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Gorbushin A, Ruparčič M, Anderluh G. Littoporins: Novel actinoporin-like proteins in caenogastropod genus Littorina. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 151:109698. [PMID: 38871141 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
In the course of searching for genes controlling the immune system in caenogastropod mollusks, we characterized and phylogenetically placed five new actinoporin-like cytolysins expressed in periwinkles of the genus Littorina. These newly discovered proteins, named littoporins (LitP), contain a central cytolysin/lectin domain and exhibit a predicted protein fold that is almost identical to the three-dimensional structures of actinoporins. Two of these proteins, LitP-1 and LitP-2, were found to be upregulated in L. littorea kidney tissues and immune cells in response to natural and experimental infection with the trematode Himasthla elongata, suggesting their potential role as perforins in the systemic anti-trematode immune response. The primary sequence divergence of littoporins is hypothesized to be attributed to the taxonomic range of cell membranes they can recognize and permeabilize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Gorbushin
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry (IEPhB RAS), St Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Matija Ruparčič
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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2
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Monastyrnaya MM, Kalina RS, Kozlovskaya EP. The Sea Anemone Neurotoxins Modulating Sodium Channels: An Insight at Structure and Functional Activity after Four Decades of Investigation. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 15:toxins15010008. [PMID: 36668828 PMCID: PMC9863223 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Many human cardiovascular and neurological disorders (such as ischemia, epileptic seizures, traumatic brain injury, neuropathic pain, etc.) are associated with the abnormal functional activity of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs/NaVs). Many natural toxins, including the sea anemone toxins (called neurotoxins), are an indispensable and promising tool in pharmacological researches. They have widely been carried out over the past three decades, in particular, in establishing different NaV subtypes functional properties and a specific role in various pathologies. Therefore, a large number of publications are currently dedicated to the search and study of the structure-functional relationships of new sea anemone natural neurotoxins-potential pharmacologically active compounds that specifically interact with various subtypes of voltage gated sodium channels as drug discovery targets. This review presents and summarizes some updated data on the structure-functional relationships of known sea anemone neurotoxins belonging to four structural types. The review also emphasizes the study of type 2 neurotoxins, produced by the tropical sea anemone Heteractis crispa, five structurally homologous and one unique double-stranded peptide that, due to the absence of a functionally significant Arg14 residue, loses toxicity but retains the ability to modulate several VGSCs subtypes.
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3
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Sea Anemones, Actinoporins, and Cholesterol. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158771. [PMID: 35955905 PMCID: PMC9369217 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158771] [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: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spanish or Spanish-speaking scientists represent a remarkably populated group within the scientific community studying pore-forming proteins. Some of these scientists, ourselves included, focus on the study of actinoporins, a fascinating group of metamorphic pore-forming proteins produced within the venom of several sea anemones. These toxic proteins can spontaneously transit from a water-soluble fold to an integral membrane ensemble because they specifically recognize sphingomyelin in the membrane. Once they bind to the bilayer, they subsequently oligomerize into a pore that triggers cell-death by osmotic shock. In addition to sphingomyelin, some actinoporins are especially sensible to some other membrane components such as cholesterol. Our group from Universidad Complutense of Madrid has focused greatly on the role played by sterols in this water–membrane transition, a question which still remains only partially solved and constitutes the main core of the article below.
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Colom-Casasnovas A, Garay E, Cisneros-Mejorado A, Aguilar MB, Lazcano-Pérez F, Arellano RO, Sánchez-Rodríguez J. Sea anemone Bartholomea annulata venom inhibits voltage-gated Na+ channels and activates GABAA receptors from mammals. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5352. [PMID: 35354863 PMCID: PMC8967859 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09339-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxin production in nematocysts by Cnidaria phylum represents an important source of bioactive compounds. Using electrophysiology and, heterologous expression of mammalian ion channels in the Xenopus oocyte membrane, we identified two main effects produced by the sea anemone Bartholomea annulata venom. Nematocysts isolation and controlled discharge of their content, revealed that venom had potent effects on both voltage-dependent Na+ (Nav) channels and GABA type A channel receptors (GABAAR), two essential proteins in central nervous system signaling. Unlike many others sea anemone toxins, which slow the inactivation rate of Nav channels, B. annulata venom potently inhibited the neuronal action potential and the Na+ currents generated by distinct Nav channels opening, including human TTX-sensitive (hNav1.6) and TTX-insensitive Nav channels (hNav1.5). A second effect of B. annulata venom was an agonistic action on GABAAR that activated distinct receptors conformed by either α1β2γ2, α3β2γ1 or, ρ1 homomeric receptors. Since GABA was detected in venom samples by ELISA assay at low nanomolar range, it was excluded that GABA from nematocysts directly activated the GABAARs. This revealed that substances in B. annulata nematocysts generated at least two potent and novel effects on mammalian ion channels that are crucial for nervous system signaling.
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Palacios-Ortega J, García-Linares S, Rivera-de-Torre E, Heras-Márquez D, Gavilanes JG, Slotte JP, Martínez-Del-Pozo Á. Structural foundations of sticholysin functionality. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2021; 1869:140696. [PMID: 34246789 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2021.140696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Actinoporins constitute a family of α pore-forming toxins produced by sea anemones. The soluble fold of these proteins consists of a β-sandwich flanked by two α-helices. Actinoporins exert their activity by specifically recognizing sphingomyelin at their target membranes. Once there, they penetrate the membrane with their N-terminal α-helices, a process that leads to the formation of cation-selective pores. These pores kill the target cells by provoking an osmotic shock on them. In this review, we examine the role and relevance of the structural features of actinoporins, down to the residue level. We look at the specific amino acids that play significant roles in the function of actinoporins and their fold. Particular emphasis is given to those residues that display a high degree of conservation across the actinoporin sequences known to date. In light of the latest findings in the field, the membrane requirements for pore formation, the effect of lipid composition, and the process of pore formation are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Palacios-Ortega
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.
| | - Sara García-Linares
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Diego Heras-Márquez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - José G Gavilanes
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Peter Slotte
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Álvaro Martínez-Del-Pozo
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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Niklas B, Jankowska M, Gordon D, Béress L, Stankiewicz M, Nowak W. Interactions of Sea Anemone Toxins with Insect Sodium Channel-Insights from Electrophysiology and Molecular Docking Studies. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26051302. [PMID: 33670972 PMCID: PMC7957711 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are considered as a promising source of new drugs. Sea anemones release polypeptides that affect electrical activity of neurons of their prey. Voltage dependent sodium (Nav) channels are the common targets of Av1, Av2, and Av3 toxins from Anemonia viridis and CgNa from Condylactis gigantea. The toxins bind to the extracellular side of a channel and slow its fast inactivation, but molecular details of the binding modes are not known. Electrophysiological measurements on Periplaneta americana neuronal preparation revealed differences in potency of these toxins to increase nerve activity. Av1 and CgNa exhibit the strongest effects, while Av2 the weakest effect. Extensive molecular docking using a modern SMINA computer method revealed only partial overlap among the sets of toxins’ and channel’s amino acid residues responsible for the selectivity and binding modes. Docking positions support earlier supposition that the higher neuronal activity observed in electrophysiology should be attributed to hampering the fast inactivation gate by interactions of an anemone toxin with the voltage driven S4 helix from domain IV of cockroach Nav channel (NavPaS). Our modelling provides new data linking activity of toxins with their mode of binding in site 3 of NavPaS channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Niklas
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Grudziadzka 5, 87-100 Torun, Poland
- Correspondence: (B.N.); (W.N.)
| | - Milena Jankowska
- Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland; (M.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Dalia Gordon
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
| | - László Béress
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinic of Immunology, Division of Experimental and Clinical Peptide Research, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Maria Stankiewicz
- Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland; (M.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Wieslaw Nowak
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Grudziadzka 5, 87-100 Torun, Poland
- Correspondence: (B.N.); (W.N.)
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Ashwood LM, Norton RS, Undheim EAB, Hurwood DA, Prentis PJ. Characterising Functional Venom Profiles of Anthozoans and Medusozoans within Their Ecological Context. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:E202. [PMID: 32283847 PMCID: PMC7230708 DOI: 10.3390/md18040202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This review examines the current state of knowledge regarding toxins from anthozoans (sea anemones, coral, zoanthids, corallimorphs, sea pens and tube anemones). We provide an overview of venom from phylum Cnidaria and review the diversity of venom composition between the two major clades (Medusozoa and Anthozoa). We highlight that the functional and ecological context of venom has implications for the temporal and spatial expression of protein and peptide toxins within class Anthozoa. Understanding the nuances in the regulation of venom arsenals has been made possible by recent advances in analytical technologies that allow characterisation of the spatial distributions of toxins. Furthermore, anthozoans are unique in that ecological roles can be assigned using tissue expression data, thereby circumventing some of the challenges related to pharmacological screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M. Ashwood
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Raymond S. Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- ARC Centre for Fragment-Based Design, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Eivind A. B. Undheim
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David A. Hurwood
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Institute of Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Peter J. Prentis
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Institute of Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
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Hoepner CM, Abbott CA, Burke da Silva K. The Ecological Importance of Toxicity: Sea Anemones Maintain Toxic Defence When Bleached. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11050266. [PMID: 31083576 PMCID: PMC6563229 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11050266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cnidarians are amongst the most venomous animals on the planet. They are also under significant threat due to the impacts of climate change. Corals and anemones undergo climate-induced bleaching during extreme environmental conditions, where a loss of symbiotic photosynthetic algae (zooxanthellae) causes whitening in colour, loss of internal food supply, and reduction in health, which can ultimately lead to death. What has yet to be determined is whether bleaching causes a reduction in the production or quality of venom. In this study, the sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor was exposed to long-term light-induced bleaching to examine the effect that bleaching has on venom. Venom quality and quantity, as determined through lethality and haemolysis measures and nematocyst production was highly preserved over the five-month imposed bleaching event. Maintenance of venom and nematocyst production, despite a loss of an internal food source provided by endosymbiotic algae, indicates both the ecological importance of maintaining toxicity and a remarkable resilience that anemones have to major environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie M Hoepner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Catherine A Abbott
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Karen Burke da Silva
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
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Surm JM, Smith HL, Madio B, Undheim EA, King GF, Hamilton BR, Burg CA, Pavasovic A, Prentis PJ. A process of convergent amplification and tissue‐specific expression dominates the evolution of toxin and toxin‐like genes in sea anemones. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:2272-2289. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.15084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joachim M. Surm
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences Queensland University of Technology Kelvin Grove Queensland Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Queensland University of Technology Kelvin Grove Queensland Australia
| | - Hayden L. Smith
- Science and Engineering Faculty, School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Queensland Australia
- Institute for Future Environments Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Bruno Madio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Eivind A.B. Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging University of Queensland Saint Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Brett R. Hamilton
- Centre for Advanced Imaging University of Queensland Saint Lucia Queensland Australia
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis University of Queensland Saint Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Chloé A. Burg
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences Queensland University of Technology Kelvin Grove Queensland Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Queensland University of Technology Kelvin Grove Queensland Australia
| | - Ana Pavasovic
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences Queensland University of Technology Kelvin Grove Queensland Australia
| | - Peter J. Prentis
- Science and Engineering Faculty, School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Queensland Australia
- Institute for Future Environments Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Queensland Australia
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10
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Ramírez-Carreto S, Pérez-García EI, Salazar-García SI, Bernáldez-Sarabia J, Licea-Navarro A, Rudiño-Piñera E, Pérez-Martínez L, Pedraza-Alva G, Rodríguez-Almazán C. Identification of a pore-forming protein from sea anemone Anthopleura dowii Verrill (1869) venom by mass spectrometry. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2019; 25:e147418. [PMID: 31131002 PMCID: PMC6483413 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-1474-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pore-forming proteins (PFP) are a class of toxins abundant in the venom of
sea anemones. Owing to their ability to recognize and permeabilize cell
membranes, pore-forming proteins have medical potential in cancer therapy or
as biosensors. In the present study, we showed the partial purification and
sequencing of a pore-forming protein from Anthopleura dowii
Verrill (1869). 17. Methods: Cytolytic activity of A. dowii Verrill (1869) venom was
determined via hemolysis assay in the erythrocytes of four mammals (sheep,
goat, human and rabbit). The cytotoxic activity was analyzed in the human
adherent lung carcinoma epithelial cells (A549) by the cytosolic lactate
dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, and trypan blue staining. The venom was
fractionated via ammonium sulfate precipitation gradient, dialysis, and ion
exchange chromatography. The presence of a pore-forming protein in purified
fractions was evaluated through hemolytic and cytotoxic assays, and the
activity fraction was analyzed using the percent of osmotic protections
after polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment and mass spectrometry. 18. Results: The amount of protein at which the venom produced 50% hemolysis
(HU50) was determined in hemolysis assays using erythrocytes
from sheep (HU50 = 10.7 ± 0.2 μg), goat (HU50 = 13.2 ±
0.3 μg), rabbit (HU50 = 34.7 ± 0.5 μg), and human
(HU50 = 25.6 ± 0.6 μg). The venom presented a cytotoxic
effect in A549 cells and the protein amount present in the venom responsible
for producing 50% death (IC50) was determined using a trypan blue
cytotoxicity assay (1.84 ± 0.40 μg/mL). The loss of membrane integrity in
the A549 cells caused by the venom was detected by the release of LDH in
proportion to the amount of protein. The venom was fractionated; and the
fraction with hemolytic and cytotoxic activities was analyzed by mass
spectrometry. A pore-forming protein was identified. The cytotoxicity in the
A549 cells produced by the fraction containing the pore-forming protein was
osmotically protected by PEG-3350 Da molecular mass, which corroborated that
the loss of integrity in the plasma membrane was produced via pore
formation. 19. Conclusion: A. dowii Verrill (1869) venom
contains a pore-forming protein suitable for designing new drugs for cancer
therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santos Ramírez-Carreto
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Erick I Pérez-García
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Sandra I Salazar-García
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Johanna Bernáldez-Sarabia
- Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Departamento de Innovación Biomédica, Baja California, México
| | - Alexei Licea-Navarro
- Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Departamento de Innovación Biomédica, Baja California, México
| | - Enrique Rudiño-Piñera
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Leonor Pérez-Martínez
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Gustavo Pedraza-Alva
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Claudia Rodríguez-Almazán
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
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11
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Yap WY, Hwang JS. Response of Cellular Innate Immunity to Cnidarian Pore-Forming Toxins. Molecules 2018; 23:E2537. [PMID: 30287801 PMCID: PMC6222686 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23102537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A group of stable, water-soluble and membrane-bound proteins constitute the pore forming toxins (PFTs) in cnidarians. They interact with membranes to physically alter the membrane structure and permeability, resulting in the formation of pores. These lesions on the plasma membrane causes an imbalance of cellular ionic gradients, resulting in swelling of the cell and eventually its rupture. Of all cnidarian PFTs, actinoporins are by far the best studied subgroup with established knowledge of their molecular structure and their mode of pore-forming action. However, the current view of necrotic action by actinoporins may not be the only mechanism that induces cell death since there is increasing evidence showing that pore-forming toxins can induce either necrosis or apoptosis in a cell-type, receptor and dose-dependent manner. In this review, we focus on the response of the cellular immune system to the cnidarian pore-forming toxins and the signaling pathways that might be involved in these cellular responses. Since PFTs represent potential candidates for targeted toxin therapy for the treatment of numerous cancers, we also address the challenge to overcoming the immunogenicity of these toxins when used as therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yuen Yap
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, No. 5 Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 47500, Malaysia.
| | - Jung Shan Hwang
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Healthcare and Medical Sciences, Sunway University, No. 5 Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 47500, Malaysia.
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12
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Cnidarian peptide neurotoxins: a new source of various ion channel modulators or blockers against central nervous systems disease. Drug Discov Today 2018; 24:189-197. [PMID: 30165198 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Cnidaria provide the largest source of bioactive peptides for new drug development. The venoms contain enzymes, potent pore-forming toxins and neurotoxins. The neurotoxins can immobilize predators rapidly when discharged via modifying sodium-channel-gating or blocking the potassium channel during the repolarization stage. Most cnidarian neurotoxins remain conserved under the strong influence of negative selection. Neuroactive peptides targeting the central nervous system through affinity with ion channels could provide insight leading to drug treatment of neurological diseases, which arise from ion channel dysfunctions. Although marine resources offer thousands of possible peptides, only one peptide derived from Cnidaria: ShK-186, also named dalazatide, has reached the pharmaceutical market. This review focuses on neuroprotective agents derived from cnidarian neurotoxic peptides.
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13
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Synthesis, folding, structure and activity of a predicted peptide from the sea anemone Oulactis sp. with an ShKT fold. Toxicon 2018; 150:50-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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14
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Domínguez-Pérez D, Campos A, Alexei Rodríguez A, Turkina MV, Ribeiro T, Osorio H, Vasconcelos V, Antunes A. Proteomic Analyses of the Unexplored Sea Anemone Bunodactis verrucosa. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:E42. [PMID: 29364843 PMCID: PMC5852470 DOI: 10.3390/md16020042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cnidarian toxic products, particularly peptide toxins, constitute a promising target for biomedicine research. Indeed, cnidarians are considered as the largest phylum of generally toxic animals. However, research on peptides and toxins of sea anemones is still limited. Moreover, most of the toxins from sea anemones have been discovered by classical purification approaches. Recently, high-throughput methodologies have been used for this purpose but in other Phyla. Hence, the present work was focused on the proteomic analyses of whole-body extract from the unexplored sea anemone Bunodactis verrucosa. The proteomic analyses applied were based on two methods: two-dimensional gel electrophoresis combined with MALDI-TOF/TOF and shotgun proteomic approach. In total, 413 proteins were identified, but only eight proteins were identified from gel-based analyses. Such proteins are mainly involved in basal metabolism and biosynthesis of antibiotics as the most relevant pathways. In addition, some putative toxins including metalloproteinases and neurotoxins were also identified. These findings reinforce the significance of the production of antimicrobial compounds and toxins by sea anemones, which play a significant role in defense and feeding. In general, the present study provides the first proteome map of the sea anemone B. verrucosa stablishing a reference for future studies in the discovery of new compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dany Domínguez-Pérez
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal.
- Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Alexandre Campos
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal.
- Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Armando Alexei Rodríguez
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Peptide Chemistry, Hanover Medical School (MHH), Feodor-Lynen-Straße 31, D-30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Maria V Turkina
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Tiago Ribeiro
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Hugo Osorio
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde- i3S, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Ipatimup, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Vítor Vasconcelos
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal.
- Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal.
- Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
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15
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Prentis PJ, Pavasovic A, Norton RS. Sea Anemones: Quiet Achievers in the Field of Peptide Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10010036. [PMID: 29316700 PMCID: PMC5793123 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10010036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Sea anemones have been understudied as a source of peptide and protein toxins, with relatively few examined as a source of new pharmacological tools or therapeutic leads. This is surprising given the success of some anemone peptides that have been tested, such as the potassium channel blocker from Stichodactyla helianthus known as ShK. An analogue of this peptide, ShK-186, which is now known as dalazatide, has successfully completed Phase 1 clinical trials and is about to enter Phase 2 trials for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. One of the impediments to the exploitation of sea anemone toxins in the pharmaceutical industry has been the difficulty associated with their high-throughput discovery and isolation. Recent developments in multiple ‘omic’ technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics, coupled with advanced bioinformatics, have opened the way for large-scale discovery of novel sea anemone toxins from a range of species. Many of these toxins will be useful pharmacological tools and some will hopefully prove to be valuable therapeutic leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Prentis
- School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
- Institute of Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
| | - Ana Pavasovic
- School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
- Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
| | - Raymond S Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
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16
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Venom-derived peptide inhibitors of voltage-gated potassium channels. Neuropharmacology 2017; 127:124-138. [PMID: 28689025 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Voltage-gated potassium channels play a key role in human physiology and pathology. Reflecting their importance, numerous channelopathies have been characterised that arise from mutations in these channels or from autoimmune attack on the channels. Voltage-gated potassium channels are also the target of a broad range of peptide toxins from venomous organisms, including sea anemones, scorpions, spiders, snakes and cone snails; many of these peptides bind to the channels with high potency and selectivity. In this review we describe the various classes of peptide toxins that block these channels and illustrate the broad range of three-dimensional structures that support channel blockade. The therapeutic opportunities afforded by these peptides are also highlighted. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Venom-derived Peptides as Pharmacological Tools.'
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17
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Sha HX, Hwang JS. Identification of a target protein of Hydra actinoporin-like toxin-1 (HALT-1) using GST affinity purification and SILAC-based quantitative proteomics. Toxicon 2017; 133:153-161. [PMID: 28478056 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Revised: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Hydra actinoporin-like toxin-1 (HALT-1) is a 20.8 kDa pore-forming toxin isolated from Hydra magnipapillata. HALT-1 shares structural similarity with actinoporins, a family that is well known for its haemolytic and cytolytic activity. However, the precise pore-forming mechanism of HALT-1 remains an open question since little is known about the specific target binding for HALT-1. For this reason, a comprehensive proteomic analysis was performed using affinity purification and SILAC-based mass spectrometry to identify potential protein-protein interactions between mammalian HeLa cell surface proteins and HALT-1. A total of 4 mammalian proteins was identified, of which only folate receptor alpha was further verified by ELISA. Our preliminary results highlight an alternative-binding mode of HALT-1 to the human plasma membrane. This is the first evidence showing that HALT-1, an actinoporin-like protein, binds to a membrane protein, the folate receptor alpha. This study would advance our understanding of the molecular basis of toxicity of pore-forming toxins and provide new insights in the production of more potent inhibitors for the toxin-membrane receptor interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Xi Sha
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, No. 1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Jung Shan Hwang
- Sunway Institute for Healthcare Development, Sunway University, No. 5 Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
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18
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Logashina YA, Solstad RG, Mineev KS, Korolkova YV, Mosharova IV, Dyachenko IA, Palikov VA, Palikova YA, Murashev AN, Arseniev AS, Kozlov SA, Stensvåg K, Haug T, Andreev YA. New Disulfide-Stabilized Fold Provides Sea Anemone Peptide to Exhibit Both Antimicrobial and TRPA1 Potentiating Properties. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:E154. [PMID: 28468269 PMCID: PMC5450702 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9050154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel bioactive peptide named τ-AnmTx Ueq 12-1 (short name Ueq 12-1) was isolated and characterized from the sea anemone Urticina eques. Ueq 12-1 is unique among the variety of known sea anemone peptides in terms of its primary and spatial structure. It consists of 45 amino acids including 10 cysteine residues with an unusual distribution and represents a new group of sea anemone peptides. The 3D structure of Ueq 12-1, determined by NMR spectroscopy, represents a new disulfide-stabilized fold partly similar to the defensin-like fold. Ueq 12-1 showed the dual activity of both a moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and a potentiating activity on the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1). Ueq 12-1 is a unique peptide potentiator of the TRPA1 receptor that produces analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. The antinociceptive properties allow us to consider Ueq 12-1 as a potential analgesic drug lead with antibacterial properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia A Logashina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia.
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Institute of Molecular Medicine,Trubetskaya str. 8, bld. 2, Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Runar Gjerp Solstad
- Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, NO 9037 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Konstantin S Mineev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia.
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Institutskyi per., 9, Dolgoprudnyi, 141700, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Yuliya V Korolkova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Irina V Mosharova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Igor A Dyachenko
- Branch of the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 6 Nauki Avenue, 142290 Pushchino, Russia.
- Pushchino State Natural-Science Institute, 142290 Pushchino, Russia.
| | - Victor A Palikov
- Branch of the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 6 Nauki Avenue, 142290 Pushchino, Russia.
- Pushchino State Natural-Science Institute, 142290 Pushchino, Russia.
| | - Yulia A Palikova
- Branch of the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 6 Nauki Avenue, 142290 Pushchino, Russia.
- Pushchino State Natural-Science Institute, 142290 Pushchino, Russia.
| | - Arkadii N Murashev
- Branch of the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 6 Nauki Avenue, 142290 Pushchino, Russia.
| | - Alexander S Arseniev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Sergey A Kozlov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Klara Stensvåg
- Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, NO 9037 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Tor Haug
- Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, NO 9037 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Yaroslav A Andreev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia.
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Institute of Molecular Medicine,Trubetskaya str. 8, bld. 2, Moscow 119991, Russia.
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19
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Domínguez-Pérez D, Rodríguez AA, Osorio H, Azevedo J, Castañeda O, Vasconcelos V, Antunes A. Microcystin-LR Detected in a Low Molecular Weight Fraction from a Crude Extract of Zoanthus sociatus. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:E89. [PMID: 28257074 PMCID: PMC5371844 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9030089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cnidarian constitutes a great source of bioactive compounds. However, research involving peptides from organisms belonging to the order Zoanthidea has received very little attention, contrasting to the numerous studies of the order Actiniaria, from which hundreds of toxic peptides and proteins have been reported. In this work, we performed a mass spectrometry analysis of a low molecular weight (LMW) fraction previously reported as lethal to mice. The low molecular weight (LMW) fraction was obtained by gel filtration of a Zoanthus sociatus (order Zoanthidea) crude extract with a Sephadex G-50, and then analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) in positive ion reflector mode from m/z 700 to m/z 4000. Afterwards, some of the most intense and representative MS ions were fragmented by MS/MS with no significant results obtained by Protein Pilot protein identification software and the Mascot algorithm search. However, microcystin masses were detected by mass-matching against libraries of non-ribosomal peptide database (NORINE). Subsequent reversed-phase C18 HPLC (in isocratic elution mode) and mass spectrometry analyses corroborated the presence of the cyanotoxin Microcystin-LR (MC-LR). To the best of our knowledge, this finding constitutes the first report of MC-LR in Z. sociatus, and one of the few evidences of such cyanotoxin in cnidarians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dany Domínguez-Pérez
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Armando Alexei Rodríguez
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Peptide Chemistry, Hanover Medical School (MHH), Feodor-Lynen-Straße 31, D-30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Hugo Osorio
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Ipatimup, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Joana Azevedo
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Olga Castañeda
- Faculty of Biology, University of La Habana, 25 St 455, CP 10400 La Habana, Cuba.
| | - Vítor Vasconcelos
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
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20
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García-Linares S, Rivera-de-Torre E, Palacios-Ortega J, Gavilanes JG, Martínez-del-Pozo Á. The Metamorphic Transformation of a Water-Soluble Monomeric Protein Into an Oligomeric Transmembrane Pore. ADVANCES IN BIOMEMBRANES AND LIPID SELF-ASSEMBLY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.abl.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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21
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García-Arredondo A, Rojas-Molina A, Ibarra-Alvarado C, Lazcano-Pérez F, Arreguín-Espinosa R, Sánchez-Rodríguez J. Composition and biological activities of the aqueous extracts of three scleractinian corals from the Mexican Caribbean: Pseudodiploria strigosa, Porites astreoides and Siderastrea siderea. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2016; 22:32. [PMID: 27904505 PMCID: PMC5121987 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-016-0087-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scleractinian corals (stony corals) are the most abundant reef-forming cnidarians found in coral reefs throughout the world. Despite their abundance and ecological importance, information about the diversity of their toxins and their biological activities is very scarce. In this study, the chemical composition and the biological activities of the aqueous extracts of Pseudodiploria strigosa, Porites astreoides and Siderastrea siderea, three scleractinian corals from the Mexican Caribbean, have been assessed for the first time. METHODS Toxicity of the extracts was assessed in crickets; the presence of cytolysins was detected by the hemolysis assay; the vasoconstrictor activity was determined by the isolated rat aortic ring assay; the nociceptive activity was evaluated by the formalin test. The presence of phospholipases A2 (PLA2), serine proteases, and hyaluronidases was determined by enzymatic methods. Low-molecular-weight fractions were obtained by gel filtration chromatography and ultrafiltration. RESULTS Extracts from the three species were toxic to crickets, induced hemolysis in human and rat erythrocytes, produced vasoconstriction on isolated rat aortic rings, and presented phospholipase A2 and serine-protease activity. Despite the fact that these corals are not considered to be harmless to humans, the extracts generated significant nociceptive responses. The matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry analysis of the low-molecular-weight fractions revealed the presence of peptides within a mass range of 3000 to 6000 Da. These fractions were toxic to crickets and two of them induced a transitory vasoconstrictor effect on isolated rat aortic rings. CONCLUSION This study suggests that scleractinian corals produce low-molecular-weight peptides that are lethal to crickets and induce vasoconstriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro García-Arredondo
- Departamento de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, 76010 Mexico
| | - Alejandra Rojas-Molina
- Departamento de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, 76010 Mexico
| | - César Ibarra-Alvarado
- Departamento de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, 76010 Mexico
| | - Fernando Lazcano-Pérez
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Campus Iztapalapa, Mexico City, 09340 Mexico ; Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510 Mexico
| | | | - Judith Sánchez-Rodríguez
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo 77500 Mexico
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Ahern CA, Payandeh J, Bosmans F, Chanda B. The hitchhiker's guide to the voltage-gated sodium channel galaxy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 147:1-24. [PMID: 26712848 PMCID: PMC4692491 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201511492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels contribute to the rising phase of action potentials and served as an early muse for biophysicists laying the foundation for our current understanding of electrical signaling. Given their central role in electrical excitability, it is not surprising that (a) inherited mutations in genes encoding for Nav channels and their accessory subunits have been linked to excitability disorders in brain, muscle, and heart; and (b) Nav channels are targeted by various drugs and naturally occurring toxins. Although the overall architecture and behavior of these channels are likely to be similar to the more well-studied voltage-gated potassium channels, eukaryotic Nav channels lack structural and functional symmetry, a notable difference that has implications for gating and selectivity. Activation of voltage-sensing modules of the first three domains in Nav channels is sufficient to open the channel pore, whereas movement of the domain IV voltage sensor is correlated with inactivation. Also, structure–function studies of eukaryotic Nav channels show that a set of amino acids in the selectivity filter, referred to as DEKA locus, is essential for Na+ selectivity. Structures of prokaryotic Nav channels have also shed new light on mechanisms of drug block. These structures exhibit lateral fenestrations that are large enough to allow drugs or lipophilic molecules to gain access into the inner vestibule, suggesting that this might be the passage for drug entry into a closed channel. In this Review, we will synthesize our current understanding of Nav channel gating mechanisms, ion selectivity and permeation, and modulation by therapeutics and toxins in light of the new structures of the prokaryotic Nav channels that, for the time being, serve as structural models of their eukaryotic counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Ahern
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Jian Payandeh
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080
| | - Frank Bosmans
- Department of Physiology and Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 Department of Physiology and Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Baron Chanda
- Department of Neuroscience and Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705 Department of Neuroscience and Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
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Carstens BB, Rosengren KJ, Gunasekera S, Schempp S, Bohlin L, Dahlström M, Clark RJ, Göransson U. Isolation, Characterization, and Synthesis of the Barrettides: Disulfide-Containing Peptides from the Marine Sponge Geodia barretti. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2015; 78:1886-1893. [PMID: 26222779 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5b00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Two disulfide-containing peptides, barrettides A (1) and B (2), from the cold-water marine sponge Geodia barretti are described. Those 31 amino acid residue long peptides were sequenced using mass spectrometry methods and structurally characterized using NMR spectroscopy. The structure of 1 was confirmed by total synthesis using the solid-phase peptide synthesis approach that was developed. The two peptides were found to differ only at a single position in their sequence. The three-dimensional structure of 1 revealed that these peptides possess a unique fold consisting of a long β-hairpin structure that is cross-braced by two disulfide bonds in a ladder-like arrangement. The peptides are amphipathic in nature with the hydrophobic and charged residues clustered on separate faces of the molecule. The barrettides were found not to inhibit the growth of either Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus but displayed antifouling activity against barnacle larvae (Balanus improvisus) without lethal effects in the concentrations tested.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sunithi Gunasekera
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University , Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stefanie Schempp
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University , Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Bohlin
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University , Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mia Dahlström
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Surfaces, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden , Arvid Wallgrens Backe 20, SE-413 46 Göteborg, Sweden
| | | | - Ulf Göransson
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University , Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
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Wang L, Chan JYW, Rêgo JV, Chong CM, Ai N, Falcão CB, Rádis-Baptista G, Lee SMY. Rhodamine B-conjugated encrypted vipericidin nonapeptide is a potent toxin to zebrafish and associated with in vitro cytotoxicity. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2015; 1850:1253-60. [PMID: 25731980 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2015.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Revised: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal venoms contain a diverse array of proteins and enzymes that are toxic toward various physiological systems. However, there are also some practical medicinal uses for these toxins including use as anti-bacterial and anti-tumor agents. METHODS In this study, we identified a nine-residue cryptic oligopeptide, KRFKKFFKK (EVP50) that is repeatedly encoded in tandem within vipericidin sequences. RESULTS EVP50 displayed in vivo potent lethal toxicity to zebrafish larvae (LD50=6 μM) when the peptide's N-terminus was chemically conjugated to rhodamine B (RhoB). In vitro, RhoB-conjugated EVP50 (RhoB-EVP50) exhibited a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect toward MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. In MCF-7 cells, the RhoB-EVP50 nonapeptide accumulated inside the cells within minutes. In the cytoplasm, the RhoB-EVP50 induced extracellular calcium influx and intracellular calcium release. Membrane budding was also observed after incubation with micromolar concentrations of the fluorescent EVP50 conjugate. CONCLUSIONS The conjugate's interference with calcium homeostasis, its intracellular accumulation and its induced membrane dysfunction (budding and vacuolization) seem to act in concert to disrupt the cell circuitry. Contrastively, unconjugated EVP50 peptide did not display neither toxic nor cytotoxic activities in our in vivo and in vitro models. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The synergic mechanism of toxicity was restricted to the structurally modified encrypted vipericidin nonapeptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Judy Y W Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Juciane V Rêgo
- Northeast Biotechnology Network (RENORBIO), Post-graduation program in Biotechnology, Federal University of Ceara, Brazil; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Brazil
| | - Cheong-Meng Chong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Nana Ai
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Cláudio B Falcão
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Brazil
| | - Gandhi Rádis-Baptista
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Brazil.
| | - Simon M Y Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
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Pennington MW, Chang SC, Chauhan S, Huq R, Tajhya RB, Chhabra S, Norton RS, Beeton C. Development of highly selective Kv1.3-blocking peptides based on the sea anemone peptide ShK. Mar Drugs 2015; 13:529-42. [PMID: 25603346 PMCID: PMC4306950 DOI: 10.3390/md13010529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
ShK, from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus, is a 35-residue disulfide-rich peptide that blocks the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 at ca. 10 pM and the related channel Kv1.1 at ca. 16 pM. We developed an analog of this peptide, ShK-186, which is currently in Phase 1b-2a clinical trials for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. While ShK-186 displays a >100-fold improvement in selectivity for Kv1.3 over Kv1.1 compared with ShK, there is considerable interest in developing peptides with an even greater selectivity ratio. In this report, we describe several variants of ShK that incorporate p-phophono-phenylalanine at the N-terminus coupled with internal substitutions at Gln16 and Met21. In addition, we also explored the combinatorial effects of these internal substitutions with an alanine extension at the C-terminus. Their selectivity was determined by patch-clamp electrophysiology on Kv1.3 and Kv1.1 channels stably expressed in mouse fibroblasts. The peptides with an alanine extension blocked Kv1.3 at low pM concentrations and exhibited up to 2250-fold selectivity for Kv1.3 over Kv1.1. Analogs that incorporates p-phosphono-phenylalanine at the N-terminus blocked Kv1.3 with IC50s in the low pM range and did not affect Kv1.1 at concentrations up to 100 nM, displaying a selectivity enhancement of >10,000-fold for Kv1.3 over Kv1.1. Other potentially important Kv channels such as Kv1.4 and Kv1.6 were only partially blocked at 100 nM concentrations of each of the ShK analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shih Chieh Chang
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
| | - Satendra Chauhan
- Peptides International Inc., 11621 Electron Drive, Louisville, KY 40065, USA.
| | - Redwan Huq
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Rajeev B Tajhya
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Sandeep Chhabra
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
| | - Raymond S Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
| | - Christine Beeton
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Fauth EVF, Cilli EM, Ligabue-Braun R, Verli H. Differential effect of solution conditions on the conformation of the actinoporins Sticholysin II and Equinatoxin II. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2015; 86:1949-62. [PMID: 25590731 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201420140270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Actinoporins are a family of pore-forming proteins with hemolytic activity. The structural basis for such activity appears to depend on their correct folding. Such folding encompasses a phosphocholine binding site, a tryptophan-rich region and the activity-related N-terminus segment. Additionally, different solution conditions are known to be able to influence the pore formation by actinoporins, as for Sticholysin II (StnII) and Equinatoxin II (EqtxII). In this context, the current work intends to characterize the influence of distinct solution conditions in the conformational behavior of these proteins through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The obtained data offer structural insights into actinoporins dynamics in solution, characterizing its conformational behavior at the atomic level, in accordance with previous experimental data on StnII and EqtxII hemolytic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eduardo M Cilli
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Tecnologia Química, UNESP, Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
| | | | - Hugo Verli
- Centro de Biotecnologia, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
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27
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Rachamim T, Morgenstern D, Aharonovich D, Brekhman V, Lotan T, Sher D. The Dynamically Evolving Nematocyst Content of an Anthozoan, a Scyphozoan, and a Hydrozoan. Mol Biol Evol 2014; 32:740-53. [DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msu335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
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28
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García-Arredondo A, Murillo-Esquivel LJ, Rojas A, Sanchez-Rodriguez J. Characteristics of hemolytic activity induced by the aqueous extract of the Mexican fire coral Millepora complanata. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2014; 20:49. [PMID: 25435858 PMCID: PMC4247633 DOI: 10.1186/1678-9199-20-49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Millepora complanata is a plate-like fire coral common throughout the Caribbean. Contact with this species usually provokes burning pain, erythema and urticariform lesions. Our previous study suggested that the aqueous extract of M. complanata contains non-protein hemolysins that are soluble in water and ethanol. In general, the local damage induced by cnidarian venoms has been associated with hemolysins. The characterization of the effects of these components is important for the understanding of the defense mechanisms of fire corals. In addition, this information could lead to better care for victims of envenomation accidents. METHODS An ethanolic extract from the lyophilized aqueous extract was prepared and its hemolytic activity was compared with the hemolysis induced by the denatured aqueous extract. Based on the finding that ethanol failed to induce nematocyst discharge, ethanolic extracts were prepared from artificially bleached and normal M. complanata fragments and their hemolytic activity was tested in order to obtain information about the source of the heat-stable hemolysins. RESULTS Rodent erythrocytes were more susceptible to the aqueous extract than chicken and human erythrocytes. Hemolytic activity started at ten minutes of incubation and was relatively stable within the range of 28-50°C. When the aqueous extract was preincubated at temperatures over 60°C, hemolytic activity was significantly reduced. The denatured extract induced a slow hemolytic activity (HU50 = 1,050.00 ± 45.85 μg/mL), detectable four hours after incubation, which was similar to that induced by the ethanolic extract prepared from the aqueous extract (HU50 = 1,167.00 ± 54.95 μg/mL). No significant differences were observed between hemolysis induced by ethanolic extracts from bleached and normal fragments, although both activities were more potent than hemolysis induced by the denatured extract. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that the aqueous extract of M. complanata possesses one or more powerful heat-labile hemolytic proteins that are slightly more resistant to temperature than jellyfish venoms. This extract also contains slow thermostable hemolysins highly soluble in ethanol that are probably derived from the body tissues of the hydrozoan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro García-Arredondo
- Laboratory of Chemical and Pharmacological Natural Products Research, School of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Querétaro, Querétaro, 76010 Mexico
| | - Luis J Murillo-Esquivel
- Laboratory of Chemical and Pharmacological Natural Products Research, School of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Querétaro, Querétaro, 76010 Mexico
| | - Alejandra Rojas
- Laboratory of Chemical and Pharmacological Natural Products Research, School of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Querétaro, Querétaro, 76010 Mexico
| | - Judith Sanchez-Rodriguez
- Reef System Unit, Puerto Morelos, Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo 77500 Mexico
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The voltage-gated sodium channel: a major target of marine neurotoxins. Toxicon 2014; 91:84-95. [PMID: 25305552 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) are key components for nerve excitability. They initiate and propagate the action potential in excitable cells, throughout the central and peripheral nervous system, thus enabling a variety of physiological functions to be achieved. The rising phase of the action potential is driven by the opening of Nav channels which activate rapidly and carry Na(+) ions in the intracellular medium, and ends with the Na(+) current inactivation. The biophysical properties of these channels have been elucidated, through the use of pharmacological agents that disrupt the molecular mechanism of the channel functioning. Among them, marine toxins produced by venomous animals or microorganisms have been crucial to map the different allosteric binding sites of the channels, understand their mode of action and represent an emerging source of therapeutic agents to alleviate or cure Na(+) channels-linked human diseases. In this article, we review recent discoveries on the molecular and biophysical properties of the Na(+) channel as a target for marine neurotoxins, and present the ongoing developments of pharmacological agents as therapeutic tools.
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30
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The sea anemone toxin AdE-1 modifies both sodium and potassium currents of rat cardiomyocytes. Biochem J 2014; 461:51-9. [PMID: 24749540 DOI: 10.1042/bj20131454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AdE-1, a cardiotonic peptide recently isolated from the sea anemone Aiptasia diaphana, contains 44 amino acids and has a molecular mass of 4907 Da. It was previously found to resemble other sea anemone type 1 and 2 Na+ channel toxins, enhancing contractions of rat cardiomyocytes and slowing their twitch relaxation; however, it did not induce spontaneous twitches. AdE-1 increased the duration of the cardiomyocyte action potential and decreased its amplitude and its time-to-peak in a concentration-dependent manner, without affecting its threshold and cell resting potential. Nor did it generate the early and delayed after-depolarizations characteristic of sea anemone Na+ channel toxins. To further understand its mechanism of action we investigated the effect of AdE-1 on the major ion currents of rat cardiomyocytes. In the present study we show that AdE-1 markedly slowed inactivation of the Na+ current, enhancing and prolonging the current influx with no effect on current activation, possibly through direct interaction with the site 3 receptor of the Na+ channel. No significant effect of AdE-1 on the Ca2+ current was observed, but, unexpectedly, AdE-1 significantly increased the amplitude of the transient component of the K+ current, shifting the current threshold to more negative membrane potentials. This effect on the K+ current has not been found in any other sea anemone toxin and may explain the exclusive reduction in action potential amplitude and the absence of the action potential disorders found with other toxins, such as early and delayed after-depolarizations.
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31
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Galea CA, Nguyen HM, George Chandy K, Smith BJ, Norton RS. Domain structure and function of matrix metalloprotease 23 (MMP23): role in potassium channel trafficking. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:1191-210. [PMID: 23912897 PMCID: PMC11113776 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1431-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
MMP23 is a member of the matrix metalloprotease family of zinc- and calcium-dependent endopeptidases, which are involved in a wide variety of cellular functions. Its catalytic domain displays a high degree of structural homology with those of other metalloproteases, but its atypical domain architecture suggests that it may possess unique functional properties. The N-terminal MMP23 pro-domain contains a type-II transmembrane domain that anchors the protein to the plasma membrane and lacks the cysteine-switch motif that is required to maintain other MMPs in a latent state during passage to the cell surface. Instead of the C-terminal hemopexin domain common to other MMPs, MMP23 contains a small toxin-like domain (TxD) and an immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecule (IgCAM) domain. The MMP23 pro-domain can trap Kv1.3 but not closely-related Kv1.2 channels in the endoplasmic reticulum, preventing their passage to the cell surface, while the TxD can bind to the channel pore and block the passage of potassium ions. The MMP23 C-terminal IgCAM domain displays some similarity to Ig-like C2-type domains found in IgCAMs of the immunoglobulin superfamily, which are known to mediate protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions. MMP23 and Kv1.3 are co-expressed in a variety of tissues and together are implicated in diseases including cancer and inflammatory disorders. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of action of this unique member of the MMP family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles A Galea
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia,
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32
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Lazcano-Pérez F, Vivas O, Román-González SA, Rodríguez-Bustamante E, Castro H, Arenas I, García DE, Sánchez-Puig N, Arreguín-Espinosa R. A purified Palythoa venom fraction delays sodium current inactivation in sympathetic neurons. Toxicon 2014; 82:112-6. [PMID: 24593961 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Revised: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Palythoa caribaeorum is a zoanthid (Phylum Cnidaria, class Anthozoa) commonly found in shallow waters of coral reefs along the Mexican Atlantic coast. Little is known on the pharmacological and biochemical properties of the venom components of this animal group. Toxin peptides from other cnidarian venoms, like sea anemones, target sodium and potassium voltage-gated channels. In this study, we tested the activity of a low molecular weight fraction from the venom of P. caribaeorum on voltage-gated sodium channels of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons of the rat. Our results showed that this fraction delays tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive sodium channel inactivation indicated by a reversible 2-fold increase of the current at the decay. A peptide responsible for this activity was isolated and characterized. Its sequence showed that it does not resemble any previously reported toxin. Together, these results evidence the presence of neurotoxins in P. caribaeorum that act on sodium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Lazcano-Pérez
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico.
| | - Oscar Vivas
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Sergio A Román-González
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Rodríguez-Bustamante
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Héctor Castro
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Isabel Arenas
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - David E García
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Nuria Sánchez-Puig
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Roberto Arreguín-Espinosa
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico.
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Rodríguez AA, Salceda E, Garateix AG, Zaharenko AJ, Peigneur S, López O, Pons T, Richardson M, Díaz M, Hernández Y, Ständker L, Tytgat J, Soto E. A novel sea anemone peptide that inhibits acid-sensing ion channels. Peptides 2014; 53:3-12. [PMID: 23764262 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Revised: 06/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Sea anemones produce ion channels peptide toxins of pharmacological and biomedical interest. However, peptides acting on ligand-gated ion channels, including acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) toxins, remain poorly explored. PhcrTx1 is the first compound characterized from the sea anemone Phymanthus crucifer, and it constitutes a novel ASIC inhibitor. This peptide was purified by gel filtration, ion-exchange and reversed-phase chromatography followed by biological evaluation on ion channels of isolated rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons using patch clamp techniques. PhcrTx1 partially inhibited ASIC currents (IC50∼100 nM), and also voltage-gated K(+) currents but the effects on the peak and on the steady state currents were lower than 20% in DRG neurons, at concentrations in the micromolar range. No significant effect was observed on Na(+) voltage-gated currents in DRG neurons. The N-terminal sequencing yielded 32 amino acid residues, with a molecular mass of 3477 Da by mass spectrometry. No sequence identity to other sea anemone peptides was found. Interestingly, the bioinformatic analysis of Cys-pattern and secondary structure arrangement suggested that this peptide presents an Inhibitor Cystine Knot (ICK) scaffold, which has been found in other venomous organisms such as spider, scorpions and cone snails. Our results show that PhcrTx1 represents the first member of a new structural group of sea anemones toxins acting on ASIC and, with much lower potency, on Kv channels. Moreover, this is the first report of an ICK peptide in cnidarians, suggesting that the occurrence of this motif in venomous animals is more ancient than expected.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emilio Salceda
- Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 14 sur 6301, CU, San Manuel, Puebla, Puebla CP 72750, Mexico.
| | | | | | - Steve Peigneur
- Laboratory of Toxicology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, Herestraat 49, P.O. Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Omar López
- Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 14 sur 6301, CU, San Manuel, Puebla, Puebla CP 72750, Mexico.
| | - Tirso Pons
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), C/ Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Michael Richardson
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias-FUNED, Rua Conde Pereira Carneiro 80, CEP 30510-010 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Maylín Díaz
- Centro de Bioproductos Marinos (CEBIMAR), Loma y 37, Alturas del Vedado, CP 10400 Habana, Cuba.
| | - Yasnay Hernández
- Centro de Bioproductos Marinos (CEBIMAR), Loma y 37, Alturas del Vedado, CP 10400 Habana, Cuba.
| | - Ludger Ständker
- Kompetenzzentrum Ulm Peptide Pharmaceuticals (U-PEP), Universität Ulm (West), Albert-Einstein Allee 47, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Laboratory of Toxicology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, Herestraat 49, P.O. Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Enrique Soto
- Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 14 sur 6301, CU, San Manuel, Puebla, Puebla CP 72750, Mexico.
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García-Linares S, Richmond R, García-Mayoral MF, Bustamante N, Bruix M, Gavilanes JG, Martínez-del-Pozo Á. The sea anemone actinoporin (Arg-Gly-Asp) conserved motif is involved in maintaining the competent oligomerization state of these pore-forming toxins. FEBS J 2014; 281:1465-1478. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.12717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Revised: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara García-Linares
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I; Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Universidad Complutense; Madrid Spain
| | - Ryan Richmond
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I; Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Universidad Complutense; Madrid Spain
| | | | | | - Marta Bruix
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano; Madrid Spain
| | - José G. Gavilanes
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I; Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Universidad Complutense; Madrid Spain
| | - Álvaro Martínez-del-Pozo
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I; Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Universidad Complutense; Madrid Spain
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Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels are essential contributors to neuronal excitability, making them the most commonly targeted ion channel family by toxins found in animal venoms. These molecules can be used to probe the functional aspects of Nav channels on a molecular level and to explore their physiological role in normal and diseased tissues. This chapter summarizes our existing knowledge of the mechanisms by which animal toxins influence Nav channels as well as their potential application in designing therapeutic drugs.
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López-Castilla A, Pazos F, Schreier S, Pires JR. Solution NMR analysis of the interaction between the actinoporin sticholysin I and DHPC micelles--correlation with backbone dynamics. Proteins 2013; 82:1022-34. [PMID: 24218049 DOI: 10.1002/prot.24475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Revised: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Sticholysin I (StI), an actinoporin expressed as a water-soluble protein by the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus, binds to natural and model membranes, forming oligomeric pores. It is proposed that the first event of a multistep pore formation mechanism consists of the monomeric protein attachment to the lipid bilayer. To date there is no high-resolution structure of the actinoporin pore or other membrane-bound form available. Here we evaluated StI:micelle complexes of variable lipid composition to look for a suitable model for NMR studies. Micelles of pure or mixed lysophospholipids and of dihexanoyl phosphatidylcholine (DHPC) were examined. The StI:DHPC micelle was found to be the best system, yielding a stable sample and good quality spectra. A comprehensive chemical shift perturbation analysis was performed to map the StI membrane recognition site in the presence of DHPC micelles. The region mapped (residues F(51), R(52), S(53) in loop 3; F(107), D(108), Y(109), W(111), Y(112), W(115) in loop 7; Q(129), Y(132), D(134), M(135), Y(136), Y(137), G(138) in helix-α2) is in agreement with previously reported data, but additional residues were found to interact, especially residues V(81), A(82), T(83), G(84) in loop 5, and A(85), A(87) in strand-β5. Backbone dynamics measurements of StI free in solution and bound to micelles highlighted the relevance of protein flexibility for membrane binding and suggested that a conformer selection process may take place during protein-membrane interaction. We conclude that the StI:DHPC micelles system is a suitable model for further characterization of an actinoporin membrane-bound form by solution NMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aracelys López-Castilla
- Centro de Estudio de Proteinas, Facultad de Biologia, Universidad de la Habana, Habana, Cuba; Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Kövér KE, Batta G. NMR investigation of disulfide containing peptides and proteins. AMINO ACIDS, PEPTIDES AND PROTEINS 2013:37-59. [DOI: 10.1039/9781849737081-00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Peptides and proteins with disulfide bonds are abundant in all kingdoms and play essential role in many biological events. Because small disulfide-rich peptides (proteins) are usually difficult to crystallize, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is by far one of the most powerful techniques for the determination of their solution structure. Besides the “static” three-dimensional structure, NMR has unique opportunities to acquire additional information about molecular dynamics and folding at atomic resolution. Nowadays it is becoming increasingly evident, that “excited”, “disordered” or “fuzzy” protein states may exhibit biological function and disulfide proteins are also promising targets for such studies. In this short two-three years overview those disulfide peptides and proteins were cited from the literature that were studied by NMR. Though we may have missed some, their structural diversity and complexity as well as their wide repertoire of biological functions is impressive. We emphasised especially antimicrobial peptides and peptide based toxins in addition to some biologically important other structures. Besides the general NMR methods we reviewed some contemporary techniques suitable for disclosing the peculiar properties of disulfide bonds. Interesting dynamics and folding studies of disulfide proteins were also mentioned. It is important to disclose the essential structure, dynamics, function aspects of disulfide proteins since this aids the design of new compounds with improved activity and reduced toxicity. Undoubtedly, NMR has the potential to accelerate the development of new disulfide peptides/proteins with pharmacological activity.
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Smith JJ, Herzig V, King GF, Alewood PF. The insecticidal potential of venom peptides. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:3665-93. [PMID: 23525661 PMCID: PMC11114029 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1315-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pest insect species are a burden to humans as they destroy crops and serve as vectors for a wide range of diseases including malaria and dengue. Chemical insecticides are currently the dominant approach for combating these pests. However, the de-registration of key classes of chemical insecticides due to their perceived ecological and human health risks in combination with the development of insecticide resistance in many pest insect populations has created an urgent need for improved methods of insect pest control. The venoms of arthropod predators such as spiders and scorpions are a promising source of novel insecticidal peptides that often have different modes of action to extant chemical insecticides. These peptides have been optimized via a prey-predator arms race spanning hundreds of millions of years to target specific types of insect ion channels and receptors. Here we review the current literature on insecticidal venom peptides, with a particular focus on their structural and pharmacological diversity, and discuss their potential for deployment as insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Paul F. Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
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AdE-1, a new inotropic Na+ channel toxin from Aiptasia diaphana, is similar to, yet distinct from, known anemone Na+ channel toxins. Biochem J 2013; 451:81-90. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20121623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Heart failure is one of the most prevalent causes of death in the western world. Sea anemone contains a myriad of short peptide neurotoxins affecting many pharmacological targets, several of which possess cardiotonic activity. In the present study we describe the isolation and characterization of AdE-1 (ion channel modifier), a novel cardiotonic peptide from the sea anemone Aiptasia diaphana, which differs from other cnidarian toxins. Although AdE-1 has the same cysteine residue arrangement as sea anemone type 1 and 2 Na+ channel toxins, its sequence contains many substitutions in conserved and essential sites and its overall homology to other toxins identified to date is low (<36%). Physiologically, AdE-1 increases the amplitude of cardiomyocyte contraction and slows the late phase of the twitch relaxation velocity with no induction of spontaneous twitching. It increases action potential duration of cardiomyocytes with no effect on its threshold and on the cell's resting potential. Similar to other sea anemone Na+ channel toxins such as Av2 (Anemonia viridis toxin II), AdE-1 markedly inhibits Na+ current inactivation with no significant effect on current activation, suggesting a similar mechanism of action. However, its effects on twitch relaxation velocity, action potential amplitude and on the time to peak suggest that this novel toxin affects cardiomyocyte function via a more complex mechanism. Additionally, Av2's characteristic delayed and early after-depolarizations were not observed. Despite its structural differences, AdE-1 physiologic effectiveness is comparable with Av2 with a similar ED50 value to blowfly larvae. This finding raises questions regarding the extent of the universality of structure–function in sea anemone Na+ channel toxins.
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Arrhythmogenic effect of a crude extract from sea anemone Condylactis gigantea: possible involvement of rErg1 channels. Toxicon 2013; 67:47-54. [PMID: 23499927 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Revised: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Sea anemones possess a number of peptide toxins that target ion channels which provide powerful tools to study the molecular basis of diverse signaling pathways. It is also acknowledged that currents through Erg1 K(+) channels in cardiac myocytes are important for electrical stability of the heart and alterations in its activity has been linked to the onset of a potentially life-threatening heart condition named long QT syndrome type 2. Here, we report that a crude extract from sea anemone Condylactis gigantea significantly increases the QT interval and has arrhythmogenic effects in the rat heart. Furthermore, a bioassay-guided purification procedure allowed the isolation of a chromatographic fraction containing a major component with a molecular mass of 4478 Da from the crude extract, which causes a significant inhibition of whole-cell patch-clamp currents through recombinant Erg1 channels, responsible of the rapid delayed rectifying current crucial for electrical activity in the heart. Further studies could provide relevant information on the molecular mechanism of C. gigantea peptide toxins which represent promising tools in studying the physiology of diverse ion channels.
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García-Linares S, Castrillo I, Bruix M, Menéndez M, Alegre-Cebollada J, Martínez-del-Pozo Á, Gavilanes JG. Three-dimensional structure of the actinoporin sticholysin I. Influence of long-distance effects on protein function. Arch Biochem Biophys 2013; 532:39-45. [PMID: 23376038 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2013.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Revised: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Actinoporins are water-soluble proteins with the ability to form pores upon insertion into biological membranes. They constitute a family of proteins with high degree of sequence identities but different hemolytic activities, suggesting that minor conformational arrangements result in major functional changes. A good example of this situation is the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus which produces two very similar actinoporins, sticholysins I (StnI) and II (StnII), but of very different hemolytic efficiency. Within this idea, given that the high resolution three-dimensional structure of StnII is already known, we have now solved that one corresponding to StnI in order to analyze the influence of particular residues on the conformation and activity of these proteins. In addition, random mutagenesis has been also used to produce five less hemolytic variants of StnI. All these mutations map to functionally relevant regions because they are probably involved in conformational changes associated with pore formation, which take place after membrane binding, and involve long-distance rearrangements of the polypeptide chain of actinoporins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara García-Linares
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Shenkarev ZO, Panteleev PV, Balandin SV, Gizatullina AK, Altukhov DA, Finkina EI, Kokryakov VN, Arseniev AS, Ovchinnikova TV. Recombinant expression and solution structure of antimicrobial peptide aurelin from jellyfish Aurelia aurita. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 429:63-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.10.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Kozlov SA, Osmakov DI, Andreev YA, Koshelev SG, Gladkikh IN, Monastyrnaya MM, Kozlovskaya EP, Grishin EV. A sea anemone polypeptide toxin inhibiting the ASIC3 acid-sensitive channel. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2012; 38:653-9. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162012060064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Oliveira JS, Fuentes-Silva D, King GF. Development of a rational nomenclature for naming peptide and protein toxins from sea anemones. Toxicon 2012; 60:539-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2012] [Revised: 05/21/2012] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Frazão B, Vasconcelos V, Antunes A. Sea anemone (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Actiniaria) toxins: an overview. Mar Drugs 2012; 10:1812-1851. [PMID: 23015776 PMCID: PMC3447340 DOI: 10.3390/md10081812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Revised: 07/09/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The Cnidaria phylum includes organisms that are among the most venomous animals. The Anthozoa class includes sea anemones, hard corals, soft corals and sea pens. The composition of cnidarian venoms is not known in detail, but they appear to contain a variety of compounds. Currently around 250 of those compounds have been identified (peptides, proteins, enzymes and proteinase inhibitors) and non-proteinaceous substances (purines, quaternary ammonium compounds, biogenic amines and betaines), but very few genes encoding toxins were described and only a few related protein three-dimensional structures are available. Toxins are used for prey acquisition, but also to deter potential predators (with neurotoxicity and cardiotoxicity effects) and even to fight territorial disputes. Cnidaria toxins have been identified on the nematocysts located on the tentacles, acrorhagi and acontia, and in the mucous coat that covers the animal body. Sea anemone toxins comprise mainly proteins and peptides that are cytolytic or neurotoxic with its potency varying with the structure and site of action and are efficient in targeting different animals, such as insects, crustaceans and vertebrates. Sea anemones toxins include voltage-gated Na⁺ and K⁺ channels toxins, acid-sensing ion channel toxins, Cytolysins, toxins with Kunitz-type protease inhibitors activity and toxins with Phospholipase A2 activity. In this review we assessed the phylogentic relationships of sea anemone toxins, characterized such toxins, the genes encoding them and the toxins three-dimensional structures, further providing a state-of-the-art description of the procedures involved in the isolation and purification of bioactive toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Frazão
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; (B.F.); (V.V.)
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vitor Vasconcelos
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; (B.F.); (V.V.)
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; (B.F.); (V.V.)
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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Jensen JE, Mobli M, Brust A, Alewood PF, King GF, Rash LD. Cyclisation increases the stability of the sea anemone peptide APETx2 but decreases its activity at acid-sensing ion channel 3. Mar Drugs 2012; 10:1511-1527. [PMID: 22851922 PMCID: PMC3407927 DOI: 10.3390/md10071511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Revised: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 07/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
APETx2 is a peptide isolated from the sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima. It is the most potent and selective inhibitor of acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) and it is currently in preclinical studies as a novel analgesic for the treatment of chronic inflammatory pain. As a peptide it faces many challenges in the drug development process, including the potential lack of stability often associated with therapeutic peptides. In this study we determined the susceptibility of wild-type APETx2 to trypsin and pepsin and tested the applicability of backbone cyclisation as a strategy to improve its resistance to enzymatic degradation. Cyclisation with either a six-, seven- or eight-residue linker vastly improved the protease resistance of APETx2 but substantially decreased its potency against ASIC3. This suggests that either the N- or C-terminus of APETx2 is involved in its interaction with the channel, which we confirmed by making N- and C-terminal truncations. Truncation of either terminus, but especially the N-terminus, has detrimental effects on the ability of APETx2 to inhibit ASIC3. The current work indicates that cyclisation is unlikely to be a suitable strategy for stabilising APETx2, unless linkers can be engineered that do not interfere with binding to ASIC3.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Glenn F. King
- The University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.E.J.); (M.M.); (A.B.); (P.F.A.)
| | - Lachlan D. Rash
- The University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.E.J.); (M.M.); (A.B.); (P.F.A.)
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Yang S, Liu Z, Xiao Y, Li Y, Rong M, Liang S, Zhang Z, Yu H, King GF, Lai R. Chemical punch packed in venoms makes centipedes excellent predators. Mol Cell Proteomics 2012; 11:640-50. [PMID: 22595790 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m112.018853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Centipedes are excellent predatory arthropods that inject venom to kill or immobilize their prey. Although centipedes have long been known to be venomous, their venoms remain largely unexplored. The chemical components responsible for centipede predation and the functional mechanisms are unknown. Twenty-six neurotoxin-like peptides belonging to ten groups were identified from the centipede venoms, Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch by peptidomics combined with transcriptome analysis, revealing the diversity of neurotoxins. These neurotoxins each contain two to four intramolecular disulfide bridges, and in most cases the disulfide framework is different from that found in neurotoxins from the venoms of spiders, scorpions, marine cone snails, sea anemones, and snakes (5S animals). Several neurotoxins contain potential insecticidal abilities, and they are found to act on voltage-gated sodium, potassium, and calcium channels, respectively. Although these neurotoxins are functionally similar to the disulfide-rich neurotoxins found in the venoms of 5S animals in that they modulate the activity of voltage-gated ion channels, in almost all cases the primary structures of the centipede venom peptides are unique. This represents an interesting case of convergent evolution in which different venomous animals have evolved different molecular strategies for targeting the same ion channels in prey and predators. Moreover, the high level of biochemical diversity revealed in this study suggests that centipede venoms might be attractive subjects for prospecting and screening for peptide candidates with potential pharmaceutical or agrochemical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
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Rashid MH, Kuyucak S. Affinity and selectivity of ShK toxin for the Kv1 potassium channels from free energy simulations. J Phys Chem B 2012; 116:4812-22. [PMID: 22480371 DOI: 10.1021/jp300639x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 is an attractive target for treatment of autoimmune diseases. ShK toxin from sea anemone is one of the most potent blockers of Kv1.3, and therefore ShK and its analogues have been proposed as therapeutic leads for such diseases. Increasing the selectivity of the proposed leads for Kv1.3 over other Kv1 channels is a major issue in this endeavor. Here we study binding of ShK toxin to Kv1 channels using free energy simulation methods. Homology models for Kv1.1 and Kv1.3 channels are constructed using the crystal structure of Kv1.2. The initial poses for the Kv1.x-ShK complexes are obtained using HADDOCK, which are then refined via molecular dynamics simulations. The binding mode in each complex is characterized by identifying the strongly interacting residues, which compare well with available mutagenesis studies. For each complex, the potential of mean force is calculated from umbrella sampling simulations, and the corresponding absolute binding free energy is determined. The computed binding free energies are in good agreement with the experimental data, which increases the confidence on the model complexes. The insights gained on Kv1.x-ShK binding modes will be valuable in the development of new ShK analogues with better selectivity properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Harunur Rashid
- School of Physics, University of Sydney , New South Wales 2006, Australia
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García-Ortega L, Alegre-Cebollada J, García-Linares S, Bruix M, Martínez-Del-Pozo A, Gavilanes JG. The behavior of sea anemone actinoporins at the water-membrane interface. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2011; 1808:2275-88. [PMID: 21621507 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2011.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2011] [Revised: 05/10/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Actinoporins constitute a group of small and basic α-pore forming toxins produced by sea anemones. They display high sequence identity and appear as multigene families. They show a singular behaviour at the water-membrane interface: In aqueous solution, actinoporins remain stably folded but, upon interaction with lipid bilayers, become integral membrane structures. These membranes contain sphingomyelin, display phase coexistence, or both. The water soluble structures of the actinoporins equinatoxin II (EqtII) and sticholysin II (StnII) are known in detail. The crystalline structure of a fragaceatoxin C (FraC) nonamer has been also determined. The three proteins fold as a β-sandwich motif flanked by two α-helices, one of them at the N-terminal end. Four regions seem to be especially important: A cluster of aromatic residues, a phosphocholine binding site, an array of basic amino acids, and the N-terminal α-helix. Initial binding of the soluble monomers to the membrane is accomplished by the cluster of aromatic amino acids, the array of basic residues, and the phosphocholine binding site. Then, the N-terminal α-helix detaches from the β-sandwich, extends, and lies parallel to the membrane. Simultaneously, oligomerization occurs. Finally, the extended N-terminal α-helix penetrates the membrane to build a toroidal pore. This model has been however recently challenged by the cryo-EM reconstruction of FraC bound to phospholipid vesicles. Actinoporins structural fold appears across all eukaryotic kingdoms in other functionally unrelated proteins. Many of these proteins neither bind to lipid membranes nor induce cell lysis. Finally, studies focusing on the therapeutic potential of actinoporins also abound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía García-Ortega
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Zaharenko AJ, Picolo G, Ferreira WA, Murakami T, Kazuma K, Hashimoto M, Cury Y, de Freitas JC, Satake M, Konno K. Bunodosine 391: an analgesic acylamino acid from the venom of the sea anemone Bunodosoma cangicum. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2011; 74:378-382. [PMID: 21309590 DOI: 10.1021/np100738m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
A new acylamino acid, bunodosine 391 (BDS 391), was isolated from the venom of the sea anemone Bunodosoma cangicum. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses (2D NMR, ESIMS/MS) and verified by its synthesis. Intraplantar injection of BDS 391 into the hind paw of a rat induced a potent analgesic effect. This effect was not altered by naloxone (an opioid receptor antagonist), but was completely reversed by methysergide (a serotonin receptor antagonist), indicating that the effect is mediated by activation of serotonin receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- André J Zaharenko
- Biotechnology Center, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
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