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Kalapothakis Y, Miranda K, Aragão M, Larangote D, Braga-Pereira G, Noetzold M, Molina D, Langer R, Conceição IM, Guerra-Duarte C, Chávez-Olórtegui C, Kalapothakis E, Borges A. Divergence in toxin antigenicity and venom enzymes in Tityus melici, a medically important scorpion, despite transcriptomic and phylogenetic affinities with problematic Brazilian species. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 263:130311. [PMID: 38403220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130311] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The Brazilian scorpion Tityus melici, native to Minas Gerais and Bahia, is morphologically related to Tityus serrulatus, the most medically significant species in Brazil. Despite inhabiting scorpion-envenomation endemic regions, T. melici venom remains unexplored. This work evaluates T. melici venom composition and function using transcriptomics, enzymatic activities, and in vivo and in vitro immunological analyses. Next-Generation Sequencing unveiled 86 components putatively involved in venom toxicity: 39 toxins, 28 metalloproteases, seven disulfide isomerases, six hyaluronidases, three phospholipases and three amidating enzymes. T. serrulatus showed the highest number of toxin matches with 80-100 % sequence similarity. T. melici is of medical importance as it has a venom LD50 of 0.85 mg/kg in mice. We demonstrated venom phospholipase A2 activity, and elevated hyaluronidase and metalloprotease activities compared to T. serrulatus, paralleling our transcriptomic findings. Comparison of transcriptional levels for T. serrulatus and T. melici venom metalloenzymes suggests species-specific expression patterns in Tityus. Despite close phylogenetic association with T. serrulatus inferred from COI sequences and toxin similarities, partial neutralization of T. melici venom toxicity was achieved when using the anti-T. serrulatus antivenom, implying antigenic divergence among their toxins. We suggest that the Brazilian therapeutic scorpion antivenom could be improved to effectively neutralize T. melici venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Kalapothakis
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Kelton Miranda
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Matheus Aragão
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Débora Larangote
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gracielle Braga-Pereira
- Departamento de Zoologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, CEP 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marina Noetzold
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Denis Molina
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rafael Langer
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Izabela Mamede Conceição
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Clara Guerra-Duarte
- Serviço de Toxinologia Molecular, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carlos Chávez-Olórtegui
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Evanguedes Kalapothakis
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Adolfo Borges
- Instituto de Medicina Experimental, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela; Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica, CEDIC, Asunción 1255, Paraguay.
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Vaucel JA, Larréché S, Paradis C, Courtois A, Pujo JM, Elenga N, Résière D, Caré W, de Haro L, Gallart JC, Torrents R, Schmitt C, Chevalier J, Labadie M, Kallel H. French Scorpionism (Mainland and Oversea Territories): Narrative Review of Scorpion Species, Scorpion Venom, and Envenoming Management. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14100719. [PMID: 36287987 PMCID: PMC9611377 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14100719] [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: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Sixty-seven scorpion species have been described in France and its territories, where they have been found to be heterogeneously distributed. Indeed, only one species can be found on Réunion Island, while 38 species exist in French Guiana. The number of stings is also heterogenous, with up to 90 stings per 100,000 inhabitants occurring annually. Scorpion species can frequently be determined through simple visual factors, including species of medical importance (i.e., Buthus, Centruroides and Tityus). Scorpion venom is composed of local enzymes and peptides with a cysteine-stabilized α/β motif (NaTxs, Ktxs, Calcines), which allow for venom diffusion and the prey's incapacitation, respectively. Harmful scorpion species are limited to Centruroides pococki in the French West Indies, which can induce severe envenoming, and the Tityus obscurus and Tityus silvestris in French Guiana, which can cause fatalities in children and can induce severe envenoming, respectively. Envenomation by one of these scorpions requires hospital monitoring as long as systemic symptoms persist. Typical management includes the use of a lidocaine patch, pain killers, and local antiseptic. In the case of heart failure, the use of dobutamine can improve survival, and pregnant women must consult an obstetrician because of the elevated risk of preterm birth or stillbirth. France does not have scorpion antivenom, as scorpion stings are generally not fatal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jules-Antoine Vaucel
- Bordeaux Poison Control Centre, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire Bordeaux Pellegrin, 33000 Bordeaux, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-05-5679-8776
| | - Sébastien Larréché
- Medical Biology Department, Hôpital d’Instruction Des Armées Bégin, 94160 Saint-Mandé, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR-S 1144, Université de Paris, 75000 Paris, France
| | - Camille Paradis
- Bordeaux Poison Control Centre, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire Bordeaux Pellegrin, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Arnaud Courtois
- Bordeaux Poison Control Centre, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire Bordeaux Pellegrin, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean-Marc Pujo
- Emergency Department, Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, 97300 Cayenne, France
| | - Narcisse Elenga
- Pediatric Unit, Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, 97300 Cayenne, France
| | - Dabor Résière
- Intensive Care Unit, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire Martinique, 97200 Fort de France, France
| | - Weniko Caré
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR-S 1144, Université de Paris, 75000 Paris, France
- Paris Poison Control Center, Fédération de Toxicologie (FeTox), Hôpital Fernand Widal, AP-HP, 75000 Paris, France
- Internal Medicine Department, Hôpital d’Instruction des Armées Bégin, 94160 Val-de-Marne, France
| | - Luc de Haro
- Marseille Poison Control Centre, Assistance Public des Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13000 Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Gallart
- Toulouse Poison Control Centre, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Toulouse, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - Romain Torrents
- Marseille Poison Control Centre, Assistance Public des Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13000 Marseille, France
| | - Corinne Schmitt
- Marseille Poison Control Centre, Assistance Public des Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13000 Marseille, France
| | | | - Magali Labadie
- Bordeaux Poison Control Centre, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire Bordeaux Pellegrin, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Hatem Kallel
- Intensive Care Unit, Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, 97300 Cayenne, France
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Kowalski K, Marciniak P, Rychlik L. A new, widespread venomous mammal species: hemolytic activity of Sorex araneus venom is similar to that of Neomys fodiens venom. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2022; 8:7. [PMID: 35672837 PMCID: PMC9172195 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-022-00191-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Venom production has evolved independently many times in the animal kingdom, although it is rare among mammals. Venomous shrews produce toxins in their salivary glands and use their venoms to hunt and store prey. Thus far, the toxicity and composition of shrew venoms have been studied only in two shrew species: the northern short-tailed shrew, Blarina brevicauda, and the Eurasian water shrew, Neomys fodiens. Venom of N. fodiens has potent paralytic activity which enables hunting and storing prey in a comatose state. Here, we assayed the hemolytic effects of extracts from salivary glands of N. fodiens and the common shrew, Sorex araneus, in erythrocytes of Pelophylax sp. frogs. We identified toxins in shrew venom by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS Our results prove, confirming a suggestion made four centuries ago, that S. araneus is venomous. We also provide the first experimental evidence that shrew venoms produce potent hemolysis in frog erythrocytes. We found significant concentration-dependent effects of venoms of N. fodiens and S. araneus on hemolysis of red blood cells evaluated as hemoglobin release. Treatment of erythrocytes with N. fodiens venom at concentrations of 1.0 and 0.5 mg/ml and with S. araneus venom at concentration of 1.0 mg/ml caused an increased release of hemoglobin. Our findings confirm that hemolytic effects of N. fodiens venom are stronger than those produced by S. araneus venom. We identified four toxins in the venom of N. fodiens: proenkephalin, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein (ADAM) and lysozyme C, as well as a non-toxic hyaluronidase. In the venom of S. araneus we found five toxins: proenkephalin, kallikrein 1-related peptidase, beta-defensin, ADAM and lysozyme C. PLA2 and ADAMs are likely to produce hemolysis in frog erythrocytes. CONCLUSIONS Our results clearly show that shrew venoms possess hemolytic action that may allow them to hunt larger prey. Since a member of the numerous genus Sorex is venomous, it is likely that venom production among shrews and other eulipotyphlans may be more widespread than it has previously been assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kowalski
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Ecology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Paweł Marciniak
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Leszek Rychlik
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
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Mendoza-Tobar LL, Meza-Cabrera IA, Sepúlveda-Arias JC, Guerrero-Vargas JA. Comparison of the Scorpionism Caused by Centruroidesmargaritatus, Tityuspachyurus and Tityus n. sp. aff. metuendus Scorpion Venoms in Colombia. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13110757. [PMID: 34822541 PMCID: PMC8625436 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Among other scorpion species, Colombia has two genera of the Buthidae family Centruroides and Tityus, considered to be dangerous to humans. This research shares scientific knowledge aiming to a better understanding about the pathophysiological effects of such venoms. The venom of the three species: Centruroides margaritarus, Tityus pachyurus, and T. n. sp. aff. metuendus with biomedical interest were studied. An initial pre-glycemic sample was taken from ICR mice. They were later intraperitoneally inoculated with doses of 35% and 70% of LD50 of total venom. Poisoning signs were observed during a 6-h period to determine the level of scorpionism. After observation, a second glycemic sample was taken, and a histopathological evaluation of different organs was performed. This work revealed that all three venoms showed considerably notorious histopathological alterations in main organs such as heart and lungs; and inducing multiple organ failure, in relation to the glycemia values, only C. margaritatus and T. n. sp. aff. metuendus showed significant changes through manifestation of hyperglycemia. According to the Colombian scorpionism level; signs were mild to severe affecting the autonomous nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leydy Lorena Mendoza-Tobar
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira 660003, Colombia; (L.L.M.-T.); (J.C.S.-A.)
- Grupo de Investigaciones Herpetológicas y Toxinológicas, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas-Bioterio, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y de la Educación, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán 190002, Colombia
| | | | - Juan C. Sepúlveda-Arias
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira 660003, Colombia; (L.L.M.-T.); (J.C.S.-A.)
| | - Jimmy Alexander Guerrero-Vargas
- Grupo de Investigaciones Herpetológicas y Toxinológicas, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas-Bioterio, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y de la Educación, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán 190002, Colombia
- Correspondence:
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Estrada-Gómez S, Vargas-Muñoz LJ, Saldarriaga-Córdoba MM, van der Meijden A. MS/MS analysis of four scorpion venoms from Colombia: a descriptive approach. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021; 27:e20200173. [PMID: 34290759 PMCID: PMC8277192 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2020-0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Scorpions are widely known for the neurotoxic effects of their venoms, which contain peptides affecting ionic channels. Although Colombia is recognized for its scorpion diversity, only a few studies are available describing the venom content. Methods In this descriptive study, we analyzed the MS/MS sequence, electrophoretic and chromatographic profile linked to a bioinformatics analysis of the scorpions Chactas reticulatus (Chactidae), Opisthacanthus elatus (Hormuridae), Centruroides edwardsii (Buthidae) and Tityus asthenes (Buthidae) from Colombia. Results Each scorpion showed a specific electrophoretic and chromatographic profile. The electrophoretic profiles indicate the presence of high molecular mass compounds in all venoms, with a predominance of low molecular mass compounds in the Buthidae species. Chromatographic profiles showed a similar pattern as the electrophoretic profiles. From the MS/MS analysis of the chromatographic collected fractions, we obtained internal peptide sequences corresponding to proteins reported in scorpions from the respective family of the analyzed samples. Some of these proteins correspond to neurotoxins affecting ionic channels, antimicrobial peptides and metalloproteinase-like fragments. In the venom of Tityus asthenes, the MSn analysis allowed the detection of two toxins affecting sodium channels covering 50% and 84% of the sequence respectively, showing 100% sequence similarity. Two sequences from Tityus asthenes showed sequence similarity with a phospholipase from Opisthacanthus cayaporum indicating the presence of this type of toxin in this species for the first time. One sequence matching a hypothetical secreted protein from Hottentotta judaicus was found in three of the studied venoms. We found that this protein is common in the Buthidae family whereas it has been reported in other families - such as Scorpionidae - and may be part of the evolutionary puzzle of venoms in these arachnids. Conclusion Buthidae venoms from Colombia can be considered an important source of peptides similar to toxins affecting ionic channels. An interesting predicted antimicrobial peptide was detected in three of the analyzed venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Estrada-Gómez
- Toxinology Research Group - Serpentarium, University of Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.,School of Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, University of Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | | | | | - Arie van der Meijden
- Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO), University of Porto, Vila do Conde, Portugal
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Daoudi K, Malosse C, Lafnoune A, Darkaoui B, Chakir S, Sabatier JM, Chamot-Rooke J, Cadi R, Oukkache N. Mass spectrometry-based top-down and bottom-up approaches for proteomic analysis of the Moroccan Buthus occitanus scorpion venom. FEBS Open Bio 2021; 11:1867-1892. [PMID: 33715301 PMCID: PMC8255848 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Buthus occitanus (B. occitanus) is one of the most dangerous scorpions in the world. Despite the involvement of B. occitanus scorpion in severe cases of envenomation in Morocco, no study has focused yet on the proteomic composition of the Moroccan B. occitanus scorpion venom. Mass spectrometry‐based proteomic techniques are commonly used in the study of scorpion venoms. The implementation of top‐down and bottom‐up approaches for proteomic analyses facilitates screening by allowing a global view of the structural aspects of such complex matrices. Here, we provide a partial overview of the venom of B. occitanus scorpion, in order to explore the diversity of its toxins and hereafter understand their effects. To this end, a combination of top‐down and bottom‐up approaches was applied using nano‐high liquid chromatography coupled to nano‐electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (nano‐LC‐ESI MS/MS). The LC‐MS results showed that B. occitanus venom contains around 200 molecular masses ranging from 1868 to 16 720 Da, the most representative of which are those between 5000 and 8000 Da. Interestingly, combined top‐down and bottom‐up LC‐MS/MS results allowed the identification of several toxins, which were mainly those acting on ion channels, including those targeting sodium (NaScTxs), potassium (KScTxs), chloride (ClScTxs), and calcium channels (CaScTx), as well as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), amphipathic peptides, myotropic neuropeptides, and hypothetical secreted proteins. This study reveals the molecular diversity of B. occitanus scorpion venom and identifies components that may have useful pharmacological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadija Daoudi
- Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, Casablanca, Morocco.,Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Physiopathology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Christian Malosse
- Mass spectrometry for Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur, CNRS USR 2000, Paris, France
| | - Ayoub Lafnoune
- Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, Casablanca, Morocco.,Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Physiopathology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Bouchra Darkaoui
- Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, Casablanca, Morocco.,Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Physiopathology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Salma Chakir
- Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, Casablanca, Morocco
| | | | - Julia Chamot-Rooke
- Mass spectrometry for Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur, CNRS USR 2000, Paris, France
| | - Rachida Cadi
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Physiopathology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Naoual Oukkache
- Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, Casablanca, Morocco
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Valdez-Velázquez LL, Cid-Uribe J, Romero-Gutierrez MT, Olamendi-Portugal T, Jimenez-Vargas JM, Possani LD. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of the venom and venom glands of Centruroides hirsutipalpus, a dangerous scorpion from Mexico. Toxicon 2020; 179:21-32. [PMID: 32126222 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Centruroides hirsutipalpus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is related to the "striped scorpion" group inhabiting the western Pacific region of Mexico. Human accidents caused by this species are medically important due to the great number of people stung and the severity of the resulting intoxication. This communication reports an extensive venom characterization using high-throughput proteomic and Illumina transcriptomic sequencing performed with RNA purified from its venom glands. 2,553,529 reads were assembled into 44,579 transcripts. From these transcripts, 23,880 were successfully annoted using Trinotate. Using specialized databases and by performing bioinformatic searches, it was possible to identify 147 putative venom protein transcripts. These include α- and β-type sodium channel toxins (NaScTx), potassium channel toxins (KScTx) (α-, β-, δ-, γ- and λ-types), enzymes (metalloproteases, hyaluronidases, phospholipases, serine proteases, and monooxygenases), protease inhibitors, host defense peptides (HDPs) such as defensins, non-disulfide bridge peptides (NDBPs), anionic peptides, superfamily CAP proteins, insulin growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs), orphan peptides, and other venom components (La1 peptides). De novo tandem mass spectrometric sequencing of digested venom identificatied 50 peptides. The venom of C. hirsutipalpus contains the highest reported number (77) of transcripts encoding NaScTxs, which are the components responsible for human fatalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jimena Cid-Uribe
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico
| | - María Teresa Romero-Gutierrez
- Departamento de Ciencias Computacionales, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Exactas e Ingenierías, Universidad de Guadalajara, Boulevard Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44430, Mexico
| | - Timoteo Olamendi-Portugal
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico
| | | | - Lourival D Possani
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico.
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8
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Estrada-Gómez S, Gomez-Rave L, Vargas-Muñoz LJ, van der Meijden A. Characterizing the biological and biochemical profile of six different scorpion venoms from the Buthidae and Scorpionidae family. Toxicon 2017; 130:104-115. [PMID: 28209477 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to characterize six different scorpion venoms using biological and biochemical methods, including a preliminary MS/MS and a post-translational modifications analysis. Despite the diversity of scorpion species of medical importance in Africa and Colombia, the venoms of these arachnids have been poorly studied in these two regions. We report the biochemical, electrophoretic, chromatographic profile, internal peptide sequences with a post-translational modification report, and a preliminary antitumor activity of five different scorpions of the Buthidae family, Androctonus amoreuxi, Babycurus jacksoni, Grosphus grandidieri, Hottentotta gentili and Tityus fuhrmanni, and one of the Scorpionidae family Pandinus imperator. No L-amino oxidase activity was detected in the evaluated venoms. Proteolytic activity using azocasein was detected only in G. grandidieri and P. imperator, indicating the possible presence of metalloproteinases in these two venoms. Proteolytic activity using NOBA was detected in all venoms indicating the possible presence of serine-proteinases. Phospholipase A2 activity was detected in the venoms of P. imperator, G. grandidieri, H. gentili and A. amoreuxi, with P. imperator venom being the most active. All venoms analyzed contained defensin-like proteins, alpha toxins, metalloproteinases, neuropeptides, DBP affecting ion channels, DBP with antimicrobial activity, among others. Venoms from P. imperator, G. grandidieri and T. fuhrmanni showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic activity over MCF-7 cells. Only two isolated RP-HPLC fractions from P. imperator and T. fuhrmanni showed cytotoxic activity over MCF-7. No cytotoxic activity was found in the venoms from A. amoreuxi, B. jacksoni, and H. gentili.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Estrada-Gómez
- Programa de Ofidismo/Escorpionismo - Serpentario, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Carrera 53 No 61-30, Medellín, 050010, Antioquia, Colombia; Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No 52-21, Medellín, 050010, Antioquia, Colombia.
| | - Lyz Gomez-Rave
- Programa de Ofidismo/Escorpionismo - Serpentario, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Carrera 53 No 61-30, Medellín, 050010, Antioquia, Colombia; Maestría Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Colegio Mayor de Antioquia, Medellín, 050040, Antioquia, Colombia.
| | - Leidy Johana Vargas-Muñoz
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Calle 50 A No 41-20, Medellín, 050012, Antioquia, Colombia.
| | - Arie van der Meijden
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, P-4485-661 Vila do Conde, Portugal.
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Laustsen AH, Solà M, Jappe EC, Oscoz S, Lauridsen LP, Engmark M. Biotechnological Trends in Spider and Scorpion Antivenom Development. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:E226. [PMID: 27455327 PMCID: PMC4999844 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8080226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 06/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Spiders and scorpions are notorious for their fearful dispositions and their ability to inject venom into prey and predators, causing symptoms such as necrosis, paralysis, and excruciating pain. Information on venom composition and the toxins present in these species is growing due to an interest in using bioactive toxins from spiders and scorpions for drug discovery purposes and for solving crystal structures of membrane-embedded receptors. Additionally, the identification and isolation of a myriad of spider and scorpion toxins has allowed research within next generation antivenoms to progress at an increasingly faster pace. In this review, the current knowledge of spider and scorpion venoms is presented, followed by a discussion of all published biotechnological efforts within development of spider and scorpion antitoxins based on small molecules, antibodies and fragments thereof, and next generation immunization strategies. The increasing number of discovery and development efforts within this field may point towards an upcoming transition from serum-based antivenoms towards therapeutic solutions based on modern biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hougaard Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen East, Denmark.
| | - Mireia Solà
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Emma Christine Jappe
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Saioa Oscoz
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Line Præst Lauridsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Mikael Engmark
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
- Department of Bio and Health Informatics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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