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Tarvin RD, Coleman JL, Donoso DA, Betancourth-Cundar M, López-Hervas K, Gleason KS, Sanders JR, Smith JM, Ron SR, Santos JC, Sedio BE, Cannatella DC, Fitch R. Passive accumulation of alkaloids in non-toxic frogs challenges paradigms of the origins of acquired chemical defenses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.13.593697. [PMID: 38798461 PMCID: PMC11118485 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.13.593697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the origins of novel, complex phenotypes is a major goal in evolutionary biology. Poison frogs of the family Dendrobatidae have evolved the novel ability to acquire alkaloids from their diet for chemical defense at least three times. However, taxon sampling for alkaloids has been biased towards colorful species, without similar attention paid to inconspicuous ones that are often assumed to be undefended. As a result, our understanding of how chemical defense evolved in this group is incomplete. Here we provide new data showing that, in contrast to previous studies, species from each undefended poison frog clade have measurable yet low amounts of alkaloids. We confirm that undefended dendrobatids regularly consume mites and ants, which are known sources of alkaloids. Further, we confirm the presence of alkaloids in two putatively non-toxic frogs from other families. Our data suggest the existence of a phenotypic intermediate between toxin consumption and sequestration-passive accumulation-that differs from active sequestration in that it involves no derived forms of transport and storage mechanisms yet results in low levels of toxin accumulation. We discuss the concept of passive accumulation and its potential role in the origin of chemical defenses in poison frogs and other toxin-sequestering organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca D. Tarvin
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Coleman
- Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Collections, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712 USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancón, Republic of Panama
| | - David A. Donoso
- Grupo de Investigación en Ecología Evolutiva en los Trópicos (EETROP), Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador
- Ecological Networks Lab, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | | | - Kimberly S. Gleason
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA
| | - J. Ryan Sanders
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA
| | - Jacqueline M. Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA
| | - Santiago R. Ron
- Museo de Zoología, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Juan C. Santos
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John’s University, NY, USA 11439
| | - Brian E. Sedio
- Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Collections, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712 USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancón, Republic of Panama
| | - David C. Cannatella
- Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Collections, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712 USA
| | - Richard Fitch
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA
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2
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Larghi EL, Bracca ABJ, Simonetti SO, Kaufman TS. Relevant Developments in the Use of Three-Component Reactions for the Total Synthesis of Natural Products. The last 15 Years. ChemistryOpen 2024; 13:e202300306. [PMID: 38647363 PMCID: PMC11095226 DOI: 10.1002/open.202300306] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) offer a highly useful and valuable strategy that can fulfill an important role in synthesizing complex polysubstituted compounds, by simplifying otherwise long sequences and increasing their efficiency. The total synthesis of selected natural products employing three-component reactions as their common strategic MCR approach, is reviewed on a case-by-case basis with selected targets conquered during the last 15 years. The revision includes detailed descriptions of the selected successful sequences; relevant information on the isolation, and bioactivity of the different natural targets is also briefly provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique L. Larghi
- Instituto de Química Rosario IQUIR (CONICET-UNR)Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y FarmacéuticasUniversidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR)Suipacha 5312000RosarioArgentina
| | - Andrea B. J. Bracca
- Instituto de Química Rosario IQUIR (CONICET-UNR)Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y FarmacéuticasUniversidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR)Suipacha 5312000RosarioArgentina
| | - Sebastian O. Simonetti
- Instituto de Química Rosario IQUIR (CONICET-UNR)Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y FarmacéuticasUniversidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR)Suipacha 5312000RosarioArgentina
| | - Teodoro S. Kaufman
- Instituto de Química Rosario IQUIR (CONICET-UNR)Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y FarmacéuticasUniversidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR)Suipacha 5312000RosarioArgentina
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3
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Alvarez-Buylla A, Fischer MT, Moya Garzon MD, Rangel AE, Tapia EE, Tanzo JT, Soh HT, Coloma LA, Long JZ, O'Connell LA. Binding and sequestration of poison frog alkaloids by a plasma globulin. eLife 2023; 12:e85096. [PMID: 38206862 PMCID: PMC10783871 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Alkaloids are important bioactive molecules throughout the natural world, and in many animals they serve as a source of chemical defense against predation. Dendrobatid poison frogs bioaccumulate alkaloids from their diet to make themselves toxic or unpalatable to predators. Despite the proposed roles of plasma proteins as mediators of alkaloid trafficking and bioavailability, the responsible proteins have not been identified. We use chemical approaches to show that a ~50 kDa plasma protein is the principal alkaloid-binding molecule in blood of poison frogs. Proteomic and biochemical studies establish this plasma protein to be a liver-derived alkaloid-binding globulin (ABG) that is a member of the serine-protease inhibitor (serpin) family. In addition to alkaloid-binding activity, ABG sequesters and regulates the bioavailability of 'free' plasma alkaloids in vitro. Unexpectedly, ABG is not related to saxiphilin, albumin, or other known vitamin carriers, but instead exhibits sequence and structural homology to mammalian hormone carriers and amphibian biliverdin-binding proteins. ABG represents a new small molecule binding functionality in serpin proteins, a novel mechanism of plasma alkaloid transport in poison frogs, and more broadly points toward serpins acting as tunable scaffolds for small molecule binding and transport across different organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria Dolores Moya Garzon
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Wu Tsai Institute for Neuroscience, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Department of Pathology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Alexandra E Rangel
- Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Elicio E Tapia
- Department of Radiology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Julia T Tanzo
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Wu Tsai Institute for Neuroscience, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - H Tom Soh
- Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Center for Taxonomy and Morphology, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity ChangeHamburgGermany
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | | | - Jonathan Z Long
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Wu Tsai Institute for Neuroscience, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Department of Pathology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Centro Jambatu de Investigación y Conservación de Anfibios, Fundación JambatuSan RafaelEcuador
| | - Lauren A O'Connell
- Department of Biology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Wu Tsai Institute for Neuroscience, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Stanford Diabetes Research Center, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
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4
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Gonzalez M, Carazzone C. Eco-Metabolomics Applied to the Chemical Ecology of Poison Frogs (Dendrobatoidea). J Chem Ecol 2023; 49:570-598. [PMID: 37594619 PMCID: PMC10725362 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-023-01443-0] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Amphibians are one of the most remarkable sources of unique natural products. Biogenic amines, peptides, bufodienolides, alkaloids, and volatile organic compounds have been characterized in different species. The superfamily Dendrobatoidea represents one of the most enigmatic cases of study in chemical ecology because their skin secretome is composed by a complex mixture (i.e. cocktail) of highly lethal and noxious unique alkaloid structures. While chemical defences from dendrobatoids (families Dendrobatidae and Aromobatidae) have been investigated employing ecological, behavioral, phylogenetic and evolutionary perspectives, studies about the analytical techniques needed to perform the chemical characterization have been neglected for many years. Therefore, our aim is to summarize the current methods applied for the characterization of chemical profiles in dendrobatoids and to illustrate innovative Eco-metabolomics strategies that could be translated to this study model. This approach could be extended to natural products other than alkaloids and implemented for the chemical analysis of different species of dendrobatoids employing both low- and high-resolution mass spectrometers. Here, we overview important biological features to be considered, procedures that could be applied to perform the chemical characterization, steps and tools to perform an Eco-metabolomic analysis, and a final discussion about future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabel Gonzalez
- Department of Chemistry, Universidad de los Andes, 4976, Bogotá, AA, Colombia.
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Chiara Carazzone
- Department of Chemistry, Universidad de los Andes, 4976, Bogotá, AA, Colombia.
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5
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Salimo ZM, Barros AL, Adrião AAX, Rodrigues AM, Sartim MA, de Oliveira IS, Pucca MB, Baia-da-Silva DC, Monteiro WM, de Melo GC, Koolen HHF. Toxins from Animal Venoms as a Potential Source of Antimalarials: A Comprehensive Review. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:375. [PMID: 37368676 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15060375] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium spp. and it is mainly transmitted to humans by female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles. Malaria is an important global public health problem due to its high rates of morbidity and mortality. At present, drug therapies and vector control with insecticides are respectively the most commonly used methods for the treatment and control of malaria. However, several studies have shown the resistance of Plasmodium to drugs that are recommended for the treatment of malaria. In view of this, it is necessary to carry out studies to discover new antimalarial molecules as lead compounds for the development of new medicines. In this sense, in the last few decades, animal venoms have attracted attention as a potential source for new antimalarial molecules. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize animal venom toxins with antimalarial activity found in the literature. From this research, 50 isolated substances, 4 venom fractions and 7 venom extracts from animals such as anurans, spiders, scorpions, snakes, and bees were identified. These toxins act as inhibitors at different key points in the biological cycle of Plasmodium and may be important in the context of the resistance of Plasmodium to currently available antimalarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeca M Salimo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69040-000, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus 69040-000, Brazil
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Metabolômica e Espectrometria de Massas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69065-001, Brazil
| | - André L Barros
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Nilton Lins, Manaus 69058-030, Brazil
| | - Asenate A X Adrião
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69040-000, Brazil
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Metabolômica e Espectrometria de Massas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69065-001, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia-Rede BIONORTE, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69065-001, Brazil
| | - Aline M Rodrigues
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Metabolômica e Espectrometria de Massas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69065-001, Brazil
| | - Marco A Sartim
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69040-000, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia-Rede BIONORTE, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69065-001, Brazil
- Pro-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação, Universidade Nilton Lins, Manaus 69058-030, Brazil
| | - Isadora S de Oliveira
- Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Manuela B Pucca
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69040-000, Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Roraima, Boa Vista 69317-810, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Roraima, Boa Vista 69317-810, Brazil
| | - Djane C Baia-da-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69040-000, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus 69040-000, Brazil
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Nilton Lins, Manaus 69058-030, Brazil
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus 69057-070, Brazil
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus 69080-900, Brazil
| | - Wuelton M Monteiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69040-000, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus 69040-000, Brazil
| | - Gisely C de Melo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69040-000, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus 69040-000, Brazil
| | - Hector H F Koolen
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69040-000, Brazil
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Metabolômica e Espectrometria de Massas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69065-001, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia-Rede BIONORTE, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69065-001, Brazil
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6
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Brooks OL, James JJ, Saporito RA. Maternal chemical defenses predict offspring defenses in a dendrobatid poison frog. Oecologia 2023; 201:385-396. [PMID: 36637523 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05314-z] [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: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Within and among populations, alkaloid defenses of the strawberry poison frog (Oophaga pumilio) vary spatially, temporally, and with life history stage. Natural variation in defense has been implicated as a critical factor in determining the level of protection afforded against predators and pathogens. Oophaga pumilio tadpoles sequester alkaloids from nutritive eggs and are, thus, entirely dependent on their mothers for their defense. However, it remains unclear how tadpole alkaloid composition relates to that of its mother and how variation in maternally provisioned defenses might result in varying levels of protection against predators. Here, we demonstrate that natural variation in the alkaloid composition of a mother frog is reflected as variation in her tadpole's alkaloid composition. Tadpoles, like mother frogs, varied in their alkaloid composition but always contained the identical alkaloids found in their mother. Alkaloid quantity in tadpoles was highly correlated with alkaloid quantity in their mothers. Additionally, alkaloid quantity was the best predictor of tadpole palatability, wherein tadpoles with higher alkaloid quantities were less palatable. Mother frogs with greater quantities of alkaloids are, thus, providing better protection for their offspring by provisioning chemical defenses during one of the most vulnerable periods of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia L Brooks
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61701, USA.,Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, 44118, USA
| | - Jessie J James
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
| | - Ralph A Saporito
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, 44118, USA.
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7
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Krieger AC, Povilaitis SC, Gowda P, O’Connell LA, Eberlin LS. Noninvasive Detection of Chemical Defenses in Poison Frogs Using the MasSpec Pen. ACS MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AU 2022; 2:475-484. [PMID: 36281295 PMCID: PMC9585640 DOI: 10.1021/acsmeasuresciau.2c00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Poison frogs are well-known for their fascinating ability to store alkaloids in their skin as chemical defense against predators. Chemical methods used to study these alkaloids are limited by requirements for euthanasia or stress during sampling. Here, we demonstrate sensitive and biocompatible alkaloid detection and monitoring in vivo using the MasSpec Pen, a handheld, noninvasive chemical detection device coupled to a mass spectrometer. The MasSpec Pen allowed rapid (<15 s), gentle, and consecutive molecular analysis without harm or undue stress to the animals. Through a month-long alkaloid-feeding study with the dyeing poison frog, we observed temporal dynamics of chemical sequestration in vivo by comparing frogs fed the alkaloid decahydroquinoline (DHQ) to vehicle-fed frogs. We also demonstrate the feasibility of the MasSpec Pen for the untargeted detection of rich alkaloid profiles from skin extracts of the Diablito poison frog, collected from two distinct geographical populations in Ecuador. The results obtained in this study demonstrate the utility of the MasSpec Pen for direct, rapid, and biocompatible analysis of poison frog alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C. Krieger
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Sydney C. Povilaitis
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Prajwal Gowda
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Lauren A. O’Connell
- Department
of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Livia S. Eberlin
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- Department
of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
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8
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Nogueira TAC, Kaefer IL, Sartim MA, Pucca MB, Sachett J, Barros AL, Júnior MBA, Baía-da-Silva DC, Bernarde PS, Koolen HHF, Monteiro WM. The Amazonian kambô frog Phyllomedusa bicolor (Amphibia: Phyllomedusidae): Current knowledge on biology, phylogeography, toxinology, ethnopharmacology and medical aspects. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:997318. [PMID: 36278168 PMCID: PMC9582840 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.997318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phyllomedusa bicolor (Phyllomedusidae), popularly known as the kambô in Brazil, is a tree frog that is widely distributed in South American countries and is known for producing a skin secretion that is rich in bioactive peptides, which are often used in indigenous rituals. The biological effects of the skin secretion were observed in the first studies with indigenous communities. Over the last six decades, researchers have been studying the chemical composition in detail, as well as the potential pharmacological applications of its constituents. For this reason, indigenous communities and health agents fear the misuse of the kambô, or the inappropriate use of the species, which can result in health complications or even death of users. This article seeks to provide a transdisciplinary review that integrates knowledge regarding the biology of P. bicolor, ethnoknowledge about the ritual of the kambô, and the chemistry and pharmacology of the skin secretion of this species, in addition to medical aspects of the indiscriminate use of the kambô. Furthermore, this review seeks to shed light on perspectives on the future of research related to the kambô.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais A. C. Nogueira
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Metabolômica e Espectrometria de Massas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Igor Luis Kaefer
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Igor Luis Kaefer, ; Wuelton M. Monteiro,
| | - Marco A. Sartim
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Metabolômica e Espectrometria de Massas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Departamento de Pós-Graduação, Universidade Nilton Lins, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Manuela B. Pucca
- Curso de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Roraima, Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Sachett
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Metabolômica e Espectrometria de Massas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação Alfredo da Matta, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - André L. Barros
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Metabolômica e Espectrometria de Massas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Moysés B. A. Júnior
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Metabolômica e Espectrometria de Massas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Itacoatiara, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Djane C. Baía-da-Silva
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Metabolômica e Espectrometria de Massas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Paulo S. Bernarde
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Campus Floresta, Universidade Federal do Acre, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil
| | - Hector H. F. Koolen
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Metabolômica e Espectrometria de Massas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Wuelton M. Monteiro
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Metabolômica e Espectrometria de Massas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Igor Luis Kaefer, ; Wuelton M. Monteiro,
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9
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Jeckel AM, Bolton SK, Waters KR, Antoniazzi MM, Jared C, Matsumura K, Nishikawa K, Morimoto Y, Grant T, Saporito RA. Dose-dependent alkaloid sequestration and N-methylation of decahydroquinoline in poison frogs. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 337:537-546. [PMID: 35201668 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Sequestration of chemical defenses from dietary sources is dependent on the availability of compounds in the environment and the mechanism of sequestration. Previous experiments have shown that sequestration efficiency varies among alkaloids in poison frogs, but little is known about the underlying mechanism. The aim of this study was to quantify the extent to which alkaloid sequestration and modification are dependent on alkaloid availability and/or sequestration mechanism. To do this, we administered different doses of histrionicotoxin (HTX) 235A and decahydroquinoline (DHQ) to captive-bred Adelphobates galactonotus and measured alkaloid quantity in muscle, kidney, liver, and feces. HTX 235A and DHQ were detected in all organs, whereas only DHQ was present in trace amounts in feces. For both liver and skin, the quantity of alkaloid accumulated increased at higher doses for both alkaloids. Accumulation efficiency in the skin increased at higher doses for HTX 235A but remained constant for DHQ. In contrast, the efficiency of HTX 235A accumulation in the liver was inversely related to dose and a similar, albeit statistically nonsignificant, pattern was observed for DHQ. We identified and quantified the N-methylation of DHQ in A. galactonotus, which represents a previously unknown example of alkaloid modification in poison frogs. Our study suggests that variation in alkaloid composition among individuals and species can result from differences in sequestration efficiency related to the type and amount of alkaloids available in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana M Jeckel
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sarah K Bolton
- Department of Biology, Notre Dame College, South Euclid, Ohio, USA
| | - Katherine R Waters
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio, USA
| | - Marta M Antoniazzi
- Structural Biology Lab, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Jared
- Structural Biology Lab, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kunihiro Matsumura
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Nishikawa
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Morimoto
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Taran Grant
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ralph A Saporito
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio, USA
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10
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Raspotnig G, Bodner M, Blesl J, Viquez C. The scent gland chemistry of Gagrellinae (Opiliones, Sclerosomatidae): evidence for sequestration of myrmicacin in a species of Prionostemma. CHEMOECOLOGY 2022; 32:139-146. [PMID: 36164465 PMCID: PMC9499920 DOI: 10.1007/s00049-022-00373-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The scent gland secretion of an undetermined species of Prionostemma from Costa Rica was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and shown to consist of medium-chain carboxylic acids (mainly octanoic acid) and a ß-hydroxy-carboxylic acid, eventually identified as myrmicacin (= (R)-3-hydroxydecanoic acid). While scent gland secretions in harvestmen have traditionally been considered to be products of de novo synthesis, we here provide evidence for the unusual case of sequestration-derived scent gland constituents: at least myrmicacin appears to be sequestered from leaf-cutter ants that constitute a part of the prey of the Prionostemma-species herein investigated. This is the first report on the scent gland chemistry of the sclerosomatid subfamily Gagrellinae as well as on a possible sequestration mechanism in harvestmen.
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11
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da Rocha SM, Magnusson WE, Rojas D, Lima AP. Colour, location and movement: what do models tell us about predation on colour morphs of a poison frog from eastern Amazonia? BEHAVIOUR 2022. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-bja10168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Many dendrobatid frogs are known to be aposematic: brightly coloured and unpalatable to predators. To deceive predators, frog models used to test for predatory colour bias must be similar in size, colour, shape, and movement to frogs. We carried out an experiment with moving models of the species Adelphobates galactonotus, in two localities. A. galactonotus is a polytypic frog and each population of the species has a distinct colour. Birds and mammals were the vertebrates responsible for the marks on the models, but there was no difference in frequency of attacks on local-, non-local- and cryptic-colour models. Only invertebrates avoided cryptic models. Different populations of the species seem to be under different predation pressure, but colour differentiation in this species is probably related to other mechanisms, such as sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulamita M.C. da Rocha
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Av. André, Araújo 2936, 69011-970 Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - William E. Magnusson
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Av. André, Araújo 2936, 69011-970 Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Coordenação de Pesquisas em Biodiversidade, Av. André Araújo, 2936, 69011-970, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Diana Rojas
- Ecopescado, P.O. Box 37, 69640-000 Tabatinga, AM, Brazil
| | - Albertina P. Lima
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Av. André, Araújo 2936, 69011-970 Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Coordenação de Pesquisas em Biodiversidade, Av. André Araújo, 2936, 69011-970, Manaus, AM, Brazil
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12
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Alvarez-Buylla A, Payne CY, Vidoudez C, Trauger SA, O’Connell LA. Molecular physiology of pumiliotoxin sequestration in a poison frog. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264540. [PMID: 35275922 PMCID: PMC8916643 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Poison frogs bioaccumulate alkaloids for chemical defense from their arthropod diet. Although many alkaloids are accumulated without modification, some poison frog species can metabolize pumiliotoxin (PTX 251D) into the more potent allopumiliotoxin (aPTX 267A). Despite extensive research characterizing the chemical arsenal of poison frogs, the physiological mechanisms involved in the sequestration and metabolism of individual alkaloids remain unclear. We first performed a feeding experiment with the Dyeing poison frog (Dendrobates tinctorius) to ask if this species can metabolize PTX 251D into aPTX 267A and what gene expression changes are associated with PTX 251D exposure in the intestines, liver, and skin. We found that D. tinctorius can metabolize PTX 251D into aPTX 267A, and that PTX 251D exposure changed the expression level of genes involved in immune system function and small molecule metabolism and transport. To better understand the functional significance of these changes in gene expression, we then conducted a series of high-throughput screens to determine the molecular targets of PTX 251D and identify potential proteins responsible for metabolism of PTX 251D into aPTX 267A. Although screens of PTX 251D binding human voltage-gated ion channels and G-protein coupled receptors were inconclusive, we identified human CYP2D6 as a rapid metabolizer of PTX 251D in a cytochrome P450 screen. Furthermore, a CYP2D6-like gene had increased expression in the intestines of animals fed PTX, suggesting this protein may be involved in PTX metabolism. These results show that individual alkaloids can modify gene expression across tissues, including genes involved in alkaloid metabolism. More broadly, this work suggests that specific alkaloid classes in wild diets may induce physiological changes for targeted accumulation and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Alvarez-Buylla
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Cheyenne Y. Payne
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Charles Vidoudez
- Harvard Center for Mass Spectrometry, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sunia A. Trauger
- Harvard Center for Mass Spectrometry, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lauren A. O’Connell
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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13
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Abstract
Ants have outstanding capacity to mediate inter- and intraspecific interactions by producing structurally diverse metabolites from numerous secretory glands. Since Murray Blum's pioneering studies dating from the 1950s, there has been a growing interest in arthropod toxins as natural products. Over a dozen different alkaloid classes have been reported from approximately 40 ant genera in five subfamilies, with peak diversity within the Myrmicinae tribe Solenopsidini. Most ant alkaloids function as venom, but some derive from other glands with alternative functions. They are used in defense (e.g., alarm, repellants) or offense (e.g., toxins) but also serve as antimicrobials and pheromones. We provide an overview of ant alkaloid diversity and function with an evolutionary perspective. We conclude that more directed integrative research is needed. We suggest that comparative phylogenetics will illuminate compound diversification, while molecular approaches will elucidate genetic origins. Biological context, informed by natural history, remains critical not only for research about focal species, but also to guide applied research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Gonçalves Paterson Fox
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21044-020, Brazil;
| | - Rachelle M M Adams
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA;
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC 20560, USA
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14
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Schulz S, Poth D, Peram PS, Hötling S, Menke M, Melnik K, Röpke R. Chemical Diversity of Volatile Macrocylic Lactones from Frogs. Synlett 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1381-2881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractFor a long time, frogs were believed to communicate primarily via the acoustic channel, but during the last decades it became obvious that various lineages also use chemical communication. In this Account we present our research on the identification of volatile lactones from Madagascan Mantellidae and African Hyperoliidae frogs. Both possess male specific glands that can disseminate a range of volatile compounds. Key constituents are macrocyclic lactones. They show high variability in structure and occurrence. We focus here on the synthetic approaches we have used to clarify constitution and configuration of the glandular compounds. Key synthetic methods are ring-closing metathesis and nucleophilic epoxide opening. Often, but not always, the natural compounds occurs in amounts that excludes their investigation by NMR spectroscopy. Instead, we use GC/MS analysis, GC/IR, microreactions, and synthesis to identify such components. Several aspects of our work will be described giving some insight in our scientific approach.1 Introduction2 Macrocylic Lactones from the Fatty Acid Biosynthetic Pathway3 Unsaturated Lactones4 Terpenoid Lactones5 Macrolide Occurrence6 Conclusions
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15
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Carvajal-Castro JD, Vargas-Salinas F, Casas-Cardona S, Rojas B, Santos JC. Aposematism facilitates the diversification of parental care strategies in poison frogs. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19047. [PMID: 34561489 PMCID: PMC8463664 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97206-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many organisms have evolved adaptations to increase the odds of survival of their offspring. Parental care has evolved several times in animals including ectotherms. In amphibians, ~ 10% of species exhibit parental care. Among these, poison frogs (Dendrobatidae) are well-known for their extensive care, which includes egg guarding, larval transport, and specialized tadpole provisioning with trophic eggs. At least one third of dendrobatids displaying aposematism by exhibiting warning coloration that informs potential predators about the presence of defensive skin toxins. Aposematism has a central role in poison frog diversification, including diet specialization, and visual and acoustic communication; and it is thought to have impacted their reproductive biology as well. We tested the latter association using multivariate phylogenetic methods at the family level. Our results show complex relationships between aposematism and certain aspects of the reproductive biology in dendrobatids. In particular, aposematic species tend to use more specialized tadpole-deposition sites, such as phytotelmata, and ferry fewer tadpoles than non-aposematic species. We propose that aposematism may have facilitated the diversification of microhabitat use in dendrobatids in the context of reproduction. Furthermore, the use of resource-limited tadpole-deposition environments may have evolved in tandem with an optimal reproductive strategy characterized by few offspring, biparental care, and female provisioning of food in the form of unfertilized eggs. We also found that in phytotelm-breeders, the rate of transition from cryptic to aposematic phenotype is 17 to 19 times higher than vice versa. Therefore, we infer that the aposematism in dendrobatids might serve as an umbrella trait for the evolution and maintenance of their complex offspring-caring activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D. Carvajal-Castro
- grid.264091.80000 0001 1954 7928Department of Biological Sciences, St. John’s University, Jamaica-Queens, NY USA ,grid.441861.e0000 0001 0690 6629Grupo de Evolución, Ecología y Conservación (EECO), Programa de Biología, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Fernando Vargas-Salinas
- grid.441861.e0000 0001 0690 6629Grupo de Evolución, Ecología y Conservación (EECO), Programa de Biología, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Santiago Casas-Cardona
- grid.441861.e0000 0001 0690 6629Grupo de Evolución, Ecología y Conservación (EECO), Programa de Biología, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Bibiana Rojas
- grid.9681.60000 0001 1013 7965Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland ,grid.6583.80000 0000 9686 6466Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Juan C. Santos
- grid.264091.80000 0001 1954 7928Department of Biological Sciences, St. John’s University, Jamaica-Queens, NY USA
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16
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Blackburn DC, Nielsen SV, Ghose SL, Burger M, Gonwouo LN, Greenbaum E, Gvoždík V, Hirschfeld M, Kouete MT, Kusamba C, Lawson D, McLaughlin PJ, Zassi-Boulou AG, Rödel MO. Phylogeny of African Long-Fingered Frogs (Arthroleptidae: Cardioglossa) Reveals Recent Allopatric Divergences in Coloration. ICHTHYOLOGY & HERPETOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1643/h2020165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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17
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Gonzalez M, Palacios-Rodriguez P, Hernandez-Restrepo J, González-Santoro M, Amézquita A, Brunetti AE, Carazzone C. First characterization of toxic alkaloids and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the cryptic dendrobatid Silverstoneia punctiventris. Front Zool 2021; 18:39. [PMID: 34446035 PMCID: PMC8390233 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00420-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Poison frogs are known for the outstanding diversity of alkaloid-based chemical defences with promising therapeutic applications. However, current knowledge about chemical defences in Dendrobatoidea superfamily has two sources of bias. First, cryptic, brown-colored species have been neglected in comparison to those conspicuously colored, and second, there has been little interest in characterizing metabolites other than alkaloids mediating defensive functions. In an effort to contribute to fill the gap of knowledge about cryptic species and broadening the spectrum of compounds analyzed we have applied head-space solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) for extracting amphibian alkaloids and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from Silverstoneia punctiventris. Results Using the skin from 8 specimens in 4 biological replicates we have found 33 different compounds. Twenty of them were classified as VOCs into 15 chemical classes including alkanes, alcohols, carbonyl compounds, methylpyridines, benzothiazoles, N-alkylpyrrolidines, pyrazines, and sesquiterpenoids, some of which were previously reported as repellents, defence compounds or defence pheromones in other organisms, and as sex pheromones in a treefrog. Interestingly, six of the remaining compounds were identified as alkaloids previously reported in other toxic/unpalatable dendrobatid frogs. Conclusions This is the first report of alkaloids and VOCs found in the Silverstoneia genus, which has been assumed for decades as non-chemically defended. This study establishes HS-SPME/GC-MS as a new application for a simultaneous approach to amphibian alkaloids and VOCs in poison frogs while opens up new research questions to assess the co-occurrence of both type of compounds and to investigate the evolutionary significance of a defence gradient that includes olfactory avoidance, unpalatability, and toxicity in dendrobatids. In addition, our results show that amphibian alkaloids could have a dual function (olfactory at distance, taste by contact) never explored before neither in Silverstonaeia nor in any other dendrobatid species. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12983-021-00420-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabel Gonzalez
- Department of Chemistry, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, AA, 4976, Colombia
| | | | | | | | - Adolfo Amézquita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, AA, 4976, Colombia
| | - Andrés E Brunetti
- Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva, Instituto de Biología Subtropical (CONICET - UNaM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, N3300, Posadas, Argentina.,Departamento de Ciências Biomoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Chiara Carazzone
- Department of Chemistry, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, AA, 4976, Colombia.
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18
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O'Connell LA, O'Connell JD, Paulo JA, Trauger SA, Gygi SP, Murray AW. Rapid toxin sequestration modifies poison frog physiology. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:jeb.230342. [PMID: 33408255 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.230342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Poison frogs sequester chemical defenses from their diet of leaf litter arthropods for defense against predation. Little is known about the physiological adaptations that confer this unusual bioaccumulation ability. We conducted an alkaloid-feeding experiment with the Diablito poison frog (Oophaga sylvatica) to determine how quickly alkaloids are accumulated and how toxins modify frog physiology using quantitative proteomics. Diablito frogs rapidly accumulated the alkaloid decahydroquinoline within 4 days, and dietary alkaloid exposure altered protein abundance in the intestines, liver and skin. Many proteins that increased in abundance with decahydroquinoline accumulation are plasma glycoproteins, including the complement system and the toxin-binding protein saxiphilin. Other protein classes that change in abundance with decahydroquinoline accumulation are membrane proteins involved in small molecule transport and metabolism. Overall, this work shows that poison frogs can rapidly accumulate alkaloids, which alter carrier protein abundance, initiate an immune response, and alter small molecule transport and metabolism dynamics across tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A O'Connell
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | | | - Jeremy D O'Connell
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joao A Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sunia A Trauger
- Harvard Center for Mass Spectrometry, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrew W Murray
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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19
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Zvejniece L, Dambrova M, Smits G. Total synthesis and in vivo evaluation of 8-deoxypumiliotoxin 193H. Nat Prod Res 2021; 35:440-446. [PMID: 31264906 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2019.1636244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The total synthesis of both the double bond isomers of indolizine alkaloid 8-deoxypumiliotoxin 193H has been accomplished. Both the double bond isomers Z-4 and E-4 induced convulsions and inhibited neuro-muscular activity at a dose of 25 mg/kg after intraperitoneal injection in mice. The lethal dose of Z-4 and E-4 was 100 mg/kg, indicating that 8-deoxypumiliotoxin 193H is 10-times less toxic than the known pumiliotoxin (+)-251 D.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gints Smits
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
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20
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Barros ADL, Lima AP, Fachin-Espinar MT, Nunez CV. Evaluation of benzocaine-based anesthetic gel in anuran skins extracts: A case study using the frog Lithodytes lineatus (Anura: Leptodactylidae). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243654. [PMID: 33290419 PMCID: PMC7723253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracts made from the skin of dead Lithodytes lineatus frog individuals with the application of the benzocaine-based anesthetic gel, introduced into the oral cavity, were analyzed by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance to investigate whether the application of this product (oral) can make studies that use extracts from the skins of these animals unfeasible. For comparison, we used skins of another species of anuran following the same death protocol. No trace of the benzocaine substance was found in the 1H-NMR spectra of the skin extracts from any of the tested anuran species. Still, using the hierarchical clustering model, it was possible to observe the formation of well-defined groups between the skin extracts of anurans and the anesthetic used to kill these animals. Our results suggest that the lethal dose of benzocaine in gel used inside the mouth of frogs may have no influence on potential results regarding the chemical composition or even bioassays using extracts made from the skin of these animals killed under this protocol since there was no detection of this substance for the analyzed samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- André de Lima Barros
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia–INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
- Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biotecnologia—LABB, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia–INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
- * E-mail:
| | - Albertina Pimentel Lima
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia–INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | - Maria Teresa Fachin-Espinar
- Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biotecnologia—LABB, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia–INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | - Cecilia Veronica Nunez
- Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biotecnologia—LABB, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia–INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
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21
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Feeding habits of Anolis sagrei, an introduced species, in urban ecosystems of Guayas Province. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-00979-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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22
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Moskowitz NA, Dorritie B, Fay T, Nieves OC, Vidoudez C, 2017 Biology Class CRL, 2017 Biotechnology Class M, Fischer EK, Trauger SA, Coloma LA, Donoso DA, O’Connell LA. Land use impacts poison frog chemical defenses through changes in leaf litter ant communities. NEOTROPICAL BIODIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2020.1744957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tammy Fay
- Masconomet Regional High School, Boxford, MA USA
| | | | - Charles Vidoudez
- Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Facility, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Eva K. Fischer
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sunia A. Trauger
- Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Facility, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Luis A. Coloma
- Centro Jambatu De Investigación Y Conservación De Anfibios, Fundación Jambatu, San Rafael, Quito, Ecuador
| | - David A. Donoso
- Departamento De Biología, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador
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23
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Yoshida T, Ujiie R, Savitzky AH, Jono T, Inoue T, Yoshinaga N, Aburaya S, Aoki W, Takeuchi H, Ding L, Chen Q, Cao C, Tsai TS, Silva AD, Mahaulpatha D, Nguyen TT, Tang Y, Mori N, Mori A. Dramatic dietary shift maintains sequestered toxins in chemically defended snakes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:5964-5969. [PMID: 32094167 PMCID: PMC7084117 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1919065117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike other snakes, most species of Rhabdophis possess glands in their dorsal skin, sometimes limited to the neck, known as nucho-dorsal and nuchal glands, respectively. Those glands contain powerful cardiotonic steroids known as bufadienolides, which can be deployed as a defense against predators. Bufadienolides otherwise occur only in toads (Bufonidae) and some fireflies (Lampyrinae), which are known or believed to synthesize the toxins. The ancestral diet of Rhabdophis consists of anuran amphibians, and we have shown previously that the bufadienolide toxins of frog-eating species are sequestered from toads consumed as prey. However, one derived clade, the Rhabdophis nuchalis Group, has shifted its primary diet from frogs to earthworms. Here we confirm that the worm-eating snakes possess bufadienolides in their nucho-dorsal glands, although the worms themselves lack such toxins. In addition, we show that the bufadienolides of R. nuchalis Group species are obtained primarily from fireflies. Although few snakes feed on insects, we document through feeding experiments, chemosensory preference tests, and gut contents that lampyrine firefly larvae are regularly consumed by these snakes. Furthermore, members of the R. nuchalis Group contain compounds that resemble the distinctive bufadienolides of fireflies, but not those of toads, in stereochemistry, glycosylation, acetylation, and molecular weight. Thus, the evolutionary shift in primary prey among members of the R. nuchalis Group has been accompanied by a dramatic shift in the source of the species' sequestered defensive toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Yoshida
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Rinako Ujiie
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Alan H Savitzky
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5305
| | - Teppei Jono
- Laboratory of Ryukyu Island Biogeography, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, 903-0213 Okinawa, Japan
| | - Takato Inoue
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan;
| | - Naoko Yoshinaga
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Aburaya
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Wataru Aoki
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hirohiko Takeuchi
- Laboratory of Biology, College of Bioresource Science, Nihon University, Fujisawa, 252-0880 Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Li Ding
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Qin Chen
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Chengquan Cao
- College of Life Sciences, Leshan Normal University, Leshan, 614000 Sichuan, China
| | - Tein-Shun Tsai
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu Township, 91201 Pingtung, Taiwan
| | | | - Dharshani Mahaulpatha
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 10250 Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Tao Thien Nguyen
- Department of Nature Conservation, Vietnam National Museum of Nature, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Yezhong Tang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Naoki Mori
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akira Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
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Toxicity and Alkaloid Profiling of the Skin of the Golfo Dulcean Poison Frog Phyllobates vittatus (Dendrobatidae). J Chem Ecol 2019; 45:914-925. [PMID: 31802386 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-019-01116-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Frogs in the genus Phyllobates are known for the presence of batrachotoxin, a highly toxic alkaloid, in their skin. Nevertheless, Phyllobates frogs from Costa Rica and Panama (P. lugubris and P. vittatus) are considered non-toxic, as they have been reported to harbor low concentrations of this alkaloid. However, the potential toxicity of Central American Phyllobates has not been assessed experimentally. Our goal was to determine the toxicity of the whole skin of P. vittatus, an endemic species from the Southeastern Pacific region of Costa Rica. We performed median lethal dose (LD50) tests in mice to determine general toxicity, and an irritant assay based on the behavioral responses of mice to subcutaneous injection, to determine differences in irritability, as a measure of toxicity, among three study localities. Using UPLC-ESI-QTOF, we obtained chemical profiles of the methanolic extract of frog skins. Due to the absence of mortality at the studied doses, we were unable to estimate LD50. However, we recorded a list of toxicity symptoms in mice that are consistent with cardiotoxic effects, and found that mice presented more symptoms at higher concentrations of skin extracts during the first hour of the LD50 assays, recovering completely at all doses by the end of the assay. On the other hand, we did not detect differences in irritability among studied localities. Additionally, we putatively identified three toxic alkaloids (Batrachotoxinin A, DHQ 251A and Lehm 275A). This study provides the first experimental data on the toxicity and associated symptoms in mice, as well as the chemical profile of the skin of P. vittatus. We suggest that the skin alkaloids of P. vitattus may confer a chemical defense towards predators.
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Fischer EK, Roland AB, Moskowitz NA, Vidoudez C, Ranaivorazo N, Tapia EE, Trauger SA, Vences M, Coloma LA, O’Connell LA. Mechanisms of Convergent Egg Provisioning in Poison Frogs. Curr Biol 2019; 29:4145-4151.e3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Prates I, Paz A, Brown JL, Carnaval AC. Links between prey assemblages and poison frog toxins: A landscape ecology approach to assess how biotic interactions affect species phenotypes. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:14317-14329. [PMID: 31938521 PMCID: PMC6953698 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecological studies of species pairs showed that biotic interactions promote phenotypic change and eco-evolutionary feedbacks. However, it is unclear how phenotypes respond to synergistic interactions with multiple taxa. We investigate whether interactions with multiple prey species explain spatially structured variation in the skin toxins of the neotropical poison frog Oophaga pumilio. Specifically, we assess how dissimilarity (i.e., beta diversity) of alkaloid-bearing arthropod prey assemblages (68 ant species) and evolutionary divergence between frog populations (from a neutral genetic marker) contribute to frog poison dissimilarity (toxin profiles composed of 230 different lipophilic alkaloids sampled from 934 frogs at 46 sites). We find that models that incorporate spatial turnover in the composition of ant assemblages explain part of the frog alkaloid variation, and we infer unique alkaloid combinations across the range of O. pumilio. Moreover, we find that alkaloid variation increases weakly with the evolutionary divergence between frog populations. Our results pose two hypotheses: First, the distribution of only a few prey species may explain most of the geographic variation in poison frog alkaloids; second, different codistributed prey species may be redundant alkaloid sources. The analytical framework proposed here can be extended to other multitrophic systems, coevolutionary mosaics, microbial assemblages, and ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Prates
- Department of Vertebrate ZoologyNational Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian InstitutionWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Andrea Paz
- Department of BiologyCity College of New York, and Graduate CenterCity University of New YorkNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Jason L. Brown
- Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory & The Center for EcologySouthern Illinois UniversityCarbondaleILUSA
| | - Ana C. Carnaval
- Department of BiologyCity College of New York, and Graduate CenterCity University of New YorkNew YorkNYUSA
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Geographically separated orange and blue populations of the Amazonian poison frog Adelphobates galactonotus (Anura, Dendrobatidae) do not differ in alkaloid composition or palatability. CHEMOECOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00049-019-00291-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Dallagnol Vargas N, Guimarães M, Caorsi V, Wolff Bordignon D, Borges‐Martins M. An experimental assessment of the antipredatory function of green dorsal coloration in poisonous Neotropical red‐bellied toads. J Zool (1987) 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natália Dallagnol Vargas
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Biologia Animal Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre Rio Grande do Sul Brazil
| | - Murilo Guimarães
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Biologia Animal Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre Rio Grande do Sul Brazil
| | - Valentina Caorsi
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Biologia Animal Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre Rio Grande do Sul Brazil
- The Istituto Agrario di San Michele all’Adige Research and Innovation Centre Fondazione Edmund Mach San Michele all’Adige TN Italy
| | - Debora Wolff Bordignon
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Biologia Animal Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre Rio Grande do Sul Brazil
| | - Márcio Borges‐Martins
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Biologia Animal Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre Rio Grande do Sul Brazil
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29
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McElroy MT, Donoso DA. Ant Morphology Mediates Diet Preference in a Neotropical Toad (Rhinella alata). COPEIA 2019. [DOI: 10.1643/ch-18-162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T. McElroy
- Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720;
| | - David A. Donoso
- Departamento de Biología, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador; . Send reprint requests to this address
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Lukowski AL, Narayan ARH. Natural Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Ligands: Biosynthesis and Biology. Chembiochem 2019; 20:1231-1241. [PMID: 30605564 PMCID: PMC6579537 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Natural product biosynthetic pathways are composed of enzymes that use powerful chemistry to assemble complex molecules. Small molecule neurotoxins are examples of natural products with intricate scaffolds which often have high affinities for their biological targets. The focus of this Minireview is small molecule neurotoxins targeting voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) and the state of knowledge on their associated biosynthetic pathways. There are three small molecule neurotoxin receptor sites on VGSCs associated with three different classes of molecules: guanidinium toxins, alkaloid toxins, and ladder polyethers. Each of these types of toxins have unique structural features which are assembled by biosynthetic enzymes and the extent of information known about these enzymes varies among each class. The biosynthetic enzymes involved in the formation of these toxins have the potential to become useful tools in the efficient synthesis of VGSC probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- April L Lukowski
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, 210 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Alison R H Narayan
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, 210 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 N University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, 210 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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31
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Caty SN, Alvarez-Buylla A, Byrd GD, Vidoudez C, Roland AB, Tapia EE, Budnik B, Trauger SA, Coloma LA, O'Connell LA. Molecular physiology of chemical defenses in a poison frog. J Exp Biol 2019; 222:jeb.204149. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.204149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Poison frogs sequester small molecule lipophilic alkaloids from their diet of leaf litter arthropods for use as chemical defenses against predation. Although the dietary acquisition of chemical defenses in poison frogs is well-documented, the physiological mechanisms of alkaloid sequestration has not been investigated. Here, we used RNA sequencing and proteomics to determine how alkaloids impact mRNA or protein abundance in the Little Devil Frog (Oophaga sylvatica) and compared wild caught chemically defended frogs to laboratory frogs raised on an alkaloid-free diet. To understand how poison frogs move alkaloids from their diet to their skin granular glands, we focused on measuring gene expression in the intestines, skin, and liver. Across these tissues, we found many differentially expressed transcripts involved in small molecule transport and metabolism, as well as sodium channels and other ion pumps. We then used proteomic approaches to quantify plasma proteins, where we found several protein abundance differences between wild and laboratory frogs, including the amphibian neurotoxin binding protein saxiphilin. Finally, because many blood proteins are synthesized in the liver, we used thermal proteome profiling as an untargeted screen for soluble proteins that bind the alkaloid decahydroquinoline. Using this approach, we identified several candidate proteins that interact with this alkaloid, including saxiphilin. These transcript and protein abundance patterns suggest the presence of alkaloids influences frog physiology and that small molecule transport proteins may be involved in toxin bioaccumulation in dendrobatid poison frogs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gary D. Byrd
- Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Facility, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Charles Vidoudez
- Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Facility, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Alexandre B. Roland
- Center for Systems Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elicio E. Tapia
- Centro Jambatu de Investigación y Conservación de Anfibios, Fundación Otonga, San Rafael, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Bogdan Budnik
- Proteomics Mass Spectrometry Facility, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Sunia A. Trauger
- Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Facility, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Luis A. Coloma
- Centro Jambatu de Investigación y Conservación de Anfibios, Fundación Otonga, San Rafael, Quito, Ecuador
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Moskowitz NA, Roland AB, Fischer EK, Ranaivorazo N, Vidoudez C, Aguilar MT, Caldera SM, Chea J, Cristus MG, Crowdis JP, DeMessie B, desJardins-Park CR, Effenberger AH, Flores F, Giles M, He EY, Izmaylov NS, Lee CC, Pagel NA, Phu KK, Rosen LU, Seda DA, Shen Y, Vargas S, Murray AW, Abebe E, Trauger SA, Donoso DA, Vences M, O’Connell LA. Seasonal changes in diet and chemical defense in the Climbing Mantella frog (Mantella laevigata). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207940. [PMID: 30586404 PMCID: PMC6306172 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Poison frogs acquire chemical defenses from the environment for protection against potential predators. These defensive chemicals are lipophilic alkaloids that are sequestered by poison frogs from dietary arthropods and stored in skin glands. Despite decades of research focusing on identifying poison frog alkaloids, we know relatively little about how environmental variation and subsequent arthropod availability impacts alkaloid loads in poison frogs. We investigated how seasonal environmental variation influences poison frog chemical profiles through changes in the diet of the Climbing Mantella (Mantella laevigata). We collected M. laevigata females on the Nosy Mangabe island reserve in Madagascar during the wet and dry seasons and tested the hypothesis that seasonal differences in rainfall is associated with changes in diet composition and skin alkaloid profiles of M. laevigata. The arthropod diet of each frog was characterized into five groups (i.e. ants, termites, mites, insect larvae, or 'other') using visual identification and cytochrome oxidase 1 DNA barcoding. We found that frog diet differed between the wet and dry seasons, where frogs had a more diverse diet in the wet season and consumed a higher percentage of ants in the dry season. To determine if seasonality was associated with variation in frog defensive chemical composition, we used gas chromatography / mass spectrometry to quantify alkaloids from individual skin samples. Although the assortment of identified alkaloids was similar across seasons, we detected significant differences in the abundance of certain alkaloids, which we hypothesize reflects seasonal variation in the diet of M. laevigata. We suggest that these variations could originate from seasonal changes in either arthropod leaf litter composition or changes in frog behavioral patterns. Although additional studies are needed to understand the consequences of long-term environmental shifts, this work suggests that alkaloid profiles are relatively robust against short-term environmental perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora A. Moskowitz
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Alexandre B. Roland
- Center for Systems Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Eva K. Fischer
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Ndimbintsoa Ranaivorazo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Charles Vidoudez
- FAS Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Facility, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Marianne T. Aguilar
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sophia M. Caldera
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline Chea
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Miruna G. Cristus
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jett P. Crowdis
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Bluyé DeMessie
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Caroline R. desJardins-Park
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Audrey H. Effenberger
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Felipe Flores
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Michael Giles
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Emma Y. He
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nike S. Izmaylov
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - ChangWon C. Lee
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nicholas A. Pagel
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Krystal K. Phu
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Leah U. Rosen
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Danielle A. Seda
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yong Shen
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Santiago Vargas
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Andrew W. Murray
- Center for Systems Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Eden Abebe
- Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sunia A. Trauger
- FAS Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Facility, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David A. Donoso
- Departamento de Biología, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Miguel Vences
- Braunschweig University of Technology, Zoological Institute, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lauren A. O’Connell
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- LS50: Integrated Science Freshman Class, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Loss of skin alkaloids in poison toads, Melanophryniscus klappenbachi (Anura: Bufonidae) when fed alkaloid-free diet. Toxicon 2018; 150:267-269. [PMID: 29913195 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.06.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Toads of the genus Melanophryniscus contain toxic alkaloids sequestered from a diet of mainly ants and mites. Wild-caught specimens of M. klappenbachi were fed an alkaloid-free diet and their alkaloid profile was analyzed during 38 months in captivity. Individual alkaloid patterns varied considerably. Over time, the concentration of two alkaloids, pumiliotoxin 251D and 3,5-disubstituted indolizidine 195B, significantly declined, suggesting that the toads depend on continuous access to alkaloid-containing prey to maintain natural levels of their chemical defense.
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Fitch RW, Snider BB, Zhou Q, Foxman BM, Pandya AA, Yakel JL, Olson TT, Al-Muhtasib N, Xiao Y, Welch KD, Panter KE. Absolute Configuration and Pharmacology of the Poison Frog Alkaloid Phantasmidine. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2018; 81:1029-1035. [PMID: 29671588 PMCID: PMC7142328 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Phantasmidine, a rigid congener of the well-known nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist epibatidine, is found in the same species of poison frog ( Epipedobates anthonyi). Natural phantasmidine was found to be a 4:1 scalemic mixture, enriched in the (2a R,4a S,9a S) enantiomer by chiral-phase LC-MS comparison to the synthetic enantiomers whose absolute configurations were previously established by Mosher's amide analysis. The major enantiomer has the opposite S configuration at the benzylic carbon to natural epibatidine, whose benzylic carbon is R. Pharmacological characterization of the synthetic racemate and separated enantiomers established that phantasmidine is ∼10-fold less potent than epibatidine, but ∼100-fold more potent than nicotine in most receptors tested. Unlike epibatidine, phantasmidine is sharply enantioselective in its activity and the major natural enantiomer whose benzylic carbon has the 4a S configuration is more active. The stereoselective pharmacology of phantasmidine is ascribed to its rigid and asymmetric shape as compared to the nearly symmetric conformations previously suggested for epibatidine enantiomers. While phantasmidine itself is too toxic for direct therapeutic use, we believe it is a useful platform for the development of potent and selective nicotinic agonists, which may have value as pharmacological tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard W Fitch
- Department of Chemistry and Physics , Indiana State University , Terre Haute , Indiana 47809 , United States
| | - Barry B Snider
- Department of Chemistry , Brandeis University MS 015 , Waltham , Massachusetts 02453 , United States
| | - Quan Zhou
- Department of Chemistry , Brandeis University MS 015 , Waltham , Massachusetts 02453 , United States
| | - Bruce M Foxman
- Department of Chemistry , Brandeis University MS 015 , Waltham , Massachusetts 02453 , United States
| | - Anshul A Pandya
- Neurobiology Laboratory , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH/DHHS , Research Triangle Park , North Carolina 27709 , United States
| | - Jerrel L Yakel
- Neurobiology Laboratory , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH/DHHS , Research Triangle Park , North Carolina 27709 , United States
| | - Thao T Olson
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology , Georgetown University , Washington , D.C. 20057 , United States
| | - Nour Al-Muhtasib
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology , Georgetown University , Washington , D.C. 20057 , United States
| | - Yingxian Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology , Georgetown University , Washington , D.C. 20057 , United States
| | - Kevin D Welch
- Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture , Agricultural Research Service , Logan , Utah 84341 , United States
| | - Kip E Panter
- Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture , Agricultural Research Service , Logan , Utah 84341 , United States
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Diversity within diversity: Parasite species richness in poison frogs assessed by transcriptomics. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2018; 125:40-50. [PMID: 29551526 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Symbionts (e.g., endoparasites and commensals) play an integral role in their host's ecology, yet in many cases their diversity is likely underestimated. Although endoparasites are traditionally characterized using morphology, sequences of conserved genes, and shotgun metagenomics, host transcriptomes constitute an underused resource to identify these organisms' diversity. By isolating non-host transcripts from host transcriptomes, individual host tissues can now simultaneously reveal their endoparasite species richness (i.e., number of different taxa) and provide insights into parasite gene expression. These approaches can be used in host taxa whose endoparasites are mostly unknown, such as those of tropical amphibians. Here, we focus on the poison frogs (Dendrobatidae) as hosts, which are a Neotropical clade known for their bright coloration and defensive alkaloids. These toxins are an effective protection against vertebrate predators (e.g., snakes and birds), bacteria, and skin-biting ectoparasites (e.g., mosquitoes); however, little is known about their deterrence against eukaryotic endoparasites. With de novo transcriptomes of dendrobatids, we developed a bioinformatics pipeline for endoparasite identification that uses host annotated RNA-seq data and set of a priori parasite taxonomic terms, which are used to mine for specific endoparasites. We found a large community of helminths and protozoans that were mostly restricted to the digestive tract and a few systemic parasites (e.g., Trypanosoma). Contrary to our expectations, all dendrobatid frogs regardless of the presence of alkaloid defenses have endoparasites, with their highest species richness located in the frog digestive tract. Some of these organisms (e.g., roundworms) might prove to be generalists, as they were not found to be co-diversifying with their frog hosts. We propose that endoparasites may escape poison frogs' chemical defenses by colonizing tissues with fewer alkaloids than the frog's skin, where most toxins are stored.
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Hovey KJ, Seiter EM, Johnson EE, Saporito RA. Sequestered Alkaloid Defenses in the Dendrobatid Poison Frog Oophaga pumilio Provide Variable Protection from Microbial Pathogens. J Chem Ecol 2018; 44:312-325. [PMID: 29427191 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-018-0930-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Most amphibians produce their own defensive chemicals; however, poison frogs sequester their alkaloid-based defenses from dietary arthropods. Alkaloids function as a defense against predators, and certain types appear to inhibit microbial growth. Alkaloid defenses vary considerably among populations of poison frogs, reflecting geographic differences in availability of dietary arthropods. Consequently, environmentally driven differences in frog defenses may have significant implications regarding their protection against pathogens. While natural alkaloid mixtures in dendrobatid poison frogs have recently been shown to inhibit growth of non-pathogenic microbes, no studies have examined the effectiveness of alkaloids against microbes that infect these frogs. Herein, we examined how alkaloid defenses in the dendrobatid poison frog, Oophaga pumilio, affect growth of the known anuran pathogens Aeromonas hydrophila and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Frogs were collected from five locations throughout Costa Rica that are known to vary in their alkaloid profiles. Alkaloids were isolated from individual skins, and extracts were assayed against both pathogens. Microbe subcultures were inoculated with extracted alkaloids to create dose-response curves. Subsequent spectrophotometry and cell counting assays were used to assess growth inhibition. GC-MS was used to characterize and quantify alkaloids in frog extracts, and our results suggest that variation in alkaloid defenses lead to differences in inhibition of these pathogens. The present study provides the first evidence that alkaloid variation in a dendrobatid poison frog is associated with differences in inhibition of anuran pathogens, and offers further support that alkaloid defenses in poison frogs confer protection against both pathogens and predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Hovey
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, 44118, USA
| | - Emily M Seiter
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, 44118, USA
| | - Erin E Johnson
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, 44118, USA
| | - Ralph A Saporito
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, 44118, USA.
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Posso-Terranova A, Andrés JÁ. Diversification and convergence of aposematic phenotypes: truncated receptors and cellular arrangements mediate rapid evolution of coloration in harlequin poison frogs. Evolution 2017; 71:2677-2692. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.13335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Posso-Terranova
- Department of Biology; University of Saskatchewan; 112 Science Pl Saskatoon SK Canada
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Sede de Palmira A.A. 237 Palmira Colombia
| | - José Á. Andrés
- Department of Biology; University of Saskatchewan; 112 Science Pl Saskatoon SK Canada
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Grant T, Rada M, Anganoy-Criollo M, Batista A, Dias PH, Jeckel AM, Machado DJ, Rueda-Almonacid JV. Phylogenetic Systematics of Dart-Poison Frogs and Their Relatives Revisited (Anura: Dendrobatoidea). SOUTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.2994/sajh-d-17-00017.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Taran Grant
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Amphibian Collection, Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo, 04263-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marco Rada
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marvin Anganoy-Criollo
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Abel Batista
- Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí, David, Republic of Panama
- Los Naturalistas, David 0426-01459, Chiriquí, Panama
| | - Pedro Henrique Dias
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriana Moriguchi Jeckel
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Denis Jacob Machado
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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40
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Bolton SK, Dickerson K, Saporito RA. Variable Alkaloid Defenses in the Dendrobatid Poison Frog Oophaga pumilio are Perceived as Differences in Palatability to Arthropods. J Chem Ecol 2017; 43:273-289. [PMID: 28289966 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0827-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Conspicuously colored dendrobatid frogs sequester alkaloid defenses from dietary arthropods, resulting in considerable alkaloid variation among populations; however, little is known about how variation is perceived as a defense against predators. Previous studies have found variable alkaloids in the dendrobatid Oophaga pumilio to be associated with differences in toxicity to laboratory mice, suggesting variable defenses are important. Arthropods are natural predators that use chemoreception to detect prey, including frogs, and may therefore perceive variation in alkaloid profiles as differences in palatability. The goal of the present study is to determine how arthropods respond to variable alkaloid defenses in O. pumilio. Frog alkaloids were sampled from individual O. pumilio from ten geographic locations throughout the Bocas del Toro region of Panama and the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Alkaloid extracts were used in feeding bioassays with the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster and the ant Ectatomma ruidum. Both species of arthropods fed significantly less on frog alkaloid extracts when compared to controls, and differences in alkaloid palatability were observed among frog populations, as well as between sexes and life stages within a population. Differences in alkaloid quantity, richness, and type were the main predictors of arthropod palatability. Our findings also represent the first direct evidence of a palatability spectrum in a vertebrate that sequesters chemical defenses from dietary sources. Further, the presence of a palatability spectrum suggests that variable alkaloid defenses in O. pumilio are ecologically relevant and play an important role in natural predator-prey interactions, particularly with respect to arthropod predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Bolton
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, 1 John Carroll Boulevard, University Heights, OH, 44118, USA
| | - Kelsie Dickerson
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California at Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall #3114, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ralph A Saporito
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, 1 John Carroll Boulevard, University Heights, OH, 44118, USA.
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41
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Storage and release of hydrogen cyanide in a chelicerate ( Oribatula tibialis). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:3469-3472. [PMID: 28289203 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1618327114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanogenesis denotes a chemical defensive strategy where hydrogen cyanide (HCN, hydrocyanic or prussic acid) is produced, stored, and released toward an attacking enemy. The high toxicity and volatility of HCN requires both chemical stabilization for storage and prevention of accidental self-poisoning. The few known cyanogenic animals are exclusively mandibulate arthropods (certain myriapods and insects) that store HCN as cyanogenic glycosides, lipids, or cyanohydrins. Here, we show that cyanogenesis has also evolved in the speciose Chelicerata. The oribatid mite Oribatula tibialis uses the cyanogenic aromatic ester mandelonitrile hexanoate (MNH) for HCN storage, which degrades via two different pathways, both of which release HCN. MNH is emitted from exocrine opisthonotal oil glands, which are potent organs for chemical defense in most oribatid mites.
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42
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Chiou WH, Chen HY. Synthesis of dendrobatid alkaloid (+)-167B and (+)-209D and the investigation of diastereoselectivity using DFT calculations. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra24960d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of dendrobatid alkaloid (+)-167B and (+)-209D has been developed on the basis of the effective preparation of chiral tropinone 7-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-6-ol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hua Chiou
- Department of Chemistry
- National Chung Hsing University
- Taichung
- ROC
| | - Hao-Yu Chen
- Department of Chemistry
- National Chung Hsing University
- Taichung
- ROC
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43
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Schulte LM, Saporito RA, Davison I, Summers K. The palatability of Neotropical poison frogs in predator-prey systems: do alkaloids make the difference? Biotropica 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Schulte
- Department of Biology; East Carolina University; 1001 E Tenth Street Greenville NC 27858 USA
| | - Ralph A. Saporito
- Department of Biology; John Carroll University; University Heights OH 44118 USA
| | - Ian Davison
- Department of Biology; East Carolina University; 1001 E Tenth Street Greenville NC 27858 USA
| | - Kyle Summers
- Department of Biology; East Carolina University; 1001 E Tenth Street Greenville NC 27858 USA
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44
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Heethoff M, Norton RA, Raspotnig G. Once Again: Oribatid Mites and Skin Alkaloids in Poison Frogs. J Chem Ecol 2016; 42:841-844. [PMID: 27672057 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-016-0758-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Heethoff
- Ecological Networks, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 3, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Roy A Norton
- College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Günther Raspotnig
- Institute of Zoology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, A-8010, Graz, Austria
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45
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Ant and Mite Diversity Drives Toxin Variation in the Little Devil Poison Frog. J Chem Ecol 2016; 42:537-51. [PMID: 27318689 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-016-0715-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Poison frogs sequester chemical defenses from arthropod prey, although the details of how arthropod diversity contributes to variation in poison frog toxins remains unclear. We characterized skin alkaloid profiles in the Little Devil poison frog, Oophaga sylvatica (Dendrobatidae), across three populations in northwestern Ecuador. Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, we identified histrionicotoxins, 3,5- and 5,8-disubstituted indolizidines, decahydroquinolines, and lehmizidines as the primary alkaloid toxins in these O. sylvatica populations. Frog skin alkaloid composition varied along a geographical gradient following population distribution in a principal component analysis. We also characterized diversity in arthropods isolated from frog stomach contents and confirmed that O. sylvatica specialize on ants and mites. To test the hypothesis that poison frog toxin variability reflects species and chemical diversity in arthropod prey, we (1) used sequencing of cytochrome oxidase 1 to identify individual prey specimens, and (2) used liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to chemically profile consumed ants and mites. We identified 45 ants and 9 mites in frog stomachs, including several undescribed species. We also showed that chemical profiles of consumed ants and mites cluster by frog population, suggesting different frog populations have access to chemically distinct prey. Finally, by comparing chemical profiles of frog skin and isolated prey items, we traced the arthropod source of four poison frog alkaloids, including 3,5- and 5,8-disubstituted indolizidines and a lehmizidine alkaloid. Together, the data show that toxin variability in O. sylvatica reflects chemical diversity in arthropod prey.
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46
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Bufadienolide and alkaloid-based chemical defences in two different species of neotropical anurans are equally effective against the same arthropod predators. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467416000055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:Defensive chemicals in anuran skin secretions function in protection against potential predators. Although studies have demonstrated that particular chemicals are effective against certain predators, very little is known about how different chemicals from different species function against the same predators. Understanding how different chemicals function as a defence against similar predators is fundamental to the ecology and evolution of chemical defences in frogs. In the present study, the defensive function of bufadienolide-based defences in adult Rhaebo haematiticus (Bufonidae) were compared with alkaloid-based defences in adult and juvenile Dendrobates auratus (Dendrobatidae) against the same predators. Most bufonids contain synthesized bufadienolides, whereas dendrobatids contain dietary-derived alkaloids. Predation trials were performed with two potential invertebrate predators, Paraponera clavata (bullet ant) and Cupiennius coccineus (ctenid spider), to determine how these predators respond to two different types of frog chemical defence. The non-chemically defended frog Craugastor fitzingeri served as a control in all predation trials. Our results suggest that bufadienolide defences of R. haematiticus and alkaloid defences of D. auratus are equally effective towards bullet ant and ctenid spider predators. The similar avoidance and cleaning behaviours exhibited by these ants and spiders after contact with bufadienolides and alkaloids suggest that both types of defence are unpalatable to these arthropod predators.
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47
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Tarvin RD, Santos JC, O'Connell LA, Zakon HH, Cannatella DC. Convergent Substitutions in a Sodium Channel Suggest Multiple Origins of Toxin Resistance in Poison Frogs. Mol Biol Evol 2016; 33:1068-81. [DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msv350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Complex phenotypes typically have a correspondingly multifaceted genetic component. However, the genotype–phenotype association between chemical defense and resistance is often simple: genetic changes in the binding site of a toxin alter how it affects its target. Some toxic organisms, such as poison frogs (Anura: Dendrobatidae), have defensive alkaloids that disrupt the function of ion channels, proteins that are crucial for nerve and muscle activity. Using protein-docking models, we predict that three major classes of poison frog alkaloids (histrionicotoxins, pumiliotoxins, and batrachotoxins) bind to similar sites in the highly conserved inner pore of the muscle voltage-gated sodium channel, Nav1.4. We predict that poison frogs are somewhat resistant to these compounds because they have six types of amino acid replacements in the Nav1.4 inner pore that are absent in all other frogs except for a distantly related alkaloid-defended frog from Madagascar, Mantella aurantiaca. Protein-docking models and comparative phylogenetics support the role of these replacements in alkaloid resistance. Taking into account the four independent origins of chemical defense in Dendrobatidae, phylogenetic patterns of the amino acid replacements suggest that 1) alkaloid resistance in Nav1.4 evolved independently at least five times in these frogs, 2) variation in resistance-conferring replacements is likely a result of differences in alkaloid exposure across species, and 3) functional constraint shapes the evolution of the Nav1.4 inner pore. Our study is the first to demonstrate the genetic basis of autoresistance in frogs with alkaloid defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan C Santos
- Department of Zoology, Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo
| | | | - Harold H Zakon
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas—Austin
| | - David C Cannatella
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas—Austin
- Biodiversity Collections, University of Texas—Austin
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48
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Murray EM, Bolton SK, Berg T, Saporito RA. Arthropod predation in a dendrobatid poison frog: does frog life stage matter? ZOOLOGY 2016; 119:169-174. [PMID: 26831358 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Frogs in the family Dendrobatidae are well known for their conspicuous colors and variable alkaloid-based chemical defenses. The aposematic coloration in dendrobatid frogs appears to deter predators with color vision, but relatively little is known about how these frogs are protected and their defenses are perceived by non-color vision dominated predators. The neotropical bullet ant Paraponera clavata and the red-legged banana spider Cupiennius coccineus are predators that avoid adults of the dendrobatid Oophaga pumilio, but readily consume non-toxic frogs. Juvenile O. pumilio possess the same warning coloration as adult O. pumilio, but may be more palatable given that they have lower quantities of defensive chemicals. This may provide juvenile O. pumilio protection from color-sighted predators, while leaving them susceptible to predators that use chemoreception. To test this hypothesis, we presented juveniles and adults of both O. pumilio and the non-chemically defended frog Craugastor bransfordii to bullet ants and banana spiders. Both bullet ants and banana spiders preyed upon C. bransfordii significantly more than on O. pumilio. Adult and juvenile C. bransfordii experienced similar predation rates by both predators. The life stage of O. pumilio significantly predicted predation by bullet ants, with juveniles being consumed significantly more often than adults. However, the life stage of O. pumilio did not predict predation by banana spiders, as no adults or juveniles were consumed. Our study provides evidence that bullet ants can detect differences in chemical defenses between juvenile and adult O. pumilio, resulting in differential predation on the more palatable juvenile frogs. The avoidance of both adults and juveniles by C. coccineus suggests the alkaloids in O. pumilio act as an effective chemical deterrent to banana spiders, regardless of quantity. Overall, our results suggest that differences in alkaloid defenses among life stages in O. pumilio correspond to differences in relative palatability to at least one arthropod predator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Murray
- Department of Biology, Missouri State University, 901 South National Avenue, Springfield, MO 65897, USA
| | - Sarah K Bolton
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, 1 John Carroll Boulevard, University Heights, OH 44118, USA
| | - Torsten Berg
- Department of Biology, Kalamazoo College, 1200 Academy Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006, USA
| | - Ralph A Saporito
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, 1 John Carroll Boulevard, University Heights, OH 44118, USA.
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49
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Nebe MM, Zinn S, Opatz T. A short and modular approach towards 3,5-disubstituted indolizidine alkaloids. Org Biomol Chem 2016; 14:7084-91. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ob01308b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A short modular access to 5,9-trans-configurated 3,5-disubstituted indolizidines through double α-metalation of piperidine is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco M. Nebe
- Institute of Organic Chemistry
- University of Mainz
- D-55128 Mainz
- Germany
| | - Sina Zinn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry
- University of Mainz
- D-55128 Mainz
- Germany
| | - Till Opatz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry
- University of Mainz
- D-55128 Mainz
- Germany
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50
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Saporito RA, Norton RA, Garraffo MH, Spande TF. Taxonomic distribution of defensive alkaloids in Nearctic oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida). EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2015; 67:317-333. [PMID: 26264156 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-015-9962-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The opisthonotal (oil) glands of oribatid mites are the source of a wide diversity of taxon-specific defensive chemicals, and are likely the location for the more than 90 alkaloids recently identified in oribatids. Although originally recognized in temperate oribatid species, alkaloids have also been detected in related lineages of tropical oribatids. Many of these alkaloids are also present in a worldwide radiation of poison frogs, which are known to sequester these defensive chemicals from dietary arthropods, including oribatid mites. To date, most alkaloid records involve members of the superfamily Oripodoidea (Brachypylina), although few species have been examined and sampling of other taxonomic groups has been highly limited. Herein, we examined adults of more than 60 species of Nearctic oribatid mites, representing 46 genera and 33 families, for the presence of alkaloids. GC-MS analyses of whole body extracts led to the detection of 15 alkaloids, but collectively they occur only in members of the genera Scheloribates (Scheloribatidae) and Protokalumma (Parakalummidae). Most of these alkaloids have also been detected previously in the skin of poison frogs. All examined members of the oripodoid families Haplozetidae and Oribatulidae were alkaloid-free, and no mites outside the Oripodoidea contained alkaloids. Including previous studies, all sampled species of the cosmopolitan oripodoid families Scheloribatidae and Parakalummidae, and the related, mostly tropical families Mochlozetidae and Drymobatidae contain alkaloids. Our findings are consistent with a generalization that alkaloid presence is widespread, but not universal in Oripodoidea. Alkaloid presence in tropical, but not temperate members of some non-oripodoid taxa (in particular Galumnidae) deserves further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph A Saporito
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, 44118, USA.
| | - Roy A Norton
- College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Martin H Garraffo
- Clinical Mass Spectrometry Core, NIDDK, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Thomas F Spande
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, NIDA, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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