1
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Santarpia G, Carnes E. Therapeutic Applications of Aptamers. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6742. [PMID: 38928448 PMCID: PMC11204156 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Affinity reagents, or target-binding molecules, are quite versatile and are major workhorses in molecular biology and medicine. Antibodies are the most famous and frequently used type and they have been used for a wide range of applications, including laboratory techniques, diagnostics, and therapeutics. However, antibodies are not the only available affinity reagents and they do have significant drawbacks, including laborious and costly production. Aptamers are one potential alternative that have a variety of unique advantages. They are single stranded DNA or RNA molecules that can be selected for binding to many targets including proteins, carbohydrates, and small molecules-for which antibodies typically have low affinity. There are also a variety of cost-effective methods for producing and modifying nucleic acids in vitro without cells, whereas antibodies typically require cells or even whole animals. While there are also significant drawbacks to using aptamers in therapeutic applications, including low in vivo stability, aptamers have had success in clinical trials for treating a variety of diseases and two aptamer-based drugs have gained FDA approval. Aptamer development is still ongoing, which could lead to additional applications of aptamer therapeutics, including antitoxins, and combinatorial approaches with nanoparticles and other nucleic acid therapeutics that could improve efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Santarpia
- College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Eric Carnes
- College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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2
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Mall R, Singh A, Patel CN, Guirimand G, Castiglione F. VISH-Pred: an ensemble of fine-tuned ESM models for protein toxicity prediction. Brief Bioinform 2024; 25:bbae270. [PMID: 38842509 PMCID: PMC11154842 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbae270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Peptide- and protein-based therapeutics are becoming a promising treatment regimen for myriad diseases. Toxicity of proteins is the primary hurdle for protein-based therapies. Thus, there is an urgent need for accurate in silico methods for determining toxic proteins to filter the pool of potential candidates. At the same time, it is imperative to precisely identify non-toxic proteins to expand the possibilities for protein-based biologics. To address this challenge, we proposed an ensemble framework, called VISH-Pred, comprising models built by fine-tuning ESM2 transformer models on a large, experimentally validated, curated dataset of protein and peptide toxicities. The primary steps in the VISH-Pred framework are to efficiently estimate protein toxicities taking just the protein sequence as input, employing an under sampling technique to handle the humongous class-imbalance in the data and learning representations from fine-tuned ESM2 protein language models which are then fed to machine learning techniques such as Lightgbm and XGBoost. The VISH-Pred framework is able to correctly identify both peptides/proteins with potential toxicity and non-toxic proteins, achieving a Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.737, 0.716 and 0.322 and F1-score of 0.759, 0.696 and 0.713 on three non-redundant blind tests, respectively, outperforming other methods by over $10\%$ on these quality metrics. Moreover, VISH-Pred achieved the best accuracy and area under receiver operating curve scores on these independent test sets, highlighting the robustness and generalization capability of the framework. By making VISH-Pred available as an easy-to-use web server, we expect it to serve as a valuable asset for future endeavors aimed at discerning the toxicity of peptides and enabling efficient protein-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghvendra Mall
- Biotechnology Research Center, Technology Innovation Institute, P.O. Box 9639, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ankita Singh
- Biotechnology Research Center, Technology Innovation Institute, P.O. Box 9639, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Chirag N Patel
- Biotechnology Research Center, Technology Innovation Institute, P.O. Box 9639, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Gregory Guirimand
- Biotechnology Research Center, Technology Innovation Institute, P.O. Box 9639, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe, 657-8501, Japan
| | - Filippo Castiglione
- Biotechnology Research Center, Technology Innovation Institute, P.O. Box 9639, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Institute for Applied Computing, National Research Council of Italy, Via dei Taurini, 19, 00185, Rome, Italy
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3
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Xu T, Huangfu B, He X, Huang K. Exosomes as mediators of signal transmitters in biotoxins toxicity: a comprehensive review. Cell Biol Toxicol 2024; 40:27. [PMID: 38693223 PMCID: PMC11062979 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-024-09867-4] [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: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Small membranes known as exosomes surround them and are released by several cell types both in vitro and in vivo. These membranes are packed with a variety of biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), and non-coding RNA (ncRNA). As a source of biological nanomaterials, exosomes play a role in information and substance transmission between cells and have been identified as a general method of facilitating communication during interactions between the body, target organs, and toxins.. In order to understand the changes and mechanism of the composition and level of exosomes after biotoxin infection, this review focuses on current findings on the exosomes and highlights their novel uses in the toxicity mechanism. Exosomes are mainly used as a delivery carrier or mediated by receptors, and play an immune role after the toxin enters the body. This review expounds on the importance of exosomes in the toxicological mechanism of biotoxins and provides new insights for further diagnosis of toxic biomarkers, detoxification, and treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongxiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education; College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering; China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Bingxin Huangfu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education; College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering; China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaoyun He
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education; College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering; China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China.
- Key Laboratory of Safety Assessment of Genetically Modified Organism (Food Safety), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Kunlun Huang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education; College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering; China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China.
- Key Laboratory of Safety Assessment of Genetically Modified Organism (Food Safety), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100083, China.
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4
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Zancolli G, von Reumont BM, Anderluh G, Caliskan F, Chiusano ML, Fröhlich J, Hapeshi E, Hempel BF, Ikonomopoulou MP, Jungo F, Marchot P, de Farias TM, Modica MV, Moran Y, Nalbantsoy A, Procházka J, Tarallo A, Tonello F, Vitorino R, Zammit ML, Antunes A. Web of venom: exploration of big data resources in animal toxin research. Gigascience 2024; 13:giae054. [PMID: 39250076 PMCID: PMC11382406 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giae054] [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: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Research on animal venoms and their components spans multiple disciplines, including biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, pharmacology, medicine, and more. Manipulating and analyzing the diverse array of data required for venom research can be challenging, and relevant tools and resources are often dispersed across different online platforms, making them less accessible to nonexperts. In this article, we address the multifaceted needs of the scientific community involved in venom and toxin-related research by identifying and discussing web resources, databases, and tools commonly used in this field. We have compiled these resources into a comprehensive table available on the VenomZone website (https://venomzone.expasy.org/10897). Furthermore, we highlight the challenges currently faced by researchers in accessing and using these resources and emphasize the importance of community-driven interdisciplinary approaches. We conclude by underscoring the significance of enhancing standards, promoting interoperability, and encouraging data and method sharing within the venom research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Zancolli
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Björn Marcus von Reumont
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biological Sciences, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Figen Caliskan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, 26040 Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Maria Luisa Chiusano
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, 80055 Portici, Naples, Italy
- Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Jacob Fröhlich
- Veterinary Center for Resistance Research (TZR), Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Evroula Hapeshi
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 1700 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Benjamin-Florian Hempel
- Veterinary Center for Resistance Research (TZR), Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria P Ikonomopoulou
- Madrid Institute of Advanced Studies in Food, Precision Nutrition & Aging Program, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Florence Jungo
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Swiss-Prot Group, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pascale Marchot
- Laboratory Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Aix-Marseille University, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Faculté des Sciences, Campus Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Tarcisio Mendes de Farias
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maria Vittoria Modica
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 00198 Rome, Italy
| | - Yehu Moran
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ayse Nalbantsoy
- Engineering Faculty, Bioengineering Department, Ege University, 35100 Bornova-Izmir, Turkey
| | - Jan Procházka
- Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Tarallo
- Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), National Research Council (CNR), 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Fiorella Tonello
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Rui Vitorino
- Department of Medical Sciences, iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mark Lawrence Zammit
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, University of Malta, 2090 Msida, Malta
- Malta National Poisons Centre, Malta Life Sciences Park, 3000 San Ġwann, Malta
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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5
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Kini RM, Utkin YN. Molecular Mechanisms of Animal Toxins, Venoms and Antivenoms. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16389. [PMID: 38003582 PMCID: PMC10671026 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In many animals belonging to different taxa, venoms evolved as a means of defense and/or a means of attack/hunting [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore;
| | - Yuri N. Utkin
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxinology, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, 117997 Moscow, Russia
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6
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Campos S, Rodrigo AP, Moutinho Cabral I, Mendes VM, Manadas B, D’Ambrosio M, Costa PM. An Exploration of Novel Bioactives from the Venomous Marine Annelid Glycera alba. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:655. [PMID: 37999518 PMCID: PMC10674444 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110655] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The immense biodiversity of marine invertebrates makes them high-value targets for the prospecting of novel bioactives. The present study investigated proteinaceous toxins secreted by the skin and proboscis of Glycera alba (Annelida: Polychaeta), whose congenerics G. tridactyla and G. dibranchiata are known to be venomous. Proteomics and bioinformatics enabled the detection of bioactive proteins that hold potential for biotechnological applications, including toxins like glycerotoxins (GLTx), which can interfere with neuromuscular calcium channels and therefore have value for the development of painkillers, for instance. We also identified proteins involved in the biosynthesis of toxins. Other proteins of interest include venom and toxin-related bioactives like cysteine-rich venom proteins, many of which are known to interfere with the nervous system. Ex vivo toxicity assays with mussel gills exposed to fractionated protein extracts from the skin and proboscis revealed that fractions potentially containing higher-molecular-mass venom proteins can exert negative effects on invertebrate prey. Histopathology, DNA damage and caspase-3 activity suggest significant cytotoxic effects that can be coadjuvated by permeabilizing enzymes such as venom metalloproteinases M12B. Altogether, these encouraging findings show that venomous annelids are important sources of novel bioactives, albeit illustrating the challenges of surveying organisms whose genomes and metabolisms are poorly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Campos
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Ana P. Rodrigo
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Inês Moutinho Cabral
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Vera M. Mendes
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (V.M.M.); (B.M.)
| | - Bruno Manadas
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (V.M.M.); (B.M.)
| | - Mariaelena D’Ambrosio
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Pedro M. Costa
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.P.R.); (I.M.C.)
- UCIBIO Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
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7
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Thumtecho S, Suteparuk S, Sitprija V. Pulmonary involvement from animal toxins: the cellular mechanisms. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2023; 29:e20230026. [PMID: 37727535 PMCID: PMC10506740 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2023-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Venomous animals and their venom have always been of human interest because, despite species differences, coevolution has made them capable of targeting key physiological components of our bodies. Respiratory failure from lung injury is one of the serious consequences of envenomation, and the underlying mechanisms are rarely discussed. This review aims to demonstrate how toxins affect the pulmonary system through various biological pathways. Herein, we propose the common underlying cellular mechanisms of toxin-induced lung injury: interference with normal cell function and integrity, disruption of normal vascular function, and provocation of excessive inflammation. Viperid snakebites are the leading cause of envenomation-induced lung injury, followed by other terrestrial venomous animals such as scorpions, spiders, and centipedes. Marine species, particularly jellyfish, can also inflict such injury. Common pulmonary manifestations include pulmonary edema, pulmonary hemorrhage, and exudative infiltration. Severe envenomation can result in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Pulmonary involvement suggests severe envenomation, thus recognizing these mechanisms and manifestations can aid physicians in providing appropriate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suthimon Thumtecho
- Division of Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Chulalongkorn
University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society,
Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Suchai Suteparuk
- Division of Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Chulalongkorn
University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society,
Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Visith Sitprija
- Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute and King Chulalongkorn Memorial
Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
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8
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Keyler D. Timber rattlesnake ( Crotalus horridus): Biology, conservation, and envenomation in the Upper Mississippi River Valley (1982-2020). Toxicon X 2023; 19:100167. [PMID: 37483845 PMCID: PMC10359930 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2023.100167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is the largest pit viper in the Northern United States and is the prominent venomous snake species indigenous to the bluff land habitats of the Upper Mississippi River Valley (UMRV). Conservation of C. horridus in this geographic region not only preserves the ecosystem's biodiversity and ecological balance, but also assures the continued study of their biomedically important venoms/toxins. Field studies of C. horridus biology and natural history performed from 1985 to 2015 in southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin along the Mississippi River showed populations have declined. Consequently, the implementation of improved conservation measures afforded the species protective status in both states. Historically, accounts of Timber Rattlesnake bites in the UMRV have been sparse, and medical consequences of envenomation have had limited documentation. However, in recent decades cases of envenomation by C. horridus have continued to occur. Retrospective analysis of clinical toxinology consultations documented from 1982 to 2020 on cases of envenomation by C. horridus in the UMRV revealed a very low incidence of bites annually and revealed that their venom can induce a rapid and precipitous decline in platelets.
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Affiliation(s)
- D.E. Keyler
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Hennepin County Medical Center (retired), Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Yin L, Thaker H. Cancer Drug Delivery Systems Using Bacterial Toxin Translocation Mechanisms. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:813. [PMID: 37508840 PMCID: PMC10376142 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10070813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in targeted cancer therapy hold great promise for both research and clinical applications and push the boundaries in finding new treatments for various currently incurable cancers. However, these therapies require specific cell-targeting mechanisms for the efficient delivery of drug cargo across the cell membrane to reach intracellular targets and avoid diffusion to unwanted tissues. Traditional drug delivery systems suffer from a limited ability to travel across the barriers posed by cell membranes and, therefore, there is a need for high doses, which are associated with adverse reactions and safety concerns. Bacterial toxins have evolved naturally to specifically target cell subtypes via their receptor binding module, penetrating the cell membrane efficiently through the membrane translocation process and then successfully delivering the toxic cargo into the host cytosol. They have, thus, been harnessed for the delivery of various drugs. In this review, we focus on bacterial toxin translocation mechanisms and recent progress in the targeted delivery systems of cancer therapy drugs that have been inspired by the receptor binding and membrane translocation processes of the anthrax toxin protective antigen, diphtheria toxin, and Pseudomonas exotoxin A. We also discuss the challenges and limitations of these studies that should be addressed before bacterial toxin-based drug delivery systems can become a viable new generation of drug delivery approaches in clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxiang Yin
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hatim Thaker
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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10
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Gielecińska A, Kciuk M, Mujwar S, Celik I, Kołat D, Kałuzińska-Kołat Ż, Kontek R. Substances of Natural Origin in Medicine: Plants vs. Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:986. [PMID: 37048059 PMCID: PMC10092955 DOI: 10.3390/cells12070986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Continuous monitoring of the population's health is the main method of learning about disease prevalence. National and international data draw attention to the persistently high rates of cancer incidence. This necessitates the intensification of efforts aimed at developing new, more effective chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive drugs. Plants represent an invaluable source of natural substances with versatile medicinal properties. Multidirectional activities exhibited by natural substances and their ability to modulate key signaling pathways, mainly related to cancer cell death, make these substances an important research direction. This review summarizes the information regarding plant-derived chemotherapeutic drugs, including their mechanisms of action, with a special focus on selected anti-cancer drugs (paclitaxel, irinotecan) approved in clinical practice. It also presents promising plant-based drug candidates currently being tested in clinical and preclinical trials (betulinic acid, resveratrol, and roburic acid).
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianna Gielecińska
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Lodz, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, University of Lodz, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - Mateusz Kciuk
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Lodz, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, University of Lodz, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - Somdutt Mujwar
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, Punjab, India
| | - Ismail Celik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Damian Kołat
- Department of Experimental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Narutowicza 60, 90-136 Lodz, Poland
| | - Żaneta Kałuzińska-Kołat
- Department of Experimental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Narutowicza 60, 90-136 Lodz, Poland
| | - Renata Kontek
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, University of Lodz, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
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11
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McDonald EF, Jones T, Plate L, Meiler J, Gulsevin A. Benchmarking AlphaFold2 on peptide structure prediction. Structure 2023; 31:111-119.e2. [PMID: 36525975 PMCID: PMC9883802 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Recent advancements in computational tools have allowed protein structure prediction with high accuracy. Computational prediction methods have been used for modeling many soluble and membrane proteins, but the performance of these methods in modeling peptide structures has not yet been systematically investigated. We benchmarked the accuracy of AlphaFold2 in predicting 588 peptide structures between 10 and 40 amino acids using experimentally determined NMR structures as reference. Our results showed AlphaFold2 predicts α-helical, β-hairpin, and disulfide-rich peptides with high accuracy. AlphaFold2 performed at least as well if not better than alternative methods developed specifically for peptide structure prediction. AlphaFold2 showed several shortcomings in predicting Φ/Ψ angles, disulfide bond patterns, and the lowest RMSD structures failed to correlate with lowest pLDDT ranked structures. In summary, computation can be a powerful tool to predict peptide structures, but additional steps may be necessary to analyze and validate the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli Fritz McDonald
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Taylor Jones
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Lars Plate
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Jens Meiler
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Institute for Drug Discovery, Leipzig University Medical School, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Alican Gulsevin
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.
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12
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Tytgat J. Drug discovery and bio-exploration of nature: toxins, friend or foe? MAKEDONSKO FARMACEVTSKI BILTEN 2022. [DOI: 10.33320/maced.pharm.bull.2022.68.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven) Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N2, PO Box 922, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Janik-Karpinska E, Ceremuga M, Niemcewicz M, Podogrocki M, Stela M, Cichon N, Bijak M. Immunosensors-The Future of Pathogen Real-Time Detection. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:s22249757. [PMID: 36560126 PMCID: PMC9785510 DOI: 10.3390/s22249757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Pathogens and their toxins can cause various diseases of different severity. Some of them may be fatal, and therefore early diagnosis and suitable treatment is essential. There are numerous available methods used for their rapid screening. Conventional laboratory-based techniques such as culturing, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are dominant. However, culturing still remains the "gold standard" for their identification. These methods have many advantages, including high sensitivity and selectivity, but also numerous limitations, such as long experiment-time, costly instrumentation, and the need for well-qualified personnel to operate the equipment. All these existing limitations are the reasons for the continuous search for a new solutions in the field of bacteria identification. For years, research has been focusing on the use of immunosensors in various types of toxin- and pathogen-detection. Compared to the conventional methods, immunosensors do not require well-trained personnel. What is more, immunosensors are quick, highly selective and sensitive, and possess the potential to significantly improve the pathogen and toxin diagnostic-processes. There is a very important potential use for them in various transport systems, where the risk of contamination by bioagents is very high. In this paper, the advances in the field of immunosensor usage in pathogenic microorganism- and toxin-detection, are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Janik-Karpinska
- Biohazard Prevention Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Michal Ceremuga
- Military Institute of Armored and Automotive Technology, Okuniewska 1, 05-070 Sulejowek, Poland
| | - Marcin Niemcewicz
- Biohazard Prevention Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Marcin Podogrocki
- Biohazard Prevention Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Maksymilian Stela
- Biohazard Prevention Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Natalia Cichon
- Biohazard Prevention Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Michal Bijak
- Biohazard Prevention Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
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14
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Siigur J, Siigur E. Biochemistry and toxicology of proteins and peptides purified from the venom of Vipera berus berus. Toxicon X 2022; 15:100131. [PMID: 35769869 PMCID: PMC9234072 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2022.100131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The isolation and characterization of individual snake venom components is important for a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of envenomation and for improving the therapeutic procedures of patients. It also opens possibilities for the discovery of novel toxins that might be useful as tools for understanding cellular and molecular processes. The variable venom composition, toxicological and immunological properties of the common vipers (Vipera berus berus) have been reviewed. The combination of venom gland transcriptomics, bottom-up and top-down proteomics enabled comparison of common viper venom proteomes from multiple individuals. V. b. berus venom contains proteins and peptides belonging to 10–15 toxin families: snake venom metalloproteinase, phospholipases A2 (PLA2), snake venom serine proteinase, aspartic protease, L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO), hyaluronidase, 5′-nucleotidase, glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase, disintegrin, C-type lectin (snaclec), nerve growth factor, Kunitz type serine protease inhibitor, snake venom vascular endothelial growth factor, cysteine-rich secretory protein, bradykinin potentiating peptide, natriuretic peptides. PLA2 and LAAO from V. b. berus venom produce more pronounced cytotoxic effects in cancer cells than normal cells, via induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and suppression of proliferation. Proteomic data of V. b. berus venoms from different parts of Russia and Slovakian Republic have been compared with analogous data for Vipera nikolskii venom. Proteomic studies demonstrated quantitative differences in the composition of V. b. berus venom from different geographical regions. Differences in the venom composition of V. berus were mainly driven by the age, sex, habitat and diet of the snakes. The venom variability of V. berus results in a loss of antivenom efficacy against snakebites. The effectiveness of antibodies is discussed. This review presents an overview with a special focus on different toxins that have been isolated and characterized from the venoms of V. b. berus. Their main biochemical properties and toxic actions are described. Vipera berus berus venom composition is variable among different populations. Venom contains about 15 protein/peptide families. It disturbs blood coagulation inducing pro- or anticoagulant effects. Venom contains different types of blood factor X activators. PLA2 and L-amino acid oxidase produce cytotoxic effects in cancer cells.
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Majc B, Novak M, Lah TT, Križaj I. Bioactive peptides from venoms against glioma progression. Front Oncol 2022; 12:965882. [PMID: 36119523 PMCID: PMC9476555 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.965882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Venoms are complex mixtures of different molecules and ions. Among them, bioactive peptides have been found to affect cancer hallmarks, such as cell proliferation, cell invasion, cell migration, and can also modulate the immune response of normal and cancer-bearing organisms. In this article, we review the mechanisms of action on these cancer cell features, focusing on bioactive peptides being developed as potential therapeutics for one of the most aggressive and deadly brain tumors, glioblastoma (GB). Novel therapeutic approaches applying bioactive peptides may contribute to multiple targeting of GB and particularly of GB stem cells. Bioactive peptides selectively target cancer cells without harming normal cells. Various molecular targets related to the effects of bioactive peptides on GB have been proposed, including ion channels, integrins, membrane phospholipids and even immunomodulatory treatment of GB. In addition to therapy, some bioactive peptides, such as disintegrins, can also be used for diagnostics or are used as labels for cytotoxic drugs to specifically target cancer cells. Given the limitations described in the last section, successful application in cancer therapy is rather low, as only 3.4% of such peptides have been included in clinical trials and have passed successfully phases I to III. Combined approaches of added bioactive peptides to standard cancer therapies need to be explored using advanced GB in vitro models such as organoids. On the other hand, new methods are also being developed to improve translation from research to practice and provide new hope for GB patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernarda Majc
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- *Correspondence: Bernarda Majc, ; Igor Križaj,
| | - Metka Novak
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tamara T. Lah
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Križaj
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- *Correspondence: Bernarda Majc, ; Igor Križaj,
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16
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Kowalski K, Marciniak P, Rychlik L. A new, widespread venomous mammal species: hemolytic activity of Sorex araneus venom is similar to that of Neomys fodiens venom. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2022; 8:7. [PMID: 35672837 PMCID: PMC9172195 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-022-00191-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Venom production has evolved independently many times in the animal kingdom, although it is rare among mammals. Venomous shrews produce toxins in their salivary glands and use their venoms to hunt and store prey. Thus far, the toxicity and composition of shrew venoms have been studied only in two shrew species: the northern short-tailed shrew, Blarina brevicauda, and the Eurasian water shrew, Neomys fodiens. Venom of N. fodiens has potent paralytic activity which enables hunting and storing prey in a comatose state. Here, we assayed the hemolytic effects of extracts from salivary glands of N. fodiens and the common shrew, Sorex araneus, in erythrocytes of Pelophylax sp. frogs. We identified toxins in shrew venom by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS Our results prove, confirming a suggestion made four centuries ago, that S. araneus is venomous. We also provide the first experimental evidence that shrew venoms produce potent hemolysis in frog erythrocytes. We found significant concentration-dependent effects of venoms of N. fodiens and S. araneus on hemolysis of red blood cells evaluated as hemoglobin release. Treatment of erythrocytes with N. fodiens venom at concentrations of 1.0 and 0.5 mg/ml and with S. araneus venom at concentration of 1.0 mg/ml caused an increased release of hemoglobin. Our findings confirm that hemolytic effects of N. fodiens venom are stronger than those produced by S. araneus venom. We identified four toxins in the venom of N. fodiens: proenkephalin, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein (ADAM) and lysozyme C, as well as a non-toxic hyaluronidase. In the venom of S. araneus we found five toxins: proenkephalin, kallikrein 1-related peptidase, beta-defensin, ADAM and lysozyme C. PLA2 and ADAMs are likely to produce hemolysis in frog erythrocytes. CONCLUSIONS Our results clearly show that shrew venoms possess hemolytic action that may allow them to hunt larger prey. Since a member of the numerous genus Sorex is venomous, it is likely that venom production among shrews and other eulipotyphlans may be more widespread than it has previously been assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kowalski
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Ecology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Paweł Marciniak
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Leszek Rychlik
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
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17
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Sharma N, Naorem LD, Jain S, Raghava GPS. ToxinPred2: an improved method for predicting toxicity of proteins. Brief Bioinform 2022; 23:6590152. [PMID: 35595541 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins/peptides have shown to be promising therapeutic agents for a variety of diseases. However, toxicity is one of the obstacles in protein/peptide-based therapy. The current study describes a web-based tool, ToxinPred2, developed for predicting the toxicity of proteins. This is an update of ToxinPred developed mainly for predicting toxicity of peptides and small proteins. The method has been trained, tested and evaluated on three datasets curated from the recent release of the SwissProt. To provide unbiased evaluation, we performed internal validation on 80% of the data and external validation on the remaining 20% of data. We have implemented the following techniques for predicting protein toxicity; (i) Basic Local Alignment Search Tool-based similarity, (ii) Motif-EmeRging and with Classes-Identification-based motif search and (iii) Prediction models. Similarity and motif-based techniques achieved a high probability of correct prediction with poor sensitivity/coverage, whereas models based on machine-learning techniques achieved balance sensitivity and specificity with reasonably high accuracy. Finally, we developed a hybrid method that combined all three approaches and achieved a maximum area under receiver operating characteristic curve around 0.99 with Matthews correlation coefficient 0.91 on the validation dataset. In addition, we developed models on alternate and realistic datasets. The best machine learning models have been implemented in the web server named 'ToxinPred2', which is available at https://webs.iiitd.edu.in/raghava/toxinpred2/ and a standalone version at https://github.com/raghavagps/toxinpred2. This is a general method developed for predicting the toxicity of proteins regardless of their source of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelam Sharma
- Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Okhla Phase 3, New Delhi-110020, India
| | - Leimarembi Devi Naorem
- Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Okhla Phase 3, New Delhi-110020, India
| | - Shipra Jain
- Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Okhla Phase 3, New Delhi-110020, India
| | - Gajendra P S Raghava
- Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Okhla Phase 3, New Delhi-110020, India
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18
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von Reumont BM, Anderluh G, Antunes A, Ayvazyan N, Beis D, Caliskan F, Crnković A, Damm M, Dutertre S, Ellgaard L, Gajski G, German H, Halassy B, Hempel BF, Hucho T, Igci N, Ikonomopoulou MP, Karbat I, Klapa MI, Koludarov I, Kool J, Lüddecke T, Ben Mansour R, Vittoria Modica M, Moran Y, Nalbantsoy A, Ibáñez MEP, Panagiotopoulos A, Reuveny E, Céspedes JS, Sombke A, Surm JM, Undheim EAB, Verdes A, Zancolli G. Modern venomics-Current insights, novel methods, and future perspectives in biological and applied animal venom research. Gigascience 2022; 11:giac048. [PMID: 35640874 PMCID: PMC9155608 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giac048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Venoms have evolved >100 times in all major animal groups, and their components, known as toxins, have been fine-tuned over millions of years into highly effective biochemical weapons. There are many outstanding questions on the evolution of toxin arsenals, such as how venom genes originate, how venom contributes to the fitness of venomous species, and which modifications at the genomic, transcriptomic, and protein level drive their evolution. These questions have received particularly little attention outside of snakes, cone snails, spiders, and scorpions. Venom compounds have further become a source of inspiration for translational research using their diverse bioactivities for various applications. We highlight here recent advances and new strategies in modern venomics and discuss how recent technological innovations and multi-omic methods dramatically improve research on venomous animals. The study of genomes and their modifications through CRISPR and knockdown technologies will increase our understanding of how toxins evolve and which functions they have in the different ontogenetic stages during the development of venomous animals. Mass spectrometry imaging combined with spatial transcriptomics, in situ hybridization techniques, and modern computer tomography gives us further insights into the spatial distribution of toxins in the venom system and the function of the venom apparatus. All these evolutionary and biological insights contribute to more efficiently identify venom compounds, which can then be synthesized or produced in adapted expression systems to test their bioactivity. Finally, we critically discuss recent agrochemical, pharmaceutical, therapeutic, and diagnostic (so-called translational) aspects of venoms from which humans benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjoern M von Reumont
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Department for Applied Bioinformatics, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Senckenberg Frankfurt, Senckenberganlage 25, 60235 Frankfurt, Germany
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Institute for Insectbiotechnology, Heinrich Buff Ring 26-32, 35396 Giessen, Germany
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450–208 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Naira Ayvazyan
- Orbeli Institute of Physiology of NAS RA, Orbeli ave. 22, 0028 Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Dimitris Beis
- Developmental Biology, Centre for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Figen Caliskan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, TR-26040 Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Ana Crnković
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maik Damm
- Technische Universität Berlin, Department of Chemistry, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Lars Ellgaard
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Goran Gajski
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Mutagenesis Unit, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Hannah German
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Beata Halassy
- University of Zagreb, Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, Trg Republike Hrvatske 14, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Benjamin-Florian Hempel
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies BCRT, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tim Hucho
- Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Nasit Igci
- Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, 50300 Nevsehir, Turkey
| | - Maria P Ikonomopoulou
- Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies in Food, Madrid,E28049, Spain
- The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Izhar Karbat
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Maria I Klapa
- Metabolic Engineering and Systems Biology Laboratory, Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras GR-26504, Greece
| | - Ivan Koludarov
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Institute for Insectbiotechnology, Heinrich Buff Ring 26-32, 35396 Giessen, Germany
| | - Jeroen Kool
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tim Lüddecke
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Senckenberg Frankfurt, Senckenberganlage 25, 60235 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Riadh Ben Mansour
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Gafsa University, Campus Universitaire Siidi Ahmed Zarrouk, 2112 Gafsa, Tunisia
| | - Maria Vittoria Modica
- Dept. of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Po 25c, I-00198 Roma, Italy
| | - Yehu Moran
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Ayse Nalbantsoy
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - María Eugenia Pachón Ibáñez
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, and Preventive Medicine, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alexios Panagiotopoulos
- Metabolic Engineering and Systems Biology Laboratory, Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras GR-26504, Greece
- Animal Biology Division, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, GR-26500, Greece
| | - Eitan Reuveny
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Javier Sánchez Céspedes
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, and Preventive Medicine, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andy Sombke
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Joachim M Surm
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- University of Oslo, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Postboks 1066 Blindern 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Aida Verdes
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Giulia Zancolli
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Jifar WW, Atnafie SA, Angalaparameswari S. A Review: Matrix Metallopeptidase-9 Nanoparticles Targeted for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers. J Multidiscip Healthc 2021; 14:3321-3329. [PMID: 34880623 PMCID: PMC8646228 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s343085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes foot ulcers are a leading cause of death in diabetic individuals. There are very few medicines and treatments that have received regulatory clearance for this indication, and numerous compounds from various pharmacological classes are now in various stages of clinical studies for diabetic foot ulcers treatment. Multiple risk factors contribute to diabetic foot ulcers, including neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, infection, gender, cigarette smoking, and age. The present difficulties in diabetic foot ulcers treatment are related to bacterial resistance to currently utilized antibiotics. Inhibition of the quorum sensing (QS) system and targeting matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) are promising. This study focuses on the difficulties of existing treatment, current treatment technique, and novel pharmacological targets for diabetic foot ulcer. The electronic data base search diabetic for literature on foot ulcers treatment was carried out using Science Direct, PubMed, Google-Scholar, Springer Link, Scopus, and Wiley up to 2021. Becaplermin, a medication that targets MMP-9, glyceryl trinitrate, which inhibits the bacterial quorum sensing system, probiotic therapy, and nano technological solutions are just a few of the novel pharmaceuticals being developed for diabetic foot ulcers treatment. A combination of therapies, rather than one particular agent, will be the best option for treatment of Diabetes foot ulcer since it is multifactorial factors that render occurs of diabetic foot ulcer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wakuma Wakene Jifar
- Mettu University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Mettu, Ethiopia
| | - Seyfe Asrade Atnafie
- University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Scorpion Venom Antimicrobial Peptides Induce Siderophore Biosynthesis and Oxidative Stress Responses in Escherichia coli. mSphere 2021; 6:6/3/e00267-21. [PMID: 33980680 PMCID: PMC8125054 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00267-21] [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] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of life-threatening resistance of pathogenic bacteria to the antibiotics typically in use in hospitals and the community today has led to an urgent need to discover novel antimicrobial agents with different mechanisms of action. As an ancient host defense mechanism of the innate immune system, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are attractive candidates to fill that role. The increasing development of microbial resistance to classical antimicrobial agents has led to the search for novel antimicrobials. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from scorpion and snake venoms offer an attractive source for the development of novel therapeutics. Smp24 (24 amino acids [aa]) and Smp43 (43 aa) are broad-spectrum AMPs that have been identified from the venom gland of the Egyptian scorpion Scorpio mauruspalmatus and subsequently characterized. Using a DNA microarray approach, we examined the transcriptomic responses of Escherichia coli to subinhibitory concentrations of Smp24 and Smp43 peptides following 5 h of incubation. Seventy-two genes were downregulated by Smp24, and 79 genes were downregulated by Smp43. Of these genes, 14 genes were downregulated in common and were associated with bacterial respiration. Fifty-two genes were specifically upregulated by Smp24. These genes were predominantly related to cation transport, particularly iron transport. Three diverse genes were independently upregulated by Smp43. Strains with knockouts of differentially regulated genes were screened to assess the effect on susceptibility to Smp peptides. Ten mutants in the knockout library had increased levels of resistance to Smp24. These genes were predominantly associated with cation transport and binding. Two mutants increased resistance to Smp43. There was no cross-resistance in mutants resistant to Smp24 or Smp43. Five mutants showed increased susceptibility to Smp24, and seven mutants showed increased susceptibility to Smp43. Of these mutants, formate dehydrogenase knockout (fdnG) resulted in increased susceptibility to both peptides. While the electrostatic association between pore-forming AMPs and bacterial membranes followed by integration of the peptide into the membrane is the initial starting point, it is clear that there are numerous subsequent additional intracellular mechanisms that contribute to their overall antimicrobial effect. IMPORTANCE The development of life-threatening resistance of pathogenic bacteria to the antibiotics typically in use in hospitals and the community today has led to an urgent need to discover novel antimicrobial agents with different mechanisms of action. As an ancient host defense mechanism of the innate immune system, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are attractive candidates to fill that role. Scorpion venoms have proven to be a rich source of AMPs. Smp24 and Smp43 are new AMPs that have been identified from the venom gland of the Egyptian scorpion Scorpio maurus palmatus, and these peptides can kill a wide range of bacterial pathogens. By better understanding how these AMPs affect bacterial cells, we can modify their structure to make better drugs in the future.
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Three-Finger Toxins from Brazilian Coral Snakes: From Molecular Framework to Insights in Biological Function. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13050328. [PMID: 33946590 PMCID: PMC8147190 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13050328] [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: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on 3FTxs around the world are showing the amazing diversity in these proteins both in structure and function. In Brazil, we have not realized the broad variety of their amino acid sequences and probable diversified structures and targets. In this context, this work aims to conduct an in silico systematic study on available 3FTxs found in Micrurus species from Brazil. We elaborated a specific guideline for this toxin family. First, we grouped them according to their structural homologue predicted by HHPred server and further curated manually. For each group, we selected one sequence and constructed a representative structural model. By looking at conserved features and comparing with the information available in the literature for this toxin family, we managed to point to potential biological functions. In parallel, the phylogenetic relationship was estimated for our database by maximum likelihood analyses and a phylogenetic tree was constructed including the homologous 3FTx previously characterized. Our results highlighted an astonishing diversity inside this family of toxins, showing some groups with expected functional similarities to known 3FTxs, and pointing out others with potential novel roles and perhaps structures. Moreover, this classification guideline may be useful to aid future studies on these abundant toxins.
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Leggieri MC, Toscano P, Battilani P. Predicted Aflatoxin B 1 Increase in Europe Due to Climate Change: Actions and Reactions at Global Level. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:292. [PMID: 33924246 PMCID: PMC8074758 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13040292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change (CC) is predicted to increase the risk of aflatoxin (AF) contamination in maize, as highlighted by a project supported by EFSA in 2009. We performed a comprehensive literature search using the Scopus search engine to extract peer-reviewed studies citing this study. A total of 224 papers were identified after step I filtering (187 + 37), while step II filtering identified 25 of these papers for quantitative analysis. The unselected papers (199) were categorized as "actions" because they provided a sounding board for the expected impact of CC on AFB1 contamination, without adding new data on the topic. The remaining papers were considered as "reactions" of the scientific community because they went a step further in their data and ideas. Interesting statements taken from the "reactions" could be summarized with the following keywords: Chain and multi-actor approach, intersectoral and multidisciplinary, resilience, human and animal health, and global vision. In addition, fields meriting increased research efforts were summarized as the improvement of predictive modeling; extension to different crops and geographic areas; and the impact of CC on fungi and mycotoxin co-occurrence, both in crops and their value chains, up to consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Camardo Leggieri
- Department of Sustainable Crop Production (DI.PRO.VE.S.), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy;
| | - Piero Toscano
- IBE-CNR, Institute of BioEconomy-National Research Council, Via Giovanni Caproni 8, 50145 Florence, Italy;
| | - Paola Battilani
- Department of Sustainable Crop Production (DI.PRO.VE.S.), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy;
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23
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Worbs S, Kampa B, Skiba M, Hansbauer EM, Stern D, Volland H, Becher F, Simon S, Dorner MB, Dorner BG. Differentiation, Quantification and Identification of Abrin and Abrus precatorius Agglutinin. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13040284. [PMID: 33919561 PMCID: PMC8073929 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13040284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abrin, the toxic lectin from the rosary pea plant Abrus precatorius, has gained considerable interest in the recent past due to its potential malevolent use. However, reliable and easy-to-use assays for the detection and discrimination of abrin from related plant proteins such as Abrus precatorius agglutinin or the homologous toxin ricin from Ricinus communis are sparse. To address this gap, a panel of highly specific monoclonal antibodies was generated against abrin and the related Abrus precatorius agglutinin. These antibodies were used to establish two sandwich ELISAs to preferentially detect abrin or A. precatorius agglutinin (limit of detection 22 pg/mL for abrin; 35 pg/mL for A. precatorius agglutinin). Furthermore, an abrin-specific lateral flow assay was developed for rapid on-site detection (limit of detection ~1 ng/mL abrin). Assays were validated for complex food, environmental and clinical matrices illustrating broad applicability in different threat scenarios. Additionally, the antibodies turned out to be suitable for immuno-enrichment strategies in combination with mass spectrometry-based approaches for unambiguous identification. Finally, we were able to demonstrate for the first time how the developed assays can be applied to detect, identify and quantify abrin from a clinical sample derived from an attempted suicide case involving A. precatorius.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Worbs
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.W.); (B.K.); (M.S.); (E.-M.H.); (D.S.); (M.B.D.)
| | - Bettina Kampa
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.W.); (B.K.); (M.S.); (E.-M.H.); (D.S.); (M.B.D.)
| | - Martin Skiba
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.W.); (B.K.); (M.S.); (E.-M.H.); (D.S.); (M.B.D.)
| | - Eva-Maria Hansbauer
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.W.); (B.K.); (M.S.); (E.-M.H.); (D.S.); (M.B.D.)
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (H.V.); (F.B.); (S.S.)
| | - Daniel Stern
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.W.); (B.K.); (M.S.); (E.-M.H.); (D.S.); (M.B.D.)
| | - Hervé Volland
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (H.V.); (F.B.); (S.S.)
| | - François Becher
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (H.V.); (F.B.); (S.S.)
| | - Stéphanie Simon
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (H.V.); (F.B.); (S.S.)
| | - Martin B. Dorner
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.W.); (B.K.); (M.S.); (E.-M.H.); (D.S.); (M.B.D.)
| | - Brigitte G. Dorner
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.W.); (B.K.); (M.S.); (E.-M.H.); (D.S.); (M.B.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-18754-2500
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24
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Coulter-Parkhill A, McClean S, Gault VA, Irwin N. Therapeutic Potential of Peptides Derived from Animal Venoms: Current Views and Emerging Drugs for Diabetes. Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes 2021; 14:11795514211006071. [PMID: 34621137 PMCID: PMC8491154 DOI: 10.1177/11795514211006071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of venom-derived drugs is evident today. Currently, several significant drugs are FDA approved for human use that descend directly from animal venom products, with others having undergone, or progressing through, clinical trials. In addition, there is growing awareness of the important cosmeceutical application of venom-derived products. The success of venom-derived compounds is linked to their increased bioactivity, specificity and stability when compared to synthetically engineered compounds. This review highlights advancements in venom-derived compounds for the treatment of diabetes and related disorders. Exendin-4, originating from the saliva of Gila monster lizard, represents proof-of-concept for this drug discovery pathway in diabetes. More recent evidence emphasises the potential of venom-derived compounds from bees, cone snails, sea anemones, scorpions, snakes and spiders to effectively manage glycaemic control. Such compounds could represent exciting exploitable scaffolds for future drug discovery in diabetes, as well as providing tools to allow for a better understanding of cell signalling pathways linked to insulin secretion and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Victor A Gault
- Diabetes Research Group, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Nigel Irwin
- Diabetes Research Group, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
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25
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Venom Use in Eulipotyphlans: An Evolutionary and Ecological Approach. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13030231. [PMID: 33810196 PMCID: PMC8004749 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13030231] [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: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Venomousness is a complex functional trait that has evolved independently many times in the animal kingdom, although it is rare among mammals. Intriguingly, most venomous mammal species belong to Eulipotyphla (solenodons, shrews). This fact may be linked to their high metabolic rate and a nearly continuous demand of nutritious food, and thus it relates the venom functions to facilitation of their efficient foraging. While mammalian venoms have been investigated using biochemical and molecular assays, studies of their ecological functions have been neglected for a long time. Therefore, we provide here an overview of what is currently known about eulipotyphlan venoms, followed by a discussion of how these venoms might have evolved under ecological pressures related to food acquisition, ecological interactions, and defense and protection. We delineate six mutually nonexclusive functions of venom (prey hunting, food hoarding, food digestion, reducing intra- and interspecific conflicts, avoidance of predation risk, weapons in intraspecific competition) and a number of different subfunctions for eulipotyphlans, among which some are so far only hypothetical while others have some empirical confirmation. The functions resulting from the need for food acquisition seem to be the most important for solenodons and especially for shrews. We also present several hypotheses explaining why, despite so many potentially beneficial functions, venomousness is rare even among eulipotyphlans. The tentativeness of many of the arguments presented in this review highlights our main conclusion, i.e., insights regarding the functions of eulipotyphlan venoms merit additional study.
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26
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Vergis J, Rawool DB, Singh Malik SV, Barbuddhe SB. Food safety in fisheries: Application of One Health approach. Indian J Med Res 2021; 153:348-357. [PMID: 33906998 PMCID: PMC8204822 DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_573_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fisheries comprise the fastest growing sector meeting the global protein requirements. Being an affordable enterprise, it is considered a safe source of food and the muscles of healthy fishes are almost sterile. However, a multitude of hazards (biological, chemical, and environmental) can be introduced into aquaculture throughout the production and supply chain. Also, it can originate from unsuitable farming practices, environmental pollution, and socio-cultural habits prevailing in various regions. Hence, with an increasing global population and demands for aquacultural products, assessment and regulation of food safety concerns are becoming significantly evident. Ensuring safe, secure, affordable, and quality food for all in a global context is pragmatically difficult. In this context, it is quite imperative to understand the ecology and dynamics of these hazards throughout the entire production chain in a One Health approach. Here, we discuss the issues and challenges faced in the fisheries sector as a whole and the need for a One Health approach to overcome such hurdles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jess Vergis
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala, India
| | - Deepak B. Rawool
- Department of Meat Safety, ICAR- National Research Centre on Meat, Chengicherla, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Satya Veer Singh Malik
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sukhadeo B. Barbuddhe
- Department of Meat Safety, ICAR- National Research Centre on Meat, Chengicherla, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
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27
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Gazerani P. Venoms as an adjunctive therapy for Parkinson's disease: where are we now and where are we going? Future Sci OA 2020; 7:FSO642. [PMID: 33437512 PMCID: PMC7787152 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2020-0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), are increasing in the aging population. Crucially, neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons in PD is associated with chronic inflammation and glial activation. Besides this, bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, sensory alteration, and cognitive and psychiatric impairments are also present in PD. Currently, no pharmacologically effective treatment alters the progression of the disease. Discovery and development of new treatment strategies remains a focus for ongoing investigations. For example, one approach is cell therapy to prevent dopaminergic neuronal loss or to slow PD progression. The neuroprotective role of a diverse range of natural products, including venoms from bees, scorpions, snakes and lizards, are also being tested in preclinical PD models and in humans. The main findings from recent studies that have investigated venoms as therapeutic options for PD are summarized in this special report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Gazerani
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Health Science & Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg East, Denmark
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28
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Functional and Structural Variation among Sticholysins, Pore-Forming Proteins from the Sea Anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238915. [PMID: 33255441 PMCID: PMC7727798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Venoms constitute complex mixtures of many different molecules arising from evolution in processes driven by continuous prey-predator interactions. One of the most common compounds in these venomous cocktails are pore-forming proteins, a family of toxins whose activity relies on the disruption of the plasmatic membranes by forming pores. The venom of sea anemones, belonging to the oldest lineage of venomous animals, contains a large amount of a characteristic group of pore-forming proteins known as actinoporins. They bind specifically to sphingomyelin-containing membranes and suffer a conformational metamorphosis that drives them to make pores. This event usually leads cells to death by osmotic shock. Sticholysins are the actinoporins produced by Stichodactyla helianthus. Three different isotoxins are known: Sticholysins I, II, and III. They share very similar amino acid sequence and three-dimensional structure but display different behavior in terms of lytic activity and ability to interact with cholesterol, an important lipid component of vertebrate membranes. In addition, sticholysins can act in synergy when exerting their toxin action. The subtle, but important, molecular nuances that explain their different behavior are described and discussed throughout the text. Improving our knowledge about sticholysins behavior is important for eventually developing them into biotechnological tools.
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29
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Knuhtsen A, Whiting R, McWhinnie FS, Whitmore C, Smith BO, Green AC, Timperley CM, Kinnear KI, Jamieson AG. μ‐Conotoxin KIIIA
peptidomimetics that block human
voltage‐gated
sodium channels. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Knuhtsen
- School of Chemistry, Joseph Black Building University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Rachel Whiting
- Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down Salisbury, Wiltshire UK
| | | | - Charlotte Whitmore
- Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down Salisbury, Wiltshire UK
| | - Brian O. Smith
- Institute of Molecular, Cell & Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, Joseph Black Building University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - A. Christopher Green
- Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down Salisbury, Wiltshire UK
| | - Christopher M. Timperley
- Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down Salisbury, Wiltshire UK
| | - Kenneth I. Kinnear
- Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down Salisbury, Wiltshire UK
| | - Andrew G. Jamieson
- School of Chemistry, Joseph Black Building University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
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30
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Bordon KDCF, Cologna CT, Fornari-Baldo EC, Pinheiro-Júnior EL, Cerni FA, Amorim FG, Anjolette FAP, Cordeiro FA, Wiezel GA, Cardoso IA, Ferreira IG, de Oliveira IS, Boldrini-França J, Pucca MB, Baldo MA, Arantes EC. From Animal Poisons and Venoms to Medicines: Achievements, Challenges and Perspectives in Drug Discovery. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1132. [PMID: 32848750 PMCID: PMC7396678 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal poisons and venoms are comprised of different classes of molecules displaying wide-ranging pharmacological activities. This review aims to provide an in-depth view of toxin-based compounds from terrestrial and marine organisms used as diagnostic tools, experimental molecules to validate postulated therapeutic targets, drug libraries, prototypes for the design of drugs, cosmeceuticals, and therapeutic agents. However, making these molecules applicable requires extensive preclinical trials, with some applications also demanding clinical trials, in order to validate their molecular target, mechanism of action, effective dose, potential adverse effects, as well as other fundamental parameters. Here we go through the pitfalls for a toxin-based potential therapeutic drug to become eligible for clinical trials and marketing. The manuscript also presents an overview of the current picture for several molecules from different animal venoms and poisons (such as those from amphibians, cone snails, hymenopterans, scorpions, sea anemones, snakes, spiders, tetraodontiformes, bats, and shrews) that have been used in clinical trials. Advances and perspectives on the therapeutic potential of molecules from other underexploited animals, such as caterpillars and ticks, are also reported. The challenges faced during the lengthy and costly preclinical and clinical studies and how to overcome these hindrances are also discussed for that drug candidates going to the bedside. It covers most of the drugs developed using toxins, the molecules that have failed and those that are currently in clinical trials. The article presents a detailed overview of toxins that have been used as therapeutic agents, including their discovery, formulation, dosage, indications, main adverse effects, and pregnancy and breastfeeding prescription warnings. Toxins in diagnosis, as well as cosmeceuticals and atypical therapies (bee venom and leech therapies) are also reported. The level of cumulative and detailed information provided in this review may help pharmacists, physicians, biotechnologists, pharmacologists, and scientists interested in toxinology, drug discovery, and development of toxin-based products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla de Castro Figueiredo Bordon
- Laboratory of Animal Toxins, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Camila Takeno Cologna
- Laboratory of Animal Toxins, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Ernesto Lopes Pinheiro-Júnior
- Laboratory of Animal Toxins, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Felipe Augusto Cerni
- Laboratory of Animal Toxins, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Gobbi Amorim
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vila Velha University, Vila Velha, Brazil
| | | | - Francielle Almeida Cordeiro
- Laboratory of Animal Toxins, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Gisele Adriano Wiezel
- Laboratory of Animal Toxins, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Iara Aimê Cardoso
- Laboratory of Animal Toxins, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Isabela Gobbo Ferreira
- Laboratory of Animal Toxins, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Isadora Sousa de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Animal Toxins, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mateus Amaral Baldo
- Health and Science Institute, Paulista University, São José do Rio Pardo, Brazil
| | - Eliane Candiani Arantes
- Laboratory of Animal Toxins, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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31
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Nirthanan S. Snake three-finger α-neurotoxins and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: molecules, mechanisms and medicine. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 181:114168. [PMID: 32710970 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Snake venom three-finger α-neurotoxins (α-3FNTx) act on postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) to produce skeletal muscle paralysis. The discovery of the archetypal α-bungarotoxin (α-BgTx), almost six decades ago, exponentially expanded our knowledge of membrane receptors and ion channels. This included the localisation, isolation and characterization of the first receptor (nAChR); and by extension, the pathophysiology and pharmacology of neuromuscular transmission and associated pathologies such as myasthenia gravis, as well as our understanding of the role of α-3FNTxs in snakebite envenomation leading to novel concepts of targeted treatment. Subsequent studies on a variety of animal venoms have yielded a plethora of novel toxins that have revolutionized molecular biomedicine and advanced drug discovery from bench to bedside. This review provides an overview of nAChRs and their subtypes, classification of α-3FNTxs and the challenges of typifying an increasing arsenal of structurally and functionally unique toxins, and the three-finger protein (3FP) fold in the context of the uPAR/Ly6/CD59/snake toxin superfamily. The pharmacology of snake α-3FNTxs including their mechanisms of neuromuscular blockade, variations in reversibility of nAChR interactions, specificity for nAChR subtypes or for distinct ligand-binding interfaces within a subtype and the role of α-3FNTxs in neurotoxic envenomation are also detailed. Lastly, a reconciliation of structure-function relationships between α-3FNTx and nAChRs, derived from historical mutational and biochemical studies and emerging atomic level structures of nAChR models in complex with α-3FNTxs is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selvanayagam Nirthanan
- School of Medical Science, Griffith Health Group, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
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32
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Kowalski K, Marciniak P, Rychlik L. Individual variation in cardiotoxicity of parotoid secretion of the common toad, Bufo bufo, depends on body size - first results. ZOOLOGY 2020; 142:125822. [PMID: 32862084 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2020.125822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Anurans secrete a wide diversity of toxins from skin glands to defend themselves against predators and pathogens. Bufonids produce potent poison in parotoid macroglands located in the postorbital region. Parotoid secretion is a rich source of bioactive compounds with cardiotoxic, cytotoxic and hemolytic activity. Poison content and toxicity may vary between species, populations, and among conspecifics inhabiting the same area. In the present paper, we pre-analyzed the individual variation in cardiotoxicity of parotoid extract of common toads (Bufo bufo Linnaeus, 1758) and impact of body mass (BM), snout to vent length (SVL), and body condition (BC) of toad on the poison toxicity. We hypothesized that large toads produce poison with higher cardiotoxicity than smaller ones. Parotoid extract was fractionated by reverse phase chromatography, and then in vitro physiological bioassays were carried out on the semi-isolated hearts of the mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus, 1758) to determine cardiotoxicity of the whole poison and separated fractions. Generalized linear mixed models were used to determine effects of BM, SVL, and BC on the poison toxicity. We recorded significant changes in the insect heart contractility after treatment with the whole poison and separated fractions. We found an individual variation in cardiotoxicity of the parotoid extract which was explained by the body size of toad. Poison of smaller toads displayed a negative, whereas poison of larger toads positive, chronotropic effect on the heart contractility. Thus, we conclude that the effectiveness of parotoid secretion in repelling predators may vary depending on the toad individual size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kowalski
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Ecology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, Toruń, 87-100, Poland; Department of Systematic Zoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, Poznań, 61-614, Poland.
| | - Paweł Marciniak
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, Poznań, 61-614, Poland.
| | - Leszek Rychlik
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, Poznań, 61-614, Poland.
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33
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Post Y, Puschhof J, Beumer J, Kerkkamp HM, de Bakker MAG, Slagboom J, de Barbanson B, Wevers NR, Spijkers XM, Olivier T, Kazandjian TD, Ainsworth S, Iglesias CL, van de Wetering WJ, Heinz MC, van Ineveld RL, van Kleef RGDM, Begthel H, Korving J, Bar-Ephraim YE, Getreuer W, Rios AC, Westerink RHS, Snippert HJG, van Oudenaarden A, Peters PJ, Vonk FJ, Kool J, Richardson MK, Casewell NR, Clevers H. Snake Venom Gland Organoids. Cell 2020; 180:233-247.e21. [PMID: 31978343 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Wnt dependency and Lgr5 expression define multiple mammalian epithelial stem cell types. Under defined growth factor conditions, such adult stem cells (ASCs) grow as 3D organoids that recapitulate essential features of the pertinent epithelium. Here, we establish long-term expanding venom gland organoids from several snake species. The newly assembled transcriptome of the Cape coral snake reveals that organoids express high levels of toxin transcripts. Single-cell RNA sequencing of both organoids and primary tissue identifies distinct venom-expressing cell types as well as proliferative cells expressing homologs of known mammalian stem cell markers. A hard-wired regional heterogeneity in the expression of individual venom components is maintained in organoid cultures. Harvested venom peptides reflect crude venom composition and display biological activity. This study extends organoid technology to reptilian tissues and describes an experimentally tractable model system representing the snake venom gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yorick Post
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jens Puschhof
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Joep Beumer
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Harald M Kerkkamp
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2333 CR Leiden, the Netherlands; Institute of Biology Leiden, Department of Animal Science and Health, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Merijn A G de Bakker
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Department of Animal Science and Health, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Julien Slagboom
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 LA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Buys de Barbanson
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Nienke R Wevers
- Mimetas BV, Organ-on-a-Chip Company, 2333 CH Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Xandor M Spijkers
- Mimetas BV, Organ-on-a-Chip Company, 2333 CH Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Translational Neuroscience, Utrecht University Medical Center, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas Olivier
- Mimetas BV, Organ-on-a-Chip Company, 2333 CH Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Taline D Kazandjian
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Stuart Ainsworth
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Carmen Lopez Iglesias
- The Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Willine J van de Wetering
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; The Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Maria C Heinz
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ravian L van Ineveld
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Regina G D M van Kleef
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Harry Begthel
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Korving
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Yotam E Bar-Ephraim
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Anne C Rios
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Remco H S Westerink
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hugo J G Snippert
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Alexander van Oudenaarden
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Peter J Peters
- The Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Freek J Vonk
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2333 CR Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Kool
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 LA Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michael K Richardson
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Department of Animal Science and Health, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Nicholas R Casewell
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Hans Clevers
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Casewell NR, Jackson TNW, Laustsen AH, Sunagar K. Causes and Consequences of Snake Venom Variation. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2020; 41:570-581. [PMID: 32564899 PMCID: PMC7116101 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Snake venoms are mixtures of toxins that vary extensively between and within snake species. This variability has serious consequences for the management of the world’s 1.8 million annual snakebite victims. Advances in ‘omic’ technologies have empowered toxinologists to comprehensively characterize snake venom compositions, unravel the molecular mechanisms that underpin venom variation, and elucidate the ensuing functional consequences. In this review, we describe how such mechanistic processes have resulted in suites of toxin isoforms that cause diverse pathologies in human snakebite victims and we detail how variation in venom composition can result in treatment failure. Finally, we outline current therapeutic approaches designed to circumvent venom variation and deliver next-generation treatments for the world’s most lethal neglected tropical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R Casewell
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK.
| | - Timothy N W Jackson
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andreas H Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kartik Sunagar
- Evolutionary Venomics Laboratory, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India
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Anti-fungal properties and mechanisms of melittin. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:6513-6526. [PMID: 32500268 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10701-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Many fungal diseases remain poorly addressed by public health authorities, despite posing a substantial threat to humans, animals, and plants. More worryingly, few classes of anti-fungals have been developed to combat fungal infections thus far. These medications also have certain drawbacks in terms of toxicity, spectrum of activity, and pharmacokinetic properties. Hence, there is a dire need for discovery of novel anti-fungal agents. Melittin, the main constituent in the venom of European honeybee Apis mellifera, has attracted considerable attention among researchers owing to its potential therapeutic applications. To our knowledge, there has been no review pertinent to anti-fungal properties of melittin, prompting us to synopsize the results of experimental investigations with a special emphasis upon underlying mechanisms. In this respect, melittin inhibits a broad spectrum of fungal genera including Aspergillus, Botrytis, Candida, Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Malassezia, Neurospora, Penicillium, Saccharomyces, Trichoderma, Trichophyton, and Trichosporon. Melittin hinders fungal growth by several mechanisms such as membrane permeabilization, apoptosis induction by reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondria/caspase-dependent pathway, inhibition of (1,3)-β-D-glucan synthase, and alterations in fungal gene expression. Overall, melittin will definitely open up new avenues for various biomedical applications, from medicine to agriculture. KEYPOINTS: • Venom-derived peptides have potential for development of anti-microbial agents. • Many fungal pathogens are susceptible to melittin at micromolar concentrations. • Melittin possesses multi-target mechanism of action against fungal cells.
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Amatya R, Park T, Hwang S, Yang J, Lee Y, Cheong H, Moon C, Kwak HD, Min KA, Shin MC. Drug Delivery Strategies for Enhancing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Toxin-Derived Anti-Diabetic Peptides. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12050313. [PMID: 32397648 PMCID: PMC7290885 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12050313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxin peptides derived from the skin secretions of amphibians possess unique hypoglycemic activities. Many of these peptides share cationic and amphipathic structural similarities and appear to possess cell-penetrating abilities. The mechanism of their insulinotropic action is yet not elucidated, but they have shown great potential in regulating the blood glucose levels in animal models. Therefore, they have emerged as potential drug candidates as therapeutics for type 2 diabetes. Despite their anti-diabetic activity, there remain pharmaceutical challenges to be addressed for their clinical applications. Here, we present an overview of recent studies related to the toxin-derived anti-diabetic peptides derived from the skin secretions of amphibians. In the latter part, we introduce the bottleneck challenges for their delivery in vivo and general drug delivery strategies that may be applicable to extend their blood circulation time. We focus our research on the strategies that have been successfully applied to improve the plasma half-life of exendin-4, a clinically available toxin-derived anti-diabetic peptide drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reeju Amatya
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju Daero, Jinju, Gyeongnam 52828, Korea; (R.A.); (T.P.)
| | - Taehoon Park
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju Daero, Jinju, Gyeongnam 52828, Korea; (R.A.); (T.P.)
| | - Seungmi Hwang
- College of Pharmacy and Inje Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Inje University, 197 Injero, Gimhae, Gyeongnam 50834, Korea;
| | - JaeWook Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, 75 Bokjiro, Busanjin-gu, Busan 47392, Korea; (J.Y.); (H.D.K.)
- T2B Infrastructure Center for Ocular Disease, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, 81 Jinsaro 83 Beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan 47397, Korea;
| | - Yoonjin Lee
- T2B Infrastructure Center for Ocular Disease, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, 81 Jinsaro 83 Beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan 47397, Korea;
| | - Heesun Cheong
- Division of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do 10408, Korea;
| | - Cheol Moon
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Suncheon, Jeonnam 57922, Korea;
| | - Hyun Duck Kwak
- Department of Ophthalmology, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, 75 Bokjiro, Busanjin-gu, Busan 47392, Korea; (J.Y.); (H.D.K.)
| | - Kyoung Ah Min
- College of Pharmacy and Inje Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Inje University, 197 Injero, Gimhae, Gyeongnam 50834, Korea;
- Correspondence: (K.A.M.); (M.C.S.); Tel.: +82-55-320-3459 (K.A.M.); +82-55-772-2429 (M.C.S.)
| | - Meong Cheol Shin
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju Daero, Jinju, Gyeongnam 52828, Korea; (R.A.); (T.P.)
- Correspondence: (K.A.M.); (M.C.S.); Tel.: +82-55-320-3459 (K.A.M.); +82-55-772-2429 (M.C.S.)
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Vanuopadath M, Shaji SK, Raveendran D, Nair BG, Nair SS. Delineating the venom toxin arsenal of Malabar pit viper (Trimeresurus malabaricus) from the Western Ghats of India and evaluating its immunological cross-reactivity and in vitro cytotoxicity. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 148:1029-1045. [PMID: 31982532 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.01.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The venom protein components of Malabar pit viper (Trimeresurus malabaricus) were identified by combining SDS-PAGE and ion-exchange chromatography pre-fractionation techniques with LC-MS/MS incorporating Novor and PEAKS-assisted de novo sequencing strategies. Total 97 proteins that belong to 16 protein families such as L-amino acid oxidase, metalloprotease, serine protease, phospholipase A2, 5'-nucleotidase, C-type lectins/snaclecs and disintegrin were recognized from the venom of a single exemplar species. Of the 97 proteins, eighteen were identified through de novo approaches. Immunological cross-reactivity assessed through ELISA and western blot indicate that the Indian antivenoms binds less effectively to Malabar pit viper venom components compared to that of Russell's viper venom. The in vitro cell viability assays suggest that compared to the normal cells, MPV venom induces concentration dependent cell death in various cancer cells. Moreover, crude venom resulted in chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies implying the induction of apoptosis. Taken together, the present study enabled in dissecting the venom proteome of Trimeresurus malabaricus and revealed the immuno-cross-reactivity profiles of commercially available Indian polyvalent antivenoms that, in turn, is expected to provide valuable insights on the need in improving antivenom preparations against its bite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dileepkumar Raveendran
- Indriyam Biologics Pvt. Ltd., SCTIMST-TIMed, BMT Wing-Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram 695 012, Kerala, India
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Wu Y, Boulogne C, Carle S, Podinovskaia M, Barth H, Spang A, Cintrat J, Gillet D, Barbier J. Regulation of endo‐lysosomal pathway and autophagic flux by broad‐spectrum antipathogen inhibitor ABMA. FEBS J 2020; 287:3184-3199. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.15201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wu
- Université Paris‐Saclay CEAINRAE Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS) SIMoS Gif‐sur‐Yvette91191France
| | - Claire Boulogne
- IMAGERIE‐GIF Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC) CEA CNRS Université Paris‐Sud Université Paris‐Saclay Gif‐sur‐Yvette France
| | - Stefan Carle
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Ulm Medical Center Germany
| | | | - Holger Barth
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Ulm Medical Center Germany
| | - Anne Spang
- Growth and Development Biozentrum University of Basel Switzerland
| | - Jean‐Christophe Cintrat
- Université Paris‐Saclay CEA INRAE Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS) SCBM Gif‐sur‐Yvette91191France
| | - Daniel Gillet
- Université Paris‐Saclay CEAINRAE Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS) SIMoS Gif‐sur‐Yvette91191France
| | - Julien Barbier
- Université Paris‐Saclay CEAINRAE Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS) SIMoS Gif‐sur‐Yvette91191France
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Bozovičar K, Bratkovič T. Evolving a Peptide: Library Platforms and Diversification Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:E215. [PMID: 31892275 PMCID: PMC6981544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides are widely used in pharmaceutical industry as active pharmaceutical ingredients, versatile tools in drug discovery, and for drug delivery. They find themselves at the crossroads of small molecules and proteins, possessing favorable tissue penetration and the capability to engage into specific and high-affinity interactions with endogenous receptors. One of the commonly employed approaches in peptide discovery and design is to screen combinatorial libraries, comprising a myriad of peptide variants of either chemical or biological origin. In this review, we focus mainly on recombinant peptide libraries, discussing different platforms for their display or expression, and various diversification strategies for library design. We take a look at well-established technologies as well as new developments and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tomaž Bratkovič
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
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40
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Casewell NR, Petras D, Card DC, Suranse V, Mychajliw AM, Richards D, Koludarov I, Albulescu LO, Slagboom J, Hempel BF, Ngum NM, Kennerley RJ, Brocca JL, Whiteley G, Harrison RA, Bolton FMS, Debono J, Vonk FJ, Alföldi J, Johnson J, Karlsson EK, Lindblad-Toh K, Mellor IR, Süssmuth RD, Fry BG, Kuruppu S, Hodgson WC, Kool J, Castoe TA, Barnes I, Sunagar K, Undheim EAB, Turvey ST. Solenodon genome reveals convergent evolution of venom in eulipotyphlan mammals. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:25745-25755. [PMID: 31772017 PMCID: PMC6926037 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1906117116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Venom systems are key adaptations that have evolved throughout the tree of life and typically facilitate predation or defense. Despite venoms being model systems for studying a variety of evolutionary and physiological processes, many taxonomic groups remain understudied, including venomous mammals. Within the order Eulipotyphla, multiple shrew species and solenodons have oral venom systems. Despite morphological variation of their delivery systems, it remains unclear whether venom represents the ancestral state in this group or is the result of multiple independent origins. We investigated the origin and evolution of venom in eulipotyphlans by characterizing the venom system of the endangered Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus). We constructed a genome to underpin proteomic identifications of solenodon venom toxins, before undertaking evolutionary analyses of those constituents, and functional assessments of the secreted venom. Our findings show that solenodon venom consists of multiple paralogous kallikrein 1 (KLK1) serine proteases, which cause hypotensive effects in vivo, and seem likely to have evolved to facilitate vertebrate prey capture. Comparative analyses provide convincing evidence that the oral venom systems of solenodons and shrews have evolved convergently, with the 4 independent origins of venom in eulipotyphlans outnumbering all other venom origins in mammals. We find that KLK1s have been independently coopted into the venom of shrews and solenodons following their divergence during the late Cretaceous, suggesting that evolutionary constraints may be acting on these genes. Consequently, our findings represent a striking example of convergent molecular evolution and demonstrate that distinct structural backgrounds can yield equivalent functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R Casewell
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, L3 5QA Liverpool, United Kingdom;
| | - Daniel Petras
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Daren C Card
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Vivek Suranse
- Evolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, 560012 Bangalore, India
| | - Alexis M Mychajliw
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Rancho La Brea, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, 060-0819 Sapporo, Japan
| | - David Richards
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Biomedical Research Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, NR4 7TJ Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Ivan Koludarov
- Ecology and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Laura-Oana Albulescu
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, L3 5QA Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Julien Slagboom
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute of Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 LA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Neville M Ngum
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rosalind J Kennerley
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP, British Channel Islands, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge L Brocca
- SOH Conservación, Apto. 401 Residencial Las Galerías, Santo Domingo, 10130, Dominican Republic
| | - Gareth Whiteley
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, L3 5QA Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Robert A Harrison
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, L3 5QA Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona M S Bolton
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, L3 5QA Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jordan Debono
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Freek J Vonk
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2333 CR Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jessica Alföldi
- Vertebrate Genomics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Jeremy Johnson
- Vertebrate Genomics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Elinor K Karlsson
- Vertebrate Genomics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Vertebrate Genomics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ian R Mellor
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Sanjaya Kuruppu
- Monash Venom Group, Department of Pharmacology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Wayne C Hodgson
- Monash Venom Group, Department of Pharmacology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Jeroen Kool
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute of Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 LA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Todd A Castoe
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010
| | - Ian Barnes
- Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, SW7 5BD London, United Kingdom
| | - Kartik Sunagar
- Evolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, 560012 Bangalore, India
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo 0316, Norway
| | - Samuel T Turvey
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, NW1 4RY London, United Kingdom
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41
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Pore-Forming Proteins from Cnidarians and Arachnids as Potential Biotechnological Tools. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11060370. [PMID: 31242582 PMCID: PMC6628452 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11060370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are complex mixtures of highly specialized toxic molecules. Cnidarians and arachnids produce pore-forming proteins (PFPs) directed against the plasma membrane of their target cells. Among PFPs from cnidarians, actinoporins stand out for their small size and molecular simplicity. While native actinoporins require only sphingomyelin for membrane binding, engineered chimeras containing a recognition antibody-derived domain fused to an actinoporin isoform can nonetheless serve as highly specific immunotoxins. Examples of such constructs targeted against malignant cells have been already reported. However, PFPs from arachnid venoms are less well-studied from a structural and functional point of view. Spiders from the Latrodectus genus are professional insect hunters that, as part of their toxic arsenal, produce large PFPs known as latrotoxins. Interestingly, some latrotoxins have been identified as potent and highly-specific insecticides. Given the proteinaceous nature of these toxins, their promising future use as efficient bioinsecticides is discussed throughout this Perspective. Protein engineering and large-scale recombinant production are critical steps for the use of these PFPs as tools to control agriculturally important insect pests. In summary, both families of PFPs, from Cnidaria and Arachnida, appear to be molecules with promising biotechnological applications.
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