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Calvete JJ, Lomonte B, Tena-Garcés J, Zollweg M, Mebs D. Mandibular gland proteomics of the Mexican alligator lizard, Abronia graminea, and the red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard, Abronia lythrochila. Toxicon 2024; 249:108055. [PMID: 39097104 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
A useful approach to deepen our knowledge about the origin and evolution of venom systems in Reptilia has been exploring the vast biodiversity of this clade of vertebrates in search of orally produced proteins with toxic actions, as well as their corresponding delivery systems. The occurrence of toxins in anguimorph lizards has been demonstrated experimentally or inferred from reports of the toxic effects of the oral secretions of taxa within the Varanidae and Helodermatidae families. In the present study, we have focused on two alligator lizards of the Anguidae family, the Mexican alligator lizard, Abronia graminea, and the red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard, A. lythrochila. In addition, the fine morphology of teeth of the latter species is described. The presence of a conserved set of proteins, including B-type natriuretic peptides, cysteine-rich secretory proteins, group III phospholipase A2, and kallikrein, in submandibular gland extracts was demonstrated for both Abronia species. These proteins belong to toxin families found in oral gland secretions of venomous reptile species. This finding, along with previous demonstration of toxin-producing taxa in both paleo- and neoanguimorpha clades, provides further support for the existence of a handful of conserved toxin families in oral secretions across the 100+ million years of Anguimorpha cladogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Calvete
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, C.S.I.C., Jaime Roig 11, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiologia, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501, Costa Rica.
| | - Jordi Tena-Garcés
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, C.S.I.C., Jaime Roig 11, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
| | | | - Dietrich Mebs
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University of Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60569, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Díaz C, Lomonte B, Chang-Castillo A, Bonilla F, Alfaro-Chinchilla A, Triana F, Angulo D, Fernández J, Sasa M. Venomics of Scorpion Ananteris platnicki (Lourenço, 1993), a New World Buthid That Inhabits Costa Rica and Panama. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:327. [PMID: 39195737 PMCID: PMC11360313 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16080327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Ananteris is a scorpion genus that inhabits dry and seasonal areas of South and Central America. It is located in a distinctive morpho-group of Buthids, the 'Ananteris group', which also includes species distributed in the Old World. Because of the lack of information on venom composition, the study of Ananteris species could have biological and medical relevance. We conducted a venomics analysis of Ananteris platnicki, a tiny scorpion that inhabits Panama and Costa Rica, which shows the presence of putative toxins targeting ion channels, as well as proteins with similarity to hyaluronidases, proteinases, phospholipases A2, members of the CAP-domain family, and hemocyanins, among others. Venom proteolytic and hyaluronidase activities were corroborated. The determination of the primary sequences carried out by mass spectrometry evidences that several peptides are similar to the toxins present in venoms from Old World scorpion genera such as Mesobuthus, Lychas, and Isometrus, but others present in Tityus and Centruroides toxins. Even when this venom displays the characteristic protein families found in all Buthids, with a predominance of putative Na+-channel toxins and proteinases, some identified partial sequences are not common in venoms of the New World species, suggesting its differentiation into a distinctive group separated from other Buthids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Díaz
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica; (B.L.); (A.C.-C.); (F.B.); (A.A.-C.); (F.T.); (D.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica; (B.L.); (A.C.-C.); (F.B.); (A.A.-C.); (F.T.); (D.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.)
| | - Arturo Chang-Castillo
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica; (B.L.); (A.C.-C.); (F.B.); (A.A.-C.); (F.T.); (D.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.)
| | - Fabián Bonilla
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica; (B.L.); (A.C.-C.); (F.B.); (A.A.-C.); (F.T.); (D.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.)
| | - Adriana Alfaro-Chinchilla
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica; (B.L.); (A.C.-C.); (F.B.); (A.A.-C.); (F.T.); (D.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.)
| | - Felipe Triana
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica; (B.L.); (A.C.-C.); (F.B.); (A.A.-C.); (F.T.); (D.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.)
| | - Diego Angulo
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica; (B.L.); (A.C.-C.); (F.B.); (A.A.-C.); (F.T.); (D.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.)
| | - Julián Fernández
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica; (B.L.); (A.C.-C.); (F.B.); (A.A.-C.); (F.T.); (D.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.)
| | - Mahmood Sasa
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica; (B.L.); (A.C.-C.); (F.B.); (A.A.-C.); (F.T.); (D.A.); (J.F.); (M.S.)
- Museo de Zoología, Centro de investigación de Biodiversidad y Ecología Tropical, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica
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Badilla-Vargas L, Pereira R, Molina-Mora JA, Alape-Girón A, Flores-Díaz M. Clostridium perfringens phospholipase C, an archetypal bacterial virulence factor, induces the formation of extracellular traps by human neutrophils. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1278718. [PMID: 37965263 PMCID: PMC10641792 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1278718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are networks of DNA and various microbicidal proteins released to kill invading microorganisms and prevent their dissemination. However, a NETs excess is detrimental to the host and involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and immunothrombotic diseases. Clostridium perfringens is a widely distributed pathogen associated with several animal and human diseases, that produces many exotoxins, including the phospholipase C (CpPLC), the main virulence factor in gas gangrene. During this disease, CpPLC generates the formation of neutrophil/platelet aggregates within the vasculature, favoring an anaerobic environment for C. perfringens growth. This work demonstrates that CpPLC induces NETosis in human neutrophils. Antibodies against CpPLC completely abrogate the NETosis-inducing activity of recombinant CpPLC and C. perfringens secretome. CpPLC induces suicidal NETosis through a mechanism that requires calcium release from inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3) sensitive stores, activation of protein kinase C (PKC), and the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) pathways, as well as the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the metabolism of arachidonic acid. Proteomic analysis of the C. perfringens secretome identified 40 proteins, including a DNAse and two 5´-nucleotidases homologous to virulence factors that could be relevant in evading NETs. We suggested that in gas gangrene this pathogen benefits from having access to the metabolic resources of the tissue injured by a dysregulated intravascular NETosis and then escapes and spreads to deeper tissues. Understanding the role of NETs in gas gangrene could help develop novel therapeutic strategies to reduce mortality, improve muscle regeneration, and prevent deleterious patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Badilla-Vargas
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Reynaldo Pereira
- Centro Nacional de alta Tecnología, Consejo Nacional de Rectores (CONARE), San José, Costa Rica
| | - José Arturo Molina-Mora
- Centro de investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Alberto Alape-Girón
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Marietta Flores-Díaz
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
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Hernández-Mora G, Chacón-Díaz C, Moreira-Soto A, Barrantes-Granados O, Suárez-Esquivel M, Viquez-Ruiz E, Barquero-Calvo E, Ruiz-Villalobos N, Hidalgo-Montealegre D, González-Barrientos R, Demeter EA, Estrella-Morales J, Zúñiga-Pereira AM, Quesada-Gómez C, Chaves-Olarte E, Lomonte B, Guzmán-Verri C, Drexler JF, Moreno E. Virulent Brucella nosferati infecting Desmodus rotundus has emerging potential due to the broad foraging range of its bat host for humans and wild and domestic animals. mSphere 2023; 8:e0006123. [PMID: 37404031 PMCID: PMC10449500 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00061-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Desmodus rotundus, vampire bats, transmit dangerous infections, and brucellosis is a hazardous zoonotic disease, two adversities that coexist in the subtropical and tropical areas of the American continent. Here, we report a 47.89% Brucella infection prevalence in a colony of vampire bats inhabiting the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica. The bacterium induced placentitis and fetal death in bats. Wide-range phenotypic and genotypic characterization placed the Brucella organisms as a new pathogenic species named Brucella nosferati sp. nov., isolated from bat tissues, including the salivary glands, suggesting feeding behavior might favor transmission to their prey. Overall analyses placed B. nosferati as the etiological agent of a reported canine brucellosis case, demonstrating its potential for infecting other hosts. To assess the putative prey hosts, we analyzed the intestinal contents of 14 infected and 23 non-infected bats by proteomics. A total of 54,508 peptides sorted into 7,203 unique peptides corresponding to 1,521 proteins were identified. Twenty-three wildlife and domestic taxa, including humans, were foraged by B. nosferati-infected D. rotundus, suggesting contact of this bacterium with a broad range of hosts. Our approach is appropriate for detecting, in a single study, the prey preferences of vampire bats in a diverse area, demonstrating its suitability for control strategies where vampire bats thrive. IMPORTANCE The discovery that a high proportion of vampire bats in a tropical area is infected with pathogenic Brucella nosferati and that bats forage on humans and many wild and domestic animals is relevant from the perspective of emerging disease prevention. Indeed, bats harboring B. nosferati in their salivary glands may transmit this pathogenic bacterium to other hosts. This potential is not trivial since, besides the demonstrated pathogenicity, this bacterium possesses all the required virulent arsenal of dangerous Brucella organisms, including those that are zoonotic for humans. Our work has settled the basis for future surveillance actions in brucellosis control programs where these infected bats thrive. Moreover, our strategy to identify the foraging range of bats may be adapted for exploring the feeding habits of diverse animals, including arthropod vectors of infectious diseases, and therefore of interest to a broader audience besides experts on Brucella and bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Hernández-Mora
- Unidad de Microbiología Médico Veterinaria, Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal (SENASA), Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Carlos Chacón-Díaz
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Andres Moreira-Soto
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Osvaldo Barrantes-Granados
- Unidad de Microbiología Médico Veterinaria, Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal (SENASA), Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Marcela Suárez-Esquivel
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (PIET), Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Eunice Viquez-Ruiz
- Unidad de Microbiología Médico Veterinaria, Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal (SENASA), Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Elías Barquero-Calvo
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (PIET), Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Nazareth Ruiz-Villalobos
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (PIET), Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Daniela Hidalgo-Montealegre
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (PIET), Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Rocío González-Barrientos
- Section of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Elena A. Demeter
- Section of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Josimar Estrella-Morales
- Unidad de Microbiología Médico Veterinaria, Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal (SENASA), Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Ana-Mariel Zúñiga-Pereira
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Carlos Quesada-Gómez
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Esteban Chaves-Olarte
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Caterina Guzmán-Verri
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (PIET), Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Edgardo Moreno
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (PIET), Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
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Henrickson A, Montina T, Hazendonk P, Lomonte B, Neves-Ferreira AGC, Demeler B. SDS-induced hexameric oligomerization of myotoxin-II from Bothrops asper assessed by sedimentation velocity and nuclear magnetic resonance. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL : EBJ 2023; 52:445-457. [PMID: 37209172 PMCID: PMC10526984 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-023-01658-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
We report the solution behavior, oligomerization state, and structural details of myotoxin-II purified from the venom of Bothrops asper in the presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and multiple lipids, as examined by analytical ultracentrifugation and nuclear magnetic resonance. Molecular functional and structural details of the myotoxic mechanism of group II Lys-49 phospholipase A2 homologues have been only partially elucidated so far, and conflicting observations have been reported in the literature regarding the monomeric vs. oligomeric state of these toxins in solution. We observed the formation of a stable and discrete, hexameric form of myotoxin-II, but only in the presence of small amounts of SDS. In SDS-free medium, myotoxin-II was insensitive to mass action and remained monomeric at all concentrations examined (up to 3 mg/ml, 218.2 μM). At SDS concentrations above the critical micelle concentration, only dimers and trimers were observed, and at intermediate SDS concentrations, aggregates larger than hexamers were observed. We found that the amount of SDS required to form a stable hexamer varies with protein concentration, suggesting the need for a precise stoichiometry of free SDS molecules. The discovery of a stable hexameric species in the presence of a phospholipid mimetic suggests a possible physiological role for this oligomeric form, and may shed light on the poorly understood membrane-disrupting mechanism of this myotoxic protein class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Henrickson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Tony Montina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Paul Hazendonk
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología San José, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | - Borries Demeler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA.
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Salvador GHM, Pinto ÊKR, Ortolani PL, Fortes-Dias CL, Cavalcante WLG, Soares AM, Lomonte B, Lewin MR, Fontes MRM. Structural basis of the myotoxic inhibition of the Bothrops pirajai PrTX-I by the synthetic varespladib. Biochimie 2023; 207:1-10. [PMID: 36403756 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Varespladib (LY315920) is a potent inhibitor of human group IIA phospholipase A2 (PLA2) originally developed to control inflammatory cascades of diseases associated with high or dysregulated levels of endogenous PLA2. Recently, varespladib was also found to inhibit snake venom PLA2 and PLA2-like toxins. Herein, ex vivo neuromuscular blocking activity assays were used to test the inhibitory activity of varespladib. The binding affinity between varespladib and a PLA2-like toxin was quantified and compared with other potential inhibitors for this class of proteins. Crystallographic and bioinformatic studies showed that varespladib binds to PrTX-I and BthTX-I into their hydrophobic channels, similarly to other previously characterized PLA2-like myotoxins. However, a new finding is that an additional varespladib binds to the MDiS region, a particular site that is related to muscle cell disruption by these toxins. The present results further advance the characterization of the molecular interactions of varespladib with PLA2-like myotoxins and provide additional evidence for this compound as a promising inhibitor candidate for different PLA2 and PLA2-like toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme H M Salvador
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Êmylle K R Pinto
- Departmento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Paula L Ortolani
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Ezequiel Dias (FUNED), Brazil
| | | | - Walter L G Cavalcante
- Departmento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Andreimar M Soares
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos Aplicados à Saúde, LABIOPROT, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, unidade Rondônia e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental, INCT EPIAMO, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Matthew R Lewin
- Ophirex, Inc. Corte Madera, CA, 94925, USA; Center for Exploration and Travel Health, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA
| | - Marcos R M Fontes
- Departamento de Biofísica e Farmacologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
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Montoya-Gómez A, Osorno-Valencia D, Gómez-Díaz M, Bolívar-García W, Jiménez-Charris E. Proteomic and functional analyses of Lachesis acrochorda snake venom from the Valle del Cauca Department of Colombia. Acta Trop 2023; 241:106895. [PMID: 36931336 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106895] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Lachesis acrochorda envenomation has a lethality rate of approximately 90%. Despite its high lethality, little is known about its local and systemic effects and its relationship with its protein content. Thus, to increase knowledge of L. acrochorda snake venom from the Southwestern ecoregion of Colombia, we developed a proteomic analysis using a "bottom-up shotgun proteomic profiling" approach. Besides, we evaluated toxinological properties and compared the effects with the Bothrops asper snake venom activities. The RP-HPLC profile showed similarities with the L. acrochorda snake venom from the Northwestern ecoregion of Colombia. However, the results displayed differences in the protein families identified, probably due to the proteomic identification strategy. The in vitro and in vivo tests showed a L. acrochorda snake venom with Phospholipase A2 and metalloproteinase activities related to myotoxic, edematic, and hemorrhagic effects. Nevertheless, the L. acrochorda snake venom displayed a low lethality despite a large amount of inoculated venom. This investigation's results will help us improve the knowledge about the relationship between the clinical manifestations of L. acrochorda envenomation and the venom protein content.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mónica Gómez-Díaz
- Research Group in Animal Ecology, Department of Biology, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Wilmar Bolívar-García
- Research Group in Animal Ecology, Department of Biology, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
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8
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Lomonte B. Lys49 myotoxins, secreted phospholipase A 2-like proteins of viperid venoms: A comprehensive review. Toxicon 2023; 224:107024. [PMID: 36632869 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Muscle necrosis is a potential clinical complication of snakebite envenomings, which in severe cases can lead to functional or physical sequelae such as disability or amputation. Snake venom proteins with the ability to directly damage skeletal muscle fibers are collectively referred to as myotoxins, and include three main types: cytolysins of the "three-finger toxin" protein family expressed in many elapid venoms, the so-called "small" myotoxins found in a number of rattlesnake venoms, and the widespread secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) molecules. Among the latter, protein variants that conserve the sPLA2 structure, but lack such enzymatic activity, have been increasingly found in the venoms of many viperid species. Intriguingly, these sPLA2-like proteins are able to induce muscle necrosis by a mechanism independent of phospholipid hydrolysis. They are commonly referred to as "Lys49 myotoxins" since they most often present, among other substitutions, the replacement of the otherwise invariant residue Asp49 of sPLA2s by Lys. This work comprehensively reviews the historical developments and current knowledge towards deciphering the mechanism of action of Lys49 sPLA2-like myotoxins, and points out main gaps to be filled for a better understanding of these multifaceted snake venom proteins, to hopefully lead to improved treatments for snakebites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501, Costa Rica.
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Antibodies against a single fraction of Micrurus dumerilii venom neutralize the lethal effect of whole venom. Toxicol Lett 2023; 374:77-84. [PMID: 36528173 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.12.005] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The coralsnake Micrurus dumerilii (Elapidae) is reported to cause envenomings of medical importance. Previous studies characterized the protein composition of its venom, with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) proteins the most abundant. However, it is unknown which venom components are responsible for its lethal toxicity. Fractionation of M. dumerilii venom from Colombia was carried out using RP-HPLC and each fraction was screened for lethal effect in mice at a dose of 20 μg by intraperitoneal route. Results showed that only one fraction, F9, was lethal. This fraction displayed PLA2 activity, induced indirect hemolysis in vitro, as well as edema and myotoxicity in vivo. SDS-PAGE of unreduced F9 evidenced two bands of 8 and 15 kDa, respectively, consistent with the detection of proteins with masses of 13,217.77 Da, 7144.06 Da, and 7665.55 Da. Tryptic digestion of F9 followed by nESI-MS/MS revealed peptide sequences matching proteins of the three-finger toxin (3FTx) and PLA2 families. Immunization of a rabbit with F9 proteins elicited antibody titers up to 1:10,000 by ELISA. After serum fractionation with caprylic acid, the obtained IgG was able to neutralize the lethal effect of the complete venom of M. dumerilii using a challenge of 2 ×LD50 at the IgG/venom ratio of 50:1 (w/w). In conclusion, present results show that the lethal effect of M. dumerilii venom in mice is mainly driven by one fraction which contains 3FTx and PLA2 proteins. The antibodies produced against this fraction cross-recognized other PLA2s and neutralized the lethal effect of whole M. dumerilii venom, pointing out to the potential usefulness of F9 as a relevant antigen for improving current coral snake antivenoms.
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Arias-Arias JL, Molina-Castro SE, Monturiol-Gross L, Lomonte B, Corrales-Aguilar E. Stable production of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain in mammalian cells with co-expression of a fluorescent reporter and its validation as antigenic target for COVID-19 serology testing. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 37:e00780. [PMID: 36619904 PMCID: PMC9805376 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2022.e00780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) recognizes the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor in host cells that enables infection. Due to its antigenic specificity, RBD production is important for development of serological assays. Here we have established a system for stable RBD production in HEK 293T mammalian cells that simultaneously express the recombinant fluorescent protein dTomato, which enables kinetic monitoring of RBD expression by fluorescence microscopy. In addition, we have validated the use of this recombinant RBD in an ELISA assay for the detection of anti-RBD antibodies in serum samples of COVID-19 convalescent patients. Recombinant RBD generated using this approach can be useful for generation of antibody-based therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2, as well serological assays aimed to test antibody responses to this relevant virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge L. Arias-Arias
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Facultad de Microbiología Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica,Dulbecco Lab Studio, Residencial Lisboa 2G, Alajuela, 20102, Costa Rica
| | - Silvia E. Molina-Castro
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud (INISA), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Laura Monturiol-Gross
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP), Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica,Corresponding author.
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP), Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Eugenia Corrales-Aguilar
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Facultad de Microbiología Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica
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Romero-Giraldo LE, Pulido S, Berrío MA, Flórez MF, Rey-Suárez P, Nuñez V, Pereañez JA. Heterologous Expression and Immunogenic Potential of the Most Abundant Phospholipase A 2 from Coral Snake Micrurus dumerilii to Develop Antivenoms. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120825. [PMID: 36548722 PMCID: PMC9788014 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Micrurus dumerilii is a coral snake of clinic interest in Colombia. Its venom is mainly composed of phospholipases A2 being MdumPLA2 the most abundant protein. Nevertheless, Micrurus species produce a low quantity of venom, which makes it difficult to produce anticoral antivenoms. Therefore, in this work, we present the recombinant expression of MdumPLA2 to evaluate its biological activities and its immunogenic potential to produce antivenoms. For this, a genetic construct rMdumPLA2 was cloned into the pET28a vector and expressed heterologously in bacteria. His-rMdumPLA2 was extracted from inclusion bodies, refolded in vitro, and isolated using affinity and RP-HPLC chromatography. His-rMdumPLA2 was shown to have phospholipase A2 activity, a weak anticoagulant effect, and induced myonecrosis and edema. The anti-His-rMdumPLA2 antibodies produced in rabbits recognized native PLA2, the complete venom of M. dumerilii, and a phospholipase from another species of the Micrurus genus. Antibodies neutralized 100% of the in vitro phospholipase activity of the recombinant toxin and a moderate percentage of the myotoxic activity of M. dumerilii venom in mice. These results indicate that His-rMdumPLA2 could be used as an immunogen to improve anticoral antivenoms development. This work is the first report of an M. dumerilii functional recombinant PLA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz E. Romero-Giraldo
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - Sergio Pulido
- Tropical Disease Study and Control Program—PECET, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
- LifeFactors Zona Franca SAS, Rionegro 54047, Colombia
| | - Mario A. Berrío
- Tropical Disease Study and Control Program—PECET, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - María F. Flórez
- Tropical Disease Study and Control Program—PECET, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - Paola Rey-Suárez
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
- Centro de Investigación en Recursos Naturales y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Vitelbina Nuñez
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
- Microbiology School, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - Jaime A. Pereañez
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
- Correspondence:
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Proteomic and toxicological characterization of the venoms of the most enigmatic group of rattlesnakes: The long-tailed rattlesnakes. Biochimie 2022; 202:226-236. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Retana Moreira L, Steller Espinoza MF, Chacón Camacho N, Cornet-Gomez A, Sáenz-Arce G, Osuna A, Lomonte B, Abrahams Sandí E. Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by a Clinical Isolate of Naegleria fowleri and Identification of Immunogenic Components within Their Protein Cargo. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:983. [PMID: 36101365 PMCID: PMC9312180 DOI: 10.3390/biology11070983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small lipid vesicles released by both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, involved in intercellular communication, immunomodulation and pathogenesis. In this study, we performed a characterization of the EVs produced by trophozoites of a clinical isolate of the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri). Size distribution, zeta potential, protein profile and protease activity were analyzed. Under our incubation conditions, EVs of different sizes were observed, with a predominant population ranging from 206 to 227 nm. SDS-PAGE revealed protein bands of 25 to 260 KDa. The presence of antigenic proteins was confirmed by Western blot, which evidenced strongest recognition by rat polyclonal antibodies raised against N. fowleri in the region close to 80 KDa and included peptidases, as revealed by zymography. Proteins in selected immunorecognized bands were further identified using nano-ESI-MS/MS. A preliminary proteomic profile of the EVs identified at least 184 proteins as part of the vesicles' cargo. Protease activity assays, in combination with the use of inhibitors, revealed the predominance of serine proteases. The present characterization uncovers the complexity of EVs produced by N. fowleri, suggesting their potential relevance in the release of virulence factors involved in pathogenicity. Owing to their cargo's diversity, further research on EVs could reveal new therapeutic targets or biomarkers for developing rapid and accurate diagnostic tools for lethal infections such as the one caused by this amoeba.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lissette Retana Moreira
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica; (M.F.S.E.); (N.C.C.); (E.A.S.)
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica
| | - María Fernanda Steller Espinoza
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica; (M.F.S.E.); (N.C.C.); (E.A.S.)
| | - Natalia Chacón Camacho
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica; (M.F.S.E.); (N.C.C.); (E.A.S.)
| | - Alberto Cornet-Gomez
- Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular (CTS 183), Departamento de Parasitología, Campus de Fuentenueva, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.C.-G.); (A.O.)
| | | | - Antonio Osuna
- Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular (CTS 183), Departamento de Parasitología, Campus de Fuentenueva, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.C.-G.); (A.O.)
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica;
| | - Elizabeth Abrahams Sandí
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica; (M.F.S.E.); (N.C.C.); (E.A.S.)
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica
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