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Barany A, Oliva M, Gregório SF, Martínez-Rodríguez G, Mancera JM, Fuentes J. Dysregulation of Intestinal Physiology by Aflatoxicosis in the Gilthead Seabream ( Sparus aurata). Front Physiol 2022; 12:741192. [PMID: 34987413 PMCID: PMC8722709 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.741192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin often present in food. This study aimed to understand the physiological effects of AFB1 on the seabream (Sparus aurata) gastrointestinal system. In a first in vitro approach, we investigated ion transport using the short-circuit current (Isc) technique in Ussing chambers in the anterior intestine (AI). Application of apical/luminal AFB1 concentrations of 8 and 16 μM to healthy tissues was without effect on tissue transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), and apparent tissue permeability (Papp) was measured using fluorescein FITC (4 kD). However, it resulted in dose-related effects on Isc. In a second approach, seabream juveniles fed with different AFB1 concentrations (1 and 2 mg AFB1 kg−1 fish feed) for 85 days showed significantly reduced gill Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) and H+-ATPase (HA) activities in the posterior intestine (PI). Moreover, dietary AFB1 modified Isc in the AI and PI, significantly affecting TER in the AI. To understand this effect on TER, we analyzed the expression of nine claudins and three occludins as markers of intestinal architecture and permeability using qPCR. Around 80% of the genes presented significantly different relative mRNA expression between AI and PI and had concomitant sensitivity to dietary AFB1. Based on the results of our in vitro, in vivo, and molecular approaches, we conclude that the effects of dietary AFB1 in the gastrointestinal system are at the base of the previously reported growth impairment caused by AFB1 in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Barany
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Milagrosa Oliva
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Silvia Filipa Gregório
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMar), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
| | - Gonzalo Martínez-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICMAN-CSIC), Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan Miguel Mancera
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan Fuentes
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMar), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
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Barany A, Fuentes J, Martínez-Rodríguez G, Mancera JM. Aflatoxicosis Dysregulates the Physiological Responses to Crowding Densities in the Marine Teleost Gilthead Seabream ( Sparus aurata). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030753. [PMID: 33803392 PMCID: PMC7999881 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies in fish have shown that aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) causes a disparity of species-dependent physiological disorders without compromising survival. We studied the effect of dietary administration of AFB1 (2 mg AFB1 kg-1 diet) in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles in combination with a challenge by stocking density (4 vs. 40 g L-1). The experimental period duration was ten days, and the diet with AFB1 was administered to the fish for 85 days prior to the stocking density challenge. Our results indicated an alteration in the carbohydrate and lipid metabolites mobilization in the AFB1 fed group, which was intensified at high stocking density (HSD). The CT group at HSD increased plasma cortisol levels, as expected, whereas the AFB1-HSD group did not. The star mRNA expression, an enzyme involved in cortisol synthesis in the head kidney, presented a ninefold increase in the AFB1 group at low stocking density (LSD) compared to the CT-LSD group. Adenohypophyseal gh mRNA expression increased in the AFB1-HSD but not in the CT-HSD group. Overall, these results confirmed that chronic AFB1 dietary exposure alters the adequate endocrinological physiological cascade response in S. aurata, compromising the expected stress response to an additional stressor, such as overcrowding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Barany
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI MAR), University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, 11519 Cádiz, Spain;
- Correspondence:
| | - Juan Fuentes
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMar), Universidade do Algarve, Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal;
| | - Gonzalo Martínez-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICMAN-CSIC), Puerto Real, 11519 Cádiz, Spain;
| | - Juan Miguel Mancera
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI MAR), University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, 11519 Cádiz, Spain;
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Janik E, Ceremuga M, Saluk-Bijak J, Bijak M. Biological Toxins as the Potential Tools for Bioterrorism. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E1181. [PMID: 30857127 PMCID: PMC6429496 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20051181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological toxins are a heterogeneous group produced by living organisms. One dictionary defines them as "Chemicals produced by living organisms that have toxic properties for another organism". Toxins are very attractive to terrorists for use in acts of bioterrorism. The first reason is that many biological toxins can be obtained very easily. Simple bacterial culturing systems and extraction equipment dedicated to plant toxins are cheap and easily available, and can even be constructed at home. Many toxins affect the nervous systems of mammals by interfering with the transmission of nerve impulses, which gives them their high potential in bioterrorist attacks. Others are responsible for blockage of main cellular metabolism, causing cellular death. Moreover, most toxins act very quickly and are lethal in low doses (LD50 < 25 mg/kg), which are very often lower than chemical warfare agents. For these reasons we decided to prepare this review paper which main aim is to present the high potential of biological toxins as factors of bioterrorism describing the general characteristics, mechanisms of action and treatment of most potent biological toxins. In this paper we focused on six most danger toxins: botulinum toxin, staphylococcal enterotoxins, Clostridium perfringens toxins, ricin, abrin and T-2 toxin. We hope that this paper will help in understanding the problem of availability and potential of biological toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Janik
- Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Michal Ceremuga
- CBRN Reconnaissance and Decontamination Department, Military Institute of Chemistry and Radiometry, Antoniego Chrusciela "Montera" 105, 00-910 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Joanna Saluk-Bijak
- Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Michal Bijak
- Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland.
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Walper SA, Lasarte Aragonés G, Sapsford KE, Brown CW, Rowland CE, Breger JC, Medintz IL. Detecting Biothreat Agents: From Current Diagnostics to Developing Sensor Technologies. ACS Sens 2018; 3:1894-2024. [PMID: 30080029 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.8b00420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although a fundamental understanding of the pathogenicity of most biothreat agents has been elucidated and available treatments have increased substantially over the past decades, they still represent a significant public health threat in this age of (bio)terrorism, indiscriminate warfare, pollution, climate change, unchecked population growth, and globalization. The key step to almost all prevention, protection, prophylaxis, post-exposure treatment, and mitigation of any bioagent is early detection. Here, we review available methods for detecting bioagents including pathogenic bacteria and viruses along with their toxins. An introduction placing this subject in the historical context of previous naturally occurring outbreaks and efforts to weaponize selected agents is first provided along with definitions and relevant considerations. An overview of the detection technologies that find use in this endeavor along with how they provide data or transduce signal within a sensing configuration follows. Current "gold" standards for biothreat detection/diagnostics along with a listing of relevant FDA approved in vitro diagnostic devices is then discussed to provide an overview of the current state of the art. Given the 2014 outbreak of Ebola virus in Western Africa and the recent 2016 spread of Zika virus in the Americas, discussion of what constitutes a public health emergency and how new in vitro diagnostic devices are authorized for emergency use in the U.S. are also included. The majority of the Review is then subdivided around the sensing of bacterial, viral, and toxin biothreats with each including an overview of the major agents in that class, a detailed cross-section of different sensing methods in development based on assay format or analytical technique, and some discussion of related microfluidic lab-on-a-chip/point-of-care devices. Finally, an outlook is given on how this field will develop from the perspective of the biosensing technology itself and the new emerging threats they may face.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A. Walper
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Guillermo Lasarte Aragonés
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
- College of Science, George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States
| | - Kim E. Sapsford
- OMPT/CDRH/OIR/DMD Bacterial Respiratory and Medical Countermeasures Branch, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993, United States
| | - Carl W. Brown
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
- College of Science, George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States
| | - Clare E. Rowland
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
- National Research Council, Washington, D.C. 20036, United States
| | - Joyce C. Breger
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Igor L. Medintz
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
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Matsuura HN, Fett-Neto AG. Plant Alkaloids: Main Features, Toxicity, and Mechanisms of Action. PLANT TOXINS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-6464-4_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Matsuura HN, Poth AG, Yendo ACA, Fett-Neto AG, Craik DJ. Isolation and Characterization of Cyclotides from Brazilian Psychotria: Significance in Plant Defense and Co-occurrence with Antioxidant Alkaloids. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2016; 79:3006-3013. [PMID: 28006906 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Plants from the genus Psychotria include species bearing cyclotides and/or alkaloids. The elucidation of factors affecting the metabolism of these molecules as well as their activities may help to understand their ecological function. In the present study, high concentrations of antioxidant indole alkaloids were found to co-occur with cyclotides in Psychotria leiocarpa and P. brachyceras. The concentrations of the major cyclotides and alkaloids in P. leiocarpa and P. brachyceras were monitored following herbivore- and pathogen-associated challenges, revealing a constitutive, phytoanticipin-like accumulation pattern. Psyleio A, the most abundant cyclotide found in the leaves of P. leiocarpa, and also found in P. brachyceras leaves, exhibited insecticidal activity against Helicoverpa armigera larvae. Addition of ethanol in the vehicle for peptide solubilization in larval feeding trials proved deleterious to insecticidal activity and resulted in increased rates of larval survival in treatments containing indole alkaloids. This suggests that plant alkaloids ingested by larvae might contribute to herbivore oxidative stress detoxification, corroborating, in a heterologous system with artificial oxidative stress stimulation, the antioxidant efficiency of Psychotria alkaloids previously observed in planta. Overall, the present study reports data for eight novel cyclotides, the identification of P. leiocarpa as a cyclotide-bearing species, and the absence of these peptides in P. umbellata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélio N Matsuura
- Center for Biotechnology and Department of Botany, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Aaron G Poth
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Anna C A Yendo
- Center for Biotechnology and Department of Botany, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Arthur G Fett-Neto
- Center for Biotechnology and Department of Botany, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Pitschmann V, Hon Z. Military Importance of Natural Toxins and Their Analogs. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21050556. [PMID: 27136512 PMCID: PMC6273326 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21050556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxin weapon research, development, production and the ban on its uses is an integral part of international law, with particular attention paid to the protection against these weapons. In spite of this, hazards associated with toxins cannot be completely excluded. Some of these hazards are also pointed out in the present review. The article deals with the characteristics and properties of natural toxins and synthetic analogs potentially constituting the basis of toxin weapons. It briefly describes the history of military research and the use of toxins from distant history up to the present age. With respect to effective disarmament conventions, it mentions certain contemporary concepts of possible toxin applications for military purposes and the protection of public order (suppression of riots); it also briefly refers to the question of terrorism. In addition, it deals with certain traditional as well as modern technologies of the research, synthesis, and use of toxins, which can affect the continuing development of toxin weapons. These are, for example, cases of new toxins from natural sources, their chemical synthesis, production of synthetic analogs, the possibility of using methods of genetic engineering and modern biotechnologies or the possible applications of nanotechnology and certain pharmaceutical methods for the effective transfer of toxins into the organism. The authors evaluate the military importance of toxins based on their comparison with traditional chemical warfare agents. They appeal to the ethics of the scientific work as a principal condition for the prevention of toxin abuse in wars, military conflicts, as well as in non-military attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimír Pitschmann
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Sítná sq. 3105, 272 01 Kladno, Czech Republic.
- Oritest spol. s r.o., Staropramenná 17, 156 00 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Zdeněk Hon
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Sítná sq. 3105, 272 01 Kladno, Czech Republic.
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Esteban-Fernández de Ávila B, Lopez-Ramirez MA, Báez DF, Jodra A, Singh VV, Kaufmann K, Wang J. Aptamer-Modified Graphene-Based Catalytic Micromotors: Off–On Fluorescent Detection of Ricin. ACS Sens 2016. [DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.5b00300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Miguel Angel Lopez-Ramirez
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Daniela F. Báez
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Adrian Jodra
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Virendra V. Singh
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Kevin Kaufmann
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Joseph Wang
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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Berlinck RGS, Romminger S. The chemistry and biology of guanidine natural products. Nat Prod Rep 2016; 33:456-90. [DOI: 10.1039/c5np00108k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The present review discusses the isolation, structure determination, synthesis, biosynthesis and biological activities of secondary metabolites bearing a guanidine group.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stelamar Romminger
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos
- Universidade de São Paulo
- São Carlos
- Brazil
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Kumar MS, Karande AA. A monoclonal antibody to an abrin chimera recognizing a unique epitope on abrin A chain confers protection from abrin-induced lethality. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2015; 12:124-31. [PMID: 26379120 PMCID: PMC4962719 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1067741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Revised: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Abrin, obtained from the seeds of Abrus precatorius plant, is a potent toxin belonging to the family of type II ribosome-inactivating proteins. Recently, a recombinant vaccine consisting of the A subunits of abrin and its homolog Abrus precatorius agglutinin (APA) was demonstrated to protect mice from abrin lethality. Toward identifying neutralizing epitopes recognized during this response, we generated monoclonal antibodies against the proposed vaccine candidate. One antibody, namely A7C4, the corresponding epitope of which was found to be distal to the active site of the enzymatic A chain, prevented abrin-mediated toxicity on cells and abrin-induced lethality in mice but did not inhibit the catalytic activity of the A chain. The in vivo protection conferred by monoclonal antibody A7C4 highlights the potential use of this antibody as a promising immunotherapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Sundaram Kumar
- Undergraduate Studies and Department of Biochemistry; Indian Institute of Science; Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Anjali A Karande
- Department of Biochemistry; Indian Institute of Science; Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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