1
|
Meriño-Cabrera Y, Castro JS, de Almeida Barros R, da Silva Junior NR, de Oliveira Ramos H, de Almeida Oliveira MG. Arginine-containing dipeptides decrease affinity of gut trypsins and compromise soybean pest development. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 184:105107. [PMID: 35715046 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The design and production of molecules capable of mimicking the binding or/and functional sites of proteins inhibitors represent a promising strategy for the exploration and modulation of gut trypsin function in insect pests, specifically Lepidoptera. Here, for the first time, we characterized the trypsin activity present in the gut, performance and development of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae when exposed to arginine-containing dipeptides. In silico assessment showed that arginine-containing dipeptides have a greater affinity for the active site of A. gemmatalis trypsins than lysine-containing peptides due to the presence of the double-charged guanidinium group that enhances the interaction at the S1 subsite of trypsins. Furthermore, the inhibitory and anti-insect potential of the peptides was demonstrated through kinetic and larval life cycle parameters, respectively. These dipeptides showed structural stability, binding to the active site, corroborated in vitro (competitive inhibition), and significant reduction of trypsin enzyme activity in the gut, survival, and weight of the A. gemmatalis larvae. Our findings reinforce the idea that small peptides are promising candidates for lepidopteran pest management. The optimization of DI2 and DI1 peptides, enhancing uptake and affinity to trypsins, may turn the use of these molecules feasible in agriculture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaremis Meriño-Cabrera
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil; Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, BIOAGRO, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil
| | - José Severiche Castro
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil; Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, BIOAGRO, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Rafael de Almeida Barros
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil; Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, BIOAGRO, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Neilier Rodrigues da Silva Junior
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil; Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, BIOAGRO, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Humberto de Oliveira Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil; Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, BIOAGRO, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Goreti de Almeida Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil; Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, BIOAGRO, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pirazzini M, Montecucco C, Rossetto O. Toxicology and pharmacology of botulinum and tetanus neurotoxins: an update. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:1521-1539. [PMID: 35333944 PMCID: PMC9095541 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03271-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins cause the neuroparalytic syndromes of tetanus and botulism, respectively, by delivering inside different types of neurons, metalloproteases specifically cleaving the SNARE proteins that are essential for the release of neurotransmitters. Research on their mechanism of action is intensively carried out in order to devise improved therapies based on antibodies and chemical drugs. Recently, major results have been obtained with human monoclonal antibodies and with single chain antibodies that have allowed one to neutralize the metalloprotease activity of botulinum neurotoxin type A1 inside neurons. In addition, a method has been devised to induce a rapid molecular evolution of the metalloprotease domain of botulinum neurotoxin followed by selection driven to re-target the metalloprotease activity versus novel targets with respect to the SNARE proteins. At the same time, an intense and wide spectrum clinical research on novel therapeutics based on botulinum neurotoxins is carried out, which are also reviewed here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pirazzini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy.,Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca di Miologia, CIR-Myo, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Cesare Montecucco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy. .,Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy.
| | - Ornella Rossetto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy.,Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca di Miologia, CIR-Myo, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|