Characterization and molecular cloning of neurotoxic phospholipases A2 from Taiwan viper (Vipera russelli formosensis)

Two phospholipases A2 (PLA2s), designated as RV-4 and RV-7 were purified from venom of the Taiwan Russell's viper (Vipera russelli formosensis) by gel-filtration and reverse-phase HPLC. Their primary structures were solved by both protein sequencing and cDNA cloning and sequencing. The cDNA synthesized was amplified by the polymerase-chain reaction using a pair of synthetic oligonucleotide primers corresponding to the N- and the C-terminal flanking regions of the enzymes. The deduced amino acid sequences of RV-4 and RV-7 were 92% identical to those of the vipoxin and vipoxin inhibitor, respectively, from the Bulgarian Vipera a. ammodytes. RV-4 itself was neurotoxic, whereas RV-7 had much lower enzymatic activity and was not toxic. The low enzymatic activity of RV-7 may be attributed to five acidic residues at positions 7, 17, 59, 114 and 119, which presumably impair its binding to aggregated lipid substrates. Based on the sequence comparison among all the known group II PLA2s, residues 6, 12, 76-81, and 119-125 were identified as important for the neurotoxicity. RV-4 and RV-7 exist in the crude venom as heterodimers, which were again formed by mixing together the HPLC-purified RV-4 and RV-7. Moreover, RV-7 inhibited the enzymatic activity of RV-4 in vitro but potentiated its lethal potency and neurotoxicity. It is suggested that RV-7 may facilitate the specific binding of RV-4 to its presynaptic binding sites, probably by preventing its non-specific adsorption.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a hemolymph clottable protein from tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)

To investigate the coagulation system in crustacean decapoda, a homodimeric glycoprotein of 380 kDa was purified from the hemolymph of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) by sequential DEAE anion exchange chromatography. The purified protein was coagulated by the shrimp hemocyte transglutaminase in the presence of Ca2+. The clottable protein contains 44% alpha helices and 26% beta sheets as determined by circular dichroism spectra. Its conformation is stable in buffer of pH 4-9. To solve its primary structure, partial sequences of the purified polypeptides from cyanogen bromide cleavage and endopeptidase digestion were also determined. A shrimp cDNA expression library was constructed. By combination with antibody screening, reverse transcriptase PCR using degenerate primers from determined amino acid sequences and cDNA library screening with digoxigenin-labeled DNA probes, the entire cDNA of 6124 bp was obtained. This cDNA encodes a protein of 1670 amino acids, including a 14-amino acid signal peptide. With four potential N-glycosylation sites, the clottable protein was found to contain 3.8% high-mannose glycan; and Man8GlcNAc and Man9GlcNAc were released upon endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase hydrolysis. Upon conducting a protein sequence database survey, the shrimp clottable protein shows 36% identities to the crayfish clotting protein and lower similarities to members of insect vitellogenins, apolipoprotein B and mammalian von Willebrand factor. Notably, a region rich in Gln residues, a polyGln motif and five Ser-Lys-Thr-Ser repeats are present in the shrimp protein, suggesting this protein might be a transglutaminase substrate. Northern blot analysis revealed that the clottable protein is expressed in most of the shrimp tissues but not in the mature hemocytes.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a neurotoxic phospholipase A2 from the venom of Taiwan habu (Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus)

Using gel-filtration chromatography and reverse-phase (RP) HPLC we have purified a presynaptic neurotoxin (designated as trimucrotoxin) from the crude venom of Taiwan habu (Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus). Its complete primary structure was solved by an automated N-terminal sequencing and cDNA sequencing method. The enzyme inhibited the twitch of the chick biventer cervicis muscle at 0.1-1 micrograms/ml and showed lethality in mice (LD50 = 1.2 micrograms/g, when given intravenously). Trimucrotoxin exists mainly as a homodimer of 14 kDa subunits as shown by a gel-filtration experiment, and dissociates into monomers during SDS/PAGE in the absence of Ca2+. However, most of trimucrotoxin migrated as slowly as a trimer during nondenaturing SDS/PAGE in the presence of Ca2+ or Sr2+. Its amino acid sequence identity to crotoxin B and agkistrodotoxin is about 75%, and its cDNA sequence is 82% identical to that of crotoxin B. Rabbit antiserum against trimucrotoxin also cross-reacted with the other crotalid neurotoxic phospholipases A2. Furthermore, the purified acidic subunit of crotoxin potentiated the neurotoxicity of trimucrotoxin. A comparison of the sequences of these crotalid neurotoxins revealed some common features of the possible neurotoxic sites, including residues 6, 11, 76-81 and 119-125.

The amino acid sequence and properties of an edema-inducing Lys-49 phospholipase A2 homolog from the venom of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus

Three phospholipase A2 enzymes or homologs were purified from the venom of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus (Taiwan habu). The most abundant one was found to be a phospholipase homolog without enzyme activity, and its complete amino acid sequence was determined using oligopeptide fragments derived from digestion by endopeptidases Glu-C, Asp-N, Lys-C and alpha-chymotrypsin, and by means of gas-phase sequencing. The sequence revealed that the protein belonged to the Lys-49 family of snake venom phospholipase A2. This protein's function was characterized as edema-inducing. The Lys-49 protein has the potential to bind membrane phospholipid and Ca2+ (Kd = 1.6 x 10(-4) M) as shown by ultraviolet difference spectra; however, the catalytic site appeared to be inactive and the edematous response was independent of the protein's hydrolytic activity. Mast cells and platelets were shown to be subject to activation by the Lys-49 protein.

Toxicity domain in presynaptically toxic phospholipase A2 of snake venom

About 42 complete amino-acid sequences of phospholipases A2 (phosphatidylcholine 2-acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.4) are known, including those of 13 presynaptically toxic enzymes, but the structural features responsible for the neurotoxicity and distinguishing the toxins from the non-neurotoxic enzymes are far from being clear. In this study, we examined the charged-residue distributions and hydrophobic characteristics based on the sequence data and the predicted tertiary structure and proposed a possible toxicity domain. We found that the presynaptically toxic enzymes have three or four more basic amino-acid residues than the non-neurotoxic enzymes at positions 59, 60, 65, 70-73 and 97 or 98. These residues appear to cluster near the surface region at the N-terminal side. The cationic nature of this basic cluster in the toxin is enhanced by the alpha-amino group of the N-terminus and the dipole moment of helices 96-110 and 1-10. Moreover, these toxic-site residues are usually associated with hydrophobic regions at 1-7, 64-81 and 97-109.

Cigarette smoke inhalation affects the reproductive system of female hamsters

The purpose of this study was to determine if inhalation of mainstream (MS) or sidestream (SS) smoke affects the reproductive organs of female hamsters. Females inhaled smoke from one or two cigarettes twice per day for 30 d prior to mating using a smoking machine equipped for nose breathing. Serum cotinine levels were within the ranges found in active and passive humans smokers. On day 7 of pregnancy, the reproductive organs of controls and smokers were evaluated for the total number of corpora lutea (CL), the percentage of normal, pink, and small CL, the vascular area in the CL, the ultrastructure of the oviductal epithelium, the ratio of ciliated to secretory cells in the ampulla of the oviduct, the stretchability of the uterine horns, the percentage of implantation sites, and the percentage of touching implantation sites. All parameters, except the percentages of implantation sites and of small CL, were affected by exposure to smoke. To determine if the effects of smoking on the ovary and uterus could be reversed, females smoked for 30 d, remained in their cages without smoking for 30 d, and then were mated and evaluated on day 7 of pregnancy. In this reversal experiment, all ovarian and uterine parameters (except total CL) previously affected by smoking were normal in MS and SS females. These experimental observations show that components in both MS and SS smoke, when delivered at levels comparable to those human smokers receive, can affect the ovary, oviduct, and uterus.

Functional and sequence characterization of agkicetin, a new glycoprotein Ib antagonist isolated from Agkistrodon acutus venom. offf2p4

A new glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) antagonist, agkicetin, was purified from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus and characterized. It is a disulfide-linked heterodimer consisting subunits of 15 and 14 kDa. The subunits are homologous to each other and to other snake venom proteins of the C-type (Ca(2+)-dependent) lectin superfamily. Agkicetin behaved as a potent antagonist of von Willebrand Factor (vWF)-induced platelet agglutination (IC50 = 12.5 nM) and bound specifically to GPIb of fixed platelets with high affinity (Kd = 38 nM). It did not bind coagulation factor IX and thrombin. Monoclonal antibody against epitope on the N-terminal domain of GPIb competed the binding of agkicetin with platelets. Reduced and alkylated agkicetin lost most of its inhibitory efficacy toward vWF-induced platelet agglutination.

The hemolymph clottable proteins of tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, and related species

A clottable protein was purified from the hemolymph of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) by sequential DEAE anion-exchange chromatography. The protein formed stable clots in the presence of Ca2+ and the transglutaminase in hemocyte lysate. It is thermostable at temperatures up to 66 degrees C. The molecular mass of the clottable protein was determined to be 380 kDa by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and the protein exists as disulfide-linked homodimers and oligomers. The size and amino acid composition of the clottable protein are similar to those of several other shrimps, prawns, lobster and crayfish, and their N-terminal amino acid sequences are 60-80% identical. Monosaccharide analysis of the clottable protein revealed the presence of mannose, glucosamine or N-acetylglucosamine and possibly glucose in this glycoprotein of about 5% sugar content. Lipid in the protein upon electrophoresis was hardly detectable with the Oil Red O staining method. In immunodiffusion and immunoblotting analyses, the anti-clottable protein antibodies reacted with the clottable proteins from the penaeid shrimps but not with those from other crustaceans.

Purification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses of novel Lys-49 phospholipases A(2) from the venoms of rattlesnakes and other pit vipers

Basic phospholipase A(2) homologs with Lys49 substitution at the essential Ca(2+)-binding site are present in the venom of pit vipers under many genera. However, they have not been found in rattlesnake venoms before. We have now screened for this protein in the venom of rattlesnakes and other less studied pit vipers. By gel filtration chromatography and RP-HPLC, Lys49-phospholipase-like proteins were purified from the venoms of two rattlers, Crotalus atrox and Crotalus m. molossus, and five nonrattlers, Porthidium nummifer, Porthidium godmani, Bothriechis schlegelii, Trimeresurus puniceus, and Trimeresurus albolabris. Their N-terminal amino acid sequences were shown to be characteristic for this phospholipase subfamily. The purified basic proteins from rattlesnakes caused myonecrosis and edema in experimental animals. We have also cloned the cDNAs and solved the complete sequences of four novel Lys49-phospholipases from the venom glands of C. atrox, P. godmani, B. schlegelii, and Deinagkistrodon acutus (hundred-pace). Phylogenetic analyses based on the amino acid sequences of 28 Lys49-phospholipases separate the pitviper of the New World from those of the Old World, and the arboreal Asiatic species from the terrestrial Asiatic species. The implications of the phylogeny tree to the systematics of pit vipers, and structure-function relationship of the Lys49-phospholipases are discussed.

Two types of Russell's viper revealed by variation in phospholipases A2 from venom of the subspecies

This study compared the phospholipases A2 (PLA2S) present in four commercially available venoms of Russell's viper subspecies by HPLC fractionation and partial sequence analysis. A potent heterodimeric PLA2 neurotoxin (designated a Russtoxin) was found in the venoms of all Russell's vipers except Daboia russelli (Sri Lanka and South India). The venom PLA2S of D. r. russelli (southern India) used in a previous study appear to be the same as those of D. r. pulchella (Sri Lanka), while the venom PLA2S of D. r. russelli (Pakistan) and D. r. siamensis (Burma and Thailand) resemble those of D. r. formosensis (Taiwan). This study provides evidence for the presence of two types of Russell's viper. Daboia russelli formosensis (Taiwan). D. r. siamensis (Thailand and Burma) and D. r. russelli (Pakistan) represent one type whose venom contains PLA2S having an Asn residue at the N-terminus, while D. r. pulchella (South India and Sri Lanka) represents the other type, whose venom contains PLA2S with a N-terminal residue Ser.

Functional and sequence characterization of coagulation factor IX/factor X-binding protein from the venom of Echis carinatus leucogaster

A new coagulation factor IX/factor X-binding protein (IX/X-bp) from Echis carinatus leucogaster venom has been purified and designated ECLV IX/X-bp. ECLV IX/X-bp binds factor IX and X in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner and is devoid of thrombin-inhibitory and platelet-aggregating activities. The apparent dissociation constants (Kd) for binding of ECLV IX/X-bp to factor IX and factor X are 6.6 and 125 nM, respectively. Upon the addition of Mg2+, the required Ca2+ concentration for optimal binding of ECLV IX/X-bp to factor IX and factor X was prominently reduced. Mg2+ also increases the affinity of factor X for the venom protein. Direct binding of IX/X-bp to factor IX and X could also be detected by far-Western blotting, and results of the experiment ruled out the lectin-like mechanism of ECLV IX/X-bp. The complete amino acid sequence and the disulfide pattern of ECLV IX/X-bp was deduced by enzymatic hydrolysis and automated sequencing of the S-pyridylethylated protein. The venom protein is a heterodimer with one subunit of 131 amino acid residues and another of 125 residues. Both subunits are homologous to each other and to other snake venom proteins of the C-type lectin superfamily.

The midgut chymotrypsins of shrimps (Penaeus monodon, Penaeus japonicus and Penaeus penicillatus)

The midgut chymotrypsins (EC 3.4.4.5) of three species of shrimps, Penaeus monodon, Penaeus japonicus and Penaeus penicillatus were purified and studied in detail to clarify previous ambiguity in their identification. In each of the species there are two major forms of chymotrypsin, both single-chained with three disulfide bonds. One has a pI of 3.2 and Mr 27,000 or 28,000, while the other has a pI of 3.0 and Mr 25,000 or 26,000. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the P. monodon enzymes are homologous to those of the crab (Uca pugilator) collagenase and to the other chymotrypsins. However, the active sites of the shrimp chymotrypsins are different from that of the well studied bovine alpha-chymotrypsin in some respects: (1) in spite of showing the typical specificity of chymotrypsin, the shrimp enzymes are more stringently selective for substrates with extended polypeptide chain; (2) some titration agents of alpha-chymotrypsin, including t-cinnamoylimidazole, 4-nitrophenyl guanidinobenzoate and its fluorescent derivative, do not react with the shrimp enzymes, neither do some of the alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitors: Tosyl-PheCH2Cl, methyl-4-nitrobenzenesulfonate and benzeneboronic acid; (3) the shrimp chymotrypsins are more reactive than the bovine enzyme toward native protein substrates including collagen; (4) the kinetic-salt-effects of the shrimp enzyme toward N-succinyl- and acetyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-4-nitroanilide mainly reflect electrostatic rather than hydrophobic interactions between the substrates and the enzyme. The shrimp enzymes are acid-labile but resistent to autolysis. Our results suggest that most Crustacea decapods contain chymotrypsins as one of the major digestive endopeptidases.

Serine protease isoforms of Deinagkistrodon acutus venom: cloning, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis

The major coagulating fibrinogenase of Deinagkistrdon acutus venom, designated acutobin, was purified by anion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration and reverse-phase HPLC. Approximately 80% of its protein sequence was determined by sequencing the various fragments derived from CNBr cleavage and digestion with endoprotease. Extensive screening of the venom gland cDNA species after amplification by PCR resulted in the isolation of four distinct cDNA clones encoding acutobin and three other serine proteases, designated Dav-PA, Dav-KN and Dav-X. The complete amino acid sequences of these enzymes were deduced from the cDNA sequences. The amino-acid sequence of acutobin contains a single chain of 236 residues including four potential N-glycosylation sites. The purified acutobin (40 kDa) contains approx. 30% carbohydrate by weight, which could be partly removed by N-glycanase. The phylogenetic tree of the complete amino acid sequences of 40 serine proteases from 18 species of Crotalinae shows functional clusters reflecting parallel evolution of the three major venom enzyme subtypes: coagulating enzymes, kininogenases and plasminogen activators. The possible structural elements responsible for the functional specificity of each subtype are discussed.

Purification, cloning and sequence analyses for pro-metalloprotease-disintegrin variants from Deinagkistrodon acutus venom and subclassification of the small venom metalloproteases

Acidic and basic hemorrhagic metalloproteases were purified from the venom of Deinagkistrodon acutus (from Fujian Province, China) using gel filtration and anion exchange on FPLC and reversed-phase HPLC. Their hemorrhagic activities and N-terminal sequences were characterized. Extensive screening of the venom gland cDNA after PCR amplification resulted in the identification and sequencing of a total of seven cDNA clones encoding the multidomain precursors of six acidic and one alkaline low molecular mass metalloproteases. Two of the precursors contain a processable disintegrin domain. Disintegrins of 5 kDa were also purified from the venom. The partial amino-acid sequences and molecular masses determined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of the purified proteins specifically match those deduced from two of the cDNA sequences. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses based on 30 complete sequences of low molecular mass venom metalloproteases revealed that they may be classified into three functional subtypes: acidic hemorrhagins, basic and moderate hemorrhagins, and nonhemorrhagic enzymes. Subtype-specific amino-acid substitutions in the C-terminal regions of the enzymes were highlighted to explore the structure-activity relationships of the enzymes.

Phospholipases A2 from Callosellasma rhodostoma venom gland cloning and sequencing of 10 of the cDNAs, three-dimensional modelling and chemical modification of the major isozyme

Callosellasma rhodostoma (Malayan pitviper) is a monotypic Asian pitviper of medical importance. Three acidic phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) and one basic PLA2-homolog were purified from its venom while 10 cDNAs encoding distinct PLA2s were cloned from venom glands of a Thailand specimen of this species. Complete amino-acid sequences of the purified PLA2s were successfully deduced from their cDNA sequences. Among the six un-translated PLA2 cDNAs, two apparently result from recombination of its Lys49-PLA2 gene with its Asp49-PLA2 genes. The acidic PLA2s inhibit platelet-aggregation, while the noncatalytic PLA2-homolog induces local edema. This basic PLA2-homolog contains both Asp49 and other, unusual substitutions unique for the venom Lys49-PLA2 subtype (e.g. Leu5, Trp6, Asn28 and Arg34). Three-dimensional modelling of the basic protein revealed a heparin-binding region, and an abnormal calcium-binding pocket, which may explain its low catalytic activity. Oxidation of up to six of its Met residues or coinjection with heparin reduced its edema-inducing activity but methylation of its active site His48 did not. The distinct Arg/Lys-rich and Met-rich region at positions 10-36 of the PLA2 homolog presumably are involved in its heparin-binding and the cell membrane-interference leading to edema and myotoxicity.

Comparison of the kinetic specificity of subtilisin and thiolsubtilisin toward n-alkyl p-nitrophenyl esters

The p-nitrophenyl esters of straight-chain fatty acids were used as substrates of the enzyme subtilisin Novo (EC 3.4.4.16) and its chemically produced artificial enzyme thiolsubtilisin. Subtilisin and thiolsubtilisin pH--activity profiles were determined, and kinetic effects of the active site O-S substitution were observed. Among the substrates tested, both enzymes show highest specificity with p-nitrophenyl butyrate. It was also found that subtilisin is more sensitive to changes in substrate chain length than is thiolsubtilisin. Second-order acylation rate constants (k2/Ks) are remarkably similar for both enzymes. However, thiolsubtilisin deacylation rate constants and Km values are lower than analogous subtilisin constants. While thiolsubtilisin deacylation rate constants give a pH profile identical with that of subtilisin, the pH profile of thiolsubtilisin acylation rate constants shows an active site pK value lowered from the subtilisin pK of 7.15 and exhibits an inflection point at pH 8.45, which is absent in subtilisin.

Differential Expression and Geographic Variation of the Venom Phospholipases A2 of Calloselasma rhodostoma and Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus

To investigate the geographic variations in venoms of two medically important pitvipers, we have purified and characterized the phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) from the pooled venoms of Calloselasma rhodostoma from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, as well as the individual venom of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus collected from both North and South Taiwan. Enzymatic and pharmacological activities of the purified PLA2s were also investigated. The complete amino acid sequences of the purified PLA2s were determined by sequencing the corresponding cDNAs from the venom gland and shown to be consistent with their molecular weight data and the N-terminal sequences. All the geographic venom samples of C. rhodostoma contain a major noncatalytic basic PLA2-homolog and two or three acidic PLA2s in different proportions. These acidic PLA2s contain Glu6-substitutions and show distinct inhibiting specificities toward the platelets from human and rabbit. We also found that the T. mucrosquamatus venoms from North Taiwan but not those from South Taiwan contain an Arg6-PLA2 designated as TmPL-III. Its amino acid sequence is reported for the first time. This enzyme is structurally almost identical to the low- or nonexpressed Arg6-PLA2 from C. rhodostoma venom gland, and thus appears to be a regressing venom component in both of the Asian pitvipers.

The midgut trypsins of shrimp (Penaeus monodon). High efficiency toward native protein substrates including collagens

Two shrimp trypsins have been purified from the midguts of Penaeid shrimps by various chromatographies and HPLC. The molecular masses of them are 27 and 29 kDa, respectively. They show the typical specificity of trypsin for substrates and inhibitors, and their N-terminal amino-acid sequences are homologous to those of other trypsins. The shrimp enzymes are very acidic (pI less than or equal to 2.4), and show distinctively low Km for the synthetic amide substrates. They also hydrolyse various native proteins more efficiently than bovine trypsin in vitro. However, the anionic shrimp trypsins do not have special preference for basic protein substrates over the acidic one. Collagenolytic activity of the midgut extract was mainly due to serine proteases. The collagenolytic activity of the purified shrimp trypsin was confirmed by assays with either soluble or insoluble native type I collagens. In comparison with the other trypsins from the Crustacean decapods, the shrimp enzymes have four pairs of disulfide bonds, intermediary between the crayfish trypsin (three pairs) and the crab trypsin (five pairs), and are immunochemically different from them.

Characterization of a cDNA encoding the precursor of platelet aggregation inhibition and metalloproteinase from Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus venom

This paper presents the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA encoding a full-length precursor of a novel platelet aggregation inhibitor named trimucrin and a hemorrhagic metalloproteinase from Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus snake venom. The deduced structure of the precursor protein is compared with those of other members of the metalloproteinase/disintegrin family.

Molecular cloning and deduced primary structures of acidic and basic phospholipases A2 from the venom of Deinagkistrodon acutus

This paper presents the nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs encoding three acidic phospholipases A2 and one basic phospholipase A2 from Deinagkistrodon acutus venom. The deduced primary structure of the basic enzyme is closest to that of the basic neurotoxic enzyme from Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus venom, while the acidic phospholipases from D. acutus have highest sequence similarity to that from Agkistrodon halys pallas. The phylogeny of this monotypic species is discussed.