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Dhannura S, Shekh S, Dhurjad P, Dolle A, Kakkat S, Vishwajyothi, Vijayasarathy M, Sonti R, Gowd KH. Redox-Active Conopeptide Li520 Has Evolved to Catalyze Oxidative Folding of Conotoxins. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:37596-37609. [PMID: 39281945 PMCID: PMC11391441 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c01028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
The evolution of miniature conopeptide Li520 (COWC*, *: C-terminal amidation) to exhibit the disulfide isomerase activity was probed using structure, function, disulfide conformation, and the precursor gene sequence. The peptides Li520, Li504, [O2A]Li520, [W3A]Li520, and Grx506, homologues active-site motif of glutaredoxin, were chemically synthesized and assessed for their disulfide reduction potential, intrinsic folding of disulfides, and disulfide isomerization activity on α-conotoxin ImI. The reduction potential of the disulfide of peptides varies from -189 to -344 mV, which is within the range observed for the redox family of proteins that modulates the folding of protein disulfides. The oxidative folding studies confirm the significance of the tryptophan residue in engaging Li520 in disulfide-exchange reactions and the role of proline hydroxylation in extending the lifetime of Li520 in a reduced free thiol state. Studies of quenching of tryptophan fluorescence by the disulfide in situ folding reaction in conjunction with the optimized structures by density functional theory (DFT) confirm the difference in conformation of disulfides between the native and mutant peptides. Interestingly, the native peptide Li520/Li504 shares a similar disulfide conformation of (-,-)AntiRHHook with the redox family of proteins known to modulate disulfides, particularly in lieu of the tetrapeptide of glutaredoxin, deviating from its disulfide conformation compared to its naive protein. Analysis of the precursor gene sequences of M-superfamily conotoxins revealed the presence of Li520 in different cone snail species with distinct food habits and possible modes of evolution through the diversification of cysteine motifs. The results of the report suggest that the short redox conopeptide Li520 has evolved to facilitate the oxidative folding of conotoxins and may be useful to develop as reagents for the synthesis of therapeutically important cysteine-rich peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Dhannura
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi 585367, Karnataka, India
| | - Shamasoddin Shekh
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi 585367, Karnataka, India
| | - Pooja Dhurjad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Ashwini Dolle
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi 585367, Karnataka, India
| | - Sreepriya Kakkat
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi 585367, Karnataka, India
| | - Vishwajyothi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi 585367, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Rajesh Sonti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Konkallu Hanumae Gowd
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi 585367, Karnataka, India
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Shekh S, Dhannura S, Dhurjad P, Ravali C, M M S, Kakkat S, Vishwajyothi, Vijayasarathy M, Sonti R, Gowd KH. Structure-aided function assignment to the transcriptomic conopeptide Am931. Toxicon 2024; 250:108087. [PMID: 39237042 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 08/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Implementation of the next-generation technologies for gene sequencing of venom duct transcriptome has provided a large number of peptide sequences of marine cone snails. Emerging technologies on computational platforms are now rapidly evolving for the accurate predictions of the 3D structure of the polypeptide using the primary sequence. The current report aims to integrate the information derived from these two technologies to develop the concept of structure-aided function assignment of Conus peptides. The proof of the concept was demonstrated using the transcriptomic peptide Am931 of C. amadis. The 3D structure of Am931 was computed using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and the quality of the predicted structure was confirmed using 2D NMR spectroscopy of the corresponding synthetic peptide. The computed structure of Am931 aligns with the active site motif of thioredoxins, possess catalytic disulfide conformation of (+, -)AntiRHHook and selectively modulate the N-terminal Cys3 thiol. These structural features indicate that Am931 may act as a disulfide isomerase and modulate the oxidative folding of conotoxins. Synthetic peptide Am931 provides proof-of-function by exhibiting catalytic activity on the oxidative folding of α-conotoxin ImI and improving the yield of native globular fold. The approach of integration of new technologies in the Conus peptide research may help to accelerate the discovery pipeline of new/improved conotoxin functional.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamasoddin Shekh
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, 585367, Karnataka, India.
| | - Shweta Dhannura
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, 585367, Karnataka, India
| | - Pooja Dhurjad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Challa Ravali
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, 585367, Karnataka, India
| | - Spoorti M M
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, 585367, Karnataka, India
| | - Sreepriya Kakkat
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, 585367, Karnataka, India
| | - Vishwajyothi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, 585367, Karnataka, India
| | - Marimuthu Vijayasarathy
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065, Karnataka, India
| | - Rajesh Sonti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Konkallu Hanumae Gowd
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, 585367, Karnataka, India.
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Lin J, Chen S, Butt UD, Yan M, Wu B. A comprehensive review on ziconotide. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31105. [PMID: 38779019 PMCID: PMC11110537 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31105] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Managing severe chronic pain is a challenging task, given the limited effectiveness of available pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. This issue continues to be a significant public health concern, requiring a substantial therapeutic response. Ziconotide, a synthetic peptide initially isolated from Conus magus in 1982 and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency in 2004, is the first-line intrathecal method for individuals experiencing severe chronic pain refractory to other therapeutic measures. Ziconotide produces powerful analgesia by blocking N-type calcium channels in the spinal cord, which inhibits the release of pain-relevant neurotransmitters from the central terminals of primary afferent neurons. However, despite possessing many favorable qualities, including the absence of tolerance development, respiratory depression, and withdrawal symptoms (largely due to the absence of a G-protein mediation mechanism), ziconotide's application is limited due to factors such as intrathecal administration and a narrow therapeutic window resulting from significant dose-related undesired effects of the central nervous system. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and clinically relevant summary of the literatures concerning the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of intrathecal ziconotide. It will also describe strategies intended to enhance clinical efficacy while reducing the incidence of side effects. Additionally, the review will explore the current efforts to refine the structure of ziconotide for better clinical outcomes. Lastly, it will prospect potential developments in the new class of selective N-type voltage-sensitive calcium-channel blockers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinping Lin
- Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Shuwei Chen
- Fuyang People's Hospital, Hangzhou 311400, China
| | | | - Min Yan
- Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 321000, China
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Vijayasarathy M, Kumar S, Das R, Balaram P. Cysteine-free cone snail venom peptides: Classification of precursor proteins and identification of mature peptides. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3554. [PMID: 38009400 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3554] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
The cysteine-free acyclic peptides present in marine cone snail venom have been much less investigated than their disulfide bonded counterparts. Precursor protein sequences derived from transcriptomic data, together with mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns for peptides present in venom duct tissue extracts, permit the identification of mature peptides. Twelve distinct gene superfamiles have been identified with precursor lengths between 64 and 158 residues. In the case of Conus monile, three distinct mature peptides have been identified, arising from two distinct protein precursors. Mature acyclic peptides are often post-translationally modified, with C-terminus amidation, a feature characteristic of neuropeptides. In the present study, 20 acyclic peptides from Conus monile and Conus betulinus were identified. The common modifications of C-terminus amidation, gamma carboxylation of glutamic acid (E to ϒ), N-terminus conversion of Gln (Q) to a pyroglutamyl residue (Z), and hydroxylation of Pro (P) to Hyp (O) are observed in one or more peptides identified in this study. Proteolytic trimming of sequences by cleavage at the C-terminus of Asn (N) residues is established. The presence of an asparagine endopeptidase is strengthened by the identification of legumain-like sequences in the transcriptome assemblies from diverse Conus species. Such sequences may be expected to have a cleavage specificity at Asn-Xxx peptide bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marimuthu Vijayasarathy
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
- Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University, Sonipat, India
| | - Rajdeep Das
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
- Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be) University, Visakhapatnam, India
| | - Padmanabhan Balaram
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
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Raffaelli T, Wilson DT, Dutertre S, Giribaldi J, Vetter I, Robinson SD, Thapa A, Widi A, Loukas A, Daly NL. Structural analysis of a U-superfamily conotoxin containing a mini-granulin fold: Insights into key features that distinguish between the ICK and granulin folds. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107203. [PMID: 38508311 PMCID: PMC11035057 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107203] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
We are entering an exciting time in structural biology where artificial intelligence can be used to predict protein structures with greater accuracy than ever before. Extending this level of accuracy to the predictions of disulfide-rich peptide structures is likely to be more challenging, at least in the short term, given the tight packing of cysteine residues and the numerous ways that the disulfide bonds can potentially be linked. It has been previously shown in many cases that several disulfide bond connectivities can be accommodated by a single set of NMR-derived structural data without significant violations. Disulfide-rich peptides are prevalent throughout nature, and arguably the most well-known are those present in venoms from organisms such as cone snails. Here, we have determined the first three-dimensional structure and disulfide connectivity of a U-superfamily cone snail venom peptide, TxVIIB. TxVIIB has a VI/VII cysteine framework that is generally associated with an inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) fold; however, AlphaFold predicted that the peptide adopts a mini-granulin fold with a granulin disulfide connectivity. Our experimental studies using NMR spectroscopy and orthogonal protection of cysteine residues indicate that TxVIIB indeed adopts a mini-granulin fold but with the ICK disulfide connectivity. Our findings provide structural insight into the underlying features that govern formation of the mini-granulin fold rather than the ICK fold and will provide fundamental information for prediction algorithms, as the subtle complexity of disulfide isomers may be not adequately addressed by the current prediction algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziano Raffaelli
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - David T Wilson
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | | | | | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Samuel D Robinson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ashvriya Thapa
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Antin Widi
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Norelle L Daly
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.
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Shin MK, Hwang IW, Jang BY, Bu KB, Han DH, Lee SH, Oh JW, Yoo JS, Sung JS. The Identification of a Novel Spider Toxin Peptide, Lycotoxin-Pa2a, with Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1708. [PMID: 38136742 PMCID: PMC10740532 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12121708] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
With the increasing challenge of controlling infectious diseases due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, the importance of discovering new antimicrobial agents is rapidly increasing. Animal venoms contain a variety of functional peptides, making them a promising platform for pharmaceutical development. In this study, a novel toxin peptide with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities was discovered from the spider venom gland transcriptome by implementing computational approaches. Lycotoxin-Pa2a (Lytx-Pa2a) showed homology to known-spider toxin, where functional prediction indicated the potential of both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory peptides without hemolytic activity. The colony-forming assay and minimum inhibitory concentration test showed that Lytx-Pa2a exhibited comparable or stronger antibacterial activity against pathogenic strains than melittin. Following mechanistic studies revealed that Lytx-Pa2a disrupts both cytoplasmic and outer membranes of bacteria while simultaneously inducing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. The peptide exerted no significant toxicity when treated to human primary cells, murine macrophages, and bovine red blood cells. Moreover, Lytx-Pa2a alleviated lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in mouse macrophages by suppressing the expression of inflammatory mediators. These findings not only suggested that Lytx-Pa2a with dual activity can be utilized as a new antimicrobial agent for infectious diseases but also demonstrated the implementation of in silico methods for discovering a novel functional peptide, which may enhance the future utilization of biological resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Kyoung Shin
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (I.-W.H.); (B.-Y.J.); (K.-B.B.); (D.-H.H.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - In-Wook Hwang
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (I.-W.H.); (B.-Y.J.); (K.-B.B.); (D.-H.H.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - Bo-Young Jang
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (I.-W.H.); (B.-Y.J.); (K.-B.B.); (D.-H.H.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - Kyung-Bin Bu
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (I.-W.H.); (B.-Y.J.); (K.-B.B.); (D.-H.H.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - Dong-Hee Han
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (I.-W.H.); (B.-Y.J.); (K.-B.B.); (D.-H.H.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - Seung-Ho Lee
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (I.-W.H.); (B.-Y.J.); (K.-B.B.); (D.-H.H.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - Jin Wook Oh
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (I.-W.H.); (B.-Y.J.); (K.-B.B.); (D.-H.H.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
| | - Jung Sun Yoo
- Species Diversity Research Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jung-Suk Sung
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (M.K.S.); (I.-W.H.); (B.-Y.J.); (K.-B.B.); (D.-H.H.); (S.-H.L.); (J.W.O.)
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Lane AN, Nash PD, Ellsworth SA, Nystrom GS, Rokyta DR. The arylsulfatase- and phospholipase-rich venom of the plutoniumid centipede Theatops posticus. Toxicon 2023; 233:107231. [PMID: 37517595 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107231] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Research on centipede venoms has led to the discovery of a diverse array of novel proteins and peptides, including those with homology to previously discovered toxin families (e.g., phospholipase A2s and pM12a metalloproteases) and novel toxin families not previously detected in venoms (e.g., β-pore forming toxins and scoloptoxins). Most of this research has focused on centipedes in the order Scolopendromorpha, particularly those in the families Scolopendridae, Cryptopidae, and Scolopocryptopidae. To generate the first high-throughput venom characterization for a centipede in the scolopendromorph family Plutoniumidae, we performed venom-gland transcriptomics and venom proteomics on two Theatops posticus. We identified a total of 64 venom toxins, 60 of which were detected in both the venom-gland transcriptome and venom proteome and four of which were only detected transcriptomically. We detected a single highly abundant arylsulfatase B (ARSB) toxin, the first ARSB toxin identified from centipede venoms. As ARSBs have been detected in other venomous species (e.g., scorpions), ARSBs in T. posticus highlights a new case of convergent evolution across venoms. Theatops posticus venom also contained a much higher abundance and diversity of phospholipase A2 toxins compared to other characterized centipede venoms. Conversely, we detected other common centipedes toxins, such as CAPs and scoloptoxins, at relatively low abundances and diversities. Our observation of a diverse set of toxins from T. posticus venom, including those from novel toxin families, emphasizes the importance of studying unexplored centipede taxonomic groups and the continued potential of centipede venoms for novel toxin discovery and unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying trait evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaliyah N Lane
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Pauline D Nash
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Schyler A Ellsworth
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Gunnar S Nystrom
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
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