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Sleep Deprivation and Neurological Disorders. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:5764017. [PMID: 33381558 PMCID: PMC7755475 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5764017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sleep plays an important role in maintaining neuronal circuitry, signalling and helps maintain overall health and wellbeing. Sleep deprivation (SD) disturbs the circadian physiology and exerts a negative impact on brain and behavioural functions. SD impairs the cellular clearance of misfolded neurotoxin proteins like α-synuclein, amyloid-β, and tau which are involved in major neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In addition, SD is also shown to affect the glymphatic system, a glial-dependent metabolic waste clearance pathway, causing accumulation of misfolded faulty proteins in synaptic compartments resulting in cognitive decline. Also, SD affects the immunological and redox system resulting in neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Hence, it is important to understand the molecular and biochemical alterations that are the causative factors leading to these pathophysiological effects on the neuronal system. This review is an attempt in this direction. It provides up-to-date information on the alterations in the key processes, pathways, and proteins that are negatively affected by SD and become reasons for neurological disorders over a prolonged period of time, if left unattended.
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Chua VM, Gajewiak J, Watkins M, Espino SS, Ramiro IBL, Omaga CA, Imperial JS, Carpio LPD, Fedosov A, Safavi-Hemami H, Salvador-Reyes LA, Olivera BM, Concepcion GP. Purification and Characterization of the Pink-Floyd Drillipeptide, a Bioactive Venom Peptide from Clavus davidgilmouri (Gastropoda: Conoidea: Drilliidae). Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12080508. [PMID: 32784699 PMCID: PMC7472735 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12080508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The cone snails (family Conidae) are the best known and most intensively studied venomous marine gastropods. However, of the total biodiversity of venomous marine mollusks (superfamily Conoidea, >20,000 species), cone snails comprise a minor fraction. The venoms of the family Drilliidae, a highly diversified family in Conoidea, have not previously been investigated. In this report, we provide the first biochemical characterization of a component in a Drilliidae venom and define a gene superfamily of venom peptides. A bioactive peptide, cdg14a, was purified from the venom of Clavus davidgilmouri Fedosov and Puillandre, 2020. The peptide is small (23 amino acids), disulfide-rich (4 cysteine residues) and belongs to the J-like drillipeptide gene superfamily. Other members of this superfamily share a conserved signal sequence and the same arrangement of cysteine residues in their predicted mature peptide sequences. The cdg14a peptide was chemically synthesized in its bioactive form. It elicited scratching and hyperactivity, followed by a paw-thumping phenotype in mice. Using the Constellation Pharmacology platform, the cdg14a drillipeptide was shown to cause increased excitability in a majority of non-peptidergic nociceptors, but did not affect other subclasses of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. This suggests that the cdg14a drillipeptide may be blocking a specific molecular isoform of potassium channels. The potency and selectivity of this biochemically characterized drillipeptide suggest that the venoms of the Drilliidae are a rich source of novel and selective ligands for ion channels and other important signaling molecules in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor M. Chua
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Joanna Gajewiak
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Maren Watkins
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Samuel S. Espino
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Iris Bea L. Ramiro
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Carla A. Omaga
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Julita S. Imperial
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Louie Paolo D. Carpio
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
| | - Alexander Fedosov
- Severstov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prospect 33, Moscow 119071, Russia;
| | - Helena Safavi-Hemami
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Lilibeth A. Salvador-Reyes
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
| | - Baldomero M. Olivera
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Gisela P. Concepcion
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
- Correspondence:
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Inagaki RT, Raghuraman S, Chase K, Steele T, Zornik E, Olivera B, Yamaguchi A. Molecular characterization of frog vocal neurons using constellation pharmacology. J Neurophysiol 2020; 123:2297-2310. [PMID: 32374212 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00105.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification and characterization of neuronal cell classes in motor circuits are essential for understanding the neural basis of behavior. It is a challenging task, especially in a non-genetic-model organism, to identify cell-specific expression of functional macromolecules. Here, we performed constellation pharmacology, calcium imaging of dissociated neurons to pharmacologically identify functional receptors expressed by vocal neurons in adult male and female African clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis. Previously we identified a population of vocal neurons called fast trill neurons (FTNs) in the amphibian parabrachial nucleus (PB) that express N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and GABA and/or glycine receptors. Using constellation pharmacology, we identified four cell classes of putative fast trill neurons (pFTNs, responsive to both NMDA and GABA/glycine applications). We discovered that some pFTNs responded to the application of substance P (SP), acetylcholine (ACh), or both. Electrophysiological recordings obtained from FTNs using an ex vivo preparation verified that SP and/or ACh depolarize FTNs. Bilateral injection of ACh, SP, or their antagonists into PBs showed that ACh receptors are not sufficient but necessary for vocal production, and SP receptors play a role in shaping the morphology of vocalizations. Additionally, we discovered that the PB of adult female X. laevis also contains all the subclasses of neurons at a similar frequency as in males, despite their sexually distinct vocalizations. These results reveal novel neuromodulators that regulate X. laevis vocal production and demonstrate the power of constellation pharmacology in identifying the neuronal subtypes marked by functional expression of cell-specific receptors in non-genetic-model organisms.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Molecular profiles of neurons are critical for understanding the neuronal functions, but their identification is challenging especially in non-genetic-model organisms. Here, we characterized the functional expression of membrane macromolecules in vocal neurons of African clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis, using a technique called constellation pharmacology. We discovered that receptors for acetylcholine and/or substance P are expressed by some classes of vocal neurons, and their activation plays a role in the production of normal vocalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota T Inagaki
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | | | - Kevin Chase
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | | | - Erik Zornik
- Biology Department, Reed College, Portland, Oregon
| | - Baldomero Olivera
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Ayako Yamaguchi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Finol-Urdaneta RK, Belovanovic A, Micic-Vicovac M, Kinsella GK, McArthur JR, Al-Sabi A. Marine Toxins Targeting Kv1 Channels: Pharmacological Tools and Therapeutic Scaffolds. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:E173. [PMID: 32245015 PMCID: PMC7143316 DOI: 10.3390/md18030173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxins from marine animals provide molecular tools for the study of many ion channels, including mammalian voltage-gated potassium channels of the Kv1 family. Selectivity profiling and molecular investigation of these toxins have contributed to the development of novel drug leads with therapeutic potential for the treatment of ion channel-related diseases or channelopathies. Here, we review specific peptide and small-molecule marine toxins modulating Kv1 channels and thus cover recent findings of bioactives found in the venoms of marine Gastropod (cone snails), Cnidarian (sea anemones), and small compounds from cyanobacteria. Furthermore, we discuss pivotal advancements at exploiting the interaction of κM-conotoxin RIIIJ and heteromeric Kv1.1/1.2 channels as prevalent neuronal Kv complex. RIIIJ's exquisite Kv1 subtype selectivity underpins a novel and facile functional classification of large-diameter dorsal root ganglion neurons. The vast potential of marine toxins warrants further collaborative efforts and high-throughput approaches aimed at the discovery and profiling of Kv1-targeted bioactives, which will greatly accelerate the development of a thorough molecular toolbox and much-needed therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio K. Finol-Urdaneta
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia;
- Electrophysiology Facility for Cell Phenotyping and Drug Discovery, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Aleksandra Belovanovic
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait; (A.B.); (M.M.-V.)
| | - Milica Micic-Vicovac
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait; (A.B.); (M.M.-V.)
| | - Gemma K. Kinsella
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, College of Sciences and Health, Technological University Dublin, D07 ADY7 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Jeffrey R. McArthur
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia;
| | - Ahmed Al-Sabi
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait; (A.B.); (M.M.-V.)
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High-Throughput Fluorescence Assays for Ion Channels and GPCRs. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1131:27-72. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-12457-1_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Neves JLB, Imperial JS, Morgenstern D, Ueberheide B, Gajewiak J, Antunes A, Robinson SD, Espino S, Watkins M, Vasconcelos V, Olivera BM. Characterization of the First Conotoxin from Conus ateralbus, a Vermivorous Cone Snail from the Cabo Verde Archipelago. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17080432. [PMID: 31344776 PMCID: PMC6723684 DOI: 10.3390/md17080432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Conus ateralbus is a cone snail endemic to the west side of the island of Sal, in the Cabo Verde Archipelago off West Africa. We describe the isolation and characterization of the first bioactive peptide from the venom of this species. This 30AA venom peptide is named conotoxin AtVIA (δ-conotoxin-like). An excitatory activity was manifested by the peptide on a majority of mouse lumbar dorsal root ganglion neurons. An analog of AtVIA with conservative changes on three amino acid residues at the C-terminal region was synthesized and this analog produced an identical effect on the mouse neurons. AtVIA has homology with δ-conotoxins from other worm-hunters, which include conserved sequence elements that are shared with δ-conotoxins from fish-hunting Conus. In contrast, there is no comparable sequence similarity with δ-conotoxins from the venoms of molluscivorous Conus species. A rationale for the potential presence of δ-conotoxins, that are potent in vertebrate systems in two different lineages of worm-hunting cone snails, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge L B Neves
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Terminal de Cruzeiros, do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal.
- FECM-Faculty of Engineering and Marine Science, University of Cabo Verde, Mindelo CP 163, Cabo Verde.
| | - Julita S Imperial
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - David Morgenstern
- Langone Medical Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Beatrix Ueberheide
- Langone Medical Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Joanna Gajewiak
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Terminal de Cruzeiros, do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Samuel D Robinson
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Samuel Espino
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Maren Watkins
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Vitor Vasconcelos
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Terminal de Cruzeiros, do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Baldomero M Olivera
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Safavi-Hemami H, Brogan SE, Olivera BM. Pain therapeutics from cone snail venoms: From Ziconotide to novel non-opioid pathways. J Proteomics 2018; 190:12-20. [PMID: 29777871 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
There have been numerous attempts to develop non-opioid drugs for severe pain, but the vast majority of these efforts have failed. A notable exception is Ziconotide (Prialt®), approved by the FDA in 2004. In this review, we summarize the present status of Ziconotide as a therapeutic drug and introduce a wider framework: the potential of venom peptides from cone snails as a resource providing a continuous pipeline for the discovery of non-opioid pain therapeutics. An auxiliary theme that we hope to develop is that these venoms, already a validated starting point for non-opioid drug leads, should also provide an opportunity for identifying novel molecular targets for future pain drugs. This review comprises several sections: the first focuses on Ziconotide as a therapeutic (including a historical retrospective and a clinical perspective); followed by sections on other promising Conus venom peptides that are either in clinical or pre-clinical development. We conclude with a discussion on why the outlook for discovery appears exceptionally promising. The combination of new technologies in diverse fields, including the development of novel high-content assays and revolutionary advancements in transcriptomics and proteomics, puts us at the cusp of providing a continuous pipeline of non-opioid drug innovations for pain. SIGNIFICANCE: The current opioid epidemic is the deadliest drug crisis in American history. Thus, this review on the discovery of non-opioid pain therapeutics and pathways from cone snail venoms is significant and timely.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shane E Brogan
- Anesthesiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States; Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Baldomero M Olivera
- Departments of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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Evidence for an antihypertensive effect of a land snail (Helix aspersa) by-product hydrolysate – Identification of involved peptides. J Funct Foods 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2016.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Teichert RW, Schmidt EW, Olivera BM. Constellation pharmacology: a new paradigm for drug discovery. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2015; 55:573-89. [PMID: 25562646 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010814-124551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Constellation pharmacology is a cell-based high-content phenotypic-screening platform that utilizes subtype-selective pharmacological agents to elucidate the cell-specific combinations (constellations) of key signaling proteins that define specific cell types. Heterogeneous populations of native cells, in which the different individual cell types have been identified and characterized, are the foundation for this screening platform. Constellation pharmacology is useful for screening small molecules or for deconvoluting complex mixtures of biologically active natural products. This platform has been used to purify natural products and discover their molecular mechanisms. In the ongoing development of constellation pharmacology, there is a positive feedback loop between the pharmacological characterization of cell types and screening for new drug candidates. As constellation pharmacology is used to discover compounds with novel targeting-selectivity profiles, those new compounds then further help to elucidate the constellations of specific cell types, thereby increasing the content of this high-content platform.
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Structure and function of μ-conotoxins, peptide-based sodium channel blockers with analgesic activity. Future Med Chem 2015; 6:1677-98. [PMID: 25406007 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.14.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
μ-Conotoxins block voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) and compete with tetrodotoxin for binding to the sodium conductance pore. Early efforts identified µ-conotoxins that preferentially blocked the skeletal muscle subtype (NaV1.4). However, the last decade witnessed a significant increase in the number of µ-conotoxins and the range of VGSC subtypes inhibited (NaV1.2, NaV1.3 or NaV1.7). Twenty µ-conotoxin sequences have been identified to date and structure-activity relationship studies of several of these identified key residues responsible for interactions with VGSC subtypes. Efforts to engineer-in subtype specificity are driven by in vivo analgesic and neuromuscular blocking activities. This review summarizes structural and pharmacological studies of µ-conotoxins, which show promise for development of selective blockers of NaV1.2, and perhaps also NaV1.1,1.3 or 1.7.
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von Reumont BM, Campbell LI, Jenner RA. Quo vadis venomics? A roadmap to neglected venomous invertebrates. Toxins (Basel) 2014; 6:3488-551. [PMID: 25533518 PMCID: PMC4280546 DOI: 10.3390/toxins6123488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Venomics research is being revolutionized by the increased use of sensitive -omics techniques to identify venom toxins and their transcripts in both well studied and neglected venomous taxa. The study of neglected venomous taxa is necessary both for understanding the full diversity of venom systems that have evolved in the animal kingdom, and to robustly answer fundamental questions about the biology and evolution of venoms without the distorting effect that can result from the current bias introduced by some heavily studied taxa. In this review we draw the outlines of a roadmap into the diversity of poorly studied and understood venomous and putatively venomous invertebrates, which together represent tens of thousands of unique venoms. The main groups we discuss are crustaceans, flies, centipedes, non-spider and non-scorpion arachnids, annelids, molluscs, platyhelminths, nemerteans, and echinoderms. We review what is known about the morphology of the venom systems in these groups, the composition of their venoms, and the bioactivities of the venoms to provide researchers with an entry into a large and scattered literature. We conclude with a short discussion of some important methodological aspects that have come to light with the recent use of new -omics techniques in the study of venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lahcen I Campbell
- Department of Life Sciences, the Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD London, UK.
| | - Ronald A Jenner
- Department of Life Sciences, the Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD London, UK.
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Abstract
Components from venoms have stimulated many drug discovery projects, with some notable successes. These are briefly reviewed, from captopril to ziconotide. However, there have been many more disappointments on the road from toxin discovery to approval of a new medicine. Drug discovery and development is an inherently risky business, and the main causes of failure during development programmes are outlined in order to highlight steps that might be taken to increase the chances of success with toxin-based drug discovery. These include having a clear focus on unmet therapeutic needs, concentrating on targets that are well-validated in terms of their relevance to the disease in question, making use of phenotypic screening rather than molecular-based assays, and working with development partners with the resources required for the long and expensive development process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan L Harvey
- Research and Innovation Support, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland; Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
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