1
|
Nachtigall PG, Durham AM, Rokyta DR, Junqueira-de-Azevedo ILM. ToxCodAn-Genome: an automated pipeline for toxin-gene annotation in genome assembly of venomous lineages. Gigascience 2024; 13:giad116. [PMID: 38241143 PMCID: PMC10797961 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giad116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rapid development of sequencing technologies resulted in a wide expansion of genomics studies using venomous lineages. This facilitated research focusing on understanding the evolution of adaptive traits and the search for novel compounds that can be applied in agriculture and medicine. However, the toxin annotation of genomes is a laborious and time-consuming task, and no consensus pipeline is currently available. No computational tool currently exists to address the challenges specific to toxin annotation and to ensure the reproducibility of the process. RESULTS Here, we present ToxCodAn-Genome, the first software designed to perform automated toxin annotation in genomes of venomous lineages. This pipeline was designed to retrieve the full-length coding sequences of toxins and to allow the detection of novel truncated paralogs and pseudogenes. We tested ToxCodAn-Genome using 12 genomes of venomous lineages and achieved high performance on recovering their current toxin annotations. This tool can be easily customized to allow improvements in the final toxin annotation set and can be expanded to virtually any venomous lineage. ToxCodAn-Genome is fast, allowing it to run on any personal computer, but it can also be executed in multicore mode, taking advantage of large high-performance servers. In addition, we provide a guide to direct future research in the venomics field to ensure a confident toxin annotation in the genome being studied. As a case study, we sequenced and annotated the toxin repertoire of Bothrops alternatus, which may facilitate future evolutionary and biomedical studies using vipers as models. CONCLUSIONS ToxCodAn-Genome is suitable to perform toxin annotation in the genome of venomous species and may help to improve the reproducibility of further studies. ToxCodAn-Genome and the guide are freely available at https://github.com/pedronachtigall/ToxCodAn-Genome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro G Nachtigall
- Laboratório de Toxinologia Aplicada, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, 05503-900 SP, Brazil
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, 32306-4295 FL, USA
| | - Alan M Durham
- Departamento de Ciência da Computação, Instituto de Matemática e Estatística, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, 05508-090 SP, Brazil
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, 32306-4295 FL, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nachtigall PG, Rautsaw RM, Ellsworth SA, Mason AJ, Rokyta DR, Parkinson CL, Junqueira-de-Azevedo ILM. ToxCodAn: a new toxin annotator and guide to venom gland transcriptomics. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:6235957. [PMID: 33866357 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbab095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Next-generation sequencing has become exceedingly common and has transformed our ability to explore nonmodel systems. In particular, transcriptomics has facilitated the study of venom and evolution of toxins in venomous lineages; however, many challenges remain. Primarily, annotation of toxins in the transcriptome is a laborious and time-consuming task. Current annotation software often fails to predict the correct coding sequence and overestimates the number of toxins present in the transcriptome. Here, we present ToxCodAn, a python script designed to perform precise annotation of snake venom gland transcriptomes. We test ToxCodAn with a set of previously curated transcriptomes and compare the results to other annotators. In addition, we provide a guide for venom gland transcriptomics to facilitate future research and use Bothrops alternatus as a case study for ToxCodAn and our guide. RESULTS Our analysis reveals that ToxCodAn provides precise annotation of toxins present in the transcriptome of venom glands of snakes. Comparison with other annotators demonstrates that ToxCodAn has better performance with regard to run time ($>20x$ faster), coding sequence prediction ($>3x$ more accurate) and the number of toxins predicted (generating $>4x$ less false positives). In this sense, ToxCodAn is a valuable resource for toxin annotation. The ToxCodAn framework can be expanded in the future to work with other venomous lineages and detect novel toxins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro G Nachtigall
- Laboratório de Toxinologia Aplicada, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Rhett M Rautsaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Schyler A Ellsworth
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Andrew J Mason
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Christopher L Parkinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Olaoba OT, Karina dos Santos P, Selistre-de-Araujo HS, Ferreira de Souza DH. Snake Venom Metalloproteinases (SVMPs): A structure-function update. Toxicon X 2020; 7:100052. [PMID: 32776002 PMCID: PMC7399193 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2020.100052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) represent a diverse group of multi-domain proteins with several biological activities such as the ability to induce hemorrhage, proteolytic degradation of fibrinogen and fibrin, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of platelet aggregation. Due to these activities, SVMPs are responsible for many of the well-known pathological phenotypes in snake envenomations caused particularly by species from the Viperidae family and the Crotalinae subfamily. These proteins have been classified based on their size and domain structure into P–I, P-II and P-III classes. Comparatively, members of the P–I SVMPs possess the simplest structures, formed by the catalytic metalloproteinase domain only; the P-II SVMPs are moderately more complex, having the canonical disintegrin domain in addition to the metalloproteinase domain; members of the P-III class are more structurally varied, comprising the metalloproteinase, disintegrin-like, and cysteine-rich domains. Proteolytic cleavage, repeated domain loss and presence of other ancillary domains are responsible for structural diversities in the P-III class. However, studies continue to unveil the relationship between the structure and function of these proteins. In this review, we recovered evidences from literature on the structural peculiarities and functional classification of Snake Venom Metalloproteinases. In addition, we reflect on diversities that exist among each class while taking into account specific and up-to-date class-based activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olamide Tosin Olaoba
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, Km 235, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patty Karina dos Santos
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, Km 235, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Dulce Helena Ferreira de Souza
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, Km 235, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
- Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
First report on BaltCRP, a cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRISP) from Bothrops alternatus venom: Effects on potassium channels and inflammatory processes. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 140:556-567. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.08.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
5
|
Bastida J, Crampet A, Meneghel M, Morais V. Preliminary Biochemical and Venomic Characterization of the Venom of Phalotris lemniscatus (Serpentes, Colubridae). Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:1981-1989. [PMID: 31376821 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190802143252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For many decades, research on snake venom toxinology focused mainly on the venoms of Viperidae and Elapidae species, which were traditionally the only ones considered as venomous. However, much less interest has been given to the venom produced by opisthoglyphous colubrid snakes, since they were typically considered of no clinical relevance. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work is to perform a preliminary biochemical and venomic characterization of the venom of the colubrid snake Phalotris lemniscatus, a species that has been responsible for two relevant cases of envenomation in Uruguay. METHODS We extracted venom from collected specimens and performed different biochemical and proteomic assays to understand its toxin composition. RESULTS We found that the venom of P. lemniscatus is composed of protein families typically present in snake venoms, such as metallo and serine preoteases, L-amino acid oxidases, phospholipases A2s, Ctype lectines-like, Kunitz-type proteins and three-finger toxins. Activity assays demonstrated a highly active gelatinolytic component as well as a potent capability to induce blood coagulation. CONCLUSION The results indicate that the venom of P. lemniscatus contains hemotoxic activities and components that resemble those found in Viperidae (Bothrops) snakes and that can induce a clinically relevant accident. Further studies are needed to better understand the venom composition of this colubrid snake and its most active compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeny Bastida
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnologico, Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Bioterio de Animales Ponzonosos - Serpentario, Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alejandro Crampet
- Bioterio de Animales Ponzonosos - Serpentario, Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Departamento de Patología, Instituto de Patobiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Melitta Meneghel
- Bioterio de Animales Ponzonosos - Serpentario, Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Laboratorio de Sistemática e Historia Natural de Vertebrados, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Victor Morais
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnologico, Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
de Menezes RRPPB, Mello CP, Lima DB, Tessarolo LD, Sampaio TL, Paes LCF, Alves NTQ, Assis Junior EM, Lima Junior RCP, Toyama MH, Martins AMC. Involvement of Nitric Oxide on Bothropoides insularis Venom Biological Effects on Murine Macrophages In Vitro. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151029. [PMID: 26974665 PMCID: PMC4790960 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Viperidae venom has several local and systemic effects, such as pain, edema, inflammation, kidney failure and coagulopathy. Additionally, bothropic venom and its isolated components directly interfere on cellular metabolism, causing alterations such as cell death and proliferation. Inflammatory cells are particularly involved in pathological envenomation mechanisms due to their capacity of releasing many mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO). NO has many effects on cell viability and it is associated to the development of inflammation and tissue damage caused by Bothrops and Bothropoides venom. Bothropoides insularis is a snake found only in Queimada Grande Island, which has markedly toxic venom. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the biological effects of Bothropoides insularis venom (BiV) on RAW 264.7 cells and assess NO involvement. The venom was submitted to colorimetric assays to identify the presence of some enzymatic components. We observed that BiV induced H2O2 production and showed proteolytic and phospholipasic activities. RAW 264.7 murine macrophages were incubated with different concentrations of BiV and then cell viability was assessed by MTT reduction assay after 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours of incubation. A time- and concentration-dependent effect was observed, with a tendency to cell proliferation at lower BiV concentrations and cell death at higher concentrations. The cytotoxic effect was confirmed after lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) measurement in the supernatant from the experimental groups. Flow cytometry analyses revealed that necrosis is the main cell death pathway caused by BiV. Also, BiV induced NO release. The inhibition of both proliferative and cytotoxic effects with L-NAME were demonstrated, indicating that NO is important for these effects. Finally, BiV induced an increase in iNOS expression. Altogether, these results demonstrate that B. insularis venom have proliferative and cytotoxic effects on macrophages, with necrosis participation. We also suggest that BiV acts by inducing iNOS expression and causing NO release.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramon R. P. P. B. de Menezes
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Clarissa P. Mello
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Dânya B. Lima
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Louise D. Tessarolo
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Tiago Lima Sampaio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Lívia C. F. Paes
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Natacha T. Q. Alves
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - Roberto C. P. Lima Junior
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Marcos H. Toyama
- São Vicente Unit, Paulista Coastal Campus, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alice M. C. Martins
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|