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Lin C, Qin H, Liao Y, Chen J, Gao B. Chemical Synthesis and Insecticidal Activity Research Based on α-Conotoxins. Molecules 2024; 29:2846. [PMID: 38930912 PMCID: PMC11206848 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The escalating resistance of agricultural pests to chemical insecticides necessitates the development of novel, efficient, and safe biological insecticides. Conus quercinus, a vermivorous cone snail, yields a crude venom rich in peptides for marine worm predation. This study screened six α-conotoxins with insecticidal potential from a previously constructed transcriptome database of C. quercinus, characterized by two disulfide bonds. These conotoxins were derived via solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and folded using two-step iodine oxidation for further insecticidal activity validation, such as CCK-8 assay and insect bioassay. The final results confirmed the insecticidal activities of the six α-conotoxins, with Qc1.15 and Qc1.18 exhibiting high insecticidal activity. In addition, structural analysis via homology modeling and functional insights from molecular docking offer a preliminary look into their potential insecticidal mechanisms. In summary, this study provides essential references and foundations for developing novel insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jiao Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Tropical Medicine Innovation and Transformation of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center of Human-Machine Intelligent Collaborative for Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Hainan Province, Hainan Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Tropical Herbs, School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China; (C.L.); (H.Q.); (Y.L.)
| | - Bingmiao Gao
- Engineering Research Center of Tropical Medicine Innovation and Transformation of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center of Human-Machine Intelligent Collaborative for Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Hainan Province, Hainan Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Tropical Herbs, School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China; (C.L.); (H.Q.); (Y.L.)
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2
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Martínez-Hernández L, López-Vera E, Aguilar MB, Rodriguez-Ruiz XC, Ortíz-Arellano MA. κO-SrVIA Conopeptide, a Novel Inhibitor Peptide for Two Members of the Human EAG Potassium Channel Family. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11513. [PMID: 37511269 PMCID: PMC10380377 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The first conotoxin affecting the voltage-gated potassium channels of the EAG family was identified and characterized from the venom of the vermivorous species Conus spurius from the Gulf of Mexico. This conopeptide, initially named Cs68 and later designated κO-SrVIA, is extremely hydrophobic and comprises 31 amino acid residues, including six Cysteines in the framework VI/VII, and a free C-terminus. It inhibits the currents mediated by two human EAG subtypes, Kv10.1 (IC50 = 1.88 ± 1.08 µM) and Kv11.1 (IC50 = 2.44 ± 1.06 µM), and also the human subtype Kv1.6 (IC50 = 3.6 ± 1.04 µM). Despite its clear effects on potassium channels, it shares a high sequence identity with δ-like-AtVIA and δ-TsVIA. Also, κO-SrVIA is the third conopeptide from the venom of C. spurius with effects on potassium channels, and the seventh conotoxin that blocks Kv1.6 channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Martínez-Hernández
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - 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 de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Manuel B. Aguilar
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Marina, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla 76230, Mexico;
| | - Ximena C. Rodriguez-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Toxinología Marina, Unidad Académica de Ecología y Biodiversidad Acuática, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Mónica A. Ortíz-Arellano
- Laboratorio de Malacología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Mazatlán 82000, Mexico;
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Rogalski A, Himaya SWA, Lewis RJ. Coordinated adaptations define the ontogenetic shift from worm- to fish-hunting in a venomous cone snail. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3287. [PMID: 37311767 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38924-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine cone snails have attracted researchers from all disciplines but early life stages have received limited attention due to difficulties accessing or rearing juvenile specimens. Here, we document the culture of Conus magus from eggs through metamorphosis to reveal dramatic shifts in predatory feeding behaviour between post-metamorphic juveniles and adult specimens. Adult C. magus capture fish using a set of paralytic venom peptides combined with a hooked radular tooth used to tether envenomed fish. In contrast, early juveniles feed exclusively on polychaete worms using a unique "sting-and-stalk" foraging behaviour facilitated by short, unbarbed radular teeth and a distinct venom repertoire that induces hypoactivity in prey. Our results demonstrate how coordinated morphological, behavioural and molecular changes facilitate the shift from worm- to fish-hunting in C. magus, and showcase juvenile cone snails as a rich and unexplored source of novel venom peptides for ecological, evolutionary and biodiscovery studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymeric Rogalski
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - S W A Himaya
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard J Lewis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, QLD, Australia.
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Zhao Y, Antunes A. Biomedical Potential of the Neglected Molluscivorous and Vermivorous Conus Species. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20020105. [PMID: 35200635 PMCID: PMC8878422 DOI: 10.3390/md20020105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the Conidae family, the piscivorous Conus species have been a hotspot target for drug discovery. Here, we assess the relevance of Conus and their other feeding habits, and thus under distinctive evolutionary constraints, to highlight the potential of neglected molluscivorous and vermivorous species in biomedical research and pharmaceutical industry. By singling out the areas with inadequate Conus disquisition, such as the Tamil Nadu Coast and the Andaman Islands, research resources can be expanded and better protected through awareness. In this study, 728 Conus species and 190 species from three other genera (1 from Californiconus, 159 from Conasprella and 30 from Profundiconus) in the Conidae family are assessed. The phylogenetic relationships of the Conidae species are determined and their known feeding habits superimposed. The worm-hunting species appeared first, and later the mollusc- and fish-hunting species were derived independently in the Neogene period (around 23 million years ago). Interestingly, many Conus species in the warm and shallow waters become polyphagous, allowing them to hunt both fish and worms, given the opportunities. Such newly gained trait is multi originated. This is controversial, given the traditional idea that most Conus species are specialized to hunt certain prey categories. However, it shows the functional complexity and great potential of conopeptides from some worm-eating species. Pharmaceutical attempts and relevant omics data have been differentially obtained. Indeed, data from the fish-hunting species receive strong preference over the worm-hunting ones. Expectedly, conopeptides from the fish-hunting species are believed to include the most potential candidates for biomedical research. Our work revisits major findings throughout the Conus evolution and emphasizes the importance of increasing omics surveys complemented with further behavior observation studies. Hence, we claim that Conus species and their feeding habits are equally important, highlighting many places left for Conus exploration worldwide. We also discuss the Conotoxin drug discovery potentials and the urgency of protecting the bioresources of Conus species. In particular, some vermivorous species have demonstrated great potential in malaria therapy, while other conotoxins from several worm- and mollusc-eating species exhibited explicit correlation with SARS-CoV-2. Reclaiming idle data with new perspectives could also promote interdisciplinary studies in both virological and toxicological fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihe Zhao
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +353-22-340-1813
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Himaya SWA, Jin AH, Hamilton B, Rai SK, Alewood P, Lewis RJ. Venom duct origins of prey capture and defensive conotoxins in piscivorous Conus striatus. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13282. [PMID: 34168165 PMCID: PMC8225645 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91919-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The venom duct origins of predatory and defensive venoms has not been studied for hook-and-line fish hunting cone snails despite the pharmacological importance of their venoms. To better understand the biochemistry and evolution of injected predatory and defensive venoms, we compared distal, central and proximal venom duct sections across three specimens of C. striatus (Pionoconus) using proteomic and transcriptomic approaches. A total of 370 conotoxin precursors were identified from the whole venom duct transcriptome. Milked defensive venom was enriched with a potent cocktail of proximally expressed inhibitory α-, ω- and μ-conotoxins compared to milked predatory venom. In contrast, excitatory κA-conotoxins dominated both the predatory and defensive venoms despite their distal expression, suggesting this class of conotoxin can be selectively expressed from the same duct segment in response to either a predatory or defensive stimuli. Given the high abundance of κA-conotoxins in the Pionoconus clade, we hypothesise that the κA-conotoxins have evolved through adaptive evolution following their repurposing from ancestral inhibitory A superfamily conotoxins to facilitate the dietary shift to fish hunting and species radiation in this clade.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. W. A. Himaya
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Ai-Hua Jin
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Brett Hamilton
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Subash K. Rai
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia ,grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Present Address: Genome Innovation Hub, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Paul Alewood
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Richard J. Lewis
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
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Jimenez EC. Post-translationally modified conopeptides: Biological activities and pharmacological applications. Peptides 2021; 139:170525. [PMID: 33684482 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Conus venoms comprise a large variety of biologically active peptides (conopeptides or conotoxins) that are employed for prey capture and other biological functions. Throughout the course of evolution of the cone snails, they have developed an envenomation scheme that necessitates a potent mixture of peptides, most of which are highly post-translationally modified, that can cause rapid paralysis of their prey. The great diversity of these peptides defines the ecological interactions and evolutionary strategy of cone snails. Such scheme has led to some pharmacological applications for pain, epilepsy, and myocardial infarction, that could be further explored to ultimately find unique peptide-based therapies. This review focuses on ∼ 60 representative post-translationally modified conopeptides that were isolated from Conus venoms. Various conopeptides reveal post-translational modifications of specific amino acids, such as hydroxylation of proline and lysine, gamma-carboxylation of glutamate, formation of N-terminal pyroglutamate, isomerization of l- to d-amino acid, bromination of tryptophan, O-glycosylation of threonine or serine, sulfation of tyrosine, and cysteinylation of cysteine, other than the more common disulfide crosslinking and C-terminal amidation. Many of the post-translationally modified peptides paved the way for the characterization, by alternative analytical methods, of other pharmacologically important peptides that are classified under 27 conopeptide families denoting pharmacological classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsie C Jimenez
- Department of Physical Sciences, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio, Baguio City, 2600, Philippines.
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Chua VM, Gajewiak J, Watkins M, Espino SS, Ramiro IBL, Omaga CA, Imperial JS, Carpio LPD, Fedosov A, Safavi-Hemami H, Salvador-Reyes LA, Olivera BM, Concepcion GP. Purification and Characterization of the Pink-Floyd Drillipeptide, a Bioactive Venom Peptide from Clavus davidgilmouri (Gastropoda: Conoidea: Drilliidae). Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12080508. [PMID: 32784699 PMCID: PMC7472735 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12080508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The cone snails (family Conidae) are the best known and most intensively studied venomous marine gastropods. However, of the total biodiversity of venomous marine mollusks (superfamily Conoidea, >20,000 species), cone snails comprise a minor fraction. The venoms of the family Drilliidae, a highly diversified family in Conoidea, have not previously been investigated. In this report, we provide the first biochemical characterization of a component in a Drilliidae venom and define a gene superfamily of venom peptides. A bioactive peptide, cdg14a, was purified from the venom of Clavus davidgilmouri Fedosov and Puillandre, 2020. The peptide is small (23 amino acids), disulfide-rich (4 cysteine residues) and belongs to the J-like drillipeptide gene superfamily. Other members of this superfamily share a conserved signal sequence and the same arrangement of cysteine residues in their predicted mature peptide sequences. The cdg14a peptide was chemically synthesized in its bioactive form. It elicited scratching and hyperactivity, followed by a paw-thumping phenotype in mice. Using the Constellation Pharmacology platform, the cdg14a drillipeptide was shown to cause increased excitability in a majority of non-peptidergic nociceptors, but did not affect other subclasses of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. This suggests that the cdg14a drillipeptide may be blocking a specific molecular isoform of potassium channels. The potency and selectivity of this biochemically characterized drillipeptide suggest that the venoms of the Drilliidae are a rich source of novel and selective ligands for ion channels and other important signaling molecules in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor M. Chua
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Joanna Gajewiak
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Maren Watkins
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Samuel S. Espino
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Iris Bea L. Ramiro
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Carla A. Omaga
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Julita S. Imperial
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Louie Paolo D. Carpio
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
| | - Alexander Fedosov
- Severstov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prospect 33, Moscow 119071, Russia;
| | - Helena Safavi-Hemami
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Lilibeth A. Salvador-Reyes
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
| | - Baldomero M. Olivera
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (J.G.); (M.W.); (S.S.E.); (J.S.I.); (H.S.-H.); (B.M.O.)
| | - Gisela P. Concepcion
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (V.M.C.); (I.B.L.R.); (C.A.O.); (L.P.D.C.); (L.A.S.-R.)
- Correspondence:
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Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential of Marine Bioactive Peptides. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17090505. [PMID: 31466341 PMCID: PMC6780686 DOI: 10.3390/md17090505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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