidity, and fed
monthly. Females were examined by ultrasound during quiescence and active follicular phase,
and pregnancy for follicular and embryo/fetal development. Males were evaluated to testicular
echotexture and measurements during reproductive and non-reproductive season. The blood
samples were collected from males and females for serum testosterone and progesterone determination,
respectively. In 77% males the testes were identified by ultrasound and found increased size
during summer, decreased serum testosterone in winter, and positive correlation between
serum testosterone and testes size. There was no change in testicular echotexture in according
to season. Testosterone concentration was decreased during winter and it was positively
correlated with testes size. In 71% females, were observed follicular development (vitellogenesis)
and gestation since winter to spring by ultrasonography. Parturition occurred mainly in
summer. Pregnancy length was 123.0 ± 11.4 days, with mean 6.9 ± 1.5 newborns/female,
and there was gradual increase of serum progesterone during this period. There was no variation
in progesterone concentration in non-gravid females. Males and females Tropical Rattlesnake
show seasonal variation of reproductive cycle and was clear a biennial cycle in female. The
ultrasonography can be considered an essential tool to accomplish the follicular development,
pregnancy and testicular alterations in Tropical Rattlesnake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla M Matayoshi
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal e Radiologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Priscilla M Souza
- Universidade Federal de Tocantins (UFT), Campus Araguaina, Araguaina, Tocantins, Brasil
| | - Vinícius P O Gasparotto
- Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos (CEVAP), Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Michelle S Araujo
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal e Radiologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Carla R B Simões
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal e Radiologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Fabiana F Souza
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal e Radiologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Eunice Oba
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal e Radiologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Vânia M V Machado
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal e Radiologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Rui S F Júnior
- Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos (CEVAP), Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Nereu C Prestes
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal e Radiologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil
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17
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Govindu PCV, Mohanan A, Dolle A, Gowd KH. Conformations of cysteine disulfides of peptide toxins: Advantage of differentiating forward and reverse asymmetric disulfide conformers. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2018; 37:2017-2029. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2018.1475257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Panchada Ch V Govindu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India
| | - Athul Mohanan
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India
| | - Ashwini Dolle
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India
| | - Konkallu Hanumae Gowd
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India
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18
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Wiezel GA, Shibao PYT, Cologna CT, Morandi Filho R, Ueira-Vieira C, De Pauw E, Quinton L, Arantes EC. In-Depth Venome of the Brazilian Rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus: An Integrative Approach Combining Its Venom Gland Transcriptome and Venom Proteome. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:3941-3958. [PMID: 30270628 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Snake venoms are complex mixtures mainly composed of proteins and small peptides. Crotoxin is one of the most studied components from Crotalus venoms, but many other components are less known due to their low abundance. The venome of Crotalus durissus terrificus, the most lethal Brazilian snake, was investigated by combining its venom gland transcriptome and proteome to create a holistic database of venom compounds unraveling novel toxins. We constructed a cDNA library from C. d. terrificus venom gland using the Illumina platform and investigated its venom proteome through high resolution liquid chromotography-tandem mass spectrometry. After integrating data from both data sets, more than 30 venom components classes were identified by the transcriptomic analysis and 15 of them were detected in the venom proteome. However, few of them (PLA2, SVMP, SVSP, and VEGF) were relatively abundant. Furthermore, only seven expressed transcripts contributed to ∼82% and ∼73% of the abundance in the transcriptome and proteome, respectively. Additionally, novel venom proteins are reported, and we highlight the importance of using different databases to perform the data integration and discuss the structure of the venom components-related transcripts identified. Concluding, this research paves the way for novel investigations and discovery of future pharmacological agents or targets in the antivenom therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisele A Wiezel
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Av. do Café, s/n , 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Priscila Y T Shibao
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Av. do Café, s/n , 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Camila T Cologna
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Av. do Café, s/n , 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Romualdo Morandi Filho
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology Institute , Federal University of Uberlândia , Rua Acre, s/n , 38400-902 Uberlândia , Brazil
| | - Carlos Ueira-Vieira
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology Institute , Federal University of Uberlândia , Rua Acre, s/n , 38400-902 Uberlândia , Brazil
| | - Edwin De Pauw
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, MolSys Research Unit, Department of Chemistry , University of Liège , Bat. B6c , 4000 Liège , Belgium
| | - Loïc Quinton
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, MolSys Research Unit, Department of Chemistry , University of Liège , Bat. B6c , 4000 Liège , Belgium
| | - Eliane C Arantes
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Av. do Café, s/n , 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
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19
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Engineered nanoparticles bind elapid snake venom toxins and inhibit venom-induced dermonecrosis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006736. [PMID: 30286075 PMCID: PMC6171825 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Envenomings by snakebites constitute a serious and challenging global health issue. The mainstay in the therapy of snakebite envenomings is the parenteral administration of animal-derived antivenoms. Significantly, antivenoms are only partially effective in the control of local tissue damage. A novel approach to mitigate the progression of local tissue damage that could complement the antivenom therapy of envenomings is proposed. We describe an abiotic hydrogel nanoparticle engineered to bind to and modulate the activity of a diverse array of PLA2 and 3FTX isoforms found in Elapidae snake venoms. These two families of protein toxins share features that are associated with their common (membrane) targets, allowing for nanoparticle sequestration by a mechanism that differs from immunological (epitope) selection. The nanoparticles are non-toxic in mice and inhibit dose-dependently the dermonecrotic activity of Naja nigricollis venom.
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20
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Calvete JJ. Snake venomics – from low-resolution toxin-pattern recognition to toxin-resolved venom proteomes with absolute quantification. Expert Rev Proteomics 2018; 15:555-568. [DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2018.1500904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan J. Calvete
- Evolutionary and Translational Venomics Laboratory, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
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21
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de la Rosa G, Corrales-García LL, Rodriguez-Ruiz X, López-Vera E, Corzo G. Short-chain consensus alpha-neurotoxin: a synthetic 60-mer peptide with generic traits and enhanced immunogenic properties. Amino Acids 2018; 50:885-895. [PMID: 29626299 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-018-2556-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The three-fingered toxin family and more precisely short-chain α-neurotoxins (also known as Type I α-neurotoxins) are crucial in defining the elapid envenomation process, but paradoxically, they are barely neutralized by current elapid snake antivenoms. This work has been focused on the primary structural identity among Type I neurotoxins in order to create a consensus short-chain α-neurotoxin with conserved characteristics. A multiple sequence alignment considering the twelve most toxic short-chain α-neurotoxins reported from the venoms of the elapid genera Acanthophis, Oxyuranus, Walterinnesia, Naja, Dendroaspis and Micrurus led us to propose a short-chain consensus α-neurotoxin, here named ScNtx. The synthetic ScNtx gene was de novo constructed and cloned into the expression vector pQE30 containing a 6His-Tag and an FXa proteolytic cleavage region. Escherichia coli Origami cells transfected with the pQE30/ScNtx vector expressed the recombinant consensus neurotoxin in a soluble form with a yield of 1.5 mg/L of culture medium. The 60-amino acid residue ScNtx contains canonical structural motifs similar to α-neurotoxins from African elapids and its LD50 of 3.8 µg/mice is similar to the most toxic short-chain α-neurotoxins reported from elapid venoms. Furthermore, ScNtx was also able to antagonize muscular, but not neuronal, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Rabbits immunized with ScNtx were able to immune-recognize short-chain α-neurotoxins within whole elapid venoms. Type I neurotoxins are difficult to isolate and purify from natural sources; therefore, the heterologous expression of molecules such ScNtx, bearing crucial motifs and key amino acids, is a step forward to create common immunogens for developing cost-effective antivenoms with a wider spectrum of efficacy, quality and strong therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo de la Rosa
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, Apartado Postal 510-3, 61500, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Ligia L Corrales-García
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, Apartado Postal 510-3, 61500, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.,Departamento de Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia, AA 1226, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Ximena Rodriguez-Ruiz
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología/Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, Circuito exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Estuardo López-Vera
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología/Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, Circuito exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, Apartado Postal 510-3, 61500, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. .,Institute of Biotechnology-UNAM, Av. Universidad 2001, 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
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22
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Ojeda PG, Ramírez D, Alzate-Morales J, Caballero J, Kaas Q, González W. Computational Studies of Snake Venom Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 10:E8. [PMID: 29271884 PMCID: PMC5793095 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Most snake venom toxins are proteins, and participate to envenomation through a diverse array of bioactivities, such as bleeding, inflammation, and pain, cytotoxic, cardiotoxic or neurotoxic effects. The venom of a single snake species contains hundreds of toxins, and the venoms of the 725 species of venomous snakes represent a large pool of potentially bioactive proteins. Despite considerable discovery efforts, most of the snake venom toxins are still uncharacterized. Modern bioinformatics tools have been recently developed to mine snake venoms, helping focus experimental research on the most potentially interesting toxins. Some computational techniques predict toxin molecular targets, and the binding mode to these targets. This review gives an overview of current knowledge on the ~2200 sequences, and more than 400 three-dimensional structures of snake toxins deposited in public repositories, as well as of molecular modeling studies of the interaction between these toxins and their molecular targets. We also describe how modern bioinformatics have been used to study the snake venom protein phospholipase A2, the small basic myotoxin Crotamine, and the three-finger peptide Mambalgin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola G Ojeda
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Simulations (CBSM), Universidad de Talca, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidad Autonoma de Chile, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
| | - David Ramírez
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Simulations (CBSM), Universidad de Talca, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidad Autonoma de Chile, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
| | - Jans Alzate-Morales
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Simulations (CBSM), Universidad de Talca, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
| | - Julio Caballero
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Simulations (CBSM), Universidad de Talca, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Wendy González
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Simulations (CBSM), Universidad de Talca, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
- Millennium Nucleus of Ion Channels-Associated Diseases (MiNICAD), Universidad de Talca, 3460000 Talca, Chile.
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Jin A, Dekan Z, Smout MJ, Wilson D, Dutertre S, Vetter I, Lewis RJ, Loukas A, Daly NL, Alewood PF. Conotoxin Φ‐MiXXVIIA from the Superfamily G2 Employs a Novel Cysteine Framework that Mimics Granulin and Displays Anti‐Apoptotic Activity. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201708927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ai‐Hua Jin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Zoltan Dekan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Michael J. Smout
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, AITHM James Cook University Smithfield, Cairns QLD 4878 Australia
| | - David Wilson
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, AITHM James Cook University Smithfield, Cairns QLD 4878 Australia
| | - Sébastien Dutertre
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4072 Australia
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247 Université Montpellier, CNRS Place Eugène Bataillon 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5 France
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Richard J. Lewis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, AITHM James Cook University Smithfield, Cairns QLD 4878 Australia
| | - Norelle L. Daly
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, AITHM James Cook University Smithfield, Cairns QLD 4878 Australia
| | - Paul F. Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland 4072 Australia
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24
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Jin AH, Dekan Z, Smout MJ, Wilson D, Dutertre S, Vetter I, Lewis RJ, Loukas A, Daly NL, Alewood PF. Conotoxin Φ-MiXXVIIA from the Superfamily G2 Employs a Novel Cysteine Framework that Mimics Granulin and Displays Anti-Apoptotic Activity. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:14973-14976. [PMID: 28984021 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201708927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Conotoxins are a large family of disulfide-rich peptides that contain unique cysteine frameworks that target a broad range of ion channels and receptors. We recently discovered the 33-residue conotoxin Φ-MiXXVIIA from Conus miles with a novel cysteine framework comprising three consecutive cysteine residues and four disulfide bonds. Regioselective chemical synthesis helped decipher the disulfide bond connectivity and the structure of Φ-MiXXVIIA was determined by NMR spectroscopy. The 3D structure displays a unique topology containing two β-hairpins that resemble the N-terminal domain of granulin. Similar to granulin, Φ-MiXXVIIA promotes cell proliferation (EC50 17.85 μm) while inhibiting apoptosis (EC50 2.2 μm). Additional framework XXVII sequences were discovered with homologous signal peptides that define the new conotoxin superfamily G2. The novel structure and biological activity of Φ-MiXXVIIA expands the repertoire of disulfide-rich conotoxins that recognize mammalian receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Hua Jin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Zoltan Dekan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Michael J Smout
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, AITHM, James Cook University, Smithfield, Cairns, QLD, 4878, Australia
| | - David Wilson
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, AITHM, James Cook University, Smithfield, Cairns, QLD, 4878, Australia
| | - Sébastien Dutertre
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.,Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, Université Montpellier, CNRS, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Richard J Lewis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, AITHM, James Cook University, Smithfield, Cairns, QLD, 4878, Australia
| | - Norelle L Daly
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, AITHM, James Cook University, Smithfield, Cairns, QLD, 4878, Australia
| | - Paul F Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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25
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Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease that kills >100,000 people and maims >400,000 people every year. Impoverished populations living in the rural tropics are particularly vulnerable; snakebite envenoming perpetuates the cycle of poverty. Snake venoms are complex mixtures of proteins that exert a wide range of toxic actions. The high variability in snake venom composition is responsible for the various clinical manifestations in envenomings, ranging from local tissue damage to potentially life-threatening systemic effects. Intravenous administration of antivenom is the only specific treatment to counteract envenoming. Analgesics, ventilator support, fluid therapy, haemodialysis and antibiotic therapy are also used. Novel therapeutic alternatives based on recombinant antibody technologies and new toxin inhibitors are being explored. Confronting snakebite envenoming at a global level demands the implementation of an integrated intervention strategy involving the WHO, the research community, antivenom manufacturers, regulatory agencies, national and regional health authorities, professional health organizations, international funding agencies, advocacy groups and civil society institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, PO Box 11501-2060, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Robert A Harrison
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - David J Williams
- Charles Campbell Toxinology Centre, School of Medicine &Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Boroko, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David A Warrell
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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26
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Li J, Xiong Y, Sun S, Yu L, Huang C. Preparation of monoclonal antibodies against gamma-type phospholipase A 2 inhibitors and immunodetection of these proteins in snake blood. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2017; 23:37. [PMID: 28785278 PMCID: PMC5543733 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-017-0128-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The gamma-type phospholipase A2 inhibitor (PLIγ) is a natural protein commonly found in snake serum, which can neutralize pathophysiological effects of snake venom phospholipases A2. Therefore, this protein is a potential candidate to the development of a novel antivenom. To the best of our knowledge, there is no antibody currently available for PLIγ identification and characterization. Methods Bioinformatics prediction of epitope using DNAStar software was performed based on the sequence of Sinonatrix annularis PLIγ (SaPLIγ). The best epitope 151CPVLRLSNRTHEANRNDLIKVA172 was chosen and synthesized, and then conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and bovine serum albumin for use as an immunogen and plate-coating antigen, respectively. Results Eighteen IgG anti-PLIγ mAb hybridoma cell strains were obtained, and all the mAbs had positive interaction with recombinant His6-PLIγ and natural SaPLIγ. Moreover, the mAb from 10E9 strain was also successfully used for the immunodetection of other snake serum PLIγs. cDNA sequence alignment of those PLIγs from different snake species showed that their epitope segments were highly homologous. Conclusions The successful preparation of anti-PLIγmAb is significant for further investigation on the relationship between the structure and function of PLIγs, as well as the interaction between PLIγs and PLA2s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Li
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Basic Medical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006 China
| | - Ying Xiong
- Second Affiliated Hospital to Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006 China
| | - Shimin Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Basic Medical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006 China
| | - Lehan Yu
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Basic Medical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006 China
| | - Chunhong Huang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology, Nanchang University, 461 Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, 330006 China
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27
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Calderón-Celis F, Cid-Barrio L, Encinar JR, Sanz-Medel A, Calvete JJ. Absolute venomics: Absolute quantification of intact venom proteins through elemental mass spectrometry. J Proteomics 2017; 164:33-42. [PMID: 28579478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We report the application of a hybrid element and molecular MS configuration for the parallel absolute quantification of μHPLC-separated intact sulfur-containing venom proteins, via ICP triple quadrupole MS and 32S/34S isotope dilution analysis, and identification by ESI-QToF-MS of the toxins of the medically important African black-necked spitting cobra, Naja nigricollis (Tanzania); New Guinea small-eyed snake, Micropechis ikaheka; and Papuan black snake, Pseudechis papuanus. The main advantage of this approach is that only one generic sulfur-containing standard is required to quantify each and all intact Cys- and/or Met-containing toxins of the venom proteome. The results of absolute quantification are in reasonably good agreement with previously reported relative quantification of the most abundant protein families. However, both datasets depart in the quantification of the minor ones, showing a tendency for this set of proteins to be underestimated in standard peptide-centric venomics approaches. The molecular identity, specific toxic activity, and concentration in the venom, are the pillars on which the toxicovenomics-aimed discovery of the most medically-relevant venom toxins, e.g. those that need to be neutralized by an effective therapeutic antivenom, should be based. The pioneering venom proteome-wide absolute quantification shown in this paper represents thus a significant advance towards this goal. The potential of ICP triple quadrupole MS in proteomics in general, and venomics in particular, is critically discussed. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Animal venoms provide excellent model systems for investigating interactions between predators and prey, and the molecular mechanisms that contribute to adaptive protein evolution. On the other hand, numerous cases of snake bites occur yearly by encounters of humans and snakes in their shared natural environment. Snakebite envenoming is a serious global public health issue that affects the most impoverished and geopolitically disadvantaged rural communities in many tropical and subtropical countries. Unveiling the temporal and spatial patterns of venom variability is of fundamental importance to understand the molecular basis of envenoming, a prerequisite for developing therapeutic strategies against snakebite envenoming. Research on venoms has been continuously enhanced by advances in technology. The combined application of next-generation transcriptomic and venomic workflows has demonstrated unparalleled capabilities for venom characterization in unprecedented detail. However, mass spectrometry is not inherently quantitative, and this analytical limitation has sparked the development of methods to determine absolute abundance of proteins in biological samples. Here we show the potential of a hybrid element and molecular MS configuration for the parallel ESI-QToF-MS and ICP-QQQ detection and absolute quantification of intact sulfur-containing venom proteins via 32S/34S isotope dilution analysis. This configuration has been applied to quantify the toxins of the medically important African snake Naja nigricollis (Tanzania), and the Papuan species Micropechis ikaheka and Pseudechis papuanus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Calderón-Celis
- Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Laura Cid-Barrio
- Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jorge Ruiz Encinar
- Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Alfredo Sanz-Medel
- Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Jaume Roig 11, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
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28
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Structural space of intramolecular peptide disulfides: Analysis of peptide toxins retrieved from venomous peptide databases. Comput Biol Chem 2017; 68:194-203. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2017.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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29
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Calvete JJ, Petras D, Calderón-Celis F, Lomonte B, Encinar JR, Sanz-Medel A. Protein-species quantitative venomics: looking through a crystal ball. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2017; 23:27. [PMID: 28465678 PMCID: PMC5408492 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-017-0116-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper we discuss recent significant developments in the field of venom research, specifically the emergence of top-down proteomic applications that allow achieving compositional resolution at the level of the protein species present in the venom, and the absolute quantification of the venom proteins (the term “protein species” is used here to refer to all the different molecular forms in which a protein can be found. Please consult the special issue of Jornal of Proteomics “Towards deciphering proteomes via the proteoform, protein speciation, moonlighting and protein code concepts” published in 2016, vol. 134, pages 1-202). Challenges remain to be solved in order to achieve a compact and automated platform with which to routinely carry out comprehensive quantitative analysis of all toxins present in a venom. This short essay reflects the authors’ view of the immediate future in this direction for the proteomic analysis of venoms, particularly of snakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Calvete
- Structural and Functional Venomics Laboratory, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, C.S.I.C, Jaime Roig 11, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Daniel Petras
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | | | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Jorge Ruiz Encinar
- Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Alfredo Sanz-Medel
- Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
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30
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Sousa LF, Portes-Junior JA, Nicolau CA, Bernardoni JL, Nishiyama-Jr MY, Amazonas DR, Freitas-de-Sousa LA, Mourão RHV, Chalkidis HM, Valente RH, Moura-da-Silva AM. Functional proteomic analyses of Bothrops atrox venom reveals phenotypes associated with habitat variation in the Amazon. J Proteomics 2017; 159:32-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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31
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Venomics: integrative venom proteomics and beyond*. Biochem J 2017; 474:611-634. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20160577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Venoms are integrated phenotypes that evolved independently in, and are used for predatory and defensive purposes by, a wide phylogenetic range of organisms. The same principles that contribute to the evolutionary success of venoms, contribute to making the study of venoms of great interest in such diverse fields as evolutionary ecology and biotechnology. Evolution is profoundly contingent, and nature also reinvents itself continuosly. Changes in a complex phenotypic trait, such as venom, reflect the influences of prior evolutionary history, chance events, and selection. Reconstructing the natural history of venoms, particularly those of snakes, which will be dealt with in more detail in this review, requires the integration of different levels of knowledge into a meaningful and comprehensive evolutionary framework for separating stochastic changes from adaptive evolution. The application of omics technologies and other disciplines have contributed to a qualitative and quantitative advance in the road map towards this goal. In this review we will make a foray into the world of animal venoms, discuss synergies and complementarities of the different approaches used in their study, and identify current bottlenecks that prevent inferring the evolutionary mechanisms and ecological constraints that molded snake venoms to their present-day variability landscape.
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32
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O’Brien J, Lee SH, Onogi S, Shea KJ. Engineering the Protein Corona of a Synthetic Polymer Nanoparticle for Broad-Spectrum Sequestration and Neutralization of Venomous Biomacromolecules. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:16604-16607. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b10950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey O’Brien
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Shih-Hui Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Shunsuke Onogi
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Kenneth J. Shea
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
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33
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Insights into the Evolution of a Snake Venom Multi-Gene Family from the Genomic Organization of Echis ocellatus SVMP Genes. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8070216. [PMID: 27420095 PMCID: PMC4963849 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8070216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular events underlying the evolution of the Snake Venom Metalloproteinase (SVMP) family from an A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase (ADAM) ancestor remain poorly understood. Comparative genomics may provide decisive information to reconstruct the evolutionary history of this multi-locus toxin family. Here, we report the genomic organization of Echis ocellatus genes encoding SVMPs from the PII and PI classes. Comparisons between them and between these genes and the genomic structures of Anolis carolinensis ADAM28 and E. ocellatus PIII-SVMP EOC00089 suggest that insertions and deletions of intronic regions played key roles along the evolutionary pathway that shaped the current diversity within the multi-locus SVMP gene family. In particular, our data suggest that emergence of EOC00028-like PI-SVMP from an ancestral PII(e/d)-type SVMP involved splicing site mutations that abolished both the 3′ splice AG acceptor site of intron 12* and the 5′ splice GT donor site of intron 13*, and resulted in the intronization of exon 13* and the consequent destruction of the structural integrity of the PII-SVMP characteristic disintegrin domain.
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34
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Robinson SD, Chhabra S, Belgi A, Chittoor B, Safavi-Hemami H, Robinson AJ, Papenfuss AT, Purcell AW, Norton RS. A Naturally Occurring Peptide with an Elementary Single Disulfide-Directed β-Hairpin Fold. Structure 2016; 24:293-9. [PMID: 26774129 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2015.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Certain peptide folds, owing to a combination of intrinsic stability and resilience to amino acid substitutions, are particularly effective for the display of diverse functional groups. Such "privileged scaffolds" are valuable as starting points for the engineering of new bioactive molecules. We have identified a precursor peptide expressed in the venom gland of the marine snail Conus victoriae, which appears to belong to a hitherto undescribed class of molluscan neuropeptides. Mass spectrometry matching with the venom confirmed the complete mature peptide sequence as a 31-residue peptide with a single disulfide bond. Solution structure determination revealed a unique peptide fold that we have designated the single disulfide-directed β hairpin (SDH). The SDH fold is highly resistant to thermal denaturation and forms the core of several other multiple disulfide-containing peptide folds, including the inhibitor cystine knot. This elementary fold may offer a valuable starting point for the design and engineering of new bioactive peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel D Robinson
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Sandeep Chhabra
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Alessia Belgi
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Balasubramanyam Chittoor
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | | | - Andrea J Robinson
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Anthony W Purcell
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Raymond S Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
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35
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A new Kunitz-type plasmin inhibitor from scorpion venom. Toxicon 2015; 106:7-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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