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Kschonsak YT, Gao X, Miller SE, Hwang S, Marei H, Wu P, Li Y, Ruiz K, Dorighi K, Holokai L, Perampalam P, Tsai WTK, Kee YS, Agard NJ, Harris SF, Hannoush RN, de Sousa E Melo F. Potent and selective binders of the E3 ubiquitin ligase ZNRF3 stimulate Wnt signaling and intestinal organoid growth. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:1176-1187.e10. [PMID: 38056465 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Selective and precise activation of signaling transduction cascades is key for cellular reprogramming and tissue regeneration. However, the development of small- or large-molecule agonists for many signaling pathways has remained elusive and is rate limiting to realize the full clinical potential of regenerative medicine. Focusing on the Wnt pathway, here we describe a series of disulfide-constrained peptides (DCPs) that promote Wnt signaling activity by modulating the cell surface levels of ZNRF3, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that controls the abundance of the Wnt receptor complex FZD/LRP at the plasma membrane. Mechanistically, monomeric DCPs induce ZNRF3 ubiquitination, leading to its cell surface clearance, ultimately resulting in FZD stabilization. Furthermore, we engineered multimeric DCPs that induce expansive growth of human intestinal organoids, revealing a dependence between valency and ZNRF3 clearance. Our work highlights a strategy for the development of potent, biologically active Wnt signaling pathway agonists via targeting of ZNRF3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne T Kschonsak
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - Xinxin Gao
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry and Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - Stephen E Miller
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry and Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Sunhee Hwang
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry and Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Hadir Marei
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Ping Wu
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Yanjie Li
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry and Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Karen Ruiz
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Kristel Dorighi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Loryn Holokai
- Department of Biomarker Discovery, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Pirunthan Perampalam
- ProCogia Inc. under contract to Hoffmann-La Roche Limited, Toronto, Ontario M5J2P1, Canada
| | - Wen-Ting K Tsai
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Yee-Seir Kee
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Nicholas J Agard
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Seth F Harris
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Rami N Hannoush
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry and Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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2
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Raffaelli T, Wilson DT, Dutertre S, Giribaldi J, Vetter I, Robinson SD, Thapa A, Widi A, Loukas A, Daly NL. Structural analysis of a U-superfamily conotoxin containing a mini-granulin fold: Insights into key features that distinguish between the ICK and granulin folds. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107203. [PMID: 38508311 PMCID: PMC11035057 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
We are entering an exciting time in structural biology where artificial intelligence can be used to predict protein structures with greater accuracy than ever before. Extending this level of accuracy to the predictions of disulfide-rich peptide structures is likely to be more challenging, at least in the short term, given the tight packing of cysteine residues and the numerous ways that the disulfide bonds can potentially be linked. It has been previously shown in many cases that several disulfide bond connectivities can be accommodated by a single set of NMR-derived structural data without significant violations. Disulfide-rich peptides are prevalent throughout nature, and arguably the most well-known are those present in venoms from organisms such as cone snails. Here, we have determined the first three-dimensional structure and disulfide connectivity of a U-superfamily cone snail venom peptide, TxVIIB. TxVIIB has a VI/VII cysteine framework that is generally associated with an inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) fold; however, AlphaFold predicted that the peptide adopts a mini-granulin fold with a granulin disulfide connectivity. Our experimental studies using NMR spectroscopy and orthogonal protection of cysteine residues indicate that TxVIIB indeed adopts a mini-granulin fold but with the ICK disulfide connectivity. Our findings provide structural insight into the underlying features that govern formation of the mini-granulin fold rather than the ICK fold and will provide fundamental information for prediction algorithms, as the subtle complexity of disulfide isomers may be not adequately addressed by the current prediction algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziano Raffaelli
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - David T Wilson
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | | | | | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Samuel D Robinson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ashvriya Thapa
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Antin Widi
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Norelle L Daly
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.
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3
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Sonoda GG, Tobaruela EDC, Norenburg J, Fabi JP, Andrade SCS. Venomous Noodles: The Evolution of Toxins in Nemertea through Positive Selection and Gene Duplication. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:650. [PMID: 37999513 PMCID: PMC10674772 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110650] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Some, probably most and perhaps all, members of the phylum Nemertea are poisonous, documented so far from marine and benthic specimens. Although the toxicity of these animals has been long known, systematic studies on the characterization of toxins, mechanisms of toxicity, and toxin evolution for this group are scarce. Here, we present the first investigation of the molecular evolution of toxins in Nemertea. Using a proteo-transcriptomic approach, we described toxins in the body and poisonous mucus of the pilidiophoran Lineus sanguineus and the hoplonemertean Nemertopsis pamelaroeae. Using these new and publicly available transcriptomes, we investigated the molecular evolution of six selected toxin gene families. In addition, we also characterized in silico the toxin genes found in the interstitial hoplonemertean, Ototyphlonemertes erneba, a meiofaunal taxa. We successfully identified over 200 toxin transcripts in each of these species. Evidence of positive selection and gene duplication was observed in all investigated toxin genes. We hypothesized that the increased rates of gene duplications observed for Pilidiophora could be involved with the expansion of toxin genes. Studies concerning the natural history of Nemertea are still needed to understand the evolution of their toxins. Nevertheless, our results show evolutionary mechanisms similar to other venomous groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Gonzalez Sonoda
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, IB-Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil;
- Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Eric de Castro Tobaruela
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Food Research Center (FoRC), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-080, Brazil; (E.d.C.T.); (J.P.F.)
| | | | - João Paulo Fabi
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Food Research Center (FoRC), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-080, Brazil; (E.d.C.T.); (J.P.F.)
| | - Sónia C. S. Andrade
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, IB-Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil;
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4
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Xia Z, He D, Wu Y, Kwok HF, Cao Z. Scorpion venom peptides: Molecular diversity, structural characteristics, and therapeutic use from channelopathies to viral infections and cancers. Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106978. [PMID: 37923027 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Animal venom is an important evolutionary innovation in nature. As one of the most representative animal venoms, scorpion venom contains an extremely diverse set of bioactive peptides. Scorpion venom peptides not only are 'poisons' that immobilize, paralyze, kill, or dissolve preys but also become important candidates for drug development and design. Here, the review focuses on the molecular diversity of scorpion venom peptides, their typical structural characteristics, and their multiple therapeutic or pharmaceutical applications in channelopathies, viral infections and cancers. Especially, the group of scorpion toxin TRPTx targeting transient receptor potential (TRP) channels is systematically summarized and worthy of attention because TRP channels play a crucial role in the regulation of homeostasis and the occurrence of diseases in human. We also further establish the potential relationship between the molecular characteristics and functional applications of scorpion venom peptides to provide a research basis for modern drug development and clinical utilization of scorpion venom resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Xia
- School of Biological and Food Processing Engineering, Huanghuai University, Zhumadian, China
| | - Dangui He
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Shenzhen Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao; Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Shenzhen Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao; Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macao.
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Shenzhen Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Bio-drug Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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5
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Gao B, Zhu S. Enhancement of SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain activity by two microbial defensins. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1195156. [PMID: 37405160 PMCID: PMC10315472 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1195156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide binders are of great interest to both basic and biomedical research due to their unique properties in manipulating protein functions in a precise spatial and temporal manner. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein is a ligand that captures human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to initiate infection. The development of binders of RBDs has value either as antiviral leads or as versatile tools to study the functional properties of RBDs dependent on their binding positions on the RBDs. In this study, we report two microbe-derived antibacterial defensins with RBD-binding activity. These two naturally occurring binders bind wild-type RBD (WT RBD) and RBDs from various variants with moderate-to-high affinity (7.6-1,450 nM) and act as activators that enhance the ACE2-binding activity of RBDs. Using a computational approach, we mapped an allosteric pathway in WT RBD that connects its ACE2-binding sites to other distal regions. The latter is targeted by the defensins, in which a cation-π interaction could trigger the peptide-elicited allostery in RBDs. The discovery of the two positive allosteric peptides of SARS-CoV-2 RBD will promote the development of new molecular tools for investigating the biochemical mechanisms of RBD allostery.
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6
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Kalapothakis Y, Miranda K, Molina DAM, Conceição IMCA, Larangote D, Op den Camp HJM, Kalapothakis E, Chávez-Olórtegui C, Borges A. An overview of Tityus cisandinus scorpion venom: Transcriptome and mass fingerprinting reveal conserved toxin homologs across the Amazon region and novel lipolytic components. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 225:1246-1266. [PMID: 36427608 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Tityus cisandinus, a neglected medically important scorpion in Ecuadorian and Peruvian Amazonia, belongs to a complex of species related to the eastern Amazon endemic Tityus obscurus, spanning a distribution of ca. 4000 km. Despite high morbidity and mortality rates, no effective scorpion antivenom is currently available in the Amazon region. Knowledge of the structural/functional relationships between T. cisandinus venom components and those from related Amazonian species is crucial for designing region-specific therapeutic antivenoms. In this work, we carried out the first venom gland transcriptomic study of an Amazonian scorpion outside Brazil, T. cisandinus. We also fingerprinted its total venom through MALDI-TOF MS, which supported our transcriptomic findings. We identified and calculated the expression level of 94 components: 60 toxins, 25 metalloproteases, five disulfide isomerases, three amidating enzymes, one hyaluronidase, and also uncovered transcripts encoding novel lipolytic beta subunits produced by New World buthid scorpions. This study demonstrates the high similarity between T. cisandinus and T. obscurus venoms, reinforcing the existence of a neglected complex of genetically and toxinologically related Amazonian scorpions of medical importance. Finally, we demonstrated the low recognition of currently available therapeutic sera against T. cisandinus and T. obscurus venoms, and concluded that these should be improved to protect against envenomation by Amazonian Tityus spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Kalapothakis
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Kelton Miranda
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Denis Alexis Molina Molina
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Izabela Mamede Costa Andrade Conceição
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Débora Larangote
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Huub J M Op den Camp
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, NL-6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Evanguedes Kalapothakis
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carlos Chávez-Olórtegui
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP: 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Adolfo Borges
- Instituto de Medicina Experimental, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela; Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica, CEDIC, Asunción 1255, Paraguay.
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7
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Sarkar D, Mishra S, Nisal R, Majhi S, Shrivas R, Singh Y, Anusree VS, Kalia J. Site-Specific Fluorescent Labeling of the Cysteine-Rich Toxin, DkTx, for TRPV1 Ion Channel Imaging and Membrane Binding Studies. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:1761-1770. [PMID: 36073164 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Peptide toxins secreted by venomous animals bind to mammalian ion channel proteins and modulate their function. The high specificity of these toxins for their target ion channels enables them to serve as powerful tools for ion channel biology. Toxins labeled with fluorescent dyes are employed for the cellular imaging of channels and also for studying toxin-channel and toxin-membrane interactions. Several of these toxins are cysteine-rich, rendering the production of properly folded fluorescently labeled toxins technically challenging. Herein, we evaluate a variety of site-specific protein bioconjugation approaches for producing fluorescently labeled double-knot toxin (DkTx), a potent TRPV1 ion channel agonist that contains an uncommonly large number of cysteines (12 out of a total of 75 amino acids present in the protein). We find that popular cysteine-mediated bioconjugation approaches are unsuccessful as the introduction of a non-native cysteine residue for thiol modification leads to the formation of misfolded toxin species. Moreover, N-terminal aldehyde-mediated bioconjugation approaches are also not suitable as the resultant labeled toxin lacks activity. In contrast to these approaches, C-terminal bioconjugation of DkTx via the sortase bioconjugation technology yields functionally active fluorescently labeled DkTx. We employ this labeled toxin for imaging rat TRPV1 heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, as well as for performing membrane binding studies on giant unilamellar vesicles composed of different lipid compositions. Our studies set the stage for using fluorescent DkTx as a tool for TRPV1 biology and provide an informative blueprint for labeling cysteine-rich proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debayan Sarkar
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra 411008, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhauri, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462066, India
| | - Satyajit Mishra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhauri, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462066, India
| | - Rahul Nisal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra 411008, India
| | - Sumita Majhi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhauri, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462066, India
| | - Rohit Shrivas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhauri, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462066, India
| | - Yashaswi Singh
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra 411008, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhauri, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462066, India
| | - V S Anusree
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhauri, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462066, India
| | - Jeet Kalia
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra 411008, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhauri, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462066, India.,Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra 411008, India.,Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhauri, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462066, India
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8
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Al-Rabia MW, Alhakamy NA, Rizg WY, Alghaith AF, Ahmed OAA, Fahmy UA. Boosting curcumin activity against human prostatic cancer PC3 cells by utilizing scorpion venom conjugated phytosomes as promising functionalized nanovesicles. Drug Deliv 2022; 29:807-820. [PMID: 35266425 PMCID: PMC8920388 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2048133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC) is emerging as one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Curcumin (CUR) is a well-known phytochemical, and scorpion venom (SV) is a natural peptide with proven anticancer properties. However, these natural bioactive agents are limited by low solubility, low bioavailability, poor thermal stability, and short half-lives. Therefore, the aim of this study was to fabricate SV-conjugated CUR phytosomes as promising functionalized nanovesicles and assess their anticancer efficacy in human prostatic cancer PC3 cells. CUR-Phytosome-SV was fabricated using experimental design software in which the zeta potential and particle sizes were used as dependent variables. The anticancer effect of the fabricated formulation was determined by performing a tetrazolium (MTT) assay, cell cycle analysis, annexin V staining, and examining the expression levels of Bcl-associated X-protein (Bax), p53, caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-kB), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The particle size of the nanoconjugates was found to be in the range of 137.5 ± 7.9 to 298.4 ± 11.9 nm, and the zeta potential was 2.9 ± 0.1 to 26.9 ± 1.2 mV. The outcome of the MTT assay showed that curcumin–Phospholipon®–scorpion venom (CUR–PL–SV) exhibited a satisfactory level of cytotoxicity, and the IC50 was found to be lower than CUR and PL-SV individually. Cell cycle analysis showed predominantly cell cycle arrest at the G2-M and pre-G1 phases. In contrast, annexin V staining showed significant early and late apoptosis events in addition to increased necrosis when PC3 cells were treated with CUR–PL–SV. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed a reduction in expression of Bax, p53, caspase-3, NF-kB, TNF-α, and an increase in Bcl-2 expression. Moreover, a MMP analysis showed a reduction in mitochondrial permeability and hence confirmed the superior anticancer potential of CUR–PL–SV. Thus, the present study showed significant anticancer potency of SV-conjugated CUR phytosomes against human prostatic cancer PC3 cells, making it a novel treatment approach for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed W Al-Rabia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nabil A Alhakamy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Mohamed Saeed Tamer Chair for Pharmaceutical Industries, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Y Rizg
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel F Alghaith
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama A A Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Usama A Fahmy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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9
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Explanation of Structure and Function of kv1.3 Potent Blocker From Mesobuthus eupeus Venom Gland: A New Promise in Drug Development. Jundishapur J Nat Pharm Prod 2022. [DOI: 10.5812/jjnpp.120271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Scorpions and other venomous animals are sought with great concern because venom is a source of novel peptides with exciting features. Some toxins of scorpion venom are effectors of potassium channels. Previous studies strongly support the importance of potassium channel toxins for use as pharmacological tools or potential drugs. Objectives: Here, a three-dimensional (3-D) structure and function of a potent acidic blocker of the human voltage-gated potassium ion channel, Kv1.3, previously identified in the scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus venom gland, were interpreted. Methods: The 3-D structure of meuK2-2 was generated using homology modeling. The interaction of meuK2-2 with the Kv1.3 channel was evaluated using a computational protocol employing peptide-protein docking experiments, pose clustering, and 100 ns molecular dynamic simulations to make the 3-D models of the meuK2-2/Kv1.3 complex trustworthy. Results: A CSα/β (cysteine-stabilized α-helical and β-sheet) fold was found for the 3-D structure of meuK2-2. In a different mechanism from what was identified so far, meuK2-2 binds to both turret and pore loop of Kv1.3 through two key residues (Ala28 and Ser11) and H-bonds. The binding of meuK2-2 induces some conformational changes to Kv1.3. Eventually, the side chain of a positively charged amino acid (His9) occupies the channel's pore. All together blocks the ion permeation pathway. Conclusions: MeuK2-2 could block Kv1.3 by a new mechanism. So, it could be a unique target for further investigations to develop a pharmacological tool and potential drug.
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10
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OUP accepted manuscript. Syst Biol 2022; 71:1281-1289. [DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syac021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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11
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Scorpion Venom-Functionalized Quercetin Phytosomes for Breast Cancer Management: In Vitro Response Surface Optimization and Anticancer Activity against MCF-7 Cells. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 14:polym14010093. [PMID: 35012116 PMCID: PMC8747200 DOI: 10.3390/polym14010093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a dangerous type of cancer in women. Quercetin (QRT), a naturally occurring flavonoid, has wide biological effects including antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and antiviral activities. The anticancer activity is considered the most valuable effect of QRT against several types of cancer, including prostate, liver, lung, colon, and breast cancer. Scorpion venom peptides (SV) has been found to induce apoptosis and aggravate cancer cells, making it a promising anticancer agent. QRT, SV, and Phospholipon® 90H (PL) were incorporated in a nano-based delivery platform to assess QRT's cellular uptake and antiproliferative efficacy against a lung cancer cell line derived from human breast cancer cells MCF-7. Several nanovesicles were prepared and optimized, using four-factor Box-Behnken, in an experimental design. The optimized phytosomes showed vesicle size and zeta potential values of 116.9 nm and 31.5 mV, respectively. The IC50 values revealed that MCF-7 cells were significantly more sensitive to the optimized QRT formula than the plain formula and raw QRT. Cell cycle analysis revealed that optimized QRT formula treatment resulted in significant cell cycle arrest at the S phase. The results also indicated that treatment with QRT formula significantly increased caspase-9, Bax, Bcl-2, and p53 mRNA expression, compared with the plain formula and QRT. In terms of the inflammatory markers, the QRT formula significantly reduced the activity of TNF-α and NF-κB, in comparison with the plain formula and QRT only. Overall, the findings from the study proved that a QRT formulation could be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Borrego J, Feher A, Jost N, Panyi G, Varga Z, Papp F. Peptide Inhibitors of Kv1.5: An Option for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:1303. [PMID: 34959701 PMCID: PMC8704205 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human voltage gated potassium channel Kv1.5 that conducts the IKur current is a key determinant of the atrial action potential. Its mutations have been linked to hereditary forms of atrial fibrillation (AF), and the channel is an attractive target for the management of AF. The development of IKur blockers to treat AF resulted in small molecule Kv1.5 inhibitors. The selectivity of the blocker for the target channel plays an important role in the potential therapeutic application of the drug candidate: the higher the selectivity, the lower the risk of side effects. In this respect, small molecule inhibitors of Kv1.5 are compromised due to their limited selectivity. A wide range of peptide toxins from venomous animals are targeting ion channels, including mammalian channels. These peptides usually have a much larger interacting surface with the ion channel compared to small molecule inhibitors and thus, generally confer higher selectivity to the peptide blockers. We found two peptides in the literature, which inhibited IKur: Ts6 and Osu1. Their affinity and selectivity for Kv1.5 can be improved by rational drug design in which their amino acid sequences could be modified in a targeted way guided by in silico docking experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Borrego
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Egyetem ter 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (J.B.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (Z.V.)
| | - Adam Feher
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Egyetem ter 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (J.B.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (Z.V.)
| | - Norbert Jost
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary;
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, 6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Egyetem ter 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (J.B.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (Z.V.)
| | - Zoltan Varga
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Egyetem ter 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (J.B.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (Z.V.)
| | - Ferenc Papp
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Egyetem ter 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (J.B.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (Z.V.)
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13
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Reynaud S, Ciolek J, Degueldre M, Saez NJ, Sequeira AF, Duhoo Y, Brás JLA, Meudal H, Cabo Díez M, Fernández Pedrosa V, Verdenaud M, Boeri J, Pereira Ramos O, Ducancel F, Vanden Driessche M, Fourmy R, Violette A, Upert G, Mourier G, Beck-Sickinger AG, Mörl K, Landon C, Fontes CMGA, Miñambres Herráiz R, Rodríguez de la Vega RC, Peigneur S, Tytgat J, Quinton L, De Pauw E, Vincentelli R, Servent D, Gilles N. A Venomics Approach Coupled to High-Throughput Toxin Production Strategies Identifies the First Venom-Derived Melanocortin Receptor Agonists. J Med Chem 2020; 63:8250-8264. [PMID: 32602722 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Animal venoms are rich in hundreds of toxins with extraordinary biological activities. Their exploitation is difficult due to their complexity and the small quantities of venom available from most venomous species. We developed a Venomics approach combining transcriptomic and proteomic characterization of 191 species and identified 20,206 venom toxin sequences. Two complementary production strategies based on solid-phase synthesis and recombinant expression in Escherichia coli generated a physical bank of 3597 toxins. Screened on hMC4R, this bank gave an incredible hit rate of 8%. Here, we focus on two novel toxins: N-TRTX-Preg1a, exhibiting an inhibitory cystine knot (ICK) motif, and N-BUTX-Ptr1a, a short scorpion-CSαβ structure. Neither N-TRTX-Preg1a nor N-BUTX-Ptr1a affects ion channels, the known targets of their toxin scaffolds, but binds to four melanocortin receptors with low micromolar affinities and activates the hMC1R/Gs pathway. Phylogenetically, these two toxins form new groups within their respective families and represent novel hMC1R agonists, structurally unrelated to the natural agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Reynaud
- Université Paris-Sud, 15 Rue Georges Clemenceau, Orsay 91405 France.,Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Justyna Ciolek
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Michel Degueldre
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Université de Liège, Allée du six Aout 11, Quartier Agora, Liege 4000 Belgium.,Department of Analytical Science Biologicals, UCB, Chemin du Foriest, Braine L'Alleud 1420 Belgium
| | - Natalie J Saez
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Campus de Luminy, Marseille 13288 France.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - Ana Filipa Sequeira
- Universidade de Lisboa, CIISA - Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa 1300-477 Portugal.,NZYTech Lda, Genes & Enzymes, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar, Campus do Lumiar, Edifício E - R/C, Lisboa 1649-038 Portugal
| | - Yoan Duhoo
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Campus de Luminy, Marseille 13288 France.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - Joana L A Brás
- Universidade de Lisboa, CIISA - Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa 1300-477 Portugal.,NZYTech Lda, Genes & Enzymes, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar, Campus do Lumiar, Edifício E - R/C, Lisboa 1649-038 Portugal
| | - Hervé Meudal
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, rue Charles Sadron, Orléans 45071 France
| | - Miguel Cabo Díez
- Next-Generation Sequencing Laboratory, Sistemas Genómicos Ltd., Ronda de Guglielmo Marconi, 6, Paterna 46980 Spain
| | - Victoria Fernández Pedrosa
- Next-Generation Sequencing Laboratory, Sistemas Genómicos Ltd., Ronda de Guglielmo Marconi, 6, Paterna 46980 Spain
| | - Marion Verdenaud
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Julia Boeri
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Oscar Pereira Ramos
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Frédéric Ducancel
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département IDMIT, 18 route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Margot Vanden Driessche
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Rudy Fourmy
- Alphabiotoxine Laboratory sprl, Barberie 15, Montroeul-au-bois 7911 Belgium
| | - Aude Violette
- Alphabiotoxine Laboratory sprl, Barberie 15, Montroeul-au-bois 7911 Belgium
| | - Grégory Upert
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Gilles Mourier
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | | | - Karin Mörl
- Institute of Biochemistry, Universitat Leipzig, Leipzig 04103 Germany
| | - Céline Landon
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, rue Charles Sadron, Orléans 45071 France
| | - Carlos M G A Fontes
- Universidade de Lisboa, CIISA - Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa 1300-477 Portugal.,NZYTech Lda, Genes & Enzymes, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar, Campus do Lumiar, Edifício E - R/C, Lisboa 1649-038 Portugal
| | - Rebeca Miñambres Herráiz
- Next-Generation Sequencing Laboratory, Sistemas Genómicos Ltd., Ronda de Guglielmo Marconi, 6, Paterna 46980 Spain
| | | | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000 Belgium
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000 Belgium
| | - Loïc Quinton
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Université de Liège, Allée du six Aout 11, Quartier Agora, Liege 4000 Belgium
| | - Edwin De Pauw
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Université de Liège, Allée du six Aout 11, Quartier Agora, Liege 4000 Belgium
| | - Renaud Vincentelli
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Campus de Luminy, Marseille 13288 France
| | - Denis Servent
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
| | - Nicolas Gilles
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 France
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14
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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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15
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Ahmadi S, Knerr JM, Argemi L, Bordon KCF, Pucca MB, Cerni FA, Arantes EC, Çalışkan F, Laustsen AH. Scorpion Venom: Detriments and Benefits. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8050118. [PMID: 32408604 PMCID: PMC7277529 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8050118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venom may cause severe medical complications and untimely death if injected into the human body. Neurotoxins are the main components of scorpion venom that are known to be responsible for the pathological manifestations of envenoming. Besides neurotoxins, a wide range of other bioactive molecules can be found in scorpion venoms. Advances in separation, characterization, and biotechnological approaches have enabled not only the development of more effective treatments against scorpion envenomings, but have also led to the discovery of several scorpion venom peptides with interesting therapeutic properties. Thus, scorpion venom may not only be a medical threat to human health, but could prove to be a valuable source of bioactive molecules that may serve as leads for the development of new therapies against current and emerging diseases. This review presents both the detrimental and beneficial properties of scorpion venom toxins and discusses the newest advances within the development of novel therapies against scorpion envenoming and the therapeutic perspectives for scorpion toxins in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Ahmadi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (J.M.K.); (L.A.); (M.B.P.); (F.A.C.)
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosafety, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Eşkisehir Osmangazi University, TR-26040 Eşkisehir, Turkey;
- Correspondence: (S.A.); (A.H.L.); Tel.: +45-7164-6042 (S.A.); +45-2988-1134 (A.H.L.)
| | - Julius M. Knerr
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (J.M.K.); (L.A.); (M.B.P.); (F.A.C.)
| | - Lídia Argemi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (J.M.K.); (L.A.); (M.B.P.); (F.A.C.)
| | - Karla C. F. Bordon
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto—São Paulo 14040-903, Brazil; (K.C.F.B.); (E.C.A.)
| | - Manuela B. Pucca
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (J.M.K.); (L.A.); (M.B.P.); (F.A.C.)
- Medical School, Federal University of Roraima, Boa Vista, Roraima 69310-000, Brazil
| | - Felipe A. Cerni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (J.M.K.); (L.A.); (M.B.P.); (F.A.C.)
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto—São Paulo 14040-903, Brazil; (K.C.F.B.); (E.C.A.)
| | - Eliane C. Arantes
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto—São Paulo 14040-903, Brazil; (K.C.F.B.); (E.C.A.)
| | - Figen Çalışkan
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosafety, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Eşkisehir Osmangazi University, TR-26040 Eşkisehir, Turkey;
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, TR-26040 Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Andreas H. Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (J.M.K.); (L.A.); (M.B.P.); (F.A.C.)
- Correspondence: (S.A.); (A.H.L.); Tel.: +45-7164-6042 (S.A.); +45-2988-1134 (A.H.L.)
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16
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Valdez-Velázquez LL, Cid-Uribe J, Romero-Gutierrez MT, Olamendi-Portugal T, Jimenez-Vargas JM, Possani LD. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of the venom and venom glands of Centruroides hirsutipalpus, a dangerous scorpion from Mexico. Toxicon 2020; 179:21-32. [PMID: 32126222 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Centruroides hirsutipalpus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is related to the "striped scorpion" group inhabiting the western Pacific region of Mexico. Human accidents caused by this species are medically important due to the great number of people stung and the severity of the resulting intoxication. This communication reports an extensive venom characterization using high-throughput proteomic and Illumina transcriptomic sequencing performed with RNA purified from its venom glands. 2,553,529 reads were assembled into 44,579 transcripts. From these transcripts, 23,880 were successfully annoted using Trinotate. Using specialized databases and by performing bioinformatic searches, it was possible to identify 147 putative venom protein transcripts. These include α- and β-type sodium channel toxins (NaScTx), potassium channel toxins (KScTx) (α-, β-, δ-, γ- and λ-types), enzymes (metalloproteases, hyaluronidases, phospholipases, serine proteases, and monooxygenases), protease inhibitors, host defense peptides (HDPs) such as defensins, non-disulfide bridge peptides (NDBPs), anionic peptides, superfamily CAP proteins, insulin growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs), orphan peptides, and other venom components (La1 peptides). De novo tandem mass spectrometric sequencing of digested venom identificatied 50 peptides. The venom of C. hirsutipalpus contains the highest reported number (77) of transcripts encoding NaScTxs, which are the components responsible for human fatalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jimena Cid-Uribe
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico
| | - María Teresa Romero-Gutierrez
- Departamento de Ciencias Computacionales, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Exactas e Ingenierías, Universidad de Guadalajara, Boulevard Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44430, Mexico
| | - Timoteo Olamendi-Portugal
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico
| | | | - Lourival D Possani
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico.
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17
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Jin J, Agwa AJ, Szanto TG, Csóti A, Panyi G, Schroeder CI, Walker AA, King GF. Weaponisation 'on the fly': Convergent recruitment of knottin and defensin peptide scaffolds into the venom of predatory assassin flies. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 118:103310. [PMID: 31870846 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Many arthropod venom peptides have potential as bioinsecticides, drug leads, and pharmacological tools due to their specific neuromodulatory functions. Assassin flies (Asilidae) are a family of predaceous dipterans that produce a unique and complex peptide-rich venom for killing insect prey and deterring predators. However, very little is known about the structure and function of their venom peptides. We therefore used an E. coli periplasmic expression system to express four disulfide-rich peptides that we previously reported to exist in venom of the giant assassin fly Dolopus genitalis. After purification, each recombinant peptide eluted from a C18 column at a position closely matching its natural counterpart, strongly suggesting adoption of the native tertiary fold. Injection of purified recombinant peptides into blowflies (Lucilia cuprina) and crickets (Acheta domestica) revealed that two of the four recombinant peptides, named rDg3b and rDg12, inhibited escape behaviour in a manner that was rapid in onset (<1 min) and reversible. Homonuclear NMR solution structures revealed that rDg3b and rDg12 adopt cystine-stabilised α/ß defensin and inhibitor cystine knot folds, respectively. Although the closest known homologues of rDg3b at the level of primary structure are dipteran antimicrobial peptides such as sapecin and lucifensin, a DALI search showed that the tertiary structure of rDg3b most closely resembles the KV11.1-specific α-potassium channel toxin CnErg1 from venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius. This is mainly due to the deletion of a large, unstructured loop between the first and second cysteine residues present in Dg3b homologues from non-asiloid, but not existing in asiloid, species. Patch-clamp electrophysiology experiments revealed that rDg3b shifts the voltage-dependence of KV11.1 channel activation to more depolarised potentials, but has no effect on KV1.3, KV2.1, KV10.1, KCa1.1, or the Drosophila Shaker channel. Although rDg12 shares the inhibitor cystine knot structure of many gating modifier toxins, rDg12 did not affect any of these KV channel subtypes. Our results demonstrate that multiple disulfide-rich peptide scaffolds have been convergently recruited into asilid and other animal venoms, and they provide insight into the molecular evolution accompanying their weaponisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Jin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Akello J Agwa
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Tibor G Szanto
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Agota Csóti
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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18
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Cid-Uribe JI, Veytia-Bucheli JI, Romero-Gutierrez T, Ortiz E, Possani LD. Scorpion venomics: a 2019 overview. Expert Rev Proteomics 2019; 17:67-83. [DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2020.1705158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jimena I. Cid-Uribe
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - José Ignacio Veytia-Bucheli
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Teresa Romero-Gutierrez
- Departamento de Ciencias Computacionales, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Exactas e Ingenierías, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Ernesto Ortiz
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Lourival D. Possani
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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19
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Spider Venom: Components, Modes of Action, and Novel Strategies in Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11100611. [PMID: 31652611 PMCID: PMC6832493 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11100611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This review gives an overview on the development of research on spider venoms with a focus on structure and function of venom components and techniques of analysis. Major venom component groups are small molecular mass compounds, antimicrobial (also called cytolytic, or cationic) peptides (only in some spider families), cysteine-rich (neurotoxic) peptides, and enzymes and proteins. Cysteine-rich peptides are reviewed with respect to various structural motifs, their targets (ion channels, membrane receptors), nomenclature, and molecular binding. We further describe the latest findings concerning the maturation of antimicrobial, and cysteine-rich peptides that are in most known cases expressed as propeptide-containing precursors. Today, venom research, increasingly employs transcriptomic and mass spectrometric techniques. Pros and cons of venom gland transcriptome analysis with Sanger, 454, and Illumina sequencing are discussed and an overview on so far published transcriptome studies is given. In this respect, we also discuss the only recently described cross contamination arising from multiplexing in Illumina sequencing and its possible impacts on venom studies. High throughput mass spectrometric analysis of venom proteomes (bottom-up, top-down) are reviewed.
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Dissecting Toxicity: The Venom Gland Transcriptome and the Venom Proteome of the Highly Venomous Scorpion Centruroides limpidus (Karsch, 1879). Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11050247. [PMID: 31052267 PMCID: PMC6563264 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11050247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Venom glands and soluble venom from the Mexican scorpion Centruroides limpidus (Karsch, 1879) were used for transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, respectively. An RNA-seq was performed by high-throughput sequencing with the Illumina platform. Approximately 80 million reads were obtained and assembled into 198,662 putative transcripts, of which 11,058 were annotated by similarity to sequences from available databases. A total of 192 venom-related sequences were identified, including Na+ and K+ channel-acting toxins, enzymes, host defense peptides, and other venom components. The most diverse transcripts were those potentially coding for ion channel-acting toxins, mainly those active on Na+ channels (NaScTx). Sequences corresponding to β- scorpion toxins active of K+ channels (KScTx) and λ-KScTx are here reported for the first time for a scorpion of the genus Centruroides. Mass fingerprint corroborated that NaScTx are the most abundant components in this venom. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectometry (LC-MS/MS) allowed the identification of 46 peptides matching sequences encoded in the transcriptome, confirming their expression in the venom. This study corroborates that, in the venom of toxic buthid scorpions, the more abundant and diverse components are ion channel-acting toxins, mainly NaScTx, while they lack the HDP diversity previously demonstrated for the non-buthid scorpions. The highly abundant and diverse antareases explain the pancreatitis observed after envenomation by this species.
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Nielsen LD, Foged MM, Albert A, Bertelsen AB, Søltoft CL, Robinson SD, Petersen SV, Purcell AW, Olivera BM, Norton RS, Vasskog T, Safavi-Hemami H, Teilum K, Ellgaard L. The three-dimensional structure of an H-superfamily conotoxin reveals a granulin fold arising from a common ICK cysteine framework. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:8745-8759. [PMID: 30975904 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.007491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Venomous marine cone snails produce peptide toxins (conotoxins) that bind ion channels and receptors with high specificity and therefore are important pharmacological tools. Conotoxins contain conserved cysteine residues that form disulfide bonds that stabilize their structures. To gain structural insight into the large, yet poorly characterized conotoxin H-superfamily, we used NMR and CD spectroscopy along with MS-based analyses to investigate H-Vc7.2 from Conus victoriae, a peptide with a VI/VII cysteine framework. This framework has CysI-CysIV/CysII-CysV/CysIII-CysVI connectivities, which have invariably been associated with the inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) fold. However, the solution structure of recombinantly expressed and purified H-Vc7.2 revealed that although it displays the expected cysteine connectivities, H-Vc7.2 adopts a different fold consisting of two stacked β-hairpins with opposing β-strands connected by two parallel disulfide bonds, a structure homologous to the N-terminal region of the human granulin protein. Using structural comparisons, we subsequently identified several toxins and nontoxin proteins with this "mini-granulin" fold. These findings raise fundamental questions concerning sequence-structure relationships within peptides and proteins and the key determinants that specify a given fold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lau D Nielsen
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark
| | - Mads M Foged
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark
| | | | - Andreas B Bertelsen
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark
| | - Cecilie L Søltoft
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark
| | - Samuel D Robinson
- the Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112.,Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Steen V Petersen
- the Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anthony W Purcell
- the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, and
| | | | - Raymond S Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Terje Vasskog
- the Norut Northern Research Institute, 9294 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Helena Safavi-Hemami
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark.,the Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
| | - Kaare Teilum
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark
| | - Lars Ellgaard
- From the Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N., Denmark,
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22
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Molecular basis of Tityus stigmurus alpha toxin and potassium channel kV1.2 interactions. J Mol Graph Model 2019; 87:197-203. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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23
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Arthropod venoms: Biochemistry, ecology and evolution. Toxicon 2018; 158:84-103. [PMID: 30529476 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.11.433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Comprising of over a million described species of highly diverse invertebrates, Arthropoda is amongst the most successful animal lineages to have colonized aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic domains. Venom, one of the many fascinating traits to have evolved in various members of this phylum, has underpinned their adaptation to diverse habitats. Over millions of years of evolution, arthropods have evolved ingenious ways of delivering venom in their targets for self-defence and predation. The morphological diversity of venom delivery apparatus in arthropods is astounding, and includes extensively modified pedipalps, tail (telson), mouth parts (hypostome), fangs, appendages (maxillulae), proboscis, ovipositor (stinger), and hair (urticating bristles). Recent investigations have also unravelled an astonishing venom biocomplexity with molecular scaffolds being recruited from a multitude of protein families. Venoms are a remarkable bioresource for discovering lead compounds in targeted therapeutics. Several components with prospective applications in the development of advanced lifesaving drugs and environment friendly bio-insecticides have been discovered from arthropod venoms. Despite these fascinating features, the composition, bioactivity, and molecular evolution of venom in several arthropod lineages remains largely understudied. This review highlights the prevalence of venom, its mode of toxic action, and the evolutionary dynamics of venom in Arthropoda, the most speciose phylum in the animal kingdom.
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Santibáñez-López CE, Kriebel R, Ballesteros JA, Rush N, Witter Z, Williams J, Janies DA, Sharma PP. Integration of phylogenomics and molecular modeling reveals lineage-specific diversification of toxins in scorpions. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5902. [PMID: 30479892 PMCID: PMC6240337 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpions have evolved a variety of toxins with a plethora of biological targets, but characterizing their evolution has been limited by the lack of a comprehensive phylogenetic hypothesis of scorpion relationships grounded in modern, genome-scale datasets. Disagreements over scorpion higher-level systematics have also incurred challenges to previous interpretations of venom families as ancestral or derived. To redress these gaps, we assessed the phylogenomic relationships of scorpions using the most comprehensive taxonomic sampling to date. We surveyed genomic resources for the incidence of calcins (a type of calcium channel toxin), which were previously known only from 16 scorpion species. Here, we show that calcins are diverse, but phylogenetically restricted only to parvorder Iurida, one of the two basal branches of scorpions. The other branch of scorpions, Buthida, bear the related LKTx toxins (absent in Iurida), but lack calcins entirely. Analysis of sequences and molecular models demonstrates remarkable phylogenetic inertia within both calcins and LKTx genes. These results provide the first synapomorphies (shared derived traits) for the recently redefined clades Buthida and Iurida, constituting the only known case of such traits defined from the morphology of molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ricardo Kriebel
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jesús A. Ballesteros
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nathaniel Rush
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Zachary Witter
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - John Williams
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Daniel A. Janies
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Prashant P. Sharma
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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K V1.2 channel-specific blocker from Mesobuthus eupeus scorpion venom: Structural basis of selectivity. Neuropharmacology 2018; 143:228-238. [PMID: 30248306 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 08/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Scorpion venom is an unmatched source of selective high-affinity ligands of potassium channels. There is a high demand for such compounds to identify and manipulate the activity of particular channel isoforms. The objective of this study was to obtain and characterize a specific ligand of voltage-gated potassium channel KV1.2. As a result, we report the remarkable selectivity of the peptide MeKTx11-1 (α-KTx 1.16) from Mesobuthus eupeus scorpion venom to this channel isoform. MeKTx11-1 is a high-affinity blocker of KV1.2 (IC50 ∼0.2 nM), while its activity against KV1.1, KV1.3, and KV1.6 is 10 000, 330 and 45 000 fold lower, respectively, as measured using the voltage-clamp technique on mammalian channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Two substitutions, G9V and P37S, convert MeKTx11-1 to its natural analog MeKTx11-3 (α-KTx 1.17) having 15 times lower activity and reduced selectivity to KV1.2. We produced MeKTx11-1 and MeKTx11-3 as well as their mutants MeKTx11-1(G9V) and MeKTx11-1(P37S) recombinantly and demonstrated that point mutations provide an intermediate effect on selectivity. Key structural elements that explain MeKTx11-1 specificity were identified by molecular modeling of the toxin-channel complexes. Confirming our molecular modeling predictions, site-directed transfer of these elements from the pore region of KV1.2 to KV1.3 resulted in the enhanced sensitivity of mutant KV1.3 channels to MeKTx11-1. We conclude that MeKTx11-1 may be used as a selective tool in neurobiology.
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26
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Zhao J, Yuan S, Gao B, Zhu S. Molecular diversity of fungal inhibitor cystine knot peptides evolved by domain repeat and fusion. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2018; 365:5046422. [PMID: 29961831 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fny158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jingru Zhao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shouli Yuan
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
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27
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Moreels L, Peigneur S, Yamaguchi Y, Vriens K, Waelkens E, Zhu S, Thevissen K, Cammue BPA, Sato K, Tytgat J. Expanding the pharmacological profile of κ-hefutoxin 1 and analogues: A focus on the inhibitory effect on the oncogenic channel K v10.1. Peptides 2017; 98:43-50. [PMID: 27578329 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2016.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 08/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Peptide toxins, such as scorpion peptides, are interesting lead compounds in the search for novel drugs. In this paper, the focus is on the scorpion peptide κ-hefutoxin 1. This peptide displays a cysteine-stabilized helix-loop-helix fold (CSα/α) and is known to be a weak Kv1.x inhibitor. Due to the low affinity of κ-hefutoxin 1 for these channels, it is assumed that the main target(s) of κ-hefutoxin 1 remain(s) unknown. In order to identify novel targets, electrophysiological measurements and antifungal assays were performed. The effect of κ-hefutoxin 1 was previously evaluated on a panel of 11 different voltage-gated potassium channels. Here, we extended this target screening with the oncogenic potassium channel Kv10.1. κ-Hefutoxin 1 was able to inhibit this channel in a dose-dependent manner (IC50∼26μM). Although the affinity is rather low, this is the first peptide toxin ever described to be a Kv10.1 inhibitor. The structure-activity relationship of κ-hefutoxin 1 on Kv10.1 was investigated by testing eight κ-hefutoxin 1 variants using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. Several important amino acid residues were identified; the functional dyad residues (Tyr5 and Lys19), N-terminal residues (Gly1 and His2) and the amidated C-terminal residue (Cys22). Since the CSα/α fold is also found in a class of antifungal plant peptides, the α-hairpinines, we investigated the antifungal activity of κ-hefutoxin 1. κ-Hefutoxin 1 showed low activity against the plant pathogen Fusarium culmorum and no activity against three other yeast and fungal species, even at high concentrations (∼100μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Moreels
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, Herestraat 49, PO Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, Herestraat 49, PO Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Yoko Yamaguchi
- Department of Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, Fukuoka 813-8529, Japan.
| | - Kim Vriens
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, PO Box 2460, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Etienne Waelkens
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation and Proteomics, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N1, Herestraat 49, PO Box 901, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, PO Box 2460, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Bruno P A Cammue
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, PO Box 2460, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; VIB Department of Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 927, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Kazuki Sato
- Department of Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, Fukuoka 813-8529, Japan.
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, Herestraat 49, PO Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Jiménez-Vargas JM, Possani LD, Luna-Ramírez K. Arthropod toxins acting on neuronal potassium channels. Neuropharmacology 2017; 127:139-160. [PMID: 28941737 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Arthropod venoms are a rich mixture of biologically active compounds exerting different physiological actions across diverse phyla and affecting multiple organ systems including the central nervous system. Venom compounds can inhibit or activate ion channels, receptors and transporters with high specificity and affinity providing essential insights into ion channel function. In this review, we focus on arthropod toxins (scorpions, spiders, bees and centipedes) acting on neuronal potassium channels. A brief description of the K+ channels classification and structure is included and a compendium of neuronal K+ channels and the arthropod toxins that modify them have been listed. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Venom-derived Peptides as Pharmacological Tools.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Juana María Jiménez-Vargas
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62210, Mexico
| | - Lourival D Possani
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62210, Mexico
| | - Karen Luna-Ramírez
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
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Perumal Samy R, Stiles BG, Franco OL, Sethi G, Lim LH. Animal venoms as antimicrobial agents. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 134:127-138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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30
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Oldrati V, Koua D, Allard PM, Hulo N, Arrell M, Nentwig W, Lisacek F, Wolfender JL, Kuhn-Nentwig L, Stöcklin R. Peptidomic and transcriptomic profiling of four distinct spider venoms. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172966. [PMID: 28306751 PMCID: PMC5357004 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Venom based research is exploited to find novel candidates for the development of innovative pharmacological tools, drug candidates and new ingredients for cosmetic and agrochemical industries. Moreover, venomics, as a well-established approach in systems biology, helps to elucidate the genetic mechanisms of the production of such a great molecular biodiversity. Today the advances made in the proteomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics fields, favor venomics, allowing the in depth study of complex matrices and the elucidation even of minor compounds present in minute biological samples. The present study illustrates a rapid and efficient method developed for the elucidation of venom composition based on NextGen mRNA sequencing of venom glands and LC-MS/MS venom proteome profiling. The analysis of the comprehensive data obtained was focused on cysteine rich peptide toxins from four spider species originating from phylogenetically distant families for comparison purposes. The studied species were Heteropoda davidbowie (Sparassidae), Poecilotheria formosa (Theraphosidae), Viridasius fasciatus (Viridasiidae) and Latrodectus mactans (Theridiidae). This led to a high resolution profiling of 284 characterized cysteine rich peptides, 111 of which belong to the Inhibitor Cysteine Knot (ICK) structural motif. The analysis of H. davidbowie venom revealed a high richness in term of venom diversity: 95 peptide sequences were identified; out of these, 32 peptides presented the ICK structural motif and could be classified in six distinct families. The profiling of P. formosa venom highlighted the presence of 126 peptide sequences, with 52 ICK toxins belonging to three structural distinct families. V. fasciatus venom was shown to contain 49 peptide sequences, out of which 22 presented the ICK structural motif and were attributed to five families. The venom of L. mactans, until now studied for its large neurotoxins (Latrotoxins), revealed the presence of 14 cysteine rich peptides, out of which five were ICK toxins belonging to the CSTX superfamily. This in depth profiling of distinct ICK peptide families identified across the four spider species highlighted the high conservation of these neurotoxins among spider families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Oldrati
- Atheris SA, Chemin d’Alcire 1, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, EPGL, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, 1, Rue Michel-Servet, Geneva 4, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Dominique Koua
- Atheris SA, Chemin d’Alcire 1, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Marie Allard
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, EPGL, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, 1, Rue Michel-Servet, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Hulo
- University of Geneva, CMU, 1, Rue Michel Servet, Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Atheris Laboratories, Chemin d’Alcire 1, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Arrell
- Atheris SA, Chemin d’Alcire 1, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Nentwig
- University of Bern, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, 6, Baltzerstrasse, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Frédérique Lisacek
- University of Geneva, CMU, 1, Rue Michel Servet, Geneva 4, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, CUI, 7, Route de Drize, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Luc Wolfender
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, EPGL, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, 1, Rue Michel-Servet, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Lucia Kuhn-Nentwig
- University of Bern, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, 6, Baltzerstrasse, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Reto Stöcklin
- Atheris SA, Chemin d’Alcire 1, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
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31
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Zhang S, Gao B, Zhu S. Independent Origins of Scorpion Toxins Affecting Potassium and Sodium Channels. EVOLUTION OF VENOMOUS ANIMALS AND THEIR TOXINS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-6458-3_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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32
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Wang X, Gao B, Zhu S. Exon Shuffling and Origin of Scorpion Venom Biodiversity. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 9:toxins9010010. [PMID: 28035955 PMCID: PMC5308243 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venom is a complex combinatorial library of peptides and proteins with multiple biological functions. A combination of transcriptomic and proteomic techniques has revealed its enormous molecular diversity, as identified by the presence of a large number of ion channel-targeted neurotoxins with different folds, membrane-active antimicrobial peptides, proteases, and protease inhibitors. Although the biodiversity of scorpion venom has long been known, how it arises remains unsolved. In this work, we analyzed the exon-intron structures of an array of scorpion venom protein-encoding genes and unexpectedly found that nearly all of these genes possess a phase-1 intron (one intron located between the first and second nucleotides of a codon) near the cleavage site of a signal sequence despite their mature peptides remarkably differ. This observation matches a theory of exon shuffling in the origin of new genes and suggests that recruitment of different folds into scorpion venom might be achieved via shuffling between body protein-coding genes and ancestral venom gland-specific genes that presumably contributed tissue-specific regulatory elements and secretory signal sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueli Wang
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
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Housley DM, Housley GD, Liddell MJ, Jennings EA. Scorpion toxin peptide action at the ion channel subunit level. Neuropharmacology 2016; 127:46-78. [PMID: 27729239 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This review categorizes functionally validated actions of defined scorpion toxin (SCTX) neuropeptides across ion channel subclasses, highlighting key trends in this rapidly evolving field. Scorpion envenomation is a common event in many tropical and subtropical countries, with neuropharmacological actions, particularly autonomic nervous system modulation, causing significant mortality. The primary active agents within scorpion venoms are a diverse group of small neuropeptides that elicit specific potent actions across a wide range of ion channel classes. The identification and functional characterisation of these SCTX peptides has tremendous potential for development of novel pharmaceuticals that advance knowledge of ion channels and establish lead compounds for treatment of excitable tissue disorders. This review delineates the unique specificities of 320 individual SCTX peptides that collectively act on 41 ion channel subclasses. Thus the SCTX research field has significant translational implications for pathophysiology spanning neurotransmission, neurohumoral signalling, sensori-motor systems and excitation-contraction coupling. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Venom-derived Peptides as Pharmacological Tools.'
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Housley
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, Cairns Campus, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia; Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Gary D Housley
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Michael J Liddell
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science and College of Science & Engineering, Cairns Campus, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia
| | - Ernest A Jennings
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, Cairns Campus, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia; Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, James Cook University, Queensland 4878, Australia; Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, QLD, Australia
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Cremonez CM, Maiti M, Peigneur S, Cassoli JS, Dutra AAA, Waelkens E, Lescrinier E, Herdewijn P, de Lima ME, Pimenta AMC, Arantes EC, Tytgat J. Structural and Functional Elucidation of Peptide Ts11 Shows Evidence of a Novel Subfamily of Scorpion Venom Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8100288. [PMID: 27706049 PMCID: PMC5086648 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8100288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, several families of peptide toxins specifically interacting with ion channels in scorpion venom have been described. One of these families comprise peptide toxins (called KTxs), known to modulate potassium channels. Thus far, 202 KTxs have been reported, belonging to several subfamilies of KTxs (called α, β, γ, κ, δ, and λ-KTxs). Here we report on a previously described orphan toxin from Tityus serrulatus venom, named Ts11. We carried out an in-depth structure-function analysis combining 3D structure elucidation of Ts11 and electrophysiological characterization of the toxin. The Ts11 structure is highlighted by an Inhibitor Cystine Knot (ICK) type scaffold, completely devoid of the classical secondary structure elements (α-helix and/or β-strand). This has, to the best of our knowledge, never been described before for scorpion toxins and therefore represents a novel, 6th type of structural fold for these scorpion peptides. On the basis of their preferred interaction with voltage-gated K channels, as compared to all the other targets tested, it can be postulated that Ts11 is the first member of a new subfamily, designated as ε-KTx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M Cremonez
- Laboratório de Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Física e Química, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, São Paulo, Brasil.
| | - Mohitosh Maiti
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology & Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Juliana Silva Cassoli
- Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brasil.
| | - Alexandre A A Dutra
- Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brasil.
| | - Etienne Waelkens
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation and Proteomics, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Eveline Lescrinier
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Maria Elena de Lima
- Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brasil.
| | - Adriano M C Pimenta
- Laboratório de Venenos e Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brasil.
| | - Eliane C Arantes
- Laboratório de Toxinas Animais, Departamento de Física e Química, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, São Paulo, Brasil.
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology & Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, P.O. Box 922, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
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Wang X, Gao B, Zhu S. A single-point mutation enhances dual functionality of a scorpion toxin. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2016; 179:72-8. [PMID: 26358403 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2015.09.002] [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: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Scorpion venom represents a tremendous, hitherto partially explored peptide library that has been proven to be useful not only for understanding ion channels but also for drug design. MeuTXKα3 is a functionally unknown scorpion toxin-like peptide. Here we describe new transcripts of this gene arising from alternative polyadenylation and its biological function as well as a mutant with a single-point substitution at site 30. Native-like MeuTXKα3 and its mutant were produced in Escherichia coli and their toxic function against Drosophila Shaker K(+) channel and its mammalian counterparts (rKv1.1-rKv1.3) were assayed by two-electrode voltage clamp technique. The results show that MeuTXKα3 is a weak toxin with a wide-spectrum of activity on both Drosophila and mammalian K(+) channels. The substitution of a proline at site 30 by an asparagine, an evolutionarily conserved functional residue in the scorpion α-KTx family, led to an increased activity on rKv1.2 and rKv1.3 but a decreased activity on the Shaker channel without changing the potency on rKv1.1, suggesting a key role of this site in species selectivity of scorpion toxins. MeuTXKα3 was also active on a variety of bacteria with lethal concentrations ranging from 4.66 to 52.01μM and the mutant even had stronger activity on some of these bacterial species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a bi-functional short-chain peptide in the lesser Asian scorpion venom. Further extensive mutations of MeuTXKα3 at site 30 could help improve its K(+) channel-blocking and antibacterial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueli Wang
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, 100101 Beijing, China.
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Nishizawa K, Nishizawa M, Gnanasambandam R, Sachs F, Sukharev SI, Suchyna TM. Effects of Lys to Glu mutations in GsMTx4 on membrane binding, peptide orientation, and self-association propensity, as analyzed by molecular dynamics simulations. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1848:2767-78. [PMID: 26342676 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
GsMTx4, a gating modifier peptide acting on cationic mechanosensitive channels, has a positive charge (+5e) due to six Lys residues. The peptide does not have a stereospecific binding site on the channel but acts from the boundary lipids within a Debye length of the pore probably by changing local stress. To gain insight into how these Lys residues interact with membranes, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of Lys to Glu mutants in parallel with our experimental work. In silico, K15E had higher affinity for 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine bilayers than wild-type (WT) peptide or any other mutant tested, and showed deeper penetration than WT, a finding consistent with the experimental data. Experimentally, the inhibitory activities of K15E and K25E were most compromised, whereas K8E and K28E inhibitory activities remained similar to WT peptide. Binding of WT in an interfacial mode did not influence membrane thickness. With interfacial binding, the direction of the dipole moments of K15E and K25E was predicted to differ from WT, whereas those of K8E and K28E oriented similarly to that of WT. These results support a model in which binding of GsMTx4 to the membrane acts like an immersible wedge that serves as a membrane expansion buffer reducing local stress and thus inhibiting channel activity. In simulations, membrane-bound WT attracted other WT peptides to form aggregates. This may account for the positive cooperativity observed in the ion channel experiments. The Lys residues seem to fine-tune the depth of membrane binding, the tilt angle, and the dipole moments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Frederick Sachs
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Sergei I Sukharev
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Thomas M Suchyna
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Trancriptomic approach reveals the molecular diversity of Hottentotta conspersus (Buthidae) venom. Toxicon 2015; 99:73-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Kuzmenkov AI, Vassilevski AA, Kudryashova KS, Nekrasova OV, Peigneur S, Tytgat J, Feofanov AV, Kirpichnikov MP, Grishin EV. Variability of Potassium Channel Blockers in Mesobuthus eupeus Scorpion Venom with Focus on Kv1.1: AN INTEGRATED TRANSCRIPTOMIC AND PROTEOMIC STUDY. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:12195-209. [PMID: 25792741 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.637611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The lesser Asian scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus (Buthidae) is one of the most widely spread and dispersed species of the Mesobuthus genus, and its venom is actively studied. Nevertheless, a considerable amount of active compounds is still under-investigated due to the high complexity of this venom. Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of putative potassium channel toxins (KTxs) from the cDNA library of M. eupeus venom glands, and we compare the deduced KTx structures with peptides purified from the venom. For the transcriptome analysis, we used conventional tools as well as a search for structural motifs characteristic of scorpion venom components in the form of regular expressions. We found 59 candidate KTxs distributed in 30 subfamilies and presenting the cysteine-stabilized α/β and inhibitor cystine knot types of fold. M. eupeus venom was then separated to individual components by multistage chromatography. A facile fluorescent system based on the expression of the KcsA-Kv1.1 hybrid channels in Escherichia coli and utilization of a labeled scorpion toxin was elaborated and applied to follow Kv1.1 pore binding activity during venom separation. As a result, eight high affinity Kv1.1 channel blockers were identified, including five novel peptides, which extend the panel of potential pharmacologically important Kv1 ligands. Activity of the new peptides against rat Kv1.1 channel was confirmed (IC50 in the range of 1-780 nm) by the two-electrode voltage clamp technique using a standard Xenopus oocyte system. Our integrated approach is of general utility and efficiency to mine natural venoms for KTxs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey I Kuzmenkov
- From the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Alexander A Vassilevski
- From the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia,
| | - Kseniya S Kudryashova
- From the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia, the Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russia, and
| | - Oksana V Nekrasova
- From the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Steve Peigneur
- the Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jan Tytgat
- the Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Alexey V Feofanov
- From the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia, the Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russia, and
| | - Mikhail P Kirpichnikov
- From the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia, the Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russia, and
| | - Eugene V Grishin
- From the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
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Wang X, Umetsu Y, Gao B, Ohki S, Zhu S. Mesomartoxin, a new Kv1.2-selective scorpion toxin interacting with the channel selectivity filter. Biochem Pharmacol 2015; 93:232-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2014.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2014] [Revised: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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40
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Park HG, Kyung SS, Lee KS, Kim BY, Choi YS, Yoon HJ, Kwon HW, Je YH, Jin BR. Dual function of a bee (Apis cerana) inhibitor cysteine knot peptide that acts as an antifungal peptide and insecticidal venom toxin. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 47:247-53. [PMID: 25106915 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2014.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitor cysteine knot (ICK) peptides exhibit ion channel blocking, insecticidal, and antimicrobial activities, but currently, no functional roles for bee-derived ICK peptides have been identified. In this study, a bee (Apis cerana) ICK peptide (AcICK) that acts as an antifungal peptide and as an insecticidal venom toxin was identified. AcICK contains an ICK fold that is expressed in the epidermis, fat body, or venom gland and is present as a 6.6-kDa peptide in bee venom. Recombinant AcICK peptide (expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells) bound directly to Beauveria bassiana and Fusarium graminearum, but not to Escherichia coli or Bacillus thuringiensis. Consistent with these findings, AcICK showed antifungal activity, indicating that AcICK acts as an antifungal peptide. Furthermore, AcICK expression is induced in the fat body and epidermis after injection with B. bassiana. These results provide insight into the role of AcICK during the innate immune response following fungal infection. Additionally, we show that AcICK has insecticidal activity. Our results demonstrate a functional role for AcICK in bees: AcICK acts as an antifungal peptide in innate immune reactions in the body and as an insecticidal toxin in venom. The finding that the AcICK peptide functions with different mechanisms of action in the body and in venom highlights the two-pronged strategy that is possible with the bee ICK peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Geun Park
- College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Dong-A University, Busan 604-714, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Su Kyung
- College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Dong-A University, Busan 604-714, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Sik Lee
- College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Dong-A University, Busan 604-714, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo Yeon Kim
- College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Dong-A University, Busan 604-714, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Soo Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Joo Yoon
- Department of Agricultural Biology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Wook Kwon
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Ho Je
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Rae Jin
- College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Dong-A University, Busan 604-714, Republic of Korea.
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Zhu S, Peigneur S, Gao B, Umetsu Y, Ohki S, Tytgat J. Experimental conversion of a defensin into a neurotoxin: implications for origin of toxic function. Mol Biol Evol 2014; 31:546-59. [PMID: 24425781 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msu038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion K(+) channel toxins and insect defensins share a conserved three-dimensional structure and related biological activities (defense against competitors or invasive microbes by disrupting their membrane functions), which provides an ideal system to study how functional evolution occurs in a conserved structural scaffold. Using an experimental approach, we show that the deletion of a small loop of a parasitoid venom defensin possessing the "scorpion toxin signature" (STS) can remove steric hindrance of peptide-channel interactions and result in a neurotoxin selectively inhibiting K(+) channels with high affinities. This insect defensin-derived toxin adopts a hallmark scorpion toxin fold with a common cysteine-stabilized α-helical and β-sheet motif, as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Mutations of two key residues located in STS completely diminish or significantly decrease the affinity of the toxin on the channels, demonstrating that this toxin binds to K(+) channels in the same manner as scorpion toxins. Taken together, these results provide new structural and functional evidence supporting the predictability of toxin evolution. The experimental strategy is the first employed to establish an evolutionary relationship of two distantly related protein families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Animal Innate Immunity, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
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Sunagar K, Undheim EAB, Chan AHC, Koludarov I, Muñoz-Gómez SA, Antunes A, Fry BG. Evolution stings: the origin and diversification of scorpion toxin peptide scaffolds. Toxins (Basel) 2013; 5:2456-87. [PMID: 24351712 PMCID: PMC3873696 DOI: 10.3390/toxins5122456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The episodic nature of natural selection and the accumulation of extreme sequence divergence in venom-encoding genes over long periods of evolutionary time can obscure the signature of positive Darwinian selection. Recognition of the true biocomplexity is further hampered by the limited taxon selection, with easy to obtain or medically important species typically being the subject of intense venom research, relative to the actual taxonomical diversity in nature. This holds true for scorpions, which are one of the most ancient terrestrial venomous animal lineages. The family Buthidae that includes all the medically significant species has been intensely investigated around the globe, while almost completely ignoring the remaining non-buthid families. Australian scorpion lineages, for instance, have been completely neglected, with only a single scorpion species (Urodacus yaschenkoi) having its venom transcriptome sequenced. Hence, the lack of venom composition and toxin sequence information from an entire continent’s worth of scorpions has impeded our understanding of the molecular evolution of scorpion venom. The molecular origin, phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary histories of most scorpion toxin scaffolds remain enigmatic. In this study, we have sequenced venom gland transcriptomes of a wide taxonomical diversity of scorpions from Australia, including buthid and non-buthid representatives. Using state-of-art molecular evolutionary analyses, we show that a majority of CSα/β toxin scaffolds have experienced episodic influence of positive selection, while most non-CSα/β linear toxins evolve under the extreme influence of negative selection. For the first time, we have unraveled the molecular origin of the major scorpion toxin scaffolds, such as scorpion venom single von Willebrand factor C-domain peptides (SV-SVC), inhibitor cystine knot (ICK), disulphide-directed beta-hairpin (DDH), bradykinin potentiating peptides (BPP), linear non-disulphide bridged peptides and antimicrobial peptides (AMP). We have thus demonstrated that even neglected lineages of scorpions are a rich pool of novel biochemical components, which have evolved over millions of years to target specific ion channels in prey animals, and as a result, possess tremendous implications in therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartik Sunagar
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; E-Mails: (K.S.); (A.A.)
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Eivind A. B. Undheim
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; E-Mails: (E.A.B.U.); (A.H.C.C.); (I.K.)
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Angelo H. C. Chan
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; E-Mails: (E.A.B.U.); (A.H.C.C.); (I.K.)
| | - Ivan Koludarov
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; E-Mails: (E.A.B.U.); (A.H.C.C.); (I.K.)
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Sergio A. Muñoz-Gómez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; E-Mail:
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; E-Mails: (K.S.); (A.A.)
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bryan G. Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; E-Mails: (E.A.B.U.); (A.H.C.C.); (I.K.)
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +61-400-193-182
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