1
|
Ajdi B, El Asbahani A, El Hidan MA, Bocquet M, Falconnet L, Ait Hamza M, Elmourid A, Touloun O, Boubaker H, Bulet P. Molecular diversity assessed by MALDI mass spectrometry of two scorpion species venom from two different locations in Morocco. Toxicon 2024; 238:107562. [PMID: 38103799 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Scorpion venom is a cocktail of molecules whose composition is remarkably plastic, controlled by several factors. The Moroccan scorpion fauna is characterized by its richness and high rate of endemism and the venom molecular variability of many species is not yet well characterized. The aim of the present study was to highlight the molecular variability of the venom composition of Androctonus amoreuxi and Buthacus stockmanni (endemic species), both belonging to the Buthidae family, collected from two Moroccan regions, Zagora and Tan-tan. Characterization of the molecular mass fingerprints (MFPs) of each specimen was performed by Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) using a sandwich (Sand) and a dried-droplet (DD) sample preparation and dilutions. Considering these two methods, a total of 828 ion signals were detected, and Sand method produced more adducts (56%) than DD (44%). We observed interspecific variations in the venom composition between these two species showing they share 235 ion signals, while 226 and 367 are specific for these two species, respectively. Moreover, B. stockmanni specimens showed a clear difference in their MFPs between the two geographical areas studied, suggesting intraspecific variations. Moreover, specimens from each population also show an intraspecific variability. In addition, for the same individual, a variation in the venom composition was also recorded depending on the milking frequency. Our results confirmed the presence of characteristic components in each extracted venom sample. In conclusion, MFPs assessed by MALDI-MS represent a fast, non-supervised, sensitive, reliable and cost-efficient approach for taxonomic identification and molecular variability characterization. This study undoubtedly represents a step forward for understanding the scorpion venom plasticity, intra/inter variations, and their temporal and geographical variability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boujemaa Ajdi
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ibn Zohr, Agadir, Morocco; Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CR Inserm U1209, CNRSUMR 5309, University of Grenoble-Alpes, 38000, Grenoble, France; Platform BioPark Archamps, 74160, Archamps, France.
| | - Abdelhafed El Asbahani
- Applied Chemistry and Environment Laboratory, Team of Bio-organic Chemistry and Natural Substances, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ibn Zohr, Agadir, Morocco.
| | - Moulay Abdelmonaim El Hidan
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Valorization of Natural Resources, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
| | - Michel Bocquet
- Platform BioPark Archamps, 74160, Archamps, France; Apimedia, 74370, Annecy, France
| | | | - Mohamed Ait Hamza
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Valorization of Natural Resources, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
| | - Abdessamad Elmourid
- Polyvalent Team in Research and Development (EPVRD), Department of Biology & Geology, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, 23030, Morocco.
| | - Oulaid Touloun
- Polyvalent Team in Research and Development (EPVRD), Department of Biology & Geology, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, 23030, Morocco.
| | - Hassan Boubaker
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ibn Zohr, Agadir, Morocco.
| | - Philippe Bulet
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CR Inserm U1209, CNRSUMR 5309, University of Grenoble-Alpes, 38000, Grenoble, France; Platform BioPark Archamps, 74160, Archamps, France.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Frynta D, Elmi HSA, Rexová K, Janovcová M, Rudolfová V, Štolhoferová I, Král D, Sommer D, Berti DA, Frýdlová P. Animals evoking fear in the Cradle of Humankind: snakes, scorpions, and large carnivores. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2023; 110:33. [PMID: 37405495 PMCID: PMC10322782 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-023-01859-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Theories explain the presence of fears and specific phobias elicited by animals in contemporary WEIRD (Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic) populations by their evolutionary past in Africa. Nevertheless, empirical data about fears of animals in the Cradle of Humankind are still fragmentary. To fill this gap, we examined which local animals are perceived as the most frightening by Somali people, who inhabit a markedly similar environment and the region where humans have evolved. We asked 236 raters to rank 42 stimuli according to their elicited fear. The stimuli were standardized pictures of species representing the local fauna. The results showed that the most frightening animals were snakes, scorpions, the centipede, and large carnivores (cheetahs and hyenas). These were followed up by lizards and spiders. Unlike in Europe, spiders represent less salient stimuli than scorpions for Somali respondents in this study. This conforms to the hypothesis suggesting that fear of spiders was extended or redirected from other chelicerates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Frynta
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Hassan Sh Abdirahman Elmi
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic
- Amoud University, Borama, Somaliland
| | - Kateřina Rexová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Janovcová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Rudolfová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Iveta Štolhoferová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - David Král
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - David Sommer
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Alex Berti
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Frýdlová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yu C, Yu H, Li P. Highlights of animal venom research on the geographical variations of toxin components, toxicities and envenomation therapy. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 165:2994-3006. [PMID: 33122066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.10.190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Geographical variation of animal venom is common among venomous animals. This kind of intraspecific variation based on geographical location mainly concerned from envenomation cases and brought new problems in animal venom studies, including venom components regulatory mechanisms, differentiation of venom activities, and clinical treatment methods. At present, food is considered as the most related factor influencing venom development. Related research defined the variational venomous animal species by the comparison of venom components and activities in snakes, jellyfish, scorpions, cone snails, ants, parasitoid wasps, spiders and toads. In snake venom studies, researchers found that antivenom effectiveness was variated to different located venom samples. As described in some snake venom research, developing region-specific antivenom is the development trend. The difficulties of developing region-specific antivenom and theoretical solutions have been discussed. This review summarized biological studies of animal venom geographical variation by species, compared venom components and major biological activities of the vary venom from the same species, and listed the basic methods in comparing venom protein compositions and major toxicity differences to provide a comprehensive reference.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunlin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China; College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Huahua Yu
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, No. 1 Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Pengcheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, No. 1 Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ceolin Mariano DO, de Oliveira ÚC, Zaharenko AJ, Pimenta DC, Rádis-Baptista G, Prieto-da-Silva ÁRDB. Bottom-Up Proteomic Analysis of Polypeptide Venom Components of the Giant Ant Dinoponera Quadriceps. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11080448. [PMID: 31362422 PMCID: PMC6722740 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11080448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ant species have specialized venom systems developed to sting and inoculate a biological cocktail of organic compounds, including peptide and polypeptide toxins, for the purpose of predation and defense. The genus Dinoponera comprises predatory giant ants that inoculate venom capable of causing long-lasting local pain, involuntary shaking, lymphadenopathy, and cardiac arrhythmias, among other symptoms. To deepen our knowledge about venom composition with regard to protein toxins and their roles in the chemical-ecological relationship and human health, we performed a bottom-up proteomics analysis of the crude venom of the giant ant D. quadriceps, popularly known as the "false" tocandiras. For this purpose, we used two different analytical approaches: (i) gel-based proteomics approach, wherein the crude venom was resolved by denaturing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and all protein bands were excised for analysis; (ii) solution-based proteomics approach, wherein the crude venom protein components were directly fragmented into tryptic peptides in solution for analysis. The proteomic data that resulted from these two methodologies were compared against a previously annotated transcriptomic database of D. quadriceps, and subsequently, a homology search was performed for all identified transcript products. The gel-based proteomics approach unequivocally identified nine toxins of high molecular mass in the venom, as for example, enzymes [hyaluronidase, phospholipase A1, dipeptidyl peptidase and glucose dehydrogenase/flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) quinone] and diverse venom allergens (homologous of the red fire ant Selenopsis invicta) and venom-related proteins (major royal jelly-like). Moreover, the solution-based proteomics revealed and confirmed the presence of several hydrolases, oxidoreductases, proteases, Kunitz-like polypeptides, and the less abundant inhibitor cysteine knot (ICK)-like (knottin) neurotoxins and insect defensin. Our results showed that the major components of the D. quadriceps venom are toxins that are highly likely to damage cell membranes and tissue, to cause neurotoxicity, and to induce allergic reactions, thus, expanding the knowledge about D. quadriceps venom composition and its potential biological effects on prey and victims.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Daniel Carvalho Pimenta
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo SP 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Gandhi Rádis-Baptista
- Laboratorio of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza CE 60165-081, Brazil.
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Carcamo-Noriega EN, Possani LD, Ortiz E. Venom content and toxicity regeneration after venom gland depletion by electrostimulation in the scorpion Centruroides limpidus. Toxicon 2018; 157:87-92. [PMID: 30468759 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.11.305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The scorpion venom is a cocktail of many components. Its composition can exhibit a level of plasticity in response to different behavioral and environmental factors, leading to intraspecific variation. The toxicity and specificity of scorpion venoms appear to be taxon-dependent, due to a co-evolutionary interaction with prey and predators, which shaped the composition at the molecular level. The venom regeneration by the venom glands is an asynchronous process, in which particular components are expressed at different stages and at different rates. According to this, it can be reasonably assumed that the regeneration of toxicity in the venom is also asynchronous. In this work, we studied the toxicity regeneration dynamics by the scorpion Centruroides limpidus after full venom depletion by electrical stimulation. For this, we evaluated the toxicity of venom samples extracted at different days post depletion, against insects (crickets) and mammals (humans, by assessing the venom activity on the human voltage-dependent Na+ channel Nav1.6). The regeneration of toxicity against humans lagged behind that against crickets (13 vs 10 days, respectively). Thirteen days after depletion the venom seems to be replenished. Our results show asynchrony in the regeneration of species-specific toxic activity in the venom of Centruroides limpidus. The understanding of the venom regeneration kinetics for the different scorpion species will help to design venom extraction protocols that could maximize the yield and quality of the collected venoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edson Norberto Carcamo-Noriega
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico
| | - Lourival Domingos Possani
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico.
| | - Ernesto Ortiz
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ward MJ, Ellsworth SA, Hogan MP, Nystrom GS, Martinez P, Budhdeo A, Zelaya R, Perez A, Powell B, He H, Rokyta DR. Female-biased population divergence in the venom of the Hentz striped scorpion (Centruroides hentzi). Toxicon 2018; 152:137-149. [PMID: 30096334 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.07.026] [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: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sex-biased genes are expressed at higher levels in one sex and contribute to phenotypic differences between males and females, as well as overall phenotypic variation within and among populations. Venom has evolved primarily for predation and defense, making venom expression a highly variable phenotype as a result of local adaptation. Several scorpion species have shown both intraspecific and intersexual venom variation, and males have been observed using venom in courtship and mating, suggesting the existence of venom-specific, sex-biased genes that may contribute to population divergence. We used reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), Agilent protein bioanalyzer chips, nano-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (nLC/MS/MS), and median lethal dose (LD50) assays in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) and banded crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus) to investigate proteomic and functional venom variation within and among three Florida populations of the Hentz striped scorpion (Centruroides hentzi). We found significant venom variation among populations, with females, not males, being responsible for this divergence. We also found significant variation in venom expression within populations, with males contributing more to within population variation than females. Our results provide evidence that male and female scorpions experience different natural and sexual selective pressures that have led to the expression of sex-biased venom genes and that these genes may be consequential in population divergence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Micaiah J Ward
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Schyler A Ellsworth
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Michael P Hogan
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Gunnar S Nystrom
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Paul Martinez
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Amisha Budhdeo
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Roxana Zelaya
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Alexander Perez
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Barclay Powell
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Huan He
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics and College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ward MJ, Rokyta DR. Venom-gland transcriptomics and venom proteomics of the giant Florida blue centipede, Scolopendra viridis. Toxicon 2018; 152:121-136. [PMID: 30086358 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The limited number of centipede venom characterizations have revealed a rich diversity of toxins, and recent work has suggested centipede toxins may be more rapidly diversifying than previously considered. Additionally, many identified challenges in venomics research, including assembly and annotation methods, toxin quantification, and the ability to provide biological or technical replicates, have yet to be addressed in centipede venom characterizations. We performed high-throughput, quantifiable transcriptomic and proteomic methods on two individual Scolopendra viridis centipedes from North Florida. We identified 39 toxins that were proteomically confirmed, and 481 nontoxins that were expressed in the venom gland of S. viridis. The most abundant toxins expressed in the venom of S. viridis belonged to calcium and potassium ion-channel toxins, venom allergens, metalloproteases, and β-pore forming toxins. We compared our results to the previously characterized S. viridis from Morelos, Mexico, and found only five proteomically confirmed toxins in common to both localities, suggesting either extreme toxin divergence within S. viridis, or that these populations may represent entirely different species. By using multiple assembly and annotation methods, we generated a comprehensive and quantitative reference transcriptome and proteome of a Scolopendromorpha centipede species, while overcoming some of the challenges present in venomics research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Micaiah J Ward
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
| |
Collapse
|