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Sun J, Liu J, Liu M, Bi X, Huang C. New perspective for pathomechanism and clinical applications of animal toxins: Programmed cell death. Toxicon 2024; 249:108071. [PMID: 39134227 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Various animal toxins pose a significant threat to human safety, necessitating urgent attention to their treatment and research. The clinical potential of programmed cell death (PCD) is widely regarded as a target for envenomation, given its crucial role in regulating physiological and pathophysiological processes. Current research on animal toxins examines their specific components in pathomechanisms and injuries, as well as their clinical applications. This review explores the relationship between various toxins and several types of PCD, such as apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis, to provide a reference for future understanding of the pathophysiology of toxins and the development of their potential clinical value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Sun
- Queen Mary School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, China
| | - Jiahao Liu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, China
| | - Meiling Liu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, China
| | - Xiaowen Bi
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, China.
| | - Chunhong Huang
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, China.
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Yusuf AJ, Bugaje AI, Sadiq M, Salihu M, Adamu HW, Abdulrahman M. Exploring the inhibitory potential of phytochemicals from Vernonia glaberrima leaves against snake venom toxins through computational simulation and experimental validation. Toxicon 2024; 247:107838. [PMID: 38971473 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is an enzyme present in appreciable quantity in snake venoms which catalyze the hydrolysis of glycerophospholipids at sn-2 position and promote the release of lysophospholipids and fatty acids. 5-methylcoumarin-4-β-glucoside (5MC4BG) and lupeol were previously isolated from the leaves of V. glaberrima. The aim of this research was to evaluate effect of these compounds as potential inhibitors of snake venom toxins of Naja nigricollis using an in vitro and in silico studies. Antisnake venom studies was conducted using acidimetry while the molecular docking analysis against PLA2 enzyme from N. nigricollis was performed using Auto Dock Vina and ADME-Tox analysis was evaluated using swissADME and ProTox-II online servers. The two compounds (5MC4BG and Lupeol) were able to inhibit the hydrolytic actions of PLA2 enzyme with percentage inhibition ranging from 23.99 to 72.36 % and 21.97-24.82 % at 0.0625-1.00 mg/mL respectively while the standard ASV had 82.63 % at 1.00 mg/mL after 10 min incubation at 37 °C. Similar effects were observed after 30 min incubation, although there was significant increase in percentage inhibition of 5MC4BG and lupeol ranging from 66.51 to 83.73 % and 54.87-59.60 % at similar concentrations. Furthermore, the compounds were able to bind to the active site of PLA2 enzyme with high affinity (-7.7 to -6.3 kcal/mol); the standard ligand, Varespladib had a docking score of -6.9 kcal/mol and they exhibited favorable drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties and according to toxicity predictions, the two compounds are toxic. In conclusion, the leaf of V. glaberrima contains phytoconstituents with antisnake activity and thus, validates the hypothesis that, the phytoconstituents of V. glaberrima leaves has antisnake venom activity against N. nigricollis venom and thus, should be studied further for the development as antisnake venom agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Yusuf
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
| | - A I Bugaje
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - M Sadiq
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - M Salihu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - H W Adamu
- Department of Biology, Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - M Abdulrahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
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Lin CC, Wang CC, Ou Yang CH, Liu CC, Yu JS, Fann WC, Chen YC, Shih CP. The changes and the potential clinical applications of cytokines in Taiwan's major venomous snakebites patients. Toxicon 2024; 247:107843. [PMID: 38964621 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Taiwan habu (Protobothrops mucrosquamatus), green bamboo viper (Viridovipera stejnegeri), and Taiwan cobra (Naja atra) are the most venomous snakebites in Taiwan. Patients commonly present with limb swelling but misdiagnosis rates are high, and currently available diagnostic tools are limited. This study explores the immune responses in snakebite patients to aid in differential diagnosis. METHODS This prospective observational study investigated the changes in cytokines in snakebite patients and their potential for diagnosis. RESULTS Elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α were observed in all snakebite patients compared to the healthy control group. While no significant disparities were observed in humoral immune response cytokines, there were significant differences in IFN-γ levels, with significantly higher IL-10 levels in patients bitten by cobras. Patients with TNF-α levels exceeding 3.02 pg/mL were more likely to have been bitten by a cobra. CONCLUSION This study sheds light on the immune responses triggered by various venomous snakebites, emphasizing the potential of cytokine patterns for snakebite-type differentiation. Larger studies are needed to validate these findings for clinical use, ultimately improving snakebite diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Chuan Lin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Cheng Wang
- Department of Traumatology and Emergency Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsiang Ou Yang
- Department of Traumatology and Emergency Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chun Liu
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Jau-Song Yu
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chih Fann
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Chia Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Pang Shih
- Department of Healthcare Management, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, HsinChu, Taiwan.
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Damm M, Avella I, Merzara R, Lucchini N, Buldain J, Corga F, Bouazza A, Fahd S, Süssmuth RD, Martínez-Freiría F. Venom variation among the three subspecies of the North African mountain viper Vipera monticola Saint Girons 1953. Biochimie 2024:S0300-9084(24)00167-6. [PMID: 39029575 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
The North African mountain viper (Vipera monticola) is a medically relevant venomous snake distributed in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Three subspecies of V. monticola, exhibiting differences in morphotypes and dietary regimes, are currently recognised: V. m. monticola, V. m. atlantica, and V. m. saintgironsi. Through the application of snake venomics, we analysed the venoms of specimens of Moroccan origin belonging to each of the three subspecies. Snake venom metalloproteinases (svMP), snake venom serine proteases (svSP), C-type lectin and C-type lectin-related proteins (CTL), and phospholipases A2 (PLA2) were predominant, with PLA2 being the most abundant toxin family overall. Disintegrins (DI) and cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISP) were exclusive to V. m. monticola and V. m. atlantica, while l-amino-acid oxidases (LAAO) were only found in V. m. saintgironsi. The differences detected in the venom profiles, as well as in presence/absence and relative abundances of toxin families, indicate the occurrence of intraspecific venom variation within V. monticola. The identified patterns of venom similarity between subspecies seem to align more with their phylogenetic relationships than with the reported differences in their feeding habits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maik Damm
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Gießen, Germany; LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany; Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany; Animal Venomics Lab, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Gießen, Germany.
| | - Ignazio Avella
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Gießen, Germany; LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany; Animal Venomics Lab, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Reema Merzara
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nahla Lucchini
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jon Buldain
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Frederico Corga
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Abdellah Bouazza
- Equipe de recherche Exploration, Gestion des Ressources naturelles et Environnementales, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taroudant, Ibn Zohr University, Morocco
| | - Soumia Fahd
- Laboratoire Ecologie, Systématique, Conservation de la Biodiversité, LESCB URL-CNRST N°18, FS, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tétouan, Morocco
| | - Roderich D Süssmuth
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Fernando Martínez-Freiría
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
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Machado Marinho AC, Chapeaurouge A, Dutra BM, Quintela BCSF, Pereira SS, Fernandes CFC. The role of venom proteomics and single-domain antibodies for antivenoms: Progress in snake envenoming treatment. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103967. [PMID: 38555033 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.103967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) hold promise for developing new biopharmaceuticals to treat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including snakebites, which are severe and occur frequently. In addition, limitations of conventional snakebite treatments, especially in terms of local action, and the global antivenom crisis incentivize the use of this biotechnological tool to design next-generation snakebite antivenoms. Conventional antivenoms for snakebite treatment are usually composed of immunoglobulin G or F(ab')2 fragments derived from the plasma of immunized animals. sdAbs, the smallest antigen-binding fragments, are derived from the variable domains of camelid heavy-chain antibodies. sdAbs may have some advantages over conventional antivenoms for local toxicity, such as better penetration into tissues due to their small size, and high solubility and affinity for venom antigens due to their unique antigen-binding loops and ability to access cryptic epitopes. We present an overview of current antivenom therapy in the context of sdAb development for toxin neutralization. Furthermore, strategies are presented for identifying snake venom's major toxins as well as for developing antisnake toxin sdAbs by employing proteomic tools for toxin neutralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Carolina Machado Marinho
- Laboratório Multiusuário de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Ceará, FIOCRUZ CE, Eusébio-CE, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Ceará, UFC, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Alexander Chapeaurouge
- Laboratório Multiusuário de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Ceará, FIOCRUZ CE, Eusébio-CE, Brazil
| | - Brunheld Maia Dutra
- Laboratório Multiusuário de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Ceará, FIOCRUZ CE, Eusébio-CE, Brazil
| | - Barbara Cibelle S F Quintela
- Laboratório Multiusuário de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Ceará, FIOCRUZ CE, Eusébio-CE, Brazil
| | - Soraya S Pereira
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Rondônia, FIOCRUZ RO, Porto Velho-RO, Brazil
| | - Carla Freire C Fernandes
- Laboratório Multiusuário de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Ceará, FIOCRUZ CE, Eusébio-CE, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Ceará, UFC, Fortaleza, Brazil
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Averin A, Starkov V, Tsetlin V, Utkin Y. Effects of the Heterodimeric Neurotoxic Phospholipase A 2 from the Venom of Vipera nikolskii on the Contractility of Rat Papillary Muscles and Thoracic Aortas. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:100. [PMID: 38393179 PMCID: PMC10891809 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) are a large family of snake toxins manifesting diverse biological effects, which are not always related to phospholipolytic activity. Snake venom PLA2s (svPLA2s) are extracellular proteins with a molecular mass of 13-14 kDa. They are present in venoms in the form of monomers, dimers, and larger oligomers. The cardiovascular system is one of the multiple svPLA2 targets in prey organisms. The results obtained previously on the cardiovascular effects of monomeric svPLA2s were inconsistent, while the data on the dimeric svPLA2 crotoxin from the rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus showed that it significantly reduced the contractile force of guinea pig hearts. Here, we studied the effects of the heterodimeric svPLA2 HDP-1 from the viper Vipera nikolskii on papillary muscle (PM) contractility and the tension of the aortic rings (ARs). HDP-1 is structurally different from crotoxin, and over a wide range of concentrations, it produced a long-term, stable, positive inotropic effect in PMs, which did not turn into contractures at the concentrations studied. This also distinguishes HDP-1 from the monomeric svPLA2s, which at high concentrations inhibited cardiac function. HDP-1, when acting on ARs preconstricted with 10 μM phenylephrine, induced a vasorelaxant effect, similar to some other svPLA2s. These are the first indications of the cardiac and vascular effects of true vipers' heterodimeric svPLA2s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Averin
- Institute of Cell Biophysics, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center of Biological Research”, Pushchino Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino 142290, Russia;
| | - Vladislav Starkov
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (V.S.); (V.T.)
| | - Victor Tsetlin
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (V.S.); (V.T.)
| | - Yuri Utkin
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (V.S.); (V.T.)
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de Oliveira ALN, Lacerda MT, Ramos MJ, Fernandes PA. Viper Venom Phospholipase A2 Database: The Structural and Functional Anatomy of a Primary Toxin in Envenomation. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:71. [PMID: 38393149 PMCID: PMC10893444 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Viper venom phospholipase A2 enzymes (vvPLA2s) and phospholipase A2-like (PLA2-like) proteins are two of the principal toxins in viper venom that are responsible for the severe myotoxic and neurotoxic effects caused by snakebite envenoming, among other pathologies. As snakebite envenoming is the deadliest neglected tropical disease, a complete understanding of these proteins' properties and their mechanisms of action is urgently needed. Therefore, we created a database comprising information on the holo-form, cofactor-bound 3D structure of 217 vvPLA2 and PLA2-like proteins in their physiologic environment, as well as 79 membrane-bound viper species from 24 genera, which we have made available to the scientific community to accelerate the development of new anti-snakebite drugs. In addition, the analysis of the sequenced, 3D structure of the database proteins reveals essential aspects of the anatomy of the proteins, their toxicity mechanisms, and the conserved binding site areas that may anchor universal interspecific inhibitors. Moreover, it pinpoints hypotheses for the molecular origin of the myotoxicity of the PLA2-like proteins. Altogether, this study provides an understanding of the diversity of these toxins and how they are conserved, and it indicates how to develop broad, interspecies, efficient small-molecule inhibitors to target the toxin's many mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pedro A. Fernandes
- Requimte-Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-000 Porto, Portugal; (A.L.N.d.O.); (M.T.L.); (M.J.R.)
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Albulescu LO, Westhorpe A, Clare RH, Woodley CM, James N, Kool J, Berry NG, O’Neill PM, Casewell NR. Optimizing drug discovery for snakebite envenoming via a high-throughput phospholipase A2 screening platform. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1331224. [PMID: 38273832 PMCID: PMC10808766 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1331224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease that causes as many as 1.8 million envenomings and 140,000 deaths annually. To address treatment limitations that exist with current antivenoms, the search for small molecule drug-based inhibitors that can be administered as early interventions has recently gained traction. Snake venoms are complex mixtures of proteins, peptides and small molecules and their composition varies substantially between and within snake species. The phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are one of the main pathogenic toxin classes found in medically important viper and elapid snake venoms, yet varespladib, a drug originally developed for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome, remains the only PLA2 inhibitor shown to effectively neutralise venom toxicity in vitro and in vivo, resulting in an extremely limited drug portfolio. Here, we describe a high-throughput drug screen to identify novel PLA2 inhibitors for repurposing as snakebite treatments. We present method optimisation of a 384-well plate, colorimetric, high-throughput screening assay that allowed for a throughput of ∼2,800 drugs per day, and report on the screening of a ∼3,500 post-phase I repurposed drug library against the venom of the Russell's viper, Daboia russelii. We further explore the broad-spectrum inhibitory potential and efficacy of the resulting top hits against a range of medically important snake venoms and demonstrate the utility of our method in determining drug EC50s. Collectively, our findings support the future application of this method to fully explore the chemical space to discover novel PLA2-inhibiting drugs of value for preventing severe pathology caused by snakebite envenoming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura-Oana Albulescu
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Westhorpe
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel H. Clare
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Nivya James
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jeroen Kool
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Neil G. Berry
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paul M. O’Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas R. Casewell
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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9
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Lecaudey LA, Netzer R, Wibberg D, Busche T, Bloecher N. Metatranscriptome analysis reveals the putative venom toxin repertoire of the biofouling hydroid Ectopleura larynx. Toxicon 2024; 237:107556. [PMID: 38072317 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Cnidarians thriving in biofouling communities on aquaculture net pens represent a significant health risk for farmed finfish due to their stinging cells. The toxins coming into contact with the fish, during net cleaning, can adversely affect their behavior, welfare, and survival, with a particularly serious health risk for the gills, causing direct tissue damage such as formation of thrombi and increasing risks of secondary infections. The hydroid Ectopleura larynx is one of the most common fouling organisms in Northern Europe. However, despite its significant economic, environmental, and operational impact on finfish aquaculture, biological information on this species is scarce and its venom composition has never been investigated. In this study, we generated a whole transcriptome of E. larynx, and identified its putative expressed venom toxin proteins (predicted toxin proteins, not functionally characterized) based on in silico transcriptome annotation mining and protein sequence analysis. The results uncovered a broad and diverse repertoire of putative toxin proteins for this hydroid species. Its toxic arsenal appears to include a wide and complex selection of toxin proteins, covering a large panel of potential biological functions that play important roles in envenomation. The putative toxins identified in this species, such as neurotoxins, GTPase toxins, metalloprotease toxins, ion channel impairing toxins, hemorrhagic toxins, serine protease toxins, phospholipase toxins, pore-forming toxins, and multifunction toxins may cause various major deleterious effects in prey, predators, and competitors. These results provide valuable new insights into the venom composition of cnidarians, and venomous marine organisms in general, and offer new opportunities for further research into novel and valuable bioactive molecules for medicine, agronomics and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roman Netzer
- SINTEF Ocean, Aquaculture Department, Brattørkaia 17c, 7010, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Daniel Wibberg
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Tobias Busche
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany; Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 1, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Nina Bloecher
- SINTEF Ocean, Aquaculture Department, Brattørkaia 17c, 7010, Trondheim, Norway
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Kumar A, Madni ZK, Chaturvedi S, Salunke DM. Recombinant human scFv antibody fragments against phospholipase A2 from Naja naja and Echis carinatus snake venoms: In vivo neutralization and mechanistic insights. Mol Immunol 2024; 165:55-67. [PMID: 38154407 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2023.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Snake envenomation results in a range of clinical sequelae, and widely used animal-based conventional antivenoms exhibit several limitations including the adverse immunological effects in human snake bite victims. Therefore, human monoclonal anti-snake venom antibodies or fragments can be an alternate therapy for overcoming the existing limitations. We developed venom-neutralizing humanized scFv antibodies and analyzed biochemical mechanisms associated with the inhibition of toxicity. Tomlinson I and J human scFv antibody libraries were screened against Naja naja and Echis carinatus venoms, and seven unique scFv antibodies were obtained. Further, specific toxins of snake venom interacting with each of these scFvs were identified, and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was found to be prominently captured by the phage-anchored scFv antibodies. Our study indicated PLA2 to be one of the abundant toxins in Naja naja and Echis carinatus venom samples. The scFvs binding to PLA2 were used to perform in vivo survival assay using the mouse model and in vitro toxin inhibition assays. scFv N194, which binds to acidic PLA2, protected 50% of mice treated with Naja naja venom. Significant prolongation of survival time and 16% survival were observed in Echis carinatus venom-challenged mice treated with scFv E113 and scFv E10, respectively. However, a combination comprised of an equal amount of two scFvs, E113 and E10, both interacting with basic PLA2, exhibited synergistically enhanced survival of 33% in Echis carinatus venom-challenged mice. No such synergistically enhanced survival was observed in the case of combinatorial treatment with anti-Naja naja scFvs, N194, and N248. These scFvs demonstrated partial inhibition of venom-induced myotoxicity, and E113 also inhibited hemolysis by 50%, which corroborates the enhanced survival during combinatorial treatment in Echis carinatus venom-challenged mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Kumar
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Zaid Kamal Madni
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Shivam Chaturvedi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Dinakar M Salunke
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India.
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11
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López-Dávila AJ, Weber N, Nayak A, Fritz L, Moustafa KR, Gand LV, Wehry E, Kraft T, Thum T, Fernández J, Gutiérrez JM, Lomonte B. Skeletal muscle fiber hypercontraction induced by Bothrops asper myotoxic phospholipases A 2 ex vivo does not involve a direct action on the contractile apparatus. Pflugers Arch 2023; 475:1193-1202. [PMID: 37474774 PMCID: PMC10499977 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-023-02840-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Myonecrosis is a frequent clinical manifestation of envenomings by Viperidae snakes, mainly caused by the toxic actions of secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) enzymes and sPLA2-like homologs on skeletal muscle fibers. A hallmark of the necrotic process induced by these myotoxins is the rapid appearance of hypercontracted muscle fibers, attributed to the massive influx of Ca2+ resulting from cell membrane damage. However, the possibility of myotoxins having, in addition, a direct effect on the contractile machinery of skeletal muscle fibers when internalized has not been investigated. This question is here addressed by using an ex vivo model of single-skinned muscle fibers, which lack membranes but retain an intact contractile apparatus. Rabbit psoas skinned fibers were exposed to two types of myotoxins of Bothrops asper venom: Mt-I, a catalytically active Asp49 sPLA2 enzyme, and Mt-II, a Lys49 sPLA2-like protein devoid of phospholipolytic activity. Neither of these myotoxins affected the main parameters of force development in striated muscle sarcomeres of the skinned fibers. Moreover, no microscopical alterations were evidenced after their exposure to Mt-I or Mt-II. In contrast to the lack of effects on skinned muscle fibers, both myotoxins induced a strong hypercontraction in myotubes differentiated from murine C2C12 myoblasts, with drastic morphological alterations that reproduce those described in myonecrotic tissue in vivo. As neither Mt-I nor Mt-II showed direct effects upon the contractile apparatus of skinned fibers, it is concluded that the mechanism of hypercontraction triggered by both myotoxins in patients involves indirect effects, i.e., the large cytosolic Ca2+ increase after sarcolemma permeabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Jesús López-Dávila
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Natalie Weber
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Arnab Nayak
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Leon Fritz
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kian Rami Moustafa
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Luis Vincens Gand
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Enke Wehry
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Theresia Kraft
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Julián Fernández
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501, Costa Rica
| | - José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501, Costa Rica
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501, Costa Rica
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12
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Hiremath K, Dodakallanavar J, Sampat GH, Patil VS, Harish DR, Chavan R, Hegde HV, Roy S. Three finger toxins of elapids: structure, function, clinical applications and its inhibitors. Mol Divers 2023:10.1007/s11030-023-10734-3. [PMID: 37749455 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10734-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The WHO lists snakebite as a "neglected tropical disease". In tropical and subtropical areas, envenoming is an important public health issue. This review article describes the structure, function, chemical composition, natural inhibitors, and clinical applications of Elapids' Three Finger Toxins (3FTX) using scientific research data. The primary venomous substance belonging to Elapidae is 3FTX, that targets nAChR. Three parallel β-sheets combine to create 3FTX, which has four or five disulfide bonds. The three primary types of 3FTX are short-chain, long-chain, and nonconventional 3FTX. The functions of 3FTX depend on the specific toxin subtype and the target receptor or ion channel. The well-known effect of 3FTX is probably neurotoxicity because of the severe consequences of muscular paralysis and respiratory failure in snakebite victims. 3FTX have also been studied for their potential clinical applications. α-bungarotoxin has been used as a molecular probe to study the structure and function of nAChRs (Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors). Acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) isoforms 1a and 1b are inhibited by Mambalgins, derived from Black mamba venom, which hinders their function and provide an analgesic effect. α- Cobra toxin is a neurotoxin purified from Chinese cobra (Naja atra) binds to nAChR at the neuronal junction and causes an analgesic effect for moderate to severe pain. Some of the plants and their compounds have been shown to inhibit the activity of 3FTX, and their mechanisms of action are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kashinath Hiremath
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Jagadeesh Dodakallanavar
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Ganesh H Sampat
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Vishal S Patil
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Darasaguppe R Harish
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India.
| | - Rajashekar Chavan
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India.
| | - Harsha V Hegde
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Subarna Roy
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
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Gilliam LL, Gilliam J, Samuel SP, Carter RW, Ritchey J, Bulfone T, Gutiérrez JM, Williams DJ, Durkin DM, Stephens SI, Lewin MR. Oral and IV Varespladib Rescue Experiments in Juvenile Pigs with Weakness Induced by Australian and Papuan Oxyuranus scutellatus Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:557. [PMID: 37755983 PMCID: PMC10537020 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antivenom is currently the standard-of-care treatment for snakebite envenoming, but its efficacy is limited by treatment delays, availability, and in many cases, species specificity. Many of the rapidly lethal effects of envenoming are caused by venom-derived toxins, such as phospholipase A2 (sPLA2); therefore, small molecule direct toxin inhibitors targeting these toxins may have utility as initial and adjunct therapies after envenoming. Varespladib (intravenous, IV) and varespladib-methyl (oral) have been shown to potently inhibit sPLA2s from snake venoms in murine and porcine models, thus supporting their further study as potential treatments for snakebite envenoming. In this pilot study, we tested the ability of these compounds to reverse neurotoxic effects of venom from the Australian and Papuan taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) subspecies in juvenile pigs (Sus domesticus). The mean survival time for control animals receiving Australian taipan venom (0.03 mg/kg, n = 3) was 331 min ± 15 min; for those receiving Papuan taipan venom (0.15 mg/kg, n = 3) it was 178 ± 31 min. Thirteen pigs received Australian taipan venom and treatment with either IV or oral varespladib (or with IV to oral transition) and all 13 survived the duration of the study (≥96 h). Eight pigs received Papuan taipan venom followed by treatment: Briefly: Two animals received antivenom immediately and survived to the end of the study. Two animals received antivenom treatment delayed 45 min from envenoming and died within 4 h. Two animals received similarly delayed antivenom treatment and were rescued by varespladib. Two animals were treated with varespladib alone after a 45-min delay. Treatment with varespladib only was effective but required repeat dosing over the course of the study. Findings highlight both the importance of early treatment and, as well, a half-life for the investigational inhibitors now in Phase II clinical trials for snakebite. Varespladib rapidly reversed weakness even when administered many hours post-envenoming and, overall, our results suggest that varespladib and varespladib-methyl could be efficacious tools in the treatment of sPLA2-induced weakness from Oxyuranus envenoming. Further clinical study as initial therapy and as potential method of rescue from some types of antivenom-resistant envenomings are supported by these data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndi L. Gilliam
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; (L.L.G.); (J.G.); (J.R.)
| | - John Gilliam
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; (L.L.G.); (J.G.); (J.R.)
| | - Stephen P. Samuel
- Division of Research Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA; (S.P.S.); (R.W.C.); (S.I.S.)
| | - Rebecca W. Carter
- Division of Research Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA; (S.P.S.); (R.W.C.); (S.I.S.)
| | - Jerry Ritchey
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; (L.L.G.); (J.G.); (J.R.)
| | - Tommaso Bulfone
- Center for Exploration and Travel Health, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA; (T.B.)
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica;
| | - David J. Williams
- Regulation and Prequalification Department (RPQ) at the World Health Organization (WHO), 1211 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Daniela M. Durkin
- Center for Exploration and Travel Health, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA; (T.B.)
| | - Sally I. Stephens
- Division of Research Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA; (S.P.S.); (R.W.C.); (S.I.S.)
| | - Matthew R. Lewin
- Division of Research Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA; (S.P.S.); (R.W.C.); (S.I.S.)
- Center for Exploration and Travel Health, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA; (T.B.)
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14
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Vanuopadath M, Rajan K, Alangode A, Nair SS, Nair BG. The Need for Next-Generation Antivenom for Snakebite Envenomation in India. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:510. [PMID: 37624267 PMCID: PMC10467155 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15080510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The limitations posed by currently available antivenoms have emphasized the need for alternative treatments to counteract snakebite envenomation. Even though exact epidemiological data are lacking, reports have indicated that most global snakebite deaths are reported in India. Among the many problems associated with snakebite envenomation, issues related to the availability of safer and more efficient antivenoms are of primary concern. Since India has the highest number of global snakebite deaths, efforts should be made to reduce the burden associated with snakebite envenoming. Alternative methods, including aptamers, camel antivenoms, phage display techniques for generating high-affinity antibodies and antibody fragments, small-molecule inhibitors, and natural products, are currently being investigated for their effectiveness. These alternative methods have shown promise in vitro, but their in vivo effectiveness should also be evaluated. In this review, the issues associated with Indian polyvalent antivenoms in neutralizing venom components from geographically distant species are discussed in detail. In a nutshell, this review gives an overview of the current drawbacks of using animal-derived antivenoms and several alternative strategies that are currently being widely explored.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Bipin Gopalakrishnan Nair
- School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam 690 525, Kerala, India; (M.V.); (K.R.); (A.A.); (S.S.N.)
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15
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He D, Hu S, Huang Z, Mo C, Cheng X, Song P, Li Y, Song T, Guan Z, Zhou Y, Zhang X, Liao M. Metabolomics analyses of serum metabolites perturbations associated with Naja atra bite. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011507. [PMID: 37639406 PMCID: PMC10461852 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Naja atra bite is one of the most common severe snakebites in emergency departments. Unfortunately, the pathophysiological changes caused by Naja atra bite are unclear due to the lack of good animal models. In this study, an animal model of Naja atra bite in Guangxi Bama miniature pigs was established by intramuscular injection at 2 mg/kg of Naja atra venom, and serum metabolites were systematically analyzed using untargeted metabolomic and targeted metabolomic approaches. Untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed that 5045 chromatographic peaks were obtained in ESI+ and 3871 chromatographic peaks were obtained in ESI-. Screening in ESI+ modes and ESI- modes identified 22 and 36 differential metabolites compared to controls. The presence of 8 core metabolites of glutamine, arginine, proline, leucine, phenylalanine, inosine, thymidine and hippuric acid in the process of Naja atra bite was verified by targeted metabolomics significant difference (P<0.05). At the same time, during the verification process of the serum clinical samples with Naja atra bite, we found that the contents of three metabolites of proline, phenylalanine and inosine in the serum of the patients were significantly different from those of the normal human serum (P<0.05). By conducting functional analysis of core and metabolic pathway analysis, we revealed a potential correlation between changes in key metabolites after the Naja atra bite and the resulting pathophysiological alterations, and our research aims to establish a theoretical foundation for the prompt diagnosis and treatment of Naja atra bite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongling He
- Life Science Institute Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Shaocong Hu
- Life Science Institute Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Zhi Huang
- Life Science Institute Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Caifeng Mo
- Life Science Institute Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Xiaoyang Cheng
- Life Science Institute Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Pengshu Song
- Life Science Institute Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Yalan Li
- Life Science Institute Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Tianlin Song
- Life Science Institute Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Zhezhe Guan
- Life Science Institute Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Life Science Institute Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Xuerong Zhang
- Life Science Institute Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Ming Liao
- Life Science Institute Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China
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16
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Zhao HY, He N, Sun Y, Wang YC, Zhang HB, Chen HH, Zhang YQ, Gao JF. Phylogeny-Related Variations in Venomics: A Test in a Subset of Habu Snakes ( Protobothrops). Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15050350. [PMID: 37235384 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15050350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We conducted a comparative analysis to unveil the divergence among venoms from a subset of Old World habu snakes (Protobothrops) in terms of venomic profiles and toxicological and enzymatic activities. A total of 14 protein families were identified in the venoms from these habu snakes, and 11 of them were shared among these venoms. The venoms of five adult habu snakes were overwhelmingly dominated by SVMP (32.56 ± 13.94%), PLA2 (22.93 ± 9.26%), and SVSP (16.27 ± 4.79%), with a total abundance of over 65%, while the subadult P. mangshanensis had an extremely low abundance of PLA2 (1.23%) but a high abundance of CTL (51.47%), followed by SVMP (22.06%) and SVSP (10.90%). Apparent interspecific variations in lethality and enzymatic activities were also explored in habu snake venoms, but no variations in myotoxicity were found. Except for SVSP, the resemblance of the relatives within Protobothrops in other venom traits was estimated to deviate from Brownian motion evolution based on phylogenetic signals. A comparative analysis further validated that the degree of covariation between phylogeny and venom variation is evolutionarily labile and varies among clades of closely related snakes. Our findings indicate a high level of interspecific variation in the venom proteomes of habu snakes, both in the presence or absence and the relative abundance of venom protein families, and that these venoms might have evolved under a combination of adaptive and neutral mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yan Zhao
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Na He
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yong-Chen Wang
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Hao-Bing Zhang
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Hui-Hui Chen
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Ya-Qi Zhang
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Jian-Fang Gao
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
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17
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Almeida JR, Gomes A, Mendes B, Aguiar L, Ferreira M, Brioschi MBC, Duarte D, Nogueira F, Cortes S, Salazar-Valenzuela D, Miguel DC, Teixeira C, Gameiro P, Gomes P. Unlocking the potential of snake venom-based molecules against the malaria, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis triad. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124745. [PMID: 37150376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Malaria, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are vector-borne protozoal infections with a disproportionately high impact on the most fragile societies in the world, and despite malaria-focused research gained momentum in the past two decades, both trypanosomiases and leishmaniases remain neglected tropical diseases. Affordable effective drugs remain the mainstay of tackling this burden, but toxicicty, inneficiency against later stage disease, and drug resistance issues are serious shortcomings. One strategy to overcome these hurdles is to get new therapeutics or inspiration in nature. Indeed, snake venoms have been recognized as valuable sources of biomacromolecules, like peptides and proteins, with antiprotozoal activity. This review highlights major snake venom components active against at least one of the three aforementioned diseases, which include phospholipases A2, metalloproteases, L-amino acid oxidases, lectins, and oligopeptides. The relevance of this repertoire of biomacromolecules and the bottlenecks in their clinical translation are discussed considering approaches that should increase the success rate in this arduous task. Overall, this review underlines how venom-derived biomacromolecules could lead to pioneering antiprotozoal treatments and how the drug landscape for neglected diseases may be revolutionized by a closer look at venoms. Further investigations on poorly studied venoms is needed and could add new therapeutics to the pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Rafael Almeida
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena 150150, Ecuador.
| | - Ana Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Bruno Mendes
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena 150150, Ecuador
| | - Luísa Aguiar
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Ferreira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | | | - Denise Duarte
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil.
| | - Fátima Nogueira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua Junqueira 100, P-1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Sofia Cortes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua Junqueira 100, P-1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - David Salazar-Valenzuela
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb) e Ingeniería en Biodiversidad y Recursos Genéticos, Facultad de Ciencias de Medio Ambiente, Universidad Indoamérica, Quito 170103, Ecuador.
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb) e Ingeniería en Biodiversidad y Recursos Genéticos, Facultad de Ciencias de Medio Ambiente, Universidad Indoamérica, Quito 170103, Ecuador.
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Gameiro
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
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18
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Oliveira DD, Guerra-Duarte C, Stransky S, Scussel R, Pereira de Castro KL, Costal-Oliveira F, Aragão M, Oliveira-Souza GD, Saavedra-Langer R, Trevisan G, Bonilla-Ferreyra C, Chávez-Olórtegui C, Machado-de-Ávila RA. Toxic and antigenic characterization of Peruvian Micrurus surinamensis coral snake venom. Toxicon 2023; 225:107056. [PMID: 36804442 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Micrurus surinamensis is a semi-aquatic coral snake found in primary forest region and can cause relevant human accidents. In this work we investigated the toxic and antigenic activities of the Peruvian Micrurus surinamensis venom (MsV). We found that MsV show hyaluronidase activity but lack LAAO and PLA2 enzymatic activities. Interestingly, MsV induce edematogenic responses but cannot cause nociceptive effects. Furthermore, MsV can reduce in vitro cell viability in MGSO-3 cell line derived from human breast cancer tissue. To evaluate its antigenic potential, rabbits were immunized with MsV, which proved to be immunogenic. ELISA, immunobloting and in vivo neutralization assays demonstrated that the specific rabbit anti-MsV antivenom is more efficient than the therapeutic Brazilian antivenom in recognizing and neutralizing the lethal activity of MsV. MsV differs in protein profile and biological activities from M. frontalis venom (MfV), used as control, which impairs its recognition and neutralization by Brazilian therapeutic anti-elapidic antivenom. We performed a SPOT immunoassay for the identification of B-cell linear epitopes in the main toxins described for MsV targeted by the elicited neutralizing antibodies previously produced. A membrane containing 15-mer peptides representing the sequences of five 3TFxs and five PLA2s was produced and probed with anti- MsV antibodies. Results revealed important regions in 3FTx toxins for venom neutralization. Identifying the main MsV components and its biological activities can be helpful in guiding the production of antivenoms and in the optimization of treatment for coral snake envenomation in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daysiane de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Brazil
| | - Clara Guerra-Duarte
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Stephanie Stransky
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, United States
| | - Rahisa Scussel
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Brazil
| | | | - Fernanda Costal-Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Matheus Aragão
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gladstony de Oliveira-Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rafael Saavedra-Langer
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Trevisan
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | | | - Carlos Chávez-Olórtegui
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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Lomonte B. Lys49 myotoxins, secreted phospholipase A 2-like proteins of viperid venoms: A comprehensive review. Toxicon 2023; 224:107024. [PMID: 36632869 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Muscle necrosis is a potential clinical complication of snakebite envenomings, which in severe cases can lead to functional or physical sequelae such as disability or amputation. Snake venom proteins with the ability to directly damage skeletal muscle fibers are collectively referred to as myotoxins, and include three main types: cytolysins of the "three-finger toxin" protein family expressed in many elapid venoms, the so-called "small" myotoxins found in a number of rattlesnake venoms, and the widespread secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) molecules. Among the latter, protein variants that conserve the sPLA2 structure, but lack such enzymatic activity, have been increasingly found in the venoms of many viperid species. Intriguingly, these sPLA2-like proteins are able to induce muscle necrosis by a mechanism independent of phospholipid hydrolysis. They are commonly referred to as "Lys49 myotoxins" since they most often present, among other substitutions, the replacement of the otherwise invariant residue Asp49 of sPLA2s by Lys. This work comprehensively reviews the historical developments and current knowledge towards deciphering the mechanism of action of Lys49 sPLA2-like myotoxins, and points out main gaps to be filled for a better understanding of these multifaceted snake venom proteins, to hopefully lead to improved treatments for snakebites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501, Costa Rica.
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20
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Yang J, Li JC, Huang Z, Huang DL, Wang F, Wei WX, Nong JF, Yang F, Lu XL, Zhu JR, Wang W. Effect of Several Naja atra Antivenom Injection Methods on the Rabbit Model of Naja naja atra Bite Poisoning. J Trop Med 2023; 2023:3253771. [PMID: 36860623 PMCID: PMC9970700 DOI: 10.1155/2023/3253771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Snakebite is a global public health concern, which often occurs in tropical and subtropical underdeveloped areas, but it is often neglected. In the southern China, Naja naja atra (Chinese cobra) is a common venomous snake that causes swelling and necrosis of local tissues, even amputation and death. Currently, the main therapy is the administration of Naja atra antivenom, which greatly reduces mortality. However, the antivenom is not particularly effective in the improvement of local tissue necrosis. Clinically, antivenom is mainly administered intravenously. We speculated that the method of injection influences the efficacy of antivenom. In this study, the rabbit model was used to explore the effects of different antivenom injection methods on systemic and local poisoning symptoms. If topical injection of antivenom contributes to ameliorate tissue necrosis, then we need to reconsider the use of Naja atra antivenom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jin-Cheng Li
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhou Huang
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Dong-Ling Huang
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Fan Wang
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Wan-Xia Wei
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Ji-Fei Nong
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xue-Ling Lu
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jun-Rong Zhu
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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21
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Ferreira E Ferreira AA, Dos Reis VP, Santana HM, Nery NM, Evangelista JR, Serrath SN, da Silva Dutra RS, Rego CMA, Tavares MNM, Silva MDS, Soares AM, Rodrigues MMS, Zamuner SR, Zuliani JP. Bothrops atrox mice experimental envenoming treatment using light-emitting diode (led) as an adjunct therapy to conventional serum therapy. Lasers Med Sci 2023; 38:53. [PMID: 36695923 DOI: 10.1007/s10103-023-03710-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The use of anti-venom is one of the main control measures for snakebite envenoming when applied immediately after the snakebite. Systemic effects of the envenoming are usually reversed; however, neutralization of local effects is hardly achieved. The need for adjuvant therapies associated with serum therapy can improve the treatment for local effects of envenoming, with greater effectiveness in preventing or delaying the progression of damage, reducing the clinical signs and symptoms of victims of snakebites. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the photobiomodulation therapy using LED and/or dexamethasone associated with conventional serum therapy for the treatment of local damage caused by Bothrops atrox envenomation in a murine model. For this, experimental envenoming was carried out in the gastrocnemius muscle of male Swiss mice weighing 18 to 22 g divided into 8 groups of animals, distributed in groups non-treat, treated with anti-bothropic serum, dexamethasone, and LED, or the associated treatments, by intramuscular inoculation of 50 µg of venom or sterile PBS (control). After 30 min, the proposed treatments were administered alone or in combination. After 3 h, blood and muscle samples were collected for myotoxicity, cytotoxicity, histological analysis, and IL-1β assays. The evaluation of the treatment alone showed that serum therapy is not effective for the treatment of local damage and photobiomodulation demonstrated to be an effective therapy to reduce leukocyte infiltration, hemorrhage, and myotoxicity in experimental envenoming; dexamethasone proved to be a good resource for the treatment of the inflammatory process reducing the leukocyte infiltration. The association of serum therapy, LED, and dexamethasone was the best treatment to reduce the local effects caused by Bothrops atrox venom. All in all, the association of photobiomodulation therapy using LED with conventional serum therapy and the anti-inflammatory drug is the best treatment for reducing the undesirable local effects caused by snakebite accidents involving B. atrox species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Augusto Ferreira E Ferreira
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada À Saúde, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671 BR364, Km 3,5 - CEP 76812-245 - Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Valdison Pereira Dos Reis
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada À Saúde, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671 BR364, Km 3,5 - CEP 76812-245 - Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Hallison Mota Santana
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada À Saúde, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671 BR364, Km 3,5 - CEP 76812-245 - Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Neriane Monteiro Nery
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada À Saúde, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671 BR364, Km 3,5 - CEP 76812-245 - Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Jaína Rodrigues Evangelista
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada À Saúde, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671 BR364, Km 3,5 - CEP 76812-245 - Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Suzanne Nery Serrath
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada À Saúde, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671 BR364, Km 3,5 - CEP 76812-245 - Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Segundo da Silva Dutra
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada À Saúde, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671 BR364, Km 3,5 - CEP 76812-245 - Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Cristina Matiele Alves Rego
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada À Saúde, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671 BR364, Km 3,5 - CEP 76812-245 - Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Maria Naiara Macedo Tavares
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada À Saúde, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671 BR364, Km 3,5 - CEP 76812-245 - Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Milena Daniela Souza Silva
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada À Saúde, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671 BR364, Km 3,5 - CEP 76812-245 - Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Andreimar Martins Soares
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas E Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia Ocidental, Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas À Saúde (CEBio), - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência E Tecnologia de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental, INCT-EpiAmO, Porto Velho, Brazil
| | - Moreno Magalhães S Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Análise e Visualização de Dados - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | | | - Juliana Pavan Zuliani
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada À Saúde, FIOCRUZ Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671 BR364, Km 3,5 - CEP 76812-245 - Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil.
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22
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Activity and Crystal Structure of the Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli Tle3/Tli3 T6SS Effector/Immunity Complex Determined Using an AlphaFold2 Predicted Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021740. [PMID: 36675258 PMCID: PMC9860674 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) delivers enzymatic effectors into target cells to destroy them. Cells of the same strain protect themselves against effectors with immunity proteins that specifically inhibit effectors. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a Tle3 phospholipase effector and its cognate immunity protein Tli3-an outer membrane lipoprotein from adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC). Enzymatic assays demonstrate that purified Tle3AIEC has a phospholipase A1, and not A2, activity and that its toxicity is neutralized by the cognate immunity protein Tli3AIEC. Tli3AIEC binds Tle3 in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. Tle3AIEC, Tli3AIEC and the Tle3AIEC-Tli3AIEC complex were purified and subjected to crystallization. The Tle3AIEC-Tli3AIEC complex structure could not be solved by SeMet phasing, but only by molecular replacement when using an AlphaFold2 prediction model. Tle3AIEC exhibits an α/β-hydrolase fold decorated by two protruding segments, including a N-terminus loop. Tli3AIEC displays a new fold of three stacked β-sheets and a protruding loop that inserts in Tle3AIECcatalytic crevice. We showed, experimentally, that Tle3AIEC interacts with the VgrG AIEC cargo protein and AlphaFold2 prediction of the VgrGAIEC-Tle3AIEC complex reveals a strong interaction between the VgrGAIEC C-terminus adaptor and Tle3AIEC N-terminal loop.
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23
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In Vitro Efficacy of Antivenom and Varespladib in Neutralising Chinese Russell's Viper ( Daboia siamensis) Venom Toxicity. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15010062. [PMID: 36668882 PMCID: PMC9864994 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The venom of the Russell's viper (Daboia siamensis) contains neurotoxic and myotoxic phospholipase A2 toxins which can cause irreversible damage to motor nerve terminals. Due to the time delay between envenoming and antivenom administration, antivenoms may have limited efficacy against some of these venom components. Hence, there is a need for adjunct treatments to circumvent these limitations. In this study, we examined the efficacy of Chinese D. siamensis antivenom alone, and in combination with a PLA2 inhibitor, Varespladib, in reversing the in vitro neuromuscular blockade in the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparation. Pre-synaptic neurotoxicity and myotoxicity were not reversed by the addition of Chinese D. siamensis antivenom 30 or 60 min after venom (10 µg/mL). The prior addition of Varespladib prevented the neurotoxic and myotoxic activity of venom (10 µg/mL) and was also able to prevent further reductions in neuromuscular block and muscle twitches when added 60 min after venom. The addition of the combination of Varespladib and antivenom 60 min after venom failed to produce further improvements than Varespladib alone. This demonstrates that the window of time in which antivenom remains effective is relatively short compared to Varespladib and small-molecule inhibitors may be effective in abrogating some activities of Chinese D. siamensis venom.
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24
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Interactive effects of dietary cholesterol and phospholipids on growth and metabolism of juvenile swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2022.115484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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25
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Romero-Giraldo LE, Pulido S, Berrío MA, Flórez MF, Rey-Suárez P, Nuñez V, Pereañez JA. Heterologous Expression and Immunogenic Potential of the Most Abundant Phospholipase A 2 from Coral Snake Micrurus dumerilii to Develop Antivenoms. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120825. [PMID: 36548722 PMCID: PMC9788014 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Micrurus dumerilii is a coral snake of clinic interest in Colombia. Its venom is mainly composed of phospholipases A2 being MdumPLA2 the most abundant protein. Nevertheless, Micrurus species produce a low quantity of venom, which makes it difficult to produce anticoral antivenoms. Therefore, in this work, we present the recombinant expression of MdumPLA2 to evaluate its biological activities and its immunogenic potential to produce antivenoms. For this, a genetic construct rMdumPLA2 was cloned into the pET28a vector and expressed heterologously in bacteria. His-rMdumPLA2 was extracted from inclusion bodies, refolded in vitro, and isolated using affinity and RP-HPLC chromatography. His-rMdumPLA2 was shown to have phospholipase A2 activity, a weak anticoagulant effect, and induced myonecrosis and edema. The anti-His-rMdumPLA2 antibodies produced in rabbits recognized native PLA2, the complete venom of M. dumerilii, and a phospholipase from another species of the Micrurus genus. Antibodies neutralized 100% of the in vitro phospholipase activity of the recombinant toxin and a moderate percentage of the myotoxic activity of M. dumerilii venom in mice. These results indicate that His-rMdumPLA2 could be used as an immunogen to improve anticoral antivenoms development. This work is the first report of an M. dumerilii functional recombinant PLA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz E. Romero-Giraldo
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - Sergio Pulido
- Tropical Disease Study and Control Program—PECET, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
- LifeFactors Zona Franca SAS, Rionegro 54047, Colombia
| | - Mario A. Berrío
- Tropical Disease Study and Control Program—PECET, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - María F. Flórez
- Tropical Disease Study and Control Program—PECET, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - Paola Rey-Suárez
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
- Centro de Investigación en Recursos Naturales y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Vitelbina Nuñez
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
- Microbiology School, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - Jaime A. Pereañez
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
- Correspondence:
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26
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Resiere D, Mehdaoui H, Neviere R. Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Snakebite Envenomation: A Brief Descriptive Review and Clinical Implications. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14110802. [PMID: 36422976 PMCID: PMC9694585 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14110802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a pathological condition which may occur in response to the injection of venom. Snake venoms contain a complex mixture of biologically active molecules which are responsible for a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from local tissue injuries to fatal complications. Snake venom administration commonly provokes local tissue injury often associated with systemic effects, including neurotoxic and cardiotoxic manifestations, bleeding, acute kidney injury, and rhabdomyolysis. An important spectrum of pathogenesis of snake envenomation is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can directly provoke tissue damage and also potentiate the deleterious consequences of inflammation at the bite site. Snake venom components known to induce oxidative stress include phospholipases A2, metalloproteinases, three-finger toxins, and L-amino acid oxidase. Clear evidence is mounting suggesting that inflammation and oxidative stress participate in the destructive effects of envenoming, including acute renal failure, tissue necrosis, and unusual susceptibility to bleed (hemorrhage), mostly due to hypocoagulability, neuro/cardio toxicity, and myonecrosis. Impaired regulation of oxidative stress may also set the stage for secondary/long-term complications of snakebite envenomation such as musculoskeletal disabilities. Some aspects of natural antioxidant therapeutic options are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dabor Resiere
- Cardiovascular Research Team EA7525, University of the French West Indies, 97157 Fort de France, France
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Toxicology and Emergency, CHU Martinique, University Hospital of Martinique, 97200 Fort de France, France
| | - Hossein Mehdaoui
- Cardiovascular Research Team EA7525, University of the French West Indies, 97157 Fort de France, France
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Toxicology and Emergency, CHU Martinique, University Hospital of Martinique, 97200 Fort de France, France
| | - Remi Neviere
- Cardiovascular Research Team EA7525, University of the French West Indies, 97157 Fort de France, France
- Correspondence:
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27
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Lewin MR, Carter RW, Matteo IA, Samuel SP, Rao S, Fry BG, Bickler PE. Varespladib in the Treatment of Snakebite Envenoming: Development History and Preclinical Evidence Supporting Advancement to Clinical Trials in Patients Bitten by Venomous Snakes. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:783. [PMID: 36422958 PMCID: PMC9695340 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14110783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The availability of effective, reliably accessible, and affordable treatments for snakebite envenoming is a critical and long unmet medical need. Recently, small, synthetic toxin-specific inhibitors with oral bioavailability used in conjunction with antivenom have been identified as having the potential to greatly improve outcomes after snakebite. Varespladib, a small, synthetic molecule that broadly and potently inhibits secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2s) venom toxins has renewed interest in this class of inhibitors due to its potential utility in the treatment of snakebite envenoming. The development of varespladib and its oral dosage form, varespladib-methyl, has been accelerated by previous clinical development campaigns to treat non-envenoming conditions related to ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, sepsis, and acute coronary syndrome. To date, twenty-nine clinical studies evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and efficacy of varespladib for non-snakebite envenoming conditions have been completed in more than 4600 human subjects, and the drugs were generally well-tolerated and considered safe for use in humans. Since 2016, more than 30 publications describing the structure, function, and efficacy of varespladib have directly addressed its potential for the treatment of snakebite. This review summarizes preclinical findings and outlines the scientific support, the potential limitations, and the next steps in the development of varespladib's use as a snakebite treatment, which is now in Phase 2 human clinical trials in the United States and India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. Lewin
- Division of Research, Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA
- Center for Exploration and Travel Health, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
| | | | - Isabel A. Matteo
- Center for Exploration and Travel Health, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
| | | | - Sunita Rao
- Division of Research, Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA
| | - Bryan G. Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Philip E. Bickler
- Center for Exploration and Travel Health, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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28
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Diversity of Phospholipases A2 from Bothrops atrox Snake Venom: Adaptive Advantages for Snakes Compromising Treatments for Snakebite Patients. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14080543. [PMID: 36006204 PMCID: PMC9414272 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14080543] [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: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of snake venoms resulted in multigene toxin families that code for structurally similar isoforms eventually harboring distinct functions. PLA2s are dominant toxins in viper venoms, and little is known about the impact of their diversity on human envenomings and neutralization by antivenoms. Here, we show the isolation of three distinct PLA2s from B. atrox venom. FA1 is a Lys-49 homologue, and FA3 and FA4 are catalytic Asp-49 PLA2s. FA1 and FA3 are basic myotoxic proteins, while FA4 is an acid non-myotoxic PLA2. FA3 was the most potent toxin, inducing higher levels of edema, inflammatory nociception, indirect hemolysis, and anticoagulant activity on human, rat, and chicken plasmas. FA4 presented lower anticoagulant activity, and FA1 had only a slight effect on human and rat plasmas. PLA2s presented differential reactivities with antivenoms, with an emphasis on FA3, which was not recognized or neutralized by the antivenoms used in this study. Our findings reveal the functional and antigenic diversity among PLA2s from B. atrox venom, highlighting the importance of assessing venom variability for understanding human envenomations and treatment with antivenoms, particularly evident here as the antivenom fails to recognize FA3, the most active multifunctional toxin described.
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Tan CH, Tan KY, Wong KY, Tan NH, Chong HP. Equatorial Spitting Cobra ( Naja sumatrana) from Malaysia (Negeri Sembilan and Penang), Southern Thailand, and Sumatra: Comparative Venom Proteomics, Immunoreactivity and Cross-Neutralization by Antivenom. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14080522. [PMID: 36006183 PMCID: PMC9414237 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14080522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Equatorial Spitting Cobra (Naja sumatrana) is a medically important venomous snake species in Southeast Asia. Its wide geographical distribution implies potential intra-specific venom variation, while there is no species-specific antivenom available to treat its envenoming. Applying a protein-decomplexing proteomic approach, the study showed that three-finger toxins (3FTX), followed by phospholipases A2 (PLA2), were the major proteins well-conserved across N. sumatrana venoms of different locales. Variations were noted in the subtypes and relative abundances of venom proteins. Of note, alpha-neurotoxins (belonging to 3FTX) are the least in the Penang specimen (Ns-PG, 5.41% of total venom proteins), compared with geographical specimens from Negeri Sembilan (Ns-NS, 14.84%), southern Thailand (Ns-TH, 16.05%) and Sumatra (Ns-SU, 10.81%). The alpha-neurotoxin abundance, in general, correlates with the venom’s lethal potency. The Thai Naja kaouthia Monovalent Antivenom (NkMAV) was found to be immunoreactive toward the N. sumatrana venoms and is capable of cross-neutralizing N. sumatrana venom lethality to varying degrees (potency = 0.49–0.92 mg/mL, interpreted as the amount of venom completely neutralized per milliliter of antivenom). The potency was lowest against NS-SU venom, implying variable antigenicity of its lethal alpha-neurotoxins. Together, the findings suggest the para-specific and geographical utility of NkMAV as treatment for N. sumatrana envenoming in Southeast Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choo Hock Tan
- Venom Research and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; (K.Y.W.); (H.P.C.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Kae Yi Tan
- Protein and Interactomics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; (K.Y.T.); (N.H.T.)
| | - Kin Ying Wong
- Venom Research and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; (K.Y.W.); (H.P.C.)
| | - Nget Hong Tan
- Protein and Interactomics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; (K.Y.T.); (N.H.T.)
| | - Ho Phin Chong
- Venom Research and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; (K.Y.W.); (H.P.C.)
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Oliveira AL, Viegas MF, da Silva SL, Soares AM, Ramos MJ, Fernandes PA. The chemistry of snake venom and its medicinal potential. Nat Rev Chem 2022; 6:451-469. [PMID: 35702592 PMCID: PMC9185726 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-022-00393-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The fascination and fear of snakes dates back to time immemorial, with the first scientific treatise on snakebite envenoming, the Brooklyn Medical Papyrus, dating from ancient Egypt. Owing to their lethality, snakes have often been associated with images of perfidy, treachery and death. However, snakes did not always have such negative connotations. The curative capacity of venom has been known since antiquity, also making the snake a symbol of pharmacy and medicine. Today, there is renewed interest in pursuing snake-venom-based therapies. This Review focuses on the chemistry of snake venom and the potential for venom to be exploited for medicinal purposes in the development of drugs. The mixture of toxins that constitute snake venom is examined, focusing on the molecular structure, chemical reactivity and target recognition of the most bioactive toxins, from which bioactive drugs might be developed. The design and working mechanisms of snake-venom-derived drugs are illustrated, and the strategies by which toxins are transformed into therapeutics are analysed. Finally, the challenges in realizing the immense curative potential of snake venom are discussed, and chemical strategies by which a plethora of new drugs could be derived from snake venom are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana L. Oliveira
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Matilde F. Viegas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Saulo L. da Silva
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreimar M. Soares
- Biotechnology Laboratory for Proteins and Bioactive Compounds from the Western Amazon, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, National Institute of Epidemiology in the Western Amazon (INCT-EpiAmO), Porto Velho, Brazil
- Sao Lucas Universitary Center (UniSL), Porto Velho, Brazil
| | - Maria J. Ramos
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro A. Fernandes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/Requimte, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Ding LJ, Wu XM, Zhang CG, Gao PF, Zhang Y, Yang ZZ, Zhao Y. Toxin diversity revealed by de novo transcriptome assembly for venom gland in two species of spiders (Trichonephila clavata and Sinopoda pengi). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2022; 42:100984. [PMID: 35462116 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2022.100984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
During long-term predator-prey coevolution, spiders have generated a vast diversity of toxins. Trichonephila clavata is a web-spinning spider whose large, well-constructed webs and venomous arsenal facilitate prey capture. In contrast, Sinopoda pengi is an ambush predator with agile locomotion and strong chelicerae for hunting. In this study, transcriptomic analysis was performed to describe the predicted toxins of S. pengi and T. clavata. A total of 43 and 47 of these unigenes from S. pengi and T. clavata, respectively, were predicted to have toxin activity. Putative neurotoxins were classified to the family level according to cysteine arrangement; 4 and 6 toxin families were produced by S. pengi and T. clavata, respectively. In addition, potential metalloproteases, acetylcholinesterases, serine proteases, hyaluronidases and phospholipases were found by annotation in databases. In summary, molecular templates with potential application value for medical and biological fields were obtained by classifying and characterizing presumed venom components, which established a foundation for further study of venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Jun Ding
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xiu-Mei Wu
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Cheng-Gui Zhang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Peng-Fei Gao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650051, China
| | - Zi-Zhong Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China.
| | - Yu Zhao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R & D, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Entomoceutics, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; Innovative Team of Dali University for Medicinal Insects & Arachnids Resources Digital Development, Dali 671000, China
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Crotoxin B: Heterologous Expression, Protein Folding, Immunogenic Properties, and Irregular Presence in Crotalid Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14060382. [PMID: 35737043 PMCID: PMC9228539 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14060382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Crotoxin complex CA/CB and crotamine are the main toxins associated with Crotalus envenomation besides the enzymatic activities of phospholipases (PLA2) and proteases. The neutralization at least of the crotoxin complex by neutralizing the subunit B could be a key in the production process of antivenoms against crotalids. Therefore, in this work, a Crotoxin B was recombinantly expressed to evaluate its capacity as an immunogen and its ability to produce neutralizing antibodies against crotalid venoms. A Crotoxin B transcript from Crotalus tzabcan was cloned into a pCR®2.1-TOPO vector (Invitrogen, Waltham, MA, USA) and subsequently expressed heterologously in bacteria. HisrCrotoxin B was extracted from inclusion bodies and refolded in vitro. The secondary structure of HisrCrotoxin B was comparable to the secondary structure of the native Crotoxin B, and it has PLA2 activity as the native Crotoxin B. HisrCrotoxin B was used to immunize rabbits, and the obtained antibodies partially inhibited the activity of PLA2 from C. tzabcan. The anti-HisrCrotoxin B antibodies neutralized the native Crotoxin B and the whole venoms from C. tzabcan, C. s. salvini, and C. mictlantecuhtli. Additionally, anti-HisrCrotoxin B antibodies recognized native Crotoxin B from different Crotalus species, and they could discriminate venom in species with high or low levels of or absence of Crotoxin B.
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Adrião AAX, dos Santos AO, de Lima EJSP, Maciel JB, Paz WHP, da Silva FMA, Pucca MB, Moura-da-Silva AM, Monteiro WM, Sartim MA, Koolen HHF. Plant-Derived Toxin Inhibitors as Potential Candidates to Complement Antivenom Treatment in Snakebite Envenomations. Front Immunol 2022; 13:842576. [PMID: 35615352 PMCID: PMC9126284 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.842576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenomations (SBEs) are a neglected medical condition of global importance that mainly affect the tropical and subtropical regions. Clinical manifestations include pain, edema, hemorrhage, tissue necrosis, and neurotoxic signs, and may evolve to functional loss of the affected limb, acute renal and/or respiratory failure, and even death. The standard treatment for snake envenomations is antivenom, which is produced from the hyperimmunization of animals with snake toxins. The inhibition of the effects of SBEs using natural or synthetic compounds has been suggested as a complementary treatment particularly before admission to hospital for antivenom treatment, since these alternative molecules are also able to inhibit toxins. Biodiversity-derived molecules, namely those extracted from medicinal plants, are promising sources of toxin inhibitors that can minimize the deleterious consequences of SBEs. In this review, we systematically synthesize the literature on plant metabolites that can be used as toxin-inhibiting agents, as well as present the potential mechanisms of action of molecules derived from natural sources. These findings aim to further our understanding of the potential of natural products and provide new lead compounds as auxiliary therapies for SBEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asenate A. X. Adrião
- Post Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology BIONORTE, Superior School of Health Sciences, Amazonas State University, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Aline O. dos Santos
- Post Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology BIONORTE, Superior School of Health Sciences, Amazonas State University, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Emilly J. S. P. de Lima
- Post Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology BIONORTE, Superior School of Health Sciences, Amazonas State University, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Jéssica B. Maciel
- Post Graduate Program in Tropical Medicine, Department of Teaching and Research, Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado Tropical Medicine Foundation, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Weider H. P. Paz
- Post Graduate Program in Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Felipe M. A. da Silva
- Post Graduate Program in Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Multidisciplinary Support Center, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Manuela B. Pucca
- Medical School, Federal University of Roraima, Boa Vista, Brazil
| | - Ana M. Moura-da-Silva
- Post Graduate Program in Tropical Medicine, Department of Teaching and Research, Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado Tropical Medicine Foundation, Manaus, Brazil
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wuelton M. Monteiro
- Post Graduate Program in Tropical Medicine, Department of Teaching and Research, Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado Tropical Medicine Foundation, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Marco A. Sartim
- Post Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology BIONORTE, Superior School of Health Sciences, Amazonas State University, Manaus, Brazil
- Post Graduate Program in Tropical Medicine, Department of Teaching and Research, Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado Tropical Medicine Foundation, Manaus, Brazil
- University Nilton Lins, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Hector H. F. Koolen
- Post Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology BIONORTE, Superior School of Health Sciences, Amazonas State University, Manaus, Brazil
- Post Graduate Program in Tropical Medicine, Department of Teaching and Research, Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado Tropical Medicine Foundation, Manaus, Brazil
- Post Graduate Program in Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
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Fontana BC, Soares AM, Zuliani JP, Gonçalves GM. Role of Toll-like receptors in local effects in a model of experimental envenoming induced by Bothrops jararacussu snake venom and by two phospholipases A2. Toxicon 2022; 214:145-154. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.05.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Tasoulis T, Wang CR, Sumner J, Dunstan N, Pukala TL, Isbister GK. The Unusual Metalloprotease-Rich Venom Proteome of the Australian Elapid Snake Hoplocephalus stephensii. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14050314. [PMID: 35622563 PMCID: PMC9147224 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14050314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Australasian region is home to the most diverse elapid snake radiation on the planet (Hydrophiinae). Many of these snakes have evolved into unique ecomorphs compared to elapids on other continents; however, their venom compositions are poorly known. The Australian elapid Hoplocephalus stephensii (Stephen’s banded snake) is an arboreal snake with a unique morphology. Human envenoming results in venom-induced consumption coagulopathy, without neurotoxicity. Using transcriptomics and a multi-step fractionation method involving reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and bottom-up proteomics, we characterized the venom proteome of H. stephensii. 92% of the total protein component of the venom by weight was characterized, and included all dominant protein families and 4 secondary protein families. Eighteen toxins made up 76% of the venom, four previously characterized and 14 new toxins. The four dominant protein families made up 77% of the venom, including snake venom metalloprotease (SVMP; 36.7%; three identified toxins), phospholipase A2 (PLA2; 24.0%; five identified toxins), three-finger toxin (3FTx; 10.2%; two toxins) and snake venom serine protease (SVSP; 5.9%; one toxin; Hopsarin). Secondary protein families included L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO; 10.8%; one toxin), natriuretic peptide (NP; 0.8%; two toxins), cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRiSP; 1.7%; two toxins), c-type lectin (CTL; 1.1%; one toxin), and one minor protein family, nerve growth factor (NGF; 0.8%; one toxin). The venom composition of H. stephensii differs to other elapids, with a large proportion of SVMP and LAAO, and a relatively small amount of 3FTx. H. stephensii venom appeared to have less toxin diversity than other elapids, with only 18 toxins making up three-quarters of the venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theo Tasoulis
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group Newcastle, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia;
- Correspondence:
| | - C. Ruth Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; (C.R.W.); (T.L.P.)
| | - Joanna Sumner
- Genetic Resources, Museums Victoria, Carlton Gardens, Melbourne, VIC 5053, Australia;
| | | | - Tara L. Pukala
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; (C.R.W.); (T.L.P.)
| | - Geoffrey K. Isbister
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group Newcastle, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia;
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Mason AJ, Holding ML, Rautsaw RM, Rokyta DR, Parkinson CL, Gibbs HL. Venom gene sequence diversity and expression jointly shape diet adaptation in pitvipers. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6567549. [PMID: 35413123 PMCID: PMC9040050 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the joint roles of protein sequence variation and differential expression during adaptive evolution is a fundamental, yet largely unrealized goal of evolutionary biology. Here, we use phylogenetic path analysis to analyze a comprehensive venom-gland transcriptome dataset spanning three genera of pitvipers to identify the functional genetic basis of a key adaptation (venom complexity) linked to diet breadth (DB). The analysis of gene-family-specific patterns reveals that, for genes encoding two of the most important venom proteins (snake venom metalloproteases and snake venom serine proteases), there are direct, positive relationships between sequence diversity (SD), expression diversity (ED), and increased DB. Further analysis of gene-family diversification for these proteins showed no constraint on how individual lineages achieved toxin gene SD in terms of the patterns of paralog diversification. In contrast, another major venom protein family (PLA2s) showed no relationship between venom molecular diversity and DB. Additional analyses suggest that other molecular mechanisms—such as higher absolute levels of expression—are responsible for diet adaptation involving these venom proteins. Broadly, our findings argue that functional diversity generated through sequence and expression variations jointly determine adaptation in the key components of pitviper venoms, which mediate complex molecular interactions between the snakes and their prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Mason
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Rhett M Rautsaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Christopher L Parkinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.,Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - H Lisle Gibbs
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Vanuopadath M, Raveendran D, Nair BG, Nair SS. Venomics and antivenomics of Indian spectacled cobra (Naja naja) from the Western Ghats. Acta Trop 2022; 228:106324. [PMID: 35093326 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Venom proteome profiling of Naja naja from the Western Ghats region in Kerala was achieved through SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC followed by Q-TOF LC-MS/MS analysis, incorporating PEAKS and Novor assisted de novo sequencing methodologies. A total of 115 proteins distributed across 17 different enzymatic and non-enzymatic venom protein families were identified through conventional and 39 peptides through homology-driven proteomics approaches. Fourteen peptides derived through de novo complements the Mascot data indicating the importance of homology-driven approaches in improving protein sequence information. Among the protein families identified, glutathione peroxidase and endonuclease were reported for the first time in the Indian cobra venom. Immunological cross-reactivity assessed using Indian polyvalent antivenoms suggested that VINS showed better EC50 (2.48 µg/mL) value than that of PSAV (6.04 µg/mL) and Virchow (6.03 µg/mL) antivenoms. Western blotting experiments indicated that all the antivenoms elicited poor binding specificities, especially towards low molecular mass proteins. Second-generation antivenomics studies revealed that VINS antivenom was less efficient to detect many low molecular mass proteins such as three-finger toxins and Kunitz-type serine protease Inhibitors. Taken together, the present study enabled a large-scale characterization of the venom proteome of Naja naja from the Western Ghats and emphasized the need for developing more efficient antivenoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dileepkumar Raveendran
- Indriyam Biologics Pvt. Ltd., SCTIMST-TIMed, BMT Wing-Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram 695 012, Kerala, India
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Chemical structure of three basic Asp-49 phospholipases A2 isolated from Crotalus molossus nigrescens venom with cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. Toxicon 2022; 210:25-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Dias ÊR, de Oliveira LA, Sales Lauria PS, Bordon KDCF, Rodrigues Domênico AM, da Silva Guerreiro ML, Wiezel GA, Cardoso IA, Rossini BC, Marino CL, Pimenta DC, Arantes EC, Casais-e-Silva LL, Branco A, dos Santos LD, Biondi I. Bothrops leucurus snake venom protein profile, isolation and biological characterization of its major toxin PLA2s-likeds. Toxicon 2022; 213:27-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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40
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Ha SJ, Choi YO, Kwag EB, Kim SD, Yoo HS, Kang IC, Park SJ. Qualitative Analysis of Proteins in Two Snake Venoms, Gloydius Blomhoffii and Agkistrodon Acutus. J Pharmacopuncture 2022; 25:52-62. [PMID: 35371588 PMCID: PMC8947974 DOI: 10.3831/kpi.2022.25.1.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Snake venom is a complex mixture of various pharmacologically active substances, such as small proteins, peptides, and organic and mineral components. This paper aims to identify and analyse the proteins in common venomous snakes, such as Gloydius blomhoffii (G. blomhoffii) and Agkistrodon acutus (A. acutus), in Korea. Methods We used mass spectrometry, electrophoresis, N-terminal sequencing and in-gel digestion to analyse the proteins in these two snake venoms. Results We identified eight proteins in G. blomhoffii venom and four proteins in A. acutus venom. The proteins detected in G. blomhoffii and A. acutus venoms were phospholipase A2, snake venom metalloproteinase and cysteine-rich secretory protein. Snake C-type lectin (snaclec) was unique to A. acutus venom. Conclusion These data will contribute to the current knowledge of proteins present in the venoms of viper snakes and provide useful information for investigating their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Jeong Ha
- East West Cancer Center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeo-Ok Choi
- Bio Research Institute of Biotechnology, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Bin Kwag
- East West Cancer Center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Dam Kim
- East West Cancer Center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa-seung Yoo
- East West Cancer Center, Seoul Korean Medicine Hospital, Daejeon University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Cheol Kang
- Department of Biological Science and BioChip Research Center, Hoseo University, Asan, Republic of Korea
- InnoPharmaScreen Inc., Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Jung Park
- East West Cancer Center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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Bahrami A, Taheri M, Arabestani MR, Soleimani M, Mohammadi M, Golabchi F, Banitorfi M, Hosseini SM, Khodabandehlou S, Nouri F. Harnessing the Natural Toxic Metabolites in COVID-19. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2022; 2022:3954944. [PMID: 35273645 PMCID: PMC8902635 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3954944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus and the cause of the recent pandemic; it is an enveloped β-coronavirus. SARS-CoV-2 appear in the Wuhan City of China for the first time and outspread worldwide quickly. Due to its person-to-person fast transmission, COVID-19 is becoming a global problem. SARS-CoV-2 enter into cells by using ACE2 receptors that are numerous in the lungs and finally can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Dry cough, sore throat, fever, body pain, headache, GIT discomfort, diarrhoea, and fatigue are some of the COVID-19 symptoms. There is no definite and certain treatment for disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 till now. Some pharmacological effects of toxins, toxoids, and venoms have been proven, and their effects on some diseases have been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the role of toxins, toxoids, and venom in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Bahrami
- Student Research Committee, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Scienceaffs, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Arabestani
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Meysam Soleimani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Scienceaffs, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mojdeh Mohammadi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Golabchi
- Student Research Committee, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Scienceaffs, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Maryam Banitorfi
- Student Research Committee, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Scienceaffs, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Seyed Mostafa Hosseini
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Sodabe Khodabandehlou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Nouri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Scienceaffs, Hamadan, Iran
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Chakkinga Thodi R, Ibrahim JM, Nair AS, Thacheril Sukumaran S. Exploring the potent inhibitor β-stigmasterol from Pittosporum dasycaulon Miq. leaves against snake venom phospholipase A2 protein through in vitro and molecular dynamics behavior approach. TOXIN REV 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/15569543.2021.2021946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Junaida M. Ibrahim
- Department of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, India
| | - Achuthsankar S. Nair
- Department of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, India
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43
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Moraes JDN, Francisco AF, Dill LM, Diniz RS, Oliveira CSD, Silva TMRD, Caldeira CADS, Corrêa EDA, Coutinho-Neto A, Zanchi FB, Fontes MRDM, Soares AM, Calderon LDA. New multienzymatic complex formed between human cathepsin D and snake venom phospholipase A2. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2022; 28:e20220002. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2022-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aleff Ferreira Francisco
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil; Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology of Epidemiology of the Western Amazon, Brazil; Smart Active Ingredients Lab (SAIL), Brazil
| | | | - Rafaela Souza Diniz
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Brazil; Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR), Brazil; Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology of Epidemiology of the Western Amazon, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Fernando Berton Zanchi
- Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR), Brazil; Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Brazil
| | | | - Andreimar Martins Soares
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology of Epidemiology of the Western Amazon, Brazil; São Lucas University Center (UniSL), Brazil
| | - Leonardo de Azevedo Calderon
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Brazil; Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR), Brazil; Smart Active Ingredients Lab (SAIL), Brazil; Aparicio Carvalho University Center (FIMCA), Brazil
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Stingray Venom Proteins: Mechanisms of Action Revealed Using a Novel Network Pharmacology Approach. Mar Drugs 2021; 20:md20010027. [PMID: 35049882 PMCID: PMC8781517 DOI: 10.3390/md20010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms offer a valuable source of potent new drug leads, but their mechanisms of action are largely unknown. We therefore developed a novel network pharmacology approach based on multi-omics functional data integration to predict how stingray venom disrupts the physiological systems of target animals. We integrated 10 million transcripts from five stingray venom transcriptomes and 848,640 records from three high-content venom bioactivity datasets into a large functional data network. The network featured 216 signaling pathways, 29 of which were shared and targeted by 70 transcripts and 70 bioactivity hits. The network revealed clusters for single envenomation outcomes, such as pain, cardiotoxicity and hemorrhage. We carried out a detailed analysis of the pain cluster representing a primary envenomation symptom, revealing bibrotoxin and cholecystotoxin-like transcripts encoding pain-inducing candidate proteins in stingray venom. The cluster also suggested that such pain-inducing toxins primarily activate the inositol-3-phosphate receptor cascade, inducing intracellular calcium release. We also found strong evidence for synergistic activity among these candidates, with nerve growth factors cooperating with the most abundant translationally-controlled tumor proteins to activate pain signaling pathways. Our network pharmacology approach, here applied to stingray venom, can be used as a template for drug discovery in neglected venomous species.
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Moreira V, Leiguez E, Janovits PM, Maia-Marques R, Fernandes CM, Teixeira C. Inflammatory Effects of Bothrops Phospholipases A 2: Mechanisms Involved in Biosynthesis of Lipid Mediators and Lipid Accumulation. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13120868. [PMID: 34941706 PMCID: PMC8709003 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13120868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Phospholipases A2s (PLA2s) constitute one of the major protein groups present in the venoms of viperid and crotalid snakes. Snake venom PLA2s (svPLA2s) exhibit a remarkable functional diversity, as they have been described to induce a myriad of toxic effects. Local inflammation is an important characteristic of snakebite envenomation inflicted by viperid and crotalid species and diverse svPLA2s have been studied for their proinflammatory properties. Moreover, based on their molecular, structural, and functional properties, the viperid svPLA2s are classified into the group IIA secreted PLA2s, which encompasses mammalian inflammatory sPLA2s. Thus, research on svPLA2s has attained paramount importance for better understanding the role of this class of enzymes in snake envenomation and the participation of GIIA sPLA2s in pathophysiological conditions and for the development of new therapeutic agents. In this review, we highlight studies that have identified the inflammatory activities of svPLA2s, in particular, those from Bothrops genus snakes, which are major medically important snakes in Latin America, and we describe recent advances in our collective understanding of the mechanisms underlying their inflammatory effects. We also discuss studies that dissect the action of these venom enzymes in inflammatory cells focusing on molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the biosynthesis of lipid mediators and lipid accumulation in immunocompetent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Moreira
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 04044-020, Brazil;
| | - Elbio Leiguez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (E.L.); (P.M.J.); (R.M.-M.); (C.M.F.)
| | - Priscila Motta Janovits
- Laboratório de Farmacologia, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (E.L.); (P.M.J.); (R.M.-M.); (C.M.F.)
| | - Rodrigo Maia-Marques
- Laboratório de Farmacologia, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (E.L.); (P.M.J.); (R.M.-M.); (C.M.F.)
| | - Cristina Maria Fernandes
- Laboratório de Farmacologia, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (E.L.); (P.M.J.); (R.M.-M.); (C.M.F.)
| | - Catarina Teixeira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (E.L.); (P.M.J.); (R.M.-M.); (C.M.F.)
- Correspondence:
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BthTX-II from Bothrops jararacussu venom has variants with different oligomeric assemblies: An example of snake venom phospholipases A 2 versatility. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 191:255-266. [PMID: 34547312 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.09.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) are found in almost every venomous snake family. In snakebites, some PLA2s can quickly cause local myonecrosis, which may lead to permanent sequelae if antivenom is administered belatedly. They hydrolyse phospholipids in membranes through a catalytic calcium ions-dependent mechanism. BthTX-II is a basic PLA2 and the second major component in the venom of Bothrops jararacussu. Herein, using the software SEQUENCE SLIDER, which integrates crystallographic, mass spectrometry and genetic data, we characterized the primary, tertiary and quaternary structure of two BthTX-II variants (called a and b), which diverge in 7 residues. Crystallographic structure BthTX-IIa is in a Tense-state with its distorted calcium binding loop buried in the dimer interface, contrarily, the novel BthTX-IIb structure is a monomer in a Relax-state with a fatty acid in the hydrophobic channel. Structural data in solution reveals that both variants are monomeric in neutral physiological conditions and mostly dimeric in an acidic environment, being catalytic active in both situations. Therefore, we propose two myotoxic mechanisms for BthTX-II, a catalytic one associated with the monomeric assembly, whereas the other has a calcium independent activity related to its C-terminal region, adopting a dimeric conformation similar to PLA2-like proteins.
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47
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Puzari U, Fernandes PA, Mukherjee AK. Advances in the Therapeutic Application of Small-Molecule Inhibitors and Repurposed Drugs against Snakebite. J Med Chem 2021; 64:13938-13979. [PMID: 34565143 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The World Health Organization has declared snakebite as a neglected tropical disease. Antivenom administration is the sole therapy against venomous snakebite; however, several limitations of this therapy reinforce the dire need for an alternative and/or additional treatment against envenomation. Inhibitors against snake venoms have been explored from natural resources and are synthesized in the laboratory; however, repurposing of small-molecule therapeutics (SMTs) against the principal toxins of snake venoms to inhibit their lethality and/or obnoxious effect of envenomation has been garnering greater attention owing to their established pharmacokinetic properties, low-risk attributes, cost-effectiveness, ease of administration, and storage stability. Nevertheless, SMTs are yet to be approved and commercialized for snakebite treatment. Therefore, we have systematically reviewed and critically analyzed the scenario of small synthetic inhibitors and repurposed drugs against snake envenomation from 2005 to date and proposed novel approaches and commercialization strategies for the development of efficacious therapies against snake envenomation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upasana Puzari
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, School of Sciences, Tezpur University, Tezpur-784028, Assam, India
| | - Pedro Alexandrino Fernandes
- LAQV@REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua Do Campo Alegre S/N, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ashis K Mukherjee
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, School of Sciences, Tezpur University, Tezpur-784028, Assam, India.,Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Vigyan Path Garchuk, Paschim Boragaon, Guwahati-781035, Assam, India
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48
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Pungerčar J, Bihl F, Lambeau G, Križaj I. What do secreted phospholipases A 2 have to offer in combat against different viruses up to SARS-CoV-2? Biochimie 2021; 189:40-50. [PMID: 34097986 PMCID: PMC8449419 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Secreted phospholipases A2 (sPLA2s) form a widespread group of structurally-related enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of the sn-2 ester bond of glycerophospholipids to produce free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. In humans, nine catalytically active and two inactive sPLA2 proteins have been identified. These enzymes play diverse biological roles, including host defence against bacteria, parasites and viruses. Several of these endogenous sPLA2s may play a defensive role in viral infections, as they display in vitro antiviral activity by both direct and indirect mechanisms. However, endogenous sPLA2s may also exert an offensive and negative role, dampening the antiviral response or promoting inflammation in animal models of viral infection. Similarly, several exogenous sPLA2s, most of them from snake venoms and other animal venoms, possess in vitro antiviral activities. Thus, both endogenous and exogenous sPLA2s may be exploited for the development of new antiviral substances or as therapeutic targets for antagonistic drugs that may promote a more robust antiviral response. In this review, the antiviral versus proviral role of both endogenous and exogenous sPLA2s against various viruses including coronaviruses is presented. Based on the highlighted developments in this area of research, possible directions of future investigation are envisaged. One of them is also a possibility of exploiting sPLA2s as biological markers of the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jože Pungerčar
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Franck Bihl
- Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IPMC), UMR7275, Valbonne Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Gérard Lambeau
- Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IPMC), UMR7275, Valbonne Sophia Antipolis, France.
| | - Igor Križaj
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Ho CH, Chiang LC, Mao YC, Lan KC, Tsai SH, Shih YJ, Tzeng YS, Lin CS, Lin WL, Fang WH, Chen KT, Lee CH, Chiang DML, Liu SH. Analysis of the Necrosis-Inducing Components of the Venom of Naja atra and Assessment of the Neutralization Ability of Freeze-Dried Antivenom. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13090619. [PMID: 34564623 PMCID: PMC8473173 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13090619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients bitten by Naja atra who are treated with bivalent freeze-dried neurotoxic antivenom in Taiwan have an improved survival rate but develop necrotic wound changes. The World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested using the minimum necrotizing dose (MND) of venom as a method of evaluating the neutralization effect of antivenom. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of antivenom for the prevention of necrosis based on the MND and clarify which component of the venom of N. atra induces necrosis. The neurotoxins (NTXs) were removed from the crude venom (deNTXs), and different concentrations of deNTXs were injected intradermally into the dorsal skin of mice. After three days, the necrotic lesion diameter was found to be approximately 5 mm, and the MND was calculated. A reduction in the necrotic diameter of 50% was used to identify the MND50. Furthermore, both phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and cytotoxins (CTXs) were separately removed from the deNTXs to identify the major necrosis-inducing factor, and the necrotic lesions were scored. All mice injected with deNTXs survived for three days and developed necrotic wounds. The MND of the deNTXs for mice was 0.494 ± 0.029 µg/g, that of the deNTXs-dePLA2 (major component retained: CTXs) was 0.294 ± 0.05 µg/g, and that of the deNTX-deCTX (major component retained: PLA2) venom was greater than 1.25 µg/g. These values show that CTX is the major factor inducing necrosis. These results suggest that the use of the deNTXs is necessary to enable the mice to survive long enough to develop venom-induced cytolytic effects. CTXs play a major role in N. atra-related necrosis. However, the MND50 could not be identified in this study, which meant that the antivenom did not neutralize venom-induced necrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Hsuan Ho
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (C.-H.H.); (K.-C.L.); (S.-H.T.)
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Liao-Chun Chiang
- College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan;
- Institute of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Chiao Mao
- Division of Clinical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan;
| | - Kuo-Cheng Lan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (C.-H.H.); (K.-C.L.); (S.-H.T.)
| | - Shih-Hung Tsai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (C.-H.H.); (K.-C.L.); (S.-H.T.)
| | - Yu-Jen Shih
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (Y.-J.S.); (Y.-S.T.)
| | - Yuan-Sheng Tzeng
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (Y.-J.S.); (Y.-S.T.)
| | - Chin-Sheng Lin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan;
| | - Wen-Loung Lin
- Taichung Wildlife Conservation Group, Taichung 436, Taiwan; (W.-L.L.); (W.-H.F.)
| | - Wei-Hsuan Fang
- Taichung Wildlife Conservation Group, Taichung 436, Taiwan; (W.-L.L.); (W.-H.F.)
| | - Kuang-Ting Chen
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 505, Taiwan;
| | - Chi-Hsin Lee
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
| | - Dapi Meng-Lin Chiang
- Division of Animal Physiology and Immunology, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany;
| | - Shing-Hwa Liu
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-23123456 (ext. 88605)
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Cheng S, Guo Z, Liang C, Shi Y, Geng P, Xin Y, Gu Z, Zhang L. Immobilization of Phospholipase A1 Using a Protein-Inorganic Hybrid System. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13172865. [PMID: 34502905 PMCID: PMC8433775 DOI: 10.3390/polym13172865] [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: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, four kinds of phospholipase A1-metal (Al/Co/Cu/Mn) hybrid nanostructures were prepared for enhancing the stability of the free PLA1. The formed hybrid complexes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The stability and substrate specificity of immobilized enzymes were subsequently determined. After immobilization, the temperature tolerance of PLA1–metal hybrid nanostructures was enhanced. The relative activity of PLA1–Al/Co/Cu hybrid nanostructures remained above 60% at 50 °C, while that of free enzyme was below 5%. The thermal transition temperature measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was found to increase from 65.59 °C (free enzyme) to 173.14 °C, 123.67 °C, 96.31 °C, and 114.79 °C, referring to PLA1–Cu/Co/Al/Mn hybrid nanostructures, respectively. Additionally, after a storage for fourteen days at 4 °C, the immobilized enzymes could exhibit approximately 60% of the initial activity, while the free PLA1 was inactivated after four days of storage. In brief, using Co2+, Cu2+, Al3+, and Mn2+ as the hybridization materials for immobilization could improve the catalytic properties and stability of the free PLA1, suggesting a promising method for a wider application of PLA1 in many fields such as food, cosmetics, and the pharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Liang Zhang
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-051085918235
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