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Samat R, Sen S, Jash M, Ghosh S, Garg S, Sarkar J, Ghosh S. Venom: A Promising Avenue for Antimicrobial Therapeutics. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:3098-3125. [PMID: 39137302 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Venom in medicine is well documented in the chronicles of ancient Greece and the Roman Empire and persisted into the Renaissance and even into the modern era. Venoms were not always associated with detrimental consequences. Since ancient times, the curative capacity of venom has been recognized, portraying venom as a metaphor for pharmacy and medicine. Venom proteins and peptides' antimicrobial potential has not undergone systematic exploration despite the huge literature on natural antimicrobials. In light of the escalating challenge of antimicrobial resistance and the diminishing effectiveness of antibiotics, there is a pressing need for innovative antimicrobials capable of effectively addressing illnesses caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms. This review adds to our understanding of the effectiveness of different venom components against a host of pathogenic microorganisms. The aim is to illuminate the various antimicrobials present in venom and venom peptides, thereby emphasizing the unexplored medicinal potential for antimicrobial properties. We have presented a concise summary of the molecular examination of the venom peptides' functioning processes, as well as the current clinical and preclinical progress of venom antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramkamal Samat
- Smart Healthcare Department, Interdisciplinary Research Platform, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Samya Sen
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
- iHUB Drishti Foundation, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Moumita Jash
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Satyajit Ghosh
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Shubham Garg
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Jayita Sarkar
- Centre for Research and Development of Scientific Instruments (CRDSI), Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Surajit Ghosh
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
- Smart Healthcare Department, Interdisciplinary Research Platform, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
- iHUB Drishti Foundation, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
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Andrés MT, Yount NY, Acosta-Zaldívar M, Yeaman MR, Fierro JF. The Archetypal Gamma-Core Motif of Antimicrobial Cys-Rich Peptides Inhibits H +-ATPases in Target Pathogens. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9672. [PMID: 39273619 PMCID: PMC11395145 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179672] [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: 08/13/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Human lactoferrin (hLf) is an innate host defense protein that inhibits microbial H+-ATPases. This protein includes an ancestral structural motif (i.e., γ-core motif) intimately associated with the antimicrobial activity of many natural Cys-rich peptides. Peptides containing a complete γ-core motif from hLf or other phylogenetically diverse antimicrobial peptides (i.e., afnA, SolyC, PA1b, PvD1, thanatin) showed microbicidal activity with similar features to those previously reported for hLf and defensins. Common mechanistic characteristics included (1) cell death independent of plasma membrane (PM) lysis, (2) loss of intracellular K+ (mediated by Tok1p K+ channels in yeast), (3) inhibition of microbicidal activity by high extracellular K+, (4) influence of cellular respiration on microbicidal activity, (5) involvement of mitochondrial ATP synthase in yeast cell death processes, and (6) increment of intracellular ATP. Similar features were also observed with the BM2 peptide, a fungal PM H+-ATPase inhibitor. Collectively, these findings suggest host defense peptides containing a homologous γ-core motif inhibit PM H+-ATPases. Based on this discovery, we propose that the γ-core motif is an archetypal effector involved in the inhibition of PM H+-ATPases across kingdoms of life and contributes to the in vitro microbicidal activity of Cys-rich antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- María T Andrés
- Laboratory of Oral Microbiology (LMO), Clinical University of Odontology (CLUO), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- SamerLabs SL, Asturias Technology Park, 33428 Llanera, Asturias, Spain
| | - Nannette Y Yount
- Divisions of Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles County (LAC)-Harbor University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor UCLA, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Maikel Acosta-Zaldívar
- Laboratory of Oral Microbiology (LMO), Clinical University of Odontology (CLUO), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Michael R Yeaman
- Divisions of Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles County (LAC)-Harbor University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor UCLA, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - José F Fierro
- Laboratory of Oral Microbiology (LMO), Clinical University of Odontology (CLUO), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Department of Functional Biology (Microbiology), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
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Walker AA, Chin YKY, Guo S, Jin J, Wilbrink E, Goudarzi MH, Wirth H, Gordon E, Weirauch C, King GF. Structure and bioactivity of an insecticidal trans-defensin from assassin bug venom. Structure 2024; 32:1348-1357.e4. [PMID: 38889720 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2024.05.016] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Disulfide-rich peptides such as defensins play diverse roles in immunity and ion channel modulation, as well as constituting the bioactive components of many animal venoms. We investigated the structure and bioactivity of U-RDTX-Pp19, a peptide previously discovered in venom of the assassin bug Pristhesancus plagipennis. Recombinant Pp19 (rPp19) was found to possess insecticidal activity when injected into Drosophila melanogaster. A bioinformatic search revealed that domains homologous to Pp19 are produced by assassin bugs and diverse other arthropods. rPp19 co-eluted with native Pp19 isolated from P. plagipennis, which we found is more abundant in hemolymph than venom. We solved the three-dimensional structure of rPp19 using 2D 1H NMR spectroscopy, finding that it adopts a disulfide-stabilized structure highly similar to known trans-defensins, with the same cystine connectivity as human α-defensin (I-VI, II-IV, and III-V). The structure of Pp19 is unique among reported structures of arthropod peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Protein and Peptide Science, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Yanni K-Y Chin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Shaodong Guo
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jiayi Jin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Evienne Wilbrink
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Eindhoven 5612 AR, the Netherlands
| | - Mohaddeseh Hedayati Goudarzi
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Protein and Peptide Science, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Hayden Wirth
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Protein and Peptide Science, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Eric Gordon
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Christiane Weirauch
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Protein and Peptide Science, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Ho TNT, Turner A, Pham SH, Nguyen HT, Nguyen LTT, Nguyen LT, Dang TT. Cysteine-rich peptides: From bioactivity to bioinsecticide applications. Toxicon 2023; 230:107173. [PMID: 37211058 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107173] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Greater levels of insect resistance and constraints on the use of current pesticides have recently led to increased crop losses in agricultural production. Further, the health and environmental impacts of pesticides now restrict their application. Biologics based on peptides are gaining popularity as efficient crop protection agents with low environmental toxicity. Cysteine-rich peptides (whether originated from venoms or plant defense substances) are chemically stable and effective as insecticides in agricultural applications. Cysteine-rich peptides fulfill the stability and efficacy requirements for commercial uses and provide an environmentally benign alternative to small-molecule insecticides. In this article, cysteine-rich insecticidal peptide classes identified from plants and venoms will be highlighted, focusing on their structural stability, bioactivity and production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thao N T Ho
- Institute of Applied Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - A Turner
- Molecular Biology Department, University of Texas, 100 E 24th St. Austin, USA
| | - Son H Pham
- Institute of Applied Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Ha T Nguyen
- National Key Laboratory of Polymer and Composite Materials, Department of Energy Materials, Faculty of Materials Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Linh T T Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, 280 an Duong Vuong Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Luan T Nguyen
- National Key Laboratory of Polymer and Composite Materials, Department of Energy Materials, Faculty of Materials Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Tien T Dang
- Institute of Applied Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
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Senra MVX. In silico characterization of cysteine-stabilized αβ defensins from neglected unicellular microeukaryotes. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:82. [PMID: 36966312 PMCID: PMC10040121 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02817-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emergence of multi-resistant pathogens have increased dramatically in recent years, becoming a major public-health concern. Among other promising antimicrobial molecules with potential to assist in this worldwide struggle, cysteine-stabilized αβ (CS-αβ) defensins are attracting attention due their efficacy, stability, and broad spectrum against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protists, including many known human pathogens. RESULTS Here, 23 genomes of ciliated protists were screened and two CS-αβ defensins with a likely antifungal activity were identified and characterized, using bioinformatics, from a culturable freshwater species, Laurentiella sp. (LsAMP-1 and LsAMP-2). Although any potential cellular ligand could be predicted for LsAMP-2; evidences from structural, molecular dynamics, and docking analyses suggest that LsAMP-1 may form stably associations with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphates (PIP2), a phospholipid found on many eukaryotic cells, which could, in turn, represent an anchorage mechanism within plasma membrane of targeted cells. CONCLUSION These data stress that more biotechnology-oriented studies should be conducted on neglected protists, such ciliates, which could become valuable sources of novel bioactive molecules for therapeutic uses.
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Lu S, Danchenko M, Macaluso KR, Ribeiro JMC. Revisiting the sialome of the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0279070. [PMID: 36649293 PMCID: PMC9844850 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The hematophagous behaviour emerged independently in several instances during arthropod evolution. Survey of salivary gland and saliva composition and its pharmacological activity led to the conclusion that blood-feeding arthropods evolved a distinct salivary mixture that can interfere with host defensive response, thus facilitating blood acquisition and pathogen transmission. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is the major vector of several pathogens, including Rickettsia typhi, Rickettsia felis and Bartonella spp. and therefore, represents an important insect species from the medical and veterinary perspectives. Previously, a Sanger-based sialome of adult C. felis female salivary glands was published and reported 1,840 expressing sequence tags (ESTs) which were assembled into 896 contigs. Here, we provide a deeper insight into C. felis salivary gland composition using an Illumina-based sequencing approach. In the current dataset, we report 8,892 coding sequences (CDS) classified into 27 functional classes, which were assembled from 42,754,615 reads. Moreover, we paired our RNAseq data with a mass spectrometry analysis using the translated transcripts as a reference, confirming the presence of several putative secreted protein families in the cat flea salivary gland homogenates. Both transcriptomic and proteomic approaches confirmed that FS-H-like proteins and acid phosphatases lacking their putative catalytic residues are the two most abundant salivary proteins families of C. felis and are potentially related to blood acquisition. We also report several novel sequences similar to apyrases, odorant binding proteins, antigen 5, cholinesterases, proteases, and proteases inhibitors, in addition to putative novel sequences that presented low or no sequence identity to previously deposited sequences. Together, the data represents an extended reference for the identification and characterization of the pharmacological activity present in C. felis salivary glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Lu
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Monika Danchenko
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Kevin R. Macaluso
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
| | - José M. C. Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
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ElFessi R, Khamessi O, Srairi-Abid N, Sabatier JM, Tytgat J, Peigneur S, Kharrat R. Purification and Characterization of Bot33: A Non-Toxic Peptide from the Venom of Buthus occitanus tunetanus Scorpion. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27217278. [PMID: 36364113 PMCID: PMC9657394 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venom is a rich source of promising therapeutic compounds, such as highly selective ion channel ligands with potent pharmacological effects. Bot33 is a new short polypeptide of 38 amino acid residues with six cysteines purified from the venom of the Buthus occitanus tunetanus scorpion. Bot33 has revealed less than 40% identity with other known alpha-KTx families. This peptide displayed a neutral amino acid (Leucine), in the position equivalent to lysine 27, described as essential for the interaction with Kv channels. Bot33 did not show any toxicity following i.c.v. injection until 2 µg/kg mouse body weight. Due to its very low venom concentration (0.24%), Bot33 was chemically synthesized. Unexpectedly, this peptide has been subjected to a screening on ion channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and it was found that Bot33 has no effect on seven Kv channel subtypes. Interestingly, an in silico molecular docking study shows that the Leu27 prevents the interaction of Bot33 with the Kv1.3 channel. All our results indicate that Bot33 may have a different mode of action from other scorpion toxins, which will be interesting to elucidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rym ElFessi
- Laboratoire des Venins et Biomolécules Thérapeutiques, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Oussema Khamessi
- Laboratoire des Venins et Biomolécules Thérapeutiques, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Najet Srairi-Abid
- Laboratoire Biomolécules, Venins et Applications Théranostiques (LR20IPT01), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Jean-Marc Sabatier
- Institut de Neurophysiopathologie (INP), Université Aix-Marseille, UMR 7051, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, Campus Gasthuisberg, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, Campus Gasthuisberg, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (R.K.)
| | - Riadh Kharrat
- Laboratoire des Venins et Biomolécules Thérapeutiques, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (R.K.)
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Wu J, Zhou X, Chen Q, Chen Z, Zhang J, Yang L, Sun Y, Wang G, Dai J, Feng T. Defensins as a promising class of tick antimicrobial peptides: a scoping review. Infect Dis Poverty 2022; 11:71. [PMID: 35725522 PMCID: PMC9208123 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-022-00996-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are hematophagous parasites that transmit an extensive range of pathogens to their vertebrate hosts. Ticks can destroy invading microorganisms or alleviate infection via their rudimentary but orchestrated innate immune system. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important components of tick innate immunity. Among these humoral effector molecules, defensins are well-studied and widely identified in various species of Ixodidae (hard ticks) and Argasidae (soft ticks). This review was aimed at presenting the characterization of tick defensins from structure-based taxonomic status to antimicrobial function. Main text All published papers written in English from 2001 to May 2022 were searched through PubMed and Web of Science databases with the combination of relevant terms on tick defensins. Reports on identification and characterization of tick defensins were included. Of the 329 entries retrieved, 57 articles were finally eligible for our scoping review. Tick defensins mainly belong to the antibacterial ancient invertebrate-type defensins of the cis-defensins superfamily. They are generally small, cationic, and amphipathic, with six cysteine residues forming three intra-molecular disulfide bonds. Tick defensins primarily target membranes of a variety of pathogens, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Since tick defensins have a high degree of variability, we summarize their common biological properties and enumerate representative peptides. Along with the various and potent antimicrobial activities, the role of tick defensins in determining vector competence is discussed. Conclusions Due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, tick defensins are considered novel candidates or targets for controlling infectious diseases. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Wu
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xia Zhou
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Chen
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jinyu Zhang
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lele Yang
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuxuan Sun
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Guohui Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.
| | - Jianfeng Dai
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Tingting Feng
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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Polymeric Coatings and Antimicrobial Peptides as Efficient Systems for Treating Implantable Medical Devices Associated-Infections. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14081611. [PMID: 35458361 PMCID: PMC9024559 DOI: 10.3390/polym14081611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Many infections are associated with the use of implantable medical devices. The excessive utilization of antibiotic treatment has resulted in the development of antimicrobial resistance. Consequently, scientists have recently focused on conceiving new ways for treating infections with a longer duration of action and minimum environmental toxicity. One approach in infection control is based on the development of antimicrobial coatings based on polymers and antimicrobial peptides, also termed as “natural antibiotics”.
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10
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Lu S, Andersen JF, Bosio CF, Hinnebusch BJ, Ribeiro JMC. Integrated analysis of the sialotranscriptome and sialoproteome of the rat flea Xenopsylla cheopis. J Proteomics 2022; 254:104476. [PMID: 34990822 PMCID: PMC8883501 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Over the last 20 years, advances in sequencing technologies paired with biochemical and structural studies have shed light on the unique pharmacological arsenal produced by the salivary glands of hematophagous arthropods that can target host hemostasis and immune response, favoring blood acquisition and, in several cases, enhancing pathogen transmission. Here we provide a deeper insight into Xenopsylla cheopis salivary gland contents pairing transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. Sequencing of 99 pairs of salivary glands from adult female X. cheopis yielded a total of 7432 coding sequences functionally classified into 25 classes, of which the secreted protein class was the largest. The translated transcripts also served as a reference database for the proteomic study, which identified peptides from 610 different proteins. Both approaches revealed that the acid phosphatase family is the most abundant salivary protein group from X. cheopis. Additionally, we report here novel sequences similar to the FS-H family, apyrases, odorant and hormone-binding proteins, antigen 5-like proteins, adenosine deaminases, peptidase inhibitors from different subfamilies, proteins rich in Glu, Gly, and Pro residues, and several potential secreted proteins with unknown function. SIGNIFICANCE: The rat flea X. cheopis is the main vector of Yersinia pestis, the etiological agent of the bubonic plague responsible for three major pandemics that marked human history and remains a burden to human health. In addition to Y. pestis fleas can also transmit other medically relevant pathogens including Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. The studies of salivary proteins from other hematophagous vectors highlighted the importance of such molecules for blood acquisition and pathogen transmission. However, despite the historical and clinical importance of X. cheopis little is known regarding their salivary gland contents and potential activities. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis of X. cheopis salivary composition using next generation sequencing methods paired with LC-MS/MS analysis, revealing its unique composition compared to the sialomes of other blood-feeding arthropods, and highlighting the different pathways taken during the evolution of salivary gland concoctions. In the absence of the X. cheopis genome sequence, this work serves as an extended reference for the identification of potential pharmacological proteins and peptides present in flea saliva.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Lu
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - John F Andersen
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher F Bosio
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - B Joseph Hinnebusch
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - José M C Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Erdem Büyükkiraz M, Kesmen Z. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs): A promising class of antimicrobial compounds. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 132:1573-1596. [PMID: 34606679 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are compounds, which have inhibitory activity against microorganisms. In the last decades, AMPs have become powerful alternative agents that have met the need for novel anti-infectives to overcome increasing antibiotic resistance problems. Moreover, recent epidemics and pandemics are increasing the popularity of AMPs, due to the urgent necessity for effective antimicrobial agents in combating the new emergence of microbial diseases. AMPs inhibit a wide range of microorganisms through diverse and special mechanisms by targeting mainly cell membranes or specific intracellular components. In addition to extraction from natural sources, AMPs are produced in various hosts using recombinant methods. More recently, the synthetic analogues of AMPs, designed with some modifications, are predicted to overcome the limitations of stability, toxicity and activity associated with natural AMPs. AMPs have potential applications as antimicrobial agents in food, agriculture, environment, animal husbandry and pharmaceutical industries. In this review, we have provided an overview of the structure, classification and mechanism of action of AMPs, as well as discussed opportunities for their current and potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mine Erdem Büyükkiraz
- School of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Cappadocia University, Nevsehir, Turkey
| | - Zülal Kesmen
- Engineering Faculty, Department of Food Engineering, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
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Simone Y, van der Meijden A. Armed stem to stinger: a review of the ecological roles of scorpion weapons. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021; 27:e20210002. [PMID: 34527038 PMCID: PMC8425188 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpions possess two systems of weapons: the pincers (chelae) and the stinger (telson). These are placed on anatomically and developmentally well separated parts of the body, that is, the oral appendages and at the end of the body axis. The otherwise conserved body plan of scorpions varies most in the shape and relative dimensions of these two weapon systems, both across species and in some cases between the sexes. We review the literature on the ecological function of these two weapon systems in each of three contexts of usage: (i) predation, (ii) defense and (iii) sexual contests. In the latter context, we will also discuss their usage in mating. We first provide a comparative background for each of these contexts of usage by giving examples of other weapon systems from across the animal kingdom. Then, we discuss the pertinent aspects of the anatomy of the weapon systems, particularly those aspects relevant to their functioning in their ecological roles. The literature on the functioning and ecological role of both the chelae and the telson is discussed in detail, again organized by context of usage. Particular emphasis is given on the differences in morphology or usage between species or higher taxonomic groups, or between genders, as such cases are most insightful to understand the roles of each of the two distinct weapon systems of the scorpions and their evolutionary interactions. We aimed to synthesize the literature while minimizing conjecture, but also to point out gaps in the literature and potential future research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Simone
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Porto, Portugal
| | - Arie van der Meijden
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Porto, Portugal
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Gu J, Isozumi N, Yuan S, Jin L, Gao B, Ohki S, Zhu S. Evolution-Based Protein Engineering for Antifungal Peptide Improvement. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:5175-5189. [PMID: 34320203 PMCID: PMC8557468 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been considered as the alternatives to antibiotics because of their less susceptibility to microbial resistance. However, compared with conventional antibiotics they show relatively low activity and the consequent high cost and nonspecific cytotoxicity, hindering their clinical application. What’s more, engineering of AMPs is a great challenge due to the inherent complexity in their sequence, structure, and function relationships. Here, we report an evolution-based strategy for improving the antifungal activity of a nematode-sourced defensin (Cremycin-5). This strategy utilizes a sequence-activity comparison between Cremycin-5 and its functionally diverged paralogs to identify sites associated with antifungal activity for screening of enhanceable activity-modulating sites for subsequent saturation mutagenesis. Using this strategy, we identified a site (Glu-15) whose mutations with nearly all other types of amino acids resulted in a universally enhanced activity against multiple fungal species, which is thereby defined as a Universally Enhanceable Activity-Modulating Site (UEAMS). Especially, Glu15Lys even exhibited >9-fold increased fungicidal potency against several clinical isolates of Candida albicans through inhibiting cytokinesis. This mutant showed high thermal and serum stability and quicker killing kinetics than clotrimazole without detectable hemolysis. Molecular dynamic simulations suggest that the mutations at the UEAMS likely limit the conformational flexibility of a distant functional residue via allostery, enabling a better peptide–fungus interaction. Further sequence, structural, and mutational analyses of the Cremycin-5 ortholog uncover an epistatic interaction between the UEAMS and another site that may constrain its evolution. Our work lights one new road to success of engineering AMP drug leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Gu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Noriyoshi Isozumi
- Center for Nano Materials and Technology (CNMT), Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan
| | - Shouli Yuan
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ling Jin
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shinya Ohki
- Center for Nano Materials and Technology (CNMT), Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
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Ahmadi S, Knerr JM, Argemi L, Bordon KCF, Pucca MB, Cerni FA, Arantes EC, Çalışkan F, Laustsen AH. Scorpion Venom: Detriments and Benefits. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8050118. [PMID: 32408604 PMCID: PMC7277529 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8050118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venom may cause severe medical complications and untimely death if injected into the human body. Neurotoxins are the main components of scorpion venom that are known to be responsible for the pathological manifestations of envenoming. Besides neurotoxins, a wide range of other bioactive molecules can be found in scorpion venoms. Advances in separation, characterization, and biotechnological approaches have enabled not only the development of more effective treatments against scorpion envenomings, but have also led to the discovery of several scorpion venom peptides with interesting therapeutic properties. Thus, scorpion venom may not only be a medical threat to human health, but could prove to be a valuable source of bioactive molecules that may serve as leads for the development of new therapies against current and emerging diseases. This review presents both the detrimental and beneficial properties of scorpion venom toxins and discusses the newest advances within the development of novel therapies against scorpion envenoming and the therapeutic perspectives for scorpion toxins in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Ahmadi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (J.M.K.); (L.A.); (M.B.P.); (F.A.C.)
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosafety, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Eşkisehir Osmangazi University, TR-26040 Eşkisehir, Turkey;
- Correspondence: (S.A.); (A.H.L.); Tel.: +45-7164-6042 (S.A.); +45-2988-1134 (A.H.L.)
| | - Julius M. Knerr
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (J.M.K.); (L.A.); (M.B.P.); (F.A.C.)
| | - Lídia Argemi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (J.M.K.); (L.A.); (M.B.P.); (F.A.C.)
| | - Karla C. F. Bordon
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto—São Paulo 14040-903, Brazil; (K.C.F.B.); (E.C.A.)
| | - Manuela B. Pucca
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (J.M.K.); (L.A.); (M.B.P.); (F.A.C.)
- Medical School, Federal University of Roraima, Boa Vista, Roraima 69310-000, Brazil
| | - Felipe A. Cerni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (J.M.K.); (L.A.); (M.B.P.); (F.A.C.)
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto—São Paulo 14040-903, Brazil; (K.C.F.B.); (E.C.A.)
| | - Eliane C. Arantes
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto—São Paulo 14040-903, Brazil; (K.C.F.B.); (E.C.A.)
| | - Figen Çalışkan
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosafety, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Eşkisehir Osmangazi University, TR-26040 Eşkisehir, Turkey;
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, TR-26040 Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Andreas H. Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (J.M.K.); (L.A.); (M.B.P.); (F.A.C.)
- Correspondence: (S.A.); (A.H.L.); Tel.: +45-7164-6042 (S.A.); +45-2988-1134 (A.H.L.)
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Jin J, Agwa AJ, Szanto TG, Csóti A, Panyi G, Schroeder CI, Walker AA, King GF. Weaponisation 'on the fly': Convergent recruitment of knottin and defensin peptide scaffolds into the venom of predatory assassin flies. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 118:103310. [PMID: 31870846 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Many arthropod venom peptides have potential as bioinsecticides, drug leads, and pharmacological tools due to their specific neuromodulatory functions. Assassin flies (Asilidae) are a family of predaceous dipterans that produce a unique and complex peptide-rich venom for killing insect prey and deterring predators. However, very little is known about the structure and function of their venom peptides. We therefore used an E. coli periplasmic expression system to express four disulfide-rich peptides that we previously reported to exist in venom of the giant assassin fly Dolopus genitalis. After purification, each recombinant peptide eluted from a C18 column at a position closely matching its natural counterpart, strongly suggesting adoption of the native tertiary fold. Injection of purified recombinant peptides into blowflies (Lucilia cuprina) and crickets (Acheta domestica) revealed that two of the four recombinant peptides, named rDg3b and rDg12, inhibited escape behaviour in a manner that was rapid in onset (<1 min) and reversible. Homonuclear NMR solution structures revealed that rDg3b and rDg12 adopt cystine-stabilised α/ß defensin and inhibitor cystine knot folds, respectively. Although the closest known homologues of rDg3b at the level of primary structure are dipteran antimicrobial peptides such as sapecin and lucifensin, a DALI search showed that the tertiary structure of rDg3b most closely resembles the KV11.1-specific α-potassium channel toxin CnErg1 from venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius. This is mainly due to the deletion of a large, unstructured loop between the first and second cysteine residues present in Dg3b homologues from non-asiloid, but not existing in asiloid, species. Patch-clamp electrophysiology experiments revealed that rDg3b shifts the voltage-dependence of KV11.1 channel activation to more depolarised potentials, but has no effect on KV1.3, KV2.1, KV10.1, KCa1.1, or the Drosophila Shaker channel. Although rDg12 shares the inhibitor cystine knot structure of many gating modifier toxins, rDg12 did not affect any of these KV channel subtypes. Our results demonstrate that multiple disulfide-rich peptide scaffolds have been convergently recruited into asilid and other animal venoms, and they provide insight into the molecular evolution accompanying their weaponisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Jin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Akello J Agwa
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Tibor G Szanto
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Agota Csóti
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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Spider Venom: Components, Modes of Action, and Novel Strategies in Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11100611. [PMID: 31652611 PMCID: PMC6832493 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11100611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This review gives an overview on the development of research on spider venoms with a focus on structure and function of venom components and techniques of analysis. Major venom component groups are small molecular mass compounds, antimicrobial (also called cytolytic, or cationic) peptides (only in some spider families), cysteine-rich (neurotoxic) peptides, and enzymes and proteins. Cysteine-rich peptides are reviewed with respect to various structural motifs, their targets (ion channels, membrane receptors), nomenclature, and molecular binding. We further describe the latest findings concerning the maturation of antimicrobial, and cysteine-rich peptides that are in most known cases expressed as propeptide-containing precursors. Today, venom research, increasingly employs transcriptomic and mass spectrometric techniques. Pros and cons of venom gland transcriptome analysis with Sanger, 454, and Illumina sequencing are discussed and an overview on so far published transcriptome studies is given. In this respect, we also discuss the only recently described cross contamination arising from multiplexing in Illumina sequencing and its possible impacts on venom studies. High throughput mass spectrometric analysis of venom proteomes (bottom-up, top-down) are reviewed.
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18
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Gurrola GB, Guijarro JI, Delepierre M, Mendoza RLL, Cid-Uribe JI, Coronas FV, Possani LD. Cn29, a novel orphan peptide found in the venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius: Structure and function. Toxicon 2019; 167:184-191. [PMID: 31226259 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A peptide (Cn29) from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius (about 2% of the soluble venom) was purified and its primary and three-dimensional structures were determined. The peptide contains 27 amino acids with primary sequence: LCLSCRGGDYDCRVKGTCENGKCVCGS. The peptide is tightly packed by three disulfide linkages formed between C2-C23, C5-C18 and C12-C25. Since the native peptide was obtained in limited amounts, the full synthetic peptide was prepared using the standard F-moc-based solid phase synthesis method of Merrifield. The native and synthetic peptides were shown to be identical by sequencing, HPLC separation and mass spectrometry. The solution structure of the peptide solved from NMR data shows that it consists of a well-defined N-terminal region without regular secondary structure extending from Leu 1 to Asp 9, followed by a short helical fragment from Tyr10 to Val14 and two short β strands (Thr17-Glu19 and Lys22-Val24). The primary and tertiary structures of Cn29 are different from all other scorpion peptides described in the literature. Transcriptome analysis of RNA obtained from C. noxius confirmed the expression of a gene coding for Cn29 in its venom gland. Initial experiments were conducted to identify its possible function: lethality tests in mice and insects as well as ion-channel binding using in vitro electrophysiological assays. None of the physiological or biological tests displayed any activity for this peptide, which at present is considered to be another orphan peptide found in scorpion venoms. The peptide is thus the first example of a novel structural component present in scorpion venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- G B Gurrola
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Bioprocesses, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Av, Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico
| | - J I Guijarro
- Biological NMR Technological Platform, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR3528, Paris, France
| | | | - R L L Mendoza
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Bioprocesses, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Av, Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico
| | - J I Cid-Uribe
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Bioprocesses, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Av, Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico
| | - F V Coronas
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Bioprocesses, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Av, Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico
| | - L D Possani
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Bioprocesses, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Av, Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico.
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Gregory AJ, Voit-Ostricki L, Lovas S, Watts CR. Effects of Selective Substitution of Cysteine Residues on the Conformational Properties of Chlorotoxin Explored by Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E1261. [PMID: 30871150 PMCID: PMC6470725 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlorotoxin (CTX) is a 36⁻amino acid peptide with eight Cys residues that forms four disulfide bonds. It has high affinity for the glioma-specific chloride channel and matrix metalloprotease-2. Structural and binding properties of CTX analogs with various Cys residue substitutions with l-α-aminobutyric acid (Abu) have been previously reported. Using 4.2 µs molecular dynamics, we compared the conformational and essential space sampling of CTX and analogs with selective substitution of the Cys residues and associated disulfide bonds with either Abu or Ser. The native and substituted peptides maintained a high degree of α-helix propensity from residues 8 through 21, with the exception of substitution of the Cys⁵⁻Cys28 residues with Ser and the Cys16⁻Cys33 residues with Abu. In agreement with previous circular dichroism spectropolarimetry results, the C-terminal β-sheet content varied less from residues 25 through 29 and 32 through 36 and was well conserved in most analogs. The Cys16⁻Cys33 and Cys20⁻Cys35 disulfide-bonded residues appear to be required to maintain the αβ motif of CTX. Selective substitution with the hydrophilic Ser, may mitigate the destabilizing effect of Cys16⁻Cys33 substitution through the formation of an inter residue H-bond from Ser16:OγH to Ser33:OγH bridged by a water molecule. All peptides shared considerable sampled conformational space, which explains the retained receptor binding of the non-native analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Gregory
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA.
| | - Leah Voit-Ostricki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA.
| | - Sándor Lovas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.
| | - Charles R Watts
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA.
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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Dash TS, Shafee T, Harvey PJ, Zhang C, Peigneur S, Deuis JR, Vetter I, Tytgat J, Anderson MA, Craik DJ, Durek T, Undheim EAB. A Centipede Toxin Family Defines an Ancient Class of CSαβ Defensins. Structure 2018; 27:315-326.e7. [PMID: 30554841 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2018.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Disulfide-rich peptides (DRPs) play diverse physiological roles and have emerged as attractive sources of pharmacological tools and drug leads. Here we describe the 3D structure of a centipede venom peptide, U-SLPTX15-Sm2a, whose family defines a unique class of one of the most widespread DRP folds known, the cystine-stabilized α/β fold (CSαβ). This class, which we have named the two-disulfide CSαβ fold (2ds-CSαβ), contains only two internal disulfide bonds as opposed to at least three in all other confirmed CSαβ peptides, and constitutes one of the major neurotoxic peptide families in centipede venoms. We show the 2ds-CSαβ is widely distributed outside centipedes and is likely an ancient fold predating the split between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Our results provide insights into the ancient evolutionary history of a widespread DRP fold and highlight the usefulness of 3D structures as evolutionary tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S Dash
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Shafee
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chuchu Zhang
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Steve Peigneur
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Did cis- and trans-defensins derive from a common ancestor? Immunogenetics 2018; 71:61-69. [DOI: 10.1007/s00251-018-1086-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Ward MJ, Ellsworth SA, Rokyta DR. Venom-gland transcriptomics and venom proteomics of the Hentz striped scorpion (Centruroides hentzi; Buthidae) reveal high toxin diversity in a harmless member of a lethal family. Toxicon 2018; 142:14-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.12.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Baradaran M, Jalali A, soorki MN, Galehdari H. A Novel Defensin-Like Peptide Associated with Two Other New Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides in Transcriptome of the Iranian Scorpion Venom. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2017; 21:190-6. [PMID: 27794585 PMCID: PMC5392222 DOI: 10.18869/acadpub.ibj.21.3.190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Scorpion venom is a source of bioactive peptides, and some antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been found in the venom gland of scorpions. Therefore, the discovery of new anti-infective agents is an essential need to overcome the problem of antibiotic resistance of clinical isolates. Here, we describe three new cationic AMPs, including meuVAP-6, meuAP-18-1, and meuPep34 from the venom gland of the Iranian scorpion, Mesobuthus eupeus. METHODS The cDNA sequences encoding all the three peptides were obtained from the cDNA library of scorpion venom gland and were deposited in the GenBank database. RESULTS MeuVAP-6 and meuAP-18-1 are non-disulphide-bridged antimicrobial peptides, while meuPep34 is a cysteine-rich defensin-like peptide. DISCUSSION All three identified AMPs are rich in arginine and tryptophan. The overall results from the length, net charge, and hydrophobicity index suggested that meuPep34 could be the most active AMPs with the potential ability of biofilm inhibition. The data from molecular characterization of identified AMPs can provide a platform for further investigations in the drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Baradaran
- Toxicology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Amir Jalali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Toxicology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Maryam Naderi soorki
- Department of Genetics, Sciences Faculty, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Hamid Galehdari
- Toxicology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Manabe T, Kawasaki K. D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH 2 peptide exerts higher antimicrobial properties than its L-form counterpart via an association with bacterial cell wall components. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43384. [PMID: 28262682 PMCID: PMC5338256 DOI: 10.1038/srep43384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The antimicrobial peptide KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 was developed based on sapesin B, and synthesized using D-amino acids. Biochemical properties of the D-form and L-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 peptides were compared. In order to limit the effects due to bacterial resistance to proteolysis, antimicrobial activities of the peptides were evaluated after short-term exposure to bacteria. D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 exhibited higher antimicrobial activities than L-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 against bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In contrast, both the D-form and L-form of other antimicrobial peptides, including Mastoparan M and Temporin A, exhibited similar antimicrobial activities. Both the D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 and L-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 peptides preferentially disrupted S. aureus-mimetic liposomes over mammalian-mimetic liposomes. Furthermore, the D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 increased the membrane permeability of S. aureus more than the L-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2. Thus suggesting that the enhanced antimicrobial activity of the D-form was likely due to its interaction with bacterial cell wall components. S. aureus peptidoglycan preferentially inhibited the antimicrobial activity of the D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 relative to the L-form. Furthermore, the D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 showed higher affinity for S. aureus peptidoglycan than the L-form. Taken together, these results indicate that the D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 peptide has higher antimicrobial activity than the L-form via a specific association with bacterial cell wall components, including peptidoglycan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Manabe
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0395, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Kawasaki
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0395, Japan
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New fungal defensin-like peptides provide evidence for fold change of proteins in evolution. Biosci Rep 2017; 37:BSR20160438. [PMID: 27913751 PMCID: PMC5234102 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20160438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Defensins containing a consensus cystine framework, Cys[1]…Cys[2]X3Cys[3]…Cys[4]… Cys[5]X1Cys[6] (X, any amino acid except Cys; …, variable residue numbers), are extensively distributed in a variety of multicellular organisms (plants, fungi and invertebrates) and essentially involved in immunity as microbicidal agents. This framework is a prerequisite for forming the cysteine-stabilized α-helix and β-sheet (CSαβ) fold, in which the two invariant motifs, Cys[2]X3Cys[3]/Cys[5]X1Cys[6], are key determinants of fold formation. By using a computational genomics approach, we identified a large superfamily of fungal defensin-like peptides (fDLPs) in the phytopathogenic fungal genus – Zymoseptoria, which includes 132 structurally typical and 63 atypical members. These atypical fDLPs exhibit an altered cystine framework and accompanying fold change associated with their secondary structure elements and disulfide bridge patterns, as identified by protein structure modelling. Despite this, they definitely are homologous with the typical fDLPs in view of their precise gene structure conservation and identical precursor organization. Sequence and structural analyses combined with functional data suggest that most of Zymoseptoria fDLPs might have lost their antimicrobial activity. The present study provides a clear example of fold change in the evolution of proteins and is valuable in establishing remote homology among peptide superfamily members with different folds.
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Latorre R, Castillo K, Carrasquel-Ursulaez W, Sepulveda RV, Gonzalez-Nilo F, Gonzalez C, Alvarez O. Molecular Determinants of BK Channel Functional Diversity and Functioning. Physiol Rev 2017; 97:39-87. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00001.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Large-conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ (BK) channels play many physiological roles ranging from the maintenance of smooth muscle tone to hearing and neurosecretion. BK channels are tetramers in which the pore-forming α subunit is coded by a single gene ( Slowpoke, KCNMA1). In this review, we first highlight the physiological importance of this ubiquitous channel, emphasizing the role that BK channels play in different channelopathies. We next discuss the modular nature of BK channel-forming protein, in which the different modules (the voltage sensor and the Ca2+ binding sites) communicate with the pore gates allosterically. In this regard, we review in detail the allosteric models proposed to explain channel activation and how the models are related to channel structure. Considering their extremely large conductance and unique selectivity to K+, we also offer an account of how these two apparently paradoxical characteristics can be understood consistently in unison, and what we have learned about the conduction system and the activation gates using ions, blockers, and toxins. Attention is paid here to the molecular nature of the voltage sensor and the Ca2+ binding sites that are located in a gating ring of known crystal structure and constituted by four COOH termini. Despite the fact that BK channels are coded by a single gene, diversity is obtained by means of alternative splicing and modulatory β and γ subunits. We finish this review by describing how the association of the α subunit with β or with γ subunits can change the BK channel phenotype and pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon Latorre
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso and Doctorado en Ciencias Mención Neurociencia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile; Universidad Andres Bello, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Avenida Republica 239, Santiago, Chile and Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Karen Castillo
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso and Doctorado en Ciencias Mención Neurociencia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile; Universidad Andres Bello, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Avenida Republica 239, Santiago, Chile and Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Willy Carrasquel-Ursulaez
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso and Doctorado en Ciencias Mención Neurociencia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile; Universidad Andres Bello, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Avenida Republica 239, Santiago, Chile and Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Romina V. Sepulveda
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso and Doctorado en Ciencias Mención Neurociencia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile; Universidad Andres Bello, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Avenida Republica 239, Santiago, Chile and Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando Gonzalez-Nilo
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso and Doctorado en Ciencias Mención Neurociencia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile; Universidad Andres Bello, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Avenida Republica 239, Santiago, Chile and Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos Gonzalez
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso and Doctorado en Ciencias Mención Neurociencia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile; Universidad Andres Bello, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Avenida Republica 239, Santiago, Chile and Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Osvaldo Alvarez
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso and Doctorado en Ciencias Mención Neurociencia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile; Universidad Andres Bello, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Avenida Republica 239, Santiago, Chile and Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Tarr DEK. Establishing a reference array for the CS-αβ superfamily of defensive peptides. BMC Res Notes 2016; 9:490. [PMID: 27863510 PMCID: PMC5116183 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-016-2291-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND "Invertebrate defensins" belong to the cysteine-stabilized alpha-beta (CS-αβ), also known as the scorpion toxin-like, superfamily. Some other peptides belonging to this superfamily of defensive peptides are indistinguishable from "defensins," but have been assigned other names, making it unclear what, if any, criteria must be met to qualify as an "invertebrate defensin." In addition, there are other groups of defensins in invertebrates and vertebrates that are considered to be evolutionarily unrelated to those in the CS-αβ superfamily. This complicates analyses and discussions of this peptide group. This paper investigates the criteria for classifying a peptide as an invertebrate defensin, suggests a reference cysteine array that may be helpful in discussing peptides in this superfamily, and proposes that the superfamily (rather than the name "defensin") is the appropriate context for studying the evolution of invertebrate defensins with the CS-αβ fold. METHODS CS-αβ superfamily sequences were identified from previous literature and BLAST searches of public databases. Sequences were retrieved from databases, and the relevant motifs were identified and used to create a conceptual alignment to a ten-cysteine reference array. Amino acid sequences were aligned in MEGA6 with manual adjustments to ensure accurate alignment of cysteines. Phylogenetic analyses were performed in MEGA6 (maximum likelihood) and MrBayes (Bayesian). RESULTS Across invertebrate taxa, the term "defensin" is not consistently applied based on number of cysteines, cysteine spacing pattern, spectrum of antimicrobial activity, or phylogenetic relationship. The analyses failed to reveal any criteria that unify "invertebrate defensins" and differentiate them from other defensive peptides in the CS-αβ superfamily. Sequences from various groups within the CS-αβ superfamily of defensive peptides can be described by a ten-cysteine reference array that aligns their defining structural motifs. CONCLUSIONS The proposed ten-cysteine reference array can be used in addition to current nomenclature to compare sequences in the CS-αβ superfamily and clarify their features relative to one another. This will facilitate analysis and discussion of "invertebrate defensins" in an appropriate evolutionary context, rather than relying on nomenclature.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Ellen K Tarr
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA.
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Balandin SV, Ovchinnikova TV. Antimicrobial peptides of invertebrates. Part 1. structure, biosynthesis, and evolution. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2016. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162016030055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Peptidomimetic Star Polymers for Targeting Biological Ion Channels. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152169. [PMID: 27007701 PMCID: PMC4805292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Four end-functionalized star polymers that could attenuate the flow of ionic currents across biological ion channels were first de novo designed computationally, then synthesized and tested experimentally on mammalian K+ channels. The 4-arm ethylene glycol conjugate star polymers with lysine or a tripeptide attached to the end of each arm were specifically designed to mimic the action of scorpion toxins on K+ channels. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the lysine side chain of the polymers physically occludes the pore of Kv1.3, a target for immuno-suppression therapy. Two of the compounds tested were potent inhibitors of Kv1.3. The dissociation constants of these two compounds were computed to be 0.1 μM and 0.7 μM, respectively, within 3-fold to the values derived from subsequent experiments. These results demonstrate the power of computational methods in molecular design and the potential of star polymers as a new infinitely modifiable platform for ion channel drug discovery.
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Goyffon M, Saul F, Faure G. [Relationships between venomous function and innate immune function]. Biol Aujourdhui 2016; 209:195-210. [PMID: 26820828 DOI: 10.1051/jbio/2015018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Venomous function is investigated in relation to innate immune function in two cases selected from scorpion venom and serpent venom. In the first case, structural analysis of scorpion toxins and defensins reveals a close interrelation between both functions (toxic and innate immune system function). In the second case, structural and functional studies of natural inhibitors of toxic snake venom phospholipases A2 reveal homology with components of the innate immune system, leading to a similar conclusion. Although there is a clear functional distinction between neurotoxins, which act by targeting membrane ion channels, and the circulating defensins which protect the organism from pathogens, the scorpion short toxins and defensins share a common protein folding scaffold with a conserved cysteine-stabilized alpha-beta motif of three disulfide bridges linking a short alpha helix and an antiparallel beta sheet. Genomic analysis suggests that these proteins share a common ancestor (long venom toxins were separated from an early gene family which gave rise to separate short toxin and defensin families). Furthermore, a scorpion toxin has been experimentally synthetized from an insect defensin, and an antibacterial scorpion peptide, androctonin (whose structure is similar to that of a cone snail venom toxin), was shown to have a similar high affinity for the postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor of Torpedo sp. Natural inhibitors of phospholipase A2 found in the blood of snakes are associated with the resistance of venomous snakes to their own highly neurotoxic venom proteins. Three classes of phospholipases A2 inhibitors (PLI-α, PLI-β, PLI-γ) have been identified. These inhibitors display diverse structural motifs related to innate immune proteins including carbohydrate recognition domains (CRD), leucine rich repeat domains (found in Toll-like receptors) and three finger domains, which clearly differentiate them from components of the adaptive immune system. Thus, in structure, function and phylogeny, venomous function in both vertebrates and invertebrates are clearly interrelated with innate immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Goyffon
- UMR CNRS 7245, Département RDDM, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Frederick Saul
- Institut Pasteur, Plate-forme de Cristallographie, CNRS-UMR 3528, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Grazyna Faure
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Récepteurs-Canaux, CNRS-UMR 3571, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
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Ojeda PG, Wang CK, Craik DJ. Chlorotoxin: Structure, activity, and potential uses in cancer therapy. Biopolymers 2016; 106:25-36. [DOI: 10.1002/bip.22748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paola G. Ojeda
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland; Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Conan K. Wang
- 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
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Computational Studies of Venom Peptides Targeting Potassium Channels. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:5194-211. [PMID: 26633507 PMCID: PMC4690127 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7124877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Small peptides isolated from the venom of animals are potential scaffolds for ion channel drug discovery. This review article mainly focuses on the computational studies that have advanced our understanding of how various toxins interfere with the function of K+ channels. We introduce the computational tools available for the study of toxin-channel interactions. We then discuss how these computational tools have been fruitfully applied to elucidate the mechanisms of action of a wide range of venom peptides from scorpions, spiders, and sea anemone.
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Trancriptomic approach reveals the molecular diversity of Hottentotta conspersus (Buthidae) venom. Toxicon 2015; 99:73-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Mlayah-Bellalouna S, Dufour M, Mabrouk K, Mejdoub H, Carlier E, Othman H, Belghazi M, Tarbe M, Goaillard JM, Gigmes D, Seagar M, El Ayeb M, Debanne D, Srairi-Abid N. AaTX1, from Androctonus australis scorpion venom: purification, synthesis and characterization in dopaminergic neurons. Toxicon 2014; 92:14-23. [PMID: 25240295 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Revised: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
We have purified the AaTX1 peptide from the Androctonus australis (Aa) scorpion venom, previously cloned and sequenced by Legros and collaborators in a venom gland cDNA library from Aa scorpion. AaTX1 belongs to the α-Ktx15 scorpion toxins family (αKTx15-4). Characterized members of this family share high sequence similarity and were found to block preferentially IA-type voltage-dependent K(+) currents in rat cerebellum granular cells in an irreversible way. In the current work, we studied the effects of native AaTX1 (nAaTX1) using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of IA current in substantia nigra pars compacta dopaminergic neurons. At 250 nM, AaTX1 induces 90% decrease in IA current amplitude. Its activity was found to be comparable to that of rAmmTX3 (αKTx15-3), which differs by only one conserved (R/K) amino acid in the 19th position suggesting that the difference between R19 and K19 in AaTX1 and AmmTX3, respectively, may not be critical for the toxins' effects. Molecular docking of both toxins with Kv4.3 channel is in agreement with experimental data and suggests the implication of the functional dyade K27-Y36 in toxin-channel interactions. Since AaTX1 is not highly abundant in Aa venom, it was synthesized as well as AmmTX3. Synthetic peptides, native AaTX1 and rAmmTX3 peptides showed qualitatively the same pharmacological activity. Overall, these data identify a new biologically active toxin that belongs to a family of peptides active on Kv4.3 channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saoussen Mlayah-Bellalouna
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratoire des Venins et biomolécules thérapeutiques LR11IPT08, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Martial Dufour
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Unité de Neurobiologie des canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse (UNIS), Faculté de Médecine - Secteur Nord, Aix Marseille Université, 51, Bd Pierre Dramard, 13015 Marseille, France
| | - Kamel Mabrouk
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut de Chimie Radicalaire ICR, UMR 7273, Equipe CROPS, Site St Jérôme, Avenue Escadrille Normandie Niémen, Case 542, 13397 Marseille Cedex 20, France
| | - Hafedh Mejdoub
- USCR séquenceur de protéines, faculté des sciences de Sfax, Route de Soukra, Km 3.5, BP 1171, 3000 Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Edmond Carlier
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Unité de Neurobiologie des canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse (UNIS), Faculté de Médecine - Secteur Nord, Aix Marseille Université, 51, Bd Pierre Dramard, 13015 Marseille, France
| | - Houcemeddine Othman
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratoire des Venins et biomolécules thérapeutiques LR11IPT08, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Maya Belghazi
- CRN2M UMR 7286, Plate Forme de Recherche en Neurosciences - CAPM, Faculté de Médecine-secteur Nord Aix Marseille Université, 51 bd Pierre Dramard, 13015 Marseille, France
| | - Marion Tarbe
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut de Chimie Radicalaire ICR, UMR 7273, Equipe CROPS, Site St Jérôme, Avenue Escadrille Normandie Niémen, Case 542, 13397 Marseille Cedex 20, France
| | - Jean Marc Goaillard
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Unité de Neurobiologie des canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse (UNIS), Faculté de Médecine - Secteur Nord, Aix Marseille Université, 51, Bd Pierre Dramard, 13015 Marseille, France
| | - Didier Gigmes
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut de Chimie Radicalaire ICR, UMR 7273, Equipe CROPS, Site St Jérôme, Avenue Escadrille Normandie Niémen, Case 542, 13397 Marseille Cedex 20, France
| | - Michael Seagar
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Unité de Neurobiologie des canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse (UNIS), Faculté de Médecine - Secteur Nord, Aix Marseille Université, 51, Bd Pierre Dramard, 13015 Marseille, France
| | - Mohamed El Ayeb
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratoire des Venins et biomolécules thérapeutiques LR11IPT08, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Dominique Debanne
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Unité de Neurobiologie des canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse (UNIS), Faculté de Médecine - Secteur Nord, Aix Marseille Université, 51, Bd Pierre Dramard, 13015 Marseille, France
| | - Najet Srairi-Abid
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratoire des Venins et biomolécules thérapeutiques LR11IPT08, Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
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Arzamasov AA, Vassilevski AA, Grishin EV. Chlorotoxin and related peptides: Short insect toxins from scorpion venom. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2014; 40:387-98. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162014040013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Harrison PL, Abdel-Rahman MA, Miller K, Strong PN. Antimicrobial peptides from scorpion venoms. Toxicon 2014; 88:115-37. [PMID: 24951876 PMCID: PMC7111748 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The need for new antimicrobial agents is becoming one of the most urgent requirements in modern medicine. The venoms of many different species are rich sources of biologically active components and various therapeutic agents have been characterized including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Due to their potent activity, low resistance rates and unique mode of action, AMPs have recently received much attention. This review focuses on AMPs from the venoms of scorpions and examines all classes of AMPs found to date. It gives details of their biological activities with reference to peptide structure. The review examines the mechanism of action of AMPs and with this information, suggests possible mechanisms of action of less well characterised peptides. Finally, the review examines current and future trends of scorpion AMP research, by discussing recent successes obtained through proteomic and transcriptomic approaches. In-depth analysis of AMPs from scorpion venom. Focus on biological activity and structure – function relationships. Discussion of possible mechanisms of action. Future strategies for further mining of bioactive compounds from venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick L Harrison
- Biomedical Research Centre, Biosciences Division, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK
| | - Mohamed A Abdel-Rahman
- Biomedical Research Centre, Biosciences Division, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK; Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Keith Miller
- Biomedical Research Centre, Biosciences Division, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK
| | - Peter N Strong
- Biomedical Research Centre, Biosciences Division, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK.
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Zhu S, Peigneur S, Gao B, Umetsu Y, Ohki S, Tytgat J. Experimental conversion of a defensin into a neurotoxin: implications for origin of toxic function. Mol Biol Evol 2014; 31:546-59. [PMID: 24425781 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msu038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion K(+) channel toxins and insect defensins share a conserved three-dimensional structure and related biological activities (defense against competitors or invasive microbes by disrupting their membrane functions), which provides an ideal system to study how functional evolution occurs in a conserved structural scaffold. Using an experimental approach, we show that the deletion of a small loop of a parasitoid venom defensin possessing the "scorpion toxin signature" (STS) can remove steric hindrance of peptide-channel interactions and result in a neurotoxin selectively inhibiting K(+) channels with high affinities. This insect defensin-derived toxin adopts a hallmark scorpion toxin fold with a common cysteine-stabilized α-helical and β-sheet motif, as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Mutations of two key residues located in STS completely diminish or significantly decrease the affinity of the toxin on the channels, demonstrating that this toxin binds to K(+) channels in the same manner as scorpion toxins. Taken together, these results provide new structural and functional evidence supporting the predictability of toxin evolution. The experimental strategy is the first employed to establish an evolutionary relationship of two distantly related protein families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Animal Innate Immunity, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
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Quintero-Hernández V, Jiménez-Vargas J, Gurrola G, Valdivia H, Possani L. Scorpion venom components that affect ion-channels function. Toxicon 2013; 76:328-42. [PMID: 23891887 PMCID: PMC4089097 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The number and types of venom components that affect ion-channel function are reviewed. These are the most important venom components responsible for human intoxication, deserving medical attention, often requiring the use of specific anti-venoms. Special emphasis is given to peptides that recognize Na(+)-, K(+)- and Ca(++)-channels of excitable cells. Knowledge generated by direct isolation of peptides from venom and components deduced from cloned genes, whose amino acid sequences are deposited into databanks are nowadays in the order of 1.5 thousands, out of an estimate biodiversity closed to 300,000. Here the diversity of components is briefly reviewed with mention to specific references. Structural characteristic are discussed with examples taken from published work. The principal mechanisms of action of the three different types of peptides are also reviewed. Na(+)-channel specific venom components usually are modifier of the open and closing kinetic mechanisms of the ion-channels, whereas peptides affecting K(+)-channels are normally pore blocking agents. The Ryanodine Ca(++)-channel specific peptides are known for causing sub-conducting stages of the channels conductance and some were shown to be able to internalize penetrating inside the muscle cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Quintero-Hernández
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Bioprocesses, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico
| | - J.M. Jiménez-Vargas
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Bioprocesses, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico
| | - G.B. Gurrola
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Bioprocesses, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico
- Cardiovascular Center 2139, Michigan University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5644, U.S.A
| | - H.H.F. Valdivia
- Cardiovascular Center 2139, Michigan University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5644, U.S.A
| | - L.D. Possani
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Bioprocesses, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico
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Smith JJ, Herzig V, King GF, Alewood PF. The insecticidal potential of venom peptides. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:3665-93. [PMID: 23525661 PMCID: PMC11114029 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1315-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pest insect species are a burden to humans as they destroy crops and serve as vectors for a wide range of diseases including malaria and dengue. Chemical insecticides are currently the dominant approach for combating these pests. However, the de-registration of key classes of chemical insecticides due to their perceived ecological and human health risks in combination with the development of insecticide resistance in many pest insect populations has created an urgent need for improved methods of insect pest control. The venoms of arthropod predators such as spiders and scorpions are a promising source of novel insecticidal peptides that often have different modes of action to extant chemical insecticides. These peptides have been optimized via a prey-predator arms race spanning hundreds of millions of years to target specific types of insect ion channels and receptors. Here we review the current literature on insecticidal venom peptides, with a particular focus on their structural and pharmacological diversity, and discuss their potential for deployment as insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J. Smith
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Volker Herzig
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Paul F. Alewood
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
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Banerjee A, Lee A, Campbell E, Mackinnon R. Structure of a pore-blocking toxin in complex with a eukaryotic voltage-dependent K(+) channel. eLife 2013; 2:e00594. [PMID: 23705070 PMCID: PMC3660741 DOI: 10.7554/elife.00594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2013] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pore-blocking toxins inhibit voltage-dependent K+ channels (Kv channels) by plugging the ion-conduction pathway. We have solved the crystal structure of paddle chimera, a Kv channel in complex with charybdotoxin (CTX), a pore-blocking toxin. The toxin binds to the extracellular pore entryway without producing discernable alteration of the selectivity filter structure and is oriented to project its Lys27 into the pore. The most extracellular K+ binding site (S1) is devoid of K+ electron-density when wild-type CTX is bound, but K+ density is present to some extent in a Lys27Met mutant. In crystals with Cs+ replacing K+, S1 electron-density is present even in the presence of Lys27, a finding compatible with the differential effects of Cs+ vs K+ on CTX affinity for the channel. Together, these results show that CTX binds to a K+ channel in a lock and key manner and interacts directly with conducting ions inside the selectivity filter. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00594.001 The deadly toxins produced by many creatures, including spiders, snakes, and scorpions, work by blocking the ion channels that are essential for the normal operation of many different types of cells. Ion channels are proteins and, as their name suggests, they allow ions—usually sodium, potassium, or calcium ions—to move in and out of cells. They are especially important for cells that generate or respond to electrical signals, such as neurons and the cells in heart muscle. Ion channels are located in the lipid membranes that surround all cells, and the ions enter or leave the cell via a pore that runs through the channel protein. They can be opened and closed (or ‘gated’) in different ways: some ion channels open and close in response to voltages, whereas others are gated by biomolecules, such as neurotransmitters, that bind to them. Now, Banerjee et al. have used x-ray crystallography to study the structure of the complex that is formed when charybdotoxin (CTX), a toxin that is found in scorpion venom, blocks a voltage-gated potassium channel. Previous studies have shown that CTX binds to the channel on the extracellular side of the pore. Banerjee et al. show that the toxin fits into the entrance to the channel like a key into a lock, which means the toxin is preformed to fit the shape of the channel. The potassium ion channel is made up of four subunits, and the pore contains four ion-binding sites that form a ‘selectivity filter’: it is this filter that ensures that only potassium ions can pass through the channel when it is open. When CTX binds to the channel, a lysine residue poised at a critical position on the toxin is so close to the outermost ion-binding site that it prevents potassium ions binding to the site. The structure determined by Banerjee et al. explains many previous findings, including the fact that ions entering the pore from inside the cell can disrupt the binding between the toxin and the ion channel protein. It remains to be seen if the toxins that target the pore of other types of ion channels work in the same way. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00594.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Banerjee
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Biophysics , Rockefeller University , New York , United States ; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller University , New York , United States
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Ghabrial SA, Dunn SE, Li H, Xie J, Baker TS. Viruses of Helminthosporium (Cochlioblus) victoriae. Adv Virus Res 2013; 86:289-325. [PMID: 23498911 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394315-6.00011-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The enigma of the transmissible disease of Helminthosporium victoriae has almost been resolved. Diseased isolates are doubly infected with two distinct viruses, the victorivirus Helminthosporium victoriae virus 190S and the chrysovirus HvV145S. Mixed infection, however, is not required for disease development. DNA transformation experiments and transfection assays using purified HvV190S virions strongly indicate that HvV190S alone is necessary for inducing disease symptoms. HvV145, like other chrysoviruses, appears to have no effect on colony morphology. This chapter will discuss the molecular biology of the two viruses and summarize recent results of characterization of host gene products upregulated by virus infection. Furthermore, the novel structural features of HvV190S capsid will be highlighted.
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Accelerated evolution and functional divergence of scorpion short-chain K+ channel toxins after speciation. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2012; 163:238-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2012.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2012] [Revised: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 06/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Yang X, Dong L, Lv L, Yan X, Lai R, Liu R. A beta-defensin 1-like antimicrobial peptide from the tree shrew, Tupaia belangeri. Gene 2012; 509:258-62. [PMID: 22939868 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2012] [Revised: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
A novel beta-defensin 1-like antimicrobial peptide (β-defensin 1TB) containing 36 amino acid residues was purified and characterized from the serum of the tree shrew, Tupaia belangeri. Its amino acid sequence was determined as DHYLCVKNEGICLYSSCPSYTKIEGTCYGGKAKCCK, by Edman degradation, mass spectrometry analysis, and cDNA cloning. Evolution analysis indicated that β-defensin 1TB showed maximal similarity to the β-defensin 1 identified from cotton-top tamarin, Saguinus oedipus. β-defensin 1TB exerted potential antimicrobial activities against wide spectrum of microorganisms including Gram-negative and -positive bacteria and fungi. It showed little hemolitic activity to human or rabbit red cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of antimicrobial peptide from Tupaiidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Yang
- Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China
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Lay FT, Mills GD, Poon IKH, Cowieson NP, Kirby N, Baxter AA, van der Weerden NL, Dogovski C, Perugini MA, Anderson MA, Kvansakul M, Hulett MD. Dimerization of plant defensin NaD1 enhances its antifungal activity. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:19961-72. [PMID: 22511788 PMCID: PMC3370180 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.331009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2011] [Revised: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The plant defensin, NaD1, from the flowers of Nicotiana alata, is a member of a family of cationic peptides that displays growth inhibitory activity against several filamentous fungi, including Fusarium oxysporum. The antifungal activity of NaD1 has been attributed to its ability to permeabilize membranes; however, the molecular basis of this function remains poorly defined. In this study, we have solved the structure of NaD1 from two crystal forms to high resolution (1.4 and 1.58 Å, respectively), both of which contain NaD1 in a dimeric configuration. Using protein cross-linking experiments as well as small angle x-ray scattering analysis and analytical ultracentrifugation, we show that NaD1 forms dimers in solution. The structural studies identified Lys(4) as critical in formation of the NaD1 dimer. This was confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis of Lys(4) that resulted in substantially reduced dimer formation. Significantly, the reduced ability of the Lys(4) mutant to dimerize correlated with diminished antifungal activity. These data demonstrate the importance of dimerization in NaD1 function and have implications for the use of defensins in agribiotechnology applications such as enhancing plant crop protection against fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fung T. Lay
- From the Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086
- Hexima Limited, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, and
| | - Grant D. Mills
- From the Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086
- Hexima Limited, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, and
| | - Ivan K. H. Poon
- From the Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086
| | - Nathan P. Cowieson
- the Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Nigel Kirby
- the Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Amy A. Baxter
- From the Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086
- Hexima Limited, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, and
| | - Nicole L. van der Weerden
- From the Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086
- Hexima Limited, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, and
| | - Con Dogovski
- From the Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086
| | - Matthew A. Perugini
- From the Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086
| | - Marilyn A. Anderson
- From the Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086
- Hexima Limited, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, and
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- From the Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086
| | - Mark D. Hulett
- From the Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086
- Hexima Limited, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, and
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Potassium Channels Blockers from the Venom of Androctonus mauretanicus mauretanicus. J Toxicol 2012; 2012:103608. [PMID: 22685457 PMCID: PMC3362950 DOI: 10.1155/2012/103608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2012] [Accepted: 03/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
K+ channels selectively transport K+ ions across cell membranes and play a key role in regulating the physiology of excitable and nonexcitable cells. Their activation allows the cell to repolarize after action potential firing and reduces excitability, whereas channel inhibition increases excitability. In eukaryotes, the pharmacology and pore topology of several structural classes of K+ channels have been well characterized in the past two decades. This information has come about through the extensive use of scorpion toxins. We have participated in the isolation and in the characterization of several structurally distinct families of scorpion toxin peptides exhibiting different K+ channel blocking functions. In particular, the venom from the Moroccan scorpion Androctonus mauretanicus mauretanicus provided several high-affinity blockers selective for diverse K+ channels (SKCa, Kv4.x, and Kv1.x K+ channel families). In this paper, we summarize our work on these toxin/channel interactions.
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Stehling EG, Sforça ML, Zanchin NIT, Oyama S, Pignatelli A, Belluzzi O, Polverini E, Corsini R, Spisni A, Pertinhez TA. Looking over toxin-K(+) channel interactions. Clues from the structural and functional characterization of α-KTx toxin Tc32, a Kv1.3 channel blocker. Biochemistry 2012; 51:1885-94. [PMID: 22332965 DOI: 10.1021/bi201713z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
α-KTx toxin Tc32, from the Amazonian scorpion Tityus cambridgei, lacks the dyad motif, including Lys27, characteristic of the family and generally associated with channel blockage. The toxin has been cloned and expressed for the first time. Electrophysiological experiments, by showing that the recombinant form blocks Kv1.3 channels of olfactory bulb periglomerular cells like the natural Tc32 toxin, when tested on the Kv1.3 channel of human T lymphocytes, confirmed it is in an active fold. The nuclear magnetic resonance-derived structure revealed it exhibits an α/β scaffold typical of the members of the α-KTx family. TdK2 and TdK3, all belonging to the same α-KTx 18 subfamily, share significant sequence identity with Tc32 but diverse selectivity and affinity for Kv1.3 and Kv1.1 channels. To gain insight into the structural features that may justify those differences, we used the recombinant Tc32 nuclear magnetic resonance-derived structure to model the other two toxins, for which no experimental structure is available. Their interaction with Kv1.3 and Kv1.1 has been investigated by means of docking simulations. The results suggest that differences in the electrostatic features of the toxins and channels, in their contact surfaces, and in their total dipole moment orientations govern the affinity and selectivity of toxins. In addition, we found that, regardless of whether the dyad motif is present, it is always a Lys side chain that physically blocks the channels, irrespective of its position in the toxin sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana G Stehling
- Department of Toxicological and Bromatologic Clinical Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Lee CW, Bae C, Lee J, Ryu JH, Kim HH, Kohno T, Swartz KJ, Kim JI. Solution structure of kurtoxin: a gating modifier selective for Cav3 voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels. Biochemistry 2012; 51:1862-73. [PMID: 22329781 PMCID: PMC3295331 DOI: 10.1021/bi201633j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Kurtoxin is a 63-amino acid polypeptide isolated from the venom of the South African scorpion Parabuthus transvaalicus. It is the first and only peptide ligand known to interact with Cav3 (T-type) voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels with high affinity and to modify the voltage-dependent gating of these channels. Here we describe the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) solution structure of kurtoxin determined using two- and three-dimensional NMR spectroscopy with dynamical simulated annealing calculations. The molecular structure of the toxin was highly similar to those of scorpion α-toxins and contained an α-helix, three β-strands, and several turns stabilized by four disulfide bonds. This so-called "cysteine-stabilized α-helix and β-sheet (CSαβ)" motif is found in a number of functionally varied small proteins. A detailed comparison of the backbone structure of kurtoxin with those of the scorpion α-toxins revealed that three regions [first long loop (Asp(8)-Ile(15)), β-hairpin loop (Gly(39)-Leu(42)), and C-terminal segment (Arg(57)-Ala(63))] in kurtoxin significantly differ from the corresponding regions in scorpion α-toxins, suggesting that these regions may be important for interacting with Cav3 (T-type) Ca(2+) channels. In addition, the surface profile of kurtoxin shows a larger and more focused electropositive patch along with a larger hydrophobic surface compared to those seen on scorpion α-toxins. These distinct surface properties of kurtoxin could explain its binding to Cav3 (T-type) voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chul Won Lee
- Department of Life Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea
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Saucedo AL, Flores-Solis D, Rodríguez de la Vega RC, Ramírez-Cordero B, Hernández-López R, Cano-Sánchez P, Noriega Navarro R, García-Valdés J, Coronas-Valderrama F, de Roodt A, Brieba LG, Domingos Possani L, del Río-Portilla F. New tricks of an old pattern: structural versatility of scorpion toxins with common cysteine spacing. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:12321-30. [PMID: 22238341 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.329607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venoms are a rich source of K(+) channel-blocking peptides. For the most part, they are structurally related small disulfide-rich proteins containing a conserved pattern of six cysteines that is assumed to dictate their common three-dimensional folding. In the conventional pattern, two disulfide bridges connect an α-helical segment to the C-terminal strand of a double- or triple-stranded β-sheet, conforming a cystine-stabilized α/β scaffold (CSα/β). Here we show that two K(+) channel-blocking peptides from Tityus scorpions conserve the cysteine spacing of common scorpion venom peptides but display an unconventional disulfide pattern, accompanied by a complete rearrangement of the secondary structure topology into a CS helix-loop-helix fold. Sequence and structural comparisons of the peptides adopting this novel fold suggest that it would be a new elaboration of the widespread CSα/β scaffold, thus revealing an unexpected structural versatility of these small disulfide-rich proteins. Acknowledgment of such versatility is important to understand how venom structural complexity emerged on a limited number of molecular scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Leticia Saucedo
- Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México, D.F., 04510, México
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Abstract
Synopsis:The diversity of biological functions that are exerted by toxins from snake and scorpion venoms is associated with a limited number of structural frameworks. At present, one predominant basic fold has been observed among scorpion toxins whereas six folds have been found among snake toxins. Most toxin folds have the capacity to accept multiple insertions, deletions and mutations and to exert various recognition functions. We suggest that such folds may serve as guides to engineer new protein functions.
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