1
|
Wang D, Herzig V, Dekan Z, Rosengren KJ, Payne CD, Hasan MM, Zhuang J, Bourinet E, Ragnarsson L, Alewood PF, Lewis RJ. Novel Scorpion Toxin ω-Buthitoxin-Hf1a Selectively Inhibits Calcium Influx via Ca V3.3 and Ca V3.2 and Alleviates Allodynia in a Mouse Model of Acute Postsurgical Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4745. [PMID: 38731963 PMCID: PMC11084959 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094745] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Venom peptides have evolved to target a wide range of membrane proteins through diverse mechanisms of action and structures, providing promising therapeutic leads for diseases, including pain, epilepsy, and cancer, as well as unique probes of ion channel structure-function. In this work, a high-throughput FLIPR window current screening assay on T-type CaV3.2 guided the isolation of a novel peptide named ω-Buthitoxin-Hf1a from scorpion Hottentotta franzwerneri crude venom. At only 10 amino acid residues with one disulfide bond, it is not only the smallest venom peptide known to target T-type CaVs but also the smallest structured scorpion venom peptide yet discovered. Synthetic Hf1a peptides were prepared with C-terminal amidation (Hf1a-NH2) or a free C-terminus (Hf1a-OH). Electrophysiological characterization revealed Hf1a-NH2 to be a concentration-dependent partial inhibitor of CaV3.2 (IC50 = 1.18 μM) and CaV3.3 (IC50 = 0.49 μM) depolarized currents but was ineffective at CaV3.1. Hf1a-OH did not show activity against any of the three T-type subtypes. Additionally, neither form showed activity against N-type CaV2.2 or L-type calcium channels. The three-dimensional structure of Hf1a-NH2 was determined using NMR spectroscopy and used in docking studies to predict its binding site at CaV3.2 and CaV3.3. As both CaV3.2 and CaV3.3 have been implicated in peripheral pain signaling, the analgesic potential of Hf1a-NH2 was explored in vivo in a mouse model of incision-induced acute post-surgical pain. Consistent with this role, Hf1a-NH2 produced antiallodynia in both mechanical and thermal pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- Department of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China;
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia (L.R.); (P.F.A.)
| | - Volker Herzig
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia;
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
| | - Zoltan Dekan
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia (L.R.); (P.F.A.)
| | - K. Johan Rosengren
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (K.J.R.); (C.D.P.)
| | - Colton D. Payne
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (K.J.R.); (C.D.P.)
| | - Md. Mahadhi Hasan
- Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh;
| | - Jiajie Zhuang
- Department of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China;
| | - Emmanuel Bourinet
- Institute of Functional Genomics, Montpellier University, CNRS, INSERM, 34090 Montpellier, France;
| | - Lotten Ragnarsson
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia (L.R.); (P.F.A.)
| | - Paul F. Alewood
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia (L.R.); (P.F.A.)
| | - Richard J. Lewis
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia (L.R.); (P.F.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
de Oliveira IS, Alano-da-Silva NM, Ferreira IG, Cerni FA, Sachett JDAG, Monteiro WM, Pucca MB, Arantes EC. Understanding the complexity of Tityus serrulatus venom: A focus on high molecular weight components. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2024; 30:e20230046. [PMID: 38317796 PMCID: PMC10843179 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2023-0046] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Tityus serrulatus scorpion is responsible for a significant number of envenomings in Brazil, ranging from mild to severe, and in some cases, leading to fatalities. While supportive care is the primary treatment modality, moderate and severe cases require antivenom administration despite potential limitations and adverse effects. The remarkable proliferation of T. serrulatus scorpions, attributed to their biology and asexual reproduction, contributes to a high incidence of envenomation. T. serrulatus scorpion venom predominantly consists of short proteins acting as neurotoxins (α and β), that primarily target ion channels. Nevertheless, high molecular weight compounds, including metalloproteases, serine proteases, phospholipases, and hyaluronidases, are also present in the venom. These compounds play a crucial role in envenomation, influencing the severity of symptoms and the spread of venom. This review endeavors to comprehensively understand the T. serrulatus scorpion venom by elucidating the primary high molecular weight compounds and exploring their potential contributions to envenomation. Understanding these compounds' mechanisms of action can aid in developing more effective treatments and prevention strategies, ultimately mitigating the impact of scorpion envenomation on public health in Brazil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isadora Sousa de Oliveira
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nicoly Malachize Alano-da-Silva
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Isabela Gobbo Ferreira
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe Augusto Cerni
- Health and Sciences Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Roraima, Boa Vista, RR, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline de Almeida Gonçalves Sachett
- School of Health Sciences, Amazonas State University, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Department of Teaching and Research, Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado Tropical Medicine Foundation, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- School of Health Sciences, Amazonas State University, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Department of Teaching and Research, Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado Tropical Medicine Foundation, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Manuela Berto Pucca
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Eliane Candiani Arantes
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xia Z, He D, Wu Y, Kwok HF, Cao Z. Scorpion venom peptides: Molecular diversity, structural characteristics, and therapeutic use from channelopathies to viral infections and cancers. Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106978. [PMID: 37923027 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Animal venom is an important evolutionary innovation in nature. As one of the most representative animal venoms, scorpion venom contains an extremely diverse set of bioactive peptides. Scorpion venom peptides not only are 'poisons' that immobilize, paralyze, kill, or dissolve preys but also become important candidates for drug development and design. Here, the review focuses on the molecular diversity of scorpion venom peptides, their typical structural characteristics, and their multiple therapeutic or pharmaceutical applications in channelopathies, viral infections and cancers. Especially, the group of scorpion toxin TRPTx targeting transient receptor potential (TRP) channels is systematically summarized and worthy of attention because TRP channels play a crucial role in the regulation of homeostasis and the occurrence of diseases in human. We also further establish the potential relationship between the molecular characteristics and functional applications of scorpion venom peptides to provide a research basis for modern drug development and clinical utilization of scorpion venom resources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Xia
- School of Biological and Food Processing Engineering, Huanghuai University, Zhumadian, China
| | - Dangui He
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Shenzhen Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao; Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Shenzhen Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao; Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao.
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Shenzhen Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Bio-drug Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Oparin PB, Nikodimov SS, Vassilevski AA. Venoms with oral toxicity towards insects. Toxicon 2023; 235:107308. [PMID: 37797725 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107308] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Animal venoms are a promising source of potential bioinsecticides. To find hits with pronounced oral insect toxicity, we screened 82 venoms using Achroia grisella (Lepidoptera) and Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera) larvae, and adult Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera). We also injected the most potent venoms in adult D. melanogaster to compare their efficiency in different routes of administration. 18 venoms from spiders and snakes show high oral toxicity and can be further exploited to isolate new insecticides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter B Oparin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Sergei S Nikodimov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Alexander A Vassilevski
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ho TNT, Turner A, Pham SH, Nguyen HT, Nguyen LTT, Nguyen LT, Dang TT. Cysteine-rich peptides: From bioactivity to bioinsecticide applications. Toxicon 2023; 230:107173. [PMID: 37211058 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Greater levels of insect resistance and constraints on the use of current pesticides have recently led to increased crop losses in agricultural production. Further, the health and environmental impacts of pesticides now restrict their application. Biologics based on peptides are gaining popularity as efficient crop protection agents with low environmental toxicity. Cysteine-rich peptides (whether originated from venoms or plant defense substances) are chemically stable and effective as insecticides in agricultural applications. Cysteine-rich peptides fulfill the stability and efficacy requirements for commercial uses and provide an environmentally benign alternative to small-molecule insecticides. In this article, cysteine-rich insecticidal peptide classes identified from plants and venoms will be highlighted, focusing on their structural stability, bioactivity and production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thao N T Ho
- Institute of Applied Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - A Turner
- Molecular Biology Department, University of Texas, 100 E 24th St. Austin, USA
| | - Son H Pham
- Institute of Applied Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Ha T Nguyen
- National Key Laboratory of Polymer and Composite Materials, Department of Energy Materials, Faculty of Materials Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Linh T T Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, 280 an Duong Vuong Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Luan T Nguyen
- National Key Laboratory of Polymer and Composite Materials, Department of Energy Materials, Faculty of Materials Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Tien T Dang
- Institute of Applied Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hadiatullah H, Zhang Y, Samurkas A, Xie Y, Sundarraj R, Zuilhof H, Qiao J, Yuchi Z. Recent progress in the structural study of ion channels as insecticide targets. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1522-1551. [PMID: 35575601 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ion channels, many expressed in insect neural and muscular systems, have drawn huge attention as primary targets of insecticides. With the recent technical breakthroughs in structural biology, especially in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), many new high-resolution structures of ion channel targets, apo or in complex with insecticides, have been solved, shedding light on the molecular mechanism of action of the insecticides and resistance mutations. These structures also provide accurate templates for structure-based insecticide screening and rational design. This review summarizes the recent progress in the structural studies of 5 ion channel families: the ryanodine receptor (RyR), the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC), the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel, and the ligand-gated chloride channel (LGCC). We address the selectivity of the channel-targeting insecticides by examining the conservation of key coordinating residues revealed by the structures. The possible resistance mechanisms are proposed based on the locations of the identified resistance mutations on the 3D structures of the target channels and their impacts on the binding of insecticides. Finally, we discuss how to develop "green" insecticides with a novel mode of action based on these high-resolution structures to overcome the resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hadiatullah Hadiatullah
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongliang Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Arthur Samurkas
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yunxuan Xie
- Department of Environmental Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rajamanikandan Sundarraj
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Han Zuilhof
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jianjun Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhiguang Yuchi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital; National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rivera-de-Torre E, Rimbault C, Jenkins TP, Sørensen CV, Damsbo A, Saez NJ, Duhoo Y, Hackney CM, Ellgaard L, Laustsen AH. Strategies for Heterologous Expression, Synthesis, and Purification of Animal Venom Toxins. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 9:811905. [PMID: 35127675 PMCID: PMC8811309 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.811905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are complex mixtures containing peptides and proteins known as toxins, which are responsible for the deleterious effect of envenomations. Across the animal Kingdom, toxin diversity is enormous, and the ability to understand the biochemical mechanisms governing toxicity is not only relevant for the development of better envenomation therapies, but also for exploiting toxin bioactivities for therapeutic or biotechnological purposes. Most of toxinology research has relied on obtaining the toxins from crude venoms; however, some toxins are difficult to obtain because the venomous animal is endangered, does not thrive in captivity, produces only a small amount of venom, is difficult to milk, or only produces low amounts of the toxin of interest. Heterologous expression of toxins enables the production of sufficient amounts to unlock the biotechnological potential of these bioactive proteins. Moreover, heterologous expression ensures homogeneity, avoids cross-contamination with other venom components, and circumvents the use of crude venom. Heterologous expression is also not only restricted to natural toxins, but allows for the design of toxins with special properties or can take advantage of the increasing amount of transcriptomics and genomics data, enabling the expression of dormant toxin genes. The main challenge when producing toxins is obtaining properly folded proteins with a correct disulfide pattern that ensures the activity of the toxin of interest. This review presents the strategies that can be used to express toxins in bacteria, yeast, insect cells, or mammalian cells, as well as synthetic approaches that do not involve cells, such as cell-free biosynthesis and peptide synthesis. This is accompanied by an overview of the main advantages and drawbacks of these different systems for producing toxins, as well as a discussion of the biosafety considerations that need to be made when working with highly bioactive proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre, ; Andreas H. Laustsen,
| | - Charlotte Rimbault
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Timothy P. Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Christoffer V. Sørensen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anna Damsbo
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Natalie J. Saez
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Yoan Duhoo
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Celeste Menuet Hackney
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Ellgaard
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas H. Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre, ; Andreas H. Laustsen,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Solano-Godoy JA, González-Gómez JC, Torres-Bonilla KA, Floriano RS, Miguel ATSF, Murillo-Arango W. Comparison of biological activities of Tityus pachyurus venom from two Colombian regions. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021; 27:e20210005. [PMID: 34925479 PMCID: PMC8651215 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0005] [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: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In the present study, we have tested whether specimens of the medically relevant scorpion Tityus pachyurus, collected from two climatically and ecologically different regions, differ in the biological activities of the venom. Methods Scorpions were collected in Tolima and Huila, Colombia. Chemical profiles of the crude venom were obtained from 80 scorpions for each region, using SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC. Assays for phospholipase A2, direct and indirect hemolytic, proteolytic, neuromuscular, antibacterial, and insecticidal activities were carried out. Results The electrophoretic profiles of venom from the two regions showed similar bands of 6-14 kDa, 36-45 kDa, 65 kDa and 97 kDa. However, bands between 36 kDa and 65 kDa were observed with more intensity in venoms from Tolima, and a 95 kDa band occurred only in venoms from Huila. The chromatographic profile of the venoms showed differences in the intensity of some peaks, which could be associated with changes in the abundance of some components between both populations. Phospholipase A2 and hemolytic activities were not observable, whereas both venoms showed proteolytic activity towards casein. Insecticidal activity of the venoms from both regions showed significant variation in potency, the bactericidal activity was variable and low for both venoms. Moreover, no differences were observed in the neuromuscular activity assay. Conclusion Our results reveal some variation in the activity of the venom between both populations, which could be explained by the ecological adaptations like differences in feeding, altitude and/or diverse predator exposure. However more in-depth studies are necessary to determine the drivers behind the differences in venom composition and activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Alexandra Solano-Godoy
- Natural Products Research Group (GIPRONUT), School of Sciences, University of Tolima, Altos de Santa Helena, Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia
| | - Julio César González-Gómez
- Research Group BEA - Biology and Ecology of Arthropods, Corporación Huiltur, Neiva, Huila, Colombia.,School of Sciences, University of Tolima, Altos de Santa Helena, Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia.,Research Group on Bio-ecology of Vertebrates (BIVET), Fundación Merenberg, La Plata, Huila, Colombia
| | - Kristian A Torres-Bonilla
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael Stuani Floriano
- Laboratory of Toxinology and Cardiovascular Research (LATEC), Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Western São Paulo (Unoeste), Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil
| | - Ananda T Santa Fé Miguel
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Walter Murillo-Arango
- Natural Products Research Group (GIPRONUT), School of Sciences, University of Tolima, Altos de Santa Helena, Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
de Oliveira NB, Magalhães ACM, Bloch C, Beirão PSL, Silva ADO, Melani RD, Barbosa EA, Pires OR, Schwartz CA. Characterization of the first two toxins isolated from the venom of the ancient scorpion Tityus (Archaeotityus) mattogrossensis (Borelli, 1901). J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021; 27:e20210035. [PMID: 34925481 PMCID: PMC8670738 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0035] [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: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Almost all Tityus characterized toxins are from subgenera Atreus and Tityus, there are only a few data about toxins produced by Archaeotityus, an ancient group in Tityus genus. Methods: Tityus (Archaeotityus) mattogrossensis crude venom was fractionated by high performance liquid chromatography, the major fractions were tested in a frog sciatic nerve single sucrose-gap technique. Two fractions (Tm1 and Tm2) were isolated, partially sequenced by MALDI-TOF/MS and electrophysiological assayed on HEK293 Nav 1.3, HEK293 Nav 1.6, DUM and DRG cells. Results: The sucrose-gap technique showed neurotoxicity in four fractions. One fraction caused a delay of action potential repolarization and other three caused a reduction in amplitude. An electrophysiological assay showed that Tm1 is active on HEK293 Nav 1.3, HEK293 Nav 1.6, DUM and DRG cells, and Tm2 on HEK293 Nav 1.3 and DRG cells, but not in HEK293 Nav 1.6. In addition, Tm1 and Tm2 did promote a shift to more negative potentials strongly suggesting that both are α-NaScTx. Conclusion: Although Tityus (Archaeotityus) mattogrossensis is considered an ancient group in Tityus genus, the primary structure of Tm1 and Tm2 is more related to Tityus subgenus. The patch clamp electrophysiological tests suggest that Tm1 and Tm2 are NaScTx, and also promoted no shift to more negative potentials, strongly suggesting that both are α-NaScTx. This paper aimed to explore and characterize for the first time toxins from the ancient scorpion Tityus (Archaeotityus) mattogrossensis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natiela Beatriz de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Martins Magalhães
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Carlos Bloch
- EMPRABA Center of Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sérgio Lacerda Beirão
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Anita de Oliveira Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rafael D Melani
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Eder Alves Barbosa
- EMPRABA Center of Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Brasília, DF, Brazil.,Laboratory of Biomolecule Synthesis and Analy sis, Institute of Chemistry, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Osmindo Rodrigues Pires
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alberto Schwartz
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhu Q, Du Y, Nomura Y, Gao R, Cang Z, Wei GW, Gordon D, Gurevitz M, Groome J, Dong K. Charge substitutions at the voltage-sensing module of domain III enhance actions of site-3 and site-4 toxins on an insect sodium channel. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 137:103625. [PMID: 34358664 PMCID: PMC9376739 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Scorpion α-toxins bind at the pharmacologically-defined site-3 on the sodium channel and inhibit channel inactivation by preventing the outward movement of the voltage sensor in domain IV (IVS4), whereas scorpion β-toxins bind at site-4 on the sodium channel and enhance channel activation by trapping the voltage sensor of domain II (IIS4) in its outward position. However, limited information is available on the role of the voltage-sensing modules (VSM, comprising S1-S4) of domains I and III in toxin actions. We have previously shown that charge reversing substitutions of the innermost positively-charged residues in IIIS4 (R4E, R5E) increase the activity of an insect-selective site-4 scorpion toxin, Lqh-dprIT3-c, on BgNav1-1a, a cockroach sodium channel. Here we show that substitutions R4E and R5E in IIIS4 also increase the activity of two site-3 toxins, LqhαIT from Leiurusquinquestriatus hebraeus and insect-selective Av3 from Anemonia viridis. Furthermore, charge reversal of either of two conserved negatively-charged residues, D1K and E2K, in IIIS2 also increase the action of the site-3 and site-4 toxins. Homology modeling suggests that S2-D1 and S2-E2 interact with S4-R4 and S4-R5 in the VSM of domain III (III-VSM), respectively, in the activated state of the channel. However, charge swapping between S2-D1 and S4-R4 had no compensatory effects on gating or toxin actions, suggesting that charged residue interactions are complex. Collectively, our results highlight the involvement of III-VSM in the actions of both site 3 and site 4 toxins, suggesting that charge reversing substitutions in III-VSM allosterically facilitate IIS4 or IVS4 voltage sensor trapping by these toxins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhu
- Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Key Laboratory of Control Technology and Standard for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China; Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Yuzhe Du
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Yoshiko Nomura
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Rong Gao
- Department of Hygienic Analysis and Detection, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 818 Tianyuan East Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zixuan Cang
- Department of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Guo-Wei Wei
- Department of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Dalia Gordon
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology & Ecology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michael Gurevitz
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology & Ecology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - James Groome
- Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA
| | - Ke Dong
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Simone Y, van der Meijden A. Armed stem to stinger: a review of the ecological roles of scorpion weapons. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021; 27:e20210002. [PMID: 34527038 PMCID: PMC8425188 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpions possess two systems of weapons: the pincers (chelae) and the stinger (telson). These are placed on anatomically and developmentally well separated parts of the body, that is, the oral appendages and at the end of the body axis. The otherwise conserved body plan of scorpions varies most in the shape and relative dimensions of these two weapon systems, both across species and in some cases between the sexes. We review the literature on the ecological function of these two weapon systems in each of three contexts of usage: (i) predation, (ii) defense and (iii) sexual contests. In the latter context, we will also discuss their usage in mating. We first provide a comparative background for each of these contexts of usage by giving examples of other weapon systems from across the animal kingdom. Then, we discuss the pertinent aspects of the anatomy of the weapon systems, particularly those aspects relevant to their functioning in their ecological roles. The literature on the functioning and ecological role of both the chelae and the telson is discussed in detail, again organized by context of usage. Particular emphasis is given on the differences in morphology or usage between species or higher taxonomic groups, or between genders, as such cases are most insightful to understand the roles of each of the two distinct weapon systems of the scorpions and their evolutionary interactions. We aimed to synthesize the literature while minimizing conjecture, but also to point out gaps in the literature and potential future research opportunities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Simone
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Porto, Portugal
| | - Arie van der Meijden
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mapping the interaction surface of scorpion β-toxins with an insect sodium channel. Biochem J 2021; 478:2843-2869. [PMID: 34195804 PMCID: PMC10081811 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The interaction of insect-selective scorpion depressant β-toxins (LqhIT2 and Lqh-dprIT3 from Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus) with the Blattella germanica sodium channel, BgNav1-1a, was investigated using site-directed mutagenesis, electrophysiological analyses, and structural modeling. Focusing on the pharmacologically defined binding site-4 of scorpion β-toxins at the voltage-sensing domain II (VSD-II), we found that charge neutralization of D802 in VSD-II greatly enhanced the channel sensitivity to Lqh-dprIT3. This was consistent with the high sensitivity of the splice variant BgNav2-1, bearing G802, to Lqh-dprIT3, and low sensitivity of BgNav2-1 mutant, G802D, to the toxin. Further mutational and electrophysiological analyses revealed that the sensitivity of the WT = D802E < D802G < D802A < D802K channel mutants to Lqh-dprIT3 correlated with the depolarizing shifts of activation in toxin-free channels. However, the sensitivity of single mutants involving IIS4 basic residues (K4E = WT << R1E < R2E < R3E) or double mutants (D802K = K4E/D802K = R3E/D802K > R2E/D802K > R1E/D802K > WT) did not correlate with the activation shifts. Using the cryo-EM structure of the Periplaneta americana channel, NavPaS, as a template and the crystal structure of LqhIT2, we constructed structural models of LqhIT2 and Lqh-dprIT3-c in complex with BgNav1-1a. These models along with the mutational analysis suggest that depressant toxins approach the salt-bridge between R1 and D802 at VSD-II to form contacts with linkers IIS1-S2, IIS3-S4, IIIP5-P1 and IIIP2-S6. Elimination of this salt-bridge enables deeper penetration of the toxin into a VSD-II gorge to form new contacts with the channel, leading to increased channel sensitivity to Lqh-dprIT3.
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhu S, Gao B, Peigneur S, Tytgat J. How a Scorpion Toxin Selectively Captures a Prey Sodium Channel: The Molecular and Evolutionary Basis Uncovered. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 37:3149-3164. [PMID: 32556211 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The growing resistance of insects to chemical pesticides is reducing the effectiveness of conventional methods for pest control and thus, the development of novel insecticidal agents is imperative. Scorpion toxins specific for insect voltage-gated sodium channels (Navs) have been considered as one of the most promising insecticide alternatives due to their host specificity, rapidly evoked toxicity, biodegradability, and the lack of resistance. However, they have not been developed for uses in agriculture and public health, mainly because of a limited understanding of their molecular and evolutionary basis controlling their phylogenetic selectivity. Here, we show that the traditionally defined insect-selective scorpion toxin LqhIT2 specifically captures a prey Nav through a conserved trapping apparatus comprising a three-residue-formed cavity and a structurally adjacent leucine. The former serves as a detector to recognize and bind a highly exposed channel residue conserved in insects and spiders, two major prey items for scorpions; and the latter subsequently seizes the "moving" voltage sensor via hydrophobic interactions to reduce activation energy for channel opening, demonstrating its action in an enzyme-like manner. Based on the established toxin-channel interaction model in combination with toxicity assay, we enlarged the toxic spectrum of LqhIT2 to spiders and certain other arthropods. Furthermore, we found that genetic background-dependent cavity shapes determine the species selectivity of LqhIT2-related toxins. We expect that the discovery of the trapping apparatus will improve our understanding of the evolution and design principle of Nav-targeted toxins from a diversity of arthropod predators and accelerate their uses in pest control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Khoshdel Nezamiha F, Imani S, Shahbazzadeh D, Tirgari S, Arabi Mianroodi R. Cloning and expression of OdTx12, a β excitatory toxin from Odontobuthus doriae, in Escherichia coli and evaluation of its bioactivity in Locusta migratoria. Toxicon 2020; 183:20-28. [PMID: 32442468 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The venom of Odontobuthus doriae contains several peptide toxins that interfere with the sodium channel function of cell membranes, some of which specifically act on the insect's sodium channel without affecting mammalian cells. In this study sodium channel toxins of Odontobuthus doriae were aligned to other closely related toxins by BLAST and ClustalW servers. Among these toxins, NaTx12 (OdTx12) showed more than 90% similarity to the most known beta excitatory toxin, AaHIT1; furthermore, our modeling studies confirmed high tertiary structure similarity of these proteins. OdTx12 was cloned and expressed in E.coli, using pET26-b and pET28-a expression vectors. Tris-tricine SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis showed OdTx12 expression by pET28-a, only. After purification, bioactivity of the purified protein was analyzed by injection and oral administration to Locusta migratoria larvae, and toxicity to mammals was tested on mice. Injection of OdTx12 resulted in the killing of larvae with LD50 of 0.4 and 0.2 after 48 and 72 h respectively, but oral administration of OdTx12 had no significant effect on Locusta migratoria, nor did the injection to mice show any signs of toxicity. These results showed that OdTx12, as a novel β excitatory toxin can be considered as a candidate for insect control purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sohrab Imani
- Department of Entomology, Islamic Azad University (Science and Research Branch), Tehran, Iran
| | - Delavar Shahbazzadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology of Iran, Venom and Therapeutic Biomolecules Lab, Institute Pasteur of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Reza Arabi Mianroodi
- R&D Department, Production and Research Complex, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Expression of Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cyt2Ba in the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana increases its virulence towards Aedes mosquitoes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007590. [PMID: 31306427 PMCID: PMC6667155 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana has been widely used to kill mosquito larvae and adults in the laboratory and field. However, its slow action of killing has hampered its widespread application. In our study, the B. bassiana fungus was genetically modified to express the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin Cyt2Ba to improve its efficacy in killing mosquitoes. Methodology/Principal findings The efficacy of the wild type (WT) of B. bassiana and a transgenic strain expressing Cyt2Ba toxin (Bb-Cyt2Ba) was evaluated against larval and adult Aedes mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) using insect bioassays. The Bb-Cyt2Ba displayed increased virulence against larval and adult Aedes mosquitoes compared with the WT: for Ae. aegypti adults, the median lethal time (LT50) was decreased by 33% at the concentration of 1× 108 conidia/ml, 19% at 1× 107 conidia/ml and 47% at 1× 106 conidia/ml. The LT50 for Ae. albopictus adults was reduced by 20%, 23% and 29% at the same concentrations, respectively. The LT50 for Ae. aegypti larvae was decreased by 42% at 1× 107 conidia/ml and 25% at 1× 106 conidia/ml, and that for Ae. albopictus larvae was reduced by 33% and 31% at the same concentrations, respectively. In addition, infection with Bb-Cyt2Ba resulted in a dramatic reduction in the fecundity of Aedes mosquitoes. Conclusions/Significance In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the virulence of B. bassiana against mosquitoes can be significantly improved by introducing the Bt toxin gene Cyt2Ba into the genome to express the exogenous toxin in the fungus. The transgenic strain Bb-Cyt2Ba significantly reduced the survival and fecundity of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus compared with the WT strain, which suggested that this recombinant B. bassiana has great potential for use in mosquito control. Mosquito vectors transmit many diseases to humans and animals, causing illness and death and resulting in substantial socio-economic burdens in endemic countries. The control of mosquitoes has almost exclusively relied on the use of chemical insecticides, which has recently led to the broad resistance of important mosquito vectors worldwide. Entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria bassiana, are an important alternative or complement to chemical insecticides. However, the relatively slow action of fungal pathogens in killing mosquitoes, compared with chemical insecticides, has hampered their widespread application. To improve the insecticidal efficacy of the entomopathogen B. bassiana, the fungus was genetically modified to express the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cyt2Ba. The mitotically stable transformant (Bb-Cyt2Ba) successfully expressed Cyt2Ba toxin, and the virulence of this strain against adults and larvae of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was significantly improved. In addition, egg laying was significantly affected by Bb-Cyt2Ba infection. Infection with this fungus resulted in a dramatic reduction in fecundity of the target mosquitoes. Therefore, this recombinant B. bassiana has great potential for use in mosquito control.
Collapse
|
16
|
Isolation and Characterization of Insecticidal Toxins from the Venom of the North African Scorpion, Buthacus leptochelys. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11040236. [PMID: 31027216 PMCID: PMC6521144 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11040236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Various bioactive peptides have been identified in scorpion venom, but there are many scorpion species whose venom has not been investigated. In this study, we characterized venom components of the North African scorpion, Buthacus leptochelys, by mass spectrometric analysis and evaluated their insect toxicity. This is the first report of chemical and biological characterization of the B. leptochelys venom. LC/MS analysis detected at least 148 components in the venom. We isolated four peptides that show insect toxicity (Bl-1, Bl-2, Bl-3, and Bl-4) through bioassay-guided HPLC fractionation. These toxins were found to be similar to scorpion α- and β-toxins based on their N-terminal sequences. Among them, the complete primary structure of Bl-1 was determined by combination of Edman degradation and MS/MS analysis. Bl-1 is composed of 67 amino acid residues and crosslinked with four disulfide bonds. Since Bl-1 shares high sequence similarity with α-like toxins, it is likely that it acts on Na+ channels of both insects and mammals.
Collapse
|
17
|
Structural diversity of arthropod venom toxins. Toxicon 2018; 152:46-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
18
|
Ward MJ, Ellsworth SA, Hogan MP, Nystrom GS, Martinez P, Budhdeo A, Zelaya R, Perez A, Powell B, He H, Rokyta DR. Female-biased population divergence in the venom of the Hentz striped scorpion (Centruroides hentzi). Toxicon 2018; 152:137-149. [PMID: 30096334 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sex-biased genes are expressed at higher levels in one sex and contribute to phenotypic differences between males and females, as well as overall phenotypic variation within and among populations. Venom has evolved primarily for predation and defense, making venom expression a highly variable phenotype as a result of local adaptation. Several scorpion species have shown both intraspecific and intersexual venom variation, and males have been observed using venom in courtship and mating, suggesting the existence of venom-specific, sex-biased genes that may contribute to population divergence. We used reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), Agilent protein bioanalyzer chips, nano-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (nLC/MS/MS), and median lethal dose (LD50) assays in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) and banded crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus) to investigate proteomic and functional venom variation within and among three Florida populations of the Hentz striped scorpion (Centruroides hentzi). We found significant venom variation among populations, with females, not males, being responsible for this divergence. We also found significant variation in venom expression within populations, with males contributing more to within population variation than females. Our results provide evidence that male and female scorpions experience different natural and sexual selective pressures that have led to the expression of sex-biased venom genes and that these genes may be consequential in population divergence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Micaiah J Ward
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Schyler A Ellsworth
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Michael P Hogan
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Gunnar S Nystrom
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Paul Martinez
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Amisha Budhdeo
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Roxana Zelaya
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Alexander Perez
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Barclay Powell
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Huan He
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics and College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Li H, Xia Y. High-level expression and purification of active scorpion long-chain neurotoxin BjαIT from Pichia pastoris. Protein Expr Purif 2018; 152:77-83. [PMID: 30071250 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2018.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
As an insect-selective neurotoxin, scorpion long-chain BjαIT is a promising prospect for insecticidal application; however, the difficulty of obtaining natural BjαIT represents the major obstacle preventing analysis of its insecticidal activity against agricultural insect pests. Here, we screened recombinant Pichia pastoris transformants showing high levels of secretory recombinant (r)BjαIT. Secreted rBjαIT was expressed at levels as high as 340 mg/L following methanol induction in a fed-batch reactor, with ∼21 mg of pure rBjαIT obtained from 200-mL fed-batch culture supernatant by Ni2+-nitriloacetic acid affinity chromatography and CM Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography. Injection of purified rBjαIT induced neurotoxicity symptoms in locust (Locusta migratoria) larvae, and the half-lethal dose of rBjαIT for locusts at 24-h post-injection ranged from 11 to 14 μg/g body weight. These results demonstrated that large amounts of active rBjαIT were efficiently prepared from P. pastoris, suggesting this system as efficacious for determining rBjαIT insecticidal activity against other agricultural insect pests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Li
- Postdoctoral Mobile Station of Biology, Genetic Engineering Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China; The Key Laboratory of Research and Utilization of Ethnomedicinal Plant Resources of Hunan Province, College of Biological and Food Engineering, Huaihua University, Huaihua, 418008, China
| | - Yuxian Xia
- Postdoctoral Mobile Station of Biology, Genetic Engineering Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Martin-Eauclaire MF, Bougis PE, de Lima ME. Ts1 from the Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus: A half-century of studies on a multifunctional beta like-toxin. Toxicon 2018; 152:106-120. [PMID: 30059695 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Tityus serrulatus scorpion species represents a serious human health threat to in Brazil because it is among the animals that produces the most dangerous venoms for mammals in South America. Its venom has provided several highly selective ligands that specifically interact with sodium and potassium channels. During the past decades, several international groups published an increasing amount of data on the isolation and the chemical, pharmacological and immunological characterisation of its main β-toxin, Ts1. In this review, we compiled the best available past and recent knowledge on Ts1. Aside from its intricate purification, the state-of-the-art understanding concerning its pharmacological activities is presented. Its solved three-dimensional structure is shown, as well as the possible surface areas of contact between Ts1 and its diverse voltage-gated Na+ channel targets. Organisations of the gene and the precursor encoding Ts1 are also tackled based on available cDNA clones or on information obtained from polymerase chain reactions of stretches of scorpion DNA. At last, the immunological studies complete with Ts1 to set up an efficient immunotherapy against the Tityus serrulatus venom are summarized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pierre E Bougis
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, LNC, UMR 7291, 13003, Marseille, France.
| | - Maria Elena de Lima
- Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Depto de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte - IEP/SCBH, 30150-240, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Li H, Xia Y. Improving the secretory expression of active recombinant AaIT in Pichia pastoris by changing the expression strain and plasmid. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 34:104. [PMID: 29951705 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-018-2484-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Scorpion long-chain insect selective neurotoxin AaIT has the potential to be used against agricultural insect pests. However, there is still a lack of a heterologous gene expression system that can express AaIT efficiently. Here, using X33 as the host strain and pPICZαA as the expression vector, one transformant had the highest expression of recombinant AaIT (rAaIT) was obtained, and secreted as high as 240 mg/l rAaIT in fed-batch fermentation. Secretory rAaIT was purified by Ni2+-nitriloacetic affinity and CM chromatography, and 8 mg of high purity rAaIT were purified from 200 ml fed-batch fermentation cultures. Injecting silkworm (Bombyx mori Linnaeus) and Galleria mellonella larvae with rAaIT resulted in obvious neurotoxin symptoms and led to death. These results demonstrate that a large amount of anti-insect active rAaIT could be prepared efficiently.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Li
- Postdoctoral Mobile Station of Biology, Genetic Engineering Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China. .,The Key Laboratory of Research and Utilization of Ethnomedicinal Plant Resources of Hunan Province, College of Biological and Food Engineering, Huaihua University, Huaihua, 418008, China.
| | - Yuxian Xia
- Postdoctoral Mobile Station of Biology, Genetic Engineering Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
de Oliveira UC, Nishiyama MY, dos Santos MBV, Santos-da-Silva ADP, Chalkidis HDM, Souza-Imberg A, Candido DM, Yamanouye N, Dorce VAC, Junqueira-de-Azevedo IDLM. Proteomic endorsed transcriptomic profiles of venom glands from Tityus obscurus and T. serrulatus scorpions. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193739. [PMID: 29561852 PMCID: PMC5862453 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Except for the northern region, where the Amazonian black scorpion, T. obscurus, represents the predominant and most medically relevant scorpion species, Tityus serrulatus, the Brazilian yellow scorpion, is widely distributed throughout Brazil, causing most envenoming and fatalities due to scorpion sting. In order to evaluate and compare the diversity of venom components of Tityus obscurus and T. serrulatus, we performed a transcriptomic investigation of the telsons (venom glands) corroborated by a shotgun proteomic analysis of the venom from the two species. Results The putative venom components represented 11.4% and 16.7% of the total gene expression for T. obscurus and T. serrulatus, respectively. Transcriptome and proteome data revealed high abundance of metalloproteinases sequences followed by sodium and potassium channel toxins, making the toxin core of the venom. The phylogenetic analysis of metalloproteinases from T. obscurus and T. serrulatus suggested an intraspecific gene expansion, as we previously observed for T. bahiensis, indicating that this enzyme may be under evolutionary pressure for diversification. We also identified several putative venom components such as anionic peptides, antimicrobial peptides, bradykinin-potentiating peptide, cysteine rich protein, serine proteinases, cathepsins, angiotensin-converting enzyme, endothelin-converting enzyme and chymotrypsin like protein, proteinases inhibitors, phospholipases and hyaluronidases. Conclusion The present work shows that the venom composition of these two allopatric species of Tityus are considerably similar in terms of the major classes of proteins produced and secreted, although their individual toxin sequences are considerably divergent. These differences at amino acid level may reflect in different epitopes for the same protein classes in each species, explaining the basis for the poor recognition of T. obscurus venom by the antiserum raised against other species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Castro de Oliveira
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Milton Yutaka Nishiyama
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada, CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Norma Yamanouye
- Laboratório de Farmacologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are critical in generation and conduction of electrical signals in multiple excitable tissues. Natural toxins, produced by animal, plant, and microorganisms, target VGSCs through diverse strategies developed over millions of years of evolutions. Studying of the diverse interaction between VGSC and VGSC-targeting toxins has been contributing to the increasing understanding of molecular structure and function, pharmacology, and drug development potential of VGSCs. This chapter aims to summarize some of the current views on the VGSC-toxin interaction based on the established receptor sites of VGSC for natural toxins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yonghua Ji
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Neurotoxicology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Deng SQ, Cai QD, Deng MZ, Huang Q, Peng HJ. Scorpion neurotoxin AaIT-expressing Beauveria bassiana enhances the virulence against Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. AMB Express 2017; 7:121. [PMID: 28605881 PMCID: PMC5466577 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-017-0422-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
To improve the insecticidal efficacy of this entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana, the fungus was genetically modified to express an insect-specific scorpion neurotoxin AaIT. The virulence of the recombinant B. bassiana strain (Bb-AaIT) against Aedes albopictus adults (which occurs via penetration through the cuticle during spore germination or by conidia ingestion), and the larvae (by conidia ingestion) was measured with bioassays. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of Bb-AaIT against A. albopictus larvae was 313.3-fold lower on day 4 and 11.3-fold lower on day 10 than that of the wild type (WT). Through conidia feeding or body contact, Bb-AaIT killed 50% of adult female mosquitoes at 3.9- or 1.9-fold reduced concentrations on day 4 and at 2.1- or 2.4-fold reduced concentrations on day 10. Compared with the results for the WT, the median lethal time (LT50) of Bb-AaIT was reduced by 28.6% at 1 × 107 conidia ml-1 and 34.3% at 1 × 106 conidia ml-1 in the larvae bioassay by conidia ingestion, while it decreased 32.3% at 1 × 107 conidia ml-1 by conidia ingestion and 24.2% at 1 × 108 conidia ml-1 by penetrating through the cuticle in the adult bioassay. All the differences were significant. Our findings indicated that Bb-AaIT had higher virulence and faster action than the WT in killing the larval and adult mosquitoes, and therefore, it is valuable for development as a commercial mosquito pesticide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Qun Deng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong Province China
| | - Qun-Di Cai
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong Province China
| | - Ming-Zhi Deng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong Province China
| | - Qiang Huang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong Province China
| | - Hong-Juan Peng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Institutes, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong Province China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Target-Specificity in Scorpions; Comparing Lethality of Scorpion Venoms across Arthropods and Vertebrates. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9100312. [PMID: 28976932 PMCID: PMC5666359 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9100312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Scorpions use their venom in defensive situations as well as for subduing prey. Since some species of scorpion use their venom more in defensive situations than others, this may have led to selection for differences in effectiveness in defensive situations. Here, we compared the LD50 of the venom of 10 species of scorpions on five different species of target organisms; two insects and three vertebrates. We found little correlation between the target species in the efficacy of the different scorpion venoms. Only the two insects showed a positive correlation, indicating that they responded similarly to the panel of scorpion venoms. We discuss the lack of positive correlation between the vertebrate target species in the light of their evolution and development. When comparing the responses of the target systems to individual scorpion venoms pairwise, we found that closely related scorpion species tend to elicit a similar response pattern across the target species. This was further reflected in a significant phylogenetic signal across the scorpion phylogeny for the LD50 in mice and in zebrafish. We also provide the first mouse LD50 value for Grosphus grandidieri.
Collapse
|
26
|
Pennington MW, Czerwinski A, Norton RS. Peptide therapeutics from venom: Current status and potential. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 26:2738-2758. [PMID: 28988749 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Peptides are recognized as being highly selective, potent and relatively safe as potential therapeutics. Peptides isolated from the venom of different animals satisfy most of these criteria with the possible exception of safety, but when isolated as single compounds and used at appropriate concentrations, venom-derived peptides can become useful drugs. Although the number of venom-derived peptides that have successfully progressed to the clinic is currently limited, the prospects for venom-derived peptides look very optimistic. As proteomic and transcriptomic approaches continue to identify new sequences, the potential of venom-derived peptides to find applications as therapeutics, cosmetics and insecticides grows accordingly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrzej Czerwinski
- Peptides International, Inc., 11621 Electron Drive, Louisville, KY 40299, USA
| | - Raymond S Norton
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 381 Royal Parade, Monash University, Parkville, 3052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Duque HM, Mourão CBF, Tibery DV, Barbosa EA, Campos LA, Schwartz EF. To4, the first Tityus obscurus β-toxin fully electrophysiologically characterized on human sodium channel isoforms. Peptides 2017; 95:106-115. [PMID: 28735770 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Many scorpion toxins that act on sodium channels (NaScTxs) have been characterized till date. These toxins may act modulating the inactivation or the activation of sodium channels and are named α- or β-types, respectively. Some venom toxins from Tityus obscurus (Buthidae), a scorpion widely distributed in the Brazilian Amazon, have been partially characterized in previous studies; however, little information about their electrophysiological role on sodium ion channels has been published. In the present study, we describe the purification, identification and electrophysiological characterization of a NaScTx, which was first described as Tc54 and further fully sequenced and renamed To4. This toxin shows a marked β-type effect on different sodium channel subtypes (hNav1.1-hNav1.7) at low concentrations, and has more pronounced activity on hNav1.1, hNav1.2 and hNav1.4. By comparing To4 primary structure with other Tityus β-toxins which have already been electrophysiologically tested, it is possible to establish some key amino acid residues for the sodium channel activity. Thus, To4 is the first toxin from T. obscurus fully electrophysiologically characterized on different human sodium channel isoforms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harry Morales Duque
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brasília, 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Caroline Barbosa Farias Mourão
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brasília, 70910-900, DF, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Brasília, Campus Ceilândia, Brasília 72220-260, DF, Brazil
| | - Diogo Vieira Tibery
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brasília, 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Eder Alves Barbosa
- LSAB - Laboratório de Síntese e Análise de Biomoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Leandro Ambrósio Campos
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brasília, 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Elisabeth Ferroni Schwartz
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brasília, 70910-900, DF, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
邓 胜, 邓 茗, 陈 嘉, 郑 丽, 彭 鸿. [Larvicidal activity of recombinant Escherichia coli expressing scorpion neurotoxin AaIT or B.t.i toxin Cyt2Ba against mosquito larvae and formulations for enhancing the effects]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2017; 37:750-754. [PMID: 28669947 PMCID: PMC6744137 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-4254.2017.06.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the larvicidal effects of recombinant Escherichia coli expressing scorpion neurotoxin AaIT or Bacillus thuringiensis subsp israelensis (B.t.i) toxin Cyt2Ba against the second instar larvae of Culex pipiensquinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus and compare different formulations for their larvicidal effects. METHODS The AaIT- or Cyt2Ba-coding sequences were cloned into pET28a(+) and the recombinant plasmids were transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3). After induction with IPTG, the recombinant proteins expressed by the recombinant E. coli were detected and identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting, respectively. The larvicidal activity of the bacterial suspension was tested at different concentrations against mosquitoes. The effective engineered bacteria were prepared into dry powder with different formulations, and their larvicidal activity was tested. RESULTS AaIT and Cyt2Ba proteins were successfully expressed in E. coli. The recombinant AaIT protein showed no virulence to the mosquito larvae. The suspension of the recombinant E. coli expressing Cyt2Ba protein exhibited a stronger killing effect on Aedes albopictus larvae than on Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus larvae at 48 h (P<0.001) with LC50 of 3.00×106 cells/mL and 1.25×107 cells/mL, respectively. The dry powder of the engineered bacteria formulated with yeast extract, wheat flour or white pepper powder at the mass ratio of 1:1 showed the strongest killing effect on mosquito larvae (P=0.044), and the formulation with white pepper powder produced a stronger killing effect than formulations with yeast extract or wheat flour (P=0.002). CONCLUSION The B.t.i Cyt2Ba protein expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) shows a good larvicidal activity against mosquitoes, and appropriate formulations of the engineered bacteria can enhance its efficiency in mosquito control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- 胜群 邓
- />南方医科大学公共卫生学院病原生物学系//广东省热带病研究重点实验室,广东 广州 510515Department of Pathogen Biology/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - 茗芝 邓
- />南方医科大学公共卫生学院病原生物学系//广东省热带病研究重点实验室,广东 广州 510515Department of Pathogen Biology/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - 嘉婷 陈
- />南方医科大学公共卫生学院病原生物学系//广东省热带病研究重点实验室,广东 广州 510515Department of Pathogen Biology/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - 丽兰 郑
- />南方医科大学公共卫生学院病原生物学系//广东省热带病研究重点实验室,广东 广州 510515Department of Pathogen Biology/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - 鸿娟 彭
- />南方医科大学公共卫生学院病原生物学系//广东省热带病研究重点实验室,广东 广州 510515Department of Pathogen Biology/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Wu W, Li Z, Ma Y. Adaptive evolution of insect selective excitatory β-type sodium channel neurotoxins from scorpion venom. Peptides 2017; 92:31-37. [PMID: 28363794 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Insect selective excitatory β-type sodium channel neurotoxins from scorpion venom (β-NaScTxs) are composed of about 70-76 amino acid residues and share a common scaffold stabilized by four unique disulfide bonds. The phylogenetic analysis of these toxins was hindered by limited sequence data. In our recent study, two new insect selective excitatory β-NaScTxs, LmIT and ImIT, were isolated from Lychas mucronatus and Isometrus maculatus, respectively. With the sequences previously reported, we examined the adaptive molecular evolution of insect selective excitatory β-NaScTxs by estimating the nonsynonymous-to-synonymous rate ratio (ω=dN/dS). The results revealed 12 positively selected sites in the genes of insect selective excitatory β-NaScTxs. Moreover, these positively selected sites match well with the sites important for interacting with sodium channels, as demonstrated in previous mutagenesis study. These results reveal that adaptive evolution after gene duplication is one of the most important genetic mechanisms of scorpion neurotoxin diversification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenlan Wu
- Medical School, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan Province, PR China.
| | - Zhongjie Li
- Medical School, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Yibao Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Coelho P, Kaliontzopoulou A, Rasko M, Meijden A. A ‘striking’ relationship: scorpion defensive behaviour and its relation to morphology and performance. Funct Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Coelho
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources InBIO Universidade do Porto Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, No. 7 4485‐661 Vairão, Vila do Conde Portugal
| | - Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources InBIO Universidade do Porto Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, No. 7 4485‐661 Vairão, Vila do Conde Portugal
| | - Mykola Rasko
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources InBIO Universidade do Porto Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, No. 7 4485‐661 Vairão, Vila do Conde Portugal
| | - Arie Meijden
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources InBIO Universidade do Porto Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, No. 7 4485‐661 Vairão, Vila do Conde Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
van der Meijden A, Kleinteich T. A biomechanical view on stinger diversity in scorpions. J Anat 2017; 230:497-509. [PMID: 28028798 PMCID: PMC5345679 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Scorpions have elongated metasomas that bear a telson, which is used as a stinger for venom injection. There is a remarkable diversity in the use of the stinger among scorpions, comprising defensive behavior, prey subjugation and mating. This diversity could be reflected by the shape of the telson, as different stinging behaviors will result in very different functional demands. Here we explored the diversity of telson shapes in scorpions by providing morphological measurements, such as curvature and tip angle, as well as by testing stingers under load using finite element analysis (FEA). FEA models were loaded with forces scaled to the surface area of the models, to allow comparison of the relative strain energy based on shape alone. Load force angle was rotated to identify the optimal stinging angle based on the lowest strain energy. Aculeus length and mean aculeus height correlated with minimal strain energy. Optimal stinging angle correlated with tip angle, and differed from the tip angle by about 28.4 ± 6.22 °. We found that species that are more venomous have long aculei (stinger barbs) with a larger radius of curvature. FEA models of these longer aculei showed basal stress concentrations, indicating a potential greater risk of basal breakage due to shape alone. Telsons with shorter and thicker aculeus shapes showed stress concentrations at the tip only. Despite these marked differences in shape, we found no difference in the scaled strain energy between groups of species that are more venomous and less venomous groups of species. These results show that scorpion stingers may be biomechanically optimized, and this may indicate different usage of the stinger in different species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arie van der Meijden
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic ResourcesInBIOUniversidade do PortoVila do CondePortugal
| | - Thomas Kleinteich
- Department of ZoologyFunctional Morphology and BiomechanicsKielGermany
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Luna-Ramirez K, Miller AD, Rašić G. Genetic and morphological analyses indicate that the Australian endemic scorpion Urodacus yaschenkoi (Scorpiones: Urodacidae) is a species complex. PeerJ 2017; 5:e2759. [PMID: 28123903 PMCID: PMC5244882 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Australian scorpions have received far less attention from researchers than their overseas counterparts. Here we provide the first insight into the molecular variation and evolutionary history of the endemic Australian scorpion Urodacus yaschenkoi. Also known as the inland robust scorpion, it is widely distributed throughout arid zones of the continent and is emerging as a model organism in biomedical research due to the chemical nature of its venom. METHODS We employed Bayesian Inference (BI) methods for the phylogenetic reconstructions and divergence dating among lineages, using unique haplotype sequences from two mitochondrial loci (COXI, 16S) and one nuclear locus (28S). We also implemented two DNA taxonomy approaches (GMYC and PTP/dPTP) to evaluate the presence of cryptic species. Linear Discriminant Analysis was used to test whether the linear combination of 21 variables (ratios of morphological measurements) can predict individual's membership to a putative species. RESULTS Genetic and morphological data suggest that U. yaschenkoi is a species complex. High statistical support for the monophyly of several divergent lineages was found both at the mitochondrial loci and at a nuclear locus. The extent of mitochondrial divergence between these lineages exceeds estimates of interspecific divergence reported for other scorpion groups. The GMYC model and the PTP/bPTP approach identified major lineages and several sub-lineages as putative species. Ratios of several traits that approximate body shape had a strong predictive power (83-100%) in discriminating two major molecular lineages. A time-calibrated phylogeny dates the early divergence at the onset of continental-wide aridification in late Miocene and Pliocene, with finer-scale phylogeographic patterns emerging during the Pleistocene. This structuring dynamics is congruent with the diversification history of other fauna of the Australian arid zones. DISCUSSION Our results indicate that the taxonomic status of U. yaschenkoi requires revision, and we provide recommendations for such future efforts. A complex evolutionary history and extensive diversity highlights the importance of conserving U. yaschenkoi populations from different Australian arid zones in order to preserve patterns of endemism and evolutionary potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam D. Miller
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Huang Y, Wu X, Zhang P, Duan Z, Zhou X, Chen M, Farooq A, Liang S, Liu Z. Peptide-rich venom from the spider Heteropoda venatoria potently inhibits insect voltage-gated sodium channels. Toxicon 2016; 125:44-49. [PMID: 27867092 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.11.252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Heteropoda venatoria is a venomous spider species distributed worldwide and has a characteristic habit of feeding on insects. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analyses revealed that H. venatoria venom contains hundreds of peptides with a predominant molecular weights of 3000-5000 Da. Intra-abdominal injection of the venom had severe toxic effects on cockroaches and caused death at higher concentrations. The LD50 was 28.18 μg/g of body weight in the cockroach. It was found that the venom had potent inhibitory effect on voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) in Periplaneta americana cockroach dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons with an IC50 values of 6.25 ± 0.02 μg/mL. However, 100 μg/mL venom only partially blocked VGSC currents in rat dorsal root ganglion cells, a much lower inhibitory effect than that on DUM VGSCs. Our results indicate that the venom of H. venatoria contains diverse neurotoxins that might become new leads for bioinsecticides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yazhou Huang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, China
| | - Xinzhou Wu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, China
| | - Zhigui Duan
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, China
| | - Xi Zhou
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, China
| | - Minzhi Chen
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, China
| | - Athar Farooq
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, China
| | - Songping Liang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, China; The Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, China
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, China; The Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ikonomopoulou MP, Smith JJ, Herzig V, Pineda SS, Dziemborowicz S, Er SY, Durek T, Gilchrist J, Alewood PF, Nicholson GM, Bosmans F, King GF. Isolation of two insecticidal toxins from venom of the Australian theraphosid spider Coremiocnemis tropix. Toxicon 2016; 123:62-70. [PMID: 27793656 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Sheep flystrike is caused by parasitic flies laying eggs on soiled wool or open wounds, after which the hatched maggots feed on the sheep flesh and often cause large lesions. It is a significant economic problem for the livestock industry as infestations are difficult to control due to ongoing cycles of larval development into flies followed by further egg laying. We therefore screened venom fractions from the Australian theraphosid spider Coremiocnemis tropix to identify toxins active against the sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina, which is the primary cause of flystrike in Australia. This screen led to isolation of two insecticidal peptides, Ct1a and Ct1b, that are lethal to blowflies within 24 h of injection. The primary structure of these peptides was determined using a combination of Edman degradation and sequencing of a C. tropix venom-gland transcriptome. Ct1a and Ct1b contain 39 and 38 amino acid residues, respectively, including six cysteine residues that form three disulfide bonds. Recombinant production in bacteria (Escherichia coli) resulted in low yields of Ct1a whereas solid-phase peptide synthesis using native chemical ligation produced sufficient quantities of Ct1a for functional analyses. Synthetic Ct1a had no effect on voltage-gated sodium channels from the American cockroach Periplanata americana or the German cockroach Blattella germanica, but it was lethal to sheep blowflies with an LD50 of 1687 pmol/g.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria P Ikonomopoulou
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer J Smith
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Volker Herzig
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sandy S Pineda
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Sing-Yan Er
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - John Gilchrist
- Department of Physiology & Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Paul F Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Graham M Nicholson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Frank Bosmans
- Department of Physiology & Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Luan N, Shen W, Liu J, Wen B, Lin Z, Yang S, Lai R, Liu S, Rong M. A Combinational Strategy upon RNA Sequencing and Peptidomics Unravels a Set of Novel Toxin Peptides in Scorpion Mesobuthus martensii. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8100286. [PMID: 27782050 PMCID: PMC5086646 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8100286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venom is deemed to contain many toxic peptides as an important source of natural compounds. Out of the two hundred proteins identified in Mesobuthus martensii (M. martensii), only a few peptide toxins have been found so far. Herein, a combinational approach based upon RNA sequencing and Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS) was employed to explore the venom peptides in M. martensii. A total of 153 proteins were identified from the scorpion venom, 26 previously known and 127 newly identified. Of the novel toxins, 97 proteins exhibited sequence similarities to known toxins, and 30 were never reported. Combining peptidomic and transcriptomic analyses, the peptide sequence of BmKKx1 was reannotated and four disulfide bridges were confirmed within it. In light of the comparison of conservation and variety of toxin amino acid sequences, highly conserved and variable regions were perceived in 24 toxins that were parts of two sodium channel and two potassium channel toxins families. Taking all of this evidences together, the peptidomic analysis on M. martensii indeed identified numerous novel scorpion peptides, expanded our knowledge towards the venom diversity, and afforded a set of pharmaceutical candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Luan
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wang Shen
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jie Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China.
| | - Bo Wen
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China.
| | - Zhilong Lin
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China.
| | - Shilong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- United Laboratory of Natural Peptide of University of Science and Technology of China & Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China.
| | - Ren Lai
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- United Laboratory of Natural Peptide of University of Science and Technology of China & Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China.
| | - Siqi Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank-Shenzhen, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518083, China.
| | - Mingqiang Rong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- United Laboratory of Natural Peptide of University of Science and Technology of China & Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Bothriurus bonariensis scorpion venom activates voltage-dependent sodium channels in insect and mammalian nervous systems. Chem Biol Interact 2016; 258:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2016.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
|
37
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Centipedes are one of the oldest and most successful lineages of venomous terrestrial predators. Despite their use for centuries in traditional medicine, centipede venoms remain poorly studied. However, recent work indicates that centipede venoms are highly complex chemical arsenals that are rich in disulfide-constrained peptides that have novel pharmacology and three-dimensional structure. Areas covered: This review summarizes what is currently known about centipede venom proteins, with a focus on disulfide-rich peptides that have novel or unexpected pharmacology that might be useful from a therapeutic perspective. The authors also highlight the remarkable diversity of constrained three-dimensional peptide scaffolds present in these venoms that might be useful for bioengineering of drug leads. Expert opinion: Like most arthropod predators, centipede venoms are rich in peptides that target neuronal ion channels and receptors, but it is also becoming increasingly apparent that many of these peptides have novel or unexpected pharmacological properties with potential applications in drug discovery and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eivind A B Undheim
- a Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia.,b Centre for Advanced Imaging , The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia
| | - Ronald A Jenner
- c Department of Life Sciences , Natural History Museum , London , UK
| | - Glenn F King
- a Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Herzig V, Ikonomopoulou M, Smith JJ, Dziemborowicz S, Gilchrist J, Kuhn-Nentwig L, Rezende FO, Moreira LA, Nicholson GM, Bosmans F, King GF. Molecular basis of the remarkable species selectivity of an insecticidal sodium channel toxin from the African spider Augacephalus ezendami. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29538. [PMID: 27383378 PMCID: PMC4935840 DOI: 10.1038/srep29538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The inexorable decline in the armament of registered chemical insecticides has stimulated research into environmentally-friendly alternatives. Insecticidal spider-venom peptides are promising candidates for bioinsecticide development but it is challenging to find peptides that are specific for targeted pests. In the present study, we isolated an insecticidal peptide (Ae1a) from venom of the African spider Augacephalus ezendami (family Theraphosidae). Injection of Ae1a into sheep blowflies (Lucilia cuprina) induced rapid but reversible paralysis. In striking contrast, Ae1a was lethal to closely related fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) but induced no adverse effects in the recalcitrant lepidopteran pest Helicoverpa armigera. Electrophysiological experiments revealed that Ae1a potently inhibits the voltage-gated sodium channel BgNaV1 from the German cockroach Blattella germanica by shifting the threshold for channel activation to more depolarized potentials. In contrast, Ae1a failed to significantly affect sodium currents in dorsal unpaired median neurons from the American cockroach Periplaneta americana. We show that Ae1a interacts with the domain II voltage sensor and that sensitivity to the toxin is conferred by natural sequence variations in the S1–S2 loop of domain II. The phyletic specificity of Ae1a provides crucial information for development of sodium channel insecticides that target key insect pests without harming beneficial species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Volker Herzig
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Maria Ikonomopoulou
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer J Smith
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sławomir Dziemborowicz
- School of Medical &Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - John Gilchrist
- Department of Physiology &Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Lucia Kuhn-Nentwig
- Institute of Ecology &Evolution, University of Bern, CH 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Graham M Nicholson
- School of Medical &Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Frank Bosmans
- Department of Physiology &Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Estrada-Gómez S, Vargas Muñoz LJ, Saldarriaga-Córdoba M, Quintana Castillo JC. Venom from Opisthacanthus elatus scorpion of Colombia, could be more hemolytic and less neurotoxic than thought. Acta Trop 2016; 153:70-8. [PMID: 26477848 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We report the first biochemical, biological, pharmacological and partial proteomic characterization studies of the Opisthancanthus elatus venom (Gervais, 1844) from Colombia. The Reverse Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography venom profile showed 28 main well-defined peaks, most eluting between 20 and 45min (18-30% of acetonitrile, respectively). High-resolution mass analysis indicates the presence of 106 components ranging from 806.59742Da to 16849.4139Da. O. elatus venom showed hemolytic activity and hydrolyzed the specific substrate BapNa suggesting the presence of proteins with serine-protease activity. Collected RP-HPLC fractions eluting at 52.6, 55.5, 55.8, 56.2, and 63.9min (PLA2 region between 33 and 40% of acetonitrile), showed hemolytic activity and hydrolyzed the synthetic substrate 4-nitro-3-octanoyloxy-benzoic acid, indicating the presence of compounds with phospholipases A2 activity. These RP-HPLC fractions, showed molecular masses values up to 13978.19546Da, corroborating the possible presence of the mentioned enzymes. Tryptic digestion and MS/MS analysis showed the presence of a phospholipase like fragment, similar to on described in other Opisthacanthus genus studies. No coagulant activity was observed. No larvicidal or antimicrobial activity was observed at concentrations evaluated. Lethal and toxic activity is expected at doses above 100mg/kg, no neurotoxic effects were detected at lower doses. In conclusion, O. elatus exhibits a venom with a predominant phospholipase A2 activity than thought; mammal's neurotoxic activity is expected above the 100mg/kg, which is very high compared to the venom from other neurotoxic scorpions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Estrada-Gómez
- Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Carrera 53 No. 61-30, Medellín 050010, Colombia; Programa de Ofidismo/Escorpionismo, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Carrera 53 No. 61-30, Medellín 050010, Colombia.
| | - Leidy Johana Vargas Muñoz
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Calle 50 A No. 41-20, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Mónica Saldarriaga-Córdoba
- Departamento de Ciencias, Laboratorio de Biología y Bioinformática, Universidad Iberoamericana de Ciencias y Tecnología, Padre Miguel de Olivares No. 1620, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Zhang L, Shi W, Zeng XC, Ge F, Yang M, Nie Y, Bao A, Wu S, E G. Unique diversity of the venom peptides from the scorpion Androctonus bicolor revealed by transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. J Proteomics 2015; 128:231-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
41
|
The unfulfilled promises of scorpion insectotoxins. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2015; 21:16. [PMID: 26085828 PMCID: PMC4470000 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-015-0019-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the description and biochemical characterization of the first insect-specific neurotoxins from scorpion venoms, almost all contributions have highlighted their potential application as leads for the development of potent bioinsecticides. Their practical use, however, has been hindered by different factors, some of which are intrinsically related to the toxins and other external determinants. Recent developments in the understanding of the action mechanisms of the scorpion insectotoxins and their bioactive surfaces, coupled with the exploration of novel bioinsecticide delivery systems have renewed the expectations that the scorpion insectotoxins could find their way into commercial applications in agriculture, as part of integrated pest control strategies. Herein, we review the current arsenal of available scorpion neurotoxins with a degree of specificity for insects, the progress made with alternative delivery methods, and the drawbacks that still preclude their practical use.
Collapse
|
42
|
Klint JK, Smith JJ, Vetter I, Rupasinghe DB, Er SY, Senff S, Herzig V, Mobli M, Lewis RJ, Bosmans F, King GF. Seven novel modulators of the analgesic target NaV 1.7 uncovered using a high-throughput venom-based discovery approach. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 172:2445-58. [PMID: 25754331 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Revised: 11/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Chronic pain is a serious worldwide health issue, with current analgesics having limited efficacy and dose-limiting side effects. Humans with loss-of-function mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV 1.7 (hNaV 1.7) are indifferent to pain, making hNaV 1.7 a promising target for analgesic development. Since spider venoms are replete with NaV channel modulators, we examined their potential as a source of hNaV 1.7 inhibitors. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We developed a high-throughput fluorescent-based assay to screen spider venoms against hNaV 1.7 and isolate 'hit' peptides. To examine the binding site of these peptides, we constructed a panel of chimeric channels in which the S3b-S4 paddle motif from each voltage sensor domain of hNaV 1.7 was transplanted into the homotetrameric KV 2.1 channel. KEY RESULTS We screened 205 spider venoms and found that 40% contain at least one inhibitor of hNaV 1.7. By deconvoluting 'hit' venoms, we discovered seven novel members of the NaSpTx family 1. One of these peptides, Hd1a (peptide μ-TRTX-Hd1a from venom of the spider Haplopelma doriae), inhibited hNaV 1.7 with a high level of selectivity over all other subtypes, except hNaV 1.1. We showed that Hd1a is a gating modifier that inhibits hNaV 1.7 by interacting with the S3b-S4 paddle motif in channel domain II. The structure of Hd1a, determined using heteronuclear NMR, contains an inhibitor cystine knot motif that is likely to confer high levels of chemical, thermal and biological stability. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our data indicate that spider venoms are a rich natural source of hNaV 1.7 inhibitors that might be useful leads for the development of novel analgesics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie K Klint
- Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Tianpei X, Li D, Qiu P, Luo J, Zhu Y, Li S. Scorpion peptide LqhIT2 activates phenylpropanoid pathways via jasmonate to increase rice resistance to rice leafrollers. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2015; 230:1-11. [PMID: 25480003 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2014.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
LqhIT2 is an insect-specific toxin peptide identified in Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus that can be toxic to lepidoptera pests. However, whether LqhIT2 induces insect resistance in rice, and how the LqhIT2 influences the biochemical metabolism of rice plants remains unknown. Here, purified LqhIT2-GST fusion protein had toxicity to rice leafrollers. Meanwhile, in vitro and field trials showed that LqhIT2 transgenic rice plants were less damaged by rice leafrollers compared to the wild type plants. Introducing LqhIT2 primed the elevated expression of lipoxygenase, a key component of the jasmonic acid biosynthetic pathway, together with enhanced linolenic acid, cis-(+)-12-oxophytodienoic acid, jasmonic acid, and jasmonic acid-isoleucine levels. In addition, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, a key gene of the phenylpropanoid pathway, was up-regulated. Correspondingly, the contents of downstream products of the phenylpropanoid pathway such as flavonoids and lignins, were also increased in LqhIT2 transgenic plants. These changes were paralleled by decreased starch, glucose, and glucose-6-phosphate accumulation, the key metabolites of glycolysis pathway that supplies the raw material and intermediate carbon products for phenylpropanoids biosyntheses. These findings suggest that, in addition to its own toxicity against pests, LqhIT2 activate the phenylpropanoid pathway via jasmonate-mediated priming, which subsequently increases flavonoid and lignin content and improves insect resistance in rice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuzi Tianpei
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Key Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Heterosis in Indica Rice of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineering Research Center for Plant Biotechology and Germplasm Utilization of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Dong Li
- National Key Laboratory of Genetic Crop Improvement, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ping Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Key Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Heterosis in Indica Rice of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineering Research Center for Plant Biotechology and Germplasm Utilization of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jie Luo
- National Key Laboratory of Genetic Crop Improvement, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Yingguo Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Key Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Heterosis in Indica Rice of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineering Research Center for Plant Biotechology and Germplasm Utilization of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Shaoqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Key Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Heterosis in Indica Rice of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineering Research Center for Plant Biotechology and Germplasm Utilization of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Aili SR, Touchard A, Escoubas P, Padula MP, Orivel J, Dejean A, Nicholson GM. Diversity of peptide toxins from stinging ant venoms. Toxicon 2014; 92:166-78. [PMID: 25448389 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) represent a taxonomically diverse group of arthropods comprising nearly 13,000 extant species. Sixteen ant subfamilies have individuals that possess a stinger and use their venom for purposes such as a defence against predators, competitors and microbial pathogens, for predation, as well as for social communication. They exhibit a range of activities including antimicrobial, haemolytic, cytolytic, paralytic, insecticidal and pain-producing pharmacologies. While ant venoms are known to be rich in alkaloids and hydrocarbons, ant venoms rich in peptides are becoming more common, yet remain understudied. Recent advances in mass spectrometry techniques have begun to reveal the true complexity of ant venom peptide composition. In the few venoms explored thus far, most peptide toxins appear to occur as small polycationic linear toxins, with antibacterial properties and insecticidal activity. Unlike other venomous animals, a number of ant venoms also contain a range of homodimeric and heterodimeric peptides with one or two interchain disulfide bonds possessing pore-forming, allergenic and paralytic actions. However, ant venoms seem to have only a small number of monomeric disulfide-linked peptides. The present review details the structure and pharmacology of known ant venom peptide toxins and their potential as a source of novel bioinsecticides and therapeutic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samira R Aili
- Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Medical & Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France
| | - Pierre Escoubas
- VenomeTech, 473 Route des Dolines - Villa 3, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Matthew P Padula
- Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Medical & Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou Cedex, France; Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France.
| | - Graham M Nicholson
- Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Medical & Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Arzamasov AA, Vassilevski AA, Grishin EV. Chlorotoxin and related peptides: Short insect toxins from scorpion venom. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2014; 40:387-98. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162014040013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
46
|
Estrada-Gómez S, Cupitra NI, Arango WM, Muñoz LJV. Intraspecific variation of centruroides edwardsii venom from two regions of Colombia. Toxins (Basel) 2014; 6:2082-96. [PMID: 25025710 PMCID: PMC4113743 DOI: 10.3390/toxins6072082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Revised: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the first description studies, partial characterization, and intraspecific difference of Centruroides edwardsii, Gervais 1843, venom. C. edwardsii from two Colombian regions (Antioquia and Tolima) were evaluated. Both venoms showed hemolytic activity, possibly dependent of enzymatic active phospholipases, and neither coagulant nor proteolytic activities were observed. Venom electrophoretic profile showed significant differences between C. edwardsii venom from both regions. A high concentration of proteins with molecular masses between 31 kDa and 97.4 kDa, and an important concentration close or below 14.4 kDa were detected. RP-HPLC retention times between 38.2 min and 42.1 min, showed bands close to 14.4 kDa, which may correspond to phospholipases. RP-HPLC venom profile showed a well conserved region in both venoms between 7 and 17 min, after this, significant differences were detected. From Tolima region venom, 50 well-defined peaks were detected, while in the Antioquia region venom, 55 well-defined peaks were detected. Larvicidal activity was only detected in the C. edwardsii venom from Antioquia. No antimicrobial activity was observed using complete venom or RP-HPLC collected fractions of both venoms. Lethally activity (carried out on female albino swiss mice) was detected at doses over 19.2 mg/kg of crude venom. Toxic effects included distress, excitability, eye irritation and secretions, hyperventilation, ataxia, paralysis, and salivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Estrada-Gómez
- Facultad de Quimica Farmaceutica, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Carrera 53 No. 61-30, Medellín 050010, Colombia.
| | - Nelson Ivan Cupitra
- Grupo de Investigación de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Barrio Santa Helena Parte Alta, Ibagué 731020, Colombia.
| | - Walter Murillo Arango
- Grupo de Investigación de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Barrio Santa Helena Parte Alta, Ibagué 731020, Colombia.
| | - Leidy Johana Vargas Muñoz
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Calle 50 A No. 41-20, Medellín 050010, Colombia.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Dong K, Du Y, Rinkevich F, Nomura Y, Xu P, Wang L, Silver K, Zhorov BS. Molecular biology of insect sodium channels and pyrethroid resistance. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 50:1-17. [PMID: 24704279 PMCID: PMC4484874 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2014.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 296] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Revised: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels are essential for the initiation and propagation of the action potential in neurons and other excitable cells. Because of their critical roles in electrical signaling, sodium channels are targets of a variety of naturally occurring and synthetic neurotoxins, including several classes of insecticides. This review is intended to provide an update on the molecular biology of insect sodium channels and the molecular mechanism of pyrethroid resistance. Although mammalian and insect sodium channels share fundamental topological and functional properties, most insect species carry only one sodium channel gene, compared to multiple sodium channel genes found in each mammalian species. Recent studies showed that two posttranscriptional mechanisms, alternative splicing and RNA editing, are involved in generating functional diversity of sodium channels in insects. More than 50 sodium channel mutations have been identified to be responsible for or associated with knockdown resistance (kdr) to pyrethroids in various arthropod pests and disease vectors. Elucidation of molecular mechanism of kdr led to the identification of dual receptor sites of pyrethroids on insect sodium channels. Many of the kdr mutations appear to be located within or close to the two receptor sites. The accumulating knowledge of insect sodium channels and their interactions with insecticides provides a foundation for understanding the neurophysiology of sodium channels in vivo and the development of new and safer insecticides for effective control of arthropod pests and human disease vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ke Dong
- Department of Entomology, Neuroscience and Genetics Programs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
| | - Yuzhe Du
- Department of Entomology, Neuroscience and Genetics Programs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Frank Rinkevich
- Department of Entomology, Neuroscience and Genetics Programs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Yoshiko Nomura
- Department of Entomology, Neuroscience and Genetics Programs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Entomology, Neuroscience and Genetics Programs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Lingxin Wang
- Department of Entomology, Neuroscience and Genetics Programs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Kristopher Silver
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Boris S Zhorov
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology & Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Tianpei X, Zhu Y, Li S. Optimized scorpion polypeptide LMX: a pest control protein effective against rice leaf folder. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100232. [PMID: 24964088 PMCID: PMC4070919 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lepidopteran insect pests are the main class of pests causing significant damage to crop plant yields. Insecticidal scorpion peptides exhibit toxicity specific for insects. Here, we report that a peptide LMX, optimized from the insect-specific scorpion neurotoxin LqhIT2, showed high levels of activity against rice leaf folder in vitro and in planta. Oral ingestion of LMX protein led to a significant decrease in feeding on rice leaves, repression of larval growth and development, delay in molting, and increase in larval lethality. Compared with LqhIT2 protein, the stability and insecticidal efficacy of LMX was better. Meanwhile, biochemical analysis showed that LMX protein ingestion dramatically decreased ecdysone content in rice leaf folder larvae, and down-regulated enzymatic activities of the detoxification system (α-naphthyl acetate esterase and glutathione S-transferase), the digestive system (tryptase and chymotrypsin), and the antioxidant system (catalase). These changes were tightly correlated with the dosage of LMX protein. Transgene analysis showed that the rate of leaf damage, and the number of damaged tillers and leaves in the transgenic line were greatly reduced relative to wild type plants and empty vector plants. Based on these observations, we propose that the insect-specific scorpion neurotoxin peptide LMX is an attractive and effective alternative molecule for the protection of rice from rice leaf folder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuzi Tianpei
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice; Key Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Heterosis in Indica Rice of Ministry of Agriculture; Engineering Research Center for Plant Biotechology and Germplasm Utilization of Ministry of Education; College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yingguo Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice; Key Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Heterosis in Indica Rice of Ministry of Agriculture; Engineering Research Center for Plant Biotechology and Germplasm Utilization of Ministry of Education; College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shaoqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice; Key Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Heterosis in Indica Rice of Ministry of Agriculture; Engineering Research Center for Plant Biotechology and Germplasm Utilization of Ministry of Education; College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Non-Selective β-Toxin from the Venom of the ScorpionIsometrus maculatus. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2014; 76:2089-92. [DOI: 10.1271/bbb.120438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
50
|
Site-Directed Mutagenesis of BmK AGP-SYPU1: The Role of Two Conserved Tyr (Tyr5 and Tyr42) in Analgesic Activity. Protein J 2014; 33:157-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s10930-014-9547-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|