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Mendes LC, Viana GMM, Nencioni ALA, Pimenta DC, Beraldo-Neto E. Scorpion Peptides and Ion Channels: An Insightful Review of Mechanisms and Drug Development. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:238. [PMID: 37104176 PMCID: PMC10145618 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15040238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The Buthidae family of scorpions consists of arthropods with significant medical relevance, as their venom contains a diverse range of biomolecules, including neurotoxins that selectively target ion channels in cell membranes. These ion channels play a crucial role in regulating physiological processes, and any disturbance in their activity can result in channelopathies, which can lead to various diseases such as autoimmune, cardiovascular, immunological, neurological, and neoplastic conditions. Given the importance of ion channels, scorpion peptides represent a valuable resource for developing drugs with targeted specificity for these channels. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the structure and classification of ion channels, the action of scorpion toxins on these channels, and potential avenues for future research. Overall, this review highlights the significance of scorpion venom as a promising source for discovering novel drugs with therapeutic potential for treating channelopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lais Campelo Mendes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências—Toxinologia do Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
- Laboratório de Bioquímica do Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Emidio Beraldo-Neto
- Laboratório de Bioquímica do Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
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2
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Romero-Moreno JA, Serrano-Posada H, Olamendi-Portugal T, Possani LD, Becerril B, Riaño-Umbarila L. Development of a human antibody fragment cross-neutralizing scorpion toxins. Mol Immunol 2023; 155:165-174. [PMID: 36812764 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2023.02.006] [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: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Previously, it was demonstrated that from the single chain fragment variable (scFv) 3F it is possible to generate variants capable of neutralizing the Cn2 and Css2 toxins, as well as their respective venoms (Centruroides noxius and Centruroides suffusus). Despite this success, it has not been easy to modify the recognition of this family of scFvs toward other dangerous scorpion toxins. The analysis of toxin-scFv interactions and in vitro maturation strategies allowed us to propose a new maturation pathway for scFv 3F to broaden recognition toward other Mexican scorpion toxins. From maturation processes against toxins CeII9 from C. elegans and Ct1a from C. tecomanus, the scFv RAS27 was developed. This scFv showed an increased affinity and cross-reactivity for at least 9 different toxins while maintaining recognition for its original target, the Cn2 toxin. In addition, it was confirmed that it can neutralize at least three different toxins. These results constitute an important advance since it was possible to improve the cross-reactivity and neutralizing capacity of the scFv 3F family of antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Alberto Romero-Moreno
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Mexico
| | - Hugo Serrano-Posada
- Investigador por México, CONACyT-Laboratorio de Biología Sintética, Estructural y Molecular, Laboratorio de Agrobiotecnología, Tecnoparque CLQ, Universidad de Colima, Carretera Los Limones-Loma de Juárez, Colima 28627, Mexico
| | - Timoteo Olamendi-Portugal
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Mexico
| | - Lourival D Possani
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Mexico
| | - Baltazar Becerril
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Mexico.
| | - Lidia Riaño-Umbarila
- Investigadora por México, CONACyT-Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Mexico.
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3
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Cui Y, Wang T, Hao Z, Zhang J, Zhao Y. Methionine 58 is a key residue in the modulation of BmK scorpion toxin AGP-SYPU2 activity through in silico and in vivo studies. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:2955-2962. [PMID: 33228478 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1848626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Protein dynamic networks play an important role in the regulation of many protein systems. Some residues that are far away from the interface between proteins and their targets have a critical role in modulating the activity of some scorpion toxins. Here, conservation analysis combined with an in vivo experiment has reveals that Met58 is a key residue of BmK scorpion toxin AGP-SYPU2 in the modulation of analgesic activity. Molecular dynamics simulations clearly reveal the conformational changes that allow the loop between the β2 and β3 sheets to be exposed on the toxin surface to interact with its targets. Our results emphasize specific roles for the residue Met58 in the NC domain and our work gives valuable information for further modification of scorpion toxins to obtain new analgesic peptides with enhanced activity. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Cui
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Ting Wang
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Zhihui Hao
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Jinghai Zhang
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Yongshan Zhao
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
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4
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Postsynaptic autism spectrum disorder genes and synaptic dysfunction. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 162:105564. [PMID: 34838666 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This review provides an overview of the synaptic dysfunction of neuronal circuits and the ensuing behavioral alterations caused by mutations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-linked genes directly or indirectly affecting the postsynaptic neuronal compartment. There are plenty of ASD risk genes, that may be broadly grouped into those involved in gene expression regulation (epigenetic regulation and transcription) and genes regulating synaptic activity (neural communication and neurotransmission). Notably, the effects mediated by ASD-associated genes can vary extensively depending on the developmental time and/or subcellular site of expression. Therefore, in order to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of disruptions in postsynaptic function, an effort to better model ASD in experimental animals is required to improve standardization and increase reproducibility within and among studies. Such an effort holds promise to provide deeper insight into the development of these disorders and to improve the translational value of preclinical studies.
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5
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Li YL, Qu Q, Qi YK, Liu L, Wang KW, Liu Y, Fang GM. Comparison of different strategies towards the chemical synthesis of long-chain scorpion toxin AaH-II. J Pept Sci 2021; 28:e3365. [PMID: 34467600 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3365] [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: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Long-chain scorpion toxin AaH-II isolated from Androctonus australis Hector can selectively inhibit mammalian voltage-gated sodium ion channel Nav 1.7 responsible for pain sensation. Efficient chemical synthesis of AaH-II and its derivatives is beneficial to the study of the function and mechanism of Nav 1.7 and the development of potential peptide inhibitors. Herein, we compared three different strategies, namely, direct solid-phase peptide synthesis, hydrazide-based two-segment native chemical ligation, and hydrazide-based three-segment native chemical ligation for the synthesis of AaH-II. The hydrazide-based two-segment native chemical ligation affords the target toxin with the optimal efficiency, which provides a practically robust procedure for the preparation of tool molecules derived from AaH-II to study the biological functions and modulation of Nav 1.7. Our work highlights the importance of selecting suitable segment condensation approach in the chemical synthesis of protein toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lei Li
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qian Qu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Department of Health Sciences, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, China
| | - Yun-Kun Qi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yani Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ge-Min Fang
- Department of Health Sciences, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, China
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Bayatzadeh MA, Zare Mirakabadi A, Babaei N, Doulah A, Doosti A. Expression and purification of recombinant alpha-toxin AnCra1 from the scorpion Androctonus crassicauda and its functional characterization on mammalian sodium channels. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:6303-6312. [PMID: 34379289 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06624-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alpha-scorpion toxins with long-chain peptide and four disulfide bonds represent diverse pharmacological profiles for various subtypes of voltage-gated sodium channels. Obtaining the natural toxins are difficult and time-consuming process, which represents the major difficulty to interpreting analysis of their structural and functional properties. METHODS AND RESULTS This study describes the toxin peptide and plasmid construct containing the gene coding for mammalian toxin AnCra1 from the scorpion Androctonus crassicauda venom. We have established genetic construction of fusion protein in pET32a + vector containing thioredoxin (Trx-tag), enterokinase cleavage site and 6xhistidine-tag for efficient expression in Escherichia coli strain RG2 (DE3). The soluble expressed peptide, then purified by Ni-NTA resin affinity chromatography and its purity was confirmed by reverse-phase HPLC and mass spectrometry (7433.54 Da.). The electrophysiological data showed that recombinant AnCra1 selectively inhibits the fast inactivation of hNav1.7 channel (EC50 = 136.7 ± 6.6 nM). CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that the AnCra1 is structurally and functionally analogous to alpha excitatory toxins; furthermore, expression and purification of bioactive scorpion toxins in bacterial cells can be a practicable and efficient way to obtain a novel source of toxin peptides as tools to study the function and physiological responses of ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ali Bayatzadeh
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Bushehr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Abbas Zare Mirakabadi
- Venomous Animals and Antivenom Production Department, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research- Education and Extension Organization, Hesarak, Karaj, Alborz, Iran.
| | - Nahid Babaei
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Bushehr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Abdolhassan Doulah
- Department of Nursing, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Abbas Doosti
- Biotechnology Research Center, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
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7
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López-Giraldo AE, Olamendi-Portugal T, Riaño-Umbarila L, Becerril B, Possani LD, Delepierre M, del Río-Portilla F. The three-dimensional structure of the toxic peptide Cl13 from the scorpion Centruroides limpidus. Toxicon 2020; 184:158-166. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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8
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Characterization, molecular modeling and phylogenetic analysis of a long mammalian neurotoxin from the venom of the Iranian scorpion Androctonus crassicauda. Biologia (Bratisl) 2019. [DOI: 10.2478/s11756-019-00400-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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9
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Clairfeuille T, Cloake A, Infield DT, Llongueras JP, Arthur CP, Li ZR, Jian Y, Martin-Eauclaire MF, Bougis PE, Ciferri C, Ahern CA, Bosmans F, Hackos DH, Rohou A, Payandeh J. Structural basis of α-scorpion toxin action on Na v channels. Science 2019; 363:science.aav8573. [PMID: 30733386 DOI: 10.1126/science.aav8573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Fast inactivation of voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels is essential for electrical signaling, but its mechanism remains poorly understood. Here we determined the structures of a eukaryotic Nav channel alone and in complex with a lethal α-scorpion toxin, AaH2, by electron microscopy, both at 3.5-angstrom resolution. AaH2 wedges into voltage-sensing domain IV (VSD4) to impede fast activation by trapping a deactivated state in which gating charge interactions bridge to the acidic intracellular carboxyl-terminal domain. In the absence of AaH2, the S4 helix of VSD4 undergoes a ~13-angstrom translation to unlatch the intracellular fast-inactivation gating machinery. Highlighting the polypharmacology of α-scorpion toxins, AaH2 also targets an unanticipated receptor site on VSD1 and a pore glycan adjacent to VSD4. Overall, this work provides key insights into fast inactivation, electromechanical coupling, and pathogenic mutations in Nav channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Clairfeuille
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Cloake
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, UK
| | - Daniel T Infield
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - José P Llongueras
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Zhong Rong Li
- Department of Biomolecular Resources, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yuwen Jian
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Pierre E Bougis
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, LNC, UMR 7291, 13003 Marseille, France
| | - Claudio Ciferri
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christopher A Ahern
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
| | - Frank Bosmans
- Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - David H Hackos
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Alexis Rohou
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Jian Payandeh
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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10
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Martin-Eauclaire MF, Adi-Bessalem S, Hammoudi-Triki D, Laraba-Djebari F, Bougis PE. Serotherapy against Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel-Targeting αToxins from Androctonus Scorpion Venom. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11020063. [PMID: 30678116 PMCID: PMC6410273 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11020063] [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: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of their venom lethality towards mammals, scorpions of the Androctonus genus are considered a critical threat to human health in North Africa. Several decades of exploration have led to a comprehensive inventory of their venom components at chemical, pharmacological, and immunological levels. Typically, these venoms contain selective and high affinity ligands for the voltage-gated sodium (Nav) and potassium (Kv) channels that dictate cellular excitability. In the well-studied Androctonus australis and Androctonus mauretanicus venoms, almost all the lethality in mammals is due to the so-called α-toxins. These peptides commonly delay the fast inactivation process of Nav channels, which leads to increased sodium entry and a subsequent cell membrane depolarization. Markedly, their neutralization by specific antisera has been shown to completely inhibit the venom’s lethal activity, because they are not only the most abundant venom peptide but also the most fatal. However, the structural and antigenic polymorphisms in the α-toxin family pose challenges to the design of efficient serotherapies. In this review, we discuss past and present accomplishments to improve serotherapy against Androctonus scorpion stings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonia Adi-Bessalem
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, USTHB, BP 32, El-Alia Bab Ezzouar, 16111 Algiers, Algeria.
| | - Djelila Hammoudi-Triki
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, USTHB, BP 32, El-Alia Bab Ezzouar, 16111 Algiers, Algeria.
| | - Fatima Laraba-Djebari
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, USTHB, BP 32, El-Alia Bab Ezzouar, 16111 Algiers, Algeria.
| | - Pierre E Bougis
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, CNRS, Aix Marseille Univ, UMR 7291, 13003 Marseille, France.
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11
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Williams KL. The Biologics Revolution and Endotoxin Test Concerns. ENDOTOXIN DETECTION AND CONTROL IN PHARMA, LIMULUS, AND MAMMALIAN SYSTEMS 2019. [PMCID: PMC7123716 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-17148-3_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The advent of “at will” production of biologics in lieu of harvesting animal proteins (i.e. insulin) or human cadaver proteins (i.e. growth hormone) has revolutionized the treatment of disease. While the fruits of the biotechnology revolution are widely acknowledged, the realization of the differences in the means of production and changes in the manner of control of potential impurities and contaminants in regard to the new versus the old are less widely appreciated. This chapter is an overview of the biologics revolution in terms of the rigors of manufacturing required to produce them, their mechanism of action, and caveats of endotoxin control. It is a continulation of the previous chapter that established a basic background knowledge of adaptive immune principles necessary to understand the mode of action of both disease causation and biologics therapeutic treatment via immune modulation.
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12
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Ksouri A, Ghedira K, Ben Abderrazek R, Shankar BG, Benkahla A, Bishop OT, Bouhaouala-Zahar B. Homology modeling and docking of AahII-Nanobody complexes reveal the epitope binding site on AahII scorpion toxin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 496:1025-1032. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.01.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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13
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Martin-Eauclaire MF, Salvatierra J, Bosmans F, Bougis PE. The scorpion toxin Bot IX is a potent member of the α-like family and has a unique N-terminal sequence extension. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:3221-32. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Salvatierra
- Department of Physiology; School of Medicine; Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore MD USA
| | - Frank Bosmans
- Department of Physiology; School of Medicine; Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore MD USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience; School of Medicine; Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore MD USA
| | - Pierre E. Bougis
- Aix Marseille Université; CNRS; CRN2M; UMR7286; PFRN-CAPM; Marseille France
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14
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Riaño-Umbarila L, Ledezma-Candanoza LM, Serrano-Posada H, Fernández-Taboada G, Olamendi-Portugal T, Rojas-Trejo S, Gómez-Ramírez IV, Rudiño-Piñera E, Possani LD, Becerril B. Optimal Neutralization of Centruroides noxius Venom Is Understood through a Structural Complex between Two Antibody Fragments and the Cn2 Toxin. J Biol Chem 2015; 291:1619-1630. [PMID: 26589800 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.685297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The current trend of using recombinant antibody fragments in research to develop novel antidotes against scorpion stings has achieved excellent results. The polyclonal character of commercial antivenoms, obtained through the immunization of animals and which contain several neutralizing antibodies that recognize different epitopes on the toxins, guarantees the neutralization of the venoms. To avoid the use of animals, we aimed to develop an equivalent recombinant antivenom composed of a few neutralizing single chain antibody fragments (scFvs) that bind to two different epitopes on the scorpion toxins. In this study, we obtained scFv RU1 derived from scFv C1. RU1 showed a good capacity to neutralize the Cn2 toxin and whole venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius. Previously, we had produced scFv LR, obtained from a different parental fragment (scFv 3F). LR also showed a similar neutralizing capacity. The simultaneous administration of both scFvs resulted in improved protection, which was translated as a rapid recovery of previously poisoned animals. The crystallographic structure of the ternary complex scFv LR-Cn2-scFv RU1 allowed us to identify the areas of interaction of both scFvs with the toxin, which correspond to non-overlapping sites. The epitope recognized by scFv RU1 seems to be related to a greater efficiency in the neutralization of the whole venom. In addition, the structural analysis of the complex helped us to explain the cross-reactivity of these scFvs and how they neutralize the venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Riaño-Umbarila
- From the Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62250, México and
| | - Luis M Ledezma-Candanoza
- From the Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62250, México and
| | - Hugo Serrano-Posada
- the Laboratorio de Bioingeniería, Universidad de Colima, Km. 9 carretera Coquimatlán-Colima, C.P. 28400 Coquimatlán, Colima, México
| | - Guillermo Fernández-Taboada
- From the Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62250, México and
| | - Timoteo Olamendi-Portugal
- From the Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62250, México and
| | - Sonia Rojas-Trejo
- From the Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62250, México and
| | - Ilse V Gómez-Ramírez
- From the Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62250, México and
| | - Enrique Rudiño-Piñera
- From the Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62250, México and
| | - Lourival D Possani
- From the Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62250, México and
| | - Baltazar Becerril
- From the Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62250, México and.
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15
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Wheat germ in vitro translation to produce one of the most toxic sodium channel specific toxins. Biosci Rep 2014; 34:BSR20140050. [PMID: 24924257 PMCID: PMC4114062 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20140050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Envenoming following scorpion sting is a common emergency in many parts of the world. During scorpion envenoming, highly toxic small polypeptides of the venom diffuse rapidly within the victim causing serious medical problems. The exploration of toxin structure-function relationship would benefit from the generation of soluble recombinant scorpion toxins in Escherichia coli. We developed an in vitro wheat germ translation system for the expression of the highly toxic Aah (Androctonus australis hector)II protein that requires the proper formation of four disulphide bonds. Soluble, recombinant N-terminal GST (glutathione S-transferase)-tagged AahII toxin is obtained in this in vitro translation system. After proteolytic removal of the GST-tag, purified rAahII (recombinant AahII) toxin, which contains two extra amino acids at its N terminal relative to the native AahII, is highly toxic after i.c.v. (intracerebroventricular) injection in Swiss mice. An LD50 (median lethal dose)-value of 10 ng (or 1.33 pmol), close to that of the native toxin (LD50 of 3 ng) indicates that the wheat germ in vitro translation system produces properly folded and biological active rAahII. In addition, NbAahII10 (Androctonus australis hector nanobody 10), a camel single domain antibody fragment, raised against the native AahII toxin, recognizes its cognate conformational epitope on the recombinant toxin and neutralizes the toxicity of purified rAahII upon injection in mice. A wheat germ embryo derived cell-free translation system expresses a biologically active, highly toxic scorpion venom protein that is fully neutralized by a camel single domain antibody fragment raised against the native scorpion toxin.
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