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Walker AA, Robinson SD, Merritt DJ, Cardoso FC, Goudarzi MH, Mercedes RS, Eagles DA, Cooper P, Zdenek CN, Fry BG, Hall DW, Vetter I, King GF. Horizontal gene transfer underlies the painful stings of asp caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305871120. [PMID: 37428925 PMCID: PMC10629529 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305871120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Larvae of the genus Megalopyge (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea: Megalopygidae), known as asp or puss caterpillars, produce defensive venoms that cause severe pain. Here, we present the anatomy, chemistry, and mode of action of the venom systems of caterpillars of two megalopygid species, the Southern flannel moth Megalopyge opercularis and the black-waved flannel moth Megalopyge crispata. We show that megalopygid venom is produced in secretory cells that lie beneath the cuticle and are connected to the venom spines by canals. Megalopygid venoms consist of large aerolysin-like pore-forming toxins, which we have named megalysins, and a small number of peptides. The venom system differs markedly from those of previously studied venomous zygaenoids of the family Limacodidae, suggestive of an independent origin. Megalopygid venom potently activates mammalian sensory neurons via membrane permeabilization and induces sustained spontaneous pain behavior and paw swelling in mice. These bioactivities are ablated by treatment with heat, organic solvents, or proteases, indicating that they are mediated by larger proteins such as the megalysins. We show that the megalysins were recruited as venom toxins in the Megalopygidae following horizontal transfer of genes from bacteria to the ancestors of ditrysian Lepidoptera. Megalopygids have recruited aerolysin-like proteins as venom toxins convergently with centipedes, cnidarians, and fish. This study highlights the role of horizontal gene transfer in venom evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A. Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Protein and Peptide Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Samuel D. Robinson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - David J. Merritt
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Fernanda C. Cardoso
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Protein and Peptide Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Mohaddeseh Hedayati Goudarzi
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Protein and Peptide Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Raine S. Mercedes
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Protein and Peptide Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - David A. Eagles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Protein and Peptide Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Paul Cooper
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT2601, Australia
| | - Christina N. Zdenek
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Bryan G. Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Donald W. Hall
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32608
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4102, Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Protein and Peptide Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
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Castro PHC, Paiva ALB, Peixoto GVM, Oliveira-Mendes BBR, Calaça P, Matavel A. Epidemiology of arthropods envenomation in Brazil: a public health issue. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2023; 95:e20220850. [PMID: 37466539 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320220850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Brazil is located between the Equator and Tropic of Capricorn, which allows diverse climates, reliefs, and habitats for arthropods, which sting represents a risk to human health and a public health issue. This manuscript updates the epidemiological data of cases of human envenoming by spiders, scorpions, and insects with medical relevance in Brazil from 2010 to 2021. Epidemiological data were taken using the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System. Statistics of non-parametric data used the Kruskal-Wallis followed by the Nemenyi test. On average, more than 145,000 envenomation and 145 deaths are recorded annually, and more than 60% of deaths are caused by scorpion bites. When the number of deaths was pondered by the number of cases with each arthropod, bees kill the most. Most stings cause mild symptoms and affect men of working age. The incidence decreases during the colder months, which is better noticeable in regions with well-defined seasons. The distribution is distinct among the regions: Southeast, Northeast, and South have the highest rate of bites. The growing number of cases of envenomation reported annually is a serious public health concern, especially involving scorpions, and highlights the importance of studying arthropod venom and improving the therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Henrique C Castro
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Rua Conde Pereira Carneiro, 80, Gameleira, 30510-010 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Luiza B Paiva
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Rua Conde Pereira Carneiro, 80, Gameleira, 30510-010 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Vinícius M Peixoto
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Rua Conde Pereira Carneiro, 80, Gameleira, 30510-010 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Paula Calaça
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Rua Conde Pereira Carneiro, 80, Gameleira, 30510-010 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Matavel
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Rua Conde Pereira Carneiro, 80, Gameleira, 30510-010 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Moraes JA, Rodrigues G, Guimarães-Bastos D, Nascimento-Silva V, Svensjö E, Renovato-Martins M, Berger M, Guimarães J, Barja-Fidalgo C. Effect of Lonomia obliqua Venom on Human Neutrophils. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13120908. [PMID: 34941745 PMCID: PMC8707409 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13120908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The significant incidence of deforestation in South America culminates in the contact of humans with typical forests species. Among these species, one may highlight Lonomia obliqua caterpillar, which, when touched by humans, can poison them through their bristles. Therefore, better acknowledging the mechanisms involved in envenomation caused by Lonomia obliqua caterpillar bristle extract (LOCBE) may contribute to further treatments. Recently, we demonstrated that LOCBE induces a pro-inflammatory profile in endothelial cells; thus, we decided to investigate the effects of LOCBE on human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), which are the first leukocytes that migrate to the inflammatory focus. Our results showed that treatment with LOCBE induced PMN chemotaxis together with alterations in actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation, favoring migration. Concurrently, LOCBE induced PMN adhesion to matrix proteins, such as collagen IV, fibronectin, and fibrinogen. Moreover, we observed that LOCBE attenuated PMN apoptosis and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production together with nuclear factor kB (NF-κB) activation—a redox-sensitive transcription factor—as well as interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 release. We call attention to the ROS-dependent effect of LOCBE on increased cell migration once an antioxidant treatment reverted it. In summary, we report that LOCBE activates PMN, inducing pro-inflammatory responses modulated by ROS.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Alfredo Moraes
- Laboratório de Biologia RedOx, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ave. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Prédio Novo do ICB, Sala 3 3 Andar, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (D.G.-B.); (C.B.-F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Genilson Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20551-030, Brazil; (G.R.); (V.N.-S.)
| | - Daniel Guimarães-Bastos
- Laboratório de Biologia RedOx, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ave. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Prédio Novo do ICB, Sala 3 3 Andar, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (D.G.-B.); (C.B.-F.)
| | - Vany Nascimento-Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20551-030, Brazil; (G.R.); (V.N.-S.)
| | - Erik Svensjö
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil;
| | - Mariana Renovato-Martins
- Laborotário de Imunologia e Metabolismo, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 22410-201, Brazil;
| | - Markus Berger
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil; (M.B.); (J.G.)
| | - Jorge Guimarães
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Farmacológica, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil; (M.B.); (J.G.)
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Christina Barja-Fidalgo
- Laboratório de Biologia RedOx, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ave. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Prédio Novo do ICB, Sala 3 3 Andar, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (D.G.-B.); (C.B.-F.)
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Walker AA, Robinson SD, Yeates DK, Jin J, Baumann K, Dobson J, Fry BG, King GF. Entomo-venomics: The evolution, biology and biochemistry of insect venoms. Toxicon 2018; 154:15-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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