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Gou M, Duan X, Li J, Wang Y, Li Q, Pang Y, Dong Y. Spatial Metabolomics Reveals the Multifaceted Nature of Lamprey Buccal Gland and Its Diverse Mechanisms for Blood-Feeding. Commun Biol 2023; 6:881. [PMID: 37640823 PMCID: PMC10462737 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05250-x] [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: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Lampreys are blood-sucking vampires in marine environments. From a survival perspective, it is expected that the lamprey buccal gland exhibits a repository of pharmacologically active components to modulate the host's homeostasis, inflammatory and immune responses. By analyzing the metabolic profiles of 14 different lamprey tissues, we show that two groups of metabolites in the buccal gland of lampreys, prostaglandins and the kynurenine pathway metabolites, can be injected into the host fish to assist lamprey blood feeding. Prostaglandins are well-known blood-sucking-associated metabolites that act as vasodilators and anticoagulants to maintain vascular homeostasis and are involved in inflammatory responses. The vasomotor reactivity test on catfish aortic ring showed that kynurenine can also relax the blood vessels of the host fish, thus improving the blood flow of the host fish at the bite site. Finally, a lamprey spatial metabolomics database ( https://www.lampreydb.com ) was constructed to assist studies using lampreys as animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Gou
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Xuyuan Duan
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Jun Li
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Yaocen Wang
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Qingwei Li
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Yue Pang
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China.
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China.
| | - Yonghui Dong
- Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel.
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Kakumanu R, Hodgson WC, Ravi R, Alagon A, Harris RJ, Brust A, Alewood PF, Kemp-Harper BK, Fry BG. Vampire Venom: Vasodilatory Mechanisms of Vampire Bat ( Desmodus rotundus) Blood Feeding. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11010026. [PMID: 30626071 PMCID: PMC6356263 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals that specialise in blood feeding have particular challenges in obtaining their meal, whereby they impair blood hemostasis by promoting anticoagulation and vasodilation in order to facilitate feeding. These convergent selection pressures have been studied in a number of lineages, ranging from fleas to leeches. However, the vampire bat (Desmondus rotundus) is unstudied in regards to potential vasodilatory mechanisms of their feeding secretions (which are a type of venom). This is despite the intense investigations of their anticoagulant properties which have demonstrated that D. rotundus venom contains strong anticoagulant and proteolytic activities which delay the formation of blood clots and interfere with the blood coagulation cascade. In this study, we identified and tested a compound from D. rotundus venom that is similar in size and amino acid sequence to human calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) which has potent vasodilatory properties. We found that the vampire bat-derived form of CGRP (i.e., vCGRP) selectively caused endothelium-independent relaxation of pre-contracted rat small mesenteric arteries. The vasorelaxant efficacy and potency of vCGRP were similar to that of CGRP, in activating CGRP receptors and Kv channels to relax arteriole smooth muscle, which would facilitate blood meal feeding by promoting continual blood flow. Our results provide, for the first time, a detailed investigation into the identification and function of a vasodilatory peptide found in D. rotundus venom, which provides a basis in understanding the convergent pathways and selectivity of hematophagous venoms. These unique peptides also show excellent drug design and development potential, thus highlighting the social and economic value of venomous animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahini Kakumanu
- Department of Pharmacology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| | - Wayne C Hodgson
- Department of Pharmacology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| | - Ravina Ravi
- Department of Pharmacology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| | - Alejandro Alagon
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico.
| | - Richard J Harris
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia.
| | - Andreas Brust
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Paul F Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Barbara K Kemp-Harper
- Department of Pharmacology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia.
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Venomous and poisonous Australian animals of veterinary importance: a rich source of novel therapeutics. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:671041. [PMID: 25143943 PMCID: PMC4131074 DOI: 10.1155/2014/671041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Envenomation and poisoning by terrestrial animals (both vertebrate and invertebrate) are a significant economic problem and health risk for domestic animals in Australia. Australian snakes are some of the most venomous animals in the world and bees, wasps, ants, paralysis ticks, and cane toads are also present as part of the venomous and poisonous fauna. The diagnosis and treatment of envenomation or poisoning in animals is a challenge and can be a traumatic and expensive process for owners. Despite the potency of Australian venoms, there is potential for novel veterinary therapeutics to be modeled on venom toxins, as has been the case with human pharmaceuticals. A comprehensive overview of envenomation and poisoning signs in livestock and companion animals is provided and related to the potential for venom toxins to act as therapeutics.
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Fibrin(ogen)olytic enzymes in scorpion (Tityus discrepans) venom. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2014; 168:62-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2013.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Revised: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Chang HH, Lo SJ. RHODOSTOMIN, A SNAKE VENOM DISINTEGRIN, SERVED AS A MOLECULAR TOOL TO DISSECT THE INTEGRIN FUNCTION. TOXIN REV 2008. [DOI: 10.1080/15569540701209823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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