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Escalona-Rodriguez FA, Cruz-Leal Y, La O-Bonet J, Pérez-Erviti JA, Valdés-Tresanco ME, Rivero-Hernández AL, Sifontes-Niebla M, Manso-Vargas A, Sánchez B, Alvarez C, Barbosa LRS, Itri R, Lanio ME. Unveiling Sticholysin II and plasmid DNA interaction: Implications for developing non-viral vectors. Toxicon 2024; 238:107571. [PMID: 38141971 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107571] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Non-viral gene delivery systems offer significant potential for gene therapy due to their versatility, safety, and cost advantages over viral vectors. However, their effectiveness can be hindered by the challenge of efficiently releasing the genetic cargo from endosomes to prevent degradation in lysosomes. To overcome this obstacle, functional components can be incorporated into these systems. Sticholysin II (StII) is one of the pore-forming proteins derived from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus, known for its high ability to permeabilize cellular and model membranes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interaction between StII, and a model plasmid (pDNA) as an initial step towards designing an improved vector with enhanced endosomal escape capability. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed the formation of complexes between StII and pDNA. Computational predictions identified specific residues involved in the StII-DNA interaction interface, highlighting the importance of electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds in mediating the binding. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) of StII-pDNA complexes revealed the presence of nodular fiber and toroid shapes. These complexes were found to have a predominantly micrometer size, as confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Despite increase in the overall charge, the complexes formed at the evaluated nitrogen-to-phosphorus (N/P) ratios still maintained a negative charge. Moreover, StII retained its pore-forming capacity regardless of its binding to the complexes. These findings suggest that the potential ability of StII to permeabilize endosomal membranes could be largely maintained when combined with nucleic acid delivery systems. Additionally, the still remaining negative charge of the complexes would enable the association of another positively charged component to compact pDNA. However, to minimize non-specific cytotoxic effects, it is advisable to explore methods to regulate the protein's activity in response to the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe A Escalona-Rodriguez
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba; NanoCancer, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Yoelys Cruz-Leal
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba.
| | - Javier La O-Bonet
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba; NanoCancer, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Julio A Pérez-Erviti
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba.
| | - Mario Ernesto Valdés-Tresanco
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba.
| | - Ada L Rivero-Hernández
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba; NanoCancer, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Maricary Sifontes-Niebla
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba; NanoCancer, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Alexis Manso-Vargas
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Direction, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Belinda Sánchez
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Direction, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Carlos Alvarez
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba; NanoCancer, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
| | - Leandro R S Barbosa
- Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil; Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, 13083-100, SP, Brazil.
| | - Rosangela Itri
- Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil.
| | - María E Lanio
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), 25th Street, Corner to J Street, Square of Revolution, Havana, 10400, Cuba; NanoCancer, Molecular Immunology Center (CIM), 216 Street, Corner to 15 Street, Playa, Havana, 11600, Cuba.
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Wang ZL, Zhang SY, Hao SL, Yang WX. Neurotoxins and pore forming toxins in sea anemones: Potential candidates for new drug development. Histol Histopathol 2023; 38:9-28. [PMID: 35880756 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
There are two kinds of toxins in sea anemones: neurotoxins and pore forming toxins. As a representative of the sodium channel toxin, the neurotoxin ATX II in neurotoxin mainly affects the process of action potential and the release of transmitter to affect the inactivation of the sodium channel. As the representatives of potassium channel toxins, BgK and ShK mainly affect the potassium channel current. EqTx and Sticholysins are representative of pore forming toxins, which can form specific ion channels in cell membranes and change the concentration of internal and external ions, eventually causing hemolytic effects. Based on the above mechanism, toxins such as ATX II can also cause toxic effects in tissues and organs such as heart, lung and muscle. As an applied aspect it was shown that sea anemone toxins often have strong toxic effects on tumor cells, induce cancer cells to enter the pathway of apoptosis, and can also bind to monoclonal antibodies or directly inhibit relevant channels for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Lin Wang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Yi Zhang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuang-Li Hao
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Wan-Xi Yang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Sea Anemones, Actinoporins, and Cholesterol. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158771. [PMID: 35955905 PMCID: PMC9369217 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spanish or Spanish-speaking scientists represent a remarkably populated group within the scientific community studying pore-forming proteins. Some of these scientists, ourselves included, focus on the study of actinoporins, a fascinating group of metamorphic pore-forming proteins produced within the venom of several sea anemones. These toxic proteins can spontaneously transit from a water-soluble fold to an integral membrane ensemble because they specifically recognize sphingomyelin in the membrane. Once they bind to the bilayer, they subsequently oligomerize into a pore that triggers cell-death by osmotic shock. In addition to sphingomyelin, some actinoporins are especially sensible to some other membrane components such as cholesterol. Our group from Universidad Complutense of Madrid has focused greatly on the role played by sterols in this water–membrane transition, a question which still remains only partially solved and constitutes the main core of the article below.
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Rivera-de-Torre E, Rimbault C, Jenkins TP, Sørensen CV, Damsbo A, Saez NJ, Duhoo Y, Hackney CM, Ellgaard L, Laustsen AH. Strategies for Heterologous Expression, Synthesis, and Purification of Animal Venom Toxins. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 9:811905. [PMID: 35127675 PMCID: PMC8811309 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.811905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are complex mixtures containing peptides and proteins known as toxins, which are responsible for the deleterious effect of envenomations. Across the animal Kingdom, toxin diversity is enormous, and the ability to understand the biochemical mechanisms governing toxicity is not only relevant for the development of better envenomation therapies, but also for exploiting toxin bioactivities for therapeutic or biotechnological purposes. Most of toxinology research has relied on obtaining the toxins from crude venoms; however, some toxins are difficult to obtain because the venomous animal is endangered, does not thrive in captivity, produces only a small amount of venom, is difficult to milk, or only produces low amounts of the toxin of interest. Heterologous expression of toxins enables the production of sufficient amounts to unlock the biotechnological potential of these bioactive proteins. Moreover, heterologous expression ensures homogeneity, avoids cross-contamination with other venom components, and circumvents the use of crude venom. Heterologous expression is also not only restricted to natural toxins, but allows for the design of toxins with special properties or can take advantage of the increasing amount of transcriptomics and genomics data, enabling the expression of dormant toxin genes. The main challenge when producing toxins is obtaining properly folded proteins with a correct disulfide pattern that ensures the activity of the toxin of interest. This review presents the strategies that can be used to express toxins in bacteria, yeast, insect cells, or mammalian cells, as well as synthetic approaches that do not involve cells, such as cell-free biosynthesis and peptide synthesis. This is accompanied by an overview of the main advantages and drawbacks of these different systems for producing toxins, as well as a discussion of the biosafety considerations that need to be made when working with highly bioactive proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre, ; Andreas H. Laustsen,
| | - Charlotte Rimbault
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Timothy P. Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Christoffer V. Sørensen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anna Damsbo
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Natalie J. Saez
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Yoan Duhoo
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Celeste Menuet Hackney
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Ellgaard
- Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas H. Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre, ; Andreas H. Laustsen,
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Alvarez C, Soto C, Cabezas S, Alvarado-Mesén J, Laborde R, Pazos F, Ros U, Hernández AM, Lanio ME. Panorama of the Intracellular Molecular Concert Orchestrated by Actinoporins, Pore-Forming Toxins from Sea Anemones. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13080567. [PMID: 34437438 PMCID: PMC8402351 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13080567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Actinoporins (APs) are soluble pore-forming proteins secreted by sea anemones that experience conformational changes originating in pores in the membranes that can lead to cell death. The processes involved in the binding and pore-formation of members of this protein family have been deeply examined in recent years; however, the intracellular responses to APs are only beginning to be understood. Unlike pore formers of bacterial origin, whose intracellular impact has been studied in more detail, currently, we only have knowledge of a few poorly integrated elements of the APs’ intracellular action. In this review, we present and discuss an updated landscape of the studies aimed at understanding the intracellular pathways triggered in response to APs attack with particular reference to sticholysin II, the most active isoform produced by the Caribbean Sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. To achieve this, we first describe the major alterations these cytolysins elicit on simpler cells, such as non-nucleated mammalian erythrocytes, and then onto more complex eukaryotic cells, including tumor cells. This understanding has provided the basis for the development of novel applications of sticholysins such as the construction of immunotoxins directed against undesirable cells, such as tumor cells, and the design of a cancer vaccine platform. These are among the most interesting potential uses for the members of this toxin family that have been carried out in our laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alvarez
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Carmen Soto
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
| | - Sheila Cabezas
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
| | - Javier Alvarado-Mesén
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional, Heredia 40101, Costa Rica
| | - Rady Laborde
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
| | - Fabiola Pazos
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
| | - Uris Ros
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
- Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-strasse 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ana María Hernández
- Immunobiology Division, Molecular Immunology Institute, Center of Molecular Immunology (CIM), Playa, Havana CP 11600, Cuba;
| | - María Eliana Lanio
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana (UH) and Laboratorio UH-Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Havana CP 11600, Cuba; (C.S.); (S.C.); (J.A.-M.); (R.L.); (F.P.); (U.R.); (M.E.L.)
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Kobayashi T, Tomishige N, Inaba T, Makino A, Murata M, Yamaji-Hasegawa A, Murate M. Impact of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors on Cellular Sphingomyelin Imaging with Specific Reporter Proteins. CONTACT (THOUSAND OAKS (VENTURA COUNTY, CALIF.)) 2021; 4:25152564211042456. [PMID: 37366372 PMCID: PMC10259817 DOI: 10.1177/25152564211042456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Sphingomyelin (SM) is a major sphingolipid in mammalian cells. Although SM is enriched in the outer leaflet of the cell plasma membrane, lipids are also observed in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane and intracellular organelles such as endolysosomes, the Golgi apparatus and nuclei. SM is postulated to form clusters with glycosphingolipids (GSLs), cholesterol (Chol), and other SM molecules through hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. Thus, different clusters composed of SM, SM/Chol, SM/GSL and SM/GSL/Chol with different stoichiometries may exist in biomembranes. In addition, SM monomers may be located in the glycerophospholipid-rich areas of membranes. Recently developed SM-binding proteins (SBPs) distinguish these different SM assemblies. Here, we summarize the effects of intrinsic factors regulating the lipid-binding specificity of SBPs and extrinsic factors, such as the lipid phase and lipid density, on SM recognition by SBPs. The combination of different SBPs revealed the heterogeneity of SM domains in biomembranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihide Kobayashi
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN
CPR, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et
Pathologies, Faculté de Pharmacie, UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg,
Illkirch, France
| | - Nario Tomishige
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN
CPR, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et
Pathologies, Faculté de Pharmacie, UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg,
Illkirch, France
| | | | - Asami Makino
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Michio Murata
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate
School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
- ERATO, Lipid Active Structure Project,
Japan Science and Technology Agency, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University,
Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Motohide Murate
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN
CPR, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et
Pathologies, Faculté de Pharmacie, UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg,
Illkirch, France
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