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Sá CA, Vieira LR, Pereira Almeida Filho LC, Real-Guerra R, Lopes FC, Souza TM, Vasconcelos IM, Staniscuaski F, Carlini CR, Urano Carvalho AF, Farias DF. Risk assessment of the antifungal and insecticidal peptide Jaburetox and its parental protein the Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 136:110977. [PMID: 31759068 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.110977] [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: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Jaburetox (JBTX) is an insecticidal and antifungal peptide derived from jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease that has been considered a candidate for developing genetically modified crops. This study aimed to perform the risk assessment of the peptide JBTX following the general recommendations of the two-tiered, weight-of-evidence approach proposed by International Life Sciences Institute. The urease of C. ensiformis (JBU) and its isoform JBURE IIb (the JBTX parental protein) were assessed. The history of safe use revealed no hazard reports for the studied proteins. The available information shows that JBTX possesses selective activity against insects and fungi. JBTX and JBU primary amino acids sequences showed no relevant similarity to toxic, antinutritional or allergenic proteins. Additionally, JBTX and JBU were susceptible to in vitro digestibility, and JBU was also susceptible to heat treatment. The results did not identify potential risks of adverse effects and reactions associated to JBTX. However, further allergen (e.g. serum IgE binding test) and toxicity (e.g. rodent toxicity tests) experimentation can be done to gather additional safety information on JBTX, and to meet regulatory inquiries for commercial approval of transgenic cultivars expressing this peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayenne Alves Sá
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará, 60440-900, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Rogério Vieira
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará, 60440-900, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael Real-Guerra
- Center for Coastal, Limnological and Marine Studies (CECLIMAR), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 95625-000, Imbé, RS, Brazil; Interdisciplinary Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 95625-000, Tramandaí, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Cortez Lopes
- Center of Biotechnology and Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Terezinha Maria Souza
- Department of Toxicogenomics, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6229 ER, the Netherlands
| | - Ilka Maria Vasconcelos
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará, 60440-900, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Staniscuaski
- Center of Biotechnology and Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Célia Regina Carlini
- Center of Biotechnology and Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6690, Building 63, CEP 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Fontenele Urano Carvalho
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará, 60440-900, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Department of Biology, Federal University of Ceará, 60440-900, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Davi Felipe Farias
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará, 60440-900, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Laboratory for Risk Assesment of Novel Technologies - LabRisk, Department of Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa, Brazil.
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Kappaun K, Piovesan AR, Carlini CR, Ligabue-Braun R. Ureases: Historical aspects, catalytic, and non-catalytic properties - A review. J Adv Res 2018; 13:3-17. [PMID: 30094078 PMCID: PMC6077230 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2018.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Urease (urea amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.5) is a nickel-containing enzyme produced by plants, fungi, and bacteria that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbamate. Urease is of historical importance in Biochemistry as it was the first enzyme ever to be crystallized (1926). Finding nickel in urease's active site (1975) was the first indication of a biological role for this metal. In this review, historical and structural features, kinetics aspects, activation of the metallocenter and inhibitors of the urea hydrolyzing activity of ureases are discussed. The review also deals with the non-enzymatic biological properties, whose discovery 40 years ago started a new chapter in the study of ureases. Well recognized as virulence factors due to the production of ammonia and alkalinization in diseases by urease-positive microorganisms, ureases have pro-inflammatory, endocytosis-inducing and neurotoxic activities that do not require ureolysis. Particularly relevant in plants, ureases exert insecticidal and fungitoxic effects. Data on the jack bean urease and on jaburetox, a recombinant urease-derived peptide, have indicated that interactions with cell membrane lipids may be the basis of the non-enzymatic biological properties of ureases. Altogether, with this review we wanted to invite the readers to take a second look at ureases, very versatile proteins that happen also to catalyze the breakdown of urea into ammonia and carbamate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Kappaun
- Brain Institute (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Prédio 63, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 90610-000, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Angela Regina Piovesan
- Brain Institute (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Prédio 63, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 90610-000, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Celia Regina Carlini
- Brain Institute (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Prédio 63, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 90610-000, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Carrazoni T, Nguyen C, Maciel LF, Delgado-Cañedo A, Stewart BA, Lange AB, Dal Belo CA, Carlini CR, Orchard I. Jack bean urease modulates neurotransmitter release at insect neuromuscular junctions. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 146:63-70. [PMID: 29626993 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plants have developed a vast range of mechanisms to compete with phytophagous insects, including entomotoxic proteins such as ureases. The legume Canavalia ensiformis produces several urease isoforms, of which the more abundant is called Jack Bean Urease (JBU). Previews work has demonstrated the potential insecticidal effects of JBU, by mechanisms so far not entirely elucidated. In this work, we investigated the mechanisms involved in the JBU-induced activity upon neurotransmitter release on insect neuromuscular junctions. METHODS Electrophysiological recordings of nerve and muscle action potentials, and calcium imaging bioassays were employed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION JBU (0.28 mg/animal/day) in Locusta migratoria 2nd instar through feeding and injection did not induce lethality, although it did result in a reduction of 20% in the weight gain at the end of 168 h (n = 9, p ≤ 0.05). JBU (0.014 and 0.14 mg) injected direct into the locust hind leg induced a dose and time-dependent decrease in the amplitude of muscle action potentials, with a maximum decrease of 70% in the amplitude at the highest dose (n = 5, p ≤ 0.05). At the same doses JBU did not alter the amplitude of action potentials evoked from motor neurons. Using Drosophila 3rd instar larvae neuromuscular preparations, JBU (10-7 M) increased the occurrence of miniature Excitatory Junctional Potentials (mEJPs) in the presence of 1 mM CaCl2 (n = 5, p ≤ 0.05). In low calcium (0.4 mM) assays, JBU (10-7 M) was not able to modulate the occurrence of the events. In Ca2+-free conditions, with EGTA or CoCl2, JBU induced a significant decrease in the occurrence of mEPJs (n = 5, p ≤ 0.05). Injected into the 3rd abdominal ganglion of Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches, JBU (1 μM) induced a significant increase in Ca2+ influx (n = 7, p ≤ 0.01), similar to that seen for high KCl (35 mM) condition. Taken together the results confirm a direct action of JBU upon insect neuromuscular junctions and possibly central synapses, probably by disrupting the calcium machinery in the pre-synaptic region of the neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Carrazoni
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; University of Toronto Mississauga, Department of Biology, Mississauga, ON, Canada; Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande de Sul, Brain Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Christine Nguyen
- University of Toronto Mississauga, Department of Biology, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Lucas F Maciel
- Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Bryan A Stewart
- University of Toronto Mississauga, Department of Biology, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Angela B Lange
- University of Toronto Mississauga, Department of Biology, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | | | - Celia R Carlini
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande de Sul, Brain Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Ian Orchard
- University of Toronto Mississauga, Department of Biology, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
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Carrazoni T, de Avila Heberle M, Perin APA, Zanatta AP, Rodrigues PV, dos Santos FDM, de Almeida CGM, Vaz Breda R, dos Santos DS, Pinto PM, da Costa JC, Carlini CR, Dal Belo CA. Central and peripheral neurotoxicity induced by the Jack Bean Urease (JBU) in Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches. Toxicology 2016; 368-369:162-171. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2016.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 08/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Carlini CR, Ligabue-Braun R. Ureases as multifunctional toxic proteins: A review. Toxicon 2015; 110:90-109. [PMID: 26690979 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ureases are metalloenzymes that hydrolyze urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. They were the first enzymes to be crystallized and, with them, the notion that enzymes are proteins became accepted. Novel toxic properties of ureases that are independent of their enzyme activity have been discovered in the last three decades. Since our first description of the neurotoxic properties of canatoxin, an isoform of the jack bean urease, which appeared in Toxicon in 1981, about one hundred articles have been published on "new" properties of plant and microbial ureases. Here we review the present knowledge on the non-enzymatic properties of ureases. Plant ureases and microbial ureases are fungitoxic to filamentous fungi and yeasts by a mechanism involving fungal membrane permeabilization. Plant and at least some bacterial ureases have potent insecticidal effects. This entomotoxicity relies partly on an internal peptide released upon proteolysis of ingested urease by insect digestive enzymes. The intact protein and its derived peptide(s) are neurotoxic to insects and affect a number of other physiological functions, such as diuresis, muscle contraction and immunity. In mammal models some ureases are acutely neurotoxic upon injection, at least partially by enzyme-independent effects. For a long time bacterial ureases have been recognized as important virulence factors of diseases by urease-producing microorganisms. Ureases activate exocytosis in different mammalian cells recruiting eicosanoids and Ca(2+)-dependent pathways, even when their ureolytic activity is blocked by an irreversible inhibitor. Ureases are chemotactic factors recognized by neutrophils (and some bacteria), activating them and also platelets into a pro-inflammatory "status". Secretion-induction by ureases may play a role in fungal and bacterial diseases in humans and other animals. The now recognized "moonlighting" properties of these proteins have renewed interest in ureases for their biotechnological potential to improve plant defense against pests and as potential targets to ameliorate diseases due to pathogenic urease-producing microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia R Carlini
- Brain Institute (Instituto do Cérebro-INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Lopes FC, Dobrovolska O, Real-Guerra R, Broll V, Zambelli B, Musiani F, Uversky VN, Carlini CR, Ciurli S. Pliable natural biocide: Jaburetox is an intrinsically disordered insecticidal and fungicidal polypeptide derived from jack bean urease. FEBS J 2015; 282:1043-64. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.13201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Revised: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda C. Lopes
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology - Center of Biotechnology; Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - Olena Dobrovolska
- Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; University of Bologna; Italy
| | - Rafael Real-Guerra
- Department of Biophysics and Center of Biotechnology; Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - Valquiria Broll
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology - Center of Biotechnology; Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - Barbara Zambelli
- Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; University of Bologna; Italy
| | - Francesco Musiani
- Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; University of Bologna; Italy
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute; Morsani College of Medicine; University of South Florida; Tampa USA
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation; Russian Academy of Sciences; Pushchino Moscow Region Russia
- Department of Biological Science; Faculty of Science; King Abdulaziz University; Jeddah Saudi Arabia
| | - Célia R. Carlini
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology - Center of Biotechnology; Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre Brazil
- Department of Biophysics and Center of Biotechnology; Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre Brazil
- Instituto do Cérebro; Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - Stefano Ciurli
- Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; University of Bologna; Italy
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Balasubramanian A, Balaji N, Gautham N, Ponnuraj K. Molecular dynamics simulation and molecular modelling studies on the insecticidal domain from jack bean urease. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2012.729271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Plant ureases and related peptides: understanding their entomotoxic properties. Toxins (Basel) 2012; 4:55-67. [PMID: 22474566 PMCID: PMC3317107 DOI: 10.3390/toxins4020055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2011] [Revised: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, ureases were included in the arsenal of plant defense proteins, alongside many other proteins with biotechnological potential such as insecticides. Isoforms of Canavalia ensiformis urease (canatoxin—CNTX and jack bean urease—JBURE-I) are toxic to insects of different orders. This toxicity is due in part to the release of a 10 kDa peptide from the native protein, by cathepsin-like enzymes present in the insect digestive tract. The entomotoxic peptide, Jaburetox-2Ec, exhibits potent insecticidal activity against several insects, including many resistant to the native ureases. JBURE-I and Jaburetox-2Ec cause major alterations of post-feeding physiological processes in insects, which contribute to, or can be the cause of, their entomotoxic effect. An overview of the current knowledge on plant urease processing and mechanisms of action in insects is presented in this review.
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Mulinari F, Becker-Ritt AB, Demartini DR, Ligabue-Braun R, Stanisçuaski F, Verli H, Fragoso RR, Schroeder EK, Carlini CR, Grossi-de-Sá MF. Characterization of JBURE-IIb isoform of Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC urease. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2011; 1814:1758-68. [PMID: 21893219 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2011.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2011] [Revised: 07/20/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ureases, nickel-dependent enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and bicarbonate, are widespread in plants, bacteria, and fungi. Previously, we cloned a cDNA encoding a Canavalia ensiformis urease isoform named JBURE-II, corresponding to a putative smaller urease protein (78kDa) when compared to other plant ureases. Aiming to produce the recombinant protein, we obtained jbure-IIb, with different 3' and 5' ends, encoding a 90kDa urease. Three peptides unique to the JBURE-II/-IIb protein were detected by mass spectrometry in seed extracts, indicating that jbure-II/-IIb is a functional gene. Comparative modeling indicates that JBURE-IIb urease has an overall shape almost identical to C. ensiformis major urease JBURE-I with all residues critical for urease activity. The cDNA was cloned into the pET101 vector and the recombinant protein was produced in Escherichia coli. The JBURE-IIb protein, although enzymatically inactive presumably due to the absence of Ni atoms in its active site, impaired the growth of a phytopathogenic fungus and showed entomotoxic properties, inhibiting diuresis of Rhodnius prolixus isolated Malpighian tubules, in concentrations similar to those reported for JBURE-I and canatoxin. The antifungal and entomotoxic properties of the recombinant JBURE-IIb apourease are consistent with a protective role of ureases in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Mulinari
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Carter EL, Flugga N, Boer JL, Mulrooney SB, Hausinger RP. Interplay of metal ions and urease. Metallomics 2011; 1:207-21. [PMID: 20046957 DOI: 10.1039/b903311d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Urease, the first enzyme to be crystallized, contains a dinuclear nickel metallocenter that catalyzes the decomposition of urea to produce ammonia, a reaction of great agricultural and medical importance. Several mechanisms of urease catalysis have been proposed on the basis of enzyme crystal structures, model complexes, and computational efforts, but the precise steps in catalysis and the requirement of nickel versus other metals remain unclear. Purified bacterial urease is partially activated via incubation with carbon dioxide plus nickel ions; however, in vitro activation also has been achieved with manganese and cobalt. In vivo activation of most ureases requires accessory proteins that function as nickel metallochaperones and GTP-dependent molecular chaperones or play other roles in the maturation process. In addition, some microorganisms control their levels of urease by metal ion-dependent regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L Carter
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-4320, USA
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Demartini DR, Carlini CR, Thelen JJ. Global and targeted proteomics in developing jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) seedlings: an investigation of urease isoforms mobilization in early stages of development. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 75:53-65. [PMID: 20978823 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-010-9707-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2010] [Accepted: 10/12/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) seeds are toxic for insects and the toxicity is due in part to an entomotoxic peptide enzymatically released from ureases in the midgut of susceptible insects. To characterize expression of urease isoforms in jack bean seed, particularly the more abundant urease isoform (JBU), quantitative proteomics was performed. Quiescent through 5-day germinating seeds were analyzed at 1-day intervals using a total proteomics approach (TPA) and also after co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) with anti-JBU monoclonal antibodies. Jack bean proteins for TPA and co-IP were pre-fractionated by SDS-PAGE, segmented for in-gel trypsin digestion, and analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to nanospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Acquired MS(2) data were searched against a comprehensive plant database and the MEROPS peptidase database, in the absence of a jack bean EST database. Proteins detected in TPA were quantified by label-free spectral counting. A total of 234 and 106 non-redundant proteins were detected in TPA and co-IP, respectively. Mobilization of JBU was observed beginning 3-days after imbibition indicating that the entomotoxic peptide was not formed before this stage. A predicted urease isoform, JBURE-IIb, was detected in the co-IP study. Additionally, 46 plastid proteins, including RuBisCO and plastid ATPase were pulled down with JBU antibodies. These data shed new light on the behavior of urease isoforms during the early stages of plant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Ribeiro Demartini
- Department of Biophysics and Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500 Prédio 43422. Sala 204, Porto Alegre, RS, 91501-970, Brazil.
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Stanisçuaski F, Te Brugge V, Carlini CR, Orchard I. Jack bean urease alters serotonin-induced effects on Rhodnius prolixus anterior midgut. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2010; 56:1078-1086. [PMID: 20223243 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2010.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2009] [Revised: 03/01/2010] [Accepted: 03/01/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Urease isoforms from jack bean seeds are toxic to insects, and this entomotoxic effect is mostly due to the release of a peptide by insect digestive enzymes. We previously demonstrated that jack bean urease (JBU) has antidiuretic effects on Rhodnius prolixus Malpighian tubules, decreasing the serotonin-stimulated secretion of fluid. Now, we evaluate the toxicity of the intact JBU and its effect on R. prolixus anterior midgut, to further elucidate the mechanism of action of JBU in insects. JBU decreases the serotonin-induced fluid transport by the anterior midgut in vitro when injected into the lumen. A decrease in the levels of cAMP is observed in tissues treated with JBU (in the presence of serotonin). JBU also causes a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of serotonin-induced contractions in the anterior midgut, but does not alter the frequency of spontaneous contractions. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin and the prostaglandin antagonist AH6809 block JBU's potentiation of serotonin-induced contractions, indicating that prostaglandins might act as second messengers for JBU action. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) increases the frequency of serotonin-induced contractions, again supporting the role of prostaglandins as second messengers for JBU action. JBU and PGE(2) increase cGMP levels in the anterior midgut, indicating that this molecule might also be part of the JBU pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Stanisçuaski
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Membrane-disruptive properties of the bioinsecticide Jaburetox-2Ec: implications to the mechanism of the action of insecticidal peptides derived from ureases. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2009; 1794:1848-54. [PMID: 19751848 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2009.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2009] [Revised: 08/28/2009] [Accepted: 09/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Jaburetox-2Ec, a recombinant peptide derived from an urease isoform (JBURE-II), displays high insecticidal activity against important pests such as Spodoptera frugiperda and Dysdercus peruvianus. Although the molecular mechanism of action of ureases-derived peptides remains unclear, previous ab initio data suggest the presence of structural motifs in Jaburetox-2Ec with characteristics similar to those found in a class of pore-forming peptides. Here, we investigated the molecular aspects of the interaction between Jaburetox-2Ec and large unilamellar vesicles. Jaburetox-2Ec displays membrane-disruptive ability on acidic lipid bilayers and this effect is greatly influenced by peptide aggregation. Corroborating with this finding, molecular modeling studies revealed that Jaburetox-2Ec might adopt a well-defined beta-hairpin conformation similar to those found in antimicrobial peptides with membrane disruption properties. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the protein is able to anchor at a polar/non-polar interface. In the light of these findings, for the first time it was possible to point out some evidence that the peptide Jaburetox-2Ec interacting with lipid vesicles promotes membrane permeabilization.
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Follmer C. Insights into the role and structure of plant ureases. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2008; 69:18-28. [PMID: 17706733 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2007] [Revised: 06/11/2007] [Accepted: 06/28/2007] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The broad distribution of ureases in leguminous seeds, as well as the accumulation pattern of the protein during seed maturation, are suggestive of an important physiological role for this enzyme. Since the isolation and characterization of jack bean urease by Sumner in 1926, many investigations have been dedicated to the structural and biological features of this enzyme; nevertheless, many questions still remain. It has been reported that ureases from plants (jack bean and soybean seeds) display biological properties unrelated to their ureolytic activity, notably a high insecticidal activity against Coleoptera (beetles) and Hemiptera (bugs), suggesting that ureases might be involved in plant defense. Besides the insecticidal activity, canatoxin, a jack bean urease isoform, causes convulsions and death in mice and rats, induces indirect hemagglutination (hemilectin activity) and promotes exocytosis in several cell types. Not only plant ureases but also some microbial ureases (found in Bacillus pasteurii and Helicobacter pylori) are able to induce activation of platelets in a process mediated by lipoxygenase-derived metabolites. This review summarizes the biological and structural properties of plant ureases, compares them with those displayed by bacterial ureases, and discusses the significance of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Follmer
- Departamento de Físico-Química, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CT, Bloco A S410, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil.
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Becker-Ritt AB, Martinelli AHS, Mitidieri S, Feder V, Wassermann GE, Santi L, Vainstein MH, Oliveira JTA, Fiuza LM, Pasquali G, Carlini CR. Antifungal activity of plant and bacterial ureases. Toxicon 2007; 50:971-83. [PMID: 17825863 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2007.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2007] [Revised: 07/10/2007] [Accepted: 07/11/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Ureases (EC 3.5.1.5) are nickel-dependent metalloenzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide. Produced by plants, fungi and bacteria, but not by animals, ureases share significant homology and similar mechanisms of catalysis, although differing in quaternary structures. While fungal and plant ureases are homo-oligomeric proteins of 90 kDa subunits, bacterial ureases are multimers of two (e.g. Helicobacter pylori) or three subunit complexes. It has been proposed that in plants these enzymes are involved in nitrogen bioavailability and in protection against pathogens. Previous studies by our group have shown that plant ureases, but not a bacterial (Bacillus pasteurii) urease, display insecticidal activity. Herein we demonstrate that (Glycine max) embryo-specific soybean urease, jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis) major urease and a recombinant H. pylori urease impair growth of selected phytopathogenic fungi at sub-micromolar concentrations. This antifungal property of ureases is not affected by treatment of the proteins with an irreversible inhibitor of the ureolytic activity. Scanning electron microscopy of urease-treated fungi suggests plasmolysis and cell wall injuries. Altogether, our data indicate that ureases probably contribute to the plant arsenal of defense compounds against predators and phytopathogens and that the urease defense mechanism is independent of ammonia release from urea.
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Affiliation(s)
- A B Becker-Ritt
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul-UFRGS, Brazil
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Tomazetto G, Mulinari F, Stanisçuaski F, Settembrini B, Carlini CR, Ayub MAZ. Expression kinetics and plasmid stability of recombinant E. coli encoding urease-derived peptide with bioinsecticide activity. Enzyme Microb Technol 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2007.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Mulinari F, Stanisçuaski F, Bertholdo-Vargas LR, Postal M, Oliveira-Neto OB, Rigden DJ, Grossi-de-Sá MF, Carlini CR. Jaburetox-2Ec: an insecticidal peptide derived from an isoform of urease from the plant Canavalia ensiformis. Peptides 2007; 28:2042-50. [PMID: 17875343 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2007.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2007] [Revised: 08/02/2007] [Accepted: 08/03/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Canatoxin, a urease isoform from Canavalia ensiformis seeds, shows insecticidal activity against different insect species. Its toxicity relies on an internal 10 kDa peptide (pepcanatox), released by hydrolysis of Canatoxin by cathepsins in the digestive system of susceptible insects. In the present work, based on the N-terminal sequence of pepcanatox, we have designed primers to amplify by PCR a 270-bp fragment corresponding to pepcanatox using JBURE-II cDNA (one of the urease isoforms cloned from C. ensiformis, with high identity to JBURE-I, the classical urease) as a template. This amplicon named jaburetox-2 was cloned into pET 101 vector to obtain heterologous expression in Escherichia coli of the recombinant protein in C-terminal fusion with V-5 epitope and 6-His tag. Jaburetox-2Ec was purified on Nickel-NTA resin and bioassayed in insect models. Dysdercus peruvianus larvae were fed on cotton seed meal diets containing 0.01% (w/w) Jaburetox-2Ec and, after 11 days, all individuals were dead. Jaburetox-2Ec was also tested against Spodoptera frugiperda larvae and caused 100% mortality. In contrast, high doses of Jaburetox-2Ec were innocuous when injected or ingested by mice and neonate rats. Modeling of Jaburetox-2Ec, in comparison with other peptide structures, revealed a prominent beta-hairpin motif consistent with an insecticidal activity based on either neurotoxicity or cell permeation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Mulinari
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Olivera-Severo D, Wassermann GE, Carlini CR. Ureases display biological effects independent of enzymatic activity: is there a connection to diseases caused by urease-producing bacteria? Braz J Med Biol Res 2007; 39:851-61. [PMID: 16862275 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2006000700002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2005] [Accepted: 03/30/2006] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Ureases are enzymes from plants, fungi and bacteria that catalyze the hydrolysis of urea to form ammonia and carbon dioxide. While fungal and plant ureases are homo-oligomers of 90-kDa subunits, bacterial ureases are multimers of two or three subunit complexes. We showed that some isoforms of jack bean urease, canatoxin and the classical urease, bind to glycoconjugates and induce platelet aggregation. Canatoxin also promotes release of histamine from mast cells, insulin from pancreatic cells and neurotransmitters from brain synaptosomes. In vivo it induces rat paw edema and neutrophil chemotaxis. These effects are independent of ureolytic activity and require activation of eicosanoid metabolism and calcium channels. Helicobacter pylori, a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the human stomach mucosa, causes gastric ulcers and cancer by a mechanism that is not understood. H. pylori produces factors that damage gastric epithelial cells, such as the vacuolating cytotoxin VacA, the cytotoxin-associated protein CagA, and a urease (up to 10% of bacterial protein) that neutralizes the acidic medium permitting its survival in the stomach. H. pylori whole cells or extracts of its water-soluble proteins promote inflammation, activate neutrophils and induce the release of cytokines. In this paper we review data from the literature suggesting that H. pylori urease displays many of the biological activities observed for jack bean ureases and show that bacterial ureases have a secretagogue effect modulated by eicosanoid metabolites through lipoxygenase pathways. These findings could be relevant to the elucidation of the role of urease in the pathogenesis of the gastrointestinal disease caused by H. pylori.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Olivera-Severo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brasil
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