Toxic activity and protein identification from the parotoid gland secretion of the common toad Bufo bufo.
Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol
; 205: 43-52, 2018 Feb.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29382576
ABSTRACT
Anuran toxins released from the skin glands are involved in defence against predators and microorganisms. Secretion from parotoid macroglands of bufonid toads is a rich source of bioactive compounds with the cytotoxic, cardiotoxic and hemolytic activity. Bufadienolides are considered the most toxic components of the toad poison, whereas the protein properties are largely unknown. In the present work, we analysed the cardio-, myo-, and neurotropic activity of extract and the selected proteins from Bufo bufo parotoids in in vitro physiological bioassays carried out on two standard model organisms beetles and frogs. Our results demonstrate a strong cardioactivity of B. bufo gland extract. The toad poison stimulates (by 16%) the contractility of the insect heart and displays the cardioinhibitory effect on the frog heartbeat frequency (a 27% decrease), coupled with an irreversible cardiac arrest. The gland extract also exhibits significant myotropic properties (a 10% decrease in the muscle contraction force), whereas its neuroactivity remains low (a 4% decrease in the nerve conduction velocity). Among identified peptides present in the B. bufo parotoid extract are serine proteases, muscle creatine kinase, phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte protein, etc. Some proteins contribute to the cardioinhibitory effect. Certain compounds display the paralytic (myo- and neurotropic) properties. As the toad gland extract exhibits a strong cardiotoxic activity, we conclude that the poison is a potent agent capable of slaying a predator. Our results also provide the guides for the use of toad poison-peptides in therapeutics and new drug development.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Piel
/
Bufo bufo
/
Proteínas Anfibias
/
Cardiotoxinas
/
Venenos de Anfibios
/
Bloqueantes Neuromusculares
/
Neurotoxinas
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol
Asunto de la revista:
FARMACOLOGIA
/
TOXICOLOGIA
Año:
2018
Tipo del documento:
Article