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Fiorotti HB, Figueiredo SG, Campos FV, Pimenta DC. Cone snail species off the Brazilian coast and their venoms: a review and update. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2023; 29:e20220052. [PMID: 36756364 PMCID: PMC9897318 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2022-0052] [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: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Conus includes over 900 species of marine invertebrates known as cone snails, whose venoms are among the most powerful described so far. This potency is mainly due to the concerted action of hundreds of small bioactive peptides named conopeptides, which target different ion channels and membrane receptors and thus interfere with crucial physiological processes. By swiftly harpooning and injecting their prey and predators with such deadly cocktails, the slow-moving cone snails guarantee their survival in the harsh, competitive marine environment. Each cone snail species produces a unique venom, as the mature sequences of conopeptides from the venoms of different species share very little identity. This biochemical diversity, added to the numerous species and conopeptides contained in their venoms, results in an immense biotechnological and therapeutic potential, still largely unexplored. That is especially true regarding the bioprospection of the venoms of cone snail species found off the Brazilian coast - a region widely known for its biodiversity. Of the 31 species described in this region so far, only four - Conus cancellatus, Conus regius, Conus villepinii, and Conus ermineus - have had their venoms partially characterized, and, although many bioactive molecules have been identified, only a few have been actually isolated and studied. In addition to providing an overview on all the cone snail species found off the Brazilian coast to date, this review compiles the information on the structural and pharmacological features of conopeptides and other molecules identified in the venoms of the four aforementioned species, paving the way for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena B. Fiorotti
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institute, São
Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Laboratory of Protein Chemistry
(LQP), Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Suely G. Figueiredo
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Laboratory of Protein Chemistry
(LQP), Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Fabiana V. Campos
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institute, São
Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Laboratory of Protein Chemistry
(LQP), Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Daniel C. Pimenta
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institute, São
Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Correspondence:
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2
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Margiotta F, Micheli L, Ciampi C, Ghelardini C, McIntosh JM, Di Cesare Mannelli L. Conus regius-Derived Conotoxins: Novel Therapeutic Opportunities from a Marine Organism. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:773. [PMID: 36547920 PMCID: PMC9783627 DOI: 10.3390/md20120773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Conus regius is a marine venomous mollusk of the Conus genus that captures its prey by injecting a rich cocktail of bioactive disulfide bond rich peptides called conotoxins. These peptides selectively target a broad range of ion channels, membrane receptors, transporters, and enzymes, making them valuable pharmacological tools and potential drug leads. C. regius-derived conotoxins are particularly attractive due to their marked potency and selectivity against specific nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes, whose signalling is involved in pain, cognitive disorders, drug addiction, and cancer. However, the species-specific differences in sensitivity and the low stability and bioavailability of these conotoxins limit their clinical development as novel therapeutic agents for these disorders. Here, we give an overview of the main pharmacological features of the C. regius-derived conotoxins described so far, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying their potential therapeutic effects. Additionally, we describe adoptable chemical engineering solutions to improve their pharmacological properties for future potential clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Margiotta
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health—NEUROFARBA, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Micheli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health—NEUROFARBA, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Clara Ciampi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health—NEUROFARBA, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Carla Ghelardini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health—NEUROFARBA, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - J. Michael McIntosh
- George E. Wohlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84148, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
- School of Biological Sciences University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health—NEUROFARBA, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
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3
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Coelho GR, da Silva DL, Beraldo-Neto E, Vigerelli H, de Oliveira LA, Sciani JM, Pimenta DC. Neglected Venomous Animals and Toxins: Underrated Biotechnological Tools in Drug Development. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13120851. [PMID: 34941689 PMCID: PMC8708286 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13120851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the vast repertoire of animal toxins and venoms selected by nature and evolution, mankind opted to devote its scientific attention—during the last century—to a restricted group of animals, leaving a myriad of toxic creatures aside. There are several underlying and justifiable reasons for this, which include dealing with the public health problems caused by envenoming by such animals. However, these studies became saturated and gave rise to a whole group of animals that become neglected regarding their venoms and secretions. This repertoire of unexplored toxins and venoms bears biotechnological potential, including the development of new technologies, therapeutic agents and diagnostic tools and must, therefore, be assessed. In this review, we will approach such topics through an interconnected historical and scientific perspective that will bring up the major discoveries and innovations in toxinology, achieved by researchers from the Butantan Institute and others, and describe some of the major research outcomes from the study of these neglected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Rabelo Coelho
- Laboratório de Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (G.R.C.); (D.L.d.S.); (E.B.-N.)
| | - Daiane Laise da Silva
- Laboratório de Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (G.R.C.); (D.L.d.S.); (E.B.-N.)
| | - Emidio Beraldo-Neto
- Laboratório de Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (G.R.C.); (D.L.d.S.); (E.B.-N.)
| | - Hugo Vigerelli
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil;
| | - Laudiceia Alves de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Moléstias Infecciosas—Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo 01049-010, Brazil;
| | - Juliana Mozer Sciani
- Laboratório Multidisciplinar em Pesquisa, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista 12916-900, Brazil;
| | - Daniel Carvalho Pimenta
- Laboratório de Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (G.R.C.); (D.L.d.S.); (E.B.-N.)
- Correspondence:
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4
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Gonçalves PB, Lima SFB, Oliveira GSP, Lucena RA. On the oviposition and egg masses of Conus regius (Neogastropoda: Conidae) from northeastern Brazil. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2017. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2017-0434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Characteristics of the egg masses of Conus regius Gmelin, 1791 are described and figured for the first time for the coast of Brazil based on a female specimen found in the process of oviposition during the day in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. Two clusters of egg masses were found in the subtidal zone of Itapuã beach attached to rocky substrate in a completely unprotected site. Oviposition likely began at least one day earlier, since the specimen had already affixed an entire egg mass and was ovipositing a second cluster at the time it was found. The egg masses were arranged in short, irregular rows of three to nine closely spaced capsules in parallel and facing the same direction. One egg mass cluster consisted of 34 capsules. Conus regius capsules are semi-transparent, vasiform in side view, higher than broad and have flattened to slightly convex sides with slight wrinkles constituted by transversal ridges. Conus regius is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, but is still intensively collected in the study area and surrounding coastal environment by fishermen for the purposes of selling shells and as a food source.
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Abstract
Venomous animals use a highly complex cocktails of proteins, peptides and small molecules to subdue and kill their prey. As such, venoms represent highly valuable combinatorial peptide libraries, displaying an extensive range of pharmacological activities, honed by natural selection. Modern analytical technologies enable us to take full advantage of this vast pharmacological cornucopia in the hunt for novel drug leads. Spider venoms represent a resource of several million peptides, which selectively target specific subtypes of ion channels. Structure-function studies of spider toxins are leading not only to the discovery of novel molecules, but also to novel therapeutic routes for cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neuromuscular diseases, pain and to a variety of other pathological conditions. This review presents an overview of spider peptide toxins as candidates for therapeutics and focuses on their applications in the discovery of novel mechanisms of analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Escoubas
- University of Nice - Sophia Antipolis, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IPMC) - CNRS UMR6097, 660 Route des Lucioles, 06560 Valbonne, France +33 04 93 95 77 35 ; +33 04 93 95 77 08 ;
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6
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α -RgIB: A Novel Antagonist Peptide of Neuronal Acetylcholine Receptor Isolated from Conus regius Venom. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEPTIDES 2013; 2013:543028. [PMID: 23533449 PMCID: PMC3600190 DOI: 10.1155/2013/543028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Conus venoms are rich sources of biologically active peptides that act specifically on ionic channels and metabotropic receptors present at the neuromuscular junction, efficiently paralyzing the prey. Each species of Conus may have 50 to 200 uncharacterized bioactive peptides with pharmacological interest. Conus regius is a vermivorous species that inhabits Northeastern Brazilian tropical waters. In this work, we characterized one peptide with activity on neuronal acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). Crude venom was purified by reverse-phase HPLC and selected fractions were screened and sequenced by mass spectrometry, MALDI-ToF, and ESI-Q-ToF, respectively. A new peptide was identified, bearing two disulfide bridges. The novel 2,701 Da peptide belongs to the cysteine framework I, corresponding to the cysteine pattern CC-C-C. The biological activity of the purified peptide was tested by intracranial injection in mice, and it was observed that high concentrations induced hyperactivity in the animals, whereas lower doses caused breathing difficulty. The activity of this peptide was assayed in patch-clamp experiments, on nAChR-rich cells, in whole-cell configuration. The peptide blocked slow rise-time neuronal receptors, probably α3β4 and/or α3β4α5 subtype. According to the nomenclature, the new peptide was designated as α-RgIB.
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Venom and cnidome ontogeny of the cubomedusae Chironex fleckeri. Toxicon 2012; 60:1335-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2012] [Revised: 08/25/2012] [Accepted: 08/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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8
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Dobson R, Collodoro M, Gilles N, Turtoi A, De Pauw E, Quinton L. Secretion and maturation of conotoxins in the venom ducts of Conus textile. Toxicon 2012; 60:1370-9. [PMID: 23031820 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2012] [Revised: 08/31/2012] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The 700 or more species of cone snail attack prey by employing complex venom which can vary considerably both within species and from one species to another. Cone snail venom is remarkable for the high proportion of conotoxins with varied post-translational modifications (PTMs) and for the production of more diverse toxin scaffolds than any other known venomous animal. The venom gland, which is several times longer than its shell, is also unique in being tubular. These unusual characteristics both raise questions, and provide the opportunity for research, concerning the secretion and maturation of conotoxins along the venom duct, a process which is currently not fully understood. This research uses the two mass spectrometric techniques of isotope Coded Affinity Tagging (ICAT) and label-free quantification to study each of five portions of the venom duct of Conus textile snails from New Caledonia. Fifteen conotoxins, several with different post-translational modifications (PTMs) were identified and quantified. One hundred and forty three non-identified conotoxins were also quantified. Distinctive patterns emerged, with the largest group of conotoxins increasing, then peaking in the central-proximal part, before decreasing; whilst the second largest group peaked in the distal region, generally displaying nothing in the first parts. Conotoxins from different superfamilies were commonly found to have similar distributions. A new conotoxin, PCCSKLHDNSCCGL*, was sequenced. A comparison is made with other studies to see how the process varies in cone snails from different regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan Dobson
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
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Mizuno M, Ito Y, Morgan BP. Exploiting the nephrotoxic effects of venom from the sea anemone, Phyllodiscus semoni, to create a hemolytic uremic syndrome model in the rat. Mar Drugs 2012; 10:1582-1604. [PMID: 22851928 PMCID: PMC3407933 DOI: 10.3390/md10071582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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: 05/31/2012] [Revised: 06/29/2012] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In the natural world, there are many creatures with venoms that have interesting and varied activities. Although the sea anemone, a member of the phylum Coelenterata, has venom that it uses to capture and immobilise small fishes and shrimp and for protection from predators, most sea anemones are harmless to man. However, a few species are highly toxic; some have venoms containing neurotoxins, recently suggested as potential immune-modulators for therapeutic application in immune diseases. Phyllodiscus semoni is a highly toxic sea anemone; the venom has multiple effects, including lethality, hemolysis and renal injuries. We previously reported that venom extracted from Phyllodiscus semoni induced acute glomerular endothelial injuries in rats resembling hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), accompanied with complement dysregulation in glomeruli and suggested that the model might be useful for analyses of pathology and development of therapeutic approaches in HUS. In this mini-review, we describe in detail the venom-induced acute renal injuries in rat and summarize how the venom of Phyllodiscus semoni could have potential as a tool for analyses of complement activation and therapeutic interventions in HUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Mizuno
- Renal Replacement Therapy, Division of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan;
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; or ; Tel.: +81-52-744-2205; Fax: +81-52-744-2184
| | - Yasuhiko Ito
- Renal Replacement Therapy, Division of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan;
| | - B. Paul Morgan
- Complement Biology Group, Institute of Infection and Immunology, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK;
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10
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Chun JBS, Baker MR, Kim DH, Leroy M, Toribo P, Bingham JP. Cone snail milked venom dynamics--a quantitative study of Conus purpurascens. Toxicon 2012; 60:83-94. [PMID: 22497788 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2011] [Revised: 03/10/2012] [Accepted: 03/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Milked venom from cone snails represent a novel biological resource with a proven track record for drug discovery. To strengthen this correlation, we undertook a chromatographic and mass spectrometric study of individual milked venoms from Conus purpurascens. Milked venoms demonstrate extensive peptide differentiation amongst individual specimens and during captivity. Individual snails were found to lack a consistent set of described conopeptides, but instead demonstrated the ability to change venom expression, composition and post-translational modification incorporation; all variations contribute to an increase in chemical diversity and prey targeting strategies. Quantitative amino acid analysis revealed that milked venom peptides are expressed at ranges up to 3.51-121.01 μM within single milked venom samples. This provides for a 6.37-20,965 fold-excess of toxin to induce apparent IC₅₀ for individual conopeptides identified in this study. Comparative molecular mass analysis of duct venom, milked venom and radula tooth extracts from single C. purpurascens specimens demonstrated a level of peptide continuity. Numerous highly abundant and unique conopeptides remain to be characterized. This study strengthens the notion that approaches in conopeptide drug lead discovery programs will potentially benefit from a greater understanding of the toxinological nature of the milked venoms of Conus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joycelyn B S Chun
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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Halassy B, Brgles M, Habjanec L, Balija ML, Kurtović T, Marchetti-Deschmann M, Križaj I, Allmaier G. Intraspecies variability in Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom related to its toxicity and immunogenic potential. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2011; 153:223-30. [PMID: 20971215 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2010.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2010] [Revised: 10/12/2010] [Accepted: 10/12/2010] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Vipera ammodytes is the most venomous European snake, whose venom has been used as antigen for immunization of antivenom-producing animals. Same as venom of any other snake, it is a complex mixture of proteins, peptides and other compounds which biochemical and pharmacological variability has been demonstrated at interspecies and intraspecies level. In this work we demonstrated intraspecific variability between 8 venom production batches using both the conventional and the new methodology. Moreover, in contrast to the literature on different venoms' variability, for the first time we were able to select those biochemical differences that are related to and give information on the venom's toxicity and immunogenicity. We have shown that methods quantifying ammodytoxin (the most toxic compound identified so far in the Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom) content of the venom clearly distinguish between high and low immunogenic venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Halassy
- Research and Development Department, Institute of Immunology, Inc., Rockefellerova 10, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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12
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Rivera-Ortiz JA, Cano H, Marí F. Intraspecies variability and conopeptide profiling of the injected venom of Conus ermineus. Peptides 2011; 32:306-16. [PMID: 21126547 PMCID: PMC3619394 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2010] [Accepted: 11/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The venom of cone snails (ssp. Conus), a genus of predatory mollusks, is a vast source of bioactive peptides. Conus venom expression is complex, and venom composition can vary considerably depending upon the method of extraction and the species of cone snail in question. The injected venom from Conus ermineus, the only fish-hunting cone snail species that inhabits the Atlantic Ocean, was characterized using nanoNMR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, RP-HPLC and nanoLC-ESI-MS. These methods allowed us to evaluate the variability of the venom within this species. Single specimens of C. ermineus show unchanged injected venom mass spectra and HPLC profiles over time. However, there was significant variability of the injected venom composition from specimen to specimen, in spite of their common biogeographic origin. Using nanoLC-ESI-MS, we determined that over 800 unique conopeptides are expressed by this reduced set of C. ermineus specimens. This number is considerably larger than previous estimates of the molecular repertoire available to cone snails to immobilize prey. These results support the idea of the existence of a complex regulatory mechanism to express specific venom peptides for injection into prey. These intraspecies differences can be a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The differential expression of venom components represents a neurochemical paradigm that warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Frank Marí
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 561 297 3315; fax: +1 561 297 2759. , (F. Marí)
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Haddad V, Coltro M, Simone LRL. Report of a human accident caused by Conus regius (Gastropoda, Conidae). Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2010; 42:446-8. [PMID: 19802483 DOI: 10.1590/s0037-86822009000400016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2009] [Accepted: 07/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Conus regius is a venomous mollusc in the Conidae family, which includes species responsible for severe or even fatal accidents affecting human beings. This is the first report on a clinical case involving this species. It consisted a puncture in the right hand of a diver who presented paresthesia and movement difficulty in the whole limb. The manifestations disappeared after around twelve hours, without sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidal Haddad
- Botucatu School of Medicine, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
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14
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Dramatic intraspecimen variations within the injected venom of Conus consors: an unsuspected contribution to venom diversity. Toxicon 2010; 55:1453-62. [PMID: 20206197 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2009] [Revised: 02/19/2010] [Accepted: 02/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
With the advent of highly sensitive mass spectrometry techniques, the minute amount of various secretions produced by living animals can be studied to a level of details never attained before. In this study, we used LC-ESI-MS to analyse the injected venom of an indo-pacific piscivorous cone snail, Conus consors. While long-term follow up of several captive specimens have revealed a typical "venom fingerprint" for this species, dramatic variations were also observed. In the most extreme case, a single cone snail unexpectedly produced two very distinct venom profiles containing completely different sets of peptides with no overlap of detected masses. Surprisingly, there was no correlation between the peptides produced in the venom duct and those obtained after milking live cone snails, implying yet unknown mechanisms of selection and regulation. Our study defines the notion of intraspecimen variation and demonstrates how this phenomenon contributes to the overall venom diversity.
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15
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Zamora-Bustillos R, Aguilar MB, Falcón A. Identification, by molecular cloning, of a novel type of I2-superfamily conotoxin precursor and two novel I2-conotoxins from the worm-hunter snail Conus spurius from the Gulf of México. Peptides 2010; 31:384-93. [PMID: 19836429 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2009] [Revised: 10/03/2009] [Accepted: 10/06/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
cDNA was prepared from the venom duct of a single Conus spurius specimen collected near the coast of Campeche, México. From it, PCR products were generated aiming to clone I-conotoxin precursors. Thirty clones were sequenced and predicted to encode ten distinct precursors: seven of I(2)-conotoxins and three of I(2)-like-conotoxins. These precursors contain three different, mature toxins, sr11a, sr11b and sr11c, of which two are novel and one (sr11a) has been previously purified and characterized from the venom of this species. The precursors include a 26- (I(2)) or 23- residue signal peptide (I(2)-like), a 31-residue "pro" region (I(2)-like), and a 32-residue mature toxin region (I(2) and I(2)-like). In addition, all the precursors have a 13-residue "post" region which contains a gamma-carboxylation recognition sequence that directs the gamma-carboxylation of Glu-9 and Glu-10 of toxin sr11a and, possibly, Glu-13 of toxin sr11b and Glu-9 of toxin sr11c. This is the first time that a "post" region has been found in precursors of I-conotoxins that also contain a "pro" region. The "post" peptide is enzymatically processed to yield the amidated mature toxin sr11a, which implies that gamma-carboxylation occurs before amidation. Phylogenetic analysis at the whole precursor level indicates that the I(2)-like-conotoxins of C. spurius are more related to I(2)-conotoxins than to I(1)- and I(3)-conotoxins from other species, and that they might represent a new subgroup of the I(2)-superfamily. The three I-conotoxins from C. spurius have charge differences at seven to nine positions, suggesting that they might have different molecular target types or subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Zamora-Bustillos
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
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16
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Haddad V, Lupi O, Lonza JP, Tyring SK. Tropical dermatology: Marine and aquatic dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol 2009; 61:733-50; quiz 751-2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2009.01.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2008] [Revised: 01/05/2009] [Accepted: 01/11/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Abstract
Disulfide-rich peptide venoms from animals such as snakes, spiders, scorpions, and certain marine snails represent one of nature's great diversity libraries of bioactive molecules. The various species of marine cone shells have alone been estimated to produce >50,000 distinct peptide venoms. These peptides have stimulated considerable interest because of their ability to potently alter the function of specific ion channels. To date, only a small fraction of this immense resource has been characterized because of the difficulty in elucidating their primary structures, which range in size between 10 and 80 aa, include up to 5 disulfide bonds, and can contain extensive posttranslational modifications. The extraordinary complexity of crude venoms and the lack of DNA databases for many of the organisms of interest present major analytical challenges. Here, we describe a strategy that uses mass spectrometry for the elucidation of the mature peptide toxin components of crude venom samples. Key to this strategy is our use of electron transfer dissociation (ETD), a mass spectrometric fragmentation technique that can produce sequence information across the entire peptide backbone. However, because ETD only yields comprehensive sequence coverage when the charge state of the precursor peptide ion is sufficiently high and the m/z ratio is low, we combined ETD with a targeted chemical derivatization strategy to increase the charge state of cysteine-containing peptide toxins. Using this strategy, we obtained full sequences for 31 peptide toxins, using just 7% of the crude venom from the venom gland of a single cone snail (Conus textile).
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Zaharenko AJ, Ferreira WA, Oliveira JS, Richardson M, Pimenta DC, Konno K, Portaro FC, de Freitas JC. Proteomics of the neurotoxic fraction from the sea anemone Bunodosoma cangicum venom: Novel peptides belonging to new classes of toxins. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2008; 3:219-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2008.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2008] [Revised: 04/18/2008] [Accepted: 04/19/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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19
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Romeo C, Di Francesco L, Oliverio M, Palazzo P, Massilia GR, Ascenzi P, Polticelli F, Schininà ME. Conus ventricosus venom peptides profiling by HPLC-MS: a new insight in the intraspecific variation. J Sep Sci 2008; 31:488-98. [PMID: 18266261 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.200700448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Conus is a genus of predatory marine gastropods that poison the prey with a complex mixture of compounds active on muscle and nerve cells. An individual cone snail's venom contains a mixture of pharmacological agents, mostly short, structurally constrained peptides. This study is focused on the composition of the venom employed by Conus ventricosus Gmelin, 1791, a worm-hunting cone snail living in the Mediterranean Sea. For this purpose, LC coupled to MS techniques has been successfully used to establish qualitative and quantitative differences in conopeptides from minute amounts of venom ducts. We were able to prove variability in the venom conopeptide complement, possibly related to different trophic habits of the species in the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, the information-rich MS techniques enabled us to identify two novel C. ventricosus peptides, here named Conotoxin-Vn and -Conotoxin-Vn. On the basis of the structural data collected so far, we suggest that Conotoxin-Vn is a conopeptide belonging to the -family that recognizes calcium channels through a specific pharmacophore. Similarly, molecular modeling data suggest that -Conotoxin-Vn should represent a competitive antagonist of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Romeo
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Rome, Italy
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Haddad V, de Paula Neto JB, Cobo VJ. Venomous mollusks: the risks of human accidents by conus snails (gastropoda: conidae) in Brazil. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2007; 39:498-500. [PMID: 17160331 DOI: 10.1590/s0037-86822006000500015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2006] [Accepted: 08/10/2006] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mollusks of the genus Conus present a venomous apparatus composed of radulae, a chitin structure linked to glands, which injects potent neurotoxic peptides, causing serious human envenomation and even death, associated with the blockage of certain receptors and muscular paralysis. No reported envenomation has occurred in Brazil, but certain populations are at risk of accidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidal Haddad
- Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP.
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21
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Lisboa BCG, Machado TDR, Pimenta DC, Han SW. Cloning and characterization of an alternative splicing transcript of the gene coding for human cytidine deaminase. Biochem Cell Biol 2007; 85:96-102. [PMID: 17464349 DOI: 10.1139/o06-197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytidine deaminase (HCD) catalyzes the deamination of cytidine or deoxycytidine to uridine or deoxyuridine, respectively. The genomic sequence of HCD is formed by 31 kb with 4 exons and several alternative splicing signals, but an alternative form of HCD has yet to be reported. Here we describe the cloning and characterization of a small form of HCD, HSCD, and it is likely to be a product of alternative splicing of HCD. The alignment of DNA sequences shows that the HSCD matches HCD in 2 parts, except for a deletion of 170 bp. Based on the HCD genome organization, exons 1 and 4 should be joined and all sequences of introns and exons 2 and 3 should be deleted by splicing. This alternative splicing shifted the translation of the reading frame from the point of splicing. The estimated molecular mass is 9.8 kDa, and this value was confirmed by Western blot and mass spectroscopy after expressing the gene fused with glutathionine-S-transferase in the pGEX vector. The deletion and shift of the reading frame caused a loss of HCD activity, which was confirmed by enzyme assay and also with NIH3T3 cells modified to express HSCD and challenged against cytosine arabinoside. In this work we describe the identification and characterization of HSCD, which is the product of alternative splicing of the HCD gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Cristina Garcia Lisboa
- Interdisciplinary Center for Gene Therapy, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Mirassol, 207, São Paulo 04044-010, Brazil
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22
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Abstract
This review covers the literature published in 2005 for marine natural products, with 704 citations (493 for the period January to December 2005) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green algae, brown algae, red algae, sponges, coelenterates, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates and echinoderms. The emphasis is on new compounds (812 for 2005), together with their relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Blunt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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23
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Aguilar MB, López-Vera E, Heimer de la Cotera EP, Falcón A, Olivera BM, Maillo M. I-conotoxins in vermivorous species of the West Atlantic: peptide sr11a from Conus spurius. Peptides 2007; 28:18-23. [PMID: 17166627 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2006.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2006] [Revised: 08/22/2006] [Accepted: 08/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Peptide sr11a was purified from the venom of Conus spurius, a vermivorous cone snail collected in the Yucatan Channel, in the Western Atlantic. Its primary structure was determined by automatic Edman degradation after reduction and alkylation. Its molecular mass, as determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (average mass 3650.77 Da), confirmed the chemical data (calculated average mass, 3651.13 Da). The sequence of peptide sr11a (CRTEGMSCgamma gamma NQQCCWRSCCRGECEAPCRFGP&; gamma, gamma-carboxy-Glu; &, amidated C-terminus) shows eight Cys residues arranged in the pattern that defines the I-superfamily of conotoxins. Peptide sr11a contains two gamma-carboxy-Glu residues, a post-translational modification that has been found in other I-conotoxins from species that live in the West Pacific: r11e from the piscivorous Conus radiatus, and kappa-BtX from the vermivorous Conus betulinus. Peptide sr11a is the eighth I-conotoxin isolated from a Conus venom and the first I-conotoxin from a species from the Western Atlantic. Peptide sr11a produced stiffening of body, limbs and tail when injected intracranially into mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel B Aguilar
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, México.
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Escoubas P. Mass spectrometry in toxinology: a 21st-century technology for the study of biopolymers from venoms. Toxicon 2006; 47:609-13. [PMID: 16529785 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2006.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry, developed in the early days of the 20th century for the structural analysis of ions from organic compounds, has evolved from an analytical technique almost entirely applied to structural studies of small molecules, to a diversified technology that is now increasingly focused on the study of biological macromolecules. Novel instrument developments and appropriate ionization techniques have permitted the application of mass spectrometry to the analysis of biopolymers such as proteins, sugars and nucleic acids and have opened the door to a multiplicity of applications, and not the least being proteomics. Increasingly used as a basic analytical tool in biology laboratories, mass spectrometry has now found another niche of application in the field of venom and toxin studies. The technique is well suited to the analysis of peptide and protein components of venoms, be it for global mass mapping of complex mixtures or structural studies on individual toxins. Further enhanced by hyphenation with separation technologies, mass spectrometry is well adapted to de-convolve the extreme complexity of natural venoms and biological extracts in which toxinologists specialize. This special issue highlights a number of applications of mass spectrometry in this field and presents some of the most recent work illustrating the benefits of various state-of-the-art mass spectrometry technologies for the study of animal venoms and toxins.
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Jakubowski JA, Kelley WP, Sweedler JV, Gilly WF, Schulz JR. Intraspecific variation of venom injected by fish-hunting Conus snails. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 208:2873-83. [PMID: 16043592 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.01713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Venom peptides from two species of fish-hunting cone snails (Conus striatus and Conus catus) were characterized using microbore liquid chromatography coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization-ion trap-mass spectrometry. Both crude venom isolated from the venom duct and injected venom obtained by milking were studied. Based on analysis of injected venom samples from individual snails, significant intraspecific variation (i.e. between individuals) in the peptide complement is observed. The mixture of peptides in injected venom is simpler than that in the crude duct venom from the same snail, and the composition of crude venom is more consistent from snail to snail. While there is animal-to-animal variation in the peptides present in the injected venom, the composition of any individual's injected venom remains relatively constant over time in captivity. Most of the Conus striatus individuals tested injected predominantly a combination of two neuroexcitatory peptides (s4a and s4b), while a few individuals had unique injected-venom profiles consisting of a combination of peptides, including several previously characterized from the venom duct of this species. Seven novel peptides were also putatively identified based on matches of their empirically derived masses to those predicted by published cDNA sequences. Profiling injected venom of Conus catus individuals using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry demonstrates that intraspecific variation in the mixture of peptides extends to other species of piscivorous cone snails. The results of this study imply that novel regulatory mechanisms exist to select specific venom peptides for injection into prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Jakubowski
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Quinton L, Le Caer JP, Phan G, Ligny-Lemaire C, Bourdais-Jomaron J, Ducancel F, Chamot-Rooke J. Characterization of Toxins within Crude Venoms by Combined Use of Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry and Cloning. Anal Chem 2005; 77:6630-9. [PMID: 16223250 DOI: 10.1021/ac050575k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The standard analytical procedure for screening the proteomic profile of a venom often relies on an appropriate combination of sample extraction, electrophoresis, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and Edman degradation. We present in this study a new approach for venom screening based on Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) analysis directly on the crude venom. The venom chosen is a unique sample from Atractaspis irregularis, a species never studied at the molecular level previously. This snake belongs to the Atractaspidae family that is known to produce highly toxic venoms containing endothelin-like peptides called sarafotoxins (SRTXs). Nanoelectrospray-FTMS spectrum of the crude venom allowed the identification of 60 distinct compounds with molecular masses from 600 to 14,000 Da, which would have been impossible without the resolution of this kind of instrument. De novo sequencing within the entire venom confirmed the sequences of two new families of sarafotoxins, whose precursors had been cloned, and allowed the characterization of a third one. One particularly interesting point was that the propolypeptides appeared processed not in one unique compound, but rather in different length molecules ranging from 15 for the shorter to 30 amino acids for the longer. Moreover, our results clearly establish that in the case of A. irregularis only one copy of mature sarafotoxin emerges from each precursor, which is a totally different organization in comparison of other precursors of SRTXs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Quinton
- Laboratoire des Mécanismes Réactionnels, UMR 7651 CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, F-91128, Palaiseau, France
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