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Biological and Medical Aspects Related to South American Rattlesnake Crotalus durissus (Linnaeus, 1758): A View from Colombia. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120875. [PMID: 36548772 PMCID: PMC9784998 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In Colombia, South America, there is a subspecies of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus, C. d. cumanensis, a snake of the Viperidae family, whose presence has been reduced due to the destruction of its habitat. It is an enigmatic snake from the group of pit vipers, venomous, with large articulated front fangs, special designs on its body, and a characteristic rattle on its tail. Unlike in Brazil, the occurrence of human envenomation by C. durisus in Colombia is very rare and contributes to less than 1% of envenomation caused by snakes. Its venom is a complex cocktail of proteins with different biological effects, which evolved with the purpose of paralyzing the prey, killing it, and starting its digestive process, as well as having defense functions. When its venom is injected into humans as the result of a bite, the victim presents with both local tissue damage and with systemic involvement, including a diverse degree of neurotoxic, myotoxic, nephrotoxic, and coagulopathic effects, among others. Its biological effects are being studied for use in human health, including the possible development of analgesic, muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, anti-infection, and antineoplastic drugs. Several groups of researchers in Brazil are very active in their contributions in this regard. In this work, a review is made of the most relevant biological and medical aspects related to the South American rattlesnake and of what may be of importance for a better understanding of the snake C. d. cumanensis, present in Colombia and Venezuela.
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2
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Nogrado K, Adisakwattana P, Reamtong O. Antimicrobial peptides: On future antiprotozoal and anthelminthic applications. Acta Trop 2022; 235:106665. [PMID: 36030045 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Control and elimination of parasitic diseases are nowadays further complicated by emergence of drug resistance. Drug resistance is a serious threat as there are not many effective antiparasitic drugs available. Aside from drug resistance, it is also favorable to look for alternative therapeutics that have lesser adverse effects. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) were found to address these issues. Some of its desirable traits are they are fast-acting, it has broad action that the pathogen will have difficulty developing resistance to, it has high specificity, and most importantly there are extensive sources such as bacteria; invertebrate and vertebrate animals as well as plants. Aside from this, AMPs are also found to modulate the immune response. This review would like to describe AMPs that have been studied for their antiparasitic activities especially on parasitic diseases that causes high mortality and exhibits drug resistance like malaria and leishmaniasis and to discuss the mechanism of action of these AMPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathyleen Nogrado
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Onrapak Reamtong
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
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3
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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: 37117308 PMCID: PMC9185726 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-022-00393-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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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4
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de Moura GA, de Oliveira JR, Rocha YM, de Oliveira Freitas J, Rodrigues JPV, Ferreira VPG, Nicolete R. Antitumor and antiparasitic activity of antimicrobial peptides derived from snake venom: a systematic review approach. Curr Med Chem 2022; 29:5358-5368. [PMID: 35524668 DOI: 10.2174/0929867329666220507011719] [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: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a scenario of increased pathogens with multidrug resistance phenotypes, it is necessary to seek new pharmacological options. This fact is responsible for an increase in neoplasms and multiresistant parasitic diseases. In turn, snake venom-derived peptides exhibited cytotoxic action on fungal and bacterial strains, possibly presenting activities in resistant tumor cells and parasites. Therefore, the aim of this work is to verify an antitumor and antiparasitic activity of antimicrobial peptides derived from snake venom. METHODS For this purpose, searches were performed in the Pubmed, Embase and Virtual Health Library databases by combining the descriptors peptides, venom and snake with antitumor/ antiparasitic agent and in silico. The inclusion criteria: in vitro and in vivo experimental articles in addition to in silico studies. The exclusion criteria: articles that were out of scope, review articles, abstracts, and letters to the reader. Data extracted: peptide name, peptide sequence, semi-maximal inhibitory concentration, snake species, tumor lineage or parasitic strain, cytotoxicity, in vitro and in vivo activity. RESULTS In total 164 articles were found, of which 14 were used. A total of ten peptides with antiproliferative activity on tumor cells were identified. Among the articles, seven peptides addressed the antiparasitic activity. CONCLUSION In conclusion, snake venom-derived peptides can be considered as potential pharmacological options for parasites and tumors, however more studies are needed to prove their specific activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juliana R de Oliveira
- Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz Ceará), Eusébio-CE, Brazil.,Northeast Network of Biotechnology (RENORBIO), State University of Ceará (UECE), Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
| | - Yasmim M Rocha
- Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz Ceará), Eusébio-CE, Brazil.,Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
| | | | - João Pedro V Rodrigues
- Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz Ceará), Eusébio-CE, Brazil.,Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
| | - Vanessa P G Ferreira
- Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz Ceará), Eusébio-CE, Brazil.,Northeast Network of Biotechnology (RENORBIO), State University of Ceará (UECE), Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
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5
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Roque-Borda CA, Gualque MWDL, da Fonseca FH, Pavan FR, Santos-Filho NA. Nanobiotechnology with Therapeutically Relevant Macromolecules from Animal Venoms: Venoms, Toxins, and Antimicrobial Peptides. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:891. [PMID: 35631477 PMCID: PMC9146920 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Some diseases of uncontrolled proliferation such as cancer, as well as infectious diseases, are the main cause of death in the world, and their causative agents have rapidly developed resistance to the various existing treatments, making them even more dangerous. Thereby, the discovery of new therapeutic agents is a challenge promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO). Biomacromolecules, isolated or synthesized from a natural template, have therapeutic properties which have not yet been fully studied, and represent an unexplored potential in the search for new drugs. These substances, starting from conglomerates of proteins and other substances such as animal venoms, or from minor substances such as bioactive peptides, help fight diseases or counteract harmful effects. The high effectiveness of these biomacromolecules makes them promising substances for obtaining new drugs; however, their low bioavailability or stability in biological systems is a challenge to be overcome in the coming years with the help of nanotechnology. The objective of this review article is to describe the relationship between the structure and function of biomacromolecules of animal origin that have applications already described using nanotechnology and targeted delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Augusto Roque-Borda
- Tuberculosis Research Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (C.A.R.-B.); (F.R.P.)
| | - Marcos William de Lima Gualque
- Proteomics Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil;
| | - Fauller Henrique da Fonseca
- Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil;
| | - Fernando Rogério Pavan
- Tuberculosis Research Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (C.A.R.-B.); (F.R.P.)
| | - Norival Alves Santos-Filho
- Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil;
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6
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Porta LC, Campeiro JD, Hayashi MAF. A Native CPP from Rattlesnake with Therapeutic and Theranostic Properties. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2383:91-104. [PMID: 34766284 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1752-6_6] [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] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are characterized by the ability of internalization into cells in vitro and in vivo, and the ability of these peptides can rely on a high content of positive charges, as it is the case of the native CPP crotamine. Crotamine is a polypeptide of about 42 amino acid residues with high content of basic residues as Arg and Lys. Although most of known CPPs are linear peptides, native crotamine from the venom of a South American rattlesnake has a well-defined 3D structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds which guarantee the exposure of side chains of basic amino acids. This 3D structure also protects this amphipathic polypeptide from the degradation even if administered by oral route, therefore, protecting also the biological activities of crotamine. As several different biological properties of crotamine are dependent of cell penetration, the methods mainly employed for analyzing crotamine properties as anthelminthic and antimalarial activities, antimicrobial and antitumor activities, with a unique selective cytotoxic property against actively proliferating cells, as tumor cells, were chosen based on crotamine ability of internalization mediated by its positive charge. This native cationic polypeptide is also able to efficiently carry, with no need of covalent linkage with the cargo, genetic material into cells in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its use in gene therapy. Moreover, the possibility of decorating gold nanoparticles keeping the ability of transfecting cells was demonstrated. More recently, the ability of crotamine to interfere in animal metabolism, inducing browning of adipose tissue and increasing the energy expenditure, and its application in renal therapy was demonstrated. As crotamine also accumulates specifically in tumor cells in vivo, and the potential utility of crotamine as a theranostic agent was then suggested. Therefore, diverse methodologies employed for the characterization and exploration of the therapeutic applications of this promising native CPP for remediation of several pathogenic conditions are presented here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas C Porta
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Joana D'Arc Campeiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mirian A F Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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7
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Hayashi MAF, Campeiro JD, Yonamine CM. Revisiting the potential of South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus toxins as therapeutic, theranostic and/or biotechnological agents. Toxicon 2021; 206:1-13. [PMID: 34896407 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The potential biotechnological and biomedical applications of the animal venom components are widely recognized. Indeed, many components have been used either as drugs or as templates/prototypes for the development of innovative pharmaceutical drugs, among which many are still used for the treatment of human diseases. A specific South American rattlesnake, named Crotalus durissus terrificus, shows a venom composition relatively simpler compared to any viper or other snake species belonging to the Crotalus genus, although presenting a set of toxins with high potential for the treatment of several still unmet human therapeutic needs, as reviewed in this work. In addition to the main toxin named crotoxin, which is under clinical trials studies for antitumoral therapy and which has also anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities, other toxins from the C. d. terrificus venom are also being studied, aiming for a wide variety of therapeutic applications, including as antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, antitumoral or antiparasitic agent, or as modulator of animal metabolism, fibrin sealant (fibrin glue), gene carrier or theranostic agent. Among these rattlesnake toxins, the most relevant, considering the potential clinical applications, are crotamine, crotalphine and gyroxin. In this narrative revision, we propose to organize and present briefly the updates in the accumulated knowledge on potential therapeutic applications of toxins collectively found exclusively in the venom of this specific South American rattlesnake, with the objective of contributing to increase the chances of success in the discovery of drugs based on toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirian A F Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), SP, Brazil.
| | - Joana D Campeiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), SP, Brazil
| | - Camila M Yonamine
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), SP, Brazil.
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8
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Campeiro JD, Nani JV, Monte GG, Almeida PGC, Mori MA, Hayashi MAF. Regulation of monoamine levels by typical and atypical antipsychotics in Caenorhabditis elegans mutant for nuclear distribution element genes. Neurochem Int 2021; 147:105047. [PMID: 33872680 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian nuclear distribution genes encode proteins with essential roles in neuronal migration and brain formation during embryogenesis. The implication of human nuclear distribution genes, namely nudC and NDE1 (Nuclear Distribution Element 1)/NDEL1 (Nuclear Distribution Element-Like 1), in psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, has been recently described. The partial loss of NDEL1 expression results in neuronal migration defects, while ndel1 null knockout (KO) leads to early embryonic lethality in mice. On the other hand, loss-of-function of the orthologs of nuclear distribution element genes (nud) in Caenorhabditis elegans renders viable worms and influences behavioral endophenotypes associated with dopaminergic and serotoninergic pathways. In the present work, we evaluated the role of nud genes in monoamine levels at baseline and after the treatment with typical or atypical antipsychotics. Dopamine, serotonin and octopamine levels were significantly lower in homozygous loss-of-function mutant worms KO for nud genes compared with wild-type (WT) C. elegans at baseline. While treatment with antipsychotics determined significant differences in monoamine levels in WT, the nud KO mutant worms appear to respond differently to the treatment. According to the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report the influence of nud genes in the monoamine levels changes in response to antipsychotic drugs, ultimately placing the nuclear distribution genes family at the cornerstone of pathways involved in the modulation of monoamines in response to different classes of antipsychotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana D'Arc Campeiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil
| | - João V Nani
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil; National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM, CNPq), Brazil
| | - Gabriela G Monte
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil
| | - Priscila G C Almeida
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil
| | - Marcelo A Mori
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Mirian A F Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil; National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM, CNPq), Brazil.
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9
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Herzig V, Cristofori-Armstrong B, Israel MR, Nixon SA, Vetter I, King GF. Animal toxins - Nature's evolutionary-refined toolkit for basic research and drug discovery. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 181:114096. [PMID: 32535105 PMCID: PMC7290223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Venomous animals have evolved toxins that interfere with specific components of their victim's core physiological systems, thereby causing biological dysfunction that aids in prey capture, defense against predators, or other roles such as intraspecific competition. Many animal lineages evolved venom systems independently, highlighting the success of this strategy. Over the course of evolution, toxins with exceptional specificity and high potency for their intended molecular targets have prevailed, making venoms an invaluable and almost inexhaustible source of bioactive molecules, some of which have found use as pharmacological tools, human therapeutics, and bioinsecticides. Current biomedically-focused research on venoms is directed towards their use in delineating the physiological role of toxin molecular targets such as ion channels and receptors, studying or treating human diseases, targeting vectors of human diseases, and treating microbial and parasitic infections. We provide examples of each of these areas of venom research, highlighting the potential that venom molecules hold for basic research and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Herzig
- School of Science & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.
| | | | - Mathilde R Israel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Samantha A Nixon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.
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10
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Tasima LJ, Serino-Silva C, Hatakeyama DM, Nishiduka ES, Tashima AK, Sant'Anna SS, Grego KF, de Morais-Zani K, Tanaka-Azevedo AM. Crotamine in Crotalus durissus: distribution according to subspecies and geographic origin, in captivity or nature. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2020; 26:e20190053. [PMID: 32362925 PMCID: PMC7187639 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2019-0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Crotalus durissus is considered one of the most important
species of venomous snakes in Brazil, due to the high mortality of its
snakebites. The venom of Crotalus durissus contains four
main toxins: crotoxin, convulxin, gyroxin and crotamine. Venoms can vary in
their crotamine content, being crotamine-negative or -positive. This
heterogeneity is of great importance for producing antivenom, due to their
different mechanisms of action. The possibility that antivenom produced by
Butantan Institute might have a different immunorecognition capacity between
crotamine-negative and crotamine-positive C. durissus
venoms instigated us to investigate the differences between these two venom
groups. Methods: The presence of crotamine was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, western blotting and
ELISA, whereas comparison between the two types of venoms was carried out
through HPLC, mass spectrometry analysis as well as assessment of antivenom
lethality and efficacy. Results: The results showed a variation in the presence of crotamine among the
subspecies and the geographic origin of snakes from nature, but not in
captive snakes. Regarding differences between crotamine-positive and
-negative venoms, some exclusive proteins are found in each pool and the
crotamine-negative pool presented more phospholipase A2 than
crotamine-positive pool. This variation could affect the time to death, but
the lethal and effective dose were not affected. Conclusion: These differences between venom pools indicate the importance of using both,
crotamine-positive and crotamine-negative venoms, to produce the
antivenom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lídia J Tasima
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Interinstitutional Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology (PPIB - IPT, IBU and USP), University of São Paulo(USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Caroline Serino-Silva
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Interinstitutional Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology (PPIB - IPT, IBU and USP), University of São Paulo(USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniela M Hatakeyama
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Interinstitutional Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology (PPIB - IPT, IBU and USP), University of São Paulo(USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Erika S Nishiduka
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandre K Tashima
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sávio S Sant'Anna
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Kathleen F Grego
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Karen de Morais-Zani
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Interinstitutional Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology (PPIB - IPT, IBU and USP), University of São Paulo(USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Anita M Tanaka-Azevedo
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Interinstitutional Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology (PPIB - IPT, IBU and USP), University of São Paulo(USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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11
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Falcao CB, Radis-Baptista G. Crotamine and crotalicidin, membrane active peptides from Crotalus durissus terrificus rattlesnake venom, and their structurally-minimized fragments for applications in medicine and biotechnology. Peptides 2020; 126:170234. [PMID: 31857106 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2019.170234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A global public health crisis has emerged with the extensive dissemination of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from plants and animals have represented promising tools to counteract those resistant pathogens due to their multiple pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, anticancer, immunomodulatory and cell-penetrating activities. In this review, we will focus on crotamine and crotalicidin, which are two interesting examples of membrane active peptides derived from the South America rattlesnake Crotalus durrisus terrificus venom. Their full-sequences and structurally-minimized fragments have potential applications, as anti-infective and anti-proliferative agents and diagnostics in medicine and in pharmaceutical biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Borges Falcao
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Brazil; Peter Pan Association to Fight Childhood Cancer, Fortaleza, CE, 60410-770, Brazil.
| | - Gandhi Radis-Baptista
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Av da Abolição 3207, Fortaleza, CE, 60165-081, Brazil.
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12
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Hayashi MAF, Campeiro JD, Porta LC, Szychowski B, Alves WA, Oliveira EB, Kerkis I, Daniel MC, Karpel RL. Crotamine Cell-Penetrating Nanocarriers: Cancer-Targeting and Potential Biotechnological and/or Medical Applications. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2118:61-89. [PMID: 32152971 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0319-2_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Crotamine is a basic, 42-residue polypeptide from snake venom that has been shown to possess cell-penetrating properties. Here we describe the preparation, purification, biochemical and biophysical analysis of venom-derived, recombinant, chemically synthesized, and fluorescent-labeled crotamine. We also describe the formation and characterization of crotamine-DNA and crotamine-RNA nanoparticles; and the delivery of these nanoparticles into cells and animals. Crotamine forms nanoparticles with a variety of DNA and RNA molecules, and crotamine-plasmid DNA nanoparticles are selectively delivered into actively proliferating cells in culture or in living organisms such as mice, Plasmodium, and worms. As such, these nanoparticles could form the basis for a nucleic acid drug-delivery system. We also describe here the design and characterization of crotamine-functionalized gold nanoparticles, and the delivery of these nanoparticles into cells. We also evaluated the viability of using the combination of crotamine with silica nanoparticles in animal models, aiming to provide slow delivery, and to decrease the crotamine doses needed for the biological effects. In addition, the efficacy of administering crotamine orally was also demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirian A F Hayashi
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Joana Darc Campeiro
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Carvalho Porta
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Brian Szychowski
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wendel Andrade Alves
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | - Eduardo B Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Irina Kerkis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marie-Christine Daniel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Richard L Karpel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
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13
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Rodrigues JP, Vasconcelos Azevedo FVP, Zoia MAP, Maia LP, Correia LIV, Costa-Cruz JM, de Melo Rodrigues V, Goulart LR. The Anthelmintic Effect on Strongyloides venezuelensis Induced by BnSP- 6, a Lys49-phospholipase A2 Homologue from Bothrops pauloensis Venom. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:2032-2040. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190723152520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) from snake venoms have a broad potential as
pharmacological tools on medicine. In this context, strongyloidiasis is a neglected parasitic disease
caused by helminths of the genus Strongyloides. Currently, ivermectin is the drug of choice for treatment,
however, besides its notable toxicity, therapeutic failures and cases of drug resistance have been
reported. BnSP-6, from Bothorps pauloensis snake venom, is a PLA2 with depth biochemical characterization,
reporting effects against tumor cells and bacteria.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to demonstrate for the first time the action of the PLA2 on Strongyloides
venezuelensis.
Methods:
After 72 hours of treatment with BnSP-6 mortality of the infective larvae was assessed by motility
assay. Cell and parasite viability was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl
tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Furthermore, autophagic vacuoles were labeled with Monodansylcadaverine
(MDC) and nuclei of apoptotic cells were labeled with Propidium Iodide (PI). Tissue degeneration
of the parasite was highlighted by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
Results:
The mortality index demonstrated that BnSP-6 abolishes the motility of the parasite. In addition,
the MTT assay attested the cytotoxicity of BnSP-6 at lower concentrations when compared with
ivermectin, while autophagic and apoptosis processes were confirmed. Moreover, the anthelmintic effect
was demonstrated by tissue degeneration observed by TEM. Furthermore, we report that BnSP-6
showed low cytotoxicity on human intestinal cells (Caco-2).
Conclusion:
Altogether, our results shed light on the potential of BNSP-6 as an anthelmintic agent,
which can lead to further investigations as a tool for pharmaceutical discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Peixoto Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Av. Amazonas s/n, Campus Umuarama BL-2E, SL-248, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Van Petten Vasconcelos Azevedo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Av. Amazonas s/n, Campus Umuarama BL-2E, SL-227, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Mariana Alves Pereira Zoia
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Av. Amazonas s/n, Campus Umuarama BL-2E, SL-248, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Larissa Prado Maia
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Av. Amazonas s/n, Campus Umuarama BL-2E, SL-248, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Lucas Ian Veloso Correia
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Av. Amazonas s/n, Campus Umuarama BL-2E, SL-227, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Julia Maria Costa-Cruz
- Laboratory of Parasitological Diagnostics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Campus Umuarama BL-4C, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Veridiana de Melo Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Av. Amazonas s/n, Campus Umuarama BL-2E, SL-227, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Luiz Ricardo Goulart
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Av. Amazonas s/n, Campus Umuarama BL-2E, SL-248, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil
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14
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Monte GG, Nani JV, de Almeida Campos MR, Dal Mas C, Marins LAN, Martins LG, Tasic L, Mori MA, Hayashi MAF. Impact of nuclear distribution element genes in the typical and atypical antipsychotics effects on nematode Caenorhabditis elegans: Putative animal model for studying the pathways correlated to schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 92:19-30. [PMID: 30578843 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear distribution element genes are conserved from fungus to humans. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans expresses two isoforms of nuclear distribution element genes, namely nud-1 and nud-2. While nud-1 was functionally demonstrated to be the worm nudC ortholog, bioinformatic analysis revealed that the nud-2 gene encodes the worm ortholog of the mammalian NDE1 (Nuclear Distribution Element 1 or NudE) and NDEL1 (NDE-Like 1 or NudEL) genes, which share overlapping roles in brain development in mammals and also mediate the axon guidance in mammalian and C. elegans neurons. A significantly higher NDEL1 enzyme activity was shown in treatment non-resistant compared to treatment resistant SCZ patients, who essentially present response to the therapy with atypical clozapine but not with typical antipsychotics. Using C. elegans as a model, we tested the consequence of nud genes suppression in the effects of typical and atypical antipsychotics. To assess the role of nud genes and antipsychotic drugs over C. elegans behavior, we measured body bend frequency, egg laying and pharyngeal pumping, which traits are controlled by specific neurons and neurotransmitters known to be involved in SCZ, as dopamine and serotonin. Evaluation of metabolic and behavioral response to the pharmacotherapy with these antipsychotics demonstrates an important unbalance in serotonin pathway in both nud-1 and nud-2 knockout worms, with more significant effects for nud-2 knockout. The present data also show an interesting trend of mutant knockout worm strains to present a metabolic profile closer to that observed for the wild-type animals after the treatment with the typical antipsychotic haloperidol, but which was not observed for the treatment with the atypical antipsychotic clozapine. Paradoxically, behavioral assays showed more evident effects for clozapine than for haloperidol, which is in line with previous studies with rodent animal models and clinical evaluations with SCZ patients. In addition, the validity and reliability of using this experimental animal model to further explore the convergence between the dopamine/serotonin pathways and neurodevelopmental processes was demonstrated here, and the potential usefulness of this model for evaluating the metabolic consequences of treatments with antipsychotics is also suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Guilherme Monte
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João V Nani
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Caroline Dal Mas
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Augusto Negri Marins
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Gelain Martins
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Ljubica Tasic
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo A Mori
- Departament of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Mirian A F Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) São Paulo, Brazil.
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