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Zhao KN, Masci P, Dimeski G, Johnson L, Grant M, de Jersey J, Lavin MF. Potential Application of Recombinant Snake Prothrombin Activator Ecarin in Blood Diagnostics. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1704. [PMID: 36421717 PMCID: PMC9687618 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111704] [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: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe here the purification and cloning of a codon-optimized form of the snake prothrombin activator ecarin from the saw scaled viper (Echis carinatus) expressed in mammalian cells. Expression of recombinant ecarin (rEcarin) was carried out in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK) cells under conditions for the development and performance of a novel and scalable recombinant snake ecarin to industry standards. Clotting performance of the rEcarin was established in recalcified citrated whole blood, plasma, and fresh whole blood and found to be comparable to native ecarin (N-Ecarin). Furthermore, hemolysis was observed with N-Ecarin at relatively high doses in both recalcified citrated and fresh whole blood, while clotting was not observed with rEcarin, providing an important advantage for the recombinant form. In addition, rEcarin effectively clotted both recalcified citrated whole blood and fresh whole blood containing different anticoagulants including heparin, warfarin, dabigatran, Fondaparinux, rivaroxaban and apixaban, forming firm clots in the blood collection tubes. These results demonstrate that rEcarin efficiently clots normal blood as well as blood spiked with high concentrations of anticoagulants and has great potential as an additive to blood collection tubes to produce high quality serum for analyte analysis in diagnostic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kong-Nan Zhao
- Australian Institute of Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, St Lucia Campus, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre for Kidney Disease Research-Venomics Research, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Paul Masci
- Centre for Kidney Disease Research-Venomics Research, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Goce Dimeski
- Chemical Pathology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St Lucia Campus, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lambro Johnson
- Australian Institute of Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, St Lucia Campus, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Michael Grant
- Q-Sera Pty Ltd., Level 9, 31 Queen St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - John de Jersey
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St Lucia Campus, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Martin F. Lavin
- Australian Institute of Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, St Lucia Campus, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Research, RBWH Campus, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
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Schreuder M, Liu X, Cheung KL, Reitsma PH, Nicolaes GAF, Bos MHA. ptFVa ( Pseudonaja Textilis Venom-Derived Factor Va) Retains Structural Integrity Following Proteolysis by Activated Protein C. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:2263-2276. [PMID: 34162230 PMCID: PMC8288481 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316038] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Objective: The Australian snake venom ptFV (Pseudonaja textilis venom-derived factor V) variant retains cofactor function despite APC (activated protein C)-dependent proteolysis. Here, we aimed to unravel the mechanistic principles by determining the role of the absent Arg306 cleavage site that is required for the inactivation of FVa (mammalian factor Va). Approach and Results: Our findings show that in contrast to human FVa, APC-catalyzed proteolysis of ptFVa at Arg306 and Lys507 does not abrogate ptFVa cofactor function. Remarkably, the structural integrity of APC-proteolyzed ptFVa is maintained indicating that stable noncovalent interactions prevent A2-domain dissociation. Using Molecular Dynamics simulations, we uncovered key regions located in the A1 and A2 domain that may be at the basis of this remarkable characteristic. Conclusions: Taken together, we report a completely novel role for uniquely adapted regions in ptFVa that prevent A2 domain dissociation. As such, these results challenge our current understanding by which strict regulatory mechanisms control FVa activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Schreuder
- Division of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands (M.S., K.L.C., P.H.R., M.H.A.B.)
| | - Xiaosong Liu
- Maastricht University, Department of Biochemistry, the Netherlands (X.L.)
| | - Ka Lei Cheung
- Division of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands (M.S., K.L.C., P.H.R., M.H.A.B.)
| | - Pieter H Reitsma
- Division of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands (M.S., K.L.C., P.H.R., M.H.A.B.).,VarmX B.V, Leiden, the Netherlands (P.H.R.)
| | | | - Mettine H A Bos
- Division of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands (M.S., K.L.C., P.H.R., M.H.A.B.)
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Schreuder M, Poenou G, Strijbis VJF, Cheung KL, Reitsma PH, Bos MHA. Evolutionary Adaptations in Pseudonaja Textilis Venom Factor X Induce Zymogen Activity and Resistance to the Intrinsic Tenase Complex. Thromb Haemost 2020; 120:1512-1523. [PMID: 32820486 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1715441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The venom of the Australian snake Pseudonaja textilis comprises powerful prothrombin activators consisting of factor X (v-ptFX)- and factor V-like proteins. While all vertebrate liver-expressed factor X (FX) homologs, including that of P. textilis, comprise an activation peptide of approximately 45 to 65 residues, the activation peptide of v-ptFX is significantly shortened to 27 residues. In this study, we demonstrate that exchanging the human FX activation peptide for the snake venom ortholog impedes proteolytic cleavage by the intrinsic factor VIIIa-factor IXa tenase complex. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the human FX activation peptide comprises an essential binding site for the intrinsic tenase complex. Conversely, incorporation of FX into the extrinsic tissue factor-factor VIIa tenase complex is completely dependent on exosite-mediated interactions. Remarkably, the shortened activation peptide allows for factor V-dependent prothrombin conversion while in the zymogen state. This indicates that the active site of FX molecules comprising the v-ptFX activation peptide partially matures upon assembly into a premature prothrombinase complex. Taken together, the shortened activation peptide is one of the remarkable characteristics of v-ptFX that has been modified from its original form, thereby transforming FX into a powerful procoagulant protein. Moreover, these results shed new light on the structural requirements for serine protease activation and indicate that catalytic activity can be obtained without formation of the characteristic Ile16-Asp194 salt bridge via modification of the activation peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Schreuder
- Division of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Geraldine Poenou
- Division of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,AP-HP, Hôpital Louis Mourier, Colombes, France
| | - Viola J F Strijbis
- Division of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ka Lei Cheung
- Division of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter H Reitsma
- Division of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mettine H A Bos
- Division of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Zhao KN, Dimeski G, de Jersey J, Johnson LA, Grant M, Masci PP, Lavin MF. Rapid serum tube technology overcomes problems associated with use of anticoagulants. Biochem Med (Zagreb) 2019; 29:030706. [PMID: 31624459 PMCID: PMC6784418 DOI: 10.11613/bm.2019.030706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Failure to obtain complete blood clotting in serum is a common laboratory problem. Our aim was to determine whether snake proth-rombin activators are effective in clotting blood and producing quality serum for analyte measurement in anticoagulated patients. Materials and methods Whole blood clotting was studied in a total of 64 blood samples (41 controls, 20 Warfarin patients, 3 anticoagulated patients using snake venom prothrombin activator (OsPA)) with plain tubes. Coagulation was analysed using a visual assay, Hyland-Clotek and thromboelastography. Healthy control blood was spiked with a range of anticoagulants to determine the effectiveness of OsPa-induced clotting. A paired analysis of a Dabigatran patient and a control investigated the effectiveness of the OsPA clotting tubes. Biochemical analytes (N = 31) were determined for 7 samples on chemistry and immunoassay analysers and compared with commercial tubes. Results Snake venom prothrombin activators efficiently coagulated blood and plasma spiked with heparin and commonly used anticoagulants. Clotting was observed in the presence of anticoagulants whereas no clotting was observed in BDRST tubes containing 3 U/mL of heparin. Snake venom prothrombin activator enhanced heparinised blood clotting by shortening substantially the clotting time and improving significantly the strength of the clot. Comparison of 31 analytes from the blood of five healthy and two anticoagulated participants gave very good agreement between the analyte concentrations determined. Conclusions Our results showed that the snake venom prothrombin activators OsPA and PtPA efficiently coagulated recalcified and fresh bloods with or without added anticoagulants. These procoagulants produced high quality serum for accurate analyte measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kong-Nan Zhao
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Goce Dimeski
- Chemical Pathology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - John de Jersey
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Lambro A Johnson
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Michael Grant
- Q-Sera Pty Ltd, Level 9,31 Queen St, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul P Masci
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Martin F Lavin
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
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Mariano DO, Prezotto-Neto JP, Spencer PJ, Sciani JM, Pimenta DC. Proteomic analysis of soluble proteins retrieved from Duttaphrynus melanostictus skin secretion by IEx-batch sample preparation. J Proteomics 2019; 209:103525. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2019.103525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Sachetto A, Mackman N. Modulation of the mammalian coagulation system by venoms and other proteins from snakes, arthropods, nematodes and insects. Thromb Res 2019; 178:145-154. [DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2019.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Bos MH, Versteeg HH. Snakebites and microvesicles: Popping bubbles. Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2019; 3:156-157. [PMID: 31011698 PMCID: PMC6462744 DOI: 10.1002/rth2.12180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mettine H.A. Bos
- Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Thrombosis and Hemostasis; Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Henri H. Versteeg
- Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Thrombosis and Hemostasis; Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden The Netherlands
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Zdenek CN, Hay C, Arbuckle K, Jackson TNW, Bos MHA, Op den Brouw B, Debono J, Allen L, Dunstan N, Morley T, Herrera M, Gutiérrez JM, Williams DJ, Fry BG. Coagulotoxic effects by brown snake (Pseudonaja) and taipan (Oxyuranus) venoms, and the efficacy of a new antivenom. Toxicol In Vitro 2019; 58:97-109. [PMID: 30910521 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2019.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease that disproportionately affects the poor. Antivenom is the only specific and effective treatment for snakebite, but its distribution is severely limited by several factors, including the prohibitive cost of some products. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a snakebite hotspot but the high costs of Australian antivenoms (thousands of dollars per treatment) makes it unaffordable in PNG. A more economical taipan antivenom has recently been developed at the Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP) in Costa Rica for PNG and is currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of envenomations by coastal taipans (Oxyuranus scutellatus). In addition to potentially having the capacity to neutralise the effects of envenomations of non-PNG taipans, this antivenom may have the capacity to neutralise coagulotoxins in venom from closely related brown snakes (Pseudonaja spp.) also found in PNG. Consequently, we investigated the cross-reactivity of taipan antivenom across the venoms of all Oxyuranus and Pseudonaja species. In addition, to ascertain differences in venom biochemistry that influence variation in antivenom efficacy, we tested for relative cofactor dependence. We found that the new ICP taipan antivenom exhibited high selectivity for Oxyuranus venoms and only low to moderate cross-reactivity with any Pseudonaja venoms. Consistent with this genus level distinction in antivenom efficacy were fundamental differences in the venom biochemistry. Not only were the Pseudonaja venoms significantly more procoagulant, but they were also much less dependent upon the cofactors calcium and phospholipid. There was a strong correlation between antivenom efficacy, clotting time and cofactor dependence. This study sheds light on the structure-function relationships of the procoagulant toxins within these venoms and may have important clinical implications including for the design of next-generation antivenoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina N Zdenek
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chris Hay
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Reptile Kingdom Australia, Carrara, QLD, Australia
| | - Kevin Arbuckle
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy N W Jackson
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Mettine H A Bos
- Division of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Bianca Op den Brouw
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jordan Debono
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Luke Allen
- Venom Supplies Pty Ltd, Stonewell Rd, Tanunda, SA 5352, Australia
| | - Nathan Dunstan
- Venom Supplies Pty Ltd, Stonewell Rd, Tanunda, SA 5352, Australia
| | | | - María Herrera
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - José M Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - David J Williams
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, 3010, VIC, Australia; Charles Campbell Toxinology Centre, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Boroko 121, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
| | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Zhao KN, Dimeski G, de Jersey J, Johnson LA, Grant M, Masci PP, Lavin MF. Next-generation rapid serum tube technology using prothrombin activator coagulant: fast, high-quality serum from normal samples. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 57:483-497. [DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2018-0397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Incomplete blood clotting or latent clotting in serum is a common laboratory problem, especially for patients on anticoagulant therapy or when serum tubes are centrifuged before clotting is completed. We describe a novel approach to producing high-quality serum using snake venom prothrombin activator complex (OsPA) as an additive in blood collection tubes for non-anticoagulated (normal) individuals.
Methods
Plasma clotting assays were performed using a Hyland-Clotek instrument. Blood clotting was visually observed, and thromboelastography was also performed to determine the important parameters of coagulation. Thrombin generation was assayed using the chromogenic substrate S-2238, and biochemical analytes in the serum were determined on chemistry and immunoassay analysers. Fibrinogen was determined by either ELISA or Clauss fibrinogen assay.
Results
We initially showed that OsPA had strong coagulation activity in clotting not only recalcified citrated plasma and recalcified citrated whole blood, but also fresh whole blood in a clinical setting. The use of TEG clearly showed improved speed of clotting and generation of a firmer clot. We also showed that the use of OsPA to produce serum did not interfere with the determination of commonly measured biochemical analytes. The underlying clotting mechanism involves a burst of thrombin production at the initial stages of the clotting process upon contact with prothrombin in blood.
Conclusions
These results demonstrate rapid generation of high-quality serum, contributing to faster turnaround times with standardised quality samples, for accurate analyte determinations in normal individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kong-Nan Zhao
- Centre for Venomics Research, School of Medicine , The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute , Woolloongabba, QLD , Australia
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Campus , Herston, Brisbane, QLD , Australia
| | - Goce Dimeski
- Chemical Pathology, Princess Alexandra Hospital , Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD , Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences , The University of Queensland, Brisbane , QLD , Australia
| | - John de Jersey
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences , The University of Queensland, Brisbane , QLD , Australia
| | - Lambro A. Johnson
- Centre for Venomics Research, School of Medicine , The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute , Woolloongabba, QLD , Australia
| | | | - Paul P. Masci
- Centre for Venomics Research, School of Medicine , The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute , Woolloongabba, QLD , Australia
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Campus , Herston, Brisbane, QLD , Australia
| | - Martin F. Lavin
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Campus , Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029 , Australia , Phone: +61 07 3346 6045, Fax: +61 07 3346 5509
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Engineered factor Xa variants retain procoagulant activity independent of direct factor Xa inhibitors. Nat Commun 2017; 8:528. [PMID: 28904343 PMCID: PMC5597622 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00647-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The absence of an adequate reversal strategy to prevent and stop potential life-threatening bleeding complications is a major drawback to the clinical use of the direct oral inhibitors of blood coagulation factor Xa. Here we show that specific modifications of the substrate-binding aromatic S4 subpocket within the factor Xa active site disrupt high-affinity engagement of the direct factor Xa inhibitors. These modifications either entail amino-acid substitution of S4 subsite residues Tyr99 and/or Phe174 (chymotrypsinogen numbering), or extension of the 99-loop that borders the S4 subsite. The latter modifications led to the engineering of a factor Xa variant that is able to support coagulation in human plasma spiked with (supra-)physiological concentrations of direct factor Xa inhibitors. As such, this factor Xa variant has the potential to be employed to bypass the direct factor Xa inhibitor-mediated anticoagulation in patients that require restoration of blood coagulation. A major drawback in the clinical use of the oral anticoagulants that directly inhibit factor Xa in order to prevent blood clot formation is the potential for life threatening bleeding events. Here the authors describe factor Xa variants that are refractory to inhibition by these anticoagulants and could serve as rescue agents in treated patients.
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Debono J, Dobson J, Casewell NR, Romilio A, Li B, Kurniawan N, Mardon K, Weisbecker V, Nouwens A, Kwok HF, Fry BG. Coagulating Colubrids: Evolutionary, Pathophysiological and Biodiscovery Implications of Venom Variations between Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) and Twig Snake (Thelotornis mossambicanus). Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:E171. [PMID: 28534833 PMCID: PMC5450719 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9050171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Venoms can deleteriously affect any physiological system reachable by the bloodstream, including directly interfering with the coagulation cascade. Such coagulopathic toxins may be anticoagulants or procoagulants. Snake venoms are unique in their use of procoagulant toxins for predatory purposes. The boomslang (Dispholidus typus) and the twig snakes (Thelotornis species) are iconic African snakes belonging to the family Colubridae. Both species produce strikingly similar lethal procoagulant pathologies. Despite these similarities, antivenom is only produced for treating bites by D. typus, and the mechanisms of action of both venoms have been understudied. In this study, we investigated the venom of D. typus and T. mossambicanus utilising a range of proteomic and bioactivity approaches, including determining the procoagulant properties of both venoms in relation to the human coagulation pathways. In doing so, we developed a novel procoagulant assay, utilising a Stago STA-R Max analyser, to accurately detect real time clotting in plasma at varying concentrations of venom. This approach was used to assess the clotting capabilities of the two venoms both with and without calcium and phospholipid co-factors. We found that T. mossambicanus produced a significantly stronger coagulation response compared to D. typus. Functional enzyme assays showed that T. mossambicanus also exhibited a higher metalloprotease and phospholipase activity but had a much lower serine protease activity relative to D. typus venom. The neutralising capability of the available boomslang antivenom was also investigated on both species, with it being 11.3 times more effective upon D. typus venom than T. mossambicanus. In addition to being a faster clotting venom, T. mossambicanus was revealed to be a much more complex venom composition than D. typus. This is consistent with patterns seen for other snakes with venom complexity linked to dietary complexity. Consistent with the external morphological differences in head shape between the two species, CT and MRI analyses revealed significant internal structural differences in skull architecture and venom gland anatomy. This study increases our understanding of not only the biodiscovery potential of these medically important species but also increases our knowledge of the pathological relationship between venom and the human coagulation cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Debono
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - James Dobson
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Nicholas R Casewell
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
| | - Anthony Romilio
- Vertebrate Palaeontology and Biomechanics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Bin Li
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR.
| | - Nyoman Kurniawan
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Karine Mardon
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Vera Weisbecker
- Vertebrate Palaeontology and Biomechanics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Amanda Nouwens
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR.
| | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Venomics of the Australian eastern brown snake ( Pseudonaja textilis ): Detection of new venom proteins and splicing variants. Toxicon 2015; 107:252-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Verhoef D, Yang X, Parthasarathy S, Reitsma PH, Camire RM, Bos MHA. Functional implications of the unique disulfide bond in venom factor V from the Australian common brown snakePseudonaja textilis. TOXIN REV 2013. [DOI: 10.3109/15569543.2013.844712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Bos MHA, Camire RM. A bipartite autoinhibitory region within the B-domain suppresses function in factor V. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:26342-51. [PMID: 22707727 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.377168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of blood coagulation factor V (FV) is a key reaction of hemostasis. FV circulates in plasma as an inactive procofactor, and proteolytic removal of a large central B-domain converts it to an active cofactor (FVa) for factor Xa (FXa). Here we show that two short evolutionary conserved segments of the B-domain, together termed the procofactor regulatory region, serve an essential autoinhibitory function. This newly identified motif consists of a basic (963-1008) and an acidic (1493-1537) region and defines the minimal sequence requirements to maintain FV as a procofactor. Our data suggest that dismantling this autoinhibitory region via deletion or proteolysis is the driving force to unveil a high affinity binding site(s) for FXa. These findings document an unexpected sequence-specific role for the B-domain by negatively regulating FV function and preventing activity of the procofactor. These new mechanistic insights point to new ways in which the FV procofactor to cofactor transition could be modulated to alter hemostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mettine H A Bos
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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