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DU C, Yuan F, Duan X, Rong M, Meng E, Liu C. Isolation and structural identification of a potassium ion channel Kv4.1 inhibitor SsTx-P2 from centipede venom. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2024; 53:194-200. [PMID: 38268403 PMCID: PMC11057981 DOI: 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2023-0430] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To isolate a potassium ion channel Kv4.1 inhibitor from centipede venom, and to determine its sequence and structure. METHODS Ion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography were performed to separate and purify peptide components of centipede venom, and their inhibiting effect on Kv4.1 channel was determined by whole-cell patch clamp recording. The molecular weight of isolated peptide Kv4.1 channel inhibitor was identified with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry; its primary sequence was determined by Edman degradation sequencing and two-dimensional mass spectrometry; its structure was established based on iterative thread assembly refinement online analysis. RESULTS A peptide SsTx-P2 was separated from centipede venom with the molecular weight of 6122.8, and its primary sequence consists of 53 amino acid residues NH2-ELTWDFVRTCCKLFPDKSECTKACATEFTGGDESRLKDVWPRKLRSGDSRLKD-OH. Peptide SsTx-P2 potently inhibited the current of Kv4.1 channel transiently transfected in HEK293 cell, with 1.0 μmol/L SsTx-P2 suppressing 95% current of Kv4.1 channel. Its structure showed that SsTx-P2 shared a conserved helical structure. CONCLUSIONS The study has isolated a novel peptide SsTx-P2 from centipede venom, which can potently inhibit the potassium ion channel Kv4.1 and displays structural conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canwei DU
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Fuchu Yuan
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410006, China
| | - Xinyi Duan
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan Province, China
| | - Mingqiang Rong
- College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410006, China
| | - Er Meng
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan Province, China
| | - Changjun Liu
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan Province, China.
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Diaz JH. Poisonous, Venomous, or Harmless? Wilderness Environ Med 2023; 34:599-605. [PMID: 37344256 DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- James H Diaz
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health (LSU Health), New Orleans, LA.
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Yuan F, Li S, Huang B, Hu Y, Zeng X, Peng Y, Du C, Rong M. Molecular mechanism by which spider-driving peptide potentiates coagulation factors. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115421. [PMID: 37660649 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemostasis is a crucial process that quickly forms clots at injury sites to prevent bleeding and infections. Dysfunctions in this process can lead to hemorrhagic disorders, such as hemophilia and thrombocytopenia purpura. While hemostatic agents are used in clinical treatments, there is still limited knowledge about potentiators targeting coagulation factors. Recently, LCTx-F2, a procoagulant spider-derived peptide, was discovered. This study employed various methods, including chromogenic substrate analysis and dynamic simulation, to investigate how LCTx-F2 enhances the activity of thrombin and FXIIa. Our findings revealed that LCTx-F2 binds to thrombin and FXIIa in a similar manner, with the N-terminal penetrating the active-site cleft of the enzymes and the intermediate section reinforcing the peptide-enzyme connection. Interestingly, the C-terminal remained at a considerable distance from the enzymes, as evidenced by the retention of affinity for both enzymes using truncated peptide T-F2. Furthermore, results indicated differences in the bonding relationship of critical residues between thrombin and FXIIa, with His13 facilitating binding to thrombin and Arg7 being required for binding to FXIIa. Overall, our study sheds light on the molecular mechanism by which LCTx-F2 potentiates coagulation factors, providing valuable insights that may assist in designing drugs targeting procoagulation factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuchu Yuan
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410006, China
| | - Shuwan Li
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410006, China
| | - Biao Huang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410006, China
| | - Ya Hu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410006, China
| | - Xiongzhi Zeng
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410006, China
| | - Yanmei Peng
- Institute of Innovative Medicine, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410006, China
| | - Canwei Du
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China; Institute of Innovative Medicine, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410006, China.
| | - Mingqiang Rong
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410006, China.
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Yang X, Na C, Wang Y. Angelica decursiva exerts antihypertensive activity by inhibiting L-type calcium channel. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 313:116527. [PMID: 37088236 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Angelica decursiva is a perennial herb that belongs to the Umbelliferae family. It is traditionally used to treat fever, upper respiratory tract infections, bleeding and hypertension. However, despite its extensive pharmacological potential, literature reports on its antihypertensive pharmacological properties are scarce. AIM OF THE STUDY In the study, crude extract from A. decursiva roots was examined for its antihypertensive activity and its molecular basis was explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS A. decursiva roots were extracted with ethanol, and isolated with silica gel normal-phase chromatography and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. L-NAME-induced hypertensive mouse model was used to detect in vivo hypertensive activity. Thoracic aorta ring contraction activity and electrophysiology recordings were employed to evaluate in vitro antihypertensive activity and revealed an antihypertensive target, which was transiently expressed in HEK293T cells. RESULTS ADED exhibited significant antihypertensive effects in L-NAME-induced hypertension models and phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction. Further screening revealed that demethylsuberosin is an essential component accounting for the antihypertension effects of A. decursiva. Voltage-gated calcium channel CaV1.2 is the likely target of A. decursiva for its antihypertension effects. CONCLUSION The study suggests that A. decursiva and demethylsuberosin may be effective antihypertensive agents in preclinical studies. It appears that A. decursiva and demethylsuberosin exert antihypertensive effects by inhibiting the CaV1.2 channel, which contributes to the vasodilatory effect. The present study provides experimental evidence that A. decursiva is an effective remedy for hypertension in folklore. Demethylsuberosin could be a lead molecule for antihypertension drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopei Yang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Chuxiong Medical College, Chuxiong, 675005, China.
| | - Chen Na
- Department of Pediatrics, Yanan Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650000, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Yanan Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650000, China.
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Hu YX, Liu Z, Zhang Z, Deng Z, Huang Z, Feng T, Zhou QH, Mei S, Yi C, Zhou Q, Zeng PH, Pei G, Tian S, Tian XF. Antihepatoma peptide, scolopentide, derived from the centipede scolopendra subspinipes mutilans. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:1875-1898. [PMID: 37032730 PMCID: PMC10080696 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i12.1875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Centipedes have been used to treat tumors for hundreds of years in China. However, current studies focus on antimicrobial and anticoagulation agents rather than tumors. The molecular identities of antihepatoma bioactive components in centipedes have not yet been extensively investigated. It is a challenge to isolate and characterize the effective components of centipedes due to limited peptide purification technologies for animal-derived medicines.
AIM To purify, characterize, and synthesize the bioactive components with the strongest antihepatoma activity from centipedes and determine the antihepatoma mechanism.
METHODS An antihepatoma peptide (scolopentide) was isolated and identified from the centipede scolopendra subspinipes mutilans using a combination of enzymatic hydrolysis, a Sephadex G-25 column, and two steps of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Additionally, the CCK8 assay was used to select the extracted fraction with the strongest antihepatoma activity. The molecular weight of the extracted scolopentide was characterized by quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (QTOF MS), and the sequence was matched by using the Mascot search engine. Based on the sequence and molecular weight, scolopentide was synthesized using solid-phase peptide synthesis methods. The synthetic scolopentide was confirmed by MS and HPLC. The antineoplastic effect of extracted scolopentide was confirmed by CCK8 assay and morphological changes again in vitro. The antihepatoma effect of synthetic scolopentide was assessed by the CCK8 assay and Hoechst staining in vitro and tumor volume and tumor weight in vivo. In the tumor xenograft experiments, qualified model mice (male 5-week-old BALB/c nude mice) were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 6): The scolopentide group (0.15 mL/d, via intraperitoneal injection of synthetic scolopentide, 500 mg/kg/d) and the vehicle group (0.15 mL/d, via intraperitoneal injection of normal saline). The mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation after 14 d of continuous treatment. Mechanistically, flow cytometry was conducted to evaluate the apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells after treatment with extracted scolopentide in vitro. A Hoechst staining assay was also used to observe apoptosis in HepG2 cells after treatment with synthetic scolopentide in vitro. CCK8 assays and morphological changes were used to compare the cytotoxicity of synthetic scolopentide to liver cancer cells and normal liver cells in vitro. Molecular docking was performed to clarify whether scolopentide tightly bound to death receptor 4 (DR4) and DR5. qRT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of DR4, DR5, fas-associated death domain protein (FADD), Caspase-8, Caspase-3, cytochrome c (Cyto-C), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), x-chromosome linked inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein and Cellular fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1β converting enzyme inhibitory protein in hepatocarcinoma subcutaneous xenograft tumors from mice. Western blot assays were used to measure the protein expression of DR4, DR5, FADD, Caspase-8, Caspase-3, and Cyto-C in the tumor tissues. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) of tumor tissues were tested.
RESULTS In the process of purification, characterization and synthesis of scolopentide, the optimal enzymatic hydrolysis conditions (extract ratio: 5.86%, IC50: 0.310 mg/mL) were as follows: Trypsin at 0.1 g (300 U/g, centipede-trypsin ratio of 20:1), enzymolysis temperature of 46 °C, and enzymolysis time of 4 h, which was superior to freeze-thawing with liquid nitrogen (IC50: 3.07 mg/mL). A peptide with the strongest antihepatoma activity (scolopentide) was further purified through a Sephadex G-25 column (obtained A2) and two steps of HPLC (obtained B5 and C3). The molecular weight of the extracted scolopentide was 1018.997 Da, and the peptide sequence was RAQNHYCK, as characterized by QTOF MS and Mascot. Scolopentide was synthesized in vitro with a qualified molecular weight (1018.8 Da) and purity (98.014%), which was characterized by MS and HPLC. Extracted scolopentide still had an antineoplastic effect in vitro, which inhibited the proliferation of Eca-109 (IC50: 76.27 μg/mL), HepG2 (IC50: 22.06 μg/mL), and A549 (IC50: 35.13 μg/mL) cells, especially HepG2 cells. Synthetic scolopentide inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells (treated 6, 12, and 24 h) in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro, and the inhibitory effects were the strongest at 12 h (IC50: 208.11 μg/mL). Synthetic scolopentide also inhibited the tumor volume (Vehicle vs Scolopentide, P = 0.0003) and weight (Vehicle vs Scolopentide, P = 0.0022) in the tumor xenograft experiment. Mechanistically, flow cytometry suggested that the apoptosis ratios of HepG2 cells after treatment with extracted scolopentide were 5.01% (0 μg/mL), 12.13% (10 μg/mL), 16.52% (20 μg/mL), and 23.20% (40 μg/mL). Hoechst staining revealed apoptosis in HepG2 cells after treatment with synthetic scolopentide in vitro. The CCK8 assay and morphological changes indicated that synthetic scolopentide was cytotoxic and was significantly stronger in HepG2 cells than in L02 cells. Molecular docking suggested that scolopentide tightly bound to DR4 and DR5, and the binding free energies were-10.4 kcal/mol and-7.1 kcal/mol, respectively. In subcutaneous xenograft tumors from mice, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting suggested that scolopentide activated DR4 and DR5 and induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 Liver cancer cells by promoting the expression of FADD, caspase-8 and caspase-3 through a mitochondria-independent pathway.
CONCLUSION Scolopentide, an antihepatoma peptide purified from centipedes, may inspire new antihepatoma agents. Scolopentide activates DR4 and DR5 and induces apoptosis in liver cancer cells through a mitochondria-independent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xing Hu
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Formulas and Zheng of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhuo Liu
- Department of Scientific Research, Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
- Department of Scientific Research, Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhe Deng
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Province University Key Laboratory of Oncology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhen Huang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Ting Feng
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Qing-Hong Zhou
- Department of Pediatric, Shenzhen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Si Mei
- Department of Physiology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Chun Yi
- Department of Pathology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Department of Andrology, First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China
| | - Pu-Hua Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Gang Pei
- College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Sha Tian
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
- Dr Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
| | - Xue-Fei Tian
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Formulas and Zheng of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
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Mansbach R, Patel LA, Watson NA, Kubicek-Sutherland JZ, Gnanakaran S. Inferring Pathways of Oxidative Folding from Prefolding Free Energy Landscapes of Disulfide-Rich Toxins. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:1689-1703. [PMID: 36791259 PMCID: PMC9987446 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c07124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Short, cysteine-rich peptides can exist in stable or metastable structural ensembles due to the number of possible patterns of formation of their disulfide bonds. One interesting subset of this peptide group is the conotoxins, which are produced by aquatic snails in the family Conidae. The μ conotoxins, which are antagonists and blockers of the voltage-gated sodium channel, exist in a folding spectrum: on one end of the spectrum are more hirudin-like folders, which form disulfide bonds and then reshuffle them, leading to an ensemble of kinetically trapped isomers, and on the other end are more BPTI-like folders, which form the native disulfide bonds one by one in a particular order, leading to a preponderance of conformations existing in a single stable state. In this Article, we employ the composite diffusion map approach to study the unified free energy surface of prefolding μ-conotoxin equilibrium. We identify the two most important nonlinear collective modes of the unified folding landscape and demonstrate that in the absence of their disulfides, the conotoxins can be thought of as largely disordered polymers. A small increase in the number of hydrophobic residues in the protein shifts the free energy landscape toward hydrophobically collapsed coil conformations responsible for cysteine proximity in hirudin-like folders, compared to semiextended coil conformations with more distal cysteines in BPTI-like folders. Overall, this work sheds important light on the folding processes and free energy landscapes of cysteine-rich peptides and demonstrates the extent to which sequence and length contribute to these landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lara A. Patel
- OpenEye
Scientific Research, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508, United States
| | - Natalya A. Watson
- Physics
Department, University of Concordia, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | | | - S. Gnanakaran
- Physical
Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy Group, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
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7
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Yin C, Zeng F, Huang P, Shi Z, Yang Q, Pei Z, Wang X, Chai L, Zhang S, Yang S, Dong W, Lu X, Wang Y. The Bi-Functional Paxilline Enriched in Skin Secretion of Tree Frogs ( Hyla japonica) Targets the KCNK18 and BK Ca Channels. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:70. [PMID: 36668889 PMCID: PMC9862588 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The skin secretion of tree frogs contains a vast array of bioactive chemicals for repelling predators, but their structural and functional diversity is not fully understood. Paxilline (PAX), a compound synthesized by Penicillium paxilli, has been known as a specific antagonist of large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ Channels (BKCa). Here, we report the presence of PAX in the secretions of tree frogs (Hyla japonica) and that this compound has a novel function of inhibiting the potassium channel subfamily K member 18 (KCNK18) channels of their predators. The PAX-induced KCNK18 inhibition is sufficient to evoke Ca2+ influx in charybdotoxin-insensitive DRG neurons of rats. By forming π-π stacking interactions, four phenylalanines located in the central pore of KCNK18 stabilize PAX to block the ion permeation. For PAX-mediated toxicity, our results from animal assays suggest that the inhibition of KCNK18 likely acts synergistically with that of BKCa to elicit tingling and buzzing sensations in predators or competitors. These results not only show the molecular mechanism of PAX-KCNK18 interaction, but also provide insights into the defensive effects of the enriched PAX.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yunfei Wang
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
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8
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Viral vector-mediated expressions of venom peptides as novel gene therapy for anxiety and depression. Med Hypotheses 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2022.110910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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9
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Wang Y, Yin C, Zhang H, Kamau PM, Dong W, Luo A, Chai L, Yang S, Lai R. Venom resistance mechanisms in centipede show tissue specificity. Curr Biol 2022; 32:3556-3563.e3. [PMID: 35863353 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.06.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Venomous animals utilize venom glands to secrete and store powerful toxins for intraspecific and/or interspecific antagonistic interactions, implying that tissue-specific resistance is essential for venom glands to anatomically separate toxins from other tissues. Here, we show the mechanism of tissue-specific resistance in centipedes (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans), where the splice variant of the receptor repels its own toxin. Unlike the well-known resistance mechanism by mutation in a given exon, we found that the KCNQ1 channel is highly expressed in the venom gland as a unique splice variant in which the pore domain and transmembrane domain six, partially encoded by exon 6 (rather than 7 as found in other tissues), contain eleven mutated residues. Such a splice variant is sufficient to gain resistance to SsTx (a lethal toxin for giant prey capture) in the venom gland due to a partially buried binding site. Therefore, the tissue-specific KCNQ1 modification confers resistance to the toxins, establishing a safe zone in the venom-storing/secreting environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides, The National & Local Joint Engineering Center of Natural Bioactive Peptides, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650107 Yunnan, China; College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Chuanlin Yin
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides, The National & Local Joint Engineering Center of Natural Bioactive Peptides, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650107 Yunnan, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Peter Muiruri Kamau
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides, The National & Local Joint Engineering Center of Natural Bioactive Peptides, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650107 Yunnan, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wenqi Dong
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Anna Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides, The National & Local Joint Engineering Center of Natural Bioactive Peptides, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650107 Yunnan, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Longhui Chai
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Shilong Yang
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides, The National & Local Joint Engineering Center of Natural Bioactive Peptides, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650107 Yunnan, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Sino-African Joint Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China.
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Han Y, Kamau PM, Lai R, Luo L. Bioactive Peptides and Proteins from Centipede Venoms. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27144423. [PMID: 35889297 PMCID: PMC9325314 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Venoms are a complex cocktail of biologically active molecules, including peptides, proteins, polyamide, and enzymes widely produced by venomous organisms. Through long-term evolution, venomous animals have evolved highly specific and diversified peptides and proteins targeting key physiological elements, including the nervous, blood, and muscular systems. Centipedes are typical venomous arthropods that rely on their toxins primarily for predation and defense. Although centipede bites are frequently reported, the composition and effect of centipede venoms are far from known. With the development of molecular biology and structural biology, the research on centipede venoms, especially peptides and proteins, has been deepened. Therefore, we summarize partial progress on the exploration of the bioactive peptides and proteins in centipede venoms and their potential value in pharmacological research and new drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, China; (Y.H.); (P.M.K.)
| | - Peter Muiruri Kamau
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, China; (Y.H.); (P.M.K.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, China; (Y.H.); (P.M.K.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
- Correspondence: (R.L.); (L.L.)
| | - Lei Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, China; (Y.H.); (P.M.K.)
- Correspondence: (R.L.); (L.L.)
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11
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Centipede Venom: A Potential Source of Ion Channel Modulators. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137105. [PMID: 35806107 PMCID: PMC9266919 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Centipedes are one of the most ancient and successful living venomous animals. They have evolved spooky venoms to deter predators or hunt prey, and are widely distributed throughout the world besides Antarctica. Neurotoxins are the most important virulence factor affecting the function of the nervous system. Ion channels and receptors expressed in the nervous system, including NaV, KV, CaV, and TRP families, are the major targets of peptide neurotoxins. Insight into the mechanism of neurotoxins acting on ion channels contributes to our understanding of the function of both channels and centipede venoms. Meanwhile, the novel structure and selective activities give them the enormous potential to be modified and exploited as research tools and biological drugs. Here, we review the centipede venom peptides that act on ion channels.
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Kamau PM, Li H, Yao Z, Han Y, Luo A, Zhang H, Boonyarat C, Yenjai C, Mwangi J, Zeng L, Yang S, Lai R, Luo L. Potent Ca V3.2 channel inhibitors exert analgesic effects in acute and chronic pain models. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113310. [PMID: 35728351 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain is the most common presenting physical symptom and a primary reason for seeking medical care, which chronically affects people's mental health and social life. CaV3.2 channel plays an essential role in the peripheral processing maintenance of pain states. This study was designed to identify novel drug candidates targeting the CaV3.2 channel. Whole-cell patch-clamp, cellular thermal shift assay, FlexStation, in vivo and in vitro CaV3.2 knock-down, site-directed mutagenesis, and double-mutant cycle analysis were employed to explore the pain-related receptors and ligand-receptor direct interaction. We found that toddaculin efficiently inhibits the CaV3.2 channel and significantly reduced the excitability of dorsal root ganglion neurons and pain behaviors. The Carbonyl group of coumarins directly interacts with the pore domain of CaV3.2 via van der Waals (VDW) force. Docking with binding pockets further led us to identify glycycoumarin, which exhibited more potent inhibition on the CaV3.2 channel and better analgesic activity than the parent compound. Toddaculin and its analog showed beneficial therapeutic effects in pain models. Toddaculin binding pocket on CaV3.2 might be a promising docking site for the design of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Muiruri Kamau
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, Yunnan, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hao Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, Yunnan, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhihao Yao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, Yunnan, China; College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yalan Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, Yunnan, China
| | - Anna Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, Yunnan, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, Yunnan, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chantana Boonyarat
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Chavi Yenjai
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - James Mwangi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, Yunnan, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lin Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, Yunnan, China
| | - Shilong Yang
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, Yunnan, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Lei Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, Yunnan, China.
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Arroyave-Muñoz A, Meijden AVD, Estrada-Gómez S, García LF. Linking toxicity and predation in a venomous arthropod: the case of Tityus fuhrmanni (Scorpiones: Buthidae), a generalist predator scorpion. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2022; 28:e20210036. [PMID: 35082841 PMCID: PMC8747031 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Scorpions are arachnids that have a generalist diet, which use venom to
subdue their prey. The study of their trophic ecology and capture behavior
is still limited compared to other organisms, and aspects such as trophic
specialization in this group have been little explored. Methods: In order to determine the relationship between feeding behavior and venom
toxicity in the scorpion species Tityus fuhrmanni, 33
specimens were offered prey with different morphologies and defense
mechanisms: spiders, cockroaches and crickets. In each of the experiments we
recorded the following aspects: acceptance rate, immobilization time and the
number of capture attempts. The median lethal dose of T.
fuhrmanni venom against the three different types of prey was
also evaluated. Results: We found that this species does not have a marked difference in acceptance
for any of the evaluated prey, but the number of capture attempts of spiders
is higher when compared to the other types of prey. The immobilization time
is shorter in spiders compared to other prey and the LD50 was
higher for cockroaches. Conclusions: These results indicate that T. fuhrmanni is a scorpion with
a generalist diet, has a venom with a different potency among prey and is
capable of discriminating between prey types and employing distinct
strategies to subdue them.
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Yang X, Dai Y, Ji Z, Zhang X, Fu W, Han C, Xu Y. Allium macrostemon Bunge. exerts analgesic activity by inhibiting NaV1.7 channel. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 281:114495. [PMID: 34364968 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Allium macrostemon Bunge. is an edible Chinese herb traditionally used for the treatment of thoracic pain, stenocardia, heart asthma and diarrhea. Although its biological potential has been extensively proven such as antioxidant activity, antiplatelet aggregation, vasodilation and antidepressant-like activity, there are no reports in the literature regarding its pharmacological analgesic activity. AIM OF THE STUDY The study was carried out to examine the anti-nociceptive activity of the crude extract of A. macrostemon bulbs and interpret its likely molecular target. MATERIALS AND METHODS The bulbs of A. macrostemon were gathered, dried-up, and extracted with water (AMWD). AMWD was subjected to activity testing, using chemical-induced (acetic acid and formalin test) and heat-induced (hot plate) pain models. To evaluate the likely mechanistic strategy involved in the analgesic effect of AMWD, whole-cell patch clamp recordings were conducted in acutely dissociated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells expressing pain-related receptors. Electrophysiological methods were employed to detect the action potentials of DRG neurons and potential targets of A. macrostemon. RESULTS AMWD showed significant palliative effect in all heat and chemical induced pain assays. Moreover, AMWD significantly reduces the excitability of dorsal root ganglion neurons by reducing the firing frequency of action potentials. Further analysis revealed that voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7 is the potential target of A. macrostemon for its analgesic activity. CONCLUSION This study has brought new scientific evidence of preclinical efficacy of A. macrostemon as an anti-nociceptive agent. Apparently, these effects are involved with the inhibition of the voltage-sensitive Nav1.7 channel contributing to the reduction of peripheral neuronal excitability. Our present study justifies the folkloric usage of A. macrostemon as a remedy for several pain states. Furthermore, A. macrostemon is a good resource for the development of analgesic drugs targeting Nav1.7 channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopei Yang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Chuxiong Medical College, Chuxiong, 675005, China.
| | - Yuwen Dai
- Department of Basic Medicine, Chuxiong Medical College, Chuxiong, 675005, China
| | - Zhilin Ji
- Department of Basic Medicine, Chuxiong Medical College, Chuxiong, 675005, China
| | - Xiangyi Zhang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Chuxiong Medical College, Chuxiong, 675005, China
| | - Wei Fu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Chuxiong Medical College, Chuxiong, 675005, China
| | - Chaochi Han
- Department of Basic Medicine, Chuxiong Medical College, Chuxiong, 675005, China
| | - Yunsheng Xu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Chuxiong Medical College, Chuxiong, 675005, China.
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Wang J, Ji M, Yuan B, Luo A, Jiang Z, Zhu T, Liu Y, Kamau PM, Jin L, Lai R. Peptide OPTX-1 From Ornithodoros papillipes Tick Inhibits the pS273R Protease of African Swine Fever Virus. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:778309. [PMID: 34925282 PMCID: PMC8678048 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.778309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a large double-stranded DNA virus and causes high mortality in swine. ASFV can be transmitted by biological vectors, including soft ticks in genus Ornithodoros but not hard ticks. However, the underlying mechanisms evolved in the vectorial capacity of soft ticks are not well-understood. Here, we found that a defensin-like peptide toxin OPTX-1 identified from Ornithodoros papillipes inhibits the enzyme activity of the ASFV pS273R protease with a Ki =0.821±0.526μM and shows inhibitory activity on the replication of ASFV. The analogs of OPTX-1 from hard ticks show more inhibitory efficient on pS273R protease. Considering that ticks are blood-sucking animals, we tested the effects of OPTX-1 and its analogs on the coagulation system. At last, top 3D structures represented surface analyses of the binding sites of pS273R with different inhibitors that were obtained by molecular docking based on known structural information. In summary, our study provides evidence that different inhibitory efficiencies between soft tick-derived OPTX-1 and hard tick-derived defensin-like peptides may determine the vector and reservoir competence of ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Wang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Mengyao Ji
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Bingqian Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Anna Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Zhenyuan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Tengyu Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Peter Muiruri Kamau
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Lin Jin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Ren Lai
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
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Fischer T, Riedl R. Paracelsus' legacy in the faunal realm: Drugs deriving from animal toxins. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:567-575. [PMID: 34678490 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Given the vast number of venomous and poisonous animals, it is surprising that only relatively few animal-derived toxins have been explored and made their way into marketed drugs or are being investigated in ongoing clinical trials. In this review, we highlight marketed drugs deriving from animal toxins as well as ongoing clinical trials and preclinical investigations in the field. We emphasize that more attention should be paid to the rich supply of candidates that nature provides as valuable starting points for addressing serious unmet medical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Fischer
- Center of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Rainer Riedl
- Center of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland.
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17
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Halpin LR, Terrington DI, Jones HP, Mott R, Wong WW, Dow DC, Carlile N, Clarke RH. Arthropod Predation of Vertebrates Structures Trophic Dynamics in Island Ecosystems. Am Nat 2021; 198:540-550. [PMID: 34559614 DOI: 10.1086/715702] [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] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractOn isolated islands, large arthropods can play an important functional role in ecosystem dynamics. On the Norfolk Islands group, South Pacific, we monitored the diet and foraging activity of an endemic chilopod, the Phillip Island centipede (Cormocephalus coynei), and used a stable isotope mixing model to estimate dietary proportions. Phillip Island centipede diet is represented by vertebrate animals (48%) and invertebrates (52%), with 30.5% consisting of squamates, including the Lord Howe Island skink (Oligosoma lichenigera) and Günther's island gecko (Christinus guentheri); 7.9% consisting of black-winged petrel (Pterodroma nigripennis) nestlings; and 9.6% consisting of marine fishes scavenged from regurgitated seabird meals. Centipede predation was the principal source of petrel nestling mortality, with annual rates of predation varying between 11.1% and 19.6% of nestlings. This means that 2,109-3,724 black-winged petrel nestlings may be predated by centipedes annually. Petrels produce a single offspring per year; therefore, predation of nestlings by centipedes represents total breeding failure for a pair in a given year. Our work demonstrates that arthropods can play a leading role in influencing vertebrate reproductive output and modifying trophic structures and nutrient flow in island ecosystems.
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18
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Tang D, Xu J, Li Y, Zhao P, Kong X, Hu H, Liang S, Tang C, Liu Z. Molecular mechanisms of centipede toxin SsTx-4 inhibition of inwardly rectifying potassium channels. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101076. [PMID: 34391777 PMCID: PMC8413892 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Inwardly rectifying potassium channels (Kirs) are important drug targets, with antagonists for the Kir1.1, Kir4.1, and pancreatic Kir6.2/SUR1 channels being potential drug candidates for treating hypertension, depression, and diabetes, respectively. However, few peptide toxins acting on Kirs are identified and their interacting mechanisms remain largely elusive yet. Herein, we showed that the centipede toxin SsTx-4 potently inhibited the Kir1.1, Kir4.1, and Kir6.2/SUR1 channels with nanomolar to submicromolar affinities and intensively studied the molecular bases for toxin–channel interactions using patch-clamp analysis and site-directed mutations. Other Kirs including Kir2.1 to 2.4, Kir4.2, and Kir7.1 were resistant to SsTx-4 treatment. Moreover, SsTx-4 inhibited the inward and outward currents of Kirs with different potencies, possibly caused by a K+ “knock-off” effect, suggesting the toxin functions as an out pore blocker physically occluding the K+-conducting pathway. This conclusion was further supported by a mutation analysis showing that M137 located in the outer vestibule of the Kir6.2/ΔC26 channel was the key residue mediating interaction with SsTx-4. On the other hand, the molecular determinants within SsTx-4 for binding these Kir channels only partially overlapped, with K13 and F44 being the common key residues. Most importantly, K11A, P15A, and Y16A mutant toxins showed improved affinity and/or selectivity toward Kir6.2, while R12A mutant toxin had increased affinity for Kir4.1. To our knowledge, SsTx-4 is the first characterized peptide toxin with Kir4.1 inhibitory activity. This study provides useful insights for engineering a Kir6.2/SUR1 channel–specific antagonist based on the SsTx-4 template molecule and may be useful in developing new antidiabetic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongfang Tang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China; College of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Hunan University of Science and Engineering, Yongzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Jiahui Xu
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yinping Li
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Piao Zhao
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangjin Kong
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Haoliang Hu
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Songping Liang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Cheng Tang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
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19
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Matsumura K, Yokogawa M, Osawa M. Peptide Toxins Targeting KV Channels. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 267:481-505. [PMID: 34117930 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
A number of peptide toxins isolated from animals target potassium ion (K+) channels. Many of them are particularly known to inhibit voltage-gated K+ (KV) channels and are mainly classified into pore-blocking toxins or gating-modifier toxins. Pore-blocking toxins directly bind to the ion permeation pores of KV channels, thereby physically occluding them. In contrast, gating-modifier toxins bind to the voltage-sensor domains of KV channels, modulating their voltage-dependent conformational changes. These peptide toxins are useful molecular tools in revealing the structure-function relationship of KV channels and have potential for novel treatments for diseases related to KV channels. This review focuses on the inhibition mechanism of pore-blocking and gating-modifier toxins that target KV channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Matsumura
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mariko Yokogawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masanori Osawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
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20
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Zhou J, Peng F, Cao X, Xie X, Chen D, Yang L, Rao C, Peng C, Pan X. Risk Compounds, Preclinical Toxicity Evaluation, and Potential Mechanisms of Chinese Materia Medica-Induced Cardiotoxicity. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:578796. [PMID: 33867974 PMCID: PMC8044783 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.578796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chinese materia medica (CMM) has been applied for the prevention and treatment of diseases for thousands of years. However, arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, heart failure, and other cardiac adverse reactions during CMM application were gradually reported. CMM-induced cardiotoxicity has aroused widespread attention. Our review aimed to summarize the risk compounds, preclinical toxicity evaluation, and potential mechanisms of CMM-induced cardiotoxicity. All relevant articles published on the PubMed, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases for the latest twenty years were searched and manually extracted. The risk substances of CMM-induced cardiotoxicity are relatively complex. A single CMM usually contains various risk compounds, and the same risk substance may exist in various CMM. The active and risk substances in CMM may be transformed into each other under different conditions, such as drug dosage, medication methods, and body status. Generally, the risk compounds of CMM-induced cardiotoxicity can be classified into alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, heavy metals, organic acids, toxic proteins, and peptides. Traditional evaluation methods of chemical drug-induced cardiotoxicity primarily include cardiac function monitoring, endomyocardial biopsy, myocardial zymogram, and biomarker determination. In the preclinical stage, CMM-induced cardiotoxicity should be systematically evaluated at the overall, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels, including cardiac function, histopathology, cytology, myocardial zymogram, and biomarkers. Thanks to the development of systematic biology, the higher specificity and sensitivity of biomarkers, such as genes, proteins, and metabolic small molecules, are gradually applied for evaluating CMM-induced cardiotoxicity. Previous studies on the mechanisms of CMM-induced cardiotoxicity focused on a single drug, monomer or components of CMM. The interaction among ion homeostasis (sodium, potassium, and calcium ions), oxidative damage, mitochondrial injury, apoptosis and autophagy, and metabolic disturbance is involved in CMM-induced cardiotoxicity. Clarification on the risk compounds, preclinical toxicity evaluation, and potential mechanisms of CMM-induced cardiotoxicity must be beneficial to guide new CMM development and post-marketed CMM reevaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Pharmacy and School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Fu Peng
- West China School of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoyu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Pharmacy and School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaofang Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Pharmacy and School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Dayi Chen
- School of Pharmacy and School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Lian Yang
- School of Pharmacy and School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chaolong Rao
- School of Pharmacy and School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Pharmacy and School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoqi Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Pharmacy and School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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21
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Han Y, Luo A, Kamau PM, Takomthong P, Hu J, Boonyarat C, Luo L, Lai R. A plant-derived TRPV3 inhibitor suppresses pain and itch. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:1669-1683. [PMID: 33501656 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Itching is the most frequent pathology in dermatology that has significant impacts on people's mental health and social life. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) channel is a promising target for treating pruritus. However, few selecetive and potent antagonists have been reported. This study was designed to identify selective TRPV3 antagonist and elucidate its anti-pruritus pharmacology. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH FlexStation and calcium fluorescence imaging were conducted to track the functional compounds. Whole-cell patch clamp was used to record itch-related ion channel currents. Homologous recombination and site-directed mutagenesis were employed to construct TRPV3 channel chimeras and point mutations for exploring pharmacological mechanism. Mouse models were used for in vivo anti-pruritus assay. KEY RESULTS An acridone alkaloid (citrusinine-II) was purified and characterized from Atalantia monophylla. It directly interacts with Y564 within S4 helix of TRPV3 to selectively inhibit the channel with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) of 12.43 μM. Citrusinine-II showed potential efficacy to attenuate both chronic and acute itch. Intradermal administration of citrusinine-II (143 ng/skin site) nearly completely inhibited itch behaviours. It also shows significant analgesic effects. Little side effects of the compound are observed. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS By acting as a selective and potent inhibitor of TRPV3 channel, citrusinine-II shows valuable therapeutic effects in pruritus animal models and is a promising candidate drug and/or lead molecule for the development of anti-pruritus drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Anna Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peter Muiruri Kamau
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Sino-African Joint Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | | | - Jingmei Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chantana Boonyarat
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Lei Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China.,Sino-African Joint Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.,KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center and National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
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22
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Li X, Yang H, Han Y, Yin S, Shen B, Wu Y, Li W, Cao Z. Tick peptides evoke itch by activating MrgprC11/MRGPRX1 to sensitize TRPV1 in pruriceptors. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2020; 147:2236-2248.e16. [PMID: 33358893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.12.626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick bites severely threaten human health because they allow the transmission of many deadly pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths. Pruritus is a leading symptom of tick bites, but its molecular and neural bases remain elusive. OBJECTIVES This study sought to discover potent drugs and targets for the specific prevention and treatment of tick bite-induced pruritus and arthropod-related itch. METHODS We used live-cell calcium imaging, patch-clamp recordings, and genetic ablation and evaluated mouse behavior to investigate the molecular and neural bases of tick bite-induced pruritus. RESULTS We found that 2 tick salivary peptides, IP defensin 1 (IPDef1) and IR defensin 2 (IRDef2), induced itch in mice. IPDef1 was further revealed to have a stronger pruritogenic potential than IRDef2 and to induce pruritus in a histamine-independent manner. IPDef1 evoked itch by activating mouse MrgprC11 and human MRGPRX1 on dorsal root ganglion neurons. IPDef1-activated MrgprC11/X1 signaling sensitized downstream ion channel TRPV1 on dorsal root ganglion neurons. Moreover, IPDef1 also activated mouse MrgprB2 and its ortholog human MRGPRX2 selectively expressed on mast cells, inducing the release of inflammatory cytokines and driving acute inflammation in mice, although mast cell activation did not contribute to oxidated IPDef1-induced itch. CONCLUSIONS Our study identifies tick salivary peptides as a new class of pruritogens that initiate itch through MrgprC11/X1-TRPV1 signaling in pruritoceptors. Our work will provide potential drug targets for the prevention and treatment of pruritus induced by the bites or stings of tick and maybe other arthropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueke Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Haifeng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuewen Han
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shijin Yin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China
| | - Bingzheng Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yingliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhijian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Bio-drug Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research, Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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23
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Cox CL, Tribble HO, Richardson S, Chung AK, Curlis JD, Logan ML. Thermal ecology and physiology of an elongate and semi-fossorial arthropod, the bark centipede. J Therm Biol 2020; 94:102755. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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24
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Yang S, Wang Y, Wang L, Kamau P, Zhang H, Luo A, Lu X, Lai R. Target switch of centipede toxins for antagonistic switch. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eabb5734. [PMID: 32821839 PMCID: PMC7413724 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb5734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Animal venoms are powerful, highly evolved chemical weapons for defense and predation. While venoms are used mainly to lethally antagonize heterospecifics (individuals of a different species), nonlethal envenomation of conspecifics (individuals of the same species) is occasionally observed. Both the venom and target specifications underlying these two forms of envenomation are still poorly understood. Here, we show a target-switching mechanism in centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes) venom. On the basis of this mechanism, a major toxin component [Ssm Spooky Toxin (SsTx)] in centipede venom inhibits the Shal channel in conspecifics but not in heterospecifics to cause short-term, recoverable, and nonlethal envenomation. This same toxin causes fatal heterospecific envenomation, for example, by switching its target to the Shaker channels in heterospecifics without inhibiting the Shaker channel of conspecific S. subspinipes individuals. These findings suggest that venom components exhibit intricate coevolution with their targets in both heterospecifics and conspecifics, which enables a single toxin to develop graded intraspecific and interspecific antagonistic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yunfei Wang
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Lu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
| | - Peter Kamau
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Anna Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiancui Lu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- Institute for Drug Discovery and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Corresponding author.
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25
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Tajti G, Wai DCC, Panyi G, Norton RS. The voltage-gated potassium channel K V1.3 as a therapeutic target for venom-derived peptides. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 181:114146. [PMID: 32653588 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The voltage-gated potassium channel KV1.3 is a well-established therapeutic target for a range of autoimmune diseases, in addition to being the site of action of many venom-derived peptides. Numerous studies have documented the efficacy of venom peptides that target KV1.3, in particular from sea anemones and scorpions, in animal models of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. Moreover, an analogue of the sea anemone peptide ShK (known as dalazatide) has successfully completed Phase 1 clinical trials in mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. In this article we consider other potential therapeutic applications of inhibitors of KV1.3, including in inflammatory bowel disease and neuroinflammatory conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as fibrotic diseases. We also summarise strategies for facilitating the entry of peptides to the central nervous system, given that this will be a pre-requisite for the treatment of most neuroinflammatory diseases. Venom-derived peptides that have been reported recently to target KV1.3 are also described. The increasing number of autoimmune and other conditions in which KV1.3 is upregulated and is therefore a potential therapeutic target, combined with the fact that many venom-derived peptides are potent inhibitors of KV1.3, suggests that venoms are likely to continue to serve as a rich source of new pharmacological tools and therapeutic leads targeting this channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabor Tajti
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Dorothy C C Wai
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Raymond S Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; ARC Centre for Fragment-Based Design, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
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26
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Chu Y, Qiu P, Yu R. Centipede Venom Peptides Acting on Ion Channels. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12040230. [PMID: 32260499 PMCID: PMC7232367 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12040230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Centipedes are among the oldest venomous arthropods that use their venom to subdue the prey. The major components of centipede venom are a variety of low-molecular-weight peptide toxins that have evolved to target voltage-gated ion channels to interfere with the central system of prey and produce pain or paralysis for efficient hunting. Peptide toxins usually contain several intramolecular disulfide bonds, which confer chemical, thermal and biological stability. In addition, centipede peptides generally have novel structures and high potency and specificity and therefore hold great promise both as diagnostic tools and in the treatment of human disease. Here, we review the centipede peptide toxins with reported effects on ion channels, including Nav, Kv, Cav and the nonselective cation channel polymodal transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1).
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Affiliation(s)
- YanYan Chu
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China;
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
- Innovation Center for Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
- Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Qingdao, Qingdao 266071, China
- Correspondence: (Y.C.); (R.Y.)
| | - PeiJu Qiu
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China;
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
- Innovation Center for Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
- Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Qingdao, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - RiLei Yu
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China;
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
- Innovation Center for Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China
- Correspondence: (Y.C.); (R.Y.)
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27
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Identification and Characterization of ShSPI, a Kazal-Type Elastase Inhibitor from the Venom of Scolopendra Hainanum. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11120708. [PMID: 31817486 PMCID: PMC6950245 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11120708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastase is a globular glycoprotein and belongs to the chymotrypsin family. It is involved in several inflammatory cascades on the basis of cleaving the important connective tissue protein elastin, and is strictly regulated to a balance by several endogenous inhibitors. When elastase and its inhibitors are out of balance, severe diseases will develop, especially those involved in the cardiopulmonary system. Much attention has been attracted in seeking innovative elastase inhibitors and various advancements have been taken on clinical trials of these inhibitors. Natural functional peptides from venomous animals have been shown to have anti-protease properties. Here, we identified a kazal-type serine protease inhibitor named ShSPI from the cDNA library of the venom glands of Scolopendra hainanum. ShSPI showed significant inhibitory effects on porcine pancreatic elastase and human neutrophils elastase with Ki values of 225.83 ± 20 nM and 12.61 ± 2 nM, respectively. Together, our results suggest that ShSPI may be an excellent candidate to develop a drug for cardiopulmonary diseases.
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28
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Xu RJ, Fei SH, Chen LY, Wang G, Liu M, Zhang WS, Yan XW, Lai R, Shen CB. 3'-Methoxydaidzein exerts analgesic activity by inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels. Chin J Nat Med 2019; 17:413-423. [PMID: 31262454 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(19)30049-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Isoflavones are widely consumed by people around the world in the form of soy products, dietary supplements and drugs. Many isoflavones or related crude extracts have been reported to exert pain-relief activities, but the mechanism remains unclear. Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) play important roles in excitability of pain sensing neurons and many of them are important nociceptors. Here, we report that several isoflavones including 3'-methoxydaidzein (3MOD), genistein (GEN) and daidzein (DAI) show abilities to block VGSCs and thus to attenuate chemicals and heat induced acute pain or chronic constriction injury (CCI) induced pain hypersensitivity in mice. Especially, 3MOD shows strong analgesic potential without inducing addiction through inhibiting subtypes NaV1.7, NaV1.8 and NaV1.3 with the IC50 of 181 ± 14, 397 ± 26, and 505 ± 46 nmol·L-1, respectively, providing a promising compound or parent structure for the treatment of pain pathologies. This study reveals a pain-alleviating mechanism of dietary isoflavones and may provide a convenient avenue to alleviate pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run-Jia Xu
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shuo-Han Fei
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Lin-Yan Chen
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Gan Wang
- Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province/Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Wen-Sheng Zhang
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiu-Wen Yan
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province/Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China; Sino-African Joint Research Center, CAS, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China.
| | - Chuan-Bin Shen
- Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province/Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China.
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29
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Yao Z, Kamau PM, Han Y, Hu J, Luo A, Luo L, Zheng J, Tian Y, Lai R. The Latoia consocia Caterpillar Induces Pain by Targeting Nociceptive Ion Channel TRPV1. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11120695. [PMID: 31783580 PMCID: PMC6950366 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11120695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Accidental contact with caterpillar bristles causes local symptoms such as severe pain, intense heat, edema, erythema, and pruritus. However, there is little functional evidence to indicate a potential mechanism. In this study, we analyzed the biological characteristics of the crude venom from the larval stage of Latoia consocia living in South-West China. Intraplantar injection of the venom into the hind paws of mice induced severe acute pain behaviors in wild type (WT) mice; the responses were much reduced in TRPV1-deficit (TRPV1 KO) mice. The TRPV1-specific inhibitor, capsazepine, significantly attenuated the pain behaviors. Furthermore, the crude venom evoked strong calcium signals in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of WT mice but not those of TRPV1 KO mice. Among the pain-related ion channels we tested, the crude venom only activated the TRPV1 channel. To better understand the venom components, we analyzed the transcriptome of the L. consocia sebaceous gland region. Our study suggests that TRPV1 serves as a primary nociceptor in caterpillar-induced pain and forms the foundation for elucidating the pain-producing mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Yao
- Department of Pharmacology, Qingdao University School of Pharmacy, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Peter Muiruri Kamau
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Yalan Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jingmei Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Anna Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China
- Correspondence: (L.L.); (J.Z.); (Y.T.); (R.L.)
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Correspondence: (L.L.); (J.Z.); (Y.T.); (R.L.)
| | - Yuhua Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, Qingdao University School of Pharmacy, Qingdao 266000, China
- Correspondence: (L.L.); (J.Z.); (Y.T.); (R.L.)
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of bioactive peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- Institute for Drug Discovery and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.44, Xiaohongshan, Wuchang District/Huangjin Industrial Park, Zhengdian Street, Jiangxia District, Wuhan 430207, China
- Correspondence: (L.L.); (J.Z.); (Y.T.); (R.L.)
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Yao YG, Shen H. From our roots, we grow. Zool Res 2019; 40:471-475. [PMID: 31631589 PMCID: PMC6822935 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2019.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Located at the head of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, the Kunming Institute of Zoology (KIZ), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), serves as China's main center for research into the diverse animal and ecological resources of southwestern China, Eastern Himalayas, and Southeast Asia. As of October 2019, it has been 60 years since the inception of KIZ. Since 1959, strong roots have been laid down by generations of researchers, allowing KIZ to grow and evolve into a comprehensive research institution renowned for its remarkable achievements in evolutionary mechanisms of animal biodiversity, animal resources protection, and sustainable utilization. It is now recognized as "a major powerhouse in evolutionary biology research in China" and is"establishing itself in the world stage" (Overseas Experts Review Committee, organized by the Bureau of Development Planning, CAS, during international evaluation in 2014).To celebrate the 60th anniversary of KIZ and the 70th anniversary of CAS, Zoological Research presents this commemorative issue, composed primarily of contributions from KIZ researchers. In addition, it is our great honor to provide here a brief retrospective of the pioneering work undertaken by the earlier scientists at KIZ and recent achievements, which will hopefully serve to motivate and inspire present and future successors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Gang Yao
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Hua Shen
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China
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A family of orthologous proteins from centipede venoms inhibit the hKir6.2 channel. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14088. [PMID: 31575961 PMCID: PMC6773964 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50688-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors targeting ion channels are useful tools for studying their functions. Given the selectivity of any inhibitor for a channel is relative, more than one inhibitor of different affinities may be used to help identify the channel in a biological preparation. Here, we describe a family of small proteins in centipede venoms that inhibit the pore (hKir6.2) of a human ATP-sensitive K+ channel (hKATP). While the traditional peptide-sequencing service gradually vanishes from academic institutions, we tried to identify the sequences of inhibitory proteins purified from venoms by searching the sequences of the corresponding transcriptomes, a search guided by the key features of a known hKir6.2 inhibitor (SpTx1). The candidate sequences were cross-checked against the masses of purified proteins, and validated by testing the activity of recombinant proteins against hKir6.2. The four identified proteins (SsdTx1-3 and SsTx) inhibit hKATP channels with a Kd of <300 nM, compared to 15 nM for SpTx1. SsTx has previously been discovered to block human voltage-gated KCNQ K+ channels with a 2.5 μM Kd. Given that SsTx inhibits hKir6.2 with >10-fold lower Kd than it inhibits hKCNQ, SsTx may not be suitable for probing KCNQ channels in a biological preparation that also contains more-SsTx-sensitive KATP channels.
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Pallett SJ, Dickson N, Moles I. Challenges of Remote Medical Care in South Sudan: Centipede Bites. Wilderness Environ Med 2019; 30:203-207. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Luo L, Wang Y, Li B, Xu L, Kamau PM, Zheng J, Yang F, Yang S, Lai R. Molecular basis for heat desensitization of TRPV1 ion channels. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2134. [PMID: 31086183 PMCID: PMC6513986 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09965-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) ion channel is a prototypical molecular sensor for noxious heat in mammals. Its role in sustained heat response remains poorly understood, because rapid heat-induced desensitization (Dh) follows tightly heat-induced activation (Ah). To understand the physiological role and structural basis of Dh, we carried out a comparative study of TRPV1 channels in mouse (mV1) and those in platypus (pV1), which naturally lacks Dh. Here we show that a temperature-sensitive interaction between the N- and C-terminal domains of mV1 but not pV1 drives a conformational rearrangement in the pore leading to Dh. We further show that knock-in mice expressing pV1 sensed heat normally but suffered scald damages in a hot environment. Our findings suggest that Dh evolved late during evolution as a protective mechanism and a delicate balance between Ah and Dh is crucial for mammals to sense and respond to noxious heat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yunfei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bowen Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Lizhen Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Department of Biophysics and Kidney Disease Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience, National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Peter Muiruri Kamau
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Fan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Department of Biophysics and Kidney Disease Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience, National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
| | - Shilong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China.
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China.
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Krueger E, Brown AC. Inhibition of bacterial toxin recognition of membrane components as an anti-virulence strategy. J Biol Eng 2019; 13:4. [PMID: 30820243 PMCID: PMC6380060 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-018-0138-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Over recent years, the development of new antibiotics has not kept pace with the rate at which bacteria develop resistance to these drugs. For this reason, many research groups have begun to design and study alternative therapeutics, including molecules to specifically inhibit the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. Because many of these pathogenic bacteria release protein toxins, which cause or exacerbate disease, inhibition of the activity of bacterial toxins is a promising anti-virulence strategy. In this review, we describe several approaches to inhibit the initial interactions of bacterial toxins with host cell membrane components. The mechanisms by which toxins interact with the host cell membrane components have been well-studied over the years, leading to the identification of therapeutic targets, which have been exploited in the work described here. We review efforts to inhibit binding to protein receptors and essential membrane lipid components, complex assembly, and pore formation. Although none of these molecules have yet been demonstrated in clinical trials, the in vitro and in vivo results presented here demonstrate their promise as novel alternatives and/or complements to traditional antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Krueger
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015 USA
| | - Angela C. Brown
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015 USA
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Abstract
The highly structurally similar drugs flupirtine and retigabine have been regarded as safe and effective for many years but lately they turned out to exert intolerable side effects. While the twin molecules share the mode of action, both stabilize the open state of voltage-gated potassium channels, the form and severity of adverse effects is different. The analgesic flupirtine caused drug-induced liver injury in rare but fatal cases, whereas prolonged use of the antiepileptic retigabine led to blue tissue discoloration. Because the adverse effects seem unrelated to the mode of action, it is likely, that both drugs that occupied important therapeutic niches, could be replaced. Reasons for the clinically relevant toxicity will be clarified and future substitutes for these drugs presented in this review.
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Du C, Li J, Shao Z, Mwangi J, Xu R, Tian H, Mo G, Lai R, Yang S. Centipede KCNQ Inhibitor SsTx Also Targets K V1.3. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11020076. [PMID: 30717088 PMCID: PMC6409716 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11020076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
It was recently discovered that Ssm Spooky Toxin (SsTx) with 53 residues serves as a key killer factor in red-headed centipede’s venom arsenal, due to its potent blockage of the widely expressed KCNQ channels to simultaneously and efficiently disrupt cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular, and nervous systems, suggesting that SsTx is a basic compound for centipedes’ defense and predation. Here, we show that SsTx also inhibits KV1.3 channel, which would amplify the broad-spectrum disruptive effect of blocking KV7 channels. Interestingly, residue R12 in SsTx extends into the selectivity filter to block KV7.4, however, residue K11 in SsTx replaces this ploy when toxin binds on KV1.3. Both SsTx and its mutant SsTx_R12A inhibit cytokines production in T cells without affecting the level of KV1.3 expression. The results further suggest that SsTx is a key molecule for defense and predation in the centipedes’ venoms and it evolves efficient strategy to disturb multiple physiological targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canwei Du
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jiameng Li
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Zicheng Shao
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| | - James Mwangi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100009, China.
| | - Runjia Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Huiwen Tian
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Guoxiang Mo
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Ren Lai
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China.
| | - Shilong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences/Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
- Sino-African Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China.
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Dash TS, Shafee T, Harvey PJ, Zhang C, Peigneur S, Deuis JR, Vetter I, Tytgat J, Anderson MA, Craik DJ, Durek T, Undheim EAB. A Centipede Toxin Family Defines an Ancient Class of CSαβ Defensins. Structure 2018; 27:315-326.e7. [PMID: 30554841 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2018.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Disulfide-rich peptides (DRPs) play diverse physiological roles and have emerged as attractive sources of pharmacological tools and drug leads. Here we describe the 3D structure of a centipede venom peptide, U-SLPTX15-Sm2a, whose family defines a unique class of one of the most widespread DRP folds known, the cystine-stabilized α/β fold (CSαβ). This class, which we have named the two-disulfide CSαβ fold (2ds-CSαβ), contains only two internal disulfide bonds as opposed to at least three in all other confirmed CSαβ peptides, and constitutes one of the major neurotoxic peptide families in centipede venoms. We show the 2ds-CSαβ is widely distributed outside centipedes and is likely an ancient fold predating the split between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Our results provide insights into the ancient evolutionary history of a widespread DRP fold and highlight the usefulness of 3D structures as evolutionary tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S Dash
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Shafee
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chuchu Zhang
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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