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Zhao F, Huang Z, He B, Liu K, Li J, Liu Z, Lin G. Comparative genomics of two Asian medicinal leeches Hirudo nipponia and Hirudo tianjinensis: With emphasis on antithrombotic genes and their corresponding proteins. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132278. [PMID: 38750856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132278] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Leeches secrete various biologically active substances which have important medical and pharmaceutical values in antithrombotic treatments. Here, we provide a high quality genome of two Asian medicinal leeches Hirudo nipponia and Hirudo tianjinensis, based on which, we identified 22 antithrombotic gene families, including fourteen coagulation inhibitors, four platelet aggregation inhibitors, three fibrinolysis enhancers, and one tissue penetration enhancer. The total numbers of antithrombotic genes were similar between H. nipponia (N = 86) and H. tianjinensis (N = 83). Molecular evolution analysis showed that no significant differences were detected between the two species in any of the three selection indices (dN, dS, and dN/dS), nor in the number of sites under positive/purifying selection. RNA-Seq based gene expression analysis showed that the overall expression patterns of the antithrombotic gene families were not significantly deviated between the two species. Our results indicated that there were rather close similarities between the two leeches on genomic characteristics, especially for the molecular evolution and expression of antithrombotic genes. Our study provides the most comprehensive collection of antithrombotic biomacromolecules from the two Asian medicinal leeches to date. These results will greatly facilitate the research and application of leech derivatives for medical and pharmaceutical purposes of thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, China
| | - Zuhao Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, China
| | - Bo He
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, China
| | - Kaiqing Liu
- Engineering Research Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Leech Resources in Universities of Yunnan Province, School of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China
| | - Junyu Li
- Department of Ultrasonography, People's Hospital of Fengdu County, Chongqing City, Fengdu 408200, China
| | - Zichao Liu
- Engineering Research Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Leech Resources in Universities of Yunnan Province, School of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Information, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.
| | - Gonghua Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, China.
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Nazarova A, Mutin A, Skafar D, Bolbat N, Sedova S, Chupalova P, Pomazkin V, Drozdova P, Gurkov A, Timofeyev M. Leeches Baicalobdella torquata feed on hemolymph but have a low effect on the cellular immune response of amphipod Eulimnogammarus verrucosus from Lake Baikal. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17348. [PMID: 38770098 PMCID: PMC11104339 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17348] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Lake Baikal is one of the largest and oldest freshwater reservoirs on the planet with a huge endemic diversity of amphipods (Amphipoda, Crustacea). These crustaceans have various symbiotic relationships, including the rarely described phenomenon of leech parasitism on amphipods. It is known that leeches feeding on hemolymph of crustacean hosts can influence their physiology, especially under stressful conditions. Here we show that leeches Baicalobdella torquata (Grube, 1871) found on gills of Eulimnogammarus verrucosus (Gerstfeldt, 1858), one of the most abundant amphipods in the Baikal littoral zone, indeed feed on the hemolymph of their host. However, the leech infection had no effect on immune parameters such as hemocyte concentration or phenoloxidase activity and also did not affect glycogen content. The intensity of hemocyte reaction to foreign bodies in a primary culture was identical between leech-free and leech-infected animals. Artificial infection with leeches also had only a subtle effect on the course of a model microbial infection in terms of hemocyte concentration and composition. Despite we cannot fully exclude deleterious effects of the parasites, our study indicates a low influence of a few leeches on E. verrucosus and shows that leech-infected amphipods can be used at least for some types of ecophysiological experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nazarova
- Institute of Biology, Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Andrei Mutin
- Institute of Biology, Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Denis Skafar
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Aquatic Bioresources and Aquaculture, Kuban State University, Krasnodar, Russia
- Krasnodar Department, Azov Estuaries Sector, Azov-Black Sea Branch of the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Nadezhda Bolbat
- Institute of Biology, Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Sofya Sedova
- Institute of Biology, Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russia
| | | | | | - Polina Drozdova
- Institute of Biology, Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russia
- Baikal Research Centre, Irkutsk, Russia
- Faculty of Biology and Soil Sciences, Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Anton Gurkov
- Institute of Biology, Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russia
- Baikal Research Centre, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Maxim Timofeyev
- Institute of Biology, Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russia
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Kim JH, Lee CJ, Yu YS, Aryal YP, Kim S, Suh JY, Kim JY, Min SH, Cha IT, Lee HY, Shin SY, Cho SJ. Transcriptomic profiling and the first spatial expression analysis of candidate genes in the salivary gland of the East Asian medicinal leech, Hirudo nipponia. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 154:105125. [PMID: 38158145 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.105125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Hirudo nipponia, a blood-sucking leech native to East Asia, possesses a rich repertoire of active ingredients in its saliva, showcasing significant medical potential due to its anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects against human diseases. Despite previous studies on the transcriptomic and proteomic characteristics of leech saliva, which have identified medicinal compounds, our knowledge of tissue-specific transcriptomes and their spatial expression patterns remains incomplete. In this study, we conducted an extensive transcriptomic profiling of the salivary gland tissue in H. nipponia based on de novo assemblies of tissue-specific transcriptomes from the salivary gland, teeth, and general head region. Through gene ontology (GO) analysis and hierarchical clustering, we discovered a novel set of anti-coagulant factors-i.e., Hni-Antistasin, Hni-Ghilanten, Hni-Bdellin, Hni-Hirudin-as well as a previously unrecognized immune-related gene, Hni-GLIPR1 and uncharacterized salivary gland specific transcripts. By employing in situ hybridization, we provided the first visualization of gene expression sites within the salivary gland of H. nipponia. Our findings expand on our understanding of transcripts specifically expressed in the salivary gland of blood-sucking leeches, offering valuable resources for the exploration of previously unidentified substances with medicinal applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Hyeuk Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28644, Republic of Korea; Wildlife Disease Response Team, National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan-Jun Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Sang Yu
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Yam Prasad Aryal
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangil Kim
- Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Jo-Young Suh
- Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, IHBR Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41940, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Young Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Dentistry, IHBR, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Hong Min
- Department of Cosmetics Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Tae Cha
- Species Diversity Research Division, National Institute of Biological Resources(NIBR), Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Youn Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28644, Republic of Korea.
| | - Song Yub Shin
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sung-Jin Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28644, Republic of Korea.
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Liu Z, Zhao F, Huang Z, Hu Q, Meng R, Lin Y, Qi J, Lin G. Revisiting the Asian Buffalo Leech ( Hirudinaria manillensis) Genome: Focus on Antithrombotic Genes and Their Corresponding Proteins. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2068. [PMID: 38003011 PMCID: PMC10671345 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112068] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Leeches are well-known annelids due to their obligate blood-feeding habits. Some leech species secrete various biologically active substances which have important medical and pharmaceutical value in antithrombotic treatments. In this study, we provided a high-quality genome of the Asian buffalo leech (Hirudinaria manillensis), based on which we performed a systematic identification of potential antithrombotic genes and their corresponding proteins. Combining automatic and manual prediction, we identified 21 antithrombotic gene families including fourteen coagulation inhibitors, three platelet aggregation inhibitors, three fibrinolysis enhancers, and one tissue penetration enhancer. A total of 72 antithrombotic genes, including two pseudogenes, were identified, including most of their corresponding proteins forming three or more disulfide bonds. Three protein families (LDTI, antistasin, and granulin) had internal tandem repeats containing 6, 10, and 12 conserved cysteines, respectively. We also measured the anticoagulant activities of the five identified hirudins (hirudin_Hman1 ~ hirudin_Hman5). The results showed that three (hirudin_Hman1, hirudin_Hman2, and hirudin_Hman5), but not the remaining two, exhibited anticoagulant activities. Our study provides the most comprehensive collection of antithrombotic biomacromolecules from a leech to date. These results will greatly facilitate the research and application of leech derivatives for medical and pharmaceutical purposes in the treatment of thrombotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zichao Liu
- Engineering Research Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Leech Resources in Universities of Yunnan Province, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China; (Z.L.); (Q.H.); (R.M.)
| | - Fang Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an 343009, China; (F.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
| | - Zuhao Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an 343009, China; (F.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
| | - Qingmei Hu
- Engineering Research Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Leech Resources in Universities of Yunnan Province, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China; (Z.L.); (Q.H.); (R.M.)
| | - Renyuan Meng
- Engineering Research Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Leech Resources in Universities of Yunnan Province, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China; (Z.L.); (Q.H.); (R.M.)
| | - Yiquan Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an 343009, China; (F.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
| | - Jianxia Qi
- Nujiang Management Bureau of Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve, Nujiang 673199, China;
| | - Gonghua Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an 343009, China; (F.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
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Effects of Medicinal Leech-Related Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides on Human Blood Cells and Plasma. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27185848. [PMID: 36144584 PMCID: PMC9503446 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27185848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are considered as next-generation antibiotics with a lower probability of developing bacterial resistance. In view of potential clinical use, studies on CAMP biocompatibility are important. This work aimed to evaluate the behavior of synthetic short CAMPs (designed using bioinformatic analysis of the medicinal leech genome and microbiome) in direct contact with blood cells and plasma. Eight CAMPs were included in the study. Hemolysis and lactate dehydrogenase assays showed that the potency to disrupt erythrocyte, neutrophil and mononuclear cell membranes descended in the order pept_1 > pept_3 ~ pept_5 > pept_2 ~ pept_4. Pept_3 caused both cell lysis and aggregation. Blood plasma and albumin inhibited the CAMP-induced hemolysis. The chemiluminescence method allowed the detection of pept_3-mediated neutrophil activation. In plasma coagulation assays, pept_3 prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (at 50 μM by 75% and 320%, respectively). Pept_3 was also capable of causing fibrinogen aggregation. Pept_6 prolonged APTT (at 50 μM by 115%). Pept_2 was found to combine higher bactericidal activity with lower effects on cells and coagulation. Our data emphasize the necessity of investigating CAMP interaction with plasma.
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Lukas P, Melikian G, Hildebrandt JP, Müller C. Make it double: identification and characterization of a Tandem-Hirudin from the Asian medicinal leech Hirudinaria manillensis. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2995-3006. [PMID: 36006484 PMCID: PMC9464118 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07634-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Haematophagous leeches express a broad variety of secretory proteins in their salivary glands, among them are hirudins and hirudin-like factors. Here, we describe the identification, molecular and initial functional characterization of Tandem-Hirudin (TH), a novel salivary gland derived factor identified in the Asian medicinal leech, Hirudinaria manillensis. In contrast to the typical structure of hirudins, TH comprises two globular domains arranged in a tandem-like orientation and lacks the elongated C-terminal tail. Similar structures of thrombin inhibitors have so far been identified only in kissing bugs and ticks. Expression of TH was performed in both cell-based and cell-free bacterial systems. A subsequent functional characterization revealed no evidence for a thrombin-inhibitory potency of TH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phil Lukas
- Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, D-17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Georgij Melikian
- Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, D-17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Hildebrandt
- Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, D-17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christian Müller
- Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, D-17489, Greifswald, Germany.
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Schmitz T, Paul George AA, Nubbemeyer B, Bäuml CA, Steinmetzer T, Ohlenschläger O, Biswas A, Imhof D. NMR-Based Structural Characterization of a Two-Disulfide-Bonded Analogue of the FXIIIa Inhibitor Tridegin: New Insights into Structure-Activity Relationships. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020880. [PMID: 33477282 PMCID: PMC7830451 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The saliva of blood-sucking leeches contains a plethora of anticoagulant substances. One of these compounds derived from Haementeria ghilianii, the 66mer three-disulfide-bonded peptide tridegin, specifically inhibits the blood coagulation factor FXIIIa. Tridegin represents a potential tool for antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy. We recently synthesized two-disulfide-bonded tridegin variants, which retained their inhibitory potential. For further lead optimization, however, structure information is required. We thus analyzed the structure of a two-disulfide-bonded tridegin isomer by solution 2D NMR spectroscopy in a combinatory approach with subsequent MD simulations. The isomer was studied using two fragments, i.e., the disulfide-bonded N-terminal (Lys1–Cys37) and the flexible C-terminal part (Arg38–Glu66), which allowed for a simplified, label-free NMR-structure elucidation of the 66mer peptide. The structural information was subsequently used in molecular modeling and docking studies to provide insights into the structure–activity relationships. The present study will prospectively support the development of anticoagulant-therapy-relevant compounds targeting FXIIIa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schmitz
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany; (T.S.); (A.A.P.G.); (B.N.); (C.A.B.)
| | - Ajay Abisheck Paul George
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany; (T.S.); (A.A.P.G.); (B.N.); (C.A.B.)
- BioSolveIT GmbH, An der Ziegelei 79, D-53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Britta Nubbemeyer
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany; (T.S.); (A.A.P.G.); (B.N.); (C.A.B.)
| | - Charlotte A. Bäuml
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany; (T.S.); (A.A.P.G.); (B.N.); (C.A.B.)
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University of Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Oliver Ohlenschläger
- Leibniz Institute on Aging—Fritz-Lipmann-Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11, D-07745 Jena, Germany;
| | - Arijit Biswas
- Institute of Experimental Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, D-53127 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Diana Imhof
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany; (T.S.); (A.A.P.G.); (B.N.); (C.A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)228-735-254
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Singh SK, Rajoria K. Medical leech therapy in Ayurveda and biomedicine - A review. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2020; 11:554-564. [PMID: 30709686 PMCID: PMC7772495 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Medicinal leech therapy or Hirudino therapy have roots back in ancient civilization. It was a prevalent form of therapy in various ailments. The novel Ayurveda text Sushruta Samhita devoted a complete chapter on hirudino therapy. In the early 20th century this therapy had a major setback due to origin and evolution of antibiotics. There was a discontinuity in the flow of knowledge about this therapy. Then, resumed and revived after few recent decades, due to its contribution in reconstructive surgeries. During this period, the research work on various aspects have been conducted. The present paper summarizes the various aspects of medicinal leech therapy both from Ayurveda text and the present knowledge and to enable the fraternity to use the both source for benefits of humankind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarvesh Kumar Singh
- Department of Panchakarma, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
| | - Kshipra Rajoria
- Department of Panchakarma, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
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Draft genome of the European medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudiniformes) with emphasis on anticoagulants. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9885. [PMID: 32555498 PMCID: PMC7303139 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66749-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The European medicinal leech has been used for medicinal purposes for millennia, and continues to be used today in modern hospital settings. Its utility is granted by the extremely potent anticoagulation factors that the leech secretes into the incision wound during feeding and, although a handful of studies have targeted certain anticoagulants, the full range of anticoagulation factors expressed by this species remains unknown. Here, we present the first draft genome of the European medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, and estimate that we have sequenced between 79–94% of the full genome. Leveraging these data, we searched for anticoagulation factors across the genome of H. medicinalis. Following orthology determination through a series of BLAST searches, as well as phylogenetic analyses, we estimate that fully 15 different known anticoagulation factors are utilized by the species, and that 17 other proteins that have been linked to antihemostasis are also present in the genome. We underscore the utility of the draft genome for comparative studies of leeches and discuss our results in an evolutionary context.
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Kwak HJ, Park JS, Medina Jiménez BI, Park SC, Cho SJ. Spatiotemporal Expression of Anticoagulation Factor Antistasin in Freshwater Leeches. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20163994. [PMID: 31426335 PMCID: PMC6719055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Antistasin, which was originally discovered in the salivary glands of the Mexican leech Haementeria officinalis, was newly isolated from Helobdella austinensis. To confirm the temporal expression of antistasin during embryogenesis, we carried out semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Hau-antistasin1 was uniquely expressed at stage 4 of the cleavage and was strongly expressed in the late stages of organogenesis, as were other antistasin members. In order to confirm the spatial expression of antistasin, we performed fluorescence in situ hybridization in the late stages of organogenesis. The expression of each antistasin in the proboscis showed a similar pattern and varied in expression in the body. In addition, the spatial expression of antistasin orthologs in different leeches showed the possibility of different function across leech species. Hau-antistasin1 was expressed in the same region as hedgehog, which is a known mediator of signal transduction pathway. Hau-antistasin1 is probably a downstream target of Hedgehog signaling, involved in segment polarity signal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Jin Kwak
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, Korea
| | - Jeong-Su Park
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, Korea
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Korea
| | - Brenda Irene Medina Jiménez
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, Korea
- Department of Earth Sciences, Paleobiology, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Soon Cheol Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea
| | - Sung-Jin Cho
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, Korea.
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The salivary transcriptome of Limnobdella mexicana (Annelida: Clitellata: Praobdellidae) and orthology determination of major leech anticoagulants. Parasitology 2019; 146:1338-1346. [PMID: 31148528 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182019000593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Bloodfeeding requires several adaptations that allow the parasite to feed efficiently. Leeches and other hematophagous animals have developed different mechanisms to inhibit hemostasis, one of the main barriers imposed by their hosts. Limnobdella mexicana is a member of the leech family Praobdellidae, a family of host generalists known for their preference to attach on mucosal membranes of mammals, such as those in nasopharyngeal cavities, bladders and ocular orbits. Previous studies have hypothesized a positive relationship between diversity of anticoagulants and diversity of hosts in bloodfeeding leeches. However, orthology determination of putative anticoagulants and the lack of standardization of sequencing effort and method hinder comparisons between publicly available transcriptomes generated in different laboratories. In the present study, we examine the first transcriptome of a praobdellid leech and identify 15 putative anticoagulants using a phylogeny-based inference approach, amino-acid conservation, Pfam domains and BLAST searches. Our phylogenetic analyses suggest that the ancestral leech was able to inhibit factor Xa and that some hirudins that have been reported in previous studies on leech anticoagulants may not be orthologous with the archetypal hirudin.
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Hirudins of the Asian medicinal leech, Hirudinaria manillensis: same same, but different. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2223-2233. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06365-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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13
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Müller C, Lukas P, Lemke S, Hildebrandt JP. Hirudin and Decorsins of the North American Medicinal Leech Macrobdella decora: Gene Structure Reveals Homology to Hirudins and Hirudin-Like Factors of Eurasian Medicinal Leeches. J Parasitol 2019. [DOI: 10.1645/18-117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Müller
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Phil Lukas
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sarah Lemke
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Hildebrandt
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
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14
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Khan MS, Guan D, Kvist S, Ma L, Xie J, Xu S. Transcriptomics and differential gene expression in Whitmania pigra (Annelida: Clitellata: Hirudinida: Hirudinidae): Contrasting feeding and fasting modes. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:4706-4719. [PMID: 31031937 PMCID: PMC6476756 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The medicinal utility of leeches has been demonstrated through decades of use in modern hospital settings, mainly as relievers of venous congestion following flap or digit replantation surgery. In the present study, we sequence and annotate (through BLAST- and Gene Ontology-based approaches) the salivary transcriptome of the nonblood feeding hirudinid Whitmania pigra and assess the differential gene expression of anticoagulation factors (through both quantitative real-time PCR [qRT-PCR] and in silico-based methods) during feeding and fasting conditions. This was done in order to evince the diversity of putative anticoagulation factors, as well as estimate the levels of upregulation of genes immediately after feeding. In total, we found sequences with demonstrated orthology (via both phylogenetic analyses and BLAST-based approaches) to seven different proteins that have previously been linked to anticoagulatory capabilities-eglin C, bdellin, granulin, guamerin, hyaluronidase, destabilase I, and lipocalin. All of these were recovered from leeches both in the fasting and in the feeding conditions, but all show signs of upregulation in the feeding leeches. Interestingly, our RNA-seq effort, coupled with a hypergeometric test, indicated that the differentially expressed genes were disproportionately involved in three main immunological pathways (endocytosis, peroxisome regulation, and lysosome regulation). The results and implications of the finding of anticoagulants in this nonblood feeding leech and the putative upregulation of anticoagulation factors after feeding are briefly discussed in an evolutionary context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - De‐Long Guan
- College of Life SciencesShaanxi Normal UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Sebastian Kvist
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Department of Natural HistoryRoyal Ontario MuseumTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Li‐Bin Ma
- College of Life SciencesShaanxi Normal UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Juan‐Ying Xie
- School of Computer ScienceShaanxi Normal UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Sheng‐Quan Xu
- College of Life SciencesShaanxi Normal UniversityXi'anChina
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15
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Cheng RM, Tang XP, Long AL, Mwangi J, Lai R, Sun RP, Long CB, Zhang ZQ. Purification and characterization of a novel anti-coagulant from the leech Hirudinaria manillensis. Zool Res 2019; 40:205-210. [PMID: 31011131 PMCID: PMC6591161 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2019.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Protease inhibitors have been reported rarely from the leech Hirudinaria manillensis. In this study, we purified a novel protease inhibitor (bdellin-HM-2) with anticoagulant properties from H. manillensis. With a molecular weight of 1.4x104, bdellin-HM-2 was also characterized with three intra-molecular disulfide bridges at the N-terminus and multiple HHXDD and HXDD motifs at the C-terminus. cDNA cloning revealed that the putative nucleotide-encoding protein of bdellin-HM-2 contained 132 amino acids and was encoded by a 399 bp open reading frame (ORF). Sequence alignment showed that bdellin-HM-2 shared similarity with the “non-classical” Kazal-type serine protease inhibitors, but had no inhibitory effect on trypsin, elastase, chymotrypsin, kallikrein, factor XIIa (FXIIa), factor XIa (FXIa), factor Xa (FXa), thrombin, or plasmin. Bdellin-HM-2 showed anticoagulant effects by prolonging the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), indicating a role in enabling H. manillensis to obtain a blood meal from its host. Our results suggest that bdellin-HM-2 may play a crucial role in blood-sucking in this leech species and may be a potential candidate for the development of clinical anti-thrombotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo-Mei Cheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Xiao-Peng Tang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Ai-Lin Long
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650204, China
| | - James Mwangi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Rui-Pu Sun
- Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Cheng-Bo Long
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Zhen-Qing Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou Jiangsu 215123, China
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16
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Mebius MM, Op Heij JMJ, Tielens AGM, de Groot PG, Urbanus RT, van Hellemond JJ. Fibrinogen and fibrin are novel substrates for Fasciola hepatica cathepsin L peptidases. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2018; 221:10-13. [PMID: 29414671 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Cathepsin peptidases form a major component of the secreted proteins of the blood-feeding trematodes Fasciola hepatica and Schistosoma mansoni. These peptidases fulfill many functions, from facilitating infection to feeding and immune evasion. In this study, we examined the Fasciola cathepsin L peptidases FhCL1, FhCL2, and FhCL3 and the schistosomal cathepsin peptidases SmCB1 and SmCL3 for their anticoagulant properties. Although no direct anticoagulant effect of these peptidases was observed, we discovered that cathepsin peptidases from Fasciola, but not from Schistosoma, were able to degrade purified fibrinogen, with FhCL1 having the highest fibrinogenolytic activity. Additionally, FhCL1 and FhCL2 both efficiently degraded fibrin. The lack of a direct anticoagulant or fibrinolytic effect of these peptidases is explained by their inhibition by plasma components. However, within the parasite gut, high concentrations of these peptidases could induce an anticoagulant environment, facilitating blood-feeding for extended periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam M Mebius
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jody M J Op Heij
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aloysius G M Tielens
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Philip G de Groot
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rolf T Urbanus
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap J van Hellemond
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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17
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Liu Z, Wang Y, Tong X, Su Y, Yang L, Wang D, Zhao Y. De novo assembly and comparative transcriptome characterization of Poecilobdella javanica provide insight into blood feeding of medicinal leeches. Mol Omics 2018; 14:352-361. [DOI: 10.1039/c8mo00098k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Leeches (family Hirudinidae) are classic model invertebrates used in diverse clinical treatments, such as reconstructive microsurgery, hypertension, and gangrene treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zichao Liu
- Department of Life Science & Technology, Kunming University, Kunming Key Laboratory of Hydroecology Restoration of Dianchi Lake, Key Laboratory of Special Biological Resource Development & Utilization of Universities in Yunnan Province
- Kunming
- China
| | - Yanjie Wang
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California
- Los Angeles
- USA
| | - Xiangrong Tong
- Department of Life Science & Technology, Kunming University, Kunming Key Laboratory of Hydroecology Restoration of Dianchi Lake, Key Laboratory of Special Biological Resource Development & Utilization of Universities in Yunnan Province
- Kunming
- China
| | - Yuan Su
- Department of Life Science & Technology, Kunming University, Kunming Key Laboratory of Hydroecology Restoration of Dianchi Lake, Key Laboratory of Special Biological Resource Development & Utilization of Universities in Yunnan Province
- Kunming
- China
| | - Lijiang Yang
- Department of Life Science & Technology, Kunming University, Kunming Key Laboratory of Hydroecology Restoration of Dianchi Lake, Key Laboratory of Special Biological Resource Development & Utilization of Universities in Yunnan Province
- Kunming
- China
| | - Debin Wang
- Department of Life Science & Technology, Kunming University, Kunming Key Laboratory of Hydroecology Restoration of Dianchi Lake, Key Laboratory of Special Biological Resource Development & Utilization of Universities in Yunnan Province
- Kunming
- China
| | - Yuqi Zhao
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles
- Los Angeles
- USA
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18
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Liu WH, Chen Y, Bai XW, Yao HM, Zhang XG, Yan XW, Lai R. Identification and characterization of a novel neuropeptide (neuropeptide Y-HS) from leech salivary gland of Haemadipsa sylvestris. Chin J Nat Med 2017; 14:677-682. [PMID: 27667513 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(16)30080-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The present study was designed to identify immunomodulatory components from the leech salivary gland of Haemadipsa sylvestris. The Sephadex G-50, Resource(TM) S column chromatography and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) were used to isolate and purify the salivary gland extracts (SGE). Structural analysis of isolated compounds was based on Edman degradation and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS). The cDNA encoding the precursor of the compound was cloned from the cDNA library of the salivary gland of H. sylvestris. The levels of inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) were assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effects on cell proliferation and cell viability were observed using MTT assay. A novel neuropeptide Y (Neuropeptide Y-HS) from the leech salivary gland of H. sylvestris was purified and characterized. It was composed of 36 amino acid residues and the amino acid sequence was determined to be FLEPPERPAVFTSVEQMKSYIKALNDYYLLLGRPRF-NH2, containing an amidated C-terminus. It showed significant inhibitory effects on the production of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, and MCP-1. Neuropeptide Y was identified from leeches for the first time. The presence of neuropeptide Y-HS in leech salivary gland may help get blood meal from hosts and inhibit inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hui Liu
- Life Sciences College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Life Sciences College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xue-Wei Bai
- Life Sciences College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Hui-Min Yao
- Life Sciences College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xu-Guang Zhang
- Major Cardiovascular Surgery, Kunming Yanan Hospital, Kunming 650051, China
| | - Xiu-Wen Yan
- Life Sciences College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Ren Lai
- Life Sciences College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
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19
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Liu X, Wang C, Ding X, Liu X, Li Q, Kong Y. A novel selective inhibitor to thrombin-induced platelet aggregation purified from the leech Whitmania pigra. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 473:349-354. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.03.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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20
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Siddall ME, Brugler MR, Kvist S. Comparative Transcriptomic Analyses of Three Species of Placobdella (Rhynchobdellida: Glossiphoniidae) Confirms a Single Origin of Blood Feeding in Leeches. J Parasitol 2015; 102:143-50. [PMID: 26535976 DOI: 10.1645/15-802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the recalcitrant questions regarding the evolutionary history of clitellate annelids involves the feeding preference of the common ancestor of extant rhynchobdellid (proboscis bearing) and arhynchobdellid (jaw bearing) leeches. Whereas early evidence, based on morphological data, pointed towards independent acquisitions of blood feeding in the 2 orders, molecular-based phylogenetic data suggest that the ancestor of modern leeches was a sanguivore. Here, we use a comparative transcriptomic approach in order to increase our understanding of the diversity of anticoagulation factors for 3 species of the genus Placobdella, for which comparative data have been lacking, and inspect these in light of archetypal anticoagulant data for both arhynchobdellid and other rhynchobdellid species. Notwithstanding the varying levels of host specificity displayed by the 3 different species of Placobdella, transcriptomic profiles with respect to anticoagulation factors were largely similar -this despite the fact that Placobdella kwetlumye only retains a single pair of salivary glands, as opposed to the 2 pairs more common in the genus. Results show that 9 different anticoagulant proteins and an additional 5 putative antihemostasis proteins are expressed in salivary secretions of the 3 species. In particular, an ortholog of the archetypal, single-copy, anticoagulant hirudin (not previously available as comparative data for rhynchobdellids) is present in at least 2 of 3 species examined, corroborating the notion of a single origin of blood feeding in the ancestral leech.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E Siddall
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, and Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024
| | - Mercer R Brugler
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, and Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024
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21
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Modica MV, Lombardo F, Franchini P, Oliverio M. The venomous cocktail of the vampire snail Colubraria reticulata (Mollusca, Gastropoda). BMC Genomics 2015; 16:441. [PMID: 26054852 PMCID: PMC4460706 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1648-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hematophagy arose independently multiple times during metazoan evolution, with several lineages of vampire animals particularly diversified in invertebrates. However, the biochemistry of hematophagy has been studied in a few species of direct medical interest and is still underdeveloped in most invertebrates, as in general is the study of venom toxins. In cone snails, leeches, arthropods and snakes, the strong target specificity of venom toxins uniquely aligns them to industrial and academic pursuits (pharmacological applications, pest control etc.) and provides a biochemical tool for studying biological activities including cell signalling and immunological response. Neogastropod snails (cones, oyster drills etc.) are carnivorous and include active predators, scavengers, grazers on sessile invertebrates and hematophagous parasites; most of them use venoms to efficiently feed. It has been hypothesized that trophic innovations were the main drivers of rapid radiation of Neogastropoda in the late Cretaceous. We present here the first molecular characterization of the alimentary secretion of a non-conoidean neogastropod, Colubraria reticulata. Colubrariids successfully feed on the blood of fishes, throughout the secretion into the host of a complex mixture of anaesthetics and anticoagulants. We used a NGS RNA-Seq approach, integrated with differential expression analyses and custom searches for putative secreted feeding-related proteins, to describe in detail the salivary and mid-oesophageal transcriptomes of this Mediterranean vampire snail, with functional and evolutionary insights on major families of bioactive molecules. Results A remarkably low level of overlap was observed between the gene expression in the two target tissues, which also contained a high percentage of putatively secreted proteins when compared to the whole body. At least 12 families of feeding-related proteins were identified, including: 1) anaesthetics, such as ShK Toxin-containing proteins and turripeptides (ion-channel blockers), Cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs), Adenosine Deaminase (ADA); 2) inhibitors of primary haemostasis, such as novel vWFA domain-containing proteins, the Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 5 (ENPP5) and the wasp Antigen-5; 3) anticoagulants, such as TFPI-like multiple Kunitz-type protease inhibitors, Peptidases S1 (PS1), CAP/ShKT domain-containing proteins, Astacin metalloproteases and Astacin/ShKT domain-containing proteins; 4) additional proteins, such the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE: vasopressive) and the cytolytic Porins. Conclusions Colubraria feeding physiology seems to involve inhibitors of both primary and secondary haemostasis, anaesthetics, a vasoconstrictive enzyme to reduce feeding time and tissue-degrading proteins such as Porins and Astacins. The complexity of Colubraria venomous cocktail and the divergence from the arsenal of the few neogastropods studied to date (mostly conoideans) suggest that biochemical diversification of neogastropods might be largely underestimated and worth of extensive investigation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1648-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vittoria Modica
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "C. Darwin", Sapienza University, I-00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Fabrizio Lombardo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, I-00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Paolo Franchini
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, D-78745, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Marco Oliverio
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "C. Darwin", Sapienza University, I-00185, Rome, Italy.
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22
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von Reumont BM, Campbell LI, Jenner RA. Quo vadis venomics? A roadmap to neglected venomous invertebrates. Toxins (Basel) 2014; 6:3488-551. [PMID: 25533518 PMCID: PMC4280546 DOI: 10.3390/toxins6123488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Venomics research is being revolutionized by the increased use of sensitive -omics techniques to identify venom toxins and their transcripts in both well studied and neglected venomous taxa. The study of neglected venomous taxa is necessary both for understanding the full diversity of venom systems that have evolved in the animal kingdom, and to robustly answer fundamental questions about the biology and evolution of venoms without the distorting effect that can result from the current bias introduced by some heavily studied taxa. In this review we draw the outlines of a roadmap into the diversity of poorly studied and understood venomous and putatively venomous invertebrates, which together represent tens of thousands of unique venoms. The main groups we discuss are crustaceans, flies, centipedes, non-spider and non-scorpion arachnids, annelids, molluscs, platyhelminths, nemerteans, and echinoderms. We review what is known about the morphology of the venom systems in these groups, the composition of their venoms, and the bioactivities of the venoms to provide researchers with an entry into a large and scattered literature. We conclude with a short discussion of some important methodological aspects that have come to light with the recent use of new -omics techniques in the study of venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lahcen I Campbell
- Department of Life Sciences, the Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD London, UK.
| | - Ronald A Jenner
- Department of Life Sciences, the Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD London, UK.
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23
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Rajaei SM, Khorram H, Ansari Mood M, Mashhadi Rafie S, Williams DL. Oral infestation with leech Limnatis nilotica
in two mixed-breed dogs. J Small Anim Pract 2013; 55:648-51. [DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Revised: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. M. Rajaei
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch; Islamic Azad University; Tehran Iran
| | - H. Khorram
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch; Islamic Azad University; Tehran Iran
| | - M. Ansari Mood
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch; Islamic Azad University; Tehran Iran
| | - S. Mashhadi Rafie
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch; Islamic Azad University; Tehran Iran
| | - D. L. Williams
- Department of Veterinary Medicine; University of Cambridge; Cambridge CB3 0ES
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24
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Li
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research
| | - Guo-Cai Wang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research
| | - Chun-Hua Wang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research
| | - Wen-Cai Ye
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research
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25
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26
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Kvist S, Min GS, Siddall ME. Diversity and selective pressures of anticoagulants in three medicinal leeches (Hirudinida: Hirudinidae, Macrobdellidae). Ecol Evol 2013; 3:918-33. [PMID: 23610634 PMCID: PMC3631404 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Revised: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Although medicinal leeches have long been used as treatment for various ailments because of their potent anticoagulation factors, neither the full diversity of salivary components that inhibit coagulation, nor the evolutionary selection acting on them has been thoroughly investigated. Here, we constructed expressed sequence tag libraries from salivary glands of two species of medicinal hirudinoid leeches, Hirudo verbana and Aliolimnatis fenestrata, and identified anticoagulant-orthologs through BLASTx searches. The data set then was augmented by the addition of a previously constructed EST library from the macrobdelloid leech Macrobdella decora. The identified orthologs then were compared and contrasted with well-characterized anticoagulants from a variety of leeches with different feeding habits, including non-sanguivorous species. Moreover, four different statistical methods for predicting signatures of positive and negative evolutionary pressures were used for 10 rounds each to assess the level and type of selection acting on the molecules as a whole and on specific sites. In total, sequences showing putative BLASTx-orthology with five and three anticoagulant-families were recovered in the A. fenestrata and H. verbana EST libraries respectively. Selection pressure analyses predicted high levels of purifying selection across the anticoagulant diversity, although a few isolated sites showed signatures of positive selection. This study represents a first attempt at mapping the anticoagulant repertoires in a comparative fashion across several leech families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Kvist
- Richard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA
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27
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Wang GC, Ye WC, Li T, Huang XJ. Whitmanoside A, a New α-Pyrone Glycoside from the Leech Whitmania pigra. HETEROCYCLES 2013. [DOI: 10.3987/com-13-12722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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28
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Abstract
Leeches have been making a remarkable come-back in medical practice in recent years, particularly in reconstructive surgery. This paper opens with a brief review of the historical aspects of the medicinal use of leeches and their recent renaissance in modern medical practice. We then embark on a journey through the murky waters of leech infestation and the potentially life-threatening complications arising from close encounters with these extraordinary creatures. Finally, we get to grips with the tricky issue of safely apprehending and removing uninvited hangers-on.
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29
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Hasan F, Khar RK, Ahmad FJ, Ahmad S, Ali M, Iqbal Z, Reza MH. Development and validation of a stability-indicating method for determination of free sterols in the Asian medicinal leech Hirudo manillensis. J Chromatogr Sci 2012; 50:673-9. [PMID: 22595259 DOI: 10.1093/chromsci/bms076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
A rapid, simple, sensitive, selective, precise and robust thin-layer chromatography densitometric method for the determination of free sterols in leech was developed and validated on silica gel layer using carbon tetrachloride-methanol-formic acid (9.5:1.5:0.55, v/v/v). Spectrodensitometric scanning was carried using a Camag TLC scanner III at 366 nm after spraying 2% methanolic sulphuric acid, which gave compact spots for cholesterol (R(F) = 0.35 ± 0.02). The regression analysis data for calibration plot implied a good linear relationship (r(2) = 0.99958) between response and concentration over the range 100-600 ng per spot with respect to peak area. The limits of detection and quantification were found to be 13.8 ± 0.51 and 45.01 ± 1.29 ng per spot, respectively. Validation was in accordance to the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. Cholesterol was subjected to forced stress conditions of oxidation, hydrolysis and heat. Degradation products resulting from the forced stress did not interfere with detection because the degradant peaks were well separated from the cholesterol peak. The densitometric method can be regarded as stability-indicating and can be used for quality control assay of cholesterol in leech extract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Hasan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Hamdard University, New Delhi 110062, India.
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Molecular phylogeny of the New World bloodfeeding leeches of the genus Haementeria and reconsideration of the biannulate genus Oligobdella. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2011; 62:508-14. [PMID: 22100824 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2011.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2011] [Revised: 10/15/2011] [Accepted: 10/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The phylogenetic relationships of species of the New World bloodfeeding genus Haementeria were investigated for the first time. The analysis included five molecular markers. The mitochondrial COI, 12S and ND1 as well as the nuclear 28S and ITS. The evolutionary history of the group was investigated through Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Inference. Both phylogenetic methods resulted in highly congruent hypotheses. The correlation between the phylogeny and morphological traits such as eyespot number, annulation, Lang's organs, salivary glands, bacteriomes and reproductive organs is discussed. Restricted to Haementeria are Lang's organs, spherical bacteriomes and ovaries forming an anterior ring around the ventral nerve cord. In addition, Oligobdella brasilensis was formally transferred to Haementeria, providing additional arguments for the disposal of the genus Oligobdella. Haementeria gracilis is shown to be just a junior synonym of Haementeria depressa as suggested by previous authors. Finally, the geographical distribution of species of Haementeria was compared with that of other non-leech and leech taxa. Multiple events of South-North American interchange were proposed to explain the current geographical distribution of the species of Haementeria.
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Abstract
The evolutionary history of leeches is employed as a general framework for understanding more than merely the systematics of this charismatic group of annelid worms, and serves as a basis for understanding blood-feeding related correlates ranging from the specifics of gut-associated bacterial symbionts to salivary anticoagulant peptides. A variety of medicinal leech families were examined for intraluminal crop bacterial symbionts. Species of Aeromonas and Bacteroidetes were characterized with DNA gyrase B and 16S rDNA. Bacteroidetes isolates were found to be much more phylogenetically diverse and suggested stronger evidence of phylogenetic correlation than the gammaproteobacteria. Patterns that look like co-speciation with limited taxon sampling do not in the full context of phylogeny. Bioactive compounds that are expressed as gene products, like those in leech salivary glands, have 'passed the test' of evolutionary selection. We produced and bioinformatically mined salivary gland EST libraries across medicinal leech lineages to experimentally and statistically evaluate whether evolutionary selection on peptides can identify structure-function activities of known therapeutically relevant bioactive compounds like antithrombin, hirudin and antistasin. The combined information content of a well corroborated leech phylogeny and broad taxonomic coverage of expressed proteins leads to a rich understanding of evolution and function in leech history.
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Lee YK, Player MR. Developments in factor Xa inhibitors for the treatment of thromboembolic disorders. Med Res Rev 2011; 31:202-83. [DOI: 10.1002/med.20183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Min GS, Sarkar IN, Siddall ME. Salivary Transcriptome of the North American Medicinal Leech, Macrobdella decora. J Parasitol 2010; 96:1211-21. [DOI: 10.1645/ge-2496.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Russell CL, Heesom KJ, Arthur CJ, Helps CR, Mellor PS, Day MJ, Torsteinsdottir S, Björnsdóttir TS, Wilson AD. Identification and isolation of cDNA clones encoding the abundant secreted proteins in the saliva proteome of Culicoides nubeculosus. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2009; 18:383-393. [PMID: 19523070 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2009.00882.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides spp. are vectors of several infectious diseases of veterinary importance and a major cause of allergy in horses and other livestock. Their saliva contains a number of proteins which enable blood feeding, enhance disease transmission and act as allergens. We report the construction of a novel cDNA library from Culicoides nubeculosus linked to the analysis of abundant salivary gland proteins by mass spectrometry. Fifty-four novel proteins sequences are described including those of the enzymes maltase, hyaluronidase and two serine proteases demonstrated to be present in Culicoides salivary glands, as well as several members of the D7 family and protease inhibitors with putative anticoagulant activity. In addition, several families of abundant proteins with unknown function were identified including some of the major candidate allergens that cause insect bite hypersensitivity in horses.
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Gan W, Deng L, Yang C, He Q, Hu J, Yin H, Jin X, Lu C, Wu Y, Peng L. An anticoagulant peptide from the human hookworm, Ancylostoma duodenale that inhibits coagulation factors Xa and XIa. FEBS Lett 2009; 583:1976-80. [PMID: 19446556 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2009] [Revised: 04/27/2009] [Accepted: 05/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A full-length cDNA encoding an anticoagulant peptide, named AduNAP4, was cloned and identified from the human hookworm Ancylostoma duodenale. AduNAP4 has 104 amino acids including a predicted 23-residue signal peptide and shows <or= 50% similarity with other known nematode anticoagulant protein/peptide (NAP). AduNAP4 is extremely efficient at prolonging the activated partial thromboplastin time, and is an inhibitor of both fXa (K(i)=7.34+/-1.74 nM) and fXIa (K(i)=42.45+/-3.25 nM). No fXIa inhibitor has previously been described from other blood-feeding animals. Our results suggest that hookworms have evolved a potent mechanism that interferes with coagulation by inhibition of fXIa to facilitate its blood-feeding lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiong Gan
- Department of Parasitology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, China
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Joo SS, Won TJ, Kim JS, Yoo YM, Tak ES, Park SY, Park HY, Hwang KW, Park SC, Lee DI. Inhibition of Coagulation Activation and Inflammation by a Novel Factor Xa Inhibitor Synthesized from the Earthworm Eisenia andrei. Biol Pharm Bull 2009; 32:253-8. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.32.253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seong Soo Joo
- Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University
| | - Tae Joon Won
- Department of Immunology, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University
| | - Jong Sung Kim
- Department of Immunology, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University
| | - Yeong Min Yoo
- Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University
| | - Eun Sik Tak
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University
| | - So-Young Park
- Environmental Toxico-Genomic & Proteomic Center, College of Medicine, Korea University
| | - Hee Yong Park
- Department of Immunology, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University
| | - Kwang Woo Hwang
- Department of Immunology, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University
| | | | - Do Ik Lee
- Department of Immunology, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University
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Fernandes-Pedrosa MDF, Junqueira-de-Azevedo IDLM, Gonçalves-de-Andrade RM, Kobashi LS, Almeida DD, Ho PL, Tambourgi DV. Transcriptome analysis of Loxosceles laeta (Araneae, Sicariidae) spider venomous gland using expressed sequence tags. BMC Genomics 2008; 9:279. [PMID: 18547439 PMCID: PMC2440767 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-9-279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2008] [Accepted: 06/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The bite of spiders belonging to the genus Loxosceles can induce a variety of clinical symptoms, including dermonecrosis, thrombosis, vascular leakage, haemolysis, and persistent inflammation. In order to examine the transcripts expressed in venom gland of Loxosceles laeta spider and to unveil the potential of its products on cellular structure and functional aspects, we generated 3,008 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from a cDNA library. Results All ESTs were clustered into 1,357 clusters, of which 16.4% of the total ESTs belong to recognized toxin-coding sequences, being the Sphingomyelinases D the most abundant transcript; 14.5% include "possible toxins", whose transcripts correspond to metalloproteinases, serinoproteinases, hyaluronidases, lipases, C-lectins, cystein peptidases and inhibitors. Thirty three percent of the ESTs are similar to cellular transcripts, being the major part represented by molecules involved in gene and protein expression, reflecting the specialization of this tissue for protein synthesis. In addition, a considerable number of sequences, 25%, has no significant similarity to any known sequence. Conclusion This study provides a first global view of the gene expression scenario of the venom gland of L. laeta described so far, indicating the molecular bases of its venom composition.
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Oceguera-Figueroa A. A New Glossiphoniid Leech from Catemaco Lake, Veracruz, México. J Parasitol 2008; 94:375-80. [DOI: 10.1645/ge-1240.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Ito N, Mita M, Takahashi Y, Matsushima A, Watanabe YG, Hirano S, Odani S. Novel cysteine-rich secretory protein in the buccal gland secretion of the parasitic lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2007; 358:35-40. [PMID: 17467660 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.04.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2007] [Accepted: 04/03/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Lampreys are one of the most primitive vertebrates diverged some 500 million years ago. It has long been known that parasitic lampreys secrete anticoagulant from their buccal glands and prevent blood coagulation of host fishes. We found two major protein components of 160 and 26 kDa in the buccal gland secretion of parasitic river lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum. The larger protein was identified as river lamprey plasma albumin. The complete primary structure of the 26-kDa protein was determined by protein and cDNA analysis. It belonged to the cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRISP) superfamily that includes recently identified reptile venom ion-channel blockers. Lamprey CRISP blocked depolarization-induced contraction of rat-tail arterial smooth muscle, but showed no effect on caffeine-induced contraction. The result suggests that lamprey CRISP is an L-type Ca(2+)-channel blocker and may act as a vasodilator, which facilitates the parasite to feed on the host's blood. The lamprey CRISP protein contains a number of short insertions throughout the sequence, when aligned with reptilian venom CRISP proteins, probably due to the large evolutionary distance between the Agnatha and the Reptilia, and may represent a novel class of venom CRISP family proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Ito
- Life Science Course, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
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Abstract
BACKGROUND This is a case report about a rare hypopharyngeal foreign body causing dysphagia, dyspnea, and hemoptysis as well as melena: an ingested leech. The patient was in this condition for more than 1 week. METHODS The ingested leech, attached to the right piriform fossa partially obstructing the larynx, had to be removed under general anesthesia. RESULTS After removal, no further symptoms occurred. The leech was identified as the species Theromyzon tessulatum. CONCLUSIONS Human infestation of a leech in the upper aerodigestive tract is a very rare condition in urban areas. The current literature is reviewed and the diagnostic approach as well as therapeutic options are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Kuehnemund
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany.
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Yanes O, Villanueva J, Querol E, Aviles FX. Functional Screening of Serine Protease Inhibitors in the Medical Leech Hirudo medicinalis Monitored by Intensity Fading MALDI-TOF MS. Mol Cell Proteomics 2005; 4:1602-13. [PMID: 16030009 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m500145-mcp200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood-feeding invertebrates are a rich biological source of drugs and lead compounds to treat cardiovascular diseases because they have evolved highly efficient mechanisms to feed on their hosts by blocking blood coagulation. In this work, we focused our attention on the leech Hirudo medicinalis. We performed, by "intensity fading" MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, a comprehensive detection and functional analysis of pre-existent peptides and small proteins with the capability of binding to trypsin-like proteases related to blood coagulation. Combining "intensity fading MS" and off-line LC prefractionation allowed us to detect more than 75 molecules present in the leech extract that interact specifically with a trypsin-like protease over a sample profile of nearly 2,000 different peptides/proteins in the 2-20-kDa range. Moreover we resolved 232 individual components from the complex mixture, 13 of which have high sequence homology with previously described serine protease inhibitors. Our findings indicate that such extracts are much more complex than expected. Additionally, intensity fading MS, when complemented with LC separation strategies, seems to be a useful tool to investigate complex biological samples, establishing a new bridge between profiling, functional peptidomics, and subsequent drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Yanes
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
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Frare E, de Laureto PP, Scaramella E, Tonello F, Marin O, Deana R, Fontana A. Chemical synthesis of the RGD-protein decorsin: Pro→Ala replacement reduces protein thermostability. Protein Eng Des Sel 2005; 18:487-95. [PMID: 16155118 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzi054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Decorsin is a 39-residue polypeptide chain, crosslinked by three disulfide bridges, that strongly inhibits platelet aggregation. We report the chemical synthesis and characterization of analogs of decorsin with the aim of investigating the role of proline residues in protein structure, stability and biological activity. Decorsin analogs have been synthesized in which one (P23A and P24A decorsin) or two (P23,24A decorsin) proline residues have been substituted by alanine. The crude synthetic polypeptides were purified by reversed-phase HPLC in their reduced form and allowed to refold oxidatively to their disulfide-crosslinked species. The homogeneity of the synthetic mini-proteins, and also the correct pairing of the three disulfide bridges, were established by a number of analytical criteria, including fingerprinting analysis of the refolded synthetic analogs by using thermolysin and proteinase K as proteolytic enzymes. Replacement of proline by alanine results in a significant and cumulative decrease of the high thermal stability (Tm 74 degrees C) of native decorsin. The mono-substituted analogs display a Tm of 66-67 degrees C, while the double-substituted analog a Tm of 50 degrees C. On the other hand, the overall secondary and tertiary structures were not affected by the Pro-->Ala exchanges, as judged from circular dichroism measurements. Platelet aggregation assays established that the proline substitutions do not impair significantly the biological activity of decorsin. The results of this study clearly indicate that proline residues contribute significantly to the protein thermal stability. Our results are in line with the 'proline rule', previously advanced for explaining the unusual thermal stability of thermophilic enzymes, which usually show an enhanced content of proline residues with respect to their mesophilic counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Frare
- CRIBI Biotechnology Centre and Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35121 Padua, Italy
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Arolas JL, Popowicz GM, Lorenzo J, Sommerhoff CP, Huber R, Aviles FX, Holak TA. The Three-Dimensional Structures of Tick Carboxypeptidase Inhibitor in Complex with A/B Carboxypeptidases Reveal a Novel Double-headed Binding Mode. J Mol Biol 2005; 350:489-98. [PMID: 15961103 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2005.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2005] [Revised: 05/06/2005] [Accepted: 05/08/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The tick carboxypeptidase inhibitor (TCI) is a proteinaceous inhibitor of metallo-carboxypeptidases present in the blood-sucking tick Rhipicephalus bursa. The three-dimensional crystal structures of recombinant TCI bound to bovine carboxypeptidase A and to human carboxypeptidase B have been determined and refined at 1.7 A and at 2.0 A resolution, respectively. TCI consists of two domains that are structurally similar despite the low degree of sequence homology. The domains, each consisting of a short alpha-helix followed by a small twisted antiparallel beta-sheet, show a high level of structural homology to proteins of the beta-defensin-fold family. TCI anchors to the surface of mammalian carboxypeptidases in a double-headed manner not previously seen for carboxypeptidase inhibitors: the last three carboxy-terminal amino acid residues interact with the active site of the enzyme in a way that mimics substrate binding, and the N-terminal domain binds to an exosite distinct from the active-site groove. The structures of these complexes should prove valuable in the applications of TCI as a thrombolytic drug and as a basis for the design of novel bivalent carboxypeptidase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan L Arolas
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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Faria F, Junqueira-de-Azevedo IDLM, Ho PL, Sampaio MU, Chudzinski-Tavassi AM. Gene expression in the salivary complexes from Haementeria depressa leech through the generation of expressed sequence tags. Gene 2005; 349:173-85. [PMID: 15777719 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2004.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2004] [Revised: 11/15/2004] [Accepted: 12/15/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A survey of the transcriptional profile of Haementeria depressa Ringuelet, 1972 (Annelida, Hirudinea) salivary complexes was produced through expressed sequence tag (EST). Sequences from 898 independent clones were assembled in 555 clusters, representing the transcript profile of this tissue. The repertoire of possible proteins involved in feeding and host interaction processes of the leech corresponded to 10.6% of all identified transcripts (67 clusters), being the carbonic anhydrases (30%), several coagulation inhibitors (25%) and hemerythrin-like molecules (19%), the major components. Among the 387 clusters matching cellular proteins, the majority represents molecules involved in gene and protein expression, reflecting a high specialization of this tissue for protein synthesis. Our H. depressa dbEST was also compared to those from other blood-feeding organisms, providing evidences that among the secreted proteins, the coagulation inhibitors present a profile very characteristic of this animal class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Faria
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biofísica, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, CEP: 05503-900, São Paulo, Brazil
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Arolas JL, Lorenzo J, Rovira A, Castellà J, Aviles FX, Sommerhoff CP. A carboxypeptidase inhibitor from the tick Rhipicephalus bursa: isolation, cDNA cloning, recombinant expression, and characterization. J Biol Chem 2004; 280:3441-8. [PMID: 15561703 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m411086200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel proteinaceous metallo-carboxypeptidase inhibitor, named tick carboxypeptidase inhibitor (TCI), was isolated from the ixodid tick Rhipicephalus bursa and N-terminally sequenced. The complete cDNA encoding this protein was cloned from tick mRNA by reverse transcription-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends techniques. The full-length TCI cDNA contains an open reading frame coding for a precursor protein of 97 amino acid residues that consists of a predicted signal peptide of 22 residues and of mature TCI, a 75-residue cysteine-rich protein (12 Cys). The deduced amino acid sequence shows no homology to other known proteins; the C terminus, however, resembles those of other protein metallo-carboxypeptidase inhibitors, suggesting a common mechanism of inhibition. Recombinant TCI expressed in Escherichia coli is fully functional and inhibits carboxypeptidases of the A/B subfamily with equilibrium dissociation constants in the nanomolar range. Structural analyses by circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance indicate that TCI is a protein strongly constrained by disulfide bonds, unusually stable over a wide pH range and highly resistant to denaturing conditions. As a tight binding inhibitor of plasma carboxypeptidase B, also known as thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor, recombinant TCI stimulates fibrinolysis in vitro and thus may have potential for applications to prevent or treat thrombotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan L Arolas
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Sanitat i d'Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
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Richardson JL, Fuentes-Prior P, Sadler JE, Huber R, Bode W. Characterization of the residues involved in the human alpha-thrombin-haemadin complex: an exosite II-binding inhibitor. Biochemistry 2002; 41:2535-42. [PMID: 11851400 DOI: 10.1021/bi011605q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Haemadin is a 57-amino acid thrombin inhibitor from the land-living leech Haemadipsa sylvestris, whose structure has recently been determined in complex with human alpha-thrombin. Here we communicate the effect of ionic strength on the kinetics of the inhibition of human alpha-thrombin by haemadin, by using thrombin mutants modified in exosite II. Data analysis has allowed both the ionic and nonionic binding contributions to be ascertained, with the nonionic component being virtually the same for all of the thrombins that have been examined, while the ionic binding energy contributions varied from molecule to molecule. In the case of the native human alpha-thrombin-haemadin complex, ionic interactions contribute -17 kJ/mol to the Gibbs free energy of binding, this being the equivalent of up to six salt bridges. These salt bridges make up 20% of the total binding energy at zero ionic strength, and this has been attributed to the C-terminal tail alone. In addition, the contributions of the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of haemadin to its tight binding have been ascertained by using derivatives of both haemadin and thrombin. Limited proteolysis using formic acid produced haemadin cleaved between residues 40 and 41, removing the majority of the C-terminal tail. This truncated haemadin displayed a 20000-fold reduced affinity for thrombin, and was no longer a tight binding inhibitor. A form of thrombin in which the active site serine has been blocked by diisopropyl fluorophosphate binds to haemadin, but with a 72000-fold reduced affinity, indicating that the N-terminus is more important than the C-terminus for strong binding.
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