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McDougall JJ, O'Brien MS. Analgesic potential of voltage gated sodium channel modulators for the management of pain. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2024; 75:102433. [PMID: 38277942 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2024.102433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Neuronal electrochemical signals involve the flux of sodium ions through voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV) located in the neurolemma. Of the nine sodium channel subtypes, NaV-1.7, 1.8, and 1.9 are predominantly located on nociceptors, making them prime targets to control pain. This review highlights some of the latest discoveries targeting NaV channel activity, including: (1) charged local anaesthetic derivatives; (2) NaV channel toxins and associated small peptide blockers; (3) regulation of NaV channel accessory proteins; and (4) genetic manipulation of NaV channel function. While the translation of preclinical findings to a viable treatment in humans has remained a challenge, a greater understanding of NaV channel physiology could lead to the development of a new stream of therapies aimed at alleviating chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason J McDougall
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Anaesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, 5850 College Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | - Melissa S O'Brien
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Anaesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, 5850 College Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
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2
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Chekan JR, Mydy LS, Pasquale MA, Kersten RD. Plant peptides - redefining an area of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides. Nat Prod Rep 2024. [PMID: 38411572 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00042g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Covering 1965 to February 2024Plants are prolific peptide chemists and are known to make thousands of different peptidic molecules. These peptides vary dramatically in their size, chemistry, and bioactivity. Despite their differences, all plant peptides to date are biosynthesized as ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). Decades of research in plant RiPP biosynthesis have extended the definition and scope of RiPPs from microbial sources, establishing paradigms and discovering new families of biosynthetic enzymes. The discovery and elucidation of plant peptide pathways is challenging due to repurposing and evolution of housekeeping genes as both precursor peptides and biosynthetic enzymes and due to the low rates of gene clustering in plants. In this review, we highlight the chemistry, biosynthesis, and function of the known RiPP classes from plants and recommend a nomenclature for the recent addition of BURP-domain-derived RiPPs termed burpitides. Burpitides are an emerging family of cyclic plant RiPPs characterized by macrocyclic crosslinks between tyrosine or tryptophan side chains and other amino acid side chains or their peptide backbone that are formed by copper-dependent BURP-domain-containing proteins termed burpitide cyclases. Finally, we review the discovery of plant RiPPs through bioactivity-guided, structure-guided, and gene-guided approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Chekan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
| | - Lisa S Mydy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Michael A Pasquale
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
| | - Roland D Kersten
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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3
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Zhang B, Anderson PSL. Investigation of the rate-mediated form-function relationship in biological puncture. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12097. [PMID: 37495672 PMCID: PMC10372153 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39092-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Puncture is a vital mechanism for survival in a wide range of organisms across phyla, serving biological functions such as prey capture, defense, and reproduction. Understanding how the shape of the puncture tool affects its functional performance is crucial to uncovering the mechanics underlying the diversity and evolution of puncture-based systems. However, such form-function relationships are often complicated by the dynamic nature of living systems. Puncture systems in particular operate over a wide range of speeds to penetrate biological tissues. Current studies on puncture biomechanics lack systematic characterization of the complex, rate-mediated, interaction between tool and material across this dynamic range. To fill this knowledge gap, we establish a highly controlled experimental framework for dynamic puncture to investigate the relationship between the puncture performance (characterized by the depth of puncture) and the tool sharpness (characterized by the cusp angle) across a wide range of bio-relevant puncture speeds (from quasi-static to [Formula: see text] 50 m/s). Our results show that the sensitivity of puncture performance to variations in tool sharpness reduces at higher puncture speeds. This trend is likely due to rate-based viscoelastic and inertial effects arising from how materials respond to dynamic loads. The rate-dependent form-function relationship has important biological implications: While passive/low-speed puncture organisms likely rely heavily on sharp puncture tools to successfully penetrate and maintain functionalities, higher-speed puncture systems may allow for greater variability in puncture tool shape due to the relatively geometric-insensitive puncture performance, allowing for higher adaptability during the evolutionary process to other mechanical factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyang Zhang
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Philip S L Anderson
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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4
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Singh Y, Sarkar D, Duari S, G S, Indra Guru PK, M V H, Singh D, Bhardwaj S, Kalia J. Dissecting the contributions of membrane affinity and bivalency of the spider venom protein DkTx to its sustained mode of TRPV1 activation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104903. [PMID: 37302551 PMCID: PMC10404664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The spider venom protein, double-knot toxin (DkTx), partitions into the cellular membrane and binds bivalently to the pain-sensing ion channel, TRPV1, triggering long-lasting channel activation. In contrast, its monovalent single knots membrane partition poorly and invoke rapidly reversible TRPV1 activation. To discern the contributions of the bivalency and membrane affinity of DkTx to its sustained mode of action, here, we developed diverse toxin variants including those containing truncated linkers between individual knots, precluding bivalent binding. Additionally, by appending the single-knot domains to the Kv2.1 channel-targeting toxin, SGTx, we created monovalent double-knot proteins that demonstrated higher membrane affinity and more sustained TRPV1 activation than the single-knots. We also produced hyper-membrane affinity-possessing tetra-knot proteins, (DkTx)2 and DkTx-(SGTx)2, that demonstrated longer-lasting TRPV1 activation than DkTx, establishing the central role of the membrane affinity of DkTx in endowing it with its sustained TRPV1 activation properties. These results suggest that high membrane affinity-possessing TRPV1 agonists can potentially serve as long-acting analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashaswi Singh
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, India; Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Debayan Sarkar
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, India; Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Subhadeep Duari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Shashaank G
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Pawas Kumar Indra Guru
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Hrishikesh M V
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Dheerendra Singh
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sahil Bhardwaj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Jeet Kalia
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, India; Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India; Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, India; Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
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5
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Jami S, Deuis JR, Klasfauseweh T, Cheng X, Kurdyukov S, Chung F, Okorokov AL, Li S, Zhang J, Cristofori-Armstrong B, Israel MR, Ju RJ, Robinson SD, Zhao P, Ragnarsson L, Andersson Å, Tran P, Schendel V, McMahon KL, Tran HNT, Chin YKY, Zhu Y, Liu J, Crawford T, Purushothamvasan S, Habib AM, Andersson DA, Rash LD, Wood JN, Zhao J, Stehbens SJ, Mobli M, Leffler A, Jiang D, Cox JJ, Waxman SG, Dib-Hajj SD, Neely GG, Durek T, Vetter I. Pain-causing stinging nettle toxins target TMEM233 to modulate Na V1.7 function. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2442. [PMID: 37117223 PMCID: PMC10147923 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37963-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels are critical regulators of neuronal excitability and are targeted by many toxins that directly interact with the pore-forming α subunit, typically via extracellular loops of the voltage-sensing domains, or residues forming part of the pore domain. Excelsatoxin A (ExTxA), a pain-causing knottin peptide from the Australian stinging tree Dendrocnide excelsa, is the first reported plant-derived NaV channel modulating peptide toxin. Here we show that TMEM233, a member of the dispanin family of transmembrane proteins expressed in sensory neurons, is essential for pharmacological activity of ExTxA at NaV channels, and that co-expression of TMEM233 modulates the gating properties of NaV1.7. These findings identify TMEM233 as a previously unknown NaV1.7-interacting protein, position TMEM233 and the dispanins as accessory proteins that are indispensable for toxin-mediated effects on NaV channel gating, and provide important insights into the function of NaV channels in sensory neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Jami
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Tabea Klasfauseweh
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Xiaoyang Cheng
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sergey Kurdyukov
- Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, Charles Perkins Centre, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Felicity Chung
- Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, Charles Perkins Centre, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Andrei L Okorokov
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, Division of Medicine, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Shengnan Li
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, Division of Medicine, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Jiangtao Zhang
- Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100190, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Ben Cristofori-Armstrong
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Mathilde R Israel
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, SE1 1UL, London, UK
| | - Robert J Ju
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Samuel D Robinson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lotten Ragnarsson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Åsa Andersson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Poanna Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Vanessa Schendel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Kirsten L McMahon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Hue N T Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Yanni K-Y Chin
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Yifei Zhu
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Junyu Liu
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Theo Crawford
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | | | - Abdella M Habib
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - David A Andersson
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, SE1 1UL, London, UK
| | - Lachlan D Rash
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - John N Wood
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, Division of Medicine, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Jing Zhao
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, Division of Medicine, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Samantha J Stehbens
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Mehdi Mobli
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Andreas Leffler
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, 30625, Germany
| | - Daohua Jiang
- Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100190, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - James J Cox
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, Division of Medicine, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Stephen G Waxman
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sulayman D Dib-Hajj
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - G Gregory Neely
- Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, Charles Perkins Centre, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, 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, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia.
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6
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Young R, Jackson A, Ryan F, Little M. STRETCH: Stinging tree exposures to Cairns Hospital. Emerg Med Australas 2023. [PMID: 36700481 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.14177] [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: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the burden of disease, investigate the treatment and response to treatment caused by exposure to stinging tree plants presenting to Cairns Hospital over a 3-year period. Our secondary aim was to examine the benefit from treating such exposures with topical dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl). METHODS A retrospective chart review of all patients presenting to Cairns ED over a 3-year period because of stinging tree exposure. Symptoms, signs, treatment and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS There were 48 presentations, all having immediate pain after contact with the stinging tree, with 87% describing the pain as moderate or severe. Nearly all were stung on limbs (96%). There were 13 different treatments prior to presentation. In hospital, 60% needed opioid analgesia and a median oral morphine dose equivalent of 15 mg. Of the 29 receiving HCl nine patients reported good relief or complete relief. CONCLUSIONS Stinging tree exposure results in significant presentations to the Cairns ED each year. Pain is immediate and severe and there are no clear first aid or definitive treatment recommendations. Further work is needed to ascertain the best first aid and definitive treatment including a formal trial of dilute HCl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Young
- Cairns Hospital, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Fiona Ryan
- Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark Little
- Cairns Hospital, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
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7
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Venom-derived pain-causing toxins: insights into sensory neuron function and pain mechanisms. Pain 2022; 163:S46-S56. [DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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8
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Smith CE, Smith ANH, Cooper TF, Moore FBG. Fitness of evolving bacterial populations is contingent on deep and shallow history but only shallow history creates predictable patterns. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221292. [PMID: 36100026 PMCID: PMC9470251 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term evolution experiments have tested the importance of genetic and environmental factors in influencing evolutionary outcomes. Differences in phylogenetic history, recent adaptation to distinct environments and chance events, all influence the fitness of a population. However, the interplay of these factors on a population's evolutionary potential remains relatively unexplored. We tracked the outcome of 2000 generations of evolution of four natural isolates of Escherichia coli bacteria that were engineered to also create differences in shallow history by adding previously identified mutations selected in a separate long-term experiment. Replicate populations started from each progenitor evolved in four environments. We found that deep and shallow phylogenetic histories both contributed significantly to differences in evolved fitness, though by different amounts in different selection environments. With one exception, chance effects were not significant. Whereas the effect of deep history did not follow any detectable pattern, effects of shallow history followed a pattern of diminishing returns whereby fitter ancestors had smaller fitness increases. These results are consistent with adaptive evolution being contingent on the interaction of several evolutionary forces but demonstrate that the nature of these interactions is not fixed and may not be predictable even when the role of chance is small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea E Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Adam N H Smith
- School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Massey University, Auckland 0634, New Zealand
| | - Tim F Cooper
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland 0634, New Zealand
| | - Francisco B-G Moore
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.,Department of Biology, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
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9
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Xie J, Robinson SD, Gilding EK, Jami S, Deuis JR, Rehm FBH, Yap K, Ragnarsson L, Chan LY, Hamilton BR, Harvey PJ, Craik DJ, Vetter I, Durek T. Neurotoxic and cytotoxic peptides underlie the painful stings of the tree nettle Urtica ferox. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102218. [PMID: 35780839 PMCID: PMC9352542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The stinging hairs of plants from the family Urticaceae inject compounds that inflict pain to deter herbivores. The sting of the New Zealand tree nettle (Urtica ferox) is among the most painful of these and can cause systemic symptoms that can even be life-threatening; however, the molecular species effecting this response have not been elucidated. Here we reveal that two classes of peptide toxin are responsible for the symptoms of U. ferox stings: Δ-Uf1a is a cytotoxic thionin that causes pain via disruption of cell membranes, while β/δ-Uf2a defines a new class of neurotoxin that causes pain and systemic symptoms via modulation of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels. We demonstrate using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology experiments that β/δ-Uf2a is a potent modulator of human NaV1.5 (EC50: 55 nM), NaV1.6 (EC50: 0.86 nM), and NaV1.7 (EC50: 208 nM), where it shifts the activation threshold to more negative potentials and slows fast inactivation. We further found that both toxin classes are widespread among members of the Urticeae tribe within Urticaceae, suggesting that they are likely to be pain-causing agents underlying the stings of other Urtica species. Comparative analysis of nettles of Urtica, and the recently described pain-causing peptides from nettles of another genus, Dendrocnide, indicates that members of tribe Urticeae have developed a diverse arsenal of pain-causing peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xie
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Samuel D Robinson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Edward K Gilding
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sina Jami
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Fabian B H Rehm
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Kuok Yap
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lotten Ragnarsson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lai Yue Chan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Brett R Hamilton
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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10
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Medina MC, Sousa-Baena MS, Capelli NDV, Koch R, Demarco D. Stinging Trichomes in Apocynaceae and Their Evolution in Angiosperms. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:2324. [PMID: 34834691 PMCID: PMC8624652 DOI: 10.3390/plants10112324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Stinging trichomes are rare in plants, occurring only in angiosperms, where they are reported for a few genera belonging to six families. Although there is no report of stinging trichomes in Apocynaceae, previous fieldwork collections of Fischeria and Matelea caused us a mild allergic reaction on the skin when we contacted the dense indumentum of the plants. This fact associated with the well-known presence of glandular trichomes with acute apex in both genera raised suspicions that stinging trichomes could be present in the family. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the likely occurrence of stinging trichomes in Fischeria and Matelea. We analyzed vegetative shoots and leaves of Fischeria stellata and Matelea denticulata through the usual procedures of light and scanning electron microscopy. We also performed several histochemical tests to investigate the chemical composition of trichome secretion. We detected that glandular trichomes occur throughout the surface of the leaf and stem. They are multicellular, uniseriate with an apical secretory cell, which has a dilated base and a needle-shaped apex. The secretion is compressed into the acuminate portion of the apical cell by a large vacuole, and crystals are deposited in the cell wall in a subapical position, providing a preferential site of rupture. The secretion, composed of amino acids and/or proteins, is released under mechanical action, causing skin irritation. Based on our detailed morphological and anatomical analyses, and in the functional aspects observed, we concluded that the glandular trichomes in Fischeria and Matelea can indeed be classified as stinging. Thus, Apocynaceae is the seventh family for which this type of trichome has been reported. We also compiled information on stinging trichomes in all families of angiosperms. Their phylogenetic distribution indicates that they have evolved at least 12 times during angiosperm evolution and may represent an evolutionary convergence of plant defense against herbivory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Diego Demarco
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, SP, Brazil; (M.C.M.); (M.S.S.-B.); (N.d.V.C.); (R.K.)
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11
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Bell DC, Fermini B. Use of automated patch clamp in cardiac safety assessment: Past, present & future perspectives. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2021; 111:107114. [PMID: 34400309 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2021.107114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
There is no doubt that automated patch clamp (APC) technology has revolutionized research in biomedical science. High throughput ion channel screening is now an integral part of the development and safety profiling of the majority of new chemical entities currently developed to address unmet medical needs. The increased throughput it provides has significantly improved the ability to overcome the time-consuming, low throughput bottlenecks resulting from the more conventional manual patch clamp method, considered the 'gold standard', for studying ion channel function and pharmacology. While systems offering the luxury of automation have only been commercially available for two decades, the road leading to this new technology is long and rich in seminal, hands-on, studies dating back as far as the 18th century. So where does this technology currently stand, and what will it look like in the future? In the current article, we review the scientific history leading to the development of APC systems, examine key drivers in the rapid development of this technology (such as failed ion channel programmes and the issue of drug-induced hERG inhibition and QT interval prolongation), highlight key capabilities and finally provide some perspective on the current and future impact of the technology on cardiac safety assessment and biomedical science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian C Bell
- Sophion Bioscience A/S, Ballerup, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Muratspahić E, Tomašević N, Koehbach J, Duerrauer L, Hadžić S, Castro J, Schober G, Sideromenos S, Clark RJ, Brierley SM, Craik DJ, Gruber CW. Design of a Stable Cyclic Peptide Analgesic Derived from Sunflower Seeds that Targets the κ-Opioid Receptor for the Treatment of Chronic Abdominal Pain. J Med Chem 2021; 64:9042-9055. [PMID: 34162205 PMCID: PMC8273886 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The rising opioid crisis has become a worldwide societal and public health burden, resulting from the abuse of prescription opioids. Targeting the κ-opioid receptor (KOR) in the periphery has emerged as a powerful approach to develop novel pain medications without central side effects. Inspired by the traditional use of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) preparations for analgesic purposes, we developed novel stabilized KOR ligands (termed as helianorphins) by incorporating different dynorphin A sequence fragments into a cyclic sunflower peptide scaffold. As a result, helianorphin-19 selectively bound to and fully activated the KOR with nanomolar potency. Importantly, helianorphin-19 exhibited strong KOR-specific peripheral analgesic activity in a mouse model of chronic visceral pain, without inducing unwanted central effects on motor coordination/sedation. Our study provides a proof of principle that cyclic peptides from plants may be used as templates to develop potent and stable peptide analgesics applicable via enteric administration by targeting the peripheral KOR for the treatment of chronic abdominal pain.
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MESH Headings
- Abdominal Pain/drug therapy
- Analgesics/chemical synthesis
- Analgesics/chemistry
- Analgesics/pharmacology
- Animals
- Cells, Cultured
- Chronic Disease
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Design
- HEK293 Cells
- Helianthus/chemistry
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Molecular Structure
- Peptides, Cyclic/chemical synthesis
- Peptides, Cyclic/chemistry
- Peptides, Cyclic/pharmacology
- Plant Extracts/chemical synthesis
- Plant Extracts/chemistry
- Plant Extracts/pharmacology
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/metabolism
- Seeds/chemistry
- Structure-Activity Relationship
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Affiliation(s)
- Edin Muratspahić
- Center
for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nataša Tomašević
- Center
for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Koehbach
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence
for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Leopold Duerrauer
- Center
for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- School
of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Seid Hadžić
- Center
for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Joel Castro
- Visceral
Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders
Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford
Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
- Hopwood
Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - Gudrun Schober
- Visceral
Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders
Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford
Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
- Hopwood
Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - Spyridon Sideromenos
- Center for
Physiology and Pharmacology, Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard J. Clark
- School
of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Stuart M. Brierley
- Visceral
Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders
Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford
Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
- Hopwood
Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
- Discipline
of Medicine, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence
for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Christian W. Gruber
- Center
for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Bell DC, Fermini B. Use of automated patch clamp in cardiac safety assessment: past, present and future perspectives. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2021; 110:107072. [PMID: 33962018 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2021.107072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
There is no doubt that automated patch clamp (APC) technology has revolutionized research in biomedical science. High throughput ion channel screening is now an integral part of the development and safety profiling of the majority of new chemical entities currently developed to address unmet medical needs. The increased throughput it provides has significantly improved the ability to overcome the time-consuming, low throughput bottlenecks resulting from the more conventional manual patch clamp method, considered the 'gold standard', for studying ion channel function and pharmacology. While systems offering the luxury of automation have only been commercially available for two decades, the road leading to this new technology is long and rich in seminal, hands-on, studies dating back as far as the 18th century. So where does this technology currently stand, and what will it look like in the future? In the current article, we review the scientific history leading to the development of APC systems, examine key drivers in the rapid development of this technology (such as failed ion channel programmes and the issue of drug-induced hERG inhibition and QT interval prolongation), highlight key capabilities and finally provide some perspective on the current and future impact of the technology on cardiac safety assessment and biomedical science.
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14
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Distribution, Ecology, Chemistry and Toxicology of Plant Stinging Hairs. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13020141. [PMID: 33668609 PMCID: PMC7918447 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13020141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant stinging hairs have fascinated humans for time immemorial. True stinging hairs are highly specialized plant structures that are able to inject a physiologically active liquid into the skin and can be differentiated from irritant hairs (causing mechanical damage only). Stinging hairs can be classified into two basic types: Urtica-type stinging hairs with the classical "hypodermic syringe" mechanism expelling only liquid, and Tragia-type stinging hairs expelling a liquid together with a sharp crystal. In total, there are some 650 plant species with stinging hairs across five remotely related plant families (i.e., belonging to different plant orders). The family Urticaceae (order Rosales) includes a total of ca. 150 stinging representatives, amongst them the well-known stinging nettles (genus Urtica). There are also some 200 stinging species in Loasaceae (order Cornales), ca. 250 stinging species in Euphorbiaceae (order Malphigiales), a handful of species in Namaceae (order Boraginales), and one in Caricaceae (order Brassicales). Stinging hairs are commonly found on most aerial parts of the plants, especially the stem and leaves, but sometimes also on flowers and fruits. The ecological role of stinging hairs in plants seems to be essentially defense against mammalian herbivores, while they appear to be essentially inefficient against invertebrate pests. Stinging plants are therefore frequent pasture weeds across different taxa and geographical zones. Stinging hairs are usually combined with additional chemical and/or mechanical defenses in plants and are not a standalone mechanism. The physiological effects of stinging hairs on humans vary widely between stinging plants and range from a slight itch, skin rash (urticaria), and oedema to sharp pain and even serious neurological disorders such as neuropathy. Numerous studies have attempted to elucidate the chemical basis of the physiological effects. Since the middle of the 20th century, neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin) have been repeatedly detected in stinging hairs of Urticaceae, but recent analyses of Loasaceae stinging hair fluids revealed high variability in their composition and content of neurotransmitters. These substances can explain some of the physiological effects of stinging hairs, but fail to completely explain neuropathic effects, pointing to some yet unidentified neurotoxin. Inorganic ions (e.g., potassium) are detected in stinging hairs and could have synergistic effects. Very recently, ultrastable miniproteins dubbed "gympietides" have been reported from two species of Dendrocnide, arguably the most violently stinging plant. Gympietides are shown to be highly neurotoxic, providing a convincing explanation for Dendrocnide toxicity. For the roughly 648 remaining stinging plant species, similarly convincing data on toxicity are still lacking.
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