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Duran LH, Wilson DT, Salih M, Rymer TL. Interactions between physiology and behaviour provide insights into the ecological role of venom in Australian funnel-web spiders: Interspecies comparison. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285866. [PMID: 37216354 PMCID: PMC10202279 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Australian funnel-web spiders are iconic species, characterized as being the most venomous spiders in the world. They are also valued for the therapeutics and natural bioinsecticides potentially hidden in their venom molecules. Although numerous biochemical and molecular structural approaches have tried to determine the factors driving venom complexity, these approaches have not considered behaviour, physiology and environmental conditions collectively, which can play a role in the evolution, complexity, and function of venom components in funnel-webs. This study used a novel interdisciplinary approach to understand the relationships between different behaviours (assessed in different ecological contexts) and morphophysiological variables (body condition, heart rate) that may affect venom composition in four species of Australian funnel-web spiders. We tested defensiveness, huddling behaviour, frequency of climbing, and activity for all species in three ecological contexts: i) predation using both indirect (puff of air) and direct (prodding) stimuli; ii) conspecific tolerance; and iii) exploration of a new territory. We also assessed morphophysiological variables and venom composition of all species. For Hadronyche valida, the expression of some venom components was associated with heart rate and defensiveness during the predation context. However, we did not find any associations between behavioural traits and morphophysiological variables in the other species, suggesting that particular associations may be species-specific. When we assessed differences between species, we found that the species separated out based on the venom profiles, while activity and heart rate are likely more affected by individual responses and microhabitat conditions. This study demonstrates how behavioural and morphophysiological traits are correlated with venom composition and contributes to a broader understanding of the function and evolution of venoms in funnel-web spiders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hernández Duran
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
- Australian Institute for Tropical Health and Medicine, Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - David Thomas Wilson
- Australian Institute for Tropical Health and Medicine, Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Mohamed Salih
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tasmin Lee Rymer
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
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2
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Abdullah A, Çiğdem Y, Tuğrul EE, Erhan A. Effect of intravesical tarantula cubensis extract (Theranekron) on inflammation in an interstitial cystitis rat model. Low Urin Tract Symptoms 2023; 15:63-67. [PMID: 36478083 DOI: 10.1111/luts.12470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To reveal the histopathological and immunological outcomes of intravesical treatment with tarantula cubensis extract (TCE) in a rat model of interstitial cystitis. METHODS A total of 30 female Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: group 1 (control group), group 2 (disease group), and group 3 (treatment group). The rat model of interstitial cystitis was created by biweekly intraperitoneal administration of cyclophosphamide (CYP). In group 3, TCE (a venom extracted from a brown spider known as tarantula cubensis) was administered intravesically after the model had been created. Urothelial degeneration, necrosis, ulcer, bleeding, edema, inflammation and mast cell count, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and hydroxyproline parameters were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance, chi-square tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS All parameters were found to be lower in the rats in group 1 than in the other groups, and IL-6 and MPO values were found to be higher in group 2 (p < .001). The mean TNF-alpha value was highest in group 2 (p = .078). No difference was found between all groups regarding ulcer (p = .087). Urothelial degeneration, necrosis, edema, inflammation, hemorrhage and fibroblast proliferations, and hydroxyproline values were higher in group 3 (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Intravesical TCE instillation produces an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the levels of inflammatory parameters such as IL-6, TNF-alpha, and MPO in bladder tissue. It also accelerates tissue healing by increasing hydroxyproline and fibroblast proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akdağ Abdullah
- Department of Urology, Söke Fehime Faik Kocagöz State Hospital, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Yenisey Çiğdem
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Epikmen E Tuğrul
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Ateş Erhan
- Department of Urology, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey
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Chen M, Peng S, Wang L, Yang L, Si Y, Zhou X, Zhang Y, Liu Z. Recombinant PaurTx-3, a spider toxin, inhibits sodium channels and decreases membrane excitability in DRG neurons. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 533:958-964. [PMID: 33004176 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.09.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels are critical for the generation and propagation of action potentials. Gating modifier toxins from spider venom can modulate the gating mechanism of sodium channels and thus have potential as drug leads. Here, we established expression of the gating modifier toxin PaurTx-3, a sodium channel inhibitor found in the venom of the spider Phrixotrichus auratus. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings indicated that recombinant PaurTx-3 (rPaurTx-3) inhibited Nav1.4, Nav1.5, and Nav1.7 currents with IC50 values of 61 nM, 72 nM, and 25 nM, respectively. Furthermore, rPaurTx-3 irreversibly inhibited Nav1.7 currents, but had 60-70% recovery in Nav1.4 and Nav1.5 after washing with a bath solution. rPaurTx-3 also hyperpolarized the voltage-dependent steady-state inactivation curve and significantly slowed recovery from fast inactivation of Nav1.7. Current-clamp recordings showed that rPaurTx-3 suppressed small DRG neuron activity. The biological activity assay findings for rPaurTx-3 support its potent pharmacological effect in Nav1.7 and small DRG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minzhi Chen
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Shuijiao Peng
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Li Wang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Li Yang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Yuxin Si
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Xi Zhou
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China.
| | - Yunxiao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Advanced Carbon-based Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, Yueyang, 414006, Hunan, China.
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China.
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4
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Newly Discovered Action of HpTx3 from Venom of Heteropoda venatoria on Na v1.7 and Its Pharmacological Implications in Analgesia. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11120680. [PMID: 31757020 PMCID: PMC6950750 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11120680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that Heteropodatoxin3 (HpTx3), a peptidic neurotoxin purified from the venom of the spider species Heteropoda venatoria, could inhibit Kv4.2 channels. Our present study newly found that HpTx3 also has potent and selective inhibitory action on Nav1.7, with an IC50 of 135.61 ± 12.98 nM. Without effect on the current–voltage (I-V) relationship of Nav1.7, HpTx3 made minor alternation in the voltage-dependence of activation and steady-state inactivation of Nav1.7 (4.15 mV and 7.29 mV, respectively) by interacting with the extracellular S3–S4 loop (S3b–S4 sequence) in domain II and the domain IV of the Nav channel subtype, showing the characteristics of both pore blocker and gate modifier toxin. During the interaction of HpTx3 with the S3b–S4 sequence of Nav1.7, the amino acid residue D in the sequence played a key role. When administered intraperitoneally or intramuscularly, HpTx3 displayed potent analgesic activity in a dose-dependent manner in different mouse pain models induced by formalin, acetic acid, complete Freund’s adjuvant, hot plate, or spared nerve injury, demonstrating that acute, inflammatory, and neuropathic pains were all effectively inhibited by the toxin. In most cases HpTx3 at doses of ≥ 1mg/kg could produce the analgesic effect comparable to that of 1 mg/kg morphine. These results suggest that HpTx3 not only can be used as a molecular probe to investigate ion channel function and pain mechanism, but also has potential in the development of the drugs that treat the Nav1.7 channel-related pain.
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5
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Li W, Huang L, Meng E, Wang X, Zhang D, Wang G. Effect of crude venom from the spider Chilobrachys jingzhao on the proliferation and differentiation of C17.2 neural stem cells. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2018.1496033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wenying Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lixiang Huang
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Er Meng
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dongyi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Gan Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China
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de Souza JM, Goncalves BDC, Gomez MV, Vieira LB, Ribeiro FM. Animal Toxins as Therapeutic Tools to Treat Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Pharmacol 2018. [PMID: 29527170 PMCID: PMC5829052 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of individuals worldwide. So far, no disease-modifying drug is available to treat patients, making the search for effective drugs an urgent need. Neurodegeneration is triggered by the activation of several cellular processes, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, neuroinflammation, aging, aggregate formation, glutamatergic excitotoxicity, and apoptosis. Therefore, many research groups aim to identify drugs that may inhibit one or more of these events leading to neuronal cell death. Venoms are fruitful natural sources of new molecules, which have been relentlessly enhanced by evolution through natural selection. Several studies indicate that venom components can exhibit selectivity and affinity for a wide variety of targets in mammalian systems. For instance, an expressive number of natural peptides identified in venoms from animals, such as snakes, scorpions, bees, and spiders, were shown to lessen inflammation, regulate glutamate release, modify neurotransmitter levels, block ion channel activation, decrease the number of protein aggregates, and increase the levels of neuroprotective factors. Thus, these venom components hold potential as therapeutic tools to slow or even halt neurodegeneration. However, there are many technological issues to overcome, as venom peptides are hard to obtain and characterize and the amount obtained from natural sources is insufficient to perform all the necessary experiments and tests. Fortunately, technological improvements regarding heterologous protein expression, as well as peptide chemical synthesis will help to provide enough quantities and allow chemical and pharmacological enhancements of these natural occurring compounds. Thus, the main focus of this review is to highlight the most promising studies evaluating animal toxins as therapeutic tools to treat a wide variety of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, brain ischemia, glaucoma, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M de Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Bruno D C Goncalves
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marcus V Gomez
- Department of Neurotransmitters, Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Santa Casa, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luciene B Vieira
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fabiola M Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Titaux-Delgado G, Carrillo E, Mendoza A, Mayorga-Flores M, Escobedo-González FC, Cano-Sánchez P, López-Vera E, Corzo G, Del Rio-Portilla F. Successful refolding and NMR structure of rMagi3: A disulfide-rich insecticidal spider toxin. Protein Sci 2018; 27:692-701. [PMID: 29247580 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The need for molecules with high specificity against noxious insects leads the search towards spider venoms that have evolved highly selective toxins for insect preys. In this respect, spiders as a highly diversified group of almost exclusive insect predators appear to possess infinite potential for the discovery of novel insect-selective toxins. In 2003, a group of toxins was isolated from the spider Macrothele gigas and the amino acid sequence was reported. We obtained, by molecular biology techniques in a heterologous system, one of these toxins. Purification process was optimized by chromatographic methods to determine the three-dimensional structure by nuclear magnetic resonance in solution, and, finally, their biological activity was tested. rMagi3 resulted to be a specific insect toxin with no effect on mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Titaux-Delgado
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, Ciudad de México, 04510, México
| | - Elisa Carrillo
- Laboratorio de Toxinología Marina, Unidad Académica de Ecología y Biodiversidad Acuática, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, 04510, México
| | - Angeles Mendoza
- División de Ciencias e Ingenierías, Campus León, Universidad de Guanajuato, Loma del Bosque 103, Col. Lomas del Campestre León, Gto, 37150, México
| | - Marlen Mayorga-Flores
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, Ciudad de México, 04510, México
| | - Fátima C Escobedo-González
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, Ciudad de México, 04510, México
| | - Patricia Cano-Sánchez
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, Ciudad de México, 04510, México
| | - Estuardo López-Vera
- Laboratorio de Toxinología Marina, Unidad Académica de Ecología y Biodiversidad Acuática, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, 04510, México
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 61500, México
| | - Federico Del Rio-Portilla
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, Ciudad de México, 04510, México
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Agwa AJ, Huang YH, Craik DJ, Henriques ST, Schroeder CI. Lengths of the C-Terminus and Interconnecting Loops Impact Stability of Spider-Derived Gating Modifier Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9080248. [PMID: 28805686 PMCID: PMC5577582 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9080248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Spider gating modifier toxins (GMTs) are potent modulators of voltage-gated ion channels and have thus attracted attention as drug leads for several pathophysiological conditions. GMTs contain three disulfide bonds organized in an inhibitory cystine knot, which putatively confers them with high stability; however, thus far, there has not been a focused study to establish the stability of GMTs in physiological conditions. We examined the resistance of five GMTs including GpTx-1, HnTx-IV, HwTx-IV, PaurTx-3 and SgTx-1, to pH, thermal and proteolytic degradation. The peptides were stable under physiological conditions, except SgTx-1, which was susceptible to proteolysis, probably due to a longer C-terminus compared to the other peptides. In non-physiological conditions, the five peptides withstood chaotropic degradation, and all but SgTx-1 remained intact after prolonged exposure to high temperature; however, the peptides were degraded in strongly alkaline solutions. GpTx-1 and PaurTx-3 were more resistant to basic hydrolysis than HnTx-IV, HwTx-IV and SgTx-1, probably because a shorter interconnecting loop 3 on GpTx-1 and PaurTx-3 may stabilize interactions between the C-terminus and the hydrophobic patch. Here, we establish that most GMTs are exceptionally stable, and propose that, in the design of GMT-based therapeutics, stability can be enhanced by optimizing the C-terminus in terms of length, and increased interactions with the hydrophobic patch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akello J Agwa
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Sónia T Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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9
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Insect-Active Toxins with Promiscuous Pharmacology from the African Theraphosid Spider Monocentropus balfouri. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9050155. [PMID: 28475112 PMCID: PMC5450703 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9050155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Many chemical insecticides are becoming less efficacious due to rising resistance in pest species, which has created much interest in the development of new, eco-friendly bioinsecticides. Since insects are the primary prey of most spiders, their venoms are a rich source of insect-active peptides that can be used as leads for new bioinsecticides or as tools to study molecular receptors that are insecticidal targets. In the present study, we isolated two insecticidal peptides, µ/ω-TRTX-Mb1a and -Mb1b, from venom of the African tarantula Monocentropus balfouri. Recombinant µ/ω-TRTX-Mb1a and -Mb1b paralyzed both Lucilia cuprina (Australian sheep blowfly) and Musca domestica (housefly), but neither peptide affected larvae of Helicoverpa armigera (cotton bollworms). Both peptides inhibited currents mediated by voltage-gated sodium (NaV) and calcium channels in Periplaneta americana (American cockroach) dorsal unpaired median neurons, and they also inhibited the cloned Blattella germanica (German cockroach) NaV channel (BgNaV1). An additional effect seen only with Mb1a on BgNaV1 was a delay in fast inactivation. Comparison of the NaV channel sequences of the tested insect species revealed that variations in the S1–S2 loops in the voltage sensor domains might underlie the differences in activity between different phyla.
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10
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Xie B, Huang Y, Baumann K, Fry BG, Shi Q. From Marine Venoms to Drugs: Efficiently Supported by a Combination of Transcriptomics and Proteomics. Mar Drugs 2017; 15:md15040103. [PMID: 28358320 PMCID: PMC5408249 DOI: 10.3390/md15040103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential of marine natural products to become new drugs is vast; however, research is still in its infancy. The chemical and biological diversity of marine toxins is immeasurable and as such an extraordinary resource for the discovery of new drugs. With the rapid development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), it has been much easier and faster to identify more toxins and predict their functions with bioinformatics pipelines, which pave the way for novel drug developments. Here we provide an overview of related bioinformatics pipelines that have been supported by a combination of transcriptomics and proteomics for identification and function prediction of novel marine toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Xie
- Venomics Research Group, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China.
| | - Yu Huang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI, Shenzhen 518083, China.
| | - Kate Baumann
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Bryan Grieg Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Qiong Shi
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- BGI Shenzhen Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Fisheries, BGI, Shenzhen 518083, China.
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Zhang F, Liu C, Tan H, Wang H, Jiang Y, Liang S, Zhang F, Liu Z. A survey of the venom of the spider Lycosa vittata by biochemical, pharmacological and transcriptomic analyses. Toxicon 2015; 107:335-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
Over a period of more than 300 million years, spiders have evolved complex venoms containing an extraordinary array of toxins for prey capture and defense against predators. The major components of most spider venoms are small disulfide-bridged peptides that are highly stable and resistant to proteolytic degradation. Moreover, many of these peptides have high specificity and potency toward molecular targets of therapeutic importance. This unique combination of bioactivity and stability has made spider-venom peptides valuable both as pharmacological tools and as leads for drug development. This review describes recent advances in spider-venom-based drug discovery pipelines. We discuss spider-venom-derived peptides that are currently under investigation for treatment of a diverse range of pathologies including pain, stroke and cancer.
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13
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Klint JK, Smith JJ, Vetter I, Rupasinghe DB, Er SY, Senff S, Herzig V, Mobli M, Lewis RJ, Bosmans F, King GF. Seven novel modulators of the analgesic target NaV 1.7 uncovered using a high-throughput venom-based discovery approach. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 172:2445-58. [PMID: 25754331 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Revised: 11/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Chronic pain is a serious worldwide health issue, with current analgesics having limited efficacy and dose-limiting side effects. Humans with loss-of-function mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV 1.7 (hNaV 1.7) are indifferent to pain, making hNaV 1.7 a promising target for analgesic development. Since spider venoms are replete with NaV channel modulators, we examined their potential as a source of hNaV 1.7 inhibitors. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We developed a high-throughput fluorescent-based assay to screen spider venoms against hNaV 1.7 and isolate 'hit' peptides. To examine the binding site of these peptides, we constructed a panel of chimeric channels in which the S3b-S4 paddle motif from each voltage sensor domain of hNaV 1.7 was transplanted into the homotetrameric KV 2.1 channel. KEY RESULTS We screened 205 spider venoms and found that 40% contain at least one inhibitor of hNaV 1.7. By deconvoluting 'hit' venoms, we discovered seven novel members of the NaSpTx family 1. One of these peptides, Hd1a (peptide μ-TRTX-Hd1a from venom of the spider Haplopelma doriae), inhibited hNaV 1.7 with a high level of selectivity over all other subtypes, except hNaV 1.1. We showed that Hd1a is a gating modifier that inhibits hNaV 1.7 by interacting with the S3b-S4 paddle motif in channel domain II. The structure of Hd1a, determined using heteronuclear NMR, contains an inhibitor cystine knot motif that is likely to confer high levels of chemical, thermal and biological stability. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our data indicate that spider venoms are a rich natural source of hNaV 1.7 inhibitors that might be useful leads for the development of novel analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie K Klint
- Centre for Pain Research, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia
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14
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Ardisson-Araújo DMP, Morgado FDS, Schwartz EF, Corzo G, Ribeiro BM. A new theraphosid spider toxin causes early insect cell death by necrosis when expressed in vitro during recombinant baculovirus infection. PLoS One 2013; 8:e84404. [PMID: 24349574 PMCID: PMC3862797 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Baculoviruses are the most studied insect viruses in the world and are used for biological control of agricultural and forest insect pests. They are also used as versatile vectors for expression of heterologous proteins. One of the major problems of their use as biopesticides is their slow speed to kill insects. Thus, to address this shortcoming, insect-specific neurotoxins from arachnids have been introduced into the baculovirus genome solely aiming to improve its virulence. In this work, an insecticide-like toxin gene was obtained from a cDNA derived from the venom glands of the theraphosid spider Brachypelma albiceps. The mature form of the peptide toxin (called Ba3) has a high content of basic amino acid residues, potential for three possible disulfide bonds, and a predicted three-stranded β-sheetDifferent constructions of the gene were engineered for recombinant baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nuclepolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) expression. Five different forms of Ba3 were assessed; (1) the full-length sequence, (2) the pro-peptide and mature region, (3) only the mature region, and the mature region fused to an (4) insect or a (5) virus-derived signal peptide were inserted separately into the genome of the baculovirus. All the recombinant viruses induced cell death by necrosis earlier in infection relative to a control virus lacking the toxin gene. However, the recombinant virus containing the mature portion of the toxin gene induced a faster cell death than the other recombinants. We found that the toxin construct with the signal peptide and/or pro-peptide regions delayed the necrosis phenotype. When infected cells were subjected to ultrastructural analysis, the cells showed loss of plasma membrane integrity and structural changes in mitochondria before death. Our results suggest this use of baculovirus is a potential tool to help understand or to identify the effect of insect-specific toxic peptides when produced during infection of insect cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Bergmann Morais Ribeiro
- Departmento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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15
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A novel ICK peptide from the Loxosceles intermedia (brown spider) venom gland: Cloning, heterologous expression and immunological cross-reactivity approaches. Toxicon 2013; 71:147-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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16
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Klint JK, Senff S, Rupasinghe DB, Er SY, Herzig V, Nicholson GM, King GF. Spider-venom peptides that target voltage-gated sodium channels: Pharmacological tools and potential therapeutic leads. Toxicon 2012; 60:478-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.04.337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Accepted: 04/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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17
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Pineda SS, Wilson D, Mattick JS, King GF. The lethal toxin from Australian funnel-web spiders is encoded by an intronless gene. PLoS One 2012; 7:e43699. [PMID: 22928020 PMCID: PMC3425536 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Australian funnel-web spiders are generally considered the most dangerous spiders in the world, with envenomations from the Sydney funnel-web spider Atrax robustus resulting in at least 14 human fatalities prior to the introduction of an effective anti-venom in 1980. The clinical envenomation syndrome resulting from bites by Australian funnel-web spiders is due to a single 42-residue peptide known as δ-hexatoxin. This peptide delays the inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels, which results in spontaneous repetitive firing and prolongation of action potentials, thereby causing massive neurotransmitter release from both somatic and autonomic nerve endings. Here we show that δ-hexatoxin from the Australian funnel-web spider Hadronyche versuta is produced from an intronless gene that encodes a prepropeptide that is post-translationally processed to yield the mature toxin. A limited sampling of genes encoding unrelated venom peptides from this spider indicated that they are all intronless. Thus, in distinct contrast to cone snails and scorpions, whose toxin genes contain introns, spiders may have developed a quite different genetic strategy for evolving their venom peptidome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Steffany Pineda
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - David Wilson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - John S. Mattick
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
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18
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Olsen CA, Kristensen AS, Strømgaard K. Niedermolekulare Verbindungen aus Spinnen als chemische Sensoren. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201101599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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19
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Olsen CA, Kristensen AS, Strømgaard K. Small molecules from spiders used as chemical probes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011; 50:11296-311. [PMID: 22034051 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201101599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Spiders are important species in ecological systems and as major predators of insects they are endowed with a plethora of low-molecular-weight natural products having intriguing biological activities. The isolation and biological characterization of these entities are well established, however, only very recently have these compounds been used as templates for the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of synthetic analogues. In contrast, the investigation of compounds responsible for chemical communication between spiders is far less developed, but recently new light has been shed onto the area of pheromones and allomones from spiders. Herein, we recapitulate these recent results, put them into perspective with previous findings, and provide an outlook for future studies of these chemotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian A Olsen
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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20
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Saez NJ, Senff S, Jensen JE, Er SY, Herzig V, Rash LD, King GF. Spider-venom peptides as therapeutics. Toxins (Basel) 2010; 2:2851-71. [PMID: 22069579 PMCID: PMC3153181 DOI: 10.3390/toxins2122851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2010] [Revised: 12/17/2010] [Accepted: 12/17/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Spiders are the most successful venomous animals and the most abundant terrestrial predators. Their remarkable success is due in large part to their ingenious exploitation of silk and the evolution of pharmacologically complex venoms that ensure rapid subjugation of prey. Most spider venoms are dominated by disulfide-rich peptides that typically have high affinity and specificity for particular subtypes of ion channels and receptors. Spider venoms are conservatively predicted to contain more than 10 million bioactive peptides, making them a valuable resource for drug discovery. Here we review the structure and pharmacology of spider-venom peptides that are being used as leads for the development of therapeutics against a wide range of pathophysiological conditions including cardiovascular disorders, chronic pain, inflammation, and erectile dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Saez
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
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21
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Bhattacharya A, Wickenden AD, Chaplan SR. Sodium channel blockers for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Neurotherapeutics 2009; 6:663-78. [PMID: 19789071 PMCID: PMC5084288 DOI: 10.1016/j.nurt.2009.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Drugs that block voltage-gated sodium channels are efficacious in the management of neuropathic pain. Accordingly, this class of ion channels has been a major focus of analgesic research both in academia and in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry. In this article, we review the history of the use of sodium channel blockers, describe the current status of sodium channel drug discovery, highlight the challenges and hurdles to attain sodium channel subtype selectivity, and review the potential usefulness of selective sodium channel blockers in neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anindya Bhattacharya
- grid.417429.dPain & Related Disorders Team, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, LLC, 3210 Merryfield Row, 92121 San Diego, CA
| | - Alan D. Wickenden
- grid.417429.dPain & Related Disorders Team, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, LLC, 3210 Merryfield Row, 92121 San Diego, CA
| | - Sandra R. Chaplan
- grid.417429.dPain & Related Disorders Team, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, LLC, 3210 Merryfield Row, 92121 San Diego, CA
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