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Wongdontri C, Jaree P, Somboonwiwat K. PmKuSPI is regulated by pmo-miR-bantam and contributes to hemocyte homeostasis and viral propagation in shrimp. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 137:108738. [PMID: 37031922 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108738] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor (KuSPI) is a low molecular weight protein that plays a role in modulating a range of biological processes. In Penaeus monodon, the PmKuSPI gene has been found to be highly expressed in the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)-infected shrimp and is predicted to be regulated by a conserved microRNA, pmo-miR-bantam. We reported that, despite being upregulated at the transcriptional level, the PmKuSPI protein was also upregulated after WSSV infection. Silencing the PmKuSPI gene in healthy shrimp had no effect on phenoloxidase activity or apoptosis but resulted in a delay in the mortality of WSSV-infected shrimp as well as a reduction in the total hemocyte number and WSSV copies. According to an in vitro luciferase reporter assay, the pmo-miR-bantam bound to the 3'UTR of the PmKuSPI gene as predicted. In accordance with the loss of function studies using dsRNA-mediated RNA interference, the administration of the pmo-miR-bantam mimic into WSSV-infected shrimp lowered the expression of the PmKuSPI transcript and the PmKuSPI protein, as well as the WSSV copy number. According to these results, the protease inhibitor PmKuSPI is posttranscriptionally controlled by pmo-miR-bantam and plays a role in hemocyte homeostasis, which in turn affects shrimp susceptibility to WSSV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantaka Wongdontri
- Center of Excellence for Molecular Biology and Genomics of Shrimp, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Rd., Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Phattarunda Jaree
- Center of Applied Shrimp Research and Innovation, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Kunlaya Somboonwiwat
- Center of Excellence for Molecular Biology and Genomics of Shrimp, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Rd., Bangkok, Thailand.
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2
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do Amaral M, Freitas ACO, Santos AS, Dos Santos EC, Ferreira MM, da Silva Gesteira A, Gramacho KP, Marinho-Prado JS, Pirovani CP. TcTI, a Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor from cocoa associated with defense against pathogens. Sci Rep 2022; 12:698. [PMID: 35027639 PMCID: PMC8758671 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04700-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Protease inhibitors (PIs) are important biotechnological tools of interest in agriculture. Usually they are the first proteins to be activated in plant-induced resistance against pathogens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize a Theobroma cacao trypsin inhibitor called TcTI. The ORF has 740 bp encoding a protein with 219 amino acids, molecular weight of approximately 23 kDa. rTcTI was expressed in the soluble fraction of Escherichia coli strain Rosetta [DE3]. The purified His-Tag rTcTI showed inhibitory activity against commercial porcine trypsin. The kinetic model demonstrated that rTcTI is a competitive inhibitor, with a Ki value of 4.08 × 10-7 mol L-1. The thermostability analysis of rTcTI showed that 100% inhibitory activity was retained up to 60 °C and that at 70-80 °C, inhibitory activity remained above 50%. Circular dichroism analysis indicated that the protein is rich in loop structures and β-conformations. Furthermore, in vivo assays against Helicoverpa armigera larvae were also performed with rTcTI in 0.1 mg mL-1 spray solutions on leaf surfaces, which reduced larval growth by 70% compared to the control treatment. Trials with cocoa plants infected with Mp showed a greater accumulation of TcTI in resistant varieties of T. cacao, so this regulation may be associated with different isoforms of TcTI. This inhibitor has biochemical characteristics suitable for biotechnological applications as well as in resistance studies of T. cacao and other crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena do Amaral
- Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, UESC, Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, Km - 16, Ilhéus, BA, CEP 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Camila Oliveira Freitas
- Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, UESC, Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, Km - 16, Ilhéus, BA, CEP 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Ariana Silva Santos
- Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, UESC, Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, Km - 16, Ilhéus, BA, CEP 45662-900, Brazil.
| | - Everton Cruz Dos Santos
- Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20230-130, Brazil
| | - Monaliza Macêdo Ferreira
- Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, UESC, Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, Km - 16, Ilhéus, BA, CEP 45662-900, Brazil
| | | | - Karina Peres Gramacho
- Centro de Pesquisa do Cacau [CEPEC/CEPLAC] Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Km 22 Rod. Ilhéus-Itabuna, Ilhéus, Bahia, 45600-970, Brazil
| | | | - Carlos Priminho Pirovani
- Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, UESC, Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, Km - 16, Ilhéus, BA, CEP 45662-900, Brazil
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3
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Mourão CBF, Brand GD, Fernandes JPC, Prates MV, Bloch C, Barbosa JARG, Freitas SM, Restano-Cassulini R, Possani LD, Schwartz EF. Head-to-Tail Cyclization after Interaction with Trypsin: A Scorpion Venom Peptide that Resembles Plant Cyclotides. J Med Chem 2020; 63:9500-9511. [PMID: 32787139 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Peptidase inhibitors (PIs) have been broadly studied due to their wide therapeutic potential for human diseases. A potent trypsin inhibitor from Tityus obscurus scorpion venom was characterized and named ToPI1, with 33 amino acid residues and three disulfide bonds. The X-ray structure of the ToPI1:trypsin complex, in association with the mass spectrometry data, indicate a sequential set of events: the complex formation with the inhibitor Lys32 in the trypsin S1 pocket, the inhibitor C-terminal residue Ser33 cleavage, and the cyclization of ToPI1 via a peptide bond between residues Ile1 and Lys32. Kinetic and thermodynamic characterization of the complex was obtained. ToPI1 shares no sequence similarity with other PIs characterized to date and is the first PI with CS-α/β motif described from animal venoms. In its cyclic form, it shares structural similarities with plant cyclotides that also inhibit trypsin. These results bring new insights for studies with venom compounds, PIs, and drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline B F Mourão
- Neuropharma Lab, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brası́lia, Brasília-DF 70910-900, Brazil.,Instituto Federal de Brası́lia, Campus Ceilándia, Brası́lia-DF 72220-260, Brazil
| | - Guilherme D Brand
- Laboratório de Sı́ntese e Análise de Biomoléculas, LSAB, Instituto de Quı́mica, Universidade de Brası́lia, Brası́lia-DF 70910-900, Brazil
| | - João Paulo C Fernandes
- Laboratório de Biofı́sica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brası́lia, Brası́lia-DF 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Maura V Prates
- Laboratório de Espectrometria de Massa, EMBRAPA Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brası́lia-DF 70770-917, Brazil
| | - Carlos Bloch
- Laboratório de Espectrometria de Massa, EMBRAPA Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brası́lia-DF 70770-917, Brazil
| | - João Alexandre R G Barbosa
- Laboratório de Biofı́sica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brası́lia, Brası́lia-DF 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Sônia M Freitas
- Laboratório de Biofı́sica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brası́lia, Brası́lia-DF 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Rita Restano-Cassulini
- Instituto de Biotecnologı́a, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Lourival D Possani
- Instituto de Biotecnologı́a, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Elisabeth F Schwartz
- Neuropharma Lab, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brası́lia, Brasília-DF 70910-900, Brazil
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4
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Ahmad S, Saleem M, Riaz N, Lee YS, Diri R, Noor A, Almasri D, Bagalagel A, Elsebai MF. The Natural Polypeptides as Significant Elastase Inhibitors. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:688. [PMID: 32581778 PMCID: PMC7291377 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a major cause of the destruction of tissues in cases of several different chronic andinflammatory diseases. Overexpression of the elastase enzyme plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of various diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory distress syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, the rare disease cyclic hematopoiesis (or cyclic neutropenia), infections, sepsis, cystic fibrosis, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and asthma, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Human neutrophil elastase is secreted by human neutrophils due to different stimuli. Medicine-based inhibition of the over-activation of neutrophils or production and activity of elastase have been suggested to mend inflammatory diseases. Although the development of new elastase inhibitors is an essential strategy for treating the different inflammatory diseases, it has been a challenge to specifically target the activity of elastase because of its overlapping functions with those of other serine proteases. This review article highlights the reported natural polypeptides as potential inhibitors of elastase enzyme. The mechanism of action, structural features, and activity of the polypeptides have also been correlated wherever they were available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabir Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, Baghdad-ul-Jadeed Campus, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.,Department of Chemistry, Post-Graduate College, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Saleem
- Department of Chemistry, Baghdad-ul-Jadeed Campus, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Naheed Riaz
- Department of Chemistry, Baghdad-ul-Jadeed Campus, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Yong Sup Lee
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences & Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Reem Diri
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Noor
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Diena Almasri
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa Bagalagel
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud Fahmi Elsebai
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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5
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Blisnick AA, Šimo L, Grillon C, Fasani F, Brûlé S, Le Bonniec B, Prina E, Marsot M, Relmy A, Blaise-Boisseau S, Richardson J, Bonnet SI. The Immunomodulatory Effect of IrSPI, a Tick Salivary Gland Serine Protease Inhibitor Involved in Ixodes ricinus Tick Feeding. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7040148. [PMID: 31614804 PMCID: PMC6963187 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are the most important vectors of pathogens affecting both domestic and wild animals worldwide. Hard tick feeding is a slow process—taking up to several days—and necessitates extended control over the host response. The success of the feeding process depends upon injection of tick saliva, which not only controls host hemostasis and wound healing, but also subverts the host immune response to avoid tick rejection that creates a favorable niche for the survival and propagation of diverse tick-borne pathogens. Here, we report on the molecular and biochemical features and functions of an Ixodes ricinus serine protease inhibitor (IrSPI). We characterize IrSPI as a Kunitz elastase inhibitor that is overexpressed in several tick organs—especially salivary glands—during blood-feeding. We also demonstrated that when IrSPI is injected into the host through saliva, it had no impact on tissue factor pathway-induced coagulation, fibrinolysis, endothelial cell angiogenesis or apoptosis, but the protein exhibits immunomodulatory activity. In particular, IrSPI represses proliferation of CD4+ T lymphocytes and proinflammatory cytokine secretion from both splenocytes and macrophages. Our study contributes valuable knowledge to tick-host interactions and provides insights that could be further exploited to design anti-tick vaccines targeting this immunomodulator implicated in I. ricinus feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien A Blisnick
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94701 Maisons-Alfort CEDEX, France.
| | - Ladislav Šimo
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94701 Maisons-Alfort CEDEX, France.
| | - Catherine Grillon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire-UPR 4301 CNRS, 45000 Orléans, France.
| | - Fabienne Fasani
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire-UPR 4301 CNRS, 45000 Orléans, France.
| | - Sébastien Brûlé
- Plateforme de Biophysique moléculaire, Institut Pasteur, UMR 3528 CNRS, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Bernard Le Bonniec
- INSERM UMR-S1140, Faculté de Pharmacie Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75270 Paris CEDEX 06, France.
| | - Eric Prina
- Unité de Parasitologie moléculaire et Signalisation-INSERM U1201, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Maud Marsot
- Unité EPI, Animal Health Laboratory, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94701 Maisons-Alfort CEDEX, France.
| | - Anthony Relmy
- UMR Virologie 1161, Animal Health Laboratory, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94701 Maisons-Alfort CEDEX, France.
| | - Sandra Blaise-Boisseau
- UMR Virologie 1161, Animal Health Laboratory, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94701 Maisons-Alfort CEDEX, France.
| | - Jennifer Richardson
- UMR Virologie 1161, Animal Health Laboratory, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94701 Maisons-Alfort CEDEX, France.
| | - Sarah I Bonnet
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94701 Maisons-Alfort CEDEX, France.
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6
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Luo X, Zhu W, Ding L, Ye X, Gao H, Tai X, Wu Z, Qian Y, Ruan X, Li J, Li S, Chen Z. Bldesin, the first functionally characterized pathogenic fungus defensin with Kv1.3 channel and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2018; 33:e22244. [PMID: 30381903 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Fungus defensin is a kind of important natural peptide resource, such as plectasin from the soil fungus Pseudoplectania nigrella with potential application in the antimicrobial peptide lead drug discovery. Here, a fungus defensin named Bldesin with Kv1.3 channel and serine protease inhibitory activities was first explored. By GST-Bldesin fusion expression and enterokinase cleaving strategy, recombinant Bldesin was obtained successfully. Antimicrobial assays showed that Bldesin had potent activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, but had no effect on Gram-negative Escherichia coli. Electrophysiological experiments showed that Bldesin had Kv1.3 channel inhibitory activity. Serine protease inhibitory associated experiments showed that Bldesin had unique chymotrypsin protease inhibitory, elastase protease inhibitory, and serine protease-associated coagulation inhibitory activities. To the best of our knowledge, Bldesin is the first functionally characterized pathogenic fungus defensin with Kv1.3 channel and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities and highlighted novel pharmacological effects of fungus-derived defensin peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Wen Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Dongfeng hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Xiangdong Ye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Huanhuan Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Xuejiao Tai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Zheng Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Yi Qian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Xuzhi Ruan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Shan Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Zongyun Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
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7
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Amorim FG, Cordeiro FA, Pinheiro-Júnior EL, Boldrini-França J, Arantes EC. Microbial production of toxins from the scorpion venom: properties and applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:6319-6331. [PMID: 29858954 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9122-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Scorpion venom are composed mainly of bioactive proteins and peptides that may serve as lead compounds for the design of biotechnological tools and therapeutic drugs. However, exploring the therapeutic potential of scorpion venom components is mainly impaired by the low yield of purified toxins from milked venom. Therefore, production of toxin-derived peptides and proteins by heterologous expression is the strategy of choice for research groups and pharmaceutical industry to overcome this limitation. Recombinant expression in microorganisms is often the first choice, since bacteria and yeast systems combine high level of recombinant protein expression, fast cell growth and multiplication and simple media requirement. Herein, we present a comprehensive revision, which describes the scorpion venom components that were produced in their recombinant forms using microbial systems. In addition, we highlight the pros and cons of performing the heterologous expression of these compounds, regarding the particularities of each microorganism and how these processes can affect the application of these venom components. The most used microbial system in the heterologous expression of scorpion venom components is Escherichia coli (85%), and among all the recombinant venom components produced, 69% were neurotoxins. This review may light up future researchers in the choice of the best expression system to produce scorpion venom components of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Gobbi Amorim
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, Brazil.
| | - Francielle Almeida Cordeiro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Ernesto Lopes Pinheiro-Júnior
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Johara Boldrini-França
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Eliane Candiani Arantes
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, Brazil.
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8
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Muthu S, Gopal VB, Karthik S. N, Sivaji P, Malairaj S, Lakshmikanthan M, Subramani N, Perumal P. Antibacterial cysteine protease from Cissus quadrangularis L. Int J Biol Macromol 2017; 103:878-888. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.05.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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9
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Wu W, Li Z, Ma Y. Adaptive evolution of insect selective excitatory β-type sodium channel neurotoxins from scorpion venom. Peptides 2017; 92:31-37. [PMID: 28363794 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Insect selective excitatory β-type sodium channel neurotoxins from scorpion venom (β-NaScTxs) are composed of about 70-76 amino acid residues and share a common scaffold stabilized by four unique disulfide bonds. The phylogenetic analysis of these toxins was hindered by limited sequence data. In our recent study, two new insect selective excitatory β-NaScTxs, LmIT and ImIT, were isolated from Lychas mucronatus and Isometrus maculatus, respectively. With the sequences previously reported, we examined the adaptive molecular evolution of insect selective excitatory β-NaScTxs by estimating the nonsynonymous-to-synonymous rate ratio (ω=dN/dS). The results revealed 12 positively selected sites in the genes of insect selective excitatory β-NaScTxs. Moreover, these positively selected sites match well with the sites important for interacting with sodium channels, as demonstrated in previous mutagenesis study. These results reveal that adaptive evolution after gene duplication is one of the most important genetic mechanisms of scorpion neurotoxin diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlan Wu
- Medical School, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan Province, PR China.
| | - Zhongjie Li
- Medical School, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Yibao Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.
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10
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Protease inhibitor in scorpion (Mesobuthus eupeus) venom prolongs the biological activities of the crude venom. Chin J Nat Med 2017; 14:607-14. [PMID: 27608950 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(16)30071-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
It is hypothesized that protease inhibitors play an essential role in survival of venomous animals through protecting peptide/protein toxins from degradation by proteases in their prey or predators. However, the biological function of protease inhibitors in scorpion venoms remains unknown. In the present study, a trypsin inhibitor was purified and characterized from the venom of scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus, which enhanced the biological activities of crude venom components in mice when injected in combination with crude venom. This protease inhibitor, named MeKTT-1, belonged to Kunitz-type toxins subfamily. Native MeKTT-1 selectively inhibited trypsin with a Kivalue of 130 nmol·L(-1). Furthermore, MeKTT-1 was shown to be a thermo-stable peptide. In animal behavioral tests, MeKTT-1 prolonged the pain behavior induced by scorpion crude venom, suggesting that protease inhibitors in scorpion venom inhibited proteases and protect the functionally important peptide/protein toxins from degradation, consequently keeping them active longer. In conclusion, this was the first experimental evidence about the natural existence of serine protease inhibitor in the venom of scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus, which preserved the activity of venom components, suggests that scorpions may use protease inhibitors for survival.
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11
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Wang X, Gao B, Zhu S. Exon Shuffling and Origin of Scorpion Venom Biodiversity. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 9:toxins9010010. [PMID: 28035955 PMCID: PMC5308243 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venom is a complex combinatorial library of peptides and proteins with multiple biological functions. A combination of transcriptomic and proteomic techniques has revealed its enormous molecular diversity, as identified by the presence of a large number of ion channel-targeted neurotoxins with different folds, membrane-active antimicrobial peptides, proteases, and protease inhibitors. Although the biodiversity of scorpion venom has long been known, how it arises remains unsolved. In this work, we analyzed the exon-intron structures of an array of scorpion venom protein-encoding genes and unexpectedly found that nearly all of these genes possess a phase-1 intron (one intron located between the first and second nucleotides of a codon) near the cleavage site of a signal sequence despite their mature peptides remarkably differ. This observation matches a theory of exon shuffling in the origin of new genes and suggests that recruitment of different folds into scorpion venom might be achieved via shuffling between body protein-coding genes and ancestral venom gland-specific genes that presumably contributed tissue-specific regulatory elements and secretory signal sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueli Wang
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
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Cremonez CM, Maiti M, Peigneur S, Cassoli JS, Dutra AAA, Waelkens E, Lescrinier E, Herdewijn P, de Lima ME, Pimenta AMC, Arantes EC, Tytgat J. Structural and Functional Elucidation of Peptide Ts11 Shows Evidence of a Novel Subfamily of Scorpion Venom Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8100288. [PMID: 27706049 PMCID: PMC5086648 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8100288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, several families of peptide toxins specifically interacting with ion channels in scorpion venom have been described. One of these families comprise peptide toxins (called KTxs), known to modulate potassium channels. Thus far, 202 KTxs have been reported, belonging to several subfamilies of KTxs (called α, β, γ, κ, δ, and λ-KTxs). Here we report on a previously described orphan toxin from Tityus serrulatus venom, named Ts11. We carried out an in-depth structure-function analysis combining 3D structure elucidation of Ts11 and electrophysiological characterization of the toxin. The Ts11 structure is highlighted by an Inhibitor Cystine Knot (ICK) type scaffold, completely devoid of the classical secondary structure elements (α-helix and/or β-strand). This has, to the best of our knowledge, never been described before for scorpion toxins and therefore represents a novel, 6th type of structural fold for these scorpion peptides. On the basis of their preferred interaction with voltage-gated K channels, as compared to all the other targets tested, it can be postulated that Ts11 is the first member of a new subfamily, designated as ε-KTx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M Cremonez
- Laboratório de Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Física e Química, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, São Paulo, Brasil.
| | - Mohitosh Maiti
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology & Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Juliana Silva Cassoli
- Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brasil.
| | - Alexandre A A Dutra
- Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brasil.
| | - Etienne Waelkens
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation and Proteomics, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Eveline Lescrinier
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Maria Elena de Lima
- Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brasil.
| | - Adriano M C Pimenta
- Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brasil.
| | - Eliane C Arantes
- Laboratório de Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Física e Química, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, São Paulo, Brasil.
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology & Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
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Computational Studies of Venom Peptides Targeting Potassium Channels. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:5194-211. [PMID: 26633507 PMCID: PMC4690127 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7124877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Small peptides isolated from the venom of animals are potential scaffolds for ion channel drug discovery. This review article mainly focuses on the computational studies that have advanced our understanding of how various toxins interfere with the function of K+ channels. We introduce the computational tools available for the study of toxin-channel interactions. We then discuss how these computational tools have been fruitfully applied to elucidate the mechanisms of action of a wide range of venom peptides from scorpions, spiders, and sea anemone.
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Post-transcriptional control of Amblyomin-X on secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor and expression of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells. Toxicon 2015; 101:1-10. [PMID: 25912945 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a pivotal process of homeostasis and tissue repair, but it also favours neovascularisation syndromes and cancer nutrition. The chemical mediation of angiogenesis is complex, involving a balance between serine proteases and their inhibitors. We addressed the mechanisms of action of a Kunitz serine protease inhibitor (KPI) on spontaneous angiogenesis, using Amblyomin-X, a KPI designed from the cDNA library of the Amblyomma cajennense tick. Amblyomin-X treatment (10-1000 ng/10 μL; each 48 h; 3 times) reduced the number of vessels in the subcutaneous dorsal tissue of male Swiss mice, as measured by intravital microscopy, haematoxylin-eosin staining, and PECAM-1 immunofluorescence labeling. Incubation of Amblyomin-X with t-End endothelial cells, a murine endothelial microvascular lineage, did not alter cell proliferation, cell-cycle phases, necrosis and apoptosis, and the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2. Nevertheless, Amblyomin-X treatment reduced t-End migration and adhesion to Matrigel(®), and inhibited the VEGF-A secretion and VCAM-1 and β3 integrin expressions by posttranscriptional pathways. Together, data herein outline novel posttranscriptional mechanisms of KPIs on endothelial cells during angiogenesis and point out the possible application of Amblyomin-X as a local inhibitor to undesired neovascularisation process.
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Cao Z, Di Z, Wu Y, Li W. Overview of scorpion species from China and their toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2014; 6:796-815. [PMID: 24577583 PMCID: PMC3968362 DOI: 10.3390/toxins6030796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Revised: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpions are one of the most ancient groups of terrestrial animals. They have maintained a steady morphology over more than 400 million years of evolution. Their venom arsenals for capturing prey and defending against predators may play a critical role in their ancient and conservative appearance. In the current review, we present the scorpion fauna of China: 53 species covering five families and 12 genera. We also systematically list toxins or genes from Chinese scorpion species, involving eight species covering four families. Furthermore, we review the diverse functions of typical toxins from Chinese scorpion species, involving Na+ channel modulators, K+ channel blockers, antimicrobial peptides and protease inhibitors. Using scorpion species and their toxins from China as an example, we build the bridge between scorpion species and their toxins, which helps us to understand the molecular and functional diversity of scorpion venom arsenal, the dynamic and functional evolution of scorpion toxins, and the potential relationships of scorpion species and their toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Zhiyong Di
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Wenxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
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