1
|
Robinson SD, Deuis JR, Touchard A, Keramidas A, Mueller A, Schroeder CI, Barassé V, Walker AA, Brinkwirth N, Jami S, Bonnafé E, Treilhou M, Undheim EAB, Schmidt JO, King GF, Vetter I. Ant venoms contain vertebrate-selective pain-causing sodium channel toxins. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2977. [PMID: 37221205 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38839-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Stings of certain ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) can cause intense, long-lasting nociception. Here we show that the major contributors to these symptoms are venom peptides that modulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels, reducing their voltage threshold for activation and inhibiting channel inactivation. These peptide toxins are likely vertebrate-selective, consistent with a primarily defensive function. They emerged early in the Formicidae lineage and may have been a pivotal factor in the expansion of ants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel D Robinson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique; BP 316, 97379, Kourou, Cedex, France
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France
| | - Angelo Keramidas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander Mueller
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, 94080, CA, USA
| | - Valentine Barassé
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Sina Jami
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France
| | - Michel Treilhou
- Equipe BTSB-EA 7417, Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion; Place de Verdun, 81012, Albi, France
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, The University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Justin O Schmidt
- Southwestern Biological Institute, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
- School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Wooloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Venom-derived pain-causing toxins: insights into sensory neuron function and pain mechanisms. Pain 2022; 163:S46-S56. [DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
3
|
An Integrated Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals the Venom Complexity of the Bullet Ant Paraponera clavata. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12050324. [PMID: 32422990 PMCID: PMC7290781 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12050324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A critical hurdle in ant venom proteomic investigations is the lack of databases to comprehensively and specifically identify the sequence and function of venom proteins and peptides. To resolve this, we used venom gland transcriptomics to generate a sequence database that was used to assign the tandem mass spectrometry (MS) fragmentation spectra of venom peptides and proteins to specific transcripts. This was performed alongside a shotgun liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of the venom to confirm that these assigned transcripts were expressed as proteins. Through the combined transcriptomic and proteomic investigation of Paraponera clavata venom, we identified four times the number of proteins previously identified using 2D-PAGE alone. In addition to this, by mining the transcriptomic data, we identified several novel peptide sequences for future pharmacological investigations, some of which conform with inhibitor cysteine knot motifs. These types of peptides have the potential to be developed into pharmaceutical or bioinsecticide peptides.
Collapse
|
4
|
Aspartic Acid Isomerization Characterized by High Definition Mass Spectrometry Significantly Alters the Bioactivity of a Novel Toxin from Poecilotheria. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12040207. [PMID: 32218140 PMCID: PMC7232244 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12040207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Research in toxinology has created a pharmacological paradox. With an estimated 220,000 venomous animals worldwide, the study of peptidyl toxins provides a vast number of effector molecules. However, due to the complexity of the protein-protein interactions, there are fewer than ten venom-derived molecules on the market. Structural characterization and identification of post-translational modifications are essential to develop biological lead structures into pharmaceuticals. Utilizing advancements in mass spectrometry, we have created a high definition approach that fuses conventional high-resolution MS-MS with ion mobility spectrometry (HDMSE) to elucidate these primary structure characteristics. We investigated venom from ten species of “tiger” spider (Genus: Poecilotheria) and discovered they contain isobaric conformers originating from non-enzymatic Asp isomerization. One conformer pair conserved in five of ten species examined, denominated PcaTX-1a and PcaTX-1b, was found to be a 36-residue peptide with a cysteine knot, an amidated C-terminus, and isoAsp33Asp substitution. Although the isomerization of Asp has been implicated in many pathologies, this is the first characterization of Asp isomerization in a toxin and demonstrates the isomerized product’s diminished physiological effects. This study establishes the value of a HDMSE approach to toxin screening and characterization.
Collapse
|
5
|
Ceolin Mariano DO, de Oliveira ÚC, Zaharenko AJ, Pimenta DC, Rádis-Baptista G, Prieto-da-Silva ÁRDB. Bottom-Up Proteomic Analysis of Polypeptide Venom Components of the Giant Ant Dinoponera Quadriceps. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11080448. [PMID: 31362422 PMCID: PMC6722740 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11080448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ant species have specialized venom systems developed to sting and inoculate a biological cocktail of organic compounds, including peptide and polypeptide toxins, for the purpose of predation and defense. The genus Dinoponera comprises predatory giant ants that inoculate venom capable of causing long-lasting local pain, involuntary shaking, lymphadenopathy, and cardiac arrhythmias, among other symptoms. To deepen our knowledge about venom composition with regard to protein toxins and their roles in the chemical-ecological relationship and human health, we performed a bottom-up proteomics analysis of the crude venom of the giant ant D. quadriceps, popularly known as the "false" tocandiras. For this purpose, we used two different analytical approaches: (i) gel-based proteomics approach, wherein the crude venom was resolved by denaturing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and all protein bands were excised for analysis; (ii) solution-based proteomics approach, wherein the crude venom protein components were directly fragmented into tryptic peptides in solution for analysis. The proteomic data that resulted from these two methodologies were compared against a previously annotated transcriptomic database of D. quadriceps, and subsequently, a homology search was performed for all identified transcript products. The gel-based proteomics approach unequivocally identified nine toxins of high molecular mass in the venom, as for example, enzymes [hyaluronidase, phospholipase A1, dipeptidyl peptidase and glucose dehydrogenase/flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) quinone] and diverse venom allergens (homologous of the red fire ant Selenopsis invicta) and venom-related proteins (major royal jelly-like). Moreover, the solution-based proteomics revealed and confirmed the presence of several hydrolases, oxidoreductases, proteases, Kunitz-like polypeptides, and the less abundant inhibitor cysteine knot (ICK)-like (knottin) neurotoxins and insect defensin. Our results showed that the major components of the D. quadriceps venom are toxins that are highly likely to damage cell membranes and tissue, to cause neurotoxicity, and to induce allergic reactions, thus, expanding the knowledge about D. quadriceps venom composition and its potential biological effects on prey and victims.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Daniel Carvalho Pimenta
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo SP 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Gandhi Rádis-Baptista
- Laboratorio of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza CE 60165-081, Brazil.
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Schmidt JO. Pain and Lethality Induced by Insect Stings: An Exploratory and Correlational Study. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11070427. [PMID: 31330893 PMCID: PMC6669698 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11070427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain is a natural bioassay for detecting and quantifying biological activities of venoms. The painfulness of stings delivered by ants, wasps, and bees can be easily measured in the field or lab using the stinging insect pain scale that rates the pain intensity from 1 to 4, with 1 being minor pain, and 4 being extreme, debilitating, excruciating pain. The painfulness of stings of 96 species of stinging insects and the lethalities of the venoms of 90 species was determined and utilized for pinpointing future directions for investigating venoms having pharmaceutically active principles that could benefit humanity. The findings suggest several under- or unexplored insect venoms worthy of future investigations, including: those that have exceedingly painful venoms, yet with extremely low lethality—tarantula hawk wasps (Pepsis) and velvet ants (Mutillidae); those that have extremely lethal venoms, yet induce very little pain—the ants, Daceton and Tetraponera; and those that have venomous stings and are both painful and lethal—the ants Pogonomyrmex, Paraponera, Myrmecia, Neoponera, and the social wasps Synoeca, Agelaia, and Brachygastra. Taken together, and separately, sting pain and venom lethality point to promising directions for mining of pharmaceutically active components derived from insect venoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin O Schmidt
- Southwestern Biological Institute, 1961 W. Brichta Dr., Tucson, AZ 85745, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tani N, Kazuma K, Ohtsuka Y, Shigeri Y, Masuko K, Konno K, Inagaki H. Mass Spectrometry Analysis and Biological Characterization of the Predatory Ant Odontomachus monticola Venom and Venom Sac Components. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11010050. [PMID: 30658410 PMCID: PMC6356579 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously identified 92 toxin-like peptides and proteins, including pilosulin-like peptides 1–6 from the predatory ant Odontomachus monticola, by transcriptome analysis. Here, to further characterize venom components, we analyzed the venom and venom sac extract by ESI-MS/MS with or without trypsin digestion and reducing agent. As the low-molecular-mass components, we found amino acids (leucine/isoleucine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan) and biogenic amines (histamine and tyramine) in the venom and venom sac extract. As the higher molecular mass components, we found peptides and proteins such as pilosulin-like peptides, phospholipase A2s, hyaluronidase, venom dipeptidyl peptidases, conotoxin-like peptide, and icarapin-like peptide. In addition to pilosulin-like peptides 1–6, we found three novel pilosulin-like peptides that were overlooked by transcriptome analysis. Moreover, pilosulin-like peptides 1–6 were chemically synthesized, and some of them displayed antimicrobial, hemolytic, and histamine-releasing activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Tani
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan.
| | - Kohei Kazuma
- Eco-Frontier Center of Medicinal Resources, School of Pharmacy, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan.
| | - Yukio Ohtsuka
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan.
| | - Yasushi Shigeri
- Department of Chemistry, Wakayama Medical University, 580 Mikazura, Wakayama 641-0011, Japan.
| | - Keiichi Masuko
- School of Business Administration, Senshu University, 2-1-1 Higashimita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki 214-8580, Japan.
| | - Katsuhiro Konno
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
| | - Hidetoshi Inagaki
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Walker AA, Robinson SD, Yeates DK, Jin J, Baumann K, Dobson J, Fry BG, King GF. Entomo-venomics: The evolution, biology and biochemistry of insect venoms. Toxicon 2018; 154:15-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
9
|
dos Santos-Pinto JRA, Perez-Riverol A, Lasa AM, Palma MS. Diversity of peptidic and proteinaceous toxins from social Hymenoptera venoms. Toxicon 2018; 148:172-196. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
10
|
Monge-Fuentes V, Arenas C, Galante P, Gonçalves JC, Mortari MR, Schwartz EF. Arthropod toxins and their antinociceptive properties: From venoms to painkillers. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 188:176-185. [PMID: 29605457 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The complex process of pain control commonly involves the use of systemic analgesics; however, in many cases, a more potent and effective polypharmacological approach is needed to promote clinically significant improvement. Additionally, considering side effects caused by current painkillers, drug discovery is once more turning to nature as a source of more efficient therapeutic alternatives. In this context, arthropod venoms contain a vast array of bioactive substances that have evolved to selectively bind to specific pharmacological targets involved in the pain signaling pathway, playing an important role as pain activators or modulators, the latter serving as promising analgesic agents. The current review explores how the pain pathway works and surveys neuroactive compounds obtained from arthropods' toxins, which function as pain modulators through their interaction with specific ion channels and membrane receptors, emerging as promising candidates for drug design and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Monge-Fuentes
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Claudia Arenas
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Priscilla Galante
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Coimbra Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Márcia Renata Mortari
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Elisabeth Ferroni Schwartz
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Aili SR, Touchard A, Petitclerc F, Dejean A, Orivel J, Padula MP, Escoubas P, Nicholson GM. Combined Peptidomic and Proteomic Analysis of Electrically Stimulated and Manually Dissected Venom from the South American Bullet Ant Paraponera clavata. J Proteome Res 2017; 16:1339-1351. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Samira R. Aili
- Neurotoxin
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS,
UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech,
Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, 97310 Kourou, France
| | - Frédéric Petitclerc
- CNRS,
UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech,
Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, 97310 Kourou, France
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS,
UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech,
Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, 97310 Kourou, France
- Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS,
UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech,
Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, 97310 Kourou, France
| | - Matthew P. Padula
- Proteomics
Core Facility, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Pierre Escoubas
- VenomeTech, 473 Route des Dolines — Villa
3, Valbonne 06560, France
| | - Graham M. Nicholson
- Neurotoxin
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Aili SR, Touchard A, Koh JMS, Dejean A, Orivel J, Padula MP, Escoubas P, Nicholson GM. Comparisons of Protein and Peptide Complexity in Poneroid and Formicoid Ant Venoms. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:3039-54. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Samira R. Aili
- Neurotoxin
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France
| | - Jennifer M. S. Koh
- Neurotoxin
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France
- Laboratoire Écologie
Fonctionnelle et Environnement, CNRS, UMR 5245, Ecolab, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France
| | - Matthew P. Padula
- Proteomics
Core Facility, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Pierre Escoubas
- VenomeTech, 473 Route des Dolines - Villa 3, Valbonne 06560, France
| | - Graham M. Nicholson
- Neurotoxin
Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| |
Collapse
|