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Rojas-Palomino J, Gómez-Restrepo A, Salinas-Restrepo C, Segura C, Giraldo MA, Calderón JC. Electrophysiological evaluation of the effect of peptide toxins on voltage-gated ion channels: a scoping review on theoretical and methodological aspects with focus on the Central and South American experience. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2024; 30:e20230048. [PMID: 39263598 PMCID: PMC11389830 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2023-0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The effect of peptide toxins on voltage-gated ion channels can be reliably assessed using electrophysiological assays, such as the patch-clamp technique. However, much of the toxinological research done in Central and South America aims at purifying and characterizing biochemical properties of the toxins of vegetal or animal origin, lacking electrophysiological approaches. This may happen due to technical and infrastructure limitations or because researchers are unfamiliar with the techniques and cellular models that can be used to gain information about the effect of a molecule on ion channels. Given the potential interest of many research groups in the highly biodiverse region of Central and South America, we reviewed the most relevant conceptual and methodological developments required to implement the evaluation of the effect of peptide toxins on mammalian voltage-gated ion channels using patch-clamp. For that, we searched MEDLINE/PubMed and SciELO databases with different combinations of these descriptors: "electrophysiology", "patch-clamp techniques", "Ca2+ channels", "K+ channels", "cnidarian venoms", "cone snail venoms", "scorpion venoms", "spider venoms", "snake venoms", "cardiac myocytes", "dorsal root ganglia", and summarized the literature as a scoping review. First, we present the basics and recent advances in mammalian voltage-gated ion channel's structure and function and update the most important animal sources of channel-modulating toxins (e.g. cnidarian and cone snails, scorpions, spiders, and snakes), highlighting the properties of toxins electrophysiologically characterized in Central and South America. Finally, we describe the local experience in implementing the patch-clamp technique using two models of excitable cells, as well as the participation in characterizing new modulators of ion channels derived from the venom of a local spider, a toxins' source less studied with electrophysiological techniques. Fostering the implementation of electrophysiological methods in more laboratories in the region will strengthen our capabilities in many fields, such as toxinology, toxicology, pharmacology, natural products, biophysics, biomedicine, and bioengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alejandro Gómez-Restrepo
- Physiology and Biochemistry Research Group -PHYSIS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Cristian Salinas-Restrepo
- Toxinology, Therapeutic and Food Alternatives Research Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - César Segura
- Malaria Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Marco A Giraldo
- Biophysics Group, Institute of Physics, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan C Calderón
- Physiology and Biochemistry Research Group -PHYSIS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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2
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Ye Z, Fu L, Li S, Chen Z, Ouyang J, Shang X, Liu Y, Gao L, Wang Y. Synergistic collaboration between AMPs and non-direct antimicrobial cationic peptides. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7319. [PMID: 39183339 PMCID: PMC11345435 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51730-x] [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: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-direct antimicrobial cationic peptides (NDACPs) are components of the animal innate immune system. But their functions and association with antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are incompletely understood. Here, we reveal a synergistic interaction between the AMP AW1 and the NDACP AW2, which are co-expressed in the frog Amolops wuyiensis. AW2 enhances the antibacterial activity of AW1 both in vitro and in vivo, while mitigating the development of bacterial resistance and eradicating biofilms. AW1 and AW2 synergistically damage bacterial membranes, facilitating cellular uptake and interaction of AW2 with the intracellular target bacterial genomic DNA. Simultaneously, they trigger the generation of ROS in bacteria, contributing to cell death upon reaching a threshold level. Moreover, we demonstrate that this synergistic antibacterial effect between AMPs and NDACPs is prevalent across diverse animal species. These findings unveil a robust and previously unknown correlation between AMPs and NDACPs as a widespread antibacterial immune defense strategy in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zifan Ye
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Fu
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuangyu Li
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ziying Chen
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhong Ouyang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinci Shang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanli Liu
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lianghui Gao
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yipeng Wang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, China.
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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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Martínez-Hernández L, López-Vera E, Aguilar MB, Rodriguez-Ruiz XC, Ortíz-Arellano MA. κO-SrVIA Conopeptide, a Novel Inhibitor Peptide for Two Members of the Human EAG Potassium Channel Family. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11513. [PMID: 37511269 PMCID: PMC10380377 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411513] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The first conotoxin affecting the voltage-gated potassium channels of the EAG family was identified and characterized from the venom of the vermivorous species Conus spurius from the Gulf of Mexico. This conopeptide, initially named Cs68 and later designated κO-SrVIA, is extremely hydrophobic and comprises 31 amino acid residues, including six Cysteines in the framework VI/VII, and a free C-terminus. It inhibits the currents mediated by two human EAG subtypes, Kv10.1 (IC50 = 1.88 ± 1.08 µM) and Kv11.1 (IC50 = 2.44 ± 1.06 µM), and also the human subtype Kv1.6 (IC50 = 3.6 ± 1.04 µM). Despite its clear effects on potassium channels, it shares a high sequence identity with δ-like-AtVIA and δ-TsVIA. Also, κO-SrVIA is the third conopeptide from the venom of C. spurius with effects on potassium channels, and the seventh conotoxin that blocks Kv1.6 channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Martínez-Hernández
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Estuardo López-Vera
- Laboratorio de Toxinología Marina, Unidad Académica de Ecología y Biodiversidad Acuática, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Manuel B. Aguilar
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla 76230, Mexico;
| | - Ximena C. Rodriguez-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Toxinología Marina, Unidad Académica de Ecología y Biodiversidad Acuática, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Mónica A. Ortíz-Arellano
- Laboratorio de Malacología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Mazatlán 82000, Mexico;
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Huang Q, Chu X, Zhang H, Yu S, Zhang L, Zhang X, Yu R, Guo C, Dai Q. Discovery and Structural and Functional Characterization of a Novel A-Superfamily Conotoxin Targeting α9α10 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:2483-2494. [PMID: 36048451 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels widely distributed in the central peripheral nervous system and muscles which participate in rapid synaptic transmission. The α9α10 nAChR is an acetylcholine receptor subtype and is involved in chronic pain. In the present study, a new A-superfamily conotoxin Bt14.12 cloned from Conus betulinus was found to selectively inhibit α9α10 nAChRs with an IC50 of 62.3 nM. Unlike α-conotoxins and other A-superfamily conotoxins, Bt14.12 contains a four Cys (C-C-C-C) framework with a unique disulfide bond connection "C1-C4, C2-C3". The structure-activity studies of Bt14.12 demonstrate that all amino acid residues contribute to its potency. Interestingly, mutation experiments show that the deletion of Asp2 or the addition of three Arg residues at the N-terminus of Bt14.12 significantly enhances its inhibitory activity (IC50 is 21.9 nM or 12.7 nM, respectively) by 2- or 4-fold compared to the wild-type Bt14.12. The NMR structure of Bt14.12 shows that it contains α-helix- and β-turn-like elements, and further computational modelings of the interaction between Bt14.12 and the α9α10 nAChR demonstrate that Bt14.12 possesses a distinctive mode of action and displays a different structure-activity relationship from known α9α10 nAChR targeting α-conotoxins. Our findings provide a novel conotoxin that potently targets α9α10 nAChRs and a new motif for designing potent inhibitors against α9α10 nAChRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyuan Huang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China.,Life Sciences Institute of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Xin Chu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China.,Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Haoran Zhang
- Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Shuo Yu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Longxiao Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Xuerong Zhang
- Life Sciences Institute of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Rilei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Chenyun Guo
- Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Qiuyun Dai
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China
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Abalde S, Dutertre S, Zardoya R. A Combined Transcriptomics and Proteomics Approach Reveals the Differences in the Predatory and Defensive Venoms of the Molluscivorous Cone Snail Cylinder ammiralis (Caenogastropoda: Conidae). Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13090642. [PMID: 34564647 PMCID: PMC8472973 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13090642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Venoms are complex mixtures of proteins that have evolved repeatedly in the animal kingdom. Cone snail venoms represent one of the best studied venom systems. In nature, this venom can be dynamically adjusted depending on its final purpose, whether to deter predators or hunt prey. Here, the transcriptome of the venom gland and the proteomes of the predation-evoked and defensive venoms of the molluscivorous cone snail Cylinder ammiralis were catalogued. A total of 242 venom-related transcripts were annotated. The conotoxin superfamilies presenting more different peptides were O1, O2, T, and M, which also showed high expression levels (except T). The three precursors of the J superfamily were also highly expressed. The predation-evoked and defensive venoms showed a markedly distinct profile. A total of 217 different peptides were identified, with half of them being unique to one venom. A total of 59 peptides ascribed to 23 different protein families were found to be exclusive to the predatory venom, including the cono-insulin, which was, for the first time, identified in an injected venom. A total of 43 peptides from 20 protein families were exclusive to the defensive venom. Finally, comparisons of the relative abundance (in terms of number of peptides) of the different conotoxin precursor superfamilies showed that most of them present similar abundance regardless of the diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Abalde
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Zoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Frescativägen 40, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Rafael Zardoya
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
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7
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Yang M, Li Y, Liu L, Zhou M. A novel proline-rich M-superfamily conotoxin that can simultaneously affect sodium, potassium and calcium currents. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021; 27:e20200164. [PMID: 34234819 PMCID: PMC8230863 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2020-0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Conotoxins have become a research hotspot in the neuropharmacology field for their high activity and specificity in targeting ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors. There have been reports of a conotoxin acting on two ion channels, but rare reports of a conotoxin acting on three ion channels. Methods Vr3a, a proline-rich M-superfamily conotoxin from a worm-hunting Conus varius, was obtained by solid-phase synthesis and identified by mass spectrometry. The effects of synthesized Vr3a on sodium, potassium and calcium currents were tested on rat DRG cells by patch clamp experiments. The further effects of Vr3a on human Cav1.2 and Cav2.2 currents were tested on HEK293 cells. Results About 10 μM Vr3a has no effects on the peak sodium currents, but can induce a ~10 mV shift in a polarizing direction in the current-voltage relationship. In addition, 10 μM Vr3a can increase 19.61 ± 5.12% of the peak potassium currents and do not induce a shift in the current-voltage relationship. An amount of 10 μM Vr3a can inhibit 31.26% ± 4.53% of the peak calcium currents and do not induce a shift in the current-voltage relationship. The IC50 value of Vr3a on calcium channel currents in rat DRG neurons is 19.28 ± 4.32 μM. Moreover, 10 μM Vr3a can inhibit 15.32% ± 5.41% of the human Cav1.2 currents and 12.86% ± 4.93% of the human Cav2.2 currents. Conclusions Vr3a can simultaneously affect sodium, potassium and calcium currents. This novel triple-target conotoxin Vr3a expands understanding of conotoxin functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manyi Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, NHC Key Laboratory of Nanobiological Technology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yubin Li
- Department of Oncology, State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Longfei Liu
- Department of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorder, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Maojun Zhou
- Department of Oncology, State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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8
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Jimenez EC. Post-translationally modified conopeptides: Biological activities and pharmacological applications. Peptides 2021; 139:170525. [PMID: 33684482 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Conus venoms comprise a large variety of biologically active peptides (conopeptides or conotoxins) that are employed for prey capture and other biological functions. Throughout the course of evolution of the cone snails, they have developed an envenomation scheme that necessitates a potent mixture of peptides, most of which are highly post-translationally modified, that can cause rapid paralysis of their prey. The great diversity of these peptides defines the ecological interactions and evolutionary strategy of cone snails. Such scheme has led to some pharmacological applications for pain, epilepsy, and myocardial infarction, that could be further explored to ultimately find unique peptide-based therapies. This review focuses on ∼ 60 representative post-translationally modified conopeptides that were isolated from Conus venoms. Various conopeptides reveal post-translational modifications of specific amino acids, such as hydroxylation of proline and lysine, gamma-carboxylation of glutamate, formation of N-terminal pyroglutamate, isomerization of l- to d-amino acid, bromination of tryptophan, O-glycosylation of threonine or serine, sulfation of tyrosine, and cysteinylation of cysteine, other than the more common disulfide crosslinking and C-terminal amidation. Many of the post-translationally modified peptides paved the way for the characterization, by alternative analytical methods, of other pharmacologically important peptides that are classified under 27 conopeptide families denoting pharmacological classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsie C Jimenez
- Department of Physical Sciences, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio, Baguio City, 2600, Philippines.
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Studies of Conorfamide-Sr3 on Human Voltage-Gated Kv1 Potassium Channel Subtypes. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18080425. [PMID: 32823677 PMCID: PMC7459591 DOI: 10.3390/md18080425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, Conorfamide-Sr3 (CNF-Sr3) was isolated from the venom of Conus spurius and was demonstrated to have an inhibitory concentration-dependent effect on the Shaker K+ channel. The voltage-gated potassium channels play critical functions on cellular signaling, from the regeneration of action potentials in neurons to the regulation of insulin secretion in pancreatic cells, among others. In mammals, there are at least 40 genes encoding voltage-gated K+ channels and the process of expression of some of them may include alternative splicing. Given the enormous variety of these channels and the proven use of conotoxins as tools to distinguish different ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels, in this work, we explored the possible effect of CNF-Sr3 on four human voltage-gated K+ channel subtypes homologous to the Shaker channel. CNF-Sr3 showed a 10 times higher affinity for the Kv1.6 subtype with respect to Kv1.3 (IC50 = 2.7 and 24 μM, respectively) and no significant effect on Kv1.4 and Kv1.5 at 10 µM. Thus, CNF-Sr3 might become a novel molecular probe to study diverse aspects of human Kv1.3 and Kv1.6 channels.
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Chua VM, Gajewiak J, Watkins M, Espino SS, Ramiro IBL, Omaga CA, Imperial JS, Carpio LPD, Fedosov A, Safavi-Hemami H, Salvador-Reyes LA, Olivera BM, Concepcion GP. Purification and Characterization of the Pink-Floyd Drillipeptide, a Bioactive Venom Peptide from Clavus davidgilmouri (Gastropoda: Conoidea: Drilliidae). Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12080508. [PMID: 32784699 PMCID: PMC7472735 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12080508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The cone snails (family Conidae) are the best known and most intensively studied venomous marine gastropods. However, of the total biodiversity of venomous marine mollusks (superfamily Conoidea, >20,000 species), cone snails comprise a minor fraction. The venoms of the family Drilliidae, a highly diversified family in Conoidea, have not previously been investigated. In this report, we provide the first biochemical characterization of a component in a Drilliidae venom and define a gene superfamily of venom peptides. A bioactive peptide, cdg14a, was purified from the venom of Clavus davidgilmouri Fedosov and Puillandre, 2020. The peptide is small (23 amino acids), disulfide-rich (4 cysteine residues) and belongs to the J-like drillipeptide gene superfamily. Other members of this superfamily share a conserved signal sequence and the same arrangement of cysteine residues in their predicted mature peptide sequences. The cdg14a peptide was chemically synthesized in its bioactive form. It elicited scratching and hyperactivity, followed by a paw-thumping phenotype in mice. Using the Constellation Pharmacology platform, the cdg14a drillipeptide was shown to cause increased excitability in a majority of non-peptidergic nociceptors, but did not affect other subclasses of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. This suggests that the cdg14a drillipeptide may be blocking a specific molecular isoform of potassium channels. The potency and selectivity of this biochemically characterized drillipeptide suggest that the venoms of the Drilliidae are a rich source of novel and selective ligands for ion channels and other important signaling molecules in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor M. Chua
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Joanna Gajewiak
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Maren Watkins
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Samuel S. Espino
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Iris Bea L. Ramiro
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Carla A. Omaga
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Julita S. Imperial
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Louie Paolo D. Carpio
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
| | - Alexander Fedosov
- Severstov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prospect 33, Moscow 119071, Russia;
| | - Helena Safavi-Hemami
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Lilibeth A. Salvador-Reyes
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
| | - Baldomero M. Olivera
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Gisela P. Concepcion
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
- Correspondence:
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11
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Park BG, Peigneur S, Esaki N, Yamaguchi Y, Ryu JH, Tytgat J, Kim JI, Sato K. Solution Structure and Functional Analysis of HelaTx1: The First Toxin Member of the κ-KTx5 Subfamily. BMB Rep 2020. [PMID: 32172732 PMCID: PMC7262511 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2020.53.5.256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venom comprises a cocktail of toxins that have proven to be useful molecular tools for studying the pharmacological properties of membrane ion channels. HelaTx1, a short peptide neurotoxin isolated recently from the venom of the scorpion Heterometrus laoticus, is a 25 amino acid peptide with two disulfide bonds that shares low sequence homology with other scorpion toxins. HelaTx1 effectively decreases the amplitude of the K+ currents of voltage-gated Kv1.1 and Kv1.6 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and was identified as the first toxin member of the κ-KTx5 subfamily, based on a sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis. In the present study, we report the NMR solution structure of HelaTx1, and the major interaction points for its binding to voltage-gated Kv1.1 channels. The NMR results indicate that HelaTx1 adopts a helix-loop-helix fold linked by two disulfide bonds without any β-sheets, resembling the molecular folding of other cysteine-stabilized helix-loop-helix (Cs α/α) scorpion toxins such as κ-hefutoxin, HeTx, and OmTx, as well as conotoxin pl14a. A series of alanine-scanning analogs revealed a broad surface on the toxin molecule largely comprising positively-charged residues that is crucial for interaction with voltage- gated Kv1.1 channels. Interestingly, the functional dyad, a key molecular determinant for activity against voltage-gated potassium channels in other toxins, is not present in HelaTx1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bong Gyu Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Korea
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N2, P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Nao Esaki
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Fukuoka Women’s University, Fukuoka 813-8529, Japan
| | - Yoko Yamaguchi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Fukuoka Women’s University, Fukuoka 813-8529, Japan
| | - Jae Ha Ryu
- Department of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Korea
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N2, P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jae Il Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Korea
| | - Kazuki Sato
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Fukuoka Women’s University, Fukuoka 813-8529, Japan
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12
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Finol-Urdaneta RK, Belovanovic A, Micic-Vicovac M, Kinsella GK, McArthur JR, Al-Sabi A. Marine Toxins Targeting Kv1 Channels: Pharmacological Tools and Therapeutic Scaffolds. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:E173. [PMID: 32245015 PMCID: PMC7143316 DOI: 10.3390/md18030173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxins from marine animals provide molecular tools for the study of many ion channels, including mammalian voltage-gated potassium channels of the Kv1 family. Selectivity profiling and molecular investigation of these toxins have contributed to the development of novel drug leads with therapeutic potential for the treatment of ion channel-related diseases or channelopathies. Here, we review specific peptide and small-molecule marine toxins modulating Kv1 channels and thus cover recent findings of bioactives found in the venoms of marine Gastropod (cone snails), Cnidarian (sea anemones), and small compounds from cyanobacteria. Furthermore, we discuss pivotal advancements at exploiting the interaction of κM-conotoxin RIIIJ and heteromeric Kv1.1/1.2 channels as prevalent neuronal Kv complex. RIIIJ's exquisite Kv1 subtype selectivity underpins a novel and facile functional classification of large-diameter dorsal root ganglion neurons. The vast potential of marine toxins warrants further collaborative efforts and high-throughput approaches aimed at the discovery and profiling of Kv1-targeted bioactives, which will greatly accelerate the development of a thorough molecular toolbox and much-needed therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio K. Finol-Urdaneta
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia;
- Electrophysiology Facility for Cell Phenotyping and Drug Discovery, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Aleksandra Belovanovic
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait; (A.B.); (M.M.-V.)
| | - Milica Micic-Vicovac
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait; (A.B.); (M.M.-V.)
| | - Gemma K. Kinsella
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, College of Sciences and Health, Technological University Dublin, D07 ADY7 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Jeffrey R. McArthur
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia;
| | - Ahmed Al-Sabi
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait; (A.B.); (M.M.-V.)
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13
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Kan MW, Craik DJ. Discovery of Cyclotides from Australasian Plants. Aust J Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/ch19658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of a special issue celebrating the contributions of Professor Paul Alewood to peptide science. We begin by providing a summary of collaborative projects between the Alewood and Craik groups at The University of Queensland and highlighting the impacts of some of these studies. In particular, studies on the discovery, synthesis, structures, and bioactivities of disulfide-rich toxins from animal venoms have led to a greater understanding of the biology of ion channels and to applications of these bioactive peptides in drug design. The second part of the article focuses on plant-derived disulfide-rich cyclic peptides, known as cyclotides, and includes an analysis of the geographical distribution of Australasian plant species that contain cyclotides as well as an analysis of the diversity of cyclotide sequences found in Australasian plants. This should provide a useful resource for researchers to access native cyclotides and explore their chemistry and biology.
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14
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Morales Duque H, Campos Dias S, Franco OL. Structural and Functional Analyses of Cone Snail Toxins. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17060370. [PMID: 31234371 PMCID: PMC6628382 DOI: 10.3390/md17060370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cone snails are marine gastropod mollusks with one of the most powerful venoms in nature. The toxins, named conotoxins, must act quickly on the cone snails´ prey due to the fact that snails are extremely slow, reducing their hunting capability. Therefore, the characteristics of conotoxins have become the object of investigation, and as a result medicines have been developed or are in the trialing process. Conotoxins interact with transmembrane proteins, showing specificity and potency. They target ion channels and ionotropic receptors with greater regularity, and when interaction occurs, there is immediate physiological decompensation. In this review we aimed to evaluate the structural features of conotoxins and the relationship with their target types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Morales Duque
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília-DF 70.790-160, Brazil.
| | - Simoni Campos Dias
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília-DF 70.790-160, Brazil.
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília-DF 70.790-160, Brazil.
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande-MS 79.117-900, Brazil.
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15
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Mansbach RA, Travers T, McMahon BH, Fair JM, Gnanakaran S. Snails In Silico: A Review of Computational Studies on the Conopeptides. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:E145. [PMID: 30832207 PMCID: PMC6471681 DOI: 10.3390/md17030145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine cone snails are carnivorous gastropods that use peptide toxins called conopeptides both as a defense mechanism and as a means to immobilize and kill their prey. These peptide toxins exhibit a large chemical diversity that enables exquisite specificity and potency for target receptor proteins. This diversity arises in terms of variations both in amino acid sequence and length, and in posttranslational modifications, particularly the formation of multiple disulfide linkages. Most of the functionally characterized conopeptides target ion channels of animal nervous systems, which has led to research on their therapeutic applications. Many facets of the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for the specificity and virulence of conopeptides, however, remain poorly understood. In this review, we will explore the chemical diversity of conopeptides from a computational perspective. First, we discuss current approaches used for classifying conopeptides. Next, we review different computational strategies that have been applied to understanding and predicting their structure and function, from machine learning techniques for predictive classification to docking studies and molecular dynamics simulations for molecular-level understanding. We then review recent novel computational approaches for rapid high-throughput screening and chemical design of conopeptides for particular applications. We close with an assessment of the state of the field, emphasizing important questions for future lines of inquiry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael A Mansbach
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
| | - Timothy Travers
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
- Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
| | - Benjamin H McMahon
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
| | - Jeanne M Fair
- Biosecurity and Public Health Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
| | - S Gnanakaran
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
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16
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Möller C, Dovell S, Melaun C, Marí F. Definition of the R-superfamily of conotoxins: Structural convergence of helix-loop-helix peptidic scaffolds. Peptides 2018; 107:75-82. [PMID: 30040981 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The F14 conotoxins define a four-cysteine, three-loop conotoxin scaffold that produce tightly folded structures held together by two disulfide bonds with a CCCC arrangement (conotoxin framework 14). Here we describe the precursors of the F14 conotoxins from the venom of Conus anabathrum and Conus villepinii. Using transcriptomic and cDNA cloning analysis, the full-length of the precursors of flf14a and flf14b from the transcriptome of C. anabathrum revealed a unique signal sequence that defines the new conotoxin R-superfamily. Using the signal sequence as a primer, we cloned seven additional previously undescribed toxins of the R-superfamily from C. villepinii. The propeptide regions of the R-conotoxins are unusually long and with prevalent proline residues in repeating pentads which qualifies them as Pro-rich motifs (PRMs), which can be critical for protein-protein interactions or they can be cleaved to release short linear peptides that may be part of the envenomation mélange. Additionally, we determined the three-dimensional structure of vil14a by solution 1H-NMR and found that the structure of this conotoxin displays a cysteine-stabilized α-helix-loop-helix (Cs α/α) fold. The structure is well-defined over the helical regions (backbone RMSD for residues 2-13 and 17-26 is 0.63 ± 0.14 Å), with conformational flexibility in the triple Gly region of the second loop as well as the N- and C- termini. Structurally, the F14 conotoxins overlap with the Cs α/α scorpion toxins and other peptidic natural products, and in spite of their different exogenomic origins, there is convergence into this scaffold from several classes of living organisms that express these peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Möller
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991, USA
| | - Sanaz Dovell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991, USA
| | - Christian Melaun
- Justus Liebig Universität Giessen, Institut für Allg. Zoologie und Entwicklungsbiologie, Giessen, Germany
| | - Frank Marí
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991, USA; Marine Biochemical Sciences, Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA.
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17
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Abraham N, Lewis RJ. Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Modulators from Cone Snails. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:E208. [PMID: 29899286 PMCID: PMC6024932 DOI: 10.3390/md16060208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine cone snails are a large family of gastropods that have evolved highly potent venoms for predation and defense. The cone snail venom has exceptional molecular diversity in neuropharmacologically active compounds, targeting a range of receptors, ion channels, and transporters. These conotoxins have helped to dissect the structure and function of many of these therapeutically significant targets in the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as unravelling the complex cellular mechanisms modulated by these receptors and ion channels. This review provides an overview of α-conotoxins targeting neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The structure and activity of both classical and non-classical α-conotoxins are discussed, along with their contributions towards understanding nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Abraham
- IMB Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Richard J Lewis
- IMB Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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18
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Gao B, Peng C, Yang J, Yi Y, Zhang J, Shi Q. Cone Snails: A Big Store of Conotoxins for Novel Drug Discovery. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:E397. [PMID: 29215605 PMCID: PMC5744117 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9120397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine drugs have developed rapidly in recent decades. Cone snails, a group of more than 700 species, have always been one of the focuses for new drug discovery. These venomous snails capture prey using a diverse array of unique bioactive neurotoxins, usually named as conotoxins or conopeptides. These conotoxins have proven to be valuable pharmacological probes and potential drugs due to their high specificity and affinity to ion channels, receptors, and transporters in the nervous systems of target prey and humans. Several research groups, including ours, have examined the venom gland of cone snails using a combination of transcriptomic and proteomic sequencing, and revealed the existence of hundreds of conotoxin transcripts and thousands of conopeptides in each Conus species. Over 2000 nucleotide and 8000 peptide sequences of conotoxins have been published, and the number is still increasing quickly. However, more than 98% of these sequences still lack 3D structural and functional information. With the rapid development of genomics and bioinformatics in recent years, functional predictions and investigations on conotoxins are making great progress in promoting the discovery of novel drugs. For example, ω-MVIIA was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2004 to treat chronic pain, and nine more conotoxins are at various stages of preclinical or clinical evaluation. In short, the genus Conus, the big family of cone snails, has become an important genetic resource for conotoxin identification and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingmiao Gao
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Tropical Medicinal Plants, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China.
| | - Chao Peng
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, BGI, Shenzhen 518083, China.
| | - Jiaan Yang
- Micro Pharmtech, Ltd., Wuhan 430075, China.
| | - Yunhai Yi
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, BGI, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China.
| | - Junqing Zhang
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Tropical Medicinal Plants, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China.
| | - Qiong Shi
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, BGI, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China.
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19
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Dutertre S, Nicke A, Tsetlin VI. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor inhibitors derived from snake and snail venoms. Neuropharmacology 2017. [PMID: 28623170 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) represents the prototype of ligand-gated ion channels. It is vital for neuromuscular transmission and an important regulator of neurotransmission. A variety of toxic compounds derived from diverse species target this receptor and have been of elemental importance in basic and applied research. They enabled milestone discoveries in pharmacology and biochemistry ranging from the original formulation of the receptor concept, the first isolation and structural analysis of a receptor protein (the nAChR) to the identification, localization, and differentiation of its diverse subtypes and their validation as a target for therapeutic intervention. Among the venom-derived compounds, α-neurotoxins and α-conotoxins provide the largest families and still represent indispensable pharmacological tools. Application of modified α-neurotoxins provided substantial structural and functional details of the nAChR long before high resolution structures were available. α-bungarotoxin represents not only a standard pharmacological tool and label in nAChR research but also for unrelated proteins tagged with a minimal α-bungarotoxin binding motif. A major advantage of α-conotoxins is their smaller size, as well as superior selectivity for diverse nAChR subtypes that allows their development into ligands with optimized pharmacological and chemical properties and potentially novel drugs. In the following, these two groups of nAChR antagonists will be described focusing on their respective roles in the structural and functional characterization of nAChRs and their development into research tools. In addition, we provide a comparative overview of the diverse α-conotoxin selectivities that can serve as a practical guide for both structure activity studies and subtype classification. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Venom-derived Peptides as Pharmacological Tools.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Dutertre
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, Université Montpellier - CNRS, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Annette Nicke
- Walther Straub Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Nußbaumstr. 26, 80336 Munich, Germany.
| | - Victor I Tsetlin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya str.16/10, Moscow 117999, Russian Federation
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20
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The Venom Repertoire of Conus gloriamaris (Chemnitz, 1777), the Glory of the Sea. Mar Drugs 2017; 15:md15050145. [PMID: 28531118 PMCID: PMC5450551 DOI: 10.3390/md15050145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The marine cone snail Conus gloriamaris is an iconic species. For over two centuries, its shell was one of the most prized and valuable natural history objects in the world. Today, cone snails have attracted attention for their remarkable venom components. Many conotoxins are proving valuable as research tools, drug leads, and drugs. In this article, we present the venom gland transcriptome of C. gloriamaris, revealing this species' conotoxin repertoire. More than 100 conotoxin sequences were identified, representing a valuable resource for future drug discovery efforts.
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21
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Diversity in sequences, post-translational modifications and expected pharmacological activities of toxins from four Conus species revealed by the combination of cutting-edge proteomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics. Toxicon 2017; 130:116-125. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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22
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Yu S, Du T, Liu Z, Wu Q, Feng G, Dong M, Zhou X, Jiang L, Dai Q. Im10A, a short conopeptide isolated from Conus imperialis and possesses two highly concentrated disulfide bridges and analgesic activity. Peptides 2016; 81:15-20. [PMID: 27131596 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2016.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we isolated, synthesized and NMR structurally characterized a novel conopeptide Im10A consisting of 11 amino acids (NTICCEGCMCY-NH2) from Conus imperialis. Unlike other conopeptides with four cysteine residues, Im10A had only two residues in loop 1 and one residue in loop 2 (CC-loop1-C-loop2-C), which formed a stable disulfide connectivity "I-IV, II- III" (framework X) with a type I β-turn. Interestingly, Im10A exhibited 50.7% analgesic activity on rat partial sciatic nerve ligation (PNL) at 2h after Im10A administration. However, 10μM Im10A exhibited no apparent effect on neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and it did not target DRG voltage-dependent sodium, potassium and calcium ion channels and opioid receptor. To our knowledge, Im10A had the most concentrated disulfide bridges among conopeptides with four cysteine residues. This finding provided a new motif for the future development of biomimetic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Yu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 10071, PR China
| | - Tianpeng Du
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, State Key laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Zhuguo Liu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 10071, PR China
| | - Qiaoling Wu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 10071, PR China
| | - Guixue Feng
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 10071, PR China
| | - Mingxin Dong
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 10071, PR China
| | - Xiaowei Zhou
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 10071, PR China
| | - Ling Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, State Key laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
| | - Qiuyun Dai
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 10071, PR China.
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23
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Swedberg JE, Schroeder CI, Mitchell JM, Fairlie DP, Edmonds DJ, Griffith DA, Ruggeri RB, Derksen DR, Loria PM, Price DA, Liras S, Craik DJ. Truncated Glucagon-like Peptide-1 and Exendin-4 α-Conotoxin pl14a Peptide Chimeras Maintain Potency and α-Helicity and Reveal Interactions Vital for cAMP Signaling in Vitro. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:15778-87. [PMID: 27226591 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.724542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) signaling through the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a key regulator of normal glucose metabolism, and exogenous GLP-1R agonist therapy is a promising avenue for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. To date, the development of therapeutic GLP-1R agonists has focused on producing drugs with an extended serum half-life. This has been achieved by engineering synthetic analogs of GLP-1 or the more stable exogenous GLP-1R agonist exendin-4 (Ex-4). These synthetic peptide hormones share the overall structure of GLP-1 and Ex-4, with a C-terminal helical segment and a flexible N-terminal tail. Although numerous studies have investigated the molecular determinants underpinning GLP-1 and Ex-4 binding and signaling through the GLP-1R, these have primarily focused on the length and composition of the N-terminal tail or on how to modulate the helicity of the full-length peptides. Here, we investigate the effect of C-terminal truncation in GLP-1 and Ex-4 on the cAMP pathway. To ensure helical C-terminal regions in the truncated peptides, we produced a series of chimeric peptides combining the N-terminal portion of GLP-1 or Ex-4 and the C-terminal segment of the helix-promoting peptide α-conotoxin pl14a. The helicity and structures of the chimeric peptides were confirmed using circular dichroism and NMR, respectively. We found no direct correlation between the fractional helicity and potency in signaling via the cAMP pathway. Rather, the most important feature for efficient receptor binding and signaling was the C-terminal helical segment (residues 22-27) directing the binding of Phe(22) into a hydrophobic pocket on the GLP-1R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joakim E Swedberg
- From the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 Queensland, Australia
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- From the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 Queensland, Australia
| | - Justin M Mitchell
- From the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 Queensland, Australia
| | - David P Fairlie
- From the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 Queensland, Australia
| | - David J Edmonds
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, and
| | - David A Griffith
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, and
| | - Roger B Ruggeri
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, and
| | - David R Derksen
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Worldwide Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, Connecticut 06340
| | - Paula M Loria
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Worldwide Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, Connecticut 06340
| | - David A Price
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, and
| | - Spiros Liras
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, and
| | - David J Craik
- From the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 Queensland, Australia,
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De León-Nava MA, Romero-Núñez E, Luna-Nophal A, Bernáldez-Sarabia J, Sánchez-Campos LN, Licea-Navarro AF, Morales-Montor J, Muñiz-Hernández S. In Vitro Effect of the Synthetic cal14.1a Conotoxin, Derived from Conus californicus, on the Human Parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Mar Drugs 2016; 14:md14040066. [PMID: 27070627 PMCID: PMC4849070 DOI: 10.3390/md14040066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxins that are secreted by cone snails are small peptides that are used to treat several diseases. However, their effects on parasites with human and veterinary significance are unknown. Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic parasite that affects approximately 30% of the world’s population and can be lethal in immunologically compromised individuals. The conventional treatment for this parasitic infection has remained the same since the 1950s, and its efficacy is limited to the acute phase of infection. These findings have necessitated the search for new drugs that specifically target T. gondii. We examined the effects of the synthetic toxin cal14.1a (s-cal14.1a) from C. californicus on the tachyzoite form of T. gondii. Our results indicate that, at micromolar concentrations, s-cal14.1a lowers viability and inhibits host cell invasion (by 50% and 61%, respectively) on exposure to extracellular parasites. Further, intracellular replication decreased significantly while viability of the host cell was unaffected. Our study is the first report on the antiparasitic activity of a synthetic toxin of C. californicus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A De León-Nava
- Departamento de Innovación Biomédica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), Baja California, C.P. 22860, Mexico.
| | - Eunice Romero-Núñez
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Secretaría de Salud, San Fernando No. 22, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 14080, Mexico.
| | - Angélica Luna-Nophal
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico; Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 04510, Mexico.
| | - Johanna Bernáldez-Sarabia
- Departamento de Innovación Biomédica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), Baja California, C.P. 22860, Mexico.
| | - Liliana N Sánchez-Campos
- Departamento de Innovación Biomédica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), Baja California, C.P. 22860, Mexico.
| | - Alexei F Licea-Navarro
- Departamento de Innovación Biomédica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), Baja California, C.P. 22860, Mexico.
| | - Jorge Morales-Montor
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico; Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 04510, Mexico.
| | - Saé Muñiz-Hernández
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Secretaría de Salud, San Fernando No. 22, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 14080, Mexico.
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25
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Kuzmenkov AI, Grishin EV, Vassilevski AA. Diversity of Potassium Channel Ligands: Focus on Scorpion Toxins. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2016; 80:1764-99. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006297915130118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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26
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Jin AH, Vetter I, Himaya SWA, Alewood PF, Lewis RJ, Dutertre S. Transcriptome and proteome of Conus planorbis identify the nicotinic receptors as primary target for the defensive venom. Proteomics 2015; 15:4030-40. [PMID: 26506909 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201500220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Most venomous predators have evolved complex venom primarily to immobilize their prey and secondarily to defend against predators. In a new paradigm, carnivorous marine gastropods of the genus Conus were shown to rapidly and reversibly switch between two types of venoms in response to predatory or defensive stimulus, suggesting that the defensive use of venom may have a more important role in venom evolution and specialization than previously thought. To further investigate this phenomenon, the defensive repertoire of a vermivorous species, Conus planorbis, was deciphered using second-generation sequencing coupled to high-throughput proteomics. The venom gland transcriptome of C. planorbis revealed 182 unique conotoxin precursors from 25 gene superfamilies, with superfamily T dominating in terms of read and paralog numbers. Analysis of the defense-evoked venom revealed that this vermivorous species uses a similarly complex arsenal to deter aggressors as more recently evolved fish- and mollusk-hunting species, with MS/MS validating 23 conotoxin sequences from six superfamilies. Pharmacological characterization of the defensive venom on human receptors identified the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors as a primary target. This work provides the first insights into the composition and biological activity of specifically evolved defensive venoms in vermivorous cone snails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Hua Jin
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Siddhihalu W A Himaya
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul F Alewood
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Richard J Lewis
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sébastien Dutertre
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia.,Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, Université Montpellier - CNRS, Montpellier, France
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27
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Kancherla AK, Meesala S, Jorwal P, Palanisamy R, Sikdar SK, Sarma SP. A Disulfide Stabilized β-Sandwich Defines the Structure of a New Cysteine Framework M-Superfamily Conotoxin. ACS Chem Biol 2015; 10:1847-60. [PMID: 25961405 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The structure of a new cysteine framework (-C-CC-C-C-C-) "M"-superfamily conotoxin, Mo3964, shows it to have a β-sandwich structure that is stabilized by inter-sheet cross disulfide bonds. Mo3964 decreases outward K(+) currents in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons and increases the reversal potential of the NaV1.2 channels. The structure of Mo3964 (PDB ID: 2MW7 ) is constructed from the disulfide connectivity pattern, i.e., 1-3, 2-5, and 4-6, that is hitherto undescribed for the "M"-superfamily conotoxins. The tertiary structural fold has not been described for any of the known conus peptides. NOE (549), dihedral angle (84), and hydrogen bond (28) restraints, obtained by measurement of (h3)JNC' scalar couplings, were used as input for structure calculation. The ensemble of structures showed a backbone root mean square deviation of 0.68 ± 0.18 Å, with 87% and 13% of the backbone dihedral (ϕ, ψ) angles lying in the most favored and additional allowed regions of the Ramachandran map. The conotoxin Mo3964 represents a new bioactive peptide fold that is stabilized by disulfide bonds and adds to the existing repertoire of scaffolds that can be used to design stable bioactive peptide molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswani K. Kancherla
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012, India
| | - Srinu Meesala
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012, India
| | - Pooja Jorwal
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012, India
| | - Ramasamy Palanisamy
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012, India
| | - Sujit K. Sikdar
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012, India
| | - Siddhartha P. Sarma
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012, India
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28
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Cloning, synthesis, and characterization of αO-conotoxin GeXIVA, a potent α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E4026-35. [PMID: 26170295 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1503617112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We identified a previously unidentified conotoxin gene from Conus generalis whose precursor signal sequence has high similarity to the O1-gene conotoxin superfamily. The predicted mature peptide, αO-conotoxin GeXIVA (GeXIVA), has four Cys residues, and its three disulfide isomers were synthesized. Previously pharmacologically characterized O1-superfamily peptides, exemplified by the US Food and Drug Administration-approved pain medication, ziconotide, contain six Cys residues and are calcium, sodium, or potassium channel antagonists. However, GeXIVA did not inhibit calcium channels but antagonized nicotinic AChRs (nAChRs), most potently on the α9α10 nAChR subtype (IC50 = 4.6 nM). Toxin blockade was voltage-dependent, and kinetic analysis of toxin dissociation indicated that the binding site of GeXIVA does not overlap with the binding site of the competitive antagonist α-conotoxin RgIA. Surprisingly, the most active disulfide isomer of GeXIVA is the bead isomer, comprising, according to NMR analysis, two well-resolved but uncoupled disulfide-restrained loops. The ribbon isomer is almost as potent but has a more rigid structure built around a short 310-helix. In contrast to most α-conotoxins, the globular isomer is the least potent and has a flexible, multiconformational nature. GeXIVA reduced mechanical hyperalgesia in the rat chronic constriction injury model of neuropathic pain but had no effect on motor performance, warranting its further investigation as a possible therapeutic agent.
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Morales-González D, Flores-Martínez E, Zamora-Bustillos R, Rivera-Reyes R, Michel-Morfín JE, Landa-Jaime V, Falcón A, Aguilar MB. Diversity of A-conotoxins of three worm-hunting cone snails (Conus brunneus, Conus nux, and Conus princeps) from the Mexican Pacific coast. Peptides 2015; 68:25-32. [PMID: 25703301 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 01/31/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Conus marine snails (∼500 species) are tropical predators that use venoms mainly to capture prey and defend themselves from predators. The principal components of these venoms are peptides that are known as "conotoxins" and generally comprise 7-40 amino acid residues, including 0-5 disulfide bridges and distinct posttranslational modifications. The most common molecular targets of conotoxins are voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels, G protein-coupled receptors, and neurotransmitter transporters, to which they bind, typically, with high affinity and specificity. Due to these properties, several conotoxins have become molecular probes, medicines, and leads for drug design. Conotoxins have been classified into genetic superfamilies based on the signal sequence of their precursors, and into pharmacological families according to their molecular targets. The objective of this work was to identify and analyze partial cDNAs encoding conotoxin precursors belonging to the A superfamily from Conus brunneus, Conus nux, and Conus princeps. These are vermivorous species of the Mexican Pacific coast from which only one A-conotoxin, and few O- and I2-conotoxins have been reported. Employing RT-PCR, we identified 30 distinct precursors that contain 13 different predicted mature toxins. With the exception of two groups of four highly similar peptides, these toxins are diverse at both the sequence and the physicochemical levels, and they belong to the 4/3, 4/4, 4/5, 4/6, and 4/7 structural subfamilies. These toxins are predicted to target diverse nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes: nx1d, muscle; pi1a-pi1d, α3β2, α7, and/or α9α10; br1a, muscle, α3β4, and/or α4β2; and nx1a-nx1c/pi1g and pi1h, α3β2, α3β4, α9β10, and/or α7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Morales-González
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico; Maestría en Ciencias (Neurobiología), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Ernesto Flores-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico; Maestría en Ciencias (Neurobiología), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Roberto Zamora-Bustillos
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico; Laboratorio de Genética Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico de Conkal, Conkal, Yucatán 97345, Mexico
| | - Reginaldo Rivera-Reyes
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Jesús Emilio Michel-Morfín
- Departamento de Estudios para el Desarrollo Sustentable de Zonas Costeras, CUCSUR-Universidad de Guadalajara, Gómez Farías 82, San Patricio-Melaque, Jalisco 48980, Mexico
| | - Víctor Landa-Jaime
- Departamento de Estudios para el Desarrollo Sustentable de Zonas Costeras, CUCSUR-Universidad de Guadalajara, Gómez Farías 82, San Patricio-Melaque, Jalisco 48980, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Mexico
| | - Andrés Falcón
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Manuel B Aguilar
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
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Gorson J, Ramrattan G, Verdes A, Wright EM, Kantor Y, Rajaram Srinivasan R, Musunuri R, Packer D, Albano G, Qiu WG, Holford M. Molecular Diversity and Gene Evolution of the Venom Arsenal of Terebridae Predatory Marine Snails. Genome Biol Evol 2015; 7:1761-78. [PMID: 26025559 PMCID: PMC4494067 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evv104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Venom peptides from predatory organisms are a resource for investigating evolutionary processes such as adaptive radiation or diversification, and exemplify promising targets for biomedical drug development. Terebridae are an understudied lineage of conoidean snails, which also includes cone snails and turrids. Characterization of cone snail venom peptides, conotoxins, has revealed a cocktail of bioactive compounds used to investigate physiological cellular function, predator-prey interactions, and to develop novel therapeutics. However, venom diversity of other conoidean snails remains poorly understood. The present research applies a venomics approach to characterize novel terebrid venom peptides, teretoxins, from the venom gland transcriptomes of Triplostephanus anilis and Terebra subulata. Next-generation sequencing and de novo assembly identified 139 putative teretoxins that were analyzed for the presence of canonical peptide features as identified in conotoxins. To meet the challenges of de novo assembly, multiple approaches for cross validation of findings were performed to achieve reliable assemblies of venom duct transcriptomes and to obtain a robust portrait of Terebridae venom. Phylogenetic methodology was used to identify 14 teretoxin gene superfamilies for the first time, 13 of which are unique to the Terebridae. Additionally, basic local algorithm search tool homology-based searches to venom-related genes and posttranslational modification enzymes identified a convergence of certain venom proteins, such as actinoporin, commonly found in venoms. This research provides novel insights into venom evolution and recruitment in Conoidean predatory marine snails and identifies a plethora of terebrid venom peptides that can be used to investigate fundamental questions pertaining to gene evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Gorson
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York Invertebrate Zoology, Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York
| | - Girish Ramrattan
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York
| | - Aida Verdes
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York Invertebrate Zoology, Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York
| | - Elizabeth M Wright
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York Invertebrate Zoology, Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York
| | - Yuri Kantor
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia Visiting Professor, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | | | - Raj Musunuri
- Department of Bioinformatics, New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering
| | - Daniel Packer
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York
| | - Gabriel Albano
- Estação de Biologia Marítima da Inhaca (EBMI), Faculdade de Ciencias, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Distrito Municipal KaNyaka, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Wei-Gang Qiu
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York
| | - Mandë Holford
- Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York Invertebrate Zoology, Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York
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31
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Conotoxin gene superfamilies. Mar Drugs 2014; 12:6058-101. [PMID: 25522317 PMCID: PMC4278219 DOI: 10.3390/md12126058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Revised: 11/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Conotoxins are the peptidic components of the venoms of marine cone snails (genus Conus). They are remarkably diverse in terms of structure and function. Unique potency and selectivity profiles for a range of neuronal targets have made several conotoxins valuable as research tools, drug leads and even therapeutics, and has resulted in a concerted and increasing drive to identify and characterise new conotoxins. Conotoxins are translated from mRNA as peptide precursors, and cDNA sequencing is now the primary method for identification of new conotoxin sequences. As a result, gene superfamily, a classification based on precursor signal peptide identity, has become the most convenient method of conotoxin classification. Here we review each of the described conotoxin gene superfamilies, with a focus on the structural and functional diversity present in each. This review is intended to serve as a practical guide to conotoxin superfamilies and to facilitate interpretation of the increasing number of conotoxin precursor sequences being identified by targeted-cDNA sequencing and more recently high-throughput transcriptome sequencing.
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Rong M, Yang S, Wen B, Mo G, Kang D, Liu J, Lin Z, Jiang W, Li B, Du C, Yang S, Jiang H, Feng Q, Xu X, Wang J, Lai R. Peptidomics combined with cDNA library unravel the diversity of centipede venom. J Proteomics 2014; 114:28-37. [PMID: 25449838 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2014.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Revised: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Centipedes are one of the oldest venomous arthropods using toxin as their weapon to capture prey. But little attention was focused on them and only few centipede toxins were demonstrated with activity on ion channels. Therefore, more deep works are needed to understand the diversity of centipede venom. In the present study, we use peptidomics combined with cDNA library to uncover the diversity of centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch. 192 peptides were identified by LC-MS/MS and 79 precursors were deduced by cDNA library. Surprisingly, the signal peptides of centipede toxins were more complicated than any other animal toxins and even exhibited large differences in homologues. Meanwhile, a large number of variants generated by alternative cleavage sites were detected by mass spectra. Odd number of cystein (3, 5, 7) found in the mature peptides were seldom seen in peptide toxins. In additional, two novel cysteine frameworks (C-C-C-CCC, C-C-C-C-CC-CC) were identified from 16 different cysteine frameworks from centipede peptides. Only 29 precursors have clear targets, while others may provide a potential diversity function for centipede. These findings highlight the extensive diversity of centipede toxins and provide powerful tools to understand the capture and defense weapon of centipede. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Peptide toxins from venomous animal have attracted increasing attentions due to their extraordinary chemical and pharmacological diversity. Centipedes are one of the most used Chinese traditional medicines, but little was known about the active components. The venom of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch is first deeply analyzed in this work and most of peptides were never discovered before. Interestingly, the number and arrangement of cysteine showed a larger different to known peptide toxins such spider or scorpion toxins. Moreover, only 29 peptides from this centipede venom were identified with known function. It suggested that our work not only important to understand the composition of centipede venom, but also provide many valuable peptides for potential biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqiang Rong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Shilong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Bo Wen
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Guoxiang Mo
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanjing Agriculture University, Nanjing, Jiangshu 210095, China
| | - Di Kang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
| | | | - Wenbin Jiang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Bowen Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
| | | | - Shuanjuan Yang
- Kunming Biological Diversity Regional Center of Large Apparatuses and Equipment, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Qiang Feng
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China; Kunming Biological Diversity Regional Center of Large Apparatuses and Equipment, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Xun Xu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Jun Wang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China; Kunming Biological Diversity Regional Center of Large Apparatuses and Equipment, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China; Princess Al Jawhara Center of Excellence in the Research of Hereditary Disorders, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
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Thapa P, Espiritu MJ, Cabalteja CC, Bingham JP. Conotoxins and their regulatory considerations. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2014; 70:197-202. [PMID: 25013992 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Revised: 06/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Venom derived peptides from marine cone snails, conotoxins, have demonstrated unique pharmacological targeting properties that have been pivotal in advancing medical research. The awareness of their true toxic origins and potent pharmacological nature is emphasized by their 'select agent' classification by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We briefly introduce the biochemical and pharmacological aspects of conotoxins, highlighting current advancements into their biological engineering, and provide details to the present regulations that govern their use in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parashar Thapa
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Michael J Espiritu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Chino C Cabalteja
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Jon-Paul Bingham
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
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Imperial JS, Cabang AB, Song J, Raghuraman S, Gajewiak J, Watkins M, Showers-Corneli P, Fedosov A, Concepcion GP, Terlau H, Teichert RW, Olivera BM. A family of excitatory peptide toxins from venomous crassispirine snails: using Constellation Pharmacology to assess bioactivity. Toxicon 2014; 89:45-54. [PMID: 24997406 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2014] [Revised: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The toxinology of the crassispirine snails, a major group of venomous marine gastropods within the superfamily Conoidea, is largely unknown. Here we define the first venom peptide superfamily, the P-like crassipeptides, and show that the organization of their gene sequences is similar to conotoxin precursors. We provide evidence that one peptide family within the P-like crassipeptide superfamily includes potassium-channel (K-channel) blockers, the κP-crassipeptides. Three of these peptides were chemically synthesized (cce9a, cce9b and iqi9a). Using conventional electrophysiology, cce9b was shown to be an antagonist of both a human Kv1.1 channel isoform (Shaker subfamily of voltage-gated K channels) and a Drosophila K-channel isoform. We assessed the bioactivity of these peptides in native mammalian dorsal root ganglion neurons in culture. We demonstrate that two of these crassipeptides, cce9a and cce9b, elicited an excitatory phenotype in a subset of small-diameter capsaicin-sensitive mouse DRG neurons that were also affected by κJ-conotoxin PlXIVA (pl14a), a blocker of Kv1.6 channels. Given the vast complexity of heteromeric K-channel isoforms, this study demonstrates that the crassispirine venoms are a potentially rich source for discovering novel peptides that can help to identify and characterize the diversity of K-channel subtypes expressed in native neurons and other cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julita S Imperial
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| | - April B Cabang
- Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
| | - Jie Song
- Institute of Physiology, University of Kiel, Hermann-Rodewald-Straße 5, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Shrinivasan Raghuraman
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Joanna Gajewiak
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Maren Watkins
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Patrice Showers-Corneli
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Alexander Fedosov
- A.N. Severtzov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, 119071 Russia
| | - Gisela P Concepcion
- Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
| | - Heinrich Terlau
- Institute of Physiology, University of Kiel, Hermann-Rodewald-Straße 5, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Russell W Teichert
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Baldomero M Olivera
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Wu Y, Wang L, Zhou M, Jiang X, Zhu X, Chen Y, Luo S, You Y, Ren Z, Xu A. Soluble expression, purification and functional identification of the framework XV conotoxins derived from different Conus species. Peptides 2014; 56:77-83. [PMID: 24703966 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The conotoxin cysteine framework XV (-C-C-CC-C-C-C-C-), which was named Lt15a, was firstly identified from the cDNA library of Conus litteratus. After that, 18 new framework XV conotoxin sequences were cloned from nine Conus species. Like other conopeptides, the XV-conotoxins have the conserved signal peptide and propeptide, and there are also some conserved residues in their mature peptide. All the framework XV conotoxins were apparently converged into two branches, because of the indel and point mutations occurred in their mature peptides. By fused with thioredoxin and 6×His tag, six XV-conotoxins were successfully expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Different framework XV conotoxins have distinct biological activities on mice and frogs, and that may be related to the diversity of the toxin sequences. All the six XV-conotoxins had no obvious effects on the sodium currents of DRG neuron cells of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The identification of this framework of conotoxins enriches our understanding of the structural and functional diversity of conotoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, National Engineering Research Center of South China Sea Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, National Engineering Research Center of South China Sea Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Maojun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, National Engineering Research Center of South China Sea Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuhua Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, National Engineering Research Center of South China Sea Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, National Engineering Research Center of South China Sea Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, National Engineering Research Center of South China Sea Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaonan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, National Engineering Research Center of South China Sea Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuwen You
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, National Engineering Research Center of South China Sea Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenghua Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, National Engineering Research Center of South China Sea Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Anlong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, National Engineering Research Center of South China Sea Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China; Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Dong Shan Huan Road, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
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Zamora-Bustillos R, Rivera-Reyes R, Aguilar MB, Michel-Morfín E, Landa-Jaime V, Falcón A, Heimer EP. Identification, by RT-PCR, of eight novel I₂-conotoxins from the worm-hunting cone snails Conus brunneus, Conus nux, and Conus princeps from the eastern Pacific (Mexico). Peptides 2014; 53:22-9. [PMID: 24486530 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Revised: 01/12/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Marine snails of the genus Conus (∼500 species) are tropical predators that produce venoms for capturing prey, defense and competitive interactions. These venoms contain 50-200 different peptides ("conotoxins") that generally comprise 7-40 amino acid residues (including 0-5 disulfide bridges), and that frequently contain diverse posttranslational modifications, some of which have been demonstrated to be important for folding, stability, and biological activity. Most conotoxins affect voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels, G protein-coupled receptors, and neurotransmitter transporters, generally with high affinity and specificity. Due to these features, several conotoxins are used as molecular tools, diagnostic agents, medicines, and models for drug design. Based on the signal sequence of their precursors, conotoxins have been classified into genetic superfamilies, whereas their molecular targets allow them to be classified into pharmacological families. The objective of this work was to identify and analyze partial cDNAs encoding precursors of conotoxins belonging to I superfamily from three vermivorous species of the Mexican Pacific coast: C. brunneus, C. nux and C. princeps. The precursors identified contain diverse numbers of amino acid residues (C. brunneus, 65 or 71; C. nux, 70; C. princeps, 72 or 73), and all include a highly conserved signal peptide, a C-terminal propeptide, and a mature toxin. All the latter have one of the typical Cys frameworks of the I-conotoxins (C-C-CC-CC-C-C). The prepropeptides belong to the I2-superfamily, and encode eight different hydrophilic and acidic mature toxins, rather similar among them, and some of which have similarity with I2-conotoxins targeting voltage- and voltage-and-calcium-gated potassium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Zamora-Bustillos
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico; Laboratorio de Genética Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico de Conkal, Conkal, Yucatán 97345, Mexico
| | - R Rivera-Reyes
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - M B Aguilar
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
| | - E Michel-Morfín
- Departamento de Estudios para el Desarrollo Sustentable de Zonas Costeras. CUCSUR-Universidad de Guadalajara, San Patricio-Melaque, Jalisco 48980, Mexico
| | - V Landa-Jaime
- Departamento de Estudios para el Desarrollo Sustentable de Zonas Costeras. CUCSUR-Universidad de Guadalajara, San Patricio-Melaque, Jalisco 48980, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Mexico
| | - A Falcón
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - E P Heimer
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
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Robinson SD, Safavi-Hemami H, McIntosh LD, Purcell AW, Norton RS, Papenfuss AT. Diversity of conotoxin gene superfamilies in the venomous snail, Conus victoriae. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87648. [PMID: 24505301 PMCID: PMC3914837 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms represent a vast library of bioactive peptides and proteins with proven potential, not only as research tools but also as drug leads and therapeutics. This is illustrated clearly by marine cone snails (genus Conus), whose venoms consist of mixtures of hundreds of peptides (conotoxins) with a diverse array of molecular targets, including voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels, G-protein coupled receptors and neurotransmitter transporters. Several conotoxins have found applications as research tools, with some being used or developed as therapeutics. The primary objective of this study was the large-scale discovery of conotoxin sequences from the venom gland of an Australian cone snail species, Conus victoriae. Using cDNA library normalization, high-throughput 454 sequencing, de novo transcriptome assembly and annotation with BLASTX and profile hidden Markov models, we discovered over 100 unique conotoxin sequences from 20 gene superfamilies, the highest diversity of conotoxins so far reported in a single study. Many of the sequences identified are new members of known conotoxin superfamilies, some help to redefine these superfamilies and others represent altogether new classes of conotoxins. In addition, we have demonstrated an efficient combination of methods to mine an animal venom gland and generate a library of sequences encoding bioactive peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel D. Robinson
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- * E-mail: (SDR); (HSH)
| | - Helena Safavi-Hemami
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- * E-mail: (SDR); (HSH)
| | - Lachlan D. McIntosh
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony W. Purcell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Raymond S. Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony T. Papenfuss
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Molecular evolution and diversity of Conus peptide toxins, as revealed by gene structure and intron sequence analyses. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82495. [PMID: 24349297 PMCID: PMC3862624 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cone snails, which are predatory marine gastropods, produce a cocktail of venoms used for predation, defense and competition. The major venom component, conotoxin, has received significant attention because it is useful in neuroscience research, drug development and molecular diversity studies. In this study, we report the genomic characterization of nine conotoxin gene superfamilies from 18 Conus species and investigate the relationships among conotoxin gene structure, molecular evolution and diversity. The I1, I2, M, O2, O3, P, S, and T superfamily precursors all contain three exons and two introns, while A superfamily members contain two exons and one intron. The introns are conserved within a certain gene superfamily, and also conserved across different Conus species, but divergent among different superfamilies. The intronic sequences contain many simple repeat sequences and regulatory elements that may influence conotoxin gene expression. Furthermore, due to the unique gene structure of conotoxins, the base substitution rates and the number of positively selected sites vary greatly among exons. Many more point mutations and trinucleotide indels were observed in the mature peptide exon than in the other exons. In addition, the first example of alternative splicing in conotoxin genes was found. These results suggest that the diversity of conotoxin genes has been shaped by point mutations and indels, as well as rare gene recombination or alternative splicing events, and that the unique gene structures could have made a contribution to the evolution of conotoxin genes.
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Quinton L, Servent D, Girard E, Molgó J, Le Caer JP, Malosse C, Haidar EA, Lecoq A, Gilles N, Chamot-Rooke J. Identification and functional characterization of a novel α-conotoxin (EIIA) from Conus ermineus. Anal Bioanal Chem 2013; 405:5341-51. [PMID: 23584713 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-013-6926-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Revised: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are one of the most important families in the ligand-gated ion channel superfamily due to their involvement in primordial brain functions and in several neurodegenerative pathologies. The discovery of new ligands which can bind with high affinity and selectivity to nAChR subtypes is of prime interest in order to study these receptors and to potentially discover new drugs for treating various pathologies. Predatory cone snails of the genus Conus hunt their prey using venoms containing a large number of small, highly structured peptides called conotoxins. Conotoxins are classified in different structural families and target a large panel of receptors and ion channels. Interestingly, nAChRs represent the only subgroup for which Conus has developed seven distinct families of conotoxins. Conus venoms have thus received much attention as they could represent a potential source of selective ligands of nAChR subtypes. We describe the mass spectrometric-based approaches which led to the discovery of a novel α-conotoxin targeting muscular nAChR from the venom of Conus ermineus. The presence of several posttranslational modifications complicated the N-terminal sequencing. To discriminate between the different possible sequences, analogs with variable N-terminus were synthesized and fragmented by MS/MS. Understanding the fragmentation pathways in the low m/z range appeared crucial to determine the right sequence. The biological activity of this novel α-conotoxin (α-EIIA) that belongs to the unusual α4/4 subfamily was determined by binding experiments. The results revealed not only its selectivity for the muscular nAChR, but also a clear discrimination between the two binding sites described for this receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Quinton
- Laboratoire des Mécanismes Réactionnels, Département de Chimie, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS UMR7651, 91128 Palaiseau Cedex, France
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A novel inhibitor of α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors from Conus vexillum delineates a new conotoxin superfamily. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54648. [PMID: 23382933 PMCID: PMC3559828 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2012] [Accepted: 12/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Conotoxins (CTxs) selectively target a range of ion channels and receptors, making them widely used tools for probing nervous system function. Conotoxins have been previously grouped into superfamilies according to signal sequence and into families based on their cysteine framework and biological target. Here we describe the cloning and characterization of a new conotoxin, from Conus vexillum, named αB-conotoxin VxXXIVA. The peptide does not belong to any previously described conotoxin superfamily and its arrangement of Cys residues is unique among conopeptides. Moreover, in contrast to previously characterized conopeptide toxins, which are expressed initially as prepropeptide precursors with a signal sequence, a ‘‘pro’’ region, and the toxin-encoding region, the precursor sequence of αB-VxXXIVA lacks a ‘‘pro’’ region. The predicted 40-residue mature peptide, which contains four Cys, was synthesized in each of the three possible disulfide arrangements. Investigation of the mechanism of action of αB-VxXXIVA revealed that the peptide is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist with greatest potency against the α9α10 subtype. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra indicated that all three αB-VxXXIVA isomers were poorly structured in aqueous solution. This was consistent with circular dichroism (CD) results which showed that the peptides were unstructured in buffer, but adopted partially helical conformations in aqueous trifluoroethanol (TFE) solution. The α9α10 nAChR is an important target for the development of analgesics and cancer chemotherapeutics, and αB-VxXXIVA represents a novel ligand with which to probe the structure and function of this protein.
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Favreau P, Benoit E, Hocking HG, Carlier L, D' hoedt D, Leipold E, Markgraf R, Schlumberger S, Córdova MA, Gaertner H, Paolini-Bertrand M, Hartley O, Tytgat J, Heinemann SH, Bertrand D, Boelens R, Stöcklin R, Molgó J. A novel µ-conopeptide, CnIIIC, exerts potent and preferential inhibition of NaV1.2/1.4 channels and blocks neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 166:1654-68. [PMID: 22229737 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.01837.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The µ-conopeptide family is defined by its ability to block voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs), a property that can be used for the development of myorelaxants and analgesics. We characterized the pharmacology of a new µ-conopeptide (µ-CnIIIC) on a range of preparations and molecular targets to assess its potential as a myorelaxant. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH µ-CnIIIC was sequenced, synthesized and characterized by its direct block of elicited twitch tension in mouse skeletal muscle and action potentials in mouse sciatic and pike olfactory nerves. µ-CnIIIC was also studied on HEK-293 cells expressing various rodent VGSCs and also on voltage-gated potassium channels and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) to assess cross-interactions. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments were carried out for structural data. KEY RESULTS Synthetic µ-CnIIIC decreased twitch tension in mouse hemidiaphragms (IC(50) = 150 nM), and displayed a higher blocking effect in mouse extensor digitorum longus muscles (IC = 46 nM), compared with µ-SIIIA, µ-SmIIIA and µ-PIIIA. µ-CnIIIC blocked Na(V)1.4 (IC(50) = 1.3 nM) and Na(V)1.2 channels in a long-lasting manner. Cardiac Na(V)1.5 and DRG-specific Na(V)1.8 channels were not blocked at 1 µM. µ-CnIIIC also blocked the α3β2 nAChR subtype (IC(50) = 450 nM) and, to a lesser extent, on the α7 and α4β2 subtypes. Structure determination of µ-CnIIIC revealed some similarities to α-conotoxins acting on nAChRs. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS µ-CnIIIC potently blocked VGSCs in skeletal muscle and nerve, and hence is applicable to myorelaxation. Its atypical pharmacological profile suggests some common structural features between VGSCs and nAChR channels.
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Adams DJ, Callaghan B, Berecki G. Analgesic conotoxins: block and G protein-coupled receptor modulation of N-type (Ca(V) 2.2) calcium channels. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 166:486-500. [PMID: 22091786 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01781.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Conotoxins (conopeptides) are small disulfide bonded peptides from the venom of marine cone snails. These peptides target a wide variety of membrane receptors, ion channels and transporters, and have enormous potential for a range of pharmaceutical applications. Structurally related ω-conotoxins bind directly to and selectively inhibit neuronal (N)-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) of nociceptive primary afferent neurones. Among these, ω-conotoxin MVIIA (Prialt) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an alternative intrathecal analgesic for the management of chronic intractable pain, particularly in patients refractory to opioids. A series of newly discovered ω-conotoxins from Conus catus, including CVID-F, are potent and selective antagonists of N-type VGCCs. In spinal cord slices, these peptides reversibly inhibit excitatory synaptic transmission between primary afferents and dorsal horn superficial lamina neurones, and in the rat partial sciatic nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain, significantly reduce allodynic behaviour. Another family of conotoxins, the α-conotoxins, are competitive antagonists of mammalian nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). α-Conotoxins Vc1.1 and RgIA possess two disulfide bonds and are currently in development as a treatment for neuropathic pain. It was initially proposed that the primary target of these peptides is the α9α10 neuronal nAChR. Surprisingly, however, α-conotoxins Vc1.1, RgIA and PeIA more potently inhibit N-type VGCC currents via a GABA(B) GPCR mechanism in rat sensory neurones. This inhibition is largely voltage-independent and involves complex intracellular signalling. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of conotoxin action will lead to new ways to regulate VGCC block and modulation in normal and diseased states of the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Adams
- Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Lewis RJ, Dutertre S, Vetter I, Christie MJ. Conus Venom Peptide Pharmacology. Pharmacol Rev 2012; 64:259-98. [DOI: 10.1124/pr.111.005322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 323] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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Functional profiling of neurons through cellular neuropharmacology. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:1388-95. [PMID: 22307590 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1118833109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a functional profiling strategy to identify and characterize subtypes of neurons present in a peripheral ganglion, which should be extendable to neurons in the CNS. In this study, dissociated dorsal-root ganglion neurons from mice were exposed to various pharmacological agents (challenge compounds), while at the same time the individual responses of >100 neurons were simultaneously monitored by calcium imaging. Each challenge compound elicited responses in only a subset of dorsal-root ganglion neurons. Two general types of challenge compounds were used: agonists of receptors (ionotropic and metabotropic) that alter cytoplasmic calcium concentration (receptor-agonist challenges) and compounds that affect voltage-gated ion channels (membrane-potential challenges). Notably, among the latter are K-channel antagonists, which elicited unexpectedly diverse types of calcium responses in different cells (i.e., phenotypes). We used various challenge compounds to identify several putative neuronal subtypes on the basis of their shared and/or divergent functional, phenotypic profiles. Our results indicate that multiple receptor-agonist and membrane-potential challenges may be applied to a neuronal population to identify, characterize, and discriminate among neuronal subtypes. This experimental approach can uncover constellations of plasma membrane macromolecules that are functionally coupled to confer a specific phenotypic profile on each neuronal subtype. This experimental platform has the potential to bridge a gap between systems and molecular neuroscience with a cellular-focused neuropharmacology, ultimately leading to the identification and functional characterization of all neuronal subtypes at a given locus in the nervous system.
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Lluisma AO, Milash BA, Moore B, Olivera BM, Bandyopadhyay PK. Novel venom peptides from the cone snail Conus pulicarius discovered through next-generation sequencing of its venom duct transcriptome. Mar Genomics 2012; 5:43-51. [PMID: 22325721 DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2011.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2011] [Revised: 09/09/2011] [Accepted: 09/16/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The venom peptides (i.e., conotoxins or conopeptides) that species in the genus Conus collectively produce are remarkably diverse, estimated to be around 50,000 to 140,000, but the pace of discovery and characterization of these peptides have been rather slow. To date, only a minor fraction have been identified and studied. However, the advent of next-generation DNA sequencing technologies has opened up opportunities for expediting the exploration of this diversity. The whole transcriptome of a venom duct from the vermivorous marine snail C. pulicarius was sequenced using the 454 sequencing platform. Analysis of the data set resulted in the identification of over eighty unique putative conopeptide sequences, the highest number discovered so far from a Conus venom duct transcriptome. More importantly, majority of the sequences were potentially novel, many with unexpected structural features, hinting at the vastness of the diversity of Conus venom peptides that remains to be explored. The sequences represented at least 14 major superfamilies/types (disulfide- and non-disulfide-rich), indicating the structural and functional diversity of conotoxins in the venom of C. pulicarius. In addition, the contryphans were surprisingly more diverse than what is currently known. Comparative analysis of the O-superfamily sequences also revealed insights into the complexity of the processes that drive the evolution and diversification of conotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo O Lluisma
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Möller C, Marí F. 9.3 KDa components of the injected venom of Conus purpurascens define a new five-disulfide conotoxin framework. Biopolymers 2011; 96:158-65. [PMID: 20564010 DOI: 10.1002/bip.21406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The 83-residue conopeptide (p21a) and its corresponding nonhydroxylated analog were isolated from the injected venom of Conus purpurascens. The complete conopeptide sequences were derived from Edman degradation sequencing of fragments from tryptic, chymotryptic and cyanogen bromide digestions, p21a has a unique, 10-cystine/5-disulfide 7-loop framework with extended 10-residue N-terminus and a 5-residue C-terminus tails, respectively. p21a has a 48% sequence homology with a recently described 13-cystine conopeptide, con-ikot-ikot, isolated from the dissected venom of the fish-hunting snail Conus striatus. However, unlike con-ikot-ikot, p21a does not form a dimer of dimers. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry suggests that p21a may form a noncovalent dimer. p21a is an unusually large conotoxin and in so far is the largest isolated from injected venom. p21a provides evidence that the Conus venom arsenal includes larger molecules that are directly injected into the prey. Therefore, cone snails can utilize toxins that are comparable in size to the ones commonly found in other venomous animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Möller
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
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Sun D, Ren Z, Zeng X, You Y, Pan W, Zhou M, Wang L, Xu A. Structure-function relationship of conotoxin lt14a, a potential analgesic with low cytotoxicity. Peptides 2011; 32:300-5. [PMID: 21126549 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2009] [Revised: 11/13/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A novel conotoxin lt14a containing 13 amino acid residues with an amidated C-terminus derived from Conus litteratus, belongs to C-C-C-C cysteine pattern. As the smallest peptide of conotoxin framework 14, lt14a could inhibit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and suppress pain. To elucidate structure-function relationship, we determine the solution structure by NMR and find that lt14a comprises a short duple β-strand region and β-turn motif. An analog [K7A]-lt14a of Ala substitution for Lys in position 7 is designed. Interestingly, [K7A]-lt14a exhibits higher activity than lt14a as long-lasting analgesic in the hotplate pain model in mice. Additionally, MTT assay reveals that the two peptides have low toxicity to human cells. The studies suggest that positively charged residue may not be involved in the blocking mechanism. However, due to the Ala substitution, hydrophobic residues' patch expansion strengthens the binding ability. A hypothesis is given that in conotoxin lt14a, hydrophobic residues rather than charged residues play a key role during target binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China
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Elliger CA, Richmond TA, Lebaric ZN, Pierce NT, Sweedler JV, Gilly WF. Diversity of conotoxin types from Conus californicus reflects a diversity of prey types and a novel evolutionary history. Toxicon 2010; 57:311-22. [PMID: 21172372 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2010] [Revised: 12/06/2010] [Accepted: 12/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Most species within the genus Conus are considered to be specialists in their consumption of prey, typically feeding on molluscs, vermiform invertebrates or fish, and employ peptide toxins to immobilize prey. Conus californicus Hinds 1844 atypically utilizes a wide range of food sources from all three groups. Using DNA- and protein-based methods, we analyzed the molecular diversity of C. californicus toxins and detected a correspondingly large number of conotoxin types. We identified cDNAs corresponding to seven known cysteine-frameworks containing over 40 individual inferred peptides. Additionally, we found a new framework (22) with six predicted peptide examples, along with two forms of a new peptide type of unusual length. Analysis of leader sequences allowed assignment to known superfamilies in only half of the cases, and several of these showed a framework that was not in congruence with the identified superfamily. Mass spectrometric examination of chromatographic fractions from whole venom served to identify peptides corresponding to a number of cDNAs, in several cases differing in their degree of posttranslational modification. This suggests differential or incomplete biochemical processing of these peptides. In general, it is difficult to fit conotoxins from C. californicus into established toxin classification schemes. We hypothesize that the novel structural modifications of individual peptides and their encoding genes reflect evolutionary adaptation to prey species of an unusually wide range as well as the large phylogenetic distance between C. californicus and Indo-Pacific species.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Elliger
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, 120 Oceanview Blvd., Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
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Peng C, Ye M, Wang Y, Shao X, Yuan D, Liu J, Hawrot E, Wang C, Chi C. A new subfamily of conotoxins belonging to the A-superfamily. Peptides 2010; 31:2009-16. [PMID: 20691232 PMCID: PMC3721517 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2010] [Revised: 07/13/2010] [Accepted: 07/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Two novel conotoxins from vermivorous cone snails Conus pulicarius and Conus tessulatus, designated as Pu14.1 and ts14a, were identified by cDNA cloning and peptide purification, respectively. The signal sequence of Pu14.1 is identical to that of α-conotoxins, while its predicted mature peptide, pu14a, shares high sequence similarity with ts14a, with only one residue different in their first intercysteine loop, which contains 10 residues and is rich in proline. Both pu14a and ts14a contain four separate cysteines in framework 14 (C-C-C-C). Peptide pu14a was chemically synthesized, air oxidized, and the connectivity of its two disulfide bonds was determined to be C1-C3, C2-C4, which is the same as found in α-conotoxins. The synthetic pu14a induced a sleeping symptom in mice and was toxic to freshwater goldfish upon intramuscular injection. Using the Xenopus oocyte heterologous expression system, 1μM of pu14a demonstrated to inhibit the rat neuronal α3β2-containing as well as the mouse neuromuscular α1β1γδ subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and then rapidly dissociated from the receptors. However, this toxin had no inhibitory effect on potassium channels in mouse superior cervical ganglion neurons. According to the identical signal sequence to α-conotoxins, the unique cysteine framework and molecular target of pu14a, we propose that pu14a and ts14a may represent a novel subfamily in the A-superfamily, designated as α1-conotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Peng
- Institute of Protein Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dong Chuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Mingyu Ye
- Institute of Protein Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanfang Wang
- Institute of Protein Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaoxia Shao
- Institute of Protein Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Duoduo Yuan
- Institute of Protein Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology, Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA
| | - Edward Hawrot
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology, Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA
| | - Chunguang Wang
- Institute of Protein Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Corresponding author and address: Chengwu Chi, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China. Tel.: +86 21 54921165, Fax: +86 21 54921011, , Chunguang Wang, Institute of Protein Research, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 50 Chifeng Road, Shanghai 200092, China. Tel.: +86 21 65984347, Fax: +86 21 65988403,
| | - Chengwu Chi
- Institute of Protein Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- Corresponding author and address: Chengwu Chi, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China. Tel.: +86 21 54921165, Fax: +86 21 54921011, , Chunguang Wang, Institute of Protein Research, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 50 Chifeng Road, Shanghai 200092, China. Tel.: +86 21 65984347, Fax: +86 21 65988403,
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Bernaldez J, López O, Licea A, Salceda E, Arellano RO, Vega R, Soto E. Electrophysiological characterization of a novel small peptide from the venom of Conus californicus that targets voltage-gated neuronal Ca2+ channels. Toxicon 2010; 57:60-7. [PMID: 20920515 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2010] [Revised: 09/07/2010] [Accepted: 09/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Conus californicus belongs to a genus of marine gastropods with more than 700 extant species. C. californicus has been shown to be distantly related to all Conus species, but showing unusual biological features. We report a novel peptide isolated from C. californicus with a significant inhibitory action over neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels. The new toxin is formed by 13-amino acid residues with two disulfide bonds, whose sequence (NCPAGCRSQGCCM) is strikingly different from regular ω-conotoxins. In the HPLC purification procedure, the venom fraction eluted in the first 10-15 min produced a significant decrease (54% ± 3%) of the Ca(2+) current in Xenopus laevis oocytes transfected with purified rat-brain mRNA. A specific peptide obtained from the elution at 13 min decreased the Ca(2+) current in the adult rat dorsal-root ganglion neurons in a primary culture by 34% ± 2%. The cysteine pattern of this peptide corresponds to the framework XVI described for the M-superfamily of conopeptides and is unprecedented among Conus peptides acting on Ca(2+) channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Bernaldez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Molecular y Biotoxinas, Departamento de Biotecnología Marina (C.I.C.E.S.E.), Ensenada, B.C., Mexico
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