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Kavianpour A, Behbahani M, Mohabatkar H. Bioinformatics comparison of hemolysin in different bacteria and experimental evaluation of anti-cancer properties of extracts of some hemolysin-producing bacteria. Microb Pathog 2024; 194:106815. [PMID: 39032674 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106815] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the main causes of death in the world. Resistance to anticancer treatments in patients with advanced solid tumors leads to new treatments. Therefore, more alternative anticancer methods have been found over time with greater specificity against tumor cells and with less or no adverse effects on normal cells. Bacterial spores of obligate anaerobes exclusively germinate in the hypoxic/necrotic areas and not in the well oxygenated areas of the body. This unique phenomenon has been exploited in using bacterial spores as a remedy for cancer. Bacterial toxins also play a significant role in either directly killing tumor cells or altering the cellular processes of the tumor cells which ultimately leads to the inhibition and regression of the solid tumor. In the microbial environment, pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, or Streptococcus pyogenes produce hemolysin. This protein is used as an anti-cancer protein. To identify the production of hemolysin by bacteria, which can destroy cancer cells more effectively, different bacterial strains were first cultured in blood agar culture medium. The Strains that completely lysed red blood cells, creating transparent zones, were selected for further investigation. Then, to find out which strains have more ability to lyse red blood cells, the qualitative method of halo diameter measurement was used. Also, using quantitative methods, hemolysin strength in microtubes was determined compared to control samples. The results of the hemolysis in the microtube and the qualitative test results showed similar results. In the next step, the cell viability test was performed with the partially purified proteins. Then, bioinformatics studies such as secondary structure investigation, physicochemical properties, pseudo amino acid composition, and molecular docking were performed. The results of molecular docking showed that the hemolysin protein has the highest affinity for the cholesterol of the cytoplasmic membrane, respectively, of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria which play a significant role in either directly killing tumor cells or altering the cellular processes of the tumor cells which ultimately leads to the inhibition and regression of the solid tumor.
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2
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Gorbushin A, Ruparčič M, Anderluh G. Littoporins: Novel actinoporin-like proteins in caenogastropod genus Littorina. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 151:109698. [PMID: 38871141 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
In the course of searching for genes controlling the immune system in caenogastropod mollusks, we characterized and phylogenetically placed five new actinoporin-like cytolysins expressed in periwinkles of the genus Littorina. These newly discovered proteins, named littoporins (LitP), contain a central cytolysin/lectin domain and exhibit a predicted protein fold that is almost identical to the three-dimensional structures of actinoporins. Two of these proteins, LitP-1 and LitP-2, were found to be upregulated in L. littorea kidney tissues and immune cells in response to natural and experimental infection with the trematode Himasthla elongata, suggesting their potential role as perforins in the systemic anti-trematode immune response. The primary sequence divergence of littoporins is hypothesized to be attributed to the taxonomic range of cell membranes they can recognize and permeabilize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Gorbushin
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry (IEPhB RAS), St Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Matija Ruparčič
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Turcio R, Di Matteo F, Capolupo I, Ciaglia T, Musella S, Di Chio C, Stagno C, Campiglia P, Bertamino A, Ostacolo C. Voltage-Gated K + Channel Modulation by Marine Toxins: Pharmacological Innovations and Therapeutic Opportunities. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:350. [PMID: 39195466 DOI: 10.3390/md22080350] [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: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Bioactive compounds are abundant in animals originating from marine ecosystems. Ion channels, which include sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride, together with their numerous variants and subtypes, are the primary molecular targets of the latter. Based on their cellular targets, these venom compounds show a range of potencies and selectivity and may have some therapeutic properties. Due to their potential as medications to treat a range of (human) diseases, including pain, autoimmune disorders, and neurological diseases, marine molecules have been the focus of several studies over the last ten years. The aim of this review is on the various facets of marine (or marine-derived) molecules, ranging from structural characterization and discovery to pharmacology, culminating in the development of some "novel" candidate chemotherapeutic drugs that target potassium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Turcio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Capolupo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Tania Ciaglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Simona Musella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Carla Di Chio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences (CHIBIOFARAM), University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Claudio Stagno
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences (CHIBIOFARAM), University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Pietro Campiglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Alessia Bertamino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Carmine Ostacolo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
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4
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Escalona-Rodriguez FA, Cruz-Leal Y, La O-Bonet J, Pérez-Erviti JA, Valdés-Tresanco ME, Rivero-Hernández AL, Sifontes-Niebla M, Manso-Vargas A, Sánchez B, Alvarez C, Barbosa LRS, Itri R, Lanio ME. Unveiling Sticholysin II and plasmid DNA interaction: Implications for developing non-viral vectors. Toxicon 2024; 238:107571. [PMID: 38141971 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Non-viral gene delivery systems offer significant potential for gene therapy due to their versatility, safety, and cost advantages over viral vectors. However, their effectiveness can be hindered by the challenge of efficiently releasing the genetic cargo from endosomes to prevent degradation in lysosomes. To overcome this obstacle, functional components can be incorporated into these systems. Sticholysin II (StII) is one of the pore-forming proteins derived from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus, known for its high ability to permeabilize cellular and model membranes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interaction between StII, and a model plasmid (pDNA) as an initial step towards designing an improved vector with enhanced endosomal escape capability. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed the formation of complexes between StII and pDNA. Computational predictions identified specific residues involved in the StII-DNA interaction interface, highlighting the importance of electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds in mediating the binding. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) of StII-pDNA complexes revealed the presence of nodular fiber and toroid shapes. These complexes were found to have a predominantly micrometer size, as confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Despite increase in the overall charge, the complexes formed at the evaluated nitrogen-to-phosphorus (N/P) ratios still maintained a negative charge. Moreover, StII retained its pore-forming capacity regardless of its binding to the complexes. These findings suggest that the potential ability of StII to permeabilize endosomal membranes could be largely maintained when combined with nucleic acid delivery systems. Additionally, the still remaining negative charge of the complexes would enable the association of another positively charged component to compact pDNA. However, to minimize non-specific cytotoxic effects, it is advisable to explore methods to regulate the protein's activity in response to the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe A Escalona-Rodriguez
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba; NanoCancer, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Yoelys Cruz-Leal
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba.
| | - Javier La O-Bonet
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba; NanoCancer, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Julio A Pérez-Erviti
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba.
| | - Mario Ernesto Valdés-Tresanco
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba.
| | - Ada L Rivero-Hernández
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba; NanoCancer, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Maricary Sifontes-Niebla
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba; NanoCancer, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Alexis Manso-Vargas
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Direction, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Belinda Sánchez
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Direction, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Carlos Alvarez
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba; NanoCancer, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Leandro R S Barbosa
- Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil; Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, 13083-100, SP, Brazil.
| | - Rosangela Itri
- Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil.
| | - María E Lanio
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba; NanoCancer, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
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5
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Hérnández-Elizárraga VH, Vega-Tamayo JE, Olguín-López N, Ibarra-Alvarado C, Rojas-Molina A. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses reveal the first occurrence of diverse toxin groups in Millepora alcicornis. J Proteomics 2023; 288:104984. [PMID: 37536522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2023.104984] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Millepora alcicornis is a reef-forming cnidarian widely distributed in the Mexican Caribbean. Millepora species or "fire corals" inflict a painful stinging reaction in humans when touched. Even though hundreds of organic and polypeptide toxins have been characterized from sea anemones and jellyfish, there are few reports regarding the diversity of toxins synthesized by fire corals. Here, based on transcriptomic analysis of M. alcicornis, several predicted proteins that show amino acid sequence similarity to toxins were identified, including neurotoxins, metalloproteases, hemostasis-impairing toxins, serin proteases, cysteine-rich venom proteins, phospholipases, complement system-impairing toxins, phosphodiesterases, pore-forming toxins, and L-aminoacid oxidases. The soluble nematocyst proteome of this organism was shown to induce hemolytic, proteolytic, and phospholipase A2 effects by gel zymography. Protein bands or spots on 1D- and 2D-PAGE gels corresponding to zones of hemolytic and enzymatic activities were excised, subjected to in-gel digestion with trypsin, and analyzed by mass spectrometry. These proteins exhibited sequence homology to PLA2s, metalloproteinases, pore-forming toxins, and neurotoxins, such as actitoxins and CrTX-A. The complex array of venom-related transcripts that were identified in M. alcicornis, some of which are first reported in "fire corals", provide novel insight into the structural richness of Cnidarian toxins and their distribution among species. SIGNIFICANCE: Marine organisms are a promising source of bioactive compounds with valuable contributions in diverse fields such as human health, pharmaceuticals, and industrial application. Currently, not much attention has been paid to the study of fire corals, which possess a variety of molecules that exhibit diverse toxic effects and therefore have great pharmaceutical and biotechnological potential. The isolation and identification of novel marine-derived toxins by classical approaches are time-consuming and have low yields. Thus, next-generation strategies, like base-'omics technologies, are essential for the high-throughput characterization of venom compounds such as those synthesized by fire corals. This study moves the field forward because it provides new insights regarding the first occurrence of diverse toxin groups in Millepora alcicornis. The findings presented here will contribute to the current understanding of the mechanisms of action of Millepora toxins. This research also reveals important information related to the potential role of toxins in the defense and capture of prey mechanisms and for designing appropriate treatments for fire coral envenomation. Moreover, due to the lack of information on the taxonomic identification of Millepora, the insights presented here can advise the taxonomic classification of the species of this genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Hugo Hérnández-Elizárraga
- Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas S/N, C.P. 76010 Querétaro, Qro, Mexico; University of Minnesota Genomics Center, 2231 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | | | - Norma Olguín-López
- Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas S/N, C.P. 76010 Querétaro, Qro, Mexico; División Química y Energías Renovables, Universidad Tecnológica de San Juan del Río. Av La Palma No 125 Vista Hermosa, 76800 San Juan del Río, Qro, Mexico.
| | - César Ibarra-Alvarado
- Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas S/N, C.P. 76010 Querétaro, Qro, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Rojas-Molina
- Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas S/N, C.P. 76010 Querétaro, Qro, Mexico.
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6
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Mohan Prakash RL, Hwang DH, Asirvatham RD, Hong IH, Kang C, Kim E. Identification of cardiorespiratory toxic components of Nemopilema nomurai jellyfish venom using sequential chromatography methods. Toxicon 2023; 229:107126. [PMID: 37054994 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107126] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Jellyfish stings pose a significant threat to humans in coastal areas worldwide, with venomous jellyfish species stinging millions of individuals annually. Nemopilema nomurai is one of the largest jellyfish species, with numerous tentacles rich in nematocysts. N. nomurai venom (NnV) is a complex mixture of proteins, peptides, and small molecules that serve as both prey-capture and defense mechanisms. Yet, the molecular identity of its cardiorespiratory and neuronal toxic components of NnV has not been clearly identified yet. Here, we isolated a cardiotoxic fraction, NnTP (Nemopilema nomurai toxic peak), from NnV using chromatographic methods. In the zebrafish model, NnTP exhibited strong cardiorespiratory and moderate neurotoxic effects. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 23 toxin homologs, including toxic proteinases, ion channel toxins, and neurotoxins. The toxins demonstrated a synergistic effect on the zebrafish, leading to altered swimming behavior, hemorrhage in the cardiorespiratory region, and histopathological changes in organs such as the heart, gill, and brain. These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the cardiorespiratory and neurotoxic effects of NnV, which could be useful in developing therapeutic strategies for venomous jellyfish stings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Du Hyeon Hwang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea; Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea.
| | - Ravi Deva Asirvatham
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea.
| | - Il-Hwa Hong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea; Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea.
| | - Changkeun Kang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea; Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea.
| | - Euikyung Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea; Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea.
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7
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Smith EG, Surm JM, Macrander J, Simhi A, Amir G, Sachkova MY, Lewandowska M, Reitzel AM, Moran Y. Micro and macroevolution of sea anemone venom phenotype. Nat Commun 2023; 14:249. [PMID: 36646703 PMCID: PMC9842752 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-35794-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Venom is a complex trait with substantial inter- and intraspecific variability resulting from strong selective pressures acting on the expression of many toxic proteins. However, understanding the processes underlying toxin expression dynamics that determine the venom phenotype remains unresolved. By interspecific comparisons we reveal that toxin expression in sea anemones evolves rapidly and that in each species different toxin family dictates the venom phenotype by massive gene duplication events. In-depth analysis of the sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis, revealed striking variation of the dominant toxin (Nv1) diploid copy number across populations (1-24 copies) resulting from independent expansion/contraction events, which generate distinct haplotypes. Nv1 copy number correlates with expression at both the transcript and protein levels with one population having a near-complete loss of Nv1 production. Finally, we establish the dominant toxin hypothesis which incorporates observations in other venomous lineages that animals have convergently evolved a similar strategy in shaping their venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward G Smith
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Biological Sciences, Charlotte, NC, USA. .,School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.
| | - Joachim M Surm
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Jason Macrander
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Biological Sciences, Charlotte, NC, USA.,Florida Southern College, Biology Department, Lakeland, FL, USA
| | - Adi Simhi
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The School of Computer Science & Engineering, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Guy Amir
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The School of Computer Science & Engineering, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Maria Y Sachkova
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Magda Lewandowska
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Adam M Reitzel
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Biological Sciences, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Yehu Moran
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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8
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Pedrera L, Ros U, Fanani ML, Lanio ME, Epand RM, García-Sáez AJ, Álvarez C. The Important Role of Membrane Fluidity on the Lytic Mechanism of the α-Pore-Forming Toxin Sticholysin I. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:80. [PMID: 36668899 PMCID: PMC9865829 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Actinoporins have emerged as archetypal α-pore-forming toxins (PFTs) that promote the formation of pores in membranes upon oligomerization and insertion of an α-helix pore-forming domain in the bilayer. These proteins have been used as active components of immunotoxins, therefore, understanding their lytic mechanism is crucial for developing this and other applications. However, the mechanism of how the biophysical properties of the membrane modulate the properties of pores generated by actinoporins remains unclear. Here we studied the effect of membrane fluidity on the permeabilizing activity of sticholysin I (St I), a toxin that belongs to the actinoporins family of α-PFTs. To modulate membrane fluidity we used vesicles made of an equimolar mixture of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and egg sphingomyelin (eggSM), in which PC contained fatty acids of different acyl chain lengths and degrees of unsaturation. Our detailed single-vesicle analysis revealed that when membrane fluidity is high, most of the vesicles are partially permeabilized in a graded manner. In contrast, more rigid membranes can be either completely permeabilized or not, indicating an all-or-none mechanism. Altogether, our results reveal that St I pores can be heterogeneous in size and stability, and that these properties depend on the fluid state of the lipid bilayer. We propose that membrane fluidity at different regions of cellular membranes is a key factor to modulate the activity of the actinoporins, which has implications for the design of different therapeutic strategies based on their lytic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lohans Pedrera
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana CP 10400, Cuba
- Institute for Genetics and CECAD Cluster of Excellence, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Uris Ros
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana CP 10400, Cuba
- Institute for Genetics and CECAD Cluster of Excellence, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Maria Laura Fanani
- Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba X5000HUA, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba (CIQUIBIC), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas-CONICET, Córdoba X5000HUA, Argentina
| | - María E. Lanio
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana CP 10400, Cuba
| | - Richard M. Epand
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Ana J. García-Sáez
- Institute for Genetics and CECAD Cluster of Excellence, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Carlos Álvarez
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana CP 10400, Cuba
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9
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Šolinc G, Švigelj T, Omersa N, Snoj T, Pirc K, Žnidaršič N, Yamaji-Hasegawa A, Kobayashi T, Anderluh G, Podobnik M. Pore-forming moss protein bryoporin is structurally and mechanistically related to actinoporins from evolutionarily distant cnidarians. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102455. [PMID: 36063994 PMCID: PMC9526159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102455] [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: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pore-forming proteins perforate lipid membranes and consequently affect their integrity and cell fitness. Therefore, it is not surprising that many of these proteins from bacteria, fungi, or certain animals act as toxins. While pore-forming proteins have also been found in plants, there is little information on their molecular structure and mode of action. Bryoporin is a protein from the moss Physcomitrium patens, and its corresponding gene was found to be upregulated by various abiotic stresses, especially dehydration, as well as upon fungal infection. Based on the amino acid sequence, it was suggested that bryoporin was related to the actinoporin family of pore-forming proteins, originally discovered in sea anemones. Here, we provide the first detailed structural and functional analysis of this plant cytolysin. The crystal structure of the monomeric bryoporin is highly similar to those of actinoporins. Our cryo-EM analysis of its pores showed an actinoporin-like octameric structure, thereby revealing a close kinship of proteins from evolutionarily distant organisms. This was further confirmed by our observation of bryoporin's preferential binding to and formation of pores in membranes containing animal sphingolipids, such as sphingomyelin and ceramide phosphoethanolamine; however, its binding affinity was weaker than that of actinoporin equinatoxin II. We determined bryoporin did not bind to major sphingolipids found in fungi or plants, and its membrane-binding and pore-forming activity were enhanced by various sterols. Our results suggest that bryoporin could represent a part of the moss defense arsenal, acting as a pore-forming toxin against membranes of potential animal pathogens, parasites, or predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gašper Šolinc
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tomaž Švigelj
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Neža Omersa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tina Snoj
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja Pirc
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nada Žnidaršič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Toshihide Kobayashi
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marjetka Podobnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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10
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Colom-Casasnovas A, Garay E, Cisneros-Mejorado A, Aguilar MB, Lazcano-Pérez F, Arellano RO, Sánchez-Rodríguez J. Sea anemone Bartholomea annulata venom inhibits voltage-gated Na+ channels and activates GABAA receptors from mammals. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5352. [PMID: 35354863 PMCID: PMC8967859 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09339-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxin production in nematocysts by Cnidaria phylum represents an important source of bioactive compounds. Using electrophysiology and, heterologous expression of mammalian ion channels in the Xenopus oocyte membrane, we identified two main effects produced by the sea anemone Bartholomea annulata venom. Nematocysts isolation and controlled discharge of their content, revealed that venom had potent effects on both voltage-dependent Na+ (Nav) channels and GABA type A channel receptors (GABAAR), two essential proteins in central nervous system signaling. Unlike many others sea anemone toxins, which slow the inactivation rate of Nav channels, B. annulata venom potently inhibited the neuronal action potential and the Na+ currents generated by distinct Nav channels opening, including human TTX-sensitive (hNav1.6) and TTX-insensitive Nav channels (hNav1.5). A second effect of B. annulata venom was an agonistic action on GABAAR that activated distinct receptors conformed by either α1β2γ2, α3β2γ1 or, ρ1 homomeric receptors. Since GABA was detected in venom samples by ELISA assay at low nanomolar range, it was excluded that GABA from nematocysts directly activated the GABAARs. This revealed that substances in B. annulata nematocysts generated at least two potent and novel effects on mammalian ion channels that are crucial for nervous system signaling.
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11
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New Insights into the Toxin Diversity and Antimicrobial Activity of the “Fire Coral” Millepora complanata. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14030206. [PMID: 35324703 PMCID: PMC8954376 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14030206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, few studies have been carried out aimed at characterizing the toxins synthesized by hydrocorals of the genus Millepora. The purpose of this study was to explore the toxin diversity and antibacterial activity of the “fire coral” M. complanata using a transcriptomic data mining approach. In addition, the cytolytic and antibacterial activities of the M. complanata nematocyst proteome were experimentally confirmed. Cytolysins were predicted from the transcriptome by comparing against the Animal Toxin Annotation Project database, resulting in 190 putative toxins, including metalloproteases, hemostasis-impairing toxins, phospholipases, among others. The M. complanata nematocyst proteome was analyzed by 1D and 2D electrophoresis and zymography. The zymograms showed different zones of cytolytic activity: two zones of hemolysis at ~25 and ~205 kDa, two regions corresponding to phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity around 6 and 25 kDa, and a proteolytic zone was observed between 50 and 205 kDa. The hemolytic activity of the proteome was inhibited in the presence of PLA2 and proteases inhibitors, suggesting that PLA2s, trypsin, chymotrypsin, serine-proteases, and matrix metalloproteases are responsible for the hemolysis. On the other hand, antimicrobial peptide sequences were retrieved from their transcripts with the amPEPpy software. This analysis revealed the presence of homologs to SK84, cgUbiquitin, Ubiquicidin, TroTbeta4, SPINK9-v1, and Histone-related antimicrobials in the transcriptome of this cnidarian. Finally, by employing disk diffusion and microdilution assays, we found that the nematocyst peptidome of M. complanata showed inhibitory activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including S. enteritidis, P. perfectomarina, E. coli, and C. xerosis, among others. This is the first transcriptomic data mining analysis to explore the diversity of the toxins synthesized by an organism of the genus Millepora. Undoubtedly, this work provides information that will broaden our general understanding of the structural richness of cnidarian toxins.
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12
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Menezes C, Thakur NL. Sea anemone venom: Ecological interactions and bioactive potential. Toxicon 2022; 208:31-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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13
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Sandoval K, McCormack GP. Actinoporin-like Proteins Are Widely Distributed in the Phylum Porifera. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20010074. [PMID: 35049929 PMCID: PMC8778704 DOI: 10.3390/md20010074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Actinoporins are proteinaceous toxins known for their ability to bind to and create pores in cellular membranes. This quality has generated interest in their potential use as new tools, such as therapeutic immunotoxins. Isolated historically from sea anemones, genes encoding for similar actinoporin-like proteins have since been found in a small number of other animal phyla. Sequencing and de novo assembly of Irish Haliclona transcriptomes indicated that sponges also possess similar genes. An exhaustive analysis of publicly available sequencing data from other sponges showed that this is a potentially widespread feature of the Porifera. While many sponge proteins possess a sequence similarity of 27.70–59.06% to actinoporins, they show consistency in predicted structure. One gene copy from H. indistincta has significant sequence similarity to sea anemone actinoporins and possesses conserved residues associated with the fundamental roles of sphingomyelin recognition, membrane attachment, oligomerization, and pore formation, indicating that it may be an actinoporin. Phylogenetic analyses indicate frequent gene duplication, no distinct clade for sponge-derived proteins, and a stronger signal towards actinoporins than similar proteins from other phyla. Overall, this study provides evidence that a diverse array of Porifera represents a novel source of actinoporin-like proteins which may have biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.
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14
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Tetramine in the Salivary Glands of Marine Carnivorous Snails: Analysis, Distribution, and Toxicological Aspects. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Focusing on tetramine, tetramethylammonium ion, contained in the salivary glands of marine carnivorous snails, this paper gives an overview of analytical methods, distribution in marine snails, and toxicological aspects. Some Neptunea snails have often caused food poisoning in North Atlantic and Northeast Asia regions, especially in Japan. The toxin of both N. arthritica and N. antiqua was first proven to be tetramine in 1960. Subsequent research on marine snail tetramine has progressed with the development of analytical methods. Of the various methods developed, the LC/ESI-MS method is most recommended for tetramine analysis in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and versatility. Accumulated data show that tetramine is ubiquitously contained at high concentrations (usually several mg/g) in the salivary glands of Neptunea snails. Tetramine is also found in the muscle and viscera of Neptunea snails and even in the salivary gland of marine snails other than Neptunea species, although mostly at low levels (below 0.1 mg/g). Interestingly, the major toxin in the salivary glands of Fusitriton oregonensis and Hemifusus tuba is distinguishable from tetramine. In tetramine poisoning, diverse symptoms attributable to the ganglion-blocking action of tetramine, such as visual disturbance, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, and nausea, develop within 30 min after ingestion of snails because of rapid absorption of tetramine from the gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms are generally mild and subside in a short time (within 24 at most) because of rapid excretion through the kidney. However, it should be kept in mind that tetramine poisoning can be severe in patients with kidney dysfunction, as shown by two recent case reports. Finally, given the diffusion of tetramine from the salivary gland to the muscle during boiling and thawing of snails, removal of salivary glands from live snails is essential to avoid tetramine poisoning.
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15
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Ashwood LM, Undheim EAB, Madio B, Hamilton BR, Daly M, Hurwood DA, King GF, Prentis PJ. Venoms for all occasions: The functional toxin profiles of different anatomical regions in sea anemones are related to their ecological function. Mol Ecol 2021; 31:866-883. [PMID: 34837433 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The phylum Cnidaria is the oldest extant venomous group and is defined by the presence of nematocysts, specialized organelles responsible for venom production and delivery. Although toxin peptides and the cells housing nematocysts are distributed across the entire animal, nematocyte and venom profiles have been shown to differ across morphological structures in actiniarians. In this study, we explore the relationship between patterns of toxin expression and the ecological roles of discrete anatomical structures in Telmatactis stephensoni. Specifically, using a combination of proteomic and transcriptomic approaches, we examined whether there is a direct correlation between the functional similarity of regions and the similarity of their associated toxin expression profiles. We report that the regionalization of toxin production is consistent with the partitioning of the ecological roles of venom across envenomating structures, and that three major functional regions are present in T. stephensoni: tentacles, epidermis and gastrodermis. Additionally, we find that most structures that serve similar functions not only have comparable putative toxin profiles but also similar nematocyst types. There was no overlap in the putative toxins identified using proteomics and transcriptomics, but the expression patterns of specific milked venom peptides were conserved across RNA-sequencing and mass spectrometry imaging data sets. Furthermore, based on our data, it appears that acontia of T. stephensoni may be transcriptionally inactive and only mature nematocysts are present in the distal portions of the threads. Overall, we find that the venom profile of different anatomical regions in sea anemones varies according to its ecological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Ashwood
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.,Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bruno Madio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Brett R Hamilton
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.,Centre for Microscopy and Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marymegan Daly
- Department of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - David A Hurwood
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.,ARC Centre for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter J Prentis
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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16
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Deep-Sea Anemones Are Prospective Source of New Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Compounds. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19120654. [PMID: 34940653 PMCID: PMC8704684 DOI: 10.3390/md19120654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The peculiarities of the survival and adaptation of deep-sea organisms raise interest in the study of their metabolites as promising drugs. In this work, the hemolytic, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and enzyme-inhibitory activities of tentacle extracts from five species of sea anemones (Cnidaria, orders Actiniaria and Corallimorpharia) collected near the Kuril and Commander Islands of the Far East of Russia were evaluated for the first time. The extracts of Liponema brevicorne and Actinostola callosa demonstrated maximal hemolytic activity, while high cytotoxic activity against murine splenocytes and Ehrlich carcinoma cells was found in the extract of Actinostola faeculenta. The extracts of Corallimorphus cf. pilatus demonstrated the greatest activity against Ehrlich carcinoma cells but were not toxic to mouse spleen cells. Sea anemones C. cf. pilatus and Stomphia coccinea are promising sources of antimicrobial and antifungal compounds, being active against Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and yeast Candida albicans. Moreover, all sea anemones contain α-galactosidase inhibitors. Peptide mass fingerprinting of L. brevicorne and C. cf. pilatus extracts provided a wide range of peptides, predominantly with molecular masses of 4000–5900 Da, which may belong to a known or new structural class of toxins. The obtained data allow concluding that deep-sea anemones are a promising source of compounds for drug discovery.
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17
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Donato M, Soto C, Lanio ME, Itri R, Álvarez C. The pore-forming activity of sticholysin I is enhanced by the presence of a phospholipid hydroperoxide in membrane. Toxicon 2021; 204:44-55. [PMID: 34736955 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sticholysin I (StI) is a pore-forming toxin (PFT) belonging to the actinoporin protein family characterized by high permeabilizing activity in membranes. StI readily associates with sphingomyelin (SM)-containing membranes originating pores that can lead to cell death. Binding and pore-formation are critically dependent on the physicochemical properties of membrane. 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (POPC-OOH) is an oxidized phospholipid (OxPL) containing an -OOH moiety in the unsaturated hydrocarbon chain which orientates towards the bilayer interface. This orientation causes an increase in the lipid molecular area, lateral expansion and decrease in bilayer thickness, elastic and bending modulus, as well as modification of lipid packing. Taking advantage of membrane structural changes promoted by POPC-OOH, we investigated its influence on the permeabilizing ability of StI. Here we report the action of StI on Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs) made of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) and SM containing increasing amount of POPC-OOH to assess vesicle permeability changes when compared to OxPL-lacking membranes. Inclusion of POPC-OOH in membranes did not promote spontaneous vesicle leaking but resulted in increased membrane permeability due to StI action. StI activity did not modify the fluid-gel phase coexistence boundaries neither in POPC:SM or POPC-OOH:SM membranes. However, the StI insertion mechanism in membrane seems to differ between POPC:SM and POPC-OOH:SM mixtures as suggested by changes in the time course of monolayer surface tension measurements, even though a preferable binding of the toxin to OxPL-containing systems could not be here demonstrated. In summary, modifications in the membrane imposed by lipid hydroperoxidation favor StI permeabilizing activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maressa Donato
- Instituto de Física, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Center for Laser and Applications, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carmen Soto
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, CP, 10400, La Habana, Cuba
| | - María Eliana Lanio
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, CP, 10400, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Rosangela Itri
- Instituto de Física, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Álvarez
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, CP, 10400, La Habana, Cuba.
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18
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Cosentino K, Hermann E, von Kügelgen N, Unsay JD, Ros U, García-Sáez AJ. Force Mapping Study of Actinoporin Effect in Membranes Presenting Phase Domains. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13090669. [PMID: 34564674 PMCID: PMC8473010 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13090669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Equinatoxin II (EqtII) and Fragaceatoxin C (FraC) are pore-forming toxins (PFTs) from the actinoporin family that have enhanced membrane affinity in the presence of sphingomyelin (SM) and phase coexistence in the membrane. However, little is known about the effect of these proteins on the nanoscopic properties of membrane domains. Here, we used combined confocal microscopy and force mapping by atomic force microscopy to study the effect of EqtII and FraC on the organization of phase-separated phosphatidylcholine/SM/cholesterol membranes. To this aim, we developed a fast, high-throughput processing tool to correlate structural and nano-mechanical information from force mapping. We found that both proteins changed the lipid domain shape. Strikingly, they induced a reduction in the domain area and circularity, suggesting a decrease in the line tension due to a lipid phase height mismatch, which correlated with proteins binding to the domain interfaces. Moreover, force mapping suggested that the proteins affected the mechanical properties at the edge, but not in the bulk, of the domains. This effect could not be revealed by ensemble force spectroscopy measurements supporting the suitability of force mapping to study local membrane topographical and mechanical alterations by membranotropic proteins.
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19
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Alvarez C, Soto C, Cabezas S, Alvarado-Mesén J, Laborde R, Pazos F, Ros U, Hernández AM, Lanio ME. Panorama of the Intracellular Molecular Concert Orchestrated by Actinoporins, Pore-Forming Toxins from Sea Anemones. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13080567. [PMID: 34437438 PMCID: PMC8402351 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13080567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Actinoporins (APs) are soluble pore-forming proteins secreted by sea anemones that experience conformational changes originating in pores in the membranes that can lead to cell death. The processes involved in the binding and pore-formation of members of this protein family have been deeply examined in recent years; however, the intracellular responses to APs are only beginning to be understood. Unlike pore formers of bacterial origin, whose intracellular impact has been studied in more detail, currently, we only have knowledge of a few poorly integrated elements of the APs’ intracellular action. In this review, we present and discuss an updated landscape of the studies aimed at understanding the intracellular pathways triggered in response to APs attack with particular reference to sticholysin II, the most active isoform produced by the Caribbean Sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. To achieve this, we first describe the major alterations these cytolysins elicit on simpler cells, such as non-nucleated mammalian erythrocytes, and then onto more complex eukaryotic cells, including tumor cells. This understanding has provided the basis for the development of novel applications of sticholysins such as the construction of immunotoxins directed against undesirable cells, such as tumor cells, and the design of a cancer vaccine platform. These are among the most interesting potential uses for the members of this toxin family that have been carried out in our laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alvarez
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Carmen Soto
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
| | - Sheila Cabezas
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
| | - Javier Alvarado-Mesén
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional, Heredia 40101, Costa Rica
| | - Rady Laborde
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
| | - Fabiola Pazos
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
| | - Uris Ros
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
- Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-strasse 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ana María Hernández
- Immunobiology Division, Molecular Immunology Institute, Center of Molecular Immunology (CIM), Playa, Havana CP 11600, Cuba;
| | - María Eliana Lanio
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
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20
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Palacios-Ortega J, García-Linares S, Rivera-de-Torre E, Heras-Márquez D, Gavilanes JG, Slotte JP, Martínez-Del-Pozo Á. Structural foundations of sticholysin functionality. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2021; 1869:140696. [PMID: 34246789 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2021.140696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Actinoporins constitute a family of α pore-forming toxins produced by sea anemones. The soluble fold of these proteins consists of a β-sandwich flanked by two α-helices. Actinoporins exert their activity by specifically recognizing sphingomyelin at their target membranes. Once there, they penetrate the membrane with their N-terminal α-helices, a process that leads to the formation of cation-selective pores. These pores kill the target cells by provoking an osmotic shock on them. In this review, we examine the role and relevance of the structural features of actinoporins, down to the residue level. We look at the specific amino acids that play significant roles in the function of actinoporins and their fold. Particular emphasis is given to those residues that display a high degree of conservation across the actinoporin sequences known to date. In light of the latest findings in the field, the membrane requirements for pore formation, the effect of lipid composition, and the process of pore formation are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Palacios-Ortega
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.
| | - Sara García-Linares
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Diego Heras-Márquez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - José G Gavilanes
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Peter Slotte
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Álvaro Martínez-Del-Pozo
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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21
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Lucas FR, Sarthak K, Lenting EM, Coltan D, van der Heide NJ, Versloot RCA, Aksimentiev A, Maglia G. The Manipulation of the Internal Hydrophobicity of FraC Nanopores Augments Peptide Capture and Recognition. ACS NANO 2021; 15:9600-9613. [PMID: 34060809 PMCID: PMC8223486 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c09958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The detection of analytes and the sequencing of DNA using biological nanopores have seen major advances over recent years. The analysis of proteins and peptides with nanopores, however, is complicated by the complex physicochemical structure of polypeptides and the lack of understanding of the mechanism of capture and recognition of polypeptides by nanopores. In this work, we show that introducing aromatic amino acids at precise positions within the lumen of α-helical fragaceatoxin C (FraC) nanopores increased the capture frequency of peptides and largely improved the discrimination among peptides of similar size. Molecular dynamics simulations determined the sensing region of the nanopore, elucidated the microscopic mechanism enabling accurate characterization of the peptides via ionic current blockades in FraC, and characterized the effect of the pore modification on peptide discrimination. This work provides insights to improve the recognition and to augment the capture of peptides by nanopores, which is important for developing a real-time and single-molecule size analyzer for peptide recognition and identification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kumar Sarthak
- Center
for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Erica Mariska Lenting
- Groningen
Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - David Coltan
- Groningen
Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nieck Jordy van der Heide
- Groningen
Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Aleksei Aksimentiev
- Department
of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Giovanni Maglia
- Groningen
Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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22
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Maire J, Blackall LL, van Oppen MJH. Microbiome characterization of defensive tissues in the model anemone Exaiptasia diaphana. BMC Microbiol 2021; 21:152. [PMID: 34020587 PMCID: PMC8140459 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02211-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Coral reefs are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems on Earth. This success relies on the coral’s association with a wide range of microorganisms, including dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae that provide coral hosts with most of their organic carbon requirements. While bacterial associates have long been overlooked, research on these microorganisms is gaining traction, and deciphering bacterial identity and function is greatly enhancing our understanding of cnidarian biology. Here, we investigated bacterial communities in defensive tissues (acontia) of the coral model, the sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana. Acontia are internal filaments that are ejected upon detection of an external threat and release toxins to repel predators. Results Using culturing techniques and 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding we identified bacterial communities associated with acontia of four Great Barrier Reef-sourced E. diaphana genotypes. We show that bacterial communities are similar across genotypes, and dominated by Alteromonadaceae, Vibrionaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, and Saprospiraceae. By analyzing abundant amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) from metabarcoding data from acontia and comparing these to data from whole anemones, we identified five potentially important bacterial genera of the acontia microbiome: Vibrio, Sulfitobacter, Marivita, Alteromonas, and Lewinella. The role of these bacteria within the acontia remains uninvestigated but could entail assistance in defense processes such as toxin production. Conclusions This study provides insight into potential bacterial involvement in cnidarian defense tissues and highlights the need to study bacterial communities in individual compartments within a holobiont. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-021-02211-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Maire
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Linda L Blackall
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Madeleine J H van Oppen
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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23
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Herzberg M, Berglin M, Eliahu S, Bodin L, Agrenius K, Zlotkin A, Svenson J. Efficient Prevention of Marine Biofilm Formation Employing a Surface-Grafted Repellent Marine Peptide. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:3360-3373. [PMID: 35014421 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Creation of surfaces resistant to the formation of microbial biofilms via biomimicry has been heralded as a promising strategy to protect a range of different materials ranging from boat hulls to medical devices and surgical instruments. In our current study, we describe the successful transfer of a highly effective natural marine biofilm inhibitor to the 2D surface format. A series of cyclic peptides inspired by the natural equinatoxin II protein produced by Beadlet anemone (Actinia equine) have been evaluated for their ability to inhibit the formation of a mixed marine microbial consortium on polyamide reverse osmosis membranes. In solution, the peptides are shown to effectively inhibit settlement and biofilm formation in a nontoxic manner down to 1 nM concentrations. In addition, our study also illustrates how the peptides can be applied to disperse already established biofilms. Attachment of a hydrophobic palmitic acid tail generates a peptide suited for strong noncovalent surface interactions and allows the generation of stable noncovalent coatings. These adsorbed peptides remain attached to the surface at significant shear stress and also remain active, effectively preventing the biofilm formation over 24 h. Finally, the covalent attachment of the peptides to an acrylate surface was also evaluated and the prepared coatings display a remarkable ability to prevent surface colonization at surface loadings of 55 ng/cm2 over 48 h. The ability to retain the nontoxic antibiofilm activity, documented in solution, in the covalent 2D-format is unprecedented, and this natural peptide motif displays high potential in several material application areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Herzberg
- The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 84990, Israel
| | - Mattias Berglin
- Department of Chemistry and Materials, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Borås 501 15, Sweden.,Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg SE405 30, Sweden
| | - Sarai Eliahu
- The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 84990, Israel
| | - Lovisa Bodin
- Department of Chemistry and Materials, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Borås 501 15, Sweden
| | - Karin Agrenius
- Department of Chemistry and Materials, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Borås 501 15, Sweden
| | - Amir Zlotkin
- DisperseBio Ltd, 27 Kehilat lvov Street, Tel-Aviv 6972513, Israel
| | - Johan Svenson
- Department of Chemistry and Materials, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Borås 501 15, Sweden
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24
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Lipid interactions of an actinoporin pore-forming oligomer. Biophys J 2021; 120:1357-1366. [PMID: 33617834 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The actinoporins are cytolytic toxins produced by sea anemones. Upon encountering a membrane, preferably containing sphingomyelin, they oligomerize and insert their N-terminal helix into the membrane, forming a pore. Whether sphingomyelin is specifically recognized by the protein or simply induces phase coexistence in the membrane has been debated. Here, we perform multi-microsecond molecular dynamics simulations of an octamer of fragaceatoxin C, a member of the actinoporin family, in lipid bilayers containing either pure 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) or a 1:1 mixture of DOPC and palmitoyl sphingomyelin (PSM). The complex is highly stable in both environments, with only slight fraying of the inserted helices near their N-termini. Analyzing the structural parameters of the mixed membrane in the course of the simulation, we see signs of a phase transition for PSM in the inner leaflet of the bilayer. In both leaflets, cross-interactions between lipids of different type decrease over time. Surprisingly, the aromatic loop thought to be responsible for sphingomyelin recognition interacts more with DOPC than PSM by the end of the simulation. These results support the notion that the key membrane property that actinoporins recognize is lipid phase coexistence.
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25
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Caaveiro JMM, Tsumoto K. Molecular basis for the activation of actinoporins by lipids. Methods Enzymol 2021; 649:277-306. [PMID: 33712190 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Actinoporins are a family of homologous pore forming proteins from sea anemones. They are one of the few families of eukaryotic toxins that have been characterized in depth. Actinoporins are activated by lipids in the context of bilayers, especially in cell and in model membranes containing the lipid sphingomyelin. These proteins must undergo conformational changes induced upon interaction with lipids in the membrane, where they form cytotoxic pores causing cell death and lethality. Herein we review a list of procedures and techniques to study this family of toxins, with the goal of elucidating the physicochemical, thermodynamic and structural basis for their activation by lipids. The emerging picture indicates that actinoporins undergo a stepwise process that includes binding to the membrane, oligomerization, and pore formation, in this order. The key transformation from the inactive oligomer to the active pore is catalyzed by sphingomyelin, explaining the key role of this lipid in the function of actinoporins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M M Caaveiro
- Department of Global Healthcare, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka, Japan.
| | - Kouhei Tsumoto
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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26
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Johnson KA, Radhakrishnan A. The use of anthrolysin O and ostreolysin A to study cholesterol in cell membranes. Methods Enzymol 2021; 649:543-566. [PMID: 33712199 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Cholesterol is a major component of the plasma membranes (PMs) of animal cells, comprising 35-40mol% of total PM lipids. Recent studies using cholesterol-binding bacterial toxins such as domain 4 of Anthrolysin O (ALOD4) and fungal toxins such as Ostreolysin A (OlyA) have revealed new insights into the organization of PM cholesterol. These studies have defined three distinct pools of PM cholesterol-a fixed pool that is essential for membrane integrity, a sphingomyelin (SM)-sequestered pool that can be detected by OlyA, and a third pool that is accessible and can be detected by ALOD4. Accessible cholesterol is available to interact with proteins and transport to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and controls many cellular signaling processes including cholesterol homeostasis, Hedgehog signaling, and bacterial and viral infection. Here, we provide detailed descriptions for the use of ALOD4 and OlyA, both of which are soluble and non-lytic proteins, to study cholesterol organization in the PMs of animal cells. Furthermore, we describe two new versions of ALOD4 that we have developed to increase the versatility of this probe in cellular studies. One is a dual His6 and FLAG epitope-tagged version and the other is a fluorescent version where ALOD4 is fused to Neon, a monomeric fluorescent protein. These new forms of ALOD4 together with previously described OlyA provide an expanded collection of tools to sense, visualize, and modulate levels of accessible and SM-sequestered cholesterol on PMs and study the role of these cholesterol pools in diverse membrane signaling events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A Johnson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Arun Radhakrishnan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
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27
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Palacios-Ortega J, Rivera-de-Torre E, Gavilanes JG, Slotte JP, Martínez-Del-Pozo Á, García-Linares S. Biophysical approaches to study actinoporin-lipid interactions. Methods Enzymol 2021; 649:307-339. [PMID: 33712191 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2020.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Protein-lipid interactions are crucial events from a biochemical point of view, like the interaction of proteins with the cell plasma membrane, and their study is of great importance. Actinoporins are a very powerful tool to study this kind of interactions, since they are soluble proteins in an aqueous environment, capable of inserting into membranes when they have the adequate composition. In fact, actinoporins have been used to study protein-lipid interactions for many years now. Sometimes it is not possible to use real biological membranes in the experiments, so model membranes need to be used. This article aims to give a thorough description of many of the techniques used to study actinoporin-lipid interactions, using both biological and model membranes: Hemolysis, release of vesicles content, surface plasmon resonance, isothermal titration calorimetry, fluorescence-based measurements, etc. Some of these techniques measure the actinoporins activity and some measure their binding properties. The combination of all the techniques described can offer valuable information about the thermodynamics and the kinetics of the actinoporin-lipid interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Palacios-Ortega
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain; Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain; Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - José G Gavilanes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Peter Slotte
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Sara García-Linares
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
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28
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Samavarchi Tehrani S, Gharibi S, Movahedpour A, Goodarzi G, Jamali Z, Khatami SH, Maniati M, Ranjbar M, Shabaninejad Z, Savardashtaki A, Taheri-Anganeh M. Design and evaluation of scFv-RTX-A as a novel immunotoxin for breast cancer treatment: an in silico approach. J Immunoassay Immunochem 2021; 42:19-33. [PMID: 32845824 DOI: 10.1080/15321819.2020.1812640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in breast cancer (BC) patients. Hence, immunotherapy is a proper treatment option for HER2-positive BC patients. Accumulating evidence has indicated that immunotoxin therapy is a novel approach to improve the potency of targeted therapy. Immunotoxins are antibodies or antibody fragments coupled with a toxin. We designed an immunotoxin. The physicochemical properties were evaluated using ProtParam servers and secondary structure was examined by PROSO II and GORV. Using I-TASSER, a 3D model was built and refined by GalaxyRefine. The model was validated using PROCHECK and RAMPAGE. To predict immunotoxin allergenicity and mRNA stability, AlgPred server and RNAfold were used. Furthermore, the immunotoxin and HER2 were docked by ZDOCK. The scFv+RTX-A could be a non-allergenic and stable chimeric protein, and the secondary structure of its components did not alter, and this protein had a proper 3D structure that might have stable mRNA structure which could bind to HER2. Given the fact that the designed immunotoxin was a non-allergenic and stable chimeric protein and that it could bind with high affinity to HER2 receptors, we proposed that this chimeric protein could be a useful candidate for HER-2 positive BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadra Samavarchi Tehrani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Student Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saba Gharibi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Movahedpour
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Golnaz Goodarzi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Student Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnourd, Iran
| | - Zeinab Jamali
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyyed Hossein Khatami
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Maniati
- Department of English, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Maryam Ranjbar
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zahra Shabaninejad
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, School of Basic Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.,Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Savardashtaki
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Iran.,Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mortaza Taheri-Anganeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute on Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
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29
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Kvetkina A, Malyarenko O, Pavlenko A, Dyshlovoy S, von Amsberg G, Ermakova S, Leychenko E. Sea Anemone Heteractis crispa Actinoporin Demonstrates In Vitro Anticancer Activities and Prevents HT-29 Colorectal Cancer Cell Migration. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25245979. [PMID: 33348592 PMCID: PMC7766076 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25245979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Actinoporins are the most abundant group of sea anemone cytolytic toxins. Their membranolytic activity is of high interest for the development of novel anticancer drugs. However, to date the activity of actinoporins in malignant cells has been poorly studied. Here, we report on recombinant analog of Hct-S3 (rHct-S3), belonging to the combinatory library of Heteractis crispa actinoporins. rHct-S3 exhibited cytotoxic activity against breast MDA-MB-231 (IC50 = 7.3 µM), colorectal HT-29 (IC50 = 6.8 µM), and melanoma SK-MEL-28 (IC50 = 8.3 µM) cancer cells. The actinoporin effectively prevented epidermal growth factor -induced neoplastic transformation of JB6 Cl41 cells by 34% ± 0.2 and decreased colony formation of HT-29 cells by 47% ± 0.9, MDA-MB-231 cells by 37% ± 1.2, and SK-MEL-28 cells by 34% ± 3.6. Moreover, rHct-S3 decreased proliferation and suppressed migration of colorectal carcinoma cells by 31% ± 5.0 and 99% ± 6.4, respectively. The potent anti-migratory activity was proposed to mediate by decreased matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 expression. In addition, rHct-S3 induced programmed cell death by cleavage of caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, as well as regulation of Bax and Bcl-2. Our results indicate rHct-S3 to be a promising anticancer drug with a high anti-migratory potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Kvetkina
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok 690022, Russia; (O.M.); (A.P.); (S.E.); (E.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-423-231-1168
| | - Olesya Malyarenko
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok 690022, Russia; (O.M.); (A.P.); (S.E.); (E.L.)
| | - Aleksandra Pavlenko
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok 690022, Russia; (O.M.); (A.P.); (S.E.); (E.L.)
| | - Sergey Dyshlovoy
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald-Tumorzentrum, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (S.D.); (G.v.A.)
- Martini-Klinik, Prostate Cancer Center, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
- School of Natural Sciences, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok 690922, Russia
| | - Gunhild von Amsberg
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald-Tumorzentrum, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (S.D.); (G.v.A.)
- Martini-Klinik, Prostate Cancer Center, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Svetlana Ermakova
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok 690022, Russia; (O.M.); (A.P.); (S.E.); (E.L.)
| | - Elena Leychenko
- G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok 690022, Russia; (O.M.); (A.P.); (S.E.); (E.L.)
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30
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Functional and Structural Variation among Sticholysins, Pore-Forming Proteins from the Sea Anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238915. [PMID: 33255441 PMCID: PMC7727798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Venoms constitute complex mixtures of many different molecules arising from evolution in processes driven by continuous prey-predator interactions. One of the most common compounds in these venomous cocktails are pore-forming proteins, a family of toxins whose activity relies on the disruption of the plasmatic membranes by forming pores. The venom of sea anemones, belonging to the oldest lineage of venomous animals, contains a large amount of a characteristic group of pore-forming proteins known as actinoporins. They bind specifically to sphingomyelin-containing membranes and suffer a conformational metamorphosis that drives them to make pores. This event usually leads cells to death by osmotic shock. Sticholysins are the actinoporins produced by Stichodactyla helianthus. Three different isotoxins are known: Sticholysins I, II, and III. They share very similar amino acid sequence and three-dimensional structure but display different behavior in terms of lytic activity and ability to interact with cholesterol, an important lipid component of vertebrate membranes. In addition, sticholysins can act in synergy when exerting their toxin action. The subtle, but important, molecular nuances that explain their different behavior are described and discussed throughout the text. Improving our knowledge about sticholysins behavior is important for eventually developing them into biotechnological tools.
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31
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Sarkhosh-Inanlou R, Imani M, Sam MR. The response of PIK3CA/KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer stem-like cells to RGD-peptide FraC produced by the strawberry anemone: A promising water-soluble peptide-based inhibitor of metastasis-driver gene CXCR4, stem cell regulatory genes and self-renewal. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 132:110807. [PMID: 33068939 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a stem cell-based disease. PIK3CA/KRAS-mutant CRC stem cells (CRCSCs) display high self-renewal, metastatic properties, high activity of PI3K and KRAS signaling pathways with chemoresistant phenotypes. Recently, RGD peptide (containing Arg-Gly-Asp motif)-based therapy of solid tumor cells has attracted much attention. However, little is known whether this method can target self-renewal capacity, key effectors of PI3K and KRAS signaling pathways such as metastasis-driver gene CXCR4 and stem cell regulatory genes with caspase-3 reactivation in CRCSCs overexpressing RGD-dependent integrins. The sea anemone Actinia fragacea produces a water-soluble RGD-peptide fragacea toxin C (FraC) suggesting the possible activity of FraC against PIK3CA/KRAS-mutant CRCSCs. Recombinant FraC was expressed via pET-28a(+)-FraC in E. coli and purified through affinity chromatography followed by performing SDS-PAGE and hemolytic activity assay. Next, PIK3CA/KRAS-mutant HCT-116 cells that serve as an attractive model for CRCSCs were treated with FraC. Thereafter, cell numbers, viability, proliferation, LDH activity, cytotoxicity index, CXCR4 and pluripotency network genes expression, self-renewal capacity, caspase-3 activity with apoptosis were evaluated. Caspase-1, -2, -3,…, -9 sequences were analyzed for RGD-binding motifs. FraC sequence and structure were also evaluated by bioinformatics software. FraC altered cellular morphology to round shapes and disrupted cell connections. 48 h post-treatment with 0.056- to 7.2 μM FraC resulted in 12 %-99 % and 8 %-97.6 % decreases in cell numbers and viabilities respectively and increased LDH activity by 0.2 %-66.7 % in a dose-dependent manner. The results of the cytotoxicity index showed that FraC induces significant toxicity on HCT-116 cells compared to PBMCs and Huvec cells. FraC dramatically decreased the expression of CXCR4 and pluripotency network genes Bmi-1, Sox-2, Oct-4 and Nanog followed by remarkable decreases in self-renewal capacity ranged from 91- to 0 colonies per well for 0.056- to 3.6 μM FraC after 2 weeks. Caspase-3 was found to contain an RGD-binding motif and its activity increased with increasing FraC concentrations followed by apoptosis induction. Potential RGD-binding motifs for FraC were also found in caspase-1, -7, -8 and -9. Unique advantages of FraC peptide, such as low molecular weight, water solubility, high sensitivity of CRC stem-like cells with more selective toxicity to this compound, targeting tumor cell membrane and self-renewal capacity along with the modulation of CXCR4 and stem cell regulatory genes as upstream and downstream effectors of undruggable PI3K and KRAS signaling pathways may open up avenues for FraC peptide-based therapy of PIK3CA/KRAS-mutant CRCSCs with lower toxicity on healthy cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roya Sarkhosh-Inanlou
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Imani
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran; Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Reza Sam
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran; Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran; Department of Biotechnology, Artemia and Aquaculture Research Institute, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
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32
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Rivera-de-Torre E, Palacios-Ortega J, Garb JE, Slotte JP, Gavilanes JG, Martínez-Del-Pozo Á. Structural and functional characterization of sticholysin III: A newly discovered actinoporin within the venom of the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. Arch Biochem Biophys 2020; 689:108435. [PMID: 32485153 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2020.108435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Actinoporins are a family of pore-forming toxins produced by sea anemones as part of their venomous cocktail. These proteins remain soluble and stably folded in aqueous solution, but when interacting with sphingomyelin-containing lipid membranes, they become integral oligomeric membrane structures that form a pore permeable to cations, which leads to cell death by osmotic shock. Actinoporins appear as multigenic families within the genome of sea anemones: several genes encoding very similar actinoporins are detected within the same species. The Caribbean Sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus produces three actinoporins (sticholysins I, II and III; StnI, StnII and StnIII) that differ in their toxic potency. For example, StnII is about four-fold more effective than StnI against sheep erythrocytes in causing hemolysis, and both show synergy. However, StnIII, recently discovered in the S. helianthus transcriptome, has not been characterized so far. Here we describe StnIII's spectroscopic and functional properties and show its potential to interact with the other Stns. StnIII seems to maintain the well-preserved fold of all actinoporins, characterized by a high content of β-sheet, but it is significantly less thermostable. Its functional characterization shows that the critical concentration needed to form active pores is higher than for either StnI or StnII, suggesting differences in behavior when oligomerizing on membrane surfaces. Our results show that StnIII is an interesting and unexpected piece in the puzzle of how this Caribbean Sea anemone species modulates its venomous activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Juan Palacios-Ortega
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Jessica E Garb
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - J Peter Slotte
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - José G Gavilanes
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Martínez-Del-Pozo
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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Sea anemone (Stichodactyla haddoni) induces apoptosis in lung cancer A549 cells: an in vitro evaluation of biological activity of mucus derivatives. Biologia (Bratisl) 2020. [DOI: 10.2478/s11756-020-00417-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Mitchell ML, Tonkin-Hill GQ, Morales RAV, Purcell AW, Papenfuss AT, Norton RS. Tentacle Transcriptomes of the Speckled Anemone (Actiniaria: Actiniidae: Oulactis sp.): Venom-Related Components and Their Domain Structure. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 22:207-219. [PMID: 31981004 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-020-09945-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cnidarians are one of the oldest known animal lineages (ca. 700 million years), with a unique envenomation apparatus to deliver a potent mixture of peptides and proteins. Some peptide toxins from cnidarian venom have proven therapeutic potential. Here, we use a transcriptomic/proteomic strategy to identify sequences with similarity to known venom protein families in the tentacles of the endemic Australian 'speckled anemone' (Oulactis sp.). Illumina RNASeq data were assembled de novo. Annotated sequences in the library were verified by cross-referencing individuals' transcriptomes or protein expression evidence from LC-MS/MS data. Sequences include pore-forming toxins, phospholipases, peptidases, neurotoxins (sodium and potassium channel modulators), cysteine-rich secretory proteins and defensins (antimicrobial peptides). Fewer than 4% of the sequences in the library occurred across the three individuals examined, demonstrating high sequence variability of an individual's arsenal. We searched for actinoporins in Oulactis sp. to assess sequence similarity to the only described toxins (OR-A and -G) for this genus and examined the domain architecture of venom-related peptides and proteins. The novel putative actinoporin of Oulactis sp. has a greater similarity to other species in the Actiniidae family than to O. orientalis. Venom-related sequences have an architecture that occurs in single, repeat or multi-domain combinations of venom-related (e.g. ShK-like) and non-venom (e.g. whey acid protein) domains. This study has produced the first transcriptomes for an endemic Australian sea anemone species and the genus Oulactis, while identifying nearly 400 novel venom-related peptides and proteins for future structural and functional analyses and venom evolution studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela L Mitchell
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
- Sciences Department, Museum Victoria, G.P.O. Box 666, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia.
- Queensland Museum, P.O. Box 3000, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia.
- Bioinformatics Division, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Gerry Q Tonkin-Hill
- Bioinformatics Division, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Rodrigo A V Morales
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
- CSL Limited, 30 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Anthony W Purcell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- Bioinformatics Division, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Raymond S Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
- ARC Centre for Fragment-Based Design, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
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Wang X, Li G, Guo J, Zhang Z, Zhang S, Zhu Y, Cheng J, Yu L, Ji Y, Tao J. Kv1.3 Channel as a Key Therapeutic Target for Neuroinflammatory Diseases: State of the Art and Beyond. Front Neurosci 2020; 13:1393. [PMID: 31992966 PMCID: PMC6971160 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
It remains a challenge for the effective treatment of neuroinflammatory disease, including multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The voltage-gated potassium Kv1.3 channel is of interest, which is considered as a novel therapeutic target for treating neuroinflammatory disorders due to its crucial role in subsets of T lymphocytes as well as microglial cells. Toxic animals, such as sea anemones, scorpions, spiders, snakes, and cone snails, can produce a variety of toxins that act on the Kv1.3 channel. The Stichodactyla helianthus K+ channel blocking toxin (ShK) from the sea anemone S. helianthus is proved as a classical blocker of Kv1.3. One of the synthetic analogs ShK-186, being developed as a therapeutic for autoimmune diseases, has successfully completed first-in-man Phase 1 trials. In addition to addressing the recent progress on the studies underlying the pharmacological characterizations of ShK on MS, the review will also explore the possibility for clinical treatment of ShK-like Kv1.3 blocking polypeptides on other neuroinflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Wang
- Department of Neurology and Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China,Institute of Biomembrane and Biopharmaceutics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoyi Li
- Department of Neurology and Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingkang Guo
- Institute of Biomembrane and Biopharmaceutics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiping Zhang
- Institute of Biomembrane and Biopharmaceutics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuzhang Zhang
- Institute of Biomembrane and Biopharmaceutics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yudan Zhu
- Department of Neurology and Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiwei Cheng
- Department of Neurology and Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Yu
- Department of Neurology and Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yonghua Ji
- Institute of Biomembrane and Biopharmaceutics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China,Xinhua Translational Institute for Cancer Pain, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Tao
- Department of Neurology and Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China,Putuo Clinical Medical School, Anhui Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Pore-forming toxins from sea anemones: from protein-membrane interaction to its implications for developing biomedical applications. ADVANCES IN BIOMEMBRANES AND LIPID SELF-ASSEMBLY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.abl.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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37
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Abinaya M, Rekha R, Sivakumar S, Govindarajan M, Alharbi NS, Kadaikunnan S, Khaled JM, Alobaidi AS, Al-Anbr MN, Vaseeharan B. Novel and Facile Synthesis of Sea Anemone Adhesive Protein-Coated ZnO Nanoparticles: Antioxidant, Antibiofilm, and Mosquito Larvicidal Activity Against Aedes aegypti. J CLUST SCI 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10876-019-01581-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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38
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Mesa-Galloso H, Valiente PA, Valdés-Tresanco ME, Epand RF, Lanio ME, Epand RM, Alvarez C, Tieleman DP, Ros U. Membrane Remodeling by the Lytic Fragment of SticholysinII: Implications for the Toroidal Pore Model. Biophys J 2019; 117:1563-1576. [PMID: 31587828 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sticholysins are pore-forming toxins of biomedical interest and represent a prototype of proteins acting through the formation of protein-lipid or toroidal pores. Peptides spanning the N-terminus of sticholysins can mimic their permeabilizing activity and, together with the full-length toxins, have been used as a tool to understand the mechanism of pore formation in membranes. However, the lytic mechanism of these peptides and the lipid shape modulating their activity are not completely clear. In this article, we combine molecular dynamics simulations and experimental biophysical tools to dissect different aspects of the pore-forming mechanism of StII1-30, a peptide derived from the N-terminus of sticholysin II (StII). With this combined approach, membrane curvature induction and flip-flop movement of the lipids were identified as two important membrane remodeling steps mediated by StII1-30. Pore formation by this peptide was enhanced by the presence of the negatively curved lipid phosphatidylethanolamine in membranes. This lipid emerged not only as a facilitator of membrane interactions but also as a structural element of the StII1-30 pore that is recruited to the ring upon its assembly. Collectively, these, to our knowledge, new findings support a toroidal model for the architecture of the pore formed by StII1-30 and provide new molecular insight into the role of phosphatidylethanolamine as a membrane component that can easily integrate into the ring of toroidal pores, thus probably aiding in their stabilization. This study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the permeabilizing activity of StII1-30 and peptides or proteins acting via a toroidal pore mechanism and offers an informative framework for the optimization of the biomedical application of this and similar molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haydee Mesa-Galloso
- Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for Molecular Simulation, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Pedro A Valiente
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Mario E Valdés-Tresanco
- Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for Molecular Simulation, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Raquel F Epand
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria E Lanio
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - Richard M Epand
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carlos Alvarez
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | - D Peter Tieleman
- Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for Molecular Simulation, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Uris Ros
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba; Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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Lenarčič T, Pirc K, Hodnik V, Albert I, Borišek J, Magistrato A, Nürnberger T, Podobnik M, Anderluh G. Molecular basis for functional diversity among microbial Nep1-like proteins. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007951. [PMID: 31479498 PMCID: PMC6743777 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrosis and ethylene-inducing peptide 1 (Nep1)-like proteins (NLPs) are secreted by several phytopathogenic microorganisms. They trigger necrosis in various eudicot plants upon binding to plant sphingolipid glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides (GIPC). Interestingly, HaNLP3 from the obligate biotroph oomycete Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis does not induce necrosis. We determined the crystal structure of HaNLP3 and showed that it adopts the NLP fold. However, the conformations of the loops surrounding the GIPC headgroup-binding cavity differ from those of cytotoxic Pythium aphanidermatum NLPPya. Essential dynamics extracted from μs-long molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveals a limited conformational plasticity of the GIPC-binding cavity in HaNLP3 relative to toxic NLPs. This likely precludes HaNLP3 binding to GIPCs, which is the underlying reason for the lack of toxicity. This study reveals that mutations at key protein regions cause a switch between non-toxic and toxic phenotypes within the same protein scaffold. Altogether, these data provide evidence that protein flexibility is a distinguishing trait of toxic NLPs and highlight structural determinants for a potential functional diversification of non-toxic NLPs utilized by biotrophic plant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Lenarčič
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja Pirc
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Hodnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Isabell Albert
- Center of Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jure Borišek
- CNR-IOM-Democritos at International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- CNR-IOM-Democritos at International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Thorsten Nürnberger
- Center of Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa
| | - Marjetka Podobnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- * E-mail: (MP); (GA)
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- * E-mail: (MP); (GA)
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Morante K, Bellomio A, Viguera AR, González-Mañas JM, Tsumoto K, Caaveiro JMM. The Isolation of New Pore-Forming Toxins from the Sea Anemone Actinia fragacea Provides Insights into the Mechanisms of Actinoporin Evolution. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11070401. [PMID: 31295915 PMCID: PMC6669745 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11070401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Random mutations and selective pressure drive protein adaptation to the changing demands of the environment. As a consequence, nature favors the evolution of protein diversity. A group of proteins subject to exceptional environmental stress and known for their widespread diversity are the pore-forming hemolytic proteins from sea anemones, known as actinoporins. In this study, we identified and isolated new isoforms of actinoporins from the sea anemone Actinia fragacea (fragaceatoxins). We characterized their hemolytic activity, examined their stability and structure, and performed a comparative analysis of their primary sequence. Sequence alignment reveals that most of the variability among actinoporins is associated with non-functional residues. The differences in the thermal behavior among fragaceatoxins suggest that these variability sites contribute to changes in protein stability. In addition, the protein-protein interaction region showed a very high degree of identity (92%) within fragaceatoxins, but only 25% among all actinoporins examined, suggesting some degree of specificity at the species level. Our findings support the mechanism of evolutionary adaptation in actinoporins and reflect common pathways conducive to protein variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koldo Morante
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
- Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Parque Científico de la UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa (Bizkaia), Spain
| | - Augusto Bellomio
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
- Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Parque Científico de la UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa (Bizkaia), Spain
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO, CONICET-UNT) e Instituto de Química Biológica "Dr. Bernabé Bloj," Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Chacabuco 461, T4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Ana Rosa Viguera
- Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Parque Científico de la UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa (Bizkaia), Spain
| | - Juan Manuel González-Mañas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Kouhei Tsumoto
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
- Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.
| | - Jose M M Caaveiro
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
- Department of Global Healthcare, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
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Crupi R, Morabito R, Remigante A, Gugliandolo E, Britti D, Cuzzocrea S, Marino A. Susceptibility of erythrocytes from different sources to xenobiotics-induced lysis. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2019; 221:68-72. [PMID: 30926402 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
As erythrocytes are continuously exposed to plenty of metabolites and toxicants, the aim of the present work is to show whether erythrocytes from different sources may exhibit different susceptibility to hemolysis induced by two classes of xenobiotics, Cnidaria venoms, acting via pore forming mechanism on cell membrane, and Cd2+, inducing cell damage mainly via lipid peroxidation. To this end, the hemolytic power of crude venom from stinging cells of the anthozoan Aiptasia mutabilis and from the scyphozoan Pelagia noctiluca has been tested, along with Cd2+ (5 to 20 mM), on erythrocytes (0.05% v/v) obtained from either rabbit, or dog, or chicken, or human source. Our results show a more significant susceptibility of rabbit erythrocytes to hemolysis induced by both crude venom and Cd2+ than erythrocytes from other sources. This difference seems to rely neither on the different specimens used to extract crude venom, nor on the different mechanism of toxicants. In this light, the present study may contribute: i) to confirm hemolytic test as a suitable biological assay to verify erythrocytes resistance to toxicants; ii) to show variability in hemolytic response to xenobiotics; iii) to propose rabbit erythrocytes as more sensitive to the lytic action of xenobiotics, adding more knowledge to the field of toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Rossana Morabito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessia Remigante
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Enrico Gugliandolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Britti
- C.I.S. - Interdepartmental Services Centre of Veterinary for Human and Animal Health, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - Angela Marino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
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Gerdol M, Cervelli M, Oliverio M, Modica MV. Piercing Fishes: Porin Expansion and Adaptation to Hematophagy in the Vampire Snail Cumia reticulata. Mol Biol Evol 2019; 35:2654-2668. [PMID: 30099551 PMCID: PMC6231492 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msy156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytolytic pore-forming proteins are widespread in living organisms, being mostly involved in both sides of the host-pathogen interaction, either contributing to the innate defense or promoting infection. In venomous organisms, such as spiders, insects, scorpions, and sea anemones, pore-forming proteins are often secreted as key components of the venom. Coluporins are pore-forming proteins recently discovered in the Mediterranean hematophagous snail Cumia reticulata (Colubrariidae), highly expressed in the salivary glands that discharge their secretion at close contact with the host. To understand their putative functional role, we investigated coluporins' molecular diversity and evolutionary patterns. Coluporins is a well-diversified family including at least 30 proteins, with an overall low sequence similarity but sharing a remarkably conserved actinoporin-like predicted structure. Tracking the evolutionary history of the molluscan porin genes revealed a scattered distribution of this family, which is present in some other lineages of predatory gastropods, including venomous conoidean snails. Comparative transcriptomic analyses highlighted the expansion of porin genes as a lineage-specific feature of colubrariids. Coluporins seem to have evolved from a single ancestral porin gene present in the latest common ancestor of all Caenogastropoda, undergoing massive expansion and diversification in this colubrariid lineage through repeated gene duplication events paired with widespread episodic positive selection. As for other parasites, these findings are congruent with a "one-sided arms race," equipping the parasite with multiple variants in order to broaden its host spectrum. Overall, our results pinpoint a crucial adaptive role for coluporins in the evolution of the peculiar trophic ecology of vampire snails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, Trieste University, Italy
| | | | - Marco Oliverio
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University, Roma, Italy
| | - Maria Vittoria Modica
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy.,UMR5247, University of Montpellier, France
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43
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Madio B, King GF, Undheim EAB. Sea Anemone Toxins: A Structural Overview. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:E325. [PMID: 31159357 PMCID: PMC6627431 DOI: 10.3390/md17060325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sea anemones produce venoms of exceptional molecular diversity, with at least 17 different molecular scaffolds reported to date. These venom components have traditionally been classified according to pharmacological activity and amino acid sequence. However, this classification system suffers from vulnerabilities due to functional convergence and functional promiscuity. Furthermore, for most known sea anemone toxins, the exact receptors they target are either unknown, or at best incomplete. In this review, we first provide an overview of the sea anemone venom system and then focus on the venom components. We have organised the venom components by distinguishing firstly between proteins and non-proteinaceous compounds, secondly between enzymes and other proteins without enzymatic activity, then according to the structural scaffold, and finally according to molecular target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Madio
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
- Centre for Ecology and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
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45
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Hoepner CM, Abbott CA, Burke da Silva K. The Ecological Importance of Toxicity: Sea Anemones Maintain Toxic Defence When Bleached. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11050266. [PMID: 31083576 PMCID: PMC6563229 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11050266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cnidarians are amongst the most venomous animals on the planet. They are also under significant threat due to the impacts of climate change. Corals and anemones undergo climate-induced bleaching during extreme environmental conditions, where a loss of symbiotic photosynthetic algae (zooxanthellae) causes whitening in colour, loss of internal food supply, and reduction in health, which can ultimately lead to death. What has yet to be determined is whether bleaching causes a reduction in the production or quality of venom. In this study, the sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor was exposed to long-term light-induced bleaching to examine the effect that bleaching has on venom. Venom quality and quantity, as determined through lethality and haemolysis measures and nematocyst production was highly preserved over the five-month imposed bleaching event. Maintenance of venom and nematocyst production, despite a loss of an internal food source provided by endosymbiotic algae, indicates both the ecological importance of maintaining toxicity and a remarkable resilience that anemones have to major environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie M Hoepner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Catherine A Abbott
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Karen Burke da Silva
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
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46
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Inhibitory Effects of Crude and Filtered Extracts from Oral Disk of Sea Anemone (Stichodactyla haddoni) on MCF-7 Cell Line. Jundishapur J Nat Pharm Prod 2019. [DOI: 10.5812/jjnpp.65799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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47
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Olguín-López N, Hérnandez-Elizárraga VH, Hernández-Matehuala R, Cruz-Hernández A, Guevara-González R, Caballero-Pérez J, Ibarra-Alvarado C, Rojas-Molina A. Impact of El Niño-Southern Oscillation 2015-2016 on the soluble proteomic profile and cytolytic activity of Millepora alcicornis ("fire coral") from the Mexican Caribbean. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6593. [PMID: 30918755 PMCID: PMC6428038 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6593] [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: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Reef-forming cnidarians are extremely susceptible to the “bleaching” phenomenon caused by global warming. The effect of elevated seawater temperature has been extensively studied on Anthozoans; however, to date the impact of thermal stress on the expression of genes and proteins in Hydrozoan species has not been investigated. The present study aimed to determine the differential proteomic profile of Millepora alcicornis, which inhabits the Mexican Caribbean, in response to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation 2015–2016. Additionally, the cytolytic activity of the soluble proteomes obtained from normal and bleached M. alcicornis was assessed. Bleached specimens showed decreased symbiont’s density and chlorophyll a and c2 levels. After bleaching, we observed a differential expression of 17 key proteins, tentatively identified as related to exocytosis, calcium homeostasis, cytoskeletal organization, and potential toxins, including a metalloprotease, a phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and an actitoxin. Although, some of the differentially expressed proteins included potential toxins, the hemolytic, PLA2, and proteolytic activities elicited by the soluble proteomes from bleached and normal specimens were not significantly different. The present study provides heretofore-unknown evidence that thermal stress produces a differential expression of proteins involved in essential cellular processes of Hydrozoan species. Even though our results showed an over-expression of some potential toxin-related proteins, the cytolytic effect (as assessed by hemolytic, PLA2, and caseinolytic activities) was not increased in bleached M. alcicornis, which suggests that the cytolysis is mainly produced by toxins whose expression was not affected by temperature stress. These findings allow hypothesizing that this hydrocoral is able to prey heterotrophically when suffering from moderate bleaching, giving it a better chance to withstand the effects of high temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norma Olguín-López
- Posgrado en Ciencias Químico Biológicas-Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico.,Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Víctor Hugo Hérnandez-Elizárraga
- Posgrado en Ciencias Químico Biológicas-Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico.,Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Rosalina Hernández-Matehuala
- Posgrado en Ciencias Químico Biológicas-Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico.,Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Andrés Cruz-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular-Escuela de Agronomía, Universidad De la Salle Bajío, León, Guanajuato, México
| | - Ramón Guevara-González
- C.A Ingeniería de Biosistemas-Facultad de Ingeniería-Campus Amazcala, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Juan Caballero-Pérez
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - César Ibarra-Alvarado
- Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Rojas-Molina
- Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
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48
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Ramírez-Carreto S, Pérez-García EI, Salazar-García SI, Bernáldez-Sarabia J, Licea-Navarro A, Rudiño-Piñera E, Pérez-Martínez L, Pedraza-Alva G, Rodríguez-Almazán C. Identification of a pore-forming protein from sea anemone Anthopleura dowii Verrill (1869) venom by mass spectrometry. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2019; 25:e147418. [PMID: 31131002 PMCID: PMC6483413 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-1474-18] [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] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pore-forming proteins (PFP) are a class of toxins abundant in the venom of
sea anemones. Owing to their ability to recognize and permeabilize cell
membranes, pore-forming proteins have medical potential in cancer therapy or
as biosensors. In the present study, we showed the partial purification and
sequencing of a pore-forming protein from Anthopleura dowii
Verrill (1869). 17. Methods: Cytolytic activity of A. dowii Verrill (1869) venom was
determined via hemolysis assay in the erythrocytes of four mammals (sheep,
goat, human and rabbit). The cytotoxic activity was analyzed in the human
adherent lung carcinoma epithelial cells (A549) by the cytosolic lactate
dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, and trypan blue staining. The venom was
fractionated via ammonium sulfate precipitation gradient, dialysis, and ion
exchange chromatography. The presence of a pore-forming protein in purified
fractions was evaluated through hemolytic and cytotoxic assays, and the
activity fraction was analyzed using the percent of osmotic protections
after polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment and mass spectrometry. 18. Results: The amount of protein at which the venom produced 50% hemolysis
(HU50) was determined in hemolysis assays using erythrocytes
from sheep (HU50 = 10.7 ± 0.2 μg), goat (HU50 = 13.2 ±
0.3 μg), rabbit (HU50 = 34.7 ± 0.5 μg), and human
(HU50 = 25.6 ± 0.6 μg). The venom presented a cytotoxic
effect in A549 cells and the protein amount present in the venom responsible
for producing 50% death (IC50) was determined using a trypan blue
cytotoxicity assay (1.84 ± 0.40 μg/mL). The loss of membrane integrity in
the A549 cells caused by the venom was detected by the release of LDH in
proportion to the amount of protein. The venom was fractionated; and the
fraction with hemolytic and cytotoxic activities was analyzed by mass
spectrometry. A pore-forming protein was identified. The cytotoxicity in the
A549 cells produced by the fraction containing the pore-forming protein was
osmotically protected by PEG-3350 Da molecular mass, which corroborated that
the loss of integrity in the plasma membrane was produced via pore
formation. 19. Conclusion: A. dowii Verrill (1869) venom
contains a pore-forming protein suitable for designing new drugs for cancer
therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santos Ramírez-Carreto
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Erick I Pérez-García
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Sandra I Salazar-García
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Johanna Bernáldez-Sarabia
- Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Departamento de Innovación Biomédica, Baja California, México
| | - Alexei Licea-Navarro
- Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Departamento de Innovación Biomédica, Baja California, México
| | - Enrique Rudiño-Piñera
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Leonor Pérez-Martínez
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Gustavo Pedraza-Alva
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Claudia Rodríguez-Almazán
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biotecnología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
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49
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Endapally S, Frias D, Grzemska M, Gay A, Tomchick DR, Radhakrishnan A. Molecular Discrimination between Two Conformations of Sphingomyelin in Plasma Membranes. Cell 2019; 176:1040-1053.e17. [PMID: 30712872 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.12.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sphingomyelin and cholesterol are essential lipids that are enriched in plasma membranes of animal cells, where they interact to regulate membrane properties and many intracellular signaling processes. Despite intense study, the interaction between these lipids in membranes is not well understood. Here, structural and biochemical analyses of ostreolysin A (OlyA), a protein that binds to membranes only when they contain both sphingomyelin and cholesterol, reveal that sphingomyelin adopts two distinct conformations in membranes when cholesterol is present. One conformation, bound by OlyA, is induced by stoichiometric, exothermic interactions with cholesterol, properties that are consistent with sphingomyelin/cholesterol complexes. In its second conformation, sphingomyelin is free from cholesterol and does not bind OlyA. A point mutation abolishes OlyA's ability to discriminate between these two conformations. In cells, levels of sphingomyelin/cholesterol complexes are held constant over a wide range of plasma membrane cholesterol concentrations, enabling precise regulation of the chemical activity of cholesterol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Endapally
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Donna Frias
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Magdalena Grzemska
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Austin Gay
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Diana R Tomchick
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Arun Radhakrishnan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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50
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Yap WY, Hwang JS. Response of Cellular Innate Immunity to Cnidarian Pore-Forming Toxins. Molecules 2018; 23:E2537. [PMID: 30287801 PMCID: PMC6222686 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23102537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A group of stable, water-soluble and membrane-bound proteins constitute the pore forming toxins (PFTs) in cnidarians. They interact with membranes to physically alter the membrane structure and permeability, resulting in the formation of pores. These lesions on the plasma membrane causes an imbalance of cellular ionic gradients, resulting in swelling of the cell and eventually its rupture. Of all cnidarian PFTs, actinoporins are by far the best studied subgroup with established knowledge of their molecular structure and their mode of pore-forming action. However, the current view of necrotic action by actinoporins may not be the only mechanism that induces cell death since there is increasing evidence showing that pore-forming toxins can induce either necrosis or apoptosis in a cell-type, receptor and dose-dependent manner. In this review, we focus on the response of the cellular immune system to the cnidarian pore-forming toxins and the signaling pathways that might be involved in these cellular responses. Since PFTs represent potential candidates for targeted toxin therapy for the treatment of numerous cancers, we also address the challenge to overcoming the immunogenicity of these toxins when used as therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yuen Yap
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, No. 5 Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 47500, Malaysia.
| | - Jung Shan Hwang
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Healthcare and Medical Sciences, Sunway University, No. 5 Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 47500, Malaysia.
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