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Grahl MVC, Lopes FC, Martinelli AHS, Carlini CR, Fruttero LL. Structure-Function Insights of Jaburetox and Soyuretox: Novel Intrinsically Disordered Polypeptides Derived from Plant Ureases. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25225338. [PMID: 33207637 PMCID: PMC7696265 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) do not have a stable 3D structure but still have important biological activities. Jaburetox is a recombinant peptide derived from the jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease and presents entomotoxic and antimicrobial actions. The structure of Jaburetox was elucidated using nuclear magnetic resonance which reveals it is an IDP with small amounts of secondary structure. Different approaches have demonstrated that Jaburetox acquires certain folding upon interaction with lipid membranes, a characteristic commonly found in other IDPs and usually important for their biological functions. Soyuretox, a recombinant peptide derived from the soybean (Glycine max) ubiquitous urease and homologous to Jaburetox, was also characterized for its biological activities and structural properties. Soyuretox is also an IDP, presenting more secondary structure in comparison with Jaburetox and similar entomotoxic and fungitoxic effects. Moreover, Soyuretox was found to be nontoxic to zebra fish, while Jaburetox was innocuous to mice and rats. This profile of toxicity affecting detrimental species without damaging mammals or the environment qualified them to be used in biotechnological applications. Both peptides were employed to develop transgenic crops and these plants were active against insects and nematodes, unveiling their immense potentiality for field applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus V. Coste Grahl
- Graduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre CEP 90610-000, Brazil;
| | - Fernanda Cortez Lopes
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil;
| | - Anne H. Souza Martinelli
- Department of Biophysics & Deparment of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology-Biosciences Institute (IB), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil;
| | - Celia R. Carlini
- Graduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre CEP 90610-000, Brazil;
- Brain Institute and School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil
- Correspondence: (C.R.C.); (L.L.F.); Tel.: +55-51-3320-3485 (C.R.C.); +54-351-535-3850 (L.L.F.)
| | - Leonardo L. Fruttero
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba CP 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba CP 5000, Argentina
- Correspondence: (C.R.C.); (L.L.F.); Tel.: +55-51-3320-3485 (C.R.C.); +54-351-535-3850 (L.L.F.)
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Sá CA, Vieira LR, Pereira Almeida Filho LC, Real-Guerra R, Lopes FC, Souza TM, Vasconcelos IM, Staniscuaski F, Carlini CR, Urano Carvalho AF, Farias DF. Risk assessment of the antifungal and insecticidal peptide Jaburetox and its parental protein the Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 136:110977. [PMID: 31759068 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.110977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Jaburetox (JBTX) is an insecticidal and antifungal peptide derived from jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease that has been considered a candidate for developing genetically modified crops. This study aimed to perform the risk assessment of the peptide JBTX following the general recommendations of the two-tiered, weight-of-evidence approach proposed by International Life Sciences Institute. The urease of C. ensiformis (JBU) and its isoform JBURE IIb (the JBTX parental protein) were assessed. The history of safe use revealed no hazard reports for the studied proteins. The available information shows that JBTX possesses selective activity against insects and fungi. JBTX and JBU primary amino acids sequences showed no relevant similarity to toxic, antinutritional or allergenic proteins. Additionally, JBTX and JBU were susceptible to in vitro digestibility, and JBU was also susceptible to heat treatment. The results did not identify potential risks of adverse effects and reactions associated to JBTX. However, further allergen (e.g. serum IgE binding test) and toxicity (e.g. rodent toxicity tests) experimentation can be done to gather additional safety information on JBTX, and to meet regulatory inquiries for commercial approval of transgenic cultivars expressing this peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayenne Alves Sá
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará, 60440-900, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Rogério Vieira
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará, 60440-900, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael Real-Guerra
- Center for Coastal, Limnological and Marine Studies (CECLIMAR), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 95625-000, Imbé, RS, Brazil; Interdisciplinary Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 95625-000, Tramandaí, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Cortez Lopes
- Center of Biotechnology and Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Terezinha Maria Souza
- Department of Toxicogenomics, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6229 ER, the Netherlands
| | - Ilka Maria Vasconcelos
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará, 60440-900, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Staniscuaski
- Center of Biotechnology and Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Célia Regina Carlini
- Center of Biotechnology and Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6690, Building 63, CEP 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Fontenele Urano Carvalho
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará, 60440-900, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Department of Biology, Federal University of Ceará, 60440-900, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Davi Felipe Farias
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará, 60440-900, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Laboratory for Risk Assesment of Novel Technologies - LabRisk, Department of Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa, Brazil.
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Kappaun K, Martinelli AHS, Broll V, Zambelli B, Lopes FC, Ligabue-Braun R, Fruttero LL, Moyetta NR, Bonan CD, Carlini CR, Ciurli S. Soyuretox, an Intrinsically Disordered Polypeptide Derived from Soybean (Glycine Max) Ubiquitous Urease with Potential Use as a Biopesticide. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5401. [PMID: 31671552 PMCID: PMC6862595 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ureases from different biological sources display non-ureolytic properties that contribute to plant defense, in addition to their classical enzymatic urea hydrolysis. Antifungal and entomotoxic effects were demonstrated for Jaburetox, an intrinsically disordered polypeptide derived from jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease. Here we describe the properties of Soyuretox, a polypeptide derived from soybean (Glycine max) ubiquitous urease. Soyuretox was fungitoxic to Candida albicans, leading to the production of reactive oxygen species. Soyuretox further induced aggregation of Rhodnius prolixus hemocytes, indicating an interference on the insect immune response. No relevant toxicity of Soyuretox to zebrafish larvae was observed. These data suggest the presence of antifungal and entomotoxic portions of the amino acid sequences encompassing both Soyuretox and Jaburetox, despite their small sequence identity. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic data revealed that Soyuretox, in analogy with Jaburetox, possesses an intrinsic and largely disordered nature. Some folding is observed upon interaction of Soyuretox with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles, taken here as models for membranes. This observation suggests the possibility for this protein to modify its secondary structure upon interaction with the cells of the affected organisms, leading to alterations of membrane integrity. Altogether, Soyuretox can be considered a promising biopesticide for use in plant protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Kappaun
- Graduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil.
| | - Anne H S Martinelli
- Department of Biophysics and Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
| | - Valquiria Broll
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Barbara Zambelli
- Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Fernanda C Lopes
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
| | - Leonardo L Fruttero
- Graduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil.
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina.
| | - Natalia R Moyetta
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina.
| | - Carla D Bonan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
| | - Celia R Carlini
- Graduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil.
- Brain Institute-InsCer, Laboratory of Neurotoxins, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil.
| | - Stefano Ciurli
- Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
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Dos Santos DS, Zanatta AP, Martinelli AHS, Rosa ME, de Oliveira RS, Pinto PM, Peigneur S, Tytgat J, Orchard I, Lange AB, Carlini CR, Dal Belo CA. Jaburetox, a natural insecticide derived from Jack Bean Urease, activates voltage-gated sodium channels to modulate insect behavior. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 153:67-76. [PMID: 30744898 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2018.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Jaburetox (Jbtx) is an insecticidal peptide derived from Canavalia ensiformis urease, whose mechanism of action is not completely elucidated. We employed behavioral, electromyographical and electrophysiological protocols to identify the cellular and molecular targets involved in the Jbtx entomotoxicity in cockroaches and locusts. In Nauphoeta cinerea, Jbtx (32 μg/g) altered the locomotory behaviour inducing a significative decrease in the distance travelled followed by a significant increase in stopped time (52 ± 85 cm and 2573 ± 89 s, p < .05, n = 40). Jbtx (8 to 32 μg/g body weight, respectively) also increased the leg and antennae grooming activities (p < .05, n = 40, respectively). Jbtx (8 to 16 μg/g) induced a maximum neuromuscular blockade of 80.72% (n = 6, p < .05) and was cardiotoxic, decreasing the cockroach heart rate. The electrophysiological profiles of both muscle and nerve of L. migratoria showed that Jbtx (2.5 × 10-7 and 2.5 × 10-3 μg/ body weight) induced a significant increase in the amplitude of nerve action potentials (n = 5, p < .05). Voltage clamp analysis of Jbtx (200 nM) applied in Xenopus laevis oocytes heterologously expressed with Nav 1.1 channels showed a significant increase in the sodium currents. In conclusion, this work revealed that the entomotoxic activity of Jbtx involves complex behavioral alterations that begins with an initial activation of voltage-gated sodium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Silva Dos Santos
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemical Toxicology, Federal University of Santa Maria-UFSM, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; University of Toronto Mississauga-UTM, Department of Biology. Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Ana Paula Zanatta
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pampa-UNIPAMPA, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | - Anne Helene Souza Martinelli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul-UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Eduarda Rosa
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pampa-UNIPAMPA, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | - Raquel Soares de Oliveira
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pampa-UNIPAMPA, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil; University of Toronto Mississauga-UTM, Department of Biology. Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Paulo Marcos Pinto
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pampa-UNIPAMPA, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil; Toxicology and Pharmacology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ian Orchard
- University of Toronto Mississauga-UTM, Department of Biology. Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Angela B Lange
- University of Toronto Mississauga-UTM, Department of Biology. Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Celia R Carlini
- Laboratory of Neurotoxins, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, InsCer, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Cháriston A Dal Belo
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemical Toxicology, Federal University of Santa Maria-UFSM, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pampa-UNIPAMPA, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil.
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Kappaun K, Piovesan AR, Carlini CR, Ligabue-Braun R. Ureases: Historical aspects, catalytic, and non-catalytic properties - A review. J Adv Res 2018; 13:3-17. [PMID: 30094078 PMCID: PMC6077230 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2018.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Urease (urea amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.5) is a nickel-containing enzyme produced by plants, fungi, and bacteria that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbamate. Urease is of historical importance in Biochemistry as it was the first enzyme ever to be crystallized (1926). Finding nickel in urease's active site (1975) was the first indication of a biological role for this metal. In this review, historical and structural features, kinetics aspects, activation of the metallocenter and inhibitors of the urea hydrolyzing activity of ureases are discussed. The review also deals with the non-enzymatic biological properties, whose discovery 40 years ago started a new chapter in the study of ureases. Well recognized as virulence factors due to the production of ammonia and alkalinization in diseases by urease-positive microorganisms, ureases have pro-inflammatory, endocytosis-inducing and neurotoxic activities that do not require ureolysis. Particularly relevant in plants, ureases exert insecticidal and fungitoxic effects. Data on the jack bean urease and on jaburetox, a recombinant urease-derived peptide, have indicated that interactions with cell membrane lipids may be the basis of the non-enzymatic biological properties of ureases. Altogether, with this review we wanted to invite the readers to take a second look at ureases, very versatile proteins that happen also to catalyze the breakdown of urea into ammonia and carbamate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Kappaun
- Brain Institute (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Prédio 63, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 90610-000, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Angela Regina Piovesan
- Brain Institute (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Prédio 63, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 90610-000, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Celia Regina Carlini
- Brain Institute (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Prédio 63, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 90610-000, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Carrazoni T, Nguyen C, Maciel LF, Delgado-Cañedo A, Stewart BA, Lange AB, Dal Belo CA, Carlini CR, Orchard I. Jack bean urease modulates neurotransmitter release at insect neuromuscular junctions. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 146:63-70. [PMID: 29626993 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plants have developed a vast range of mechanisms to compete with phytophagous insects, including entomotoxic proteins such as ureases. The legume Canavalia ensiformis produces several urease isoforms, of which the more abundant is called Jack Bean Urease (JBU). Previews work has demonstrated the potential insecticidal effects of JBU, by mechanisms so far not entirely elucidated. In this work, we investigated the mechanisms involved in the JBU-induced activity upon neurotransmitter release on insect neuromuscular junctions. METHODS Electrophysiological recordings of nerve and muscle action potentials, and calcium imaging bioassays were employed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION JBU (0.28 mg/animal/day) in Locusta migratoria 2nd instar through feeding and injection did not induce lethality, although it did result in a reduction of 20% in the weight gain at the end of 168 h (n = 9, p ≤ 0.05). JBU (0.014 and 0.14 mg) injected direct into the locust hind leg induced a dose and time-dependent decrease in the amplitude of muscle action potentials, with a maximum decrease of 70% in the amplitude at the highest dose (n = 5, p ≤ 0.05). At the same doses JBU did not alter the amplitude of action potentials evoked from motor neurons. Using Drosophila 3rd instar larvae neuromuscular preparations, JBU (10-7 M) increased the occurrence of miniature Excitatory Junctional Potentials (mEJPs) in the presence of 1 mM CaCl2 (n = 5, p ≤ 0.05). In low calcium (0.4 mM) assays, JBU (10-7 M) was not able to modulate the occurrence of the events. In Ca2+-free conditions, with EGTA or CoCl2, JBU induced a significant decrease in the occurrence of mEPJs (n = 5, p ≤ 0.05). Injected into the 3rd abdominal ganglion of Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches, JBU (1 μM) induced a significant increase in Ca2+ influx (n = 7, p ≤ 0.01), similar to that seen for high KCl (35 mM) condition. Taken together the results confirm a direct action of JBU upon insect neuromuscular junctions and possibly central synapses, probably by disrupting the calcium machinery in the pre-synaptic region of the neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Carrazoni
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; University of Toronto Mississauga, Department of Biology, Mississauga, ON, Canada; Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande de Sul, Brain Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Christine Nguyen
- University of Toronto Mississauga, Department of Biology, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Lucas F Maciel
- Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Bryan A Stewart
- University of Toronto Mississauga, Department of Biology, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Angela B Lange
- University of Toronto Mississauga, Department of Biology, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | | | - Celia R Carlini
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande de Sul, Brain Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Ian Orchard
- University of Toronto Mississauga, Department of Biology, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
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Moyetta NR, Broll V, Perin APA, Uberti AF, Coste Grahl MV, Staniscuaski F, Carlini CR, Fruttero LL. Jaburetox-induced toxic effects on the hemocytes of Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2017; 200:17-26. [PMID: 28602911 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Jaburetox is a recombinant peptide derived from a Canavalia ensiformis urease that presents toxic effects upon several species of insects, phytopathogenic fungi and yeasts of medical importance. So far, no toxicity of Jaburetox to mammals has been shown. Previous reports have identified biochemical targets of this toxic peptide in insect models, although its mechanism of action is not completely understood. In this work, we aimed to characterize the effects of Jaburetox in hemolymphatic insect cells. For this purpose, the model insect and Chagas' disease vector Rhodnius prolixus was used. In vivo and in vitro experiments indicated that Jaburetox interacts with a subset of hemocytes and it can be found in various subcellular compartments. In insects injected with Jaburetox there was an increase in the gene expression of the enzymes UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP), chitin synthase and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Nevertheless, the expression of NOS protein, the enzyme activities of UAP and acid phosphatase (a possible link between UAP and NOS) as well as the phosphorylation state of proteins remained unchanged upon the in vivo Jaburetox treatment. Nitric oxide (NO) imaging using fluorescent probes showed that Jaburetox augmented NO production in the hemocyte aggregates when compared to controls. Even though Jaburetox activated the hemocytes, as demonstrated by wheat germ agglutinin binding assays, the peptide did not lead to an increase of their phagocytic behavior. Taken together, these findings contribute to our understanding of toxic effects of Jaburetox, a peptide with biotechnological applications and a prospective tool for rational insect control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia R Moyetta
- Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 6690, prédio 63, CEP 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Valquiria Broll
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, prédio 43431, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Ana Paula A Perin
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, prédio 43431, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Augusto F Uberti
- Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 6690, prédio 63, CEP 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Matheus V Coste Grahl
- Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 6690, prédio 63, CEP 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Staniscuaski
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, prédio 43431, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, prédio 43431, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Celia R Carlini
- Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 6690, prédio 63, CEP 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, prédio 43431, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Leonardo L Fruttero
- Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 6690, prédio 63, CEP 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Abstract
Urease from Canavalia ensiformis seeds was the first enzyme ever to be crystallized, in 1926. These proteins, found in plants, bacteria and fungi, present different biological properties including catalytic hydrolysis of urea, and also enzyme-independent activities, such as induction of exocytosis, pro-inflammatory effects, neurotoxicity, antifungal and insecticidal properties. Urease is toxic to insects and fungi per se but part of this toxicity relies on an internal peptide (~11 kDa), which is released upon digestion of the protein by insect enzymes. A recombinant form of this peptide, called jaburetox (JBTX), was constructed using jbureII gene as a template. The peptide exhibits liposome disruption properties, and insecticidal and fungicidal activities. Here we review the known biological properties activities of JBTX, and comment on new ones not yet fully characterized. JBTX was able to cause mortality of Aedes aegypti larvae in a feeding assay whereas in a dose as low as of 0.1 μg it provoked death of Triatoma infestans bugs. JBTX (10−5–10−6 M) inhibits the growth of E. coli, P. aeruginosa and B. cereus after 24 h incubation. Multilamellar liposomes interacting with JBTX undergo reorganization of the membrane’s lipids as detected by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies. Encapsulating JBTX into lipid nanoparticles led to an increase of the peptide’s antifungal activity. Transgenic tobacco and sugarcane plants expressing the insecticidal peptide JBTX, showed increased resistance to attack of the insect pests Spodoptera frugiperda, Diatraea saccharalis and Telchin licus licus. Many questions remain unanswered; however, so far, JBTX has shown to be a versatile peptide that can be used against various insect and fungus species, and in new bacterial control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arlete Beatriz Becker-Ritt
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, RS Brazil
| | - Camila Saretta Portugal
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, RS Brazil
| | - Célia Regina Carlini
- Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS Brazil
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9
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Fruttero LL, Moyetta NR, Krug MS, Broll V, Grahl MVC, Real-Guerra R, Stanisçuaski F, Carlini CR. Jaburetox affects gene expression and enzyme activities in Rhodnius prolixus, a Chagas' disease vector. Acta Trop 2017; 168:54-63. [PMID: 28108369 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Jaburetox, a recombinant peptide of ∼11kDa derived from one of the Canavalia ensiformis (Jack Bean) urease isoforms, is toxic and lethal to insects belonging to different orders when administered orally or via injection. Previous findings indicated that Jaburetox acts on insects in a complex fashion, inhibiting diuresis and the transmembrane potential of Malpighian tubules, interfering with muscle contractility and affecting the immune system. In vitro, Jaburetox forms ionic channels and alters permeability of artificial lipid membranes. Moreover, recent data suggested that the central nervous system (CNS) is a target organ for ureases and Jaburetox. In this work, we employed biochemical, molecular and cellular approaches to explore the mode of action of Jaburetox using Rhodnius prolixus, one of the main Chagas' disease vectors, as experimental model. In vitro incubations with fluorescently labeled Jaburetox indicated a high affinity of the peptide for the CNS but not for salivary glands (SG). The in vitro treatment of CNS or SG homogenates with Jaburetox partially inhibited the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), thus disrupting nitrinergic signaling. This inhibitory effect was also observed in vivo (by feeding) for CNS but not for SG, implying differential modulation of NOS in these organs. The inhibition of NOS activity did not correlate to a decrease in expression of its mRNA, as assessed by qPCR. UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP), a key enzyme in chitin synthesis and glycosylation pathways and a known target of Jaburetox in insect CNS, was also affected in SG, with activation of the enzyme seen after both in vivo or in vitro treatments with the peptide. Unexpectedly, incubation of Jaburetox with a recombinant R. prolixus UAP had no effect on its activity, implying that the enzyme's modulation by the peptide requires the participation of other factor(s) present in CNS or SG homogenates. Feeding Jaburetox to R. prolixus decreased the mRNA levels of UAP and chitin synthase, indicating a complex regulation exerted by the peptide on these enzymes. No changes were observed upon Jaburetox treatment in vivo and in vitro on the activity of the enzyme acid phosphatase, a possible link between UAP and NOS. Here we have demonstrated for the first time that the Jaburetox induces changes in gene expression and that SG are another target for the toxic action of the peptide. Taken together, these findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism of action of Jaburetox as well as to the knowledge on basic aspects of the biochemistry and neurophysiology of insects, and might help in the development of optimized strategies for insect control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo L Fruttero
- Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 6690, prédio 63, CEP 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, prédio 43431, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Natalia R Moyetta
- Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 6690, prédio 63, CEP 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Monique Siebra Krug
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, prédio 43431, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Valquiria Broll
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, prédio 43431, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Matheus V Coste Grahl
- Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 6690, prédio 63, CEP 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Rafael Real-Guerra
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, prédio 43431, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda Stanisçuaski
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, prédio 43431, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, prédio 43431, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Celia R Carlini
- Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 6690, prédio 63, CEP 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, prédio 43431, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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10
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Micheletto YMS, Moro CF, Lopes FC, Ligabue-Braun R, Martinelli AHS, Marques CM, Schroder AP, Carlini CR, da Silveira NP. Interaction of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease and a derived peptide with lipid vesicles. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2016; 145:576-585. [PMID: 27281243 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.05.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ureases are metalloenzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide. Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) produces three isoforms of urease (Canatoxin, JBU and JBURE-II). Canatoxin and JBU display several biological properties independent of their ureolytic activity, such as neurotoxicity, exocytosis-inducing and pro-inflammatory effects, blood platelets activation, insecticidal and antifungal activities. The Canatoxin entomotoxic activity is mostly due to an internal peptide, named pepcanatox, released upon the hydrolysis of the protein by insect cathepsin-like digestive enzymes. Based on pepcanatox sequence, Jaburetox-2Ec was produced in Escherichia coli. JBU and its peptides were shown to permeabilize membranes through an ion channel-based mechanism. Here we studied the JBU and Jaburetox-2Ec interaction with platelet-like multilamellar liposomes (PML) using Dynamic Light Scattering and Small Angle X-ray Scattering techniques. We also analyzed the interaction of JBU with giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) using Fluorescence Microscopy. The interaction of vesicles with JBU led to a slight reduction of hydrodynamic radius, and caused an increase in the lamellar repeat distance of PML, suggesting a membrane disordering effect. In contrast, Jaburetox-2Ec decreased the lamellar repeat distance of PML membranes, while also diminishing their hydrodynamic radius. Fluorescence microscopy showed that the interaction of GUVs with JBU caused membrane perturbation with formation of tethers. In conclusion, JBU can interact with PML, probably by inserting its Jaburetox "domain" into the PML external membrane. Additionally, the interaction of Jaburetox-2Ec affects the vesicle's internal bilayers and hence causes more drastic changes in the PML membrane organization in comparison with JBU.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlo Frederico Moro
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Cortez Lopes
- Instituto do Cérebro, Pontíficia Universidade Católicado Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Biophysics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Célia Regina Carlini
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Instituto do Cérebro, Pontíficia Universidade Católicado Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Biophysics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Nádya Pesce da Silveira
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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11
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Carlini CR, Ligabue-Braun R. Ureases as multifunctional toxic proteins: A review. Toxicon 2015; 110:90-109. [PMID: 26690979 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ureases are metalloenzymes that hydrolyze urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. They were the first enzymes to be crystallized and, with them, the notion that enzymes are proteins became accepted. Novel toxic properties of ureases that are independent of their enzyme activity have been discovered in the last three decades. Since our first description of the neurotoxic properties of canatoxin, an isoform of the jack bean urease, which appeared in Toxicon in 1981, about one hundred articles have been published on "new" properties of plant and microbial ureases. Here we review the present knowledge on the non-enzymatic properties of ureases. Plant ureases and microbial ureases are fungitoxic to filamentous fungi and yeasts by a mechanism involving fungal membrane permeabilization. Plant and at least some bacterial ureases have potent insecticidal effects. This entomotoxicity relies partly on an internal peptide released upon proteolysis of ingested urease by insect digestive enzymes. The intact protein and its derived peptide(s) are neurotoxic to insects and affect a number of other physiological functions, such as diuresis, muscle contraction and immunity. In mammal models some ureases are acutely neurotoxic upon injection, at least partially by enzyme-independent effects. For a long time bacterial ureases have been recognized as important virulence factors of diseases by urease-producing microorganisms. Ureases activate exocytosis in different mammalian cells recruiting eicosanoids and Ca(2+)-dependent pathways, even when their ureolytic activity is blocked by an irreversible inhibitor. Ureases are chemotactic factors recognized by neutrophils (and some bacteria), activating them and also platelets into a pro-inflammatory "status". Secretion-induction by ureases may play a role in fungal and bacterial diseases in humans and other animals. The now recognized "moonlighting" properties of these proteins have renewed interest in ureases for their biotechnological potential to improve plant defense against pests and as potential targets to ameliorate diseases due to pathogenic urease-producing microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia R Carlini
- Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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12
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Dang L, Van Damme EJM. Toxic proteins in plants. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2015; 117:51-64. [PMID: 26057229 PMCID: PMC7111729 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2015] [Revised: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Plants have evolved to synthesize a variety of noxious compounds to cope with unfavorable circumstances, among which a large group of toxic proteins that play a critical role in plant defense against predators and microbes. Up to now, a wide range of harmful proteins have been discovered in different plants, including lectins, ribosome-inactivating proteins, protease inhibitors, ureases, arcelins, antimicrobial peptides and pore-forming toxins. To fulfill their role in plant defense, these proteins exhibit various degrees of toxicity towards animals, insects, bacteria or fungi. Numerous studies have been carried out to investigate the toxic effects and mode of action of these plant proteins in order to explore their possible applications. Indeed, because of their biological activities, toxic plant proteins are also considered as potentially useful tools in crop protection and in biomedical applications, such as cancer treatment. Genes encoding toxic plant proteins have been introduced into crop genomes using genetic engineering technology in order to increase the plant's resistance against pathogens and diseases. Despite the availability of ample information on toxic plant proteins, very few publications have attempted to summarize the research progress made during the last decades. This review focuses on the diversity of toxic plant proteins in view of their toxicity as well as their mode of action. Furthermore, an outlook towards the biological role(s) of these proteins and their potential applications is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuyi Dang
- Ghent University, Dept. Molecular Biotechnology, Laboratory Biochemistry and Glycobiology, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Els J M Van Damme
- Ghent University, Dept. Molecular Biotechnology, Laboratory Biochemistry and Glycobiology, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
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13
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Lopes FC, Dobrovolska O, Real-Guerra R, Broll V, Zambelli B, Musiani F, Uversky VN, Carlini CR, Ciurli S. Pliable natural biocide: Jaburetox is an intrinsically disordered insecticidal and fungicidal polypeptide derived from jack bean urease. FEBS J 2015; 282:1043-64. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.13201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Revised: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda C. Lopes
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology - Center of Biotechnology; Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - Olena Dobrovolska
- Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; University of Bologna; Italy
| | - Rafael Real-Guerra
- Department of Biophysics and Center of Biotechnology; Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - Valquiria Broll
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology - Center of Biotechnology; Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - Barbara Zambelli
- Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; University of Bologna; Italy
| | - Francesco Musiani
- Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; University of Bologna; Italy
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute; Morsani College of Medicine; University of South Florida; Tampa USA
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation; Russian Academy of Sciences; Pushchino Moscow Region Russia
- Department of Biological Science; Faculty of Science; King Abdulaziz University; Jeddah Saudi Arabia
| | - Célia R. Carlini
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology - Center of Biotechnology; Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre Brazil
- Department of Biophysics and Center of Biotechnology; Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre Brazil
- Instituto do Cérebro; Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - Stefano Ciurli
- Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; University of Bologna; Italy
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14
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Effect of the urease-derived peptide Jaburetox on the central nervous system of Triatoma infestans (Insecta: Heteroptera). Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2015; 1850:255-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2014.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Revised: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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15
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Minkara MS, Ucisik MN, Weaver MN, Merz KM. Molecular Dynamics Study of Helicobacter pylori Urease. J Chem Theory Comput 2014; 10:1852-1862. [PMID: 24839409 PMCID: PMC4020587 DOI: 10.1021/ct5000023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori have been implicated in an array of gastrointestinal disorders including, but not limited to, gastric and duodenal ulcers and adenocarcinoma. This bacterium utilizes an enzyme, urease, to produce copious amounts of ammonia through urea hydrolysis in order to survive the harsh acidic conditions of the stomach. Molecular dynamics (MD) studies on the H. pylori urease enzyme have been employed in order to study structural features of this enzyme that may shed light on the hydrolysis mechanism. A total of 400 ns of MD simulation time were collected and analyzed in this study. A wide-open flap state previously observed in MD simulations on Klebsiella aerogenes [Roberts et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2012, 134, 9934] urease has been identified in the H. pylori enzyme that has yet to be experimentally observed. Critical distances between residues on the flap, contact points in the closed state, and the separation between the active site Ni2+ ions and the critical histidine α322 residue were used to characterize flap motion. An additional flap in the active site was elaborated upon that we postulate may serve as an exit conduit for hydrolysis products. Finally we discuss the internal hollow cavity and present analysis of the distribution of sodium ions over the course of the simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona S Minkara
- Department of Chemistry, Quantum Theory Project, 2328 New Physics Building, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida 32611-8435, United States
| | - Melek N Ucisik
- Department of Chemistry, Quantum Theory Project, 2328 New Physics Building, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida 32611-8435, United States
| | - Michael N Weaver
- Department of Chemistry, Quantum Theory Project, 2328 New Physics Building, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida 32611-8435, United States
| | - Kenneth M Merz
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University , 578 S. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1322, United States
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16
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Martinelli AH, Kappaun K, Ligabue-Braun R, Defferrari MS, Piovesan AR, Stanisçuaski F, Demartini DR, Dal Belo CA, Almeida CG, Follmer C, Verli H, Carlini CR, Pasquali G. Structure–function studies on jaburetox, a recombinant insecticidal peptide derived from jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2014; 1840:935-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2013] [Revised: 11/02/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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17
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Piovesan AR, Martinelli AHS, Ligabue-Braun R, Schwartz JL, Carlini CR. Canavalia ensiformis urease, Jaburetox and derived peptides form ion channels in planar lipid bilayers. Arch Biochem Biophys 2014; 547:6-17. [PMID: 24583269 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2014.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Ureases catalyze the hydrolysis of urea into NH3 and CO2. They are synthesized by plants, fungi and bacteria but not by animals. Ureases display biological activities unrelated to their enzymatic activity, i.e., platelet and neutrophil activation, fungus inhibition and insecticidal effect. Urease from Canavalia ensiformis (jack bean) is toxic to several hemipteran and coleopteran insects. Jaburetox is an insecticidal fragment derived from jack bean urease. Among other effects, Jaburetox has been shown to interact with lipid vesicles. In this work, the ion channel activity of C. ensiformis urease, Jaburetox and three deletion mutants of Jaburetox (one lacking the N-terminal region, one lacking the C-terminal region and one missing the central β-hairpin) were tested on planar lipid bilayers. All proteins formed well resolved, highly cation-selective channels exhibiting two conducting states whose conductance ranges were 7-18pS and 32-79pS, respectively. Urease and the N-terminal mutant of Jaburetox were more active at negative potentials, while the channels of the other peptides did not display voltage-dependence. This is the first direct demonstration of the capacity of C. ensiformis urease and Jaburetox to permeabilize membranes through an ion channel-based mechanism, which may be a crucial step of their diverse biological activities, including host defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela R Piovesan
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Anne H S Martinelli
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 91501-970, Brazil; Department of Biophysics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Jean-Louis Schwartz
- Groupe d'étude des protéines membranaires (GÉPROM, FQR-S) and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada; Centre SÈVE (FQR-NT), Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R, Canada.
| | - Celia R Carlini
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 91501-970, Brazil; Department of Biophysics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 91501-970, Brazil.
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18
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Balasubramanian A, Durairajpandian V, Elumalai S, Mathivanan N, Munirajan AK, Ponnuraj K. Structural and functional studies on urease from pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). Int J Biol Macromol 2013; 58:301-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2013.04.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Revised: 03/30/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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19
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Postal M, Martinelli AHS, Becker-Ritt AB, Ligabue-Braun R, Demartini DR, Ribeiro SFF, Pasquali G, Gomes VM, Carlini CR. Antifungal properties of Canavalia ensiformis urease and derived peptides. Peptides 2012; 38:22-32. [PMID: 22922160 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2012] [Revised: 08/12/2012] [Accepted: 08/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Ureases (EC 3.5.1.5) are metalloenzymes that hydrolyze urea into ammonia and CO(2). These proteins have insecticidal and fungicidal effects not related to their enzymatic activity. The insecticidal activity of urease is mostly dependent on the release of internal peptides after hydrolysis by insect digestive cathepsins. Jaburetox is a recombinant version of one of these peptides, expressed in Escherichia coli. The antifungal activity of ureases in filamentous fungi occurs at submicromolar doses, with damage to the cell membranes. Here we evaluated the toxic effect of Canavalia ensiformis urease (JBU) on different yeast species and carried out studies aiming to identify antifungal domain(s) of JBU. Data showed that toxicity of JBU varied according to the genus and species of yeasts, causing inhibition of proliferation, induction of morphological alterations with formation of pseudohyphae, changes in the transport of H(+) and carbohydrate metabolism, and permeabilization of membranes, which eventually lead to cell death. Hydrolysis of JBU with papain resulted in fungitoxic peptides (~10 kDa), which analyzed by mass spectrometry, revealed the presence of a fragment containing the N-terminal sequence of the entomotoxic peptide Jaburetox. Tests with Jaburetox on yeasts and filamentous fungi indicated a fungitoxic activity similar to ureases. Plant ureases, such as JBU, and its derived peptides, may represent a new alternative to control medically important mycoses as well as phytopathogenic fungi, especially considering their potent activity in the range of 10(-6)-10(-7)M.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Postal
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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20
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Balasubramanian A, Balaji N, Gautham N, Ponnuraj K. Molecular dynamics simulation and molecular modelling studies on the insecticidal domain from jack bean urease. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2012.729271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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21
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22
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Wiebke-Strohm B, Pasquali G, Margis-Pinheiro M, Bencke M, Bücker-Neto L, Becker-Ritt AB, Martinelli AHS, Rechenmacher C, Polacco JC, Stolf R, Marcelino FC, Abdelnoor RV, Homrich MS, Del Ponte EM, Carlini CR, De Carvalho MCCG, Bodanese-Zanettini MH. Ubiquitous urease affects soybean susceptibility to fungi. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2012; 79:75-87. [PMID: 22382992 PMCID: PMC3332383 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-012-9894-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2011] [Accepted: 02/11/2012] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The soybean ubiquitous urease (encoded by GmEu4) is responsible for recycling metabolically derived urea. Additional biological roles have been demonstrated for plant ureases, notably in toxicity to other organisms. However, urease enzymatic activity is not related to its toxicity. The role of GmEu4 in soybean susceptibility to fungi was investigated in this study. A differential expression pattern of GmEu4 was observed in susceptible and resistant genotypes of soybeans over the course of a Phakopsora pachyrhizi infection, especially 24 h after infection. Twenty-nine adult, transgenic soybean plants, representing six independently transformed lines, were obtained. Although the initial aim of this study was to overexpress GmEu4, the transgenic plants exhibited GmEu4 co-suppression and decreased ureolytic activity. The growth of Rhizoctonia solani, Phomopsis sp., and Penicillium herguei in media containing a crude protein extract from either transgenic or non-transgenic leaves was evaluated. The fungal growth was higher in the protein extracts from transgenic urease-deprived plants than in extracts from non-transgenic controls. When infected by P. pachyrhizi uredospores, detached leaves of urease-deprived plants developed a significantly higher number of lesions, pustules and erupted pustules than leaves of non-transgenic plants containing normal levels of the enzyme. The results of the present work show that the soybean plants were more susceptible to fungi in the absence of urease. It was not possible to overexpress active GmEu4. For future work, overexpression of urease fungitoxic peptides could be attempted as an alternative approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Wiebke-Strohm
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Giancarlo Pasquali
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Márcia Margis-Pinheiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marta Bencke
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lauro Bücker-Neto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Arlete B. Becker-Ritt
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Anne H. S. Martinelli
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ciliana Rechenmacher
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Renata Stolf
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Soja, Londrina, Brazil
| | | | | | - Milena S. Homrich
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Emerson M. Del Ponte
- Departamento de Fitossanidade, Faculdade de Agronomia, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Celia R. Carlini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Helena Bodanese-Zanettini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Plant ureases and related peptides: understanding their entomotoxic properties. Toxins (Basel) 2012; 4:55-67. [PMID: 22474566 PMCID: PMC3317107 DOI: 10.3390/toxins4020055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2011] [Revised: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, ureases were included in the arsenal of plant defense proteins, alongside many other proteins with biotechnological potential such as insecticides. Isoforms of Canavalia ensiformis urease (canatoxin—CNTX and jack bean urease—JBURE-I) are toxic to insects of different orders. This toxicity is due in part to the release of a 10 kDa peptide from the native protein, by cathepsin-like enzymes present in the insect digestive tract. The entomotoxic peptide, Jaburetox-2Ec, exhibits potent insecticidal activity against several insects, including many resistant to the native ureases. JBURE-I and Jaburetox-2Ec cause major alterations of post-feeding physiological processes in insects, which contribute to, or can be the cause of, their entomotoxic effect. An overview of the current knowledge on plant urease processing and mechanisms of action in insects is presented in this review.
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24
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Defferrari MS, Demartini DR, Marcelino TB, Pinto PM, Carlini CR. Insecticidal effect of Canavalia ensiformis major urease on nymphs of the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus and characterization of digestive peptidases. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 41:388-399. [PMID: 21377528 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2010] [Revised: 01/29/2011] [Accepted: 02/24/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis) ureases are entomotoxic upon the release of internal peptides by insect's digestive enzymes. Here we studied the digestive peptidases of Oncopeltus fasciatus (milkweed bug) and its susceptibility to jackbean urease (JBU). O. fasciatus nymphs fed urease showed a mortality rate higher than 80% after two weeks. Homogenates of midguts dissected from fourth instars were used to perform proteolytic activity assays. The homogenates hydrolyzed JBU in vitro, yielding a fragment similar in size to known entomotoxic peptides. The major proteolytic activity at pH 4.0 upon protein substrates was blocked by specific inhibitors of aspartic and cysteine peptidases, but not significantly affected by inhibitors of metallopeptidases or serine peptidases. The optimal activity upon N-Cbz-Phe-Arg-MCA was at pH 5.0, with complete blockage by E-64 in all pH tested. Optimal activity upon Abz-AIAFFSRQ-EDDnp (a substrate for aspartic peptidases) was detected at pH 5.0, with partial inhibition by Pepstatin A in the pH range 2-8. Fluorogenic substrates corresponding to the N- and C-terminal regions flanking a known entomotoxic peptide within urease sequence were also tested. While the midgut homogenate did not hydrolyze the N-terminal peptide, it cleaved the C-terminal peptide maximally at pH 4.0-5.0, and this activity was inhibited by E-64 (10 μM). The midgut homogenate was submitted to ion-exchange chromatography followed by gel filtration. A 22 kDa active fraction was obtained, resolved in SDS-PAGE (12%), the corresponding band was in-gel digested by trypsin, the peptides were analyzed by mass spectrometry, retrieving a cathepsin L protein. The purified cathepsin L was shown to have at least two possible cleavage sites within the urease sequence, and might be able to release a known insecticidal peptide in a single or cascade event. The results suggest that susceptibility of O. fasciatus nymphs to jackbean urease is, like in other insect models, due mostly to limited proteolysis of ingested protein and subsequent release of entomotoxic peptide(s) by cathepsin-like digestive enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina S Defferrari
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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25
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Crystal structure of the first plant urease from jack bean: 83 years of journey from its first crystal to molecular structure. J Mol Biol 2010; 400:274-83. [PMID: 20471401 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2010.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2010] [Revised: 05/03/2010] [Accepted: 05/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Urease, a nickel-dependent metalloenzyme, is synthesized by plants, some bacteria, and fungi. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. Although the amino acid sequences of plant and bacterial ureases are closely related, some biological activities differ significantly. Plant ureases but not bacterial ureases possess insecticidal properties independent of its ureolytic activity. To date, the structural information is available only for bacterial ureases although the jack bean urease (Canavalia ensiformis; JBU), the best-studied plant urease, was the first enzyme to be crystallized in 1926. To better understand the biological properties of plant ureases including the mechanism of insecticidal activity, we initiated the structural studies on some of them. Here, we report the crystal structure of JBU, the first plant urease structure, at 2.05 A resolution. The active-site architecture of JBU is similar to that of bacterial ureases containing a bi-nickel center. JBU has a bound phosphate and covalently modified residue (Cys592) by beta-mercaptoethanol at its active site, and the concomitant binding of multiple inhibitors (phosphate and beta-mercaptoethanol) is not observed so far in bacterial ureases. By correlating the structural information of JBU with the available biophysical and biochemical data on insecticidal properties of plant ureases, we hypothesize that the amphipathic beta-hairpin located in the entomotoxic peptide region of plant ureases might form a membrane insertion beta-barrel as found in beta-pore-forming toxins.
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