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da Silva DL, Valladão R, Beraldo-Neto E, Coelho GR, Neto OBDS, Vigerelli H, Lopes AR, Hamilton BR, Undheim EAB, Sciani JM, Pimenta DC. Spatial Distribution and Biochemical Characterization of Serine Peptidase Inhibitors in the Venom of the Brazilian Sea Anemone Anthopleura cascaia Using Mass Spectrometry Imaging. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:481. [PMID: 37755094 PMCID: PMC10532579 DOI: 10.3390/md21090481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sea anemones are known to produce a diverse array of toxins with different cysteine-rich peptide scaffolds in their venoms. The serine peptidase inhibitors, specifically Kunitz inhibitors, are an important toxin family that is believed to function as defensive peptides, as well as prevent proteolysis of other secreted anemone toxins. In this study, we isolated three serine peptidase inhibitors named Anthopleura cascaia peptide inhibitors I, II, and III (ACPI-I, ACPI-II, and ACPI-III) from the venom of the endemic Brazilian sea anemone A. cascaia. The venom was fractionated using RP-HPLC, and the inhibitory activity of these fractions against trypsin was determined and found to range from 59% to 93%. The spatial distribution of the anemone peptides throughout A. cascaia was observed using mass spectrometry imaging. The inhibitory peptides were found to be present in the tentacles, pedal disc, and mesenterial filaments. We suggest that the three inhibitors observed during this study belong to the venom Kunitz toxin family on the basis of their similarity to PI-actitoxin-aeq3a-like and the identification of amino acid residues that correspond to a serine peptidase binding site. Our findings expand our understanding of the diversity of toxins present in sea anemone venom and shed light on their potential role in protecting other venom components from proteolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiane Laise da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências-Toxinologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, Butantã, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (E.B.-N.); (G.R.C.); (H.V.); (A.R.L.)
- Laboratório de Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (R.V.); (O.B.d.S.N.)
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Rodrigo Valladão
- Laboratório de Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (R.V.); (O.B.d.S.N.)
| | - Emidio Beraldo-Neto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências-Toxinologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, Butantã, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (E.B.-N.); (G.R.C.); (H.V.); (A.R.L.)
- Laboratório de Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (R.V.); (O.B.d.S.N.)
| | - Guilherme Rabelo Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências-Toxinologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, Butantã, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (E.B.-N.); (G.R.C.); (H.V.); (A.R.L.)
- Laboratório de Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (R.V.); (O.B.d.S.N.)
| | - Oscar Bento da Silva Neto
- Laboratório de Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (R.V.); (O.B.d.S.N.)
| | - Hugo Vigerelli
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências-Toxinologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, Butantã, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (E.B.-N.); (G.R.C.); (H.V.); (A.R.L.)
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Adriana Rios Lopes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências-Toxinologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, Butantã, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (E.B.-N.); (G.R.C.); (H.V.); (A.R.L.)
- Laboratório de Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (R.V.); (O.B.d.S.N.)
| | - Brett R. Hamilton
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Eivind A. B. Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Juliana Mozer Sciani
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular e Compostos Bioativos, Universidade São Francisco, Av. São Francisco de Assis, 218, São Paulo 12916-900, Brazil;
| | - Daniel Carvalho Pimenta
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências-Toxinologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, Butantã, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (E.B.-N.); (G.R.C.); (H.V.); (A.R.L.)
- Laboratório de Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (R.V.); (O.B.d.S.N.)
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Acontia, a Specialised Defensive Structure, Has Low Venom Complexity in Calliactis polypus. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15030218. [PMID: 36977109 PMCID: PMC10051995 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15030218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Phylum Cnidaria represents a unique group among venomous taxa, with its delivery system organised as individual organelles, known as nematocysts, heterogeneously distributed across morphological structures rather than packaged as a specialised organ. Acontia are packed with large nematocysts that are expelled from sea anemones during aggressive encounters with predatory species and are found in a limited number of species in the superfamily Metridioidea. Little is known about this specialised structure other than the commonly accepted hypothesis of its role in defence and a rudimentary understanding of its toxin content and activity. This study utilised previously published transcriptomic data and new proteomic analyses to expand this knowledge by identifying the venom profile of acontia in Calliactis polypus. Using mass spectrometry, we found limited toxin diversity in the proteome of acontia, with an abundance of a sodium channel toxin type I, and a novel toxin with two ShK-like domains. Additionally, genomic evidence suggests that the proposed novel toxin is ubiquitous across sea anemone lineages. Overall, the venom profile of acontia in Calliactis polypus and the novel toxin identified here provide the basis for future research to define the function of acontial toxins in sea anemones.
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Miniproteins in medicinal chemistry. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 71:128806. [PMID: 35660515 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128806] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Miniproteins exhibit great potential as scaffolds for drug candidates because of their well-defined structure and good synthetic availability. Because of recently described methodologies for their de novo design, the field of miniproteins is emerging and can provide molecules that effectively bind to problematic targets, i.e., those that have been previously considered to be undruggable. This review describes methodologies for the development of miniprotein scaffolds and for the construction of biologically active miniproteins.
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Diversity, molecular mechanisms and structure-activity relationships of marine protease inhibitors-A review. Pharmacol Res 2021; 166:105521. [PMID: 33662574 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Marine habitats are well-known for their diverse life forms that are potential sources of novel bioactive compounds. Evidence from existing studies suggests that these compounds contribute significantly to the field of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals. The isolation of natural compounds from a marine environment with protease inhibitory activity has gained importance due to drug discovery potential. Despite the increasing research endeavours focusing on protease inhibitors' design and characterization, many of these compounds have failed to reach final phases of clinical trials. As a result, the search for new sources for the development of protease inhibitors remains pertinent. This review focuses on the diverse marine protease inhibitors and their structure-activity relationships. Furthermore, the potential of marine protease inhibitors in drug discovery and molecular mechanism inhibitor binding are critically discussed.
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S. mansoni SmKI-1 Kunitz-domain: Leucine point mutation at P1 site generates enhanced neutrophil elastase inhibitory activity. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009007. [PMID: 33465126 PMCID: PMC7846107 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Schistosoma mansoni SmKI-1 protein is composed of two domains: a Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor motif (KD) and a C-terminus domain with no similarity outside the genera. Our previous work has demonstrated that KD plays an essential role in neutrophil elastase (NE) binding blockage, in neutrophil influx and as a potential anti-inflammatory molecule. In order to enhance NE blocking capacity, we analyzed the KD sequence from a structure-function point of view and designed specific point mutations in order to enhance NE affinity. We substituted the P1 site residue at the reactive site for a leucine (termed RL-KD), given its central role for KD's inhibition to NE. We have also substituted a glutamic acid that strongly interacts with the P1 residue for an alanine, to help KD to be buried on NE S1 site (termed EA-KD). KD and the mutant proteins were evaluated in silico by molecular docking to human NE, expressed in Escherichia coli and tested towards its NE inhibitory activity. Both mutated proteins presented enhanced NE inhibitory activity in vitro and RL-KD presented the best performance. We further tested RL-KD in vivo in an experimental model of monosodium urate (MSU)-induced acute arthritis. RL-KD showed reduced numbers of total cells and neutrophils in the mouse knee cavity when compared to KD. Nevertheless, both RL-KD and KD reduced mice hypernociception in a similar fashion. In summary, our results demonstrated that both mutated proteins showed enhanced NE inhibitory activity in vitro. However, RL-KD had a prominent effect in diminishing inflammatory parameters in vivo.
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Barzkar N, Khan Z, Tamadoni Jahromi S, Pourmozaffar S, Gozari M, Nahavandi R. A critical review on marine serine protease and its inhibitors: A new wave of drugs? Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 170:674-687. [PMID: 33387547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.12.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Marine organisms are rich sources of enzymes and their inhibitors having enormous therapeutic potential. Among different proteolytic enzymes, serine proteases, which can be obtained from various marine organisms show a potential to biomedical application as thrombolytic agents. Although this type of proteases plays a crucial role in almost all biological processes, their uncontrolled activity often leads to several diseases. Accordingly, the actions of these types of proteases are regulated by serine protease inhibitors (SPIs). Marine SPIs control complement activation and various other physiological functions, such as inflammation, immune function, fibrinolysis, blood clotting, and cancer metastasis. This review highlights the potential use of serine proteases and their inhibitors as the new wave of promising drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noora Barzkar
- Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
| | - Zahoor Khan
- Department of Microbiology, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Saeid Tamadoni Jahromi
- Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute (IFSRI), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar 'Abbas, Iran
| | - Sajjad Pourmozaffar
- Persian Gulf Mollusks Research Station, Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Iranian Fisheries Sciences Research Institute, Bandar-e-Lengeh, Iran
| | - Mohsen Gozari
- Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute (IFSRI), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar 'Abbas, Iran
| | - Reza Nahavandi
- Animal Science Research Institute of Iran (ASRI), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
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Klompen AML, Macrander J, Reitzel AM, Stampar SN. Transcriptomic Analysis of Four Cerianthid (Cnidaria, Ceriantharia) Venoms. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18080413. [PMID: 32764303 PMCID: PMC7460484 DOI: 10.3390/md18080413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tube anemones, or cerianthids, are a phylogenetically informative group of cnidarians with complex life histories, including a pelagic larval stage and tube-dwelling adult stage, both known to utilize venom in stinging-cell rich tentacles. Cnidarians are an entirely venomous group that utilize their proteinaceous-dominated toxins to capture prey and defend against predators, in addition to several other ecological functions, including intraspecific interactions. At present there are no studies describing the venom for any species within cerianthids. Given their unique development, ecology, and distinct phylogenetic-placement within Cnidaria, our objective is to evaluate the venom-like gene diversity of four species of cerianthids from newly collected transcriptomic data. We identified 525 venom-like genes between all four species. The venom-gene profile for each species was dominated by enzymatic protein and peptide families, which is consistent with previous findings in other cnidarian venoms. However, we found few toxins that are typical of sea anemones and corals, and furthermore, three of the four species express toxin-like genes closely related to potent pore-forming toxins in box jellyfish. Our study is the first to provide a survey of the putative venom composition of cerianthids and contributes to our general understanding of the diversity of cnidarian toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. L. Klompen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, 1200 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Jason Macrander
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28262, USA; (J.M.); (A.M.R.)
- Department of Biology, Florida Southern College, 111 Lake Hollingsworth, Drive Lakeland, FL 33801, USA
| | - Adam M. Reitzel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28262, USA; (J.M.); (A.M.R.)
| | - Sérgio N. Stampar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), FCL, Assis, SP 19806, Brazil;
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Ashwood LM, Norton RS, Undheim EAB, Hurwood DA, Prentis PJ. Characterising Functional Venom Profiles of Anthozoans and Medusozoans within Their Ecological Context. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:E202. [PMID: 32283847 PMCID: PMC7230708 DOI: 10.3390/md18040202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This review examines the current state of knowledge regarding toxins from anthozoans (sea anemones, coral, zoanthids, corallimorphs, sea pens and tube anemones). We provide an overview of venom from phylum Cnidaria and review the diversity of venom composition between the two major clades (Medusozoa and Anthozoa). We highlight that the functional and ecological context of venom has implications for the temporal and spatial expression of protein and peptide toxins within class Anthozoa. Understanding the nuances in the regulation of venom arsenals has been made possible by recent advances in analytical technologies that allow characterisation of the spatial distributions of toxins. Furthermore, anthozoans are unique in that ecological roles can be assigned using tissue expression data, thereby circumventing some of the challenges related to pharmacological screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M. Ashwood
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Raymond S. Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- ARC Centre for Fragment-Based Design, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Eivind A. B. Undheim
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David A. Hurwood
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Institute of Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Peter J. Prentis
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Institute of Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
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